Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1394: 749: Vermilion Bird Star System (Part 2)
Previously on Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension...
A flicker of astonishment appeared in Zhao Xuanjing's gaze, prompting him to whisper under his breath.
“His intentions are straightforward to discern! It has to involve the Order of Army Movement. Likely, he's seeking an alliance.”
“Exactly! Nothing else makes sense beyond that.”
With those words, Zhao Xuanjing rose elegantly and drifted leisurely toward the hall's exterior.
Spotting this, Zhao Sheng trailed right after him.
Soon enough, they greeted Master Huang Shi into the hall and settled into their designated spots.
Master Huang Shi wasn't by himself; Huang Hongxiang, another Returning to Void Ancestor from the Huang Family, accompanied him.
Following some casual conversation, Master Huang Shi at last disclosed his true aim.
True to expectations, the Huang Family duo had arrived to propose a partnership. Their clan had also obtained an Order of Army Movement, requiring the dispatch of a Void Half-Immortal to the battlefront.
The one dispatched from the Huang Family wasn't the prominent Master Huang Shi, but rather the low-key Huang Hongxiang.
Zhao Sheng had encountered this individual on several occasions. While not intimate acquaintances, they knew each other well, and he recognized that Huang Hongxiang's cultivation lingered at the Early Stage of Returning Void, rendering his power unremarkable.
Conversely, Huang Hongxiang held him in high regard. Guided repeatedly by Master Huang Shi, he fully grasped Zhao Sheng's formidable might.
“Mutual support sounds beneficial, yet traveling as a pair isn't necessary. I've long preferred solitary journeys and avoid companions,” Zhao Sheng courteously turned down the Huang Family's overture upon understanding their goal.
His refusal stemmed simply from wanting better terms—in essence, their proposal fell short.
Upon hearing that, a subtle shift occurred in Master Huang Shi's eyes, and he responded measuredly, “Taoist Zhao, perhaps you should think it over. Our Huang Family is prepared to…”
“…”
One hour afterward, Zhao Xuanjing along with Zhao Sheng saw Master Huang Shi and Huang Hongxiang off the island, grinning as they observed the pair elegantly vanishing into the horizon.
…
Three months flew by swiftly!
Situated six hundred Constant Years westward in the Taiyi Spirit Realm rests the Constant Sun Star System, featuring seven Spirit Stars and dubbed the Vermilion Bird Star System after its primary star.
From the vast emptiness of the Void Sea, two silhouettes materialized from the Dark Sky, suddenly manifesting above a barren Dead Star.
Billions of miles distant, a scorching massive star loomed in the Void Sea, catching Zhao Sheng's attention.
“Taoist Zhao, that's the Vermilion Bird Main Star, serving as the stronghold for the Spirit-controlling Immortal Sect, guarded by more than ten Ten Thousand Techniques Level battleship fleets—utterly unassailable,” Huang Hongxiang remarked, gesturing toward the distant blazing giant star.
Throughout their shared travels, abundant discussions had drawn them nearer.
After all, Huang Hongxiang was part of the Spirit-controlling Immortal Sect and held the role of an outer sect elder; his knowledge of the Vermilion Bird Fortress Group surpassed Zhao Sheng's by far.
Zhao Sheng cast a few glances at the Vermilion Bird Star and remarked coolly:
“Where's Qiming City? We should head there to report first; everything else can hold off.”
Huang Hongxiang paused briefly, then agreed eagerly, “Right, right, I'll guide Taoist there to register immediately.”
In the next instant, they morphed into elongated rainbows, speeding toward the Vermilion Bird Main Star billions of miles off.
Over half an hour passed before they materialized amid the expansive Cloud Sea of the Vermilion Bird Realm.
“Taoist Zhao, cast your eyes there,” Huang Hongxiang indicated with his finger.
Following his point, Zhao Sheng beheld a splendid golden metropolis emerging into sight.
This metropolis sprawled grandly across hundreds of miles, better termed a fortress than a mere city.
Constructed entirely from a type of black Heavenly Essence Rock, its four encircling walls towered beyond a thousand feet, brimming with dense prohibitions and fearsome war magical treasures.
At the city's heart, visible from afar, rose a tower soaring ten thousand feet, crowned by a radiant white Light Ball akin to a mighty Great Sun.
The city's outer walls bore pockmarks, evident remnants of fierce clashes. Though some sections had been mended, lingering fissures stretched across many areas.
Such marks revealed the ferocity of the Alien Demon Army's onslaughts, indicating the frontline's reality was grimmer than surface impressions suggested.
