Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1326 - 716: Clan Extermination Tragedy Shocks All Sides
Previously on Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension...
With a strategic reach and a profound foresight, their vision was unrivaled within the Tianzhu Realm!
Even the historical records of the former Lingxu True Monarch frequently noted that the Zhao Family was a lineage blessed by the Heavenly Dao. He described them as a clan where geniuses and prodigies were born in every generation, ensuring an eternal family legacy. He went as far as to claim that if the Qi Fortune of the entire Tianzhu Realm were split into ten portions, the Zhao Family would rightfully claim three, filling his notes with such high praise.
Consequently, for nearly ten millennia, the various True Monarchs of our Sect have viewed the Tianzhu Zhao Family as their primary rival, perpetually seeking ways to sabotage their growth and momentum.
Regrettably, it was only within the last three thousand years that the Supreme Sensing Sect was able to capitalize on the realm's fading Spiritual Energy. They used this decline to slowly dismantle the Tianzhu Zhao Family, successfully siphoning away the majority of their Qi Fortune in the process.
The Qi Mountain Taoist reflected on this in silence before suddenly producing a Jade Talisman. He inscribed specific details into it and concealed the device within his sleeve.
At almost the exact same moment, deep within a "Grotto Heaven" anchored to a desolate Dead Star, a cry of shock echoed through a palace. Immediately after, several beams of Flowing Light erupted from the hall, streaking across the sky in different directions.
Triggered by the alarming theories of the Qi Mountain Taoist, the Supreme Sensing Sect initiated a rapid response. Several Nascent Soul Ancestors were forced out of their secluded Cultivation, and the mountain gate’s Great Array was elevated to its third layer of defense shortly thereafter!
These maneuvers and preparations were all set in motion just days before Zhao Sheng reached the Spring Birth Realm!
A few days later, Zhao Sheng arrived in the Spring Birth Realm and wiped out the Ghost God Sect in its entirety with a single strike.
During the slaughter, he failed to notice an unremarkable meteorite hovering at the very edge of the firmament above the Wuhui Mountain Range, perfectly hidden from view!
Every action taken below was recorded by the "Spirit Light Mirror." Without Zhao Sheng's knowledge, his arrival and power were no longer hidden from certain eyes!
The moment he set off toward the Cloud Mist Mountain Range, the Supreme Sensing Sect was suddenly gripped by... panic!
A heavy, suffocating tension settled over the Supreme Sensing Sect’s mountain gate for a time, though the rank-and-file disciples remained oblivious to the crisis.
Before long, a frantic summons went out to every remaining Nascent Soul Ancestor in the Sect, and even Fengyi True Monarch was roused from his meditation.
Disturbed by reports of a potential Half-Immortal of the Void appearing, Fengyi True Monarch could not remain idle. He immediately convened an emergency secret council with all the Nascent Soul Ancestors.
“True Monarch, the situation is critical! A person of unknown origin has surfaced and mercilessly slaughtered everyone within the Ghost God Sect!”
“Furthermore, urgent dispatches arrived from the Tianzhu Realm two weeks ago, reporting that the Ghost God Sect branch there was also annihilated. It now seems certain that the perpetrator is either this Half-Immortal of the Void or a very close associate.”
“Hiss, is it possible that a second Half-Immortal of the Void has appeared?! Such a coincidence seems impossible otherwise.”
“That cannot be! The status of a Half-Immortal of the Void is far too exalted! To have even one interfering is the absolute limit; how could there be two? The attacker in the Tianzhu Realm is likely just a Divinity Transformation True Monarch, probably in the mid to late stages of cultivation.”
“Fengyi True Monarch, a message was recently sent by our Senior Uncle, the Qi Mountain Ancestor. He believes this entire ordeal is undoubtedly connected to the Zhao Family!”
“Oh? Junior Brother Qing Hai, can this be verified? Is it truly... the work of the Zhao Family?! That seems highly improbable!”
“What does probability matter! Whether the Zhao Family is involved or not, as long as that individual doesn't target our Sect, let them be ruined! If the Ghost God Sect is gone, so be it! I never held them in high regard anyway.”
“Senior Brother Qing Jue, watch your tongue in the presence of the True Monarch. That was far too disrespectful! The Ghost God Sect is vital to our Sect’s core interests. If they fall, centuries of our meticulous planning will be destroyed in a single night. How can you find joy in this?”
“That Half-Immortal of the Void likely won't target us. We are probably overreacting! We should focus on how to manage the fallout. We need to find a replacement for the Ghost God Sect immediately to keep our future plans on track.”
“Senior Ancestor Qingyun, what about the Wuya Sect? Their strength is certainly sufficient to take the place of the Ghost God Sect!”
