Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1378: 742: Xuan Jing Returns, Great Upheaval Approaches

“Ancestor, the Old Ancestor’s Cultivation is immense; surely he is safe. But if, by some terrible chance… how must the Zhao Family act?” Zhao San Yue spoke with a trace of panic. To her, the Ancestor was a god-like figure, and his fall was a catastrophe she could scarcely imagine.

For the majority of the clan, such an event would be the shattering of their faith—a descent into total hopelessness.

“Maintain your composure. Given Jing Ancestor’s peerless strength, he can escape unharmed even if the entire frontline collapses. Patience is our only requirement for now.”

Hardly had Zhao Sheng finished speaking when several rays of tunneling light ascended from the earth, revealing Zhao Jinmin, Zhao Xuanji, and various other Divinity Transformation juniors.

Upon their arrival, Zhao Sheng offered a few steadying words before broadcasting a string of commands: the Mountain Protection Array was to be fully engaged, the estate was to be sealed against all outsiders, and every entry or exit was to be strictly monitored. Furthermore, clan members abroad were summoned home, and Cultivation resources were to be stockpiled as a defensive measure.

Feeling a sense of security from these orders, Zhao Jinmin and the others departed immediately to execute them.

In that moment, Zhao San Yue regained her focus, suddenly realizing that the death of a True Immortal might actually serve as a hidden opportunity for the Zhao Family.

“To what level has your… Cultivation progressed?”

“In response to the Ancestor, San Yue has recently broken through; I am now at the late-stage of Divinity Transformation!”

“Excellent, truly excellent! With your current momentum, reaching the Returning to Void stage in the future is a certainty. I have great expectations for you!” Zhao Sheng offered a relieved smile before his tone turned solemn. “The enigmatic death of a True Immortal will undoubtedly convulse the entire realm. This likely signals the dawn of a massive upheaval. If so, the Spirit Realm is entering an era of chaos. Starting today, you must enter seclusion. Regardless of what happens in the outside world, it does not concern you. Do not emerge until you have reached the Returning to Void stage!”

Zhao Sheng was already bracing for the worst, positioning Zhao San Yue as the Zhao Family's secret hope for survival.

Grasping the weight of the Ancestor’s command, Zhao San Yue gave a deep bow of acknowledgement before transforming into a streak of Green Rainbow, vanishing into the mountain depths below.

As she departed, Zhao Sheng turned his gaze toward the sky—a vault of dark, blood-red clouds—and the heavy crimson rain drenching the world. His expression grew as somber as a mountain peak.

With a heavy sigh, he faded away into nothingness.

The supernatural display of divine wails and ghostly shrieks, accompanied by the heavens weeping blood, lasted a full day before finally ceasing.

In a mere twenty-four hours, the atmosphere of the Taiyi Spirit Realm shifted toward one of suffocating tension and dread.

Setting aside the reactions of other Sects and clans to this crisis, the focus remained on the Divine Artisan Zhao Clan.

Shortly after the omen appeared, Zhao Jinmin and several other Divinity Transformation True Monarchs attempted to contact the family disciples stationed at the Spirit-controlling Immortal Sect.

Since Zhao Xuanjing served as a Returning to Void Realm Elder within that Sect, he had naturally prioritized the Zhao clan’s bright talents for recruitment into the Spirit-controlling Immortal Sect.

Over the millennia, bolstered by the Ancestor’s fame, no fewer than thirty Zhao members had entered the Immortal Sect. Among them, Zhao Tongfa held the highest rank at the late-stage of Divinity Transformation, while more than ten others had reached the Nascent Soul Realm.

Within the Immortal Sect, the Zhao Family functioned as a distinct "faction," possessing significant influence and networks.

Yet, this time, communication was sparse. They could not even identify which True Immortal had perished.

Even with Zhao Tongfa’s personal intervention, no concrete details could be unearthed.

When the True Immortal fell, the three Tribulation Crossing Venerables of the Spirit-controlling Immortal Sect appeared at once. They decisively locked down the mountain gate, forbade all travel, and severed every line of communication through the Demon Suppression Star Domain.

Simultaneously, other major Immortal Sects enacted the same restrictive measures.

For a time, the hearts of the masses were filled with unease and confusion.

Small Immortal Factions like the Divine Artisan Zhao Clan were slightly more informed than the "ignorant" lower-tier forces; they at least knew a massive crisis had struck the Demon Suppression Star Domain.

On the day of the omen, all links to the Demon Suppression frontlines were mysteriously broken, leaving everyone in the dark about the specific events taking place there.

However, everyone understood that if the Alien Demons breached the Demon Suppression Star Domain, the results would be catastrophic.

If the Star Ring Forbidden Area fell, the Taiyi Spirit Realm would face a total disaster.

Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the Divine Artisan Zhao Clan sent Divinity Transformation Ancestors to consult with the Huang Family, the Feng Bo Clan, Di Wuque, and other similar Immortal Factions.

By coincidence, the Huang Family and Feng Bo Clan were doing the exact same thing. Within a fortnight, the major families of Yellow Wind Immortal City were interacting with unprecedented frequency and urgency.

Two weeks after the event, fragments of the "truth" began to circulate among those qualified to hear them.

Most critically, the fallen True Immortal was identified as an Independent Immortal named Tu Bo, who had attained immortality fifteen thousand years ago.

His original Sect had long since vanished into history. After his ascension, Tu Bo Immortal Venerable spent ages wandering the mortal plane before accepting a position as a Supreme Immortal Venerable within the Taiyi Spirit Palace.

A millennium ago, he was stationed at the Demon Suppression Star Domain as one of the three guardian Immortals.

As for the cause of Tu Bo’s death? Beyond the high-ranking True Immortals and the leaders of the Taiyi Spirit Palace, the other Sects and clans remained "unaware."

After all, certain truths are best kept hidden to preserve the dignity of the exalted!