High above near the city, countless massive flying ships anchored, each mountain-sized and radiating a grim, blood-soaked aura of slaughter.
Floating fortresses akin to Qiming City dotted the Vermilion Bird Star's atmosphere in abundance, their count surpassing three digits.
“This place looks solid!” Zhao Sheng pulled back his gaze and gave an approving nod.
“Naturally! Let's proceed inside first. Every Human Clan Cultivator arriving at the Vermilion Bird Star frontline for the initial time needs to verify identity at the Pocket World Tower, acquire a magical artifact token, and get deployment spots from superiors. Though, we enjoy greater liberty and can pursue bounty missions freely…” Huang Hongxiang explained, darting into the city ahead, with Zhao Sheng activating his tunneling light to pursue.
Just over a hundred zhang from the gate, four or five cultivators shot out from the wall, clad in uniform fiery red armor, and intercepted the pair.
“Halt immediately!!” The group braked more than a hundred zhang distant, the foremost middle-aged cultivator cupping his fists toward Zhao Sheng and his companion, demanding sharply.
Zhao Sheng probed the group with his Divine Thought, noting they all reached late-stage Nascent Soul cultivation, the leader being a Divinity Transformation True Monarch.
Huang Hongxiang's face grew serious as he produced a green jade token with a flip of his hand, displaying it briefly before stowing it away composedly.
The middle-aged cultivator and his peers' faces altered sharply, prompting deep bows to Zhao Sheng and Huang Hongxiang, as they uttered: “This junior bears duties here and offended earlier. We beg the seniors' pardon!”
Huang Hongxiang replied indifferently: “No fault in ignorance! We have business within the city—won't you clear the path!”
“This…”
The middle-aged cultivator wavered at those words.
Noticing that, Huang Hongxiang's features relaxed, and he chuckled abruptly: “Nearly slipped my mind. Fetch the God-shining Mirror for inspection.”
The middle-aged cultivator exhaled in relief, promptly retrieving a misty white mirror that unleashed a surge of white light, enshrouding Zhao Sheng and his ally.
Zhao Sheng arched a brow, yet observing Huang Hongxiang's lack of resistance, he stayed passive, letting the light wash over them.
A wave of law, refreshing as cool water, rushed across his form swiftly, coursing repeatedly through the Purple Mansion Soul Sea.
“No response from the God-shining Mirror—both seniors check out clean; kindly proceed into the city!” The middle-aged cultivator hastily stored the mirror, his tone laced with deference.
Huang Hongxiang inclined his head, smiling at Zhao Sheng: “Taoist Zhao, after you!”
Zhao Sheng gave a faint nod and soared into the city ahead.
Huang Hongxiang kept pace, clarifying during flight: “The God-shining Mirror is a unique Strange Treasure crafted to detect Alien Demons. Past infiltrations by Alien Demons into Human Clan forces led to devastating losses and routs, hence the strict entry protocols…”
As they conversed, the duo pierced over ten barriers and entered the city proper.
Passing the gate, Zhao Sheng lifted an eyebrow, sensing the ambient spiritual energy surge a hundredfold in density, while surrounding space-time hardened dramatically, barring access to the Void Realm from inside.
He eyed the lofty towers dotting the city, gaining some insight in his thoughts.
As a bastion, Qiming City's design screamed uniformity, everywhere exuding robust, unyielding fortitude—lacking flash but radiating invincibility.
The streets held few figures, lending an empty vibe, with rare sightings of one or two hurrying figures, all appearing frantically occupied.
Huang Hongxiang clearly knew the layout well, striding purposefully toward the Pocket World Tower, and Zhao Sheng trailed wordlessly.
“Brother Zhao may be unaware, but Qiming City brims with endless prohibitions—one step, one trap; one misstep, one death! Beyond the active No-fly Absolute Array, lacking clearance means even Integration Realm Great Powers must tread on foot.”
Zhao Sheng nodded pensively, remaining silent.
Shortly, they reached the central tower's base.
Up close, Zhao Sheng discerned the tower's marvel more vividly, its structure forged from some milky white jade of unknown origin, every surface etched with intricate, packed spirit patterns.
For reasons unclear, an odd connection struck him to the Endless Tower's Sky-reaching White Tower, stirring faint waves in his consciousness.
“This Pocket World Tower falls under an Integration Realm Ancestor from our sect's watch. We're meeting Master Bi Fang of the Feather Lineage. With Master Bi Fang's volatile nature, we must proceed with caution to avoid provoking the Ancestor.” Huang Hongxiang indicated the tower's pinnacle, his face taut as he spoke.
Zhao Sheng nodded calmly and entered the tower.