Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1379: 742: Xuan Jing's Return, the Coming Upheaval (Part 2)

After all, was there truly any benefit in broadcasting to the entire world that Tu Bo Immortal Venerable had perished because he was "both foolish and greedy," walking straight into a trap before being pummeled to death?

On the seventeenth day following that catastrophe, just as the internal unrest within Yellow Wind Immortal City was starting to settle into a fragile peace, a person no one expected suddenly made their return.

Deep within the Yuxu Cave Mansion, situated a thousand miles beneath the Hidden Dragon Valley, the atmosphere was filled with a sparse, drifting Mystic Crystal Origin Qi that seemed notably "thin."

Wrapped in a shimmering halo of light, Zhao Sheng sat cross-legged near the Jade Pool Spring Eye. Wisps of Mystic Crystal Origin Qi emerged from the spring's center, slowly being pulled into his body as he cultivated.

Suddenly, a flash of flowing light tore through the vacuum of the cave, instantly embedding itself into the Jade Pendant hanging from Zhao Sheng’s waist.

Zhao Sheng’s eyes snapped open, and he immediately projected a strand of Divine Thought into the Jade Pendant.

His initial shock was quickly replaced by a look of overwhelming radiance and joy.

In the blink of an eye, his figure vanished from the spot without leaving a single trace behind.

…

High above Longshan City, the massive silhouette of Divine Art Island hung in the sky, casting a shadow that seemed to blot out the heavens.

Inside the Unison Hall at the heart of the island, a celebratory mood filled the air. Every person present looked toward the highest seat with expressions of fervent reverence and anticipation.

To the members of the Zhao Clan, the man occupying that seat was nothing less than a "god."

Not a soul had anticipated that the Ancestor would make such a quiet and sudden return on this very day!

When Zhao Sheng manifested out of thin air within the Unison Hall, his gaze immediately landed on Zhao Xuanjing sitting upon the highest throne. The anxiety that had gripped his heart finally dissipated.

“Zhao Xi offers greetings to Ancestor Jing!” Zhao Sheng composed his racing emotions, stepping forward to offer a solemn and deep bow to Zhao Xuanjing.

Zhao Xuanjing rose from his seat and approached Zhao Sheng. Helping him up with a steady hand, he let out a relieved laugh. “Good, very good! Seeing you brings a sense of great closeness to this old man. You... are truly thoughtful!”

With those words, Zhao Xuanjing’s expression grew even more satisfied. He quickly took hold of Zhao Sheng’s arm, smiling warmly. “Come, you shall sit beside me!”

Zhao Sheng allowed himself to be guided up the nine Jade Steps, where he was ushered toward the Jade Couch on the left side.

Only two Jade Couches were positioned at the summit—one on the left and one on the right—signaling an equal status between them.

With a single glance, Zhao Sheng realized that Zhao Xuanjing had done this deliberately; the underlying message was unmistakable.

Recognizing Zhao Xuanjing’s "kindness," Zhao Sheng accepted the gesture. After offering only a few humble refusals, he took his seat with a sense of pride.

Observing this, Zhao Jinmin and the other clan members immediately understood the immense value the Ancestor placed on Ancestor Xi. They wasted no time in stepping forward to pay their respects.

Zhao Sheng gave a slight nod, signaling for everyone to dispense with the formalities.

Once the assembly was seated, Zhao Sheng turned to Zhao Xuanjing and inquired about the events that had transpired within the Demon Suppression Star Domain.

Because the hall was filled only with their own kin, Zhao Xuanjing saw no reason to hide the truth and began to detail the events from the very start.

“Twenty days ago, I stumbled upon a flaw in the operation of the Xing Dou Demon Sealing Great Array. Upon further investigation, I discovered that several array nodes had been severed and were completely unreachable. The groups of cultivators stationed at those points had also vanished from contact. Realizing something was terribly wrong, I immediately sent word...

Seventeen days ago, during his final moments, Tu Bo Immortal Venerable managed to send a desperate final transmission... The Demon Suppression Array had been sabotaged from the inside, resulting in numerous breaches. It was then that the nine alien demons army launched a simultaneous assault, shattering the third line of defense instantly and turning the battlefield into a sea of blood and chaos...

What was even more terrifying was that at the onset of the conflict, the alien demons unleashed five Holy Demons at once. Outnumbered, the two Immortal Venerables were forced to command a total retreat... The army fell into a complete collapse, and the casualties among our cultivators were beyond count...

This old man acted decisively, joining forces with several fellow Returning to Void cultivators to fight our way out. We managed to seize a Spirit Void Level spacecraft... and barely escaped the carnage of the battlefield...”

As he spoke of the disastrous defeat from over two weeks ago, a flicker of lingering dread remained in Zhao Xuanjing’s eyes.

Zhao Sheng and the others listened with pounding hearts; Zhao Jinmin and the rest were visibly trembling, their faces etched with worry.

Noticing the fear in the room, Zhao Xuanjing suddenly broke into a hearty laugh and said with a calm demeanor, “What is there to fear? Do not forget that our realm is home to many True Immortals, and the foundations of each Sect are deep, far exceeding the total power of the Alien Demon Clan. The star ring forbidden area in the outer territories is as impregnable as a fortress. No matter how many alien demon armies gather, they cannot breach the Spirit Realm homeland. While minor infiltrations are to be expected, they are merely small annoyances, nothing to lose sleep over!”

Upon hearing the Ancestor’s reassurance, Zhao Jinmin and the others slowly began to relax, and smiles returned to their faces.

Shortly after, Zhao Jinmin and the rest departed the Unison Hall to carry out their respective tasks. The news of the Ancestor’s safe return quickly reached the Nascent Soul and Golden Core members of the Zhao Family, bathing the entire clan in a wave of celebration.

Once the hall was empty of everyone except Zhao Sheng and Zhao Xuanjing, the Ancestor’s smile vanished. His face turned abruptly pale, and his aura grew turbulent and unstable.

Zhao Sheng’s expression shifted instantly. He asked with deep concern, “Ancestor Jing, are you hurt? Is the injury severe? I have a Sixth-Transformation Rebirth Pill here; please, take it.”

As he spoke, a sky-blue Elixir Pill appeared in Zhao Sheng’s palm. Its surface was etched with intricate Dao Patterns, and it gave off a subtle, medicinal fragrance.

Zhao Xuanjing gently pushed the Sixth-Transformation Rebirth Pill away and shook his head. “It is merely a slight wound; it will mend itself in ten days to half a month. There is no need to waste such a rare Sixth-Transformation Elixir!”

Seeing his firm refusal, Zhao Sheng stowed the Treasure Pill away and did not press the issue of his health further.

Zhao Xuanjing offered a thin smile before suddenly changing the subject to ask about the Zhao Family’s branch located in the Taisu Spiritual Realm.