“Junior Brother Bai Lin’s idea has merit! The Wuya Sect has stood for over ten thousand years and possesses deep roots. Their ultimate True Skill, the ‘Heavenly Travel Scripture,’ is missing its final two chapters. Fortuitously, our Sect’s Scripture Cave holds the complete manual. It would make the perfect lure!”
“The disciples of the Wuya Sect are notoriously defiant and hard to control. I believe we should look elsewhere. The Heavenly Puppet Sect in the western Mountain Continent would be much better! That sect is...”
“...Senior Brother Qing Qiu makes a valid point!”
What began as a grave secret council had somehow drifted ten thousand miles away from the main issue!
As the Nascent Soul juniors debated which puppet sect to install next, Fengyi True Monarch sat on his high throne in silence, his face a mask of indifference as he watched the proceedings.
No one could guess the turmoil in his heart—perhaps it was sheer terror!
Aside from the True Monarchs of previous eras, no one in the Supreme Sensing Sect is aware of the ultimate secret!
That secret is that the Ghost God Sect served as the guardian of a Primordial Yang Spirit Treasure!
The fact that the Half-Immortal of the Void walked away unscathed proves that even a Primordial Yang Spirit Treasure was insufficient to stop them.
This confirms that the intruder is no ordinary Half-Immortal of the Void; their true power exceeds all imagination!
If that person stays away, all is well; but if they ever arrive at the gates, the Sect would have to manifest its own Sect Treasure just to stand a chance of driving them back. Even then, Fengyi True Monarch was filled with doubt, though he tried his best to push such dark thoughts away.
“Sigh... I can only hope the worst does not come to pass! If it does, our Sect... faces total annihilation!” Fengyi True Monarch lamented internally, his eyes losing their luster.
...
At the foot of a spirit peak rising eight hundred zhang high, a thicket of ancient, massive trees stood, forming a natural Formation that shielded the Ling Mountain behind it!
From the outside, it appeared to be nothing more than a vibrant forest, giving no hint that a hill lay hidden behind the greenery.
Only a select few knew that this Nameless hill was the most vital location for the Cloud Mist Zhao Family, for it served as the cultivation Dao Field for Ancestor Meng Han.
On this day, the arrival of a single individual shattered the ancient forest's long-standing peace.
Zhao Sheng emerged from the trees, looking up at the spirit peak before him with a faint, knowing smile.
“Impressive! To successfully weave the Laws of wood, earth, and water into a single Formation and blend them so seamlessly! It seems the Cloud Mist Zhao Family has some skill after all. At least they know how to recruit talent. Zhao Menghan? How very interesting!”
With those words, Zhao Sheng began his ascent. He walked through the various layers of mountain formations, passing through them effortlessly without alerting any of the security measures.
The summit soon came into view, featuring a modest and rustic bamboo residence.
Zhao Sheng’s eyes flickered as he suddenly manifested beneath the bamboo structure, using his Divine Thought to lightly signal the person meditating within.
The Ancestor Meng Han... or rather, Zhao Menghan, snapped his eyes open. A flash of terror crossed his face as he bolted out of the building.
Standing outside, he was immediately met by the sight of a handsome young man watching him with a smile.
Zhao Menghan’s blood ran cold. He sensed that the stranger’s aura was ethereal and beyond reach, as if they were on the verge of Ascension and did not truly belong to this mortal world. He couldn't detect a single breath of the man's power!
In that instant, Zhao Menghan realized the man’s cultivation realm was vastly superior to his own. This was someone who could not be provoked!
“Junior Zhao Menghan was unaware of Senior’s arrival and failed to provide a proper welcome! I beg for your forgiveness, Senior!”
As he spoke, Zhao Menghan bowed low, showing the highest level of deference!
“Stand up,” Zhao Sheng replied calmly.
Zhao Menghan stood nervously. He wanted to ask why the man had come, but a sudden shiver of instinct stopped him. He kept his mouth shut and waited respectfully for the senior to speak.
“From what I understand, you were an orphan taken in by the Zhao Family as a child after your Spirit Root was discovered. Therefore, you do not actually carry the Zhao Family bloodline!” Zhao Sheng remarked suddenly.
Hearing this, Zhao Menghan’s thoughts raced, analyzing every bit of meaning behind those words.
The man’s tone wasn't hostile; it actually sounded somewhat playful.
From this, he guessed that the stranger was a friend rather than a foe, likely someone deeply tied to the Zhao Family.
Or... perhaps one of the ancient "Elders" of the Zhao Family?!
At that thought, a spark of realization hit Zhao Menghan, and he began to suspect the true reason behind the senior’s question.