Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1396: 750: Void Fortress and Guardian (Part 2)

The squad maintains such a small roster precisely because all its members are powerful Returning to Void Cultivators.

The primary objective of the Demon-slaying Team revolves around straightforward duties, including routine patrols along the Star Domain Frontline and targeted assassination operations.

With the core responsibilities fulfilled, the team members enjoy downtime where they can roam at liberty and pursue bounty tasks as they see fit.

To sum it up, the Demon-slaying Team offers tremendous flexibility, rendering it far more leisurely and unbound than the role of Void Realm Guardian.

Huang Hongxiang simply couldn't comprehend why "Zhao Xi" opted to take on the Guardian position!

Even though the Guardian role demands intense effort with substantial merits and swift accumulation of military exploits, it sacrifices personal freedom, forcing one to simply bide their time in a grueling, low-reward grind.

Thus, right after exiting the tower, Huang Hongxiang turned to Zhao Sheng with a look of astonishment and inquired: “Brother Zhao, what prompted you to select the ‘Guardian’ role? Aren't you aware that only Returning Void Practitioners typically go for it? You might want to withdraw from that ‘Guardian’ post before it becomes official—”

Before he finished his words, Zhao Sheng cut him off firmly, declaring: “Mr. Huang, I understand my choice fully, so there's no need for further persuasion.”

“Sigh, in that case, I hope Brother Zhao stays safe and encounters no mishaps. Goodbye!”

As the proverb warns, it's wise to drop a topic when views collide!

Facing the other's unyielding stance, Huang Hongxiang lost his enthusiasm to continue and fell silent, offering a quick bow before intending to depart.

“Mr. Huang, stay safe! I'm certain we'll cross paths again someday. Farewell!”

Zhao Sheng reciprocated the gesture, gave a nod, and then pivoted to head toward the city entrance.

Gazing at his retreating form, Huang Hongxiang abruptly produced an antique mirror, letting a droplet of essence blood splash upon its surface.

A subtle glow enveloped the mirror, swiftly forming a vague human visage within.

Though the details remained indistinct, it clearly depicted the likeness of Master Huang Shi.

“Ancestor, the target didn't bite! What's our next move?” Huang Hongxiang's forehead shimmered with Divine Light as he conveyed his message via Divine Thought in secrecy.

“Hmm, it's no surprise the target resisted the lure! We never had strong odds anyway. I've devised a fresh strategy—stick to the initial blueprint. Xin Bulie, leader of the Geng Metal Demon Hunting Squad, counts as my ally. Upon your entry, he'll ensure you're well looked after. Reach out to him promptly and avoid any holdups.” Master Huang Shi's projection exuded composure, betraying no hint of frustration.

“Understood, Ancestor!” Huang Hongxiang inclined his head in deference.

Suddenly, Master Huang Shi's likeness faded from the mirror, leaving its face to darken at once.

Observing this, Huang Hongxiang stowed the mirror away, scanned his surroundings fleetingly, and then veered westward through the city.

Meanwhile, Zhao Sheng had passed beyond the city walls, a profound sense of ease washing over him as Mystic Light radiated from his frame.

Swoosh!

The very next moment, he dissolved into nothingness without a trace.

…

Within the outer reaches of the Vermilion Bird Star System, the far side of the present Void lay shrouded beneath the boundless Shadow of the Dark Sky.

Right then, amid the turbulent and murky expanse of the Dark Sky, a colossal black "orb" rivaling a mountain peak ignored the ferocious Space-Time Storm encircling it, firmly dominating the nearby space-time with an imposing presence akin to a steadfast peak defying colossal surges.

This enormous, sleek black orb represented the A3 Virtual Realm Fortress, an advanced super war apparatus surpassing a Returning Void Level Battleship by a tier and rivaling the might of a Ten Thousand Laws Level Main Ship.

All at once, a silhouette materialized from empty space before the Void Fortress; Zhao Sheng flipped his palm to display a dark gold token, channeling a thread of mana into it softly.

