Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1371: 738: Intimidation, Probing, and Preaching (Part 2)

Chapter 738: Intimidation, Probing, and Preaching (Part 2)

Zhao Sheng remained unruffled. Turning his gaze toward Di Wuque, he asked with a thin smile, “Do you possess the courage to repeat those words in the presence of my Ancestor Jing?”

The mere mention of Ancestor Jing caused an immediate hush to fall over the hall, as if the name itself carried a heavy, invisible weight.

Di Wuque’s expression stiffened instantly, and he quickly shifted his eyes away from Zhao Sheng in a fit of suppressed rage.

“Fellow Daoist friends, for the sake of this old man’s reputation, let us set aside these unpleasantries. Today is the auspicious Kunxian Conference; we should focus on drinking, enjoying ourselves, and savoring the Immortal Fruit!”

Master Huang Shi stepped in to mediate the tension. With a jovial laugh, he raised his cup of Spiritual Wine and proclaimed, “Come, let everyone partake in this wine. May your path of Dao be unobstructed and all your desires be realized!”

With a faint grin, Zhao Sheng lifted his cup and drained the Spiritual Wine in a single motion.

Since the host had made a request, the guests were obliged to show respect. The Marquis of Wind, Jie Xing, and the other four also hoisted their vessels and finished their wine.

Following the drink, Master Huang Shi’s eloquence took over, and he skillfully used a few remarks to dissolve the lingering hostility in the air.

The atmosphere in the hall soon returned to a state of harmony. Everyone resumed their chatting and laughter, making the previous confrontation seem like a mere bad dream.

As the hours passed, more Demi Immortals of the Void arrived at the Five Elders Palace, and the various Lotus Platforms throughout the hall were slowly occupied.

By the time everyone had arrived, Zhao Sheng noted with internal surprise that twelve Demi Immortals of the Void were in attendance.

Furthermore, each possessed a profound level of Cultivation, reaching at least the mid-stage of Returning to Void.

Master Huang Shi’s initial intent for inviting Zhao Sheng had been to humble him and signal the Zhao Family to yield. He hoped to redistribute their territories and put an end to the clan rivalries.

However, Master Huang Shi had underestimated his guest, as Zhao Sheng’s prowess far exceeded what anyone had anticipated.

Even when faced with a probing strike from the Marquis of Wind, Jie Xing—who was at the late-stage of Returning to Void—Zhao Sheng had held his ground perfectly.

At that moment, Master Huang Shi realized his original scheme was futile. His opponent was not some reckless, impulsive youth, but a shrewd and powerful veteran.

In a gathering of such elite Cultivators, the conversation eventually turned toward the intricacies of cultivation.

Following the customs of past Kunxian Conferences, every Demi Immortal of the Void was expected to "preach" to the assembly. This served both as a way to trade insights among peers and as a lesson for the junior Divinity Transformation practitioners.

As the host, Master Huang Shi was the first to speak.

Without hesitation, he began a lecture on his personal experiences regarding how the Five Elements Escape Skill could be transformed into one another.

Zhao Sheng and the other five Demi Immortals of the Void found the insights valuable, while the younger Divinity Transformation generation listened with rapt attention.

Following Master Huang Shi, the Marquis of Wind, Jie Xing, took the floor. He discussed the elements of wind and thunder. Although his speech favored wind while dismissing thunder, it contained genuine wisdom that provided Zhao Sheng with fresh inspiration.

After him came Di Wuque, Ying Luochong, and Master Jie Bude…

The first two focused on common subjects that were helpful to the juniors but were merely basic concepts for those in the Returning Void stage.

However, Master Jie Bude’s discourse on the “Eight Methods of Holding the Precepts and Guarding the Heart” brought a moment of sudden clarity to Zhao Sheng.

“The Mind is the Buddha, and the Earth is a metaphor for the heart. Our heart is naturally limitless, stretching across the ten directions and encompassing the sands of the realm. All Dharma are Created by the Heart, and the Heart Contains…”

Whether by design or coincidence, Zhao Sheng ended up being the final speaker of the session.

Preaching and debating the Dao held no fear for him.

He chose a unique approach, ignoring Daoist Skills entirely to speak publicly about Mortal Martial Arts.

Zhao Sheng began with the basics of stance and strength gathering, moved into the refinement of marrow, and then detailed Postnatal and Innate Energy Storage. He spoke of how Martial Arts could reach the level of a God and how one could condense their will to shatter the barrier of a Martial Saint.

Beyond the Martial Saint lies the Martial God… Those who reach the Initial Realm of a Martial God can regenerate limbs; at the Middle Realm, they can generate flesh and blood; and at the Extreme Realm, they achieve Blood and Flesh Rebirth.

Even if only a head remains, a warrior can use their immense will to reconstruct their entire body.

Initially, the audience was dismissive. After all, martial arts did not grant immortality; it was viewed as a minor path.

But as Zhao Sheng described the stages beyond a Martial Saint, Master Huang Shi and the others grew attentive.

They knew that a prerequisite for reaching the Returning to Void stage was the awakening of the Original Spirit.

The more they considered Zhao Sheng’s description of a Martial Saint’s “will,” the more they realized how closely it mirrored the Original Spirit!

While Zhao San Yue and some other juniors had been bored at first, those with high perception soon grasped the significance of the lecture.

The entire room became focused, unwilling to miss a single syllable.

Once Zhao Sheng concluded, Master Huang Shi opened his eyes and said with genuine admiration, “Fellow Daoist Zhao, your lecture was magnificent! I have gained great insight. I never expected you to derive a method of awakening from simple Mortal Martial Arts. You are truly a rare genius!”

“Master Huang, you flatter me. I am merely citing the wisdom of my predecessors. While Martial Arts lacks the depth of Immortal Cultivation methods in reaching the ultimate Dao, its potential is nonetheless boundless.

If enough people dedicate themselves to its study across generations, I believe the Martial God Realm is only the beginning. There must be a much larger world beyond it.

I spoke on martial arts today only to point the way, nothing more!”

Ying Luochong remarked, “Though martial arts is a lesser path, it holds its own secrets. Once I return, I shall dedicate some time to exploring it.”

“Brother Ying is correct. My clan governs billions of mortals; it would take little effort to promote martial arts. It may yield a significant harvest in the future,” added a Returning Void Venerable with a square face and long ears.

This man held great power within a certain “Small Immortal Faction,” and his words would surely influence his entire family.

While some saw value in Mortal Martial Arts, others remained scornful. To them, mortals were like insects; a Martial God was simply a larger insect.

A Returning Void expert wouldn't even need to blink; any Divinity Transformation practitioner could easily annihilate a so-called “Martial God.”

Zhao Sheng observed these varying reactions but remained indifferent. The belief that Cultivators were superior to mortals was an ancient prejudice.

Such deep-seated contempt was built into their very bones and could not be changed by a single speech.

“Master Huang, the time is drawing near. This old man has been waiting and is quite thirsty… about the Kunyuan Immortal Fruit, is it time?”

“Haha! It seems the Marquis of Wind is losing his patience! Very well, I shall show you all!”

Master Huang Shi laughed and flicked his finger. A streak of green light flew out, sinking into the floor at the center of the hall.

A moment later, a small, vibrant green sprout emerged from the ground.

The sprout grew at an incredible speed, thickening and expanding as it pushed out countless leaves and branches.

In a flash, a massive tree stood in the middle of the hall, its branches spreading wide and its canopy touching the high ceiling.

Hanging beneath the lush green foliage were Five-Colored Spirit Fruits the size of fists. They resembled polished, glowing jade beads, radiating a crystalline light.