Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1358 - 732: Selection and Expansion

A Floating Island spans over four hundred miles above Longshan City, densely packed with an endless array of pavilions and palaces. Beams of light from tunneling cultivators frequently streak across the sky, darting between the structures in a display of constant activity.

At the island's zenith, a magnificent golden palace towers over the landscape, radiating an aura of grandeur and prestige that overshadows everything else on the island.

No guards stood watch at the hall’s entrance. From within, the muffled sounds of a heated dispute drifted out, occasionally punctuated by heavy thuds that suggested the argument had devolved into physical violence.

High upon the roof of this golden hall, two elegant figures rose silently into the air, gliding toward a thicket of trees nestled at the base of the mountain.

One woman was draped in a white veil, her slender form radiating a cold, ethereal presence that seemed detached from the mortal world.

The other possessed a more curvaceous, seductive figure and was clad in vibrant red. Every gesture she made was filled with an innate allure. This was Ren Jinfu, the eldest daughter of the Ren Family.

"Those old fossils only care about profit; it is highly probable that we sisters will be traded away as pawns this time," Ren Yinfu remarked with a look of indignation as she turned to her sister.

"What is so terrible about joining the Divine Artisan Zhao Clan? They are a powerful force, after all, and have long been recognized as a 'Small Immortal Faction,'" Ren Jinzi replied, a faint, self-deprecating smile playing on her lips.

"Hehe, you have a point, sister! If we both end up married to the same man, at least we can keep each other company in the future," Ren Yinfu said, her eyes twinkling with a mischievous glint.

"You are no longer a child, how can you speak of such scandalous things so lightly? This 'marriage alliance' appeared out of thin air. I fail to comprehend why the Zhao Family is making such a grand spectacle of it. I've heard that it isn't just our Ren Family; every clan in Longshan City has been sent an invitation for a marriage alliance by the Zhao Family," Ren Jinzi said, her brow furrowed in confusion.

"Sister, you are overthinking things. In my view, the Zhao Family’s motive is quite transparent. It is likely just some old man without an heir who suddenly wants to father children. We sisters possess Charming Girl constitutions, which naturally makes us more fertile," Ren Yinfu said with a dismissive pout.

At those words, Ren Jinzi’s expression shifted, a sense of desolation washing over her. She sighed, "It seems my sister is the one who truly sees the reality. From the moment of our birth, our paths were set. I simply did not expect this fate to arrive so abruptly!"

"The Divine Artisan Zhao Clan boasts at least five Divinity Transformation Ancestors. We don't even know which ancient immortal we will be serving as concubines. Curse it! Our clan is filled with nothing but greedy sycophants, otherwise, we wouldn't be in this position. Sister, let us run away!" Ren Yinfu’s eyes flashed with a cold, venomous light.

"No!" Ren Jinzi’s face turned as cold as ice as she firmly rejected the proposal.

"Sister, we are in the flower of our youth, the world is vast! Why should we allow ourselves to be wronged like this..." Ren Yinfu argued stubbornly, her beautiful eyes shimmering.

Ren Jinzi bit her lip, but before she could talk her sister out of her reckless plan, a calm voice reached their ears: "...Because the clan's interests are paramount, and because your sister understands the necessity of sacrificing for the greater good."

As the voice faded, a tall, imposing figure materialized before the two sisters.

Recognizing the newcomer, the sisters' expressions turned to shock as they gasped, "Grandfather..."

"Grandfather, when... when did you arrive?" Ren Yinfu asked, struggling to hide her mounting panic.

"I arrived while you two were busy eavesdropping," Ren Shouzhong replied with a stern, angry look. He rebuked them sharply, "Jinzi, Yinfu, you have grown bold to spy on your elders. Now... follow me back and answer for your transgressions."

Ren Jinzi took a step back, taking her sister's hand in hers as she lowered her head in submission. "Grandfather, we were wrong!"

Ren Yinfu felt a sharp squeeze on her palm and looked at her sister in surprise. Her chest heaved with emotion, and her alluring eyes betrayed a hint of bitter disappointment.

Ren Shouzhong noted the silent interaction between the two but said nothing more, merely commanding them to return immediately to face the council of elders.

...

The news that the Divine Artisan Zhao Clan sought a "marriage alliance" with various local families spread through Longshan like wildfire, sparking a massive commotion.

In thousands of years, the Zhao Family had never conducted such a high-profile search for spouses.

Any observer with a sharp mind could see that this wasn't a standard marriage alliance; it was a search for dual cultivation partners for a powerful cultivator.

Consequently, every clan in Longshan City began to scramble, hoping to seize this chance to forge a connection with the "Small Immortal Faction" of the Zhao Clan.

The news traveled beyond Longshan City to the surrounding satellite towns. Numerous cultivation families rushed to recommend their most beautiful daughters to the Zhao Family.

These women mostly possessed unique constitutions, and many had been specifically trained in various dual cultivation arts.

Supported by a Divinity Transformation Ancestor, the Divine Artisan Zhao Clan was a renowned power within the Ten Thousand Peak Spirit Domain, holding the status of a "Small Immortal Faction."