Immediately, the token erupted in brilliant splendor, projecting a dark gold beam directly toward the fortress.

Soon enough, a Light Gate materialized on the fortress's exterior, prompting Zhao Sheng to tuck away the token with a faint grin before striding through.

Upon traversing the Light Gate, Zhao Sheng entered a vast, brilliantly lit chamber.

Currently, four Human Clan Cultivators occupied the space, all directing grave stares his way.

Three men and one woman comprised the group. The lady donned a crimson gown, boasting striking beauty, with her cultivation hovering at the Late-stage Divinity Transformation.

Among the male cultivators stood an elderly figure bent with age and thinning hair, a burly warrior clad in white armor bearing a massive sword slung across his back, his rugged face exuding a fierce aura.

The final one appeared as a refined young noble, his poised demeanor evoking the air of an aristocratic heir from mortal realms.

Zhao Sheng's eyes glided across the quartet, already weaving several notions in his thoughts. All four qualified as Divinity Transformation Realm Practitioners, their levels generally at the Late-stage Divinity Transformation.

Yet the most potent among them was the young noble, who had attained the Perfect God Transformation Realm.

“Might you be the fresh Guardian?” The young noble appraised Zhao Sheng openly for a beat before voicing the question.

His words barely landed when the four adjusted their positions discreetly, blending their auras into a unified whole.

The young noble's aura ballooned dramatically, exceeding the Divinity Transformation threshold by leaps and bounds while unleashing a formidable suppressive might upon Zhao Sheng.

“Are you the officers serving under me?” Zhao Sheng's gaze sharpened momentarily; he advanced steadily, unveiling a sliver of his own aura with cool detachment as he addressed them.

Why would he fret over the feeble intimidation from mere Divinity Transformation Practitioners?

A fully armed Void Fortress typically deploys several Returning Void Level Battleships, enabling layered offensive and defensive configurations.

Such Returning Void Level Battleships navigate the Dark Sky with ease, their collective battle prowess matching that of Returning Void experts.

Thud, thud, thud!

The young noble paled sharply, stumbling back seven or eight paces, on the verge of retching up blood from the nausea.

The Four Symbols Formation shattered in an instant, sending turbulent mana surging through the other three's meridians, their expressions etched with astonishment.

The balding elder and the armored giant exchanged a glance before advancing together to prostrate before Zhao Sheng: “This junior Qi Wuxiu (Jiang Haichao) greets the Guardian!”

Off to the side, the striking woman hastened to steady the young noble, though her aid arrived a tad belatedly.

The young noble brushed her aside lightly, then offered a profound bow to Zhao Sheng: “This junior Yue Longpeng greets the Guardian!”

The striking woman echoed the motion, curtsying and stating her name.

“Having just stepped into the Guardian role, I'm still unfamiliar with the A3 Fortress's operations. For the moment, the internal protocols stay as they are. You must all uphold your responsibilities with utmost diligence and avoid errors. Do that, and I'll overlook this incident. Fail, and I won't hesitate to act severely. Clear?” Zhao Sheng delivered the words in a flat, unyielding voice.

He hadn't sought to assert dominance, yet these four had tried to cow him upon their initial encounter, so courtesy was off the table.

Regardless of the setting, defiance ranks as the gravest offense in martial hierarchies!

By picking the most reckless path, these four hinted at underlying motives!

Zhao Sheng harbored certain suspicions but refrained from rash moves.

In his assessment, the young noble Qi Wuxiu undoubtedly possessed profound backing.

Without such support, the others wouldn't have joined his reckless scheme.

Qi Wuxiu's complexion had steadied, though his eyes toward Zhao Sheng carried lingering respect and caution.

“Your subordinate complies, and henceforth will support you fully while executing missions to the utmost.”

With Qi Wuxiu submitting first, the remaining trio held no ground for dissent and all affirmed their obedience.

Zhao Sheng's demeanor eased a touch; he returned a casual clasp of hands before dismissing the rest, retaining only Qi Wuxiu.