Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1352: 729: Ascension by Seeking Passage

Within the depths of the Nine Nether Void Realm, the Dark Sky remains buried under a thick layer of chaotic mist.

A colossal vortex, its diameter stretching beyond measure, rotates with a slow rhythm here. In contrast to the violent, turbulent space-time fluctuations at its edges, the central "Wind Eye" appears significantly more tranquil.

At an unknown moment, a silent human figure manifested deep within this "Wind Eye."

Before him, crystalline peaks suddenly emerged, hovering in the void. They radiated soft, multicolored light as countless Immortal Seal Runes flickered across their surfaces.

The structure of these crystalline peaks was truly bizarre; they were inverted, with their sharp summits pointing downward while their bases had been flattened into massive Magic Platforms, each spanning nearly a hundred miles.

Upon counting, there were exactly eighty-one of these inverted crystalline peaks, matching the eighty-one Array Pillars required for the Ascension Platform.

As he observed the Great Array formed by these peaks, a flicker of passion ignited in Zhao Sheng’s eyes. Since his rebirth, this was the very first time he had beheld the Ascension Array in its complete and true form.

It was clear that these eighty-one crystalline peaks served as the primary Array Base for the Ascension Array, while the visible Ascension Platform was merely the tip of the iceberg.

With a sudden flash, Zhao Sheng’s body moved, landing instantly upon one of the crystalline Magic Platforms. He sat cross-legged without delay, and a brilliant Divine Light began to radiate from the center of his forehead.

His Divine Thought surged forth like a mighty tide, instantly blanketing the crystalline peak beneath him.

In that heartbeat, a torrent of countless Immortal Seal Runes flooded his mind, rapidly mapping out thousands of complex formation nodes.

The crystalline peak soon began to glow, its multicolored radiance rising like the morning sun to push back the surrounding shadows.

Zhao Sheng became lost in the exhilaration of decoding the Ascension Array's secrets, completely losing track of the passing hours.

A month vanished in what felt like the blink of an eye.

Suddenly, Zhao Sheng snapped awake on that day, his consciousness instantly pulling back from the profound depths of the Array Dao.

The Returning to Void Splitting God he had stationed at the Ascension Platform had just stirred his spirit, signaling that Zhao Dingshan had arrived as promised.

Standing up slowly, Zhao Sheng stretched his limbs before his figure vanished into the air.

Back at the Ascension Platform, Zhao Dingshan immediately moved forward to pay his respects: “Dingshan greets Ancestor!”

Zhao Sheng scanned the area, understanding the situation immediately.

Zhao Dingshan was not alone this time; he was accompanied by four Nascent Soul Cultivators—three men and one woman.

“Dingshan, who are these people…?”

Before the question was fully asked, the four individuals stepped forward as one, bowing deeply as they cried out:

“Zhao Daxian of the Da Generation from the Zhao Family of Heavenly Pillar Mountain greets Ancestor!”

“Zhao Dingtian of the Ding Generation from the Zhao Family of Heavenly Pillar Mountain greets Ancestor!”

“Zhao… Zhao Dingpian of the Ding Generation from the Zhao Family of Heavenly Pillar Mountain greets Ancestor!”

“…Zhao Luolan greets Ancestor!”

Accepting their formal salutations with grace, Zhao Sheng spoke calmly, “The formalities are finished, you may all rise!”

The four stood up and took their places half a step behind Zhao Dingshan, waiting reverently for the Ancestor to speak.

Because of Zhao Sheng's presence, the three surviving elders of the Ding Generation from the Zhao Family at Heavenly Pillar Mountain had gathered at the Ascension Platform simultaneously. This was a monumental event, signaling that the various fractured branches of the Zhao Family were finally beginning to reconcile after years of internal strife.

For the next hour, Zhao Sheng spoke with the four, providing guidance for their Cultivation and handing out specially prepared Storage Bags.

An hour later, filled with a mix of excitement and joy, the four took their leave of the Ancestor and Zhao Dingshan, descending from the Ascension Platform.

Following that day, the unification of the Zhao Family’s branches accelerated tremendously. Elite members of the clan scattered across various seas and continents hurried toward Heavenly Pillar Mountain, hoping for a chance to climb the Ascension Platform and witness the Ancestor.

However, the Ascension Platform was far too high and dangerous, accessible only to those at the Nascent Soul level. Many Golden Core Masters in the Mountain City waited for years with bated breath, but never caught a glimpse of the Ancestor.

But that is a story for later; there is no need to dwell on it now.

With the experience from his first success, Zhao Sheng’s second attempt at refining was even smoother.

In just over six months, he successfully merged Zhao Dingshan’s Nascent Soul with a Spirit Core, subsequently spending a full day installing that Spirit Core into a Spirit Puppet.

The newly reborn Zhao Dingshan remained on the Ascension Platform for three months.

Once Zhao Dingshan had fully adjusted to his new vessel, Zhao Sheng saw him off and went back to his research on the Ascension Array.

As the seasons turned, time marched on relentlessly!

While the Zhao Family slowly pieced together the mysteries of the Ascension Array, the years seemed to move faster.

Without anyone noticing, more than forty years had slipped away.

…

“Great Elder, when does the Ancestor intend to end his seclusion?”

“That’s right! Forty years have passed. Why has the Ancestor remained hidden at the Ascension Platform without showing himself? Could he have departed already?”

“Brother Dingshan, perhaps you should visit the Ascension Platform once more. Given your relationship, I doubt the Ancestor would turn you away.”

“Sigh, those Golden Core youngsters have been making a fuss lately, accusing us elders of blocking them from seeing the Ancestor. Do those little brats intend to revolt?”

“Fairness is hard to come by! With Cultivation resources being so scarce, how can everyone be satisfied? If these branches don't stop their bickering, even an old woman like me will want to walk away!”

“Sister Lan, please calm yourself. I will surely discipline those unruly youths when I get back! However, since the Central Sect is gaining the most, shouldn't they share more Cultivation resources with the other branches to quiet the anger and resentment of our kin?”

Hearing this, Zhao Changjin—who had reached the Nascent Soul stage less than a decade ago—could no longer remain silent and shot back: “That is incorrect! Ancestor Dingshan sacrificed much for this family, so it is only right that the Central Sect receives more. Furthermore, the Central Sect has already poured massive resources into the family treasury and even granted the branches access to Mountain City and the Pocket World City. The Central Sect has sacrificed so much; are the elders choosing to ignore this?”