Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1435: 776: Washing Away the Past, Nine Nether Tower Reopens

Three days had passed, and now at the rear mountain of Dragon Head Peak.

Deep within the Bitter Prison Cave, the sealed Golden Essence Gate swung open without a sound. With a sweep of his sleeves, Zhao Sheng strode through the entrance.

The moment his presence was detected, the rhythmic chanting inside the chamber faded into quiet. Red Dragon Son remained seated toward the wall, yet his posture carried a hint of isolation.

“Father, there's no point in trying to convince me. Since my full awakening, I've achieved Great Freedom, the supreme joy right here—”

Red Dragon Son's words were cut short as Zhao Sheng's features hardened abruptly, and in one swift motion, he positioned himself directly behind his son.

His right hand shot out, fingers splayed wide, clamping down firmly on the crown of Red Dragon Son's skull.

In the instant that followed, beams of pure radiance erupted from Zhao Sheng's palm, cascading like liquid streams that softly seeped into Red Dragon Son's Purple Mansion Soul Sea.

A sudden wave of peril washed over Red Dragon Son, prompting him to cry out in panic, “Hold on… cease this! Father, don't—ahh!”

A piercing wail escaped as Red Dragon Son's frame convulsed wildly, his hidden features contorting in torment, eyes glazing over and rolling upward, stripped of any darkness.

“Sigh, don't hold it against your father; fault those from the Red Eyebrow Demon Path instead. Once all old recollections are cleansed, rebirth awaits… Clear the grime and refine the essence, let the spirit reclaim its purity!”

Zhao Sheng's countenance stayed composed while he executed the God Washing Technique, whispering the incantation under his breath.

This God Washing Technique stood as a rare Secret Technique passed down through the Taiyi Spirit Palace.

It erased every trace of a person's past without harming the Divine Soul, and could even implant fresh memories into the affected individual.

For that reason, the God Washing Technique earned its nickname as the Brainwashing Technique.

Just days prior, Zhao Sheng had secured only the initial portion of the Secret Technique from Wu Yue—the Washing God Chapter—while the latter part, the Heavenly Soldier Chapter, remained a closely guarded secret in the Taiyi Spirit Palace, never shared beyond its walls. Just a handful in the Qintian Guard had received the Heavenly Soldier Secret Technique.

After some time, Zhao Sheng gradually pulled back his right hand, then with a mere intention, rotated Red Dragon Son to face him.

Gazing upon the bewildered and pure expression of Red Dragon Son, Zhao Sheng's tension eased a bit, only for his eyes to flash sharply, sending Red Dragon Son into a daze as he slumped into unconsciousness.

Through another mental command, Red Dragon Son rose gently into the air, his form settling horizontally as though cradled by an unseen mattress.

Turning toward the exit, Zhao Sheng proceeded onward, with Red Dragon Son trailing behind like a puppet on an invisible string.

Navigating the shadowy, winding corridor, Zhao Sheng emerged from the Bitter Prison Cave, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Beyond the cave's mouth, a vast throng knelt in submission, numbering nearly two thousand upon a quick scan.

Scanning the group, almost all displayed robust builds and powerful frames, renowned for their innate vigor and exceptional vitality.

The instant Zhao Sheng showed himself, the sturdy figure leading the group prostrated deeply and proclaimed, “Grandson Zhao Rixiao offers respects to Grandfather, may Grandfather enjoy endless joy and endless years!”

Echoing Zhao Rixiao's declaration, the rest of the grandsons lowered their heads one after another, their voices uniting in chorus, “We wish Great Ancestor (Ancestor) endless joy and endless years.”

With a subtle nod, Zhao Sheng responded mildly, “Such formalities aren't necessary; everyone, stand.”

“Grandson obeys the command!”

Zhao Rixiao dipped his head once more before rising with care. The more than a thousand followers mirrored him, bowing and straightening in turn, each as still as frightened birds, not uttering a peep.

Zhao Rixiao served as Red Dragon Son's firstborn, making him Zhao Sheng's own grandson.

Yet Zhao Sheng's long absence spanning centuries had faded his likeness in the minds of the grandchildren, blending it with awe and distance.

This explained the current display of deference.

Directing his gaze at Zhao Rixiao, Zhao Sheng commanded, “Xiao’er, escort your father back to Hidden Dragon Peak and confine him securely. Handle him as before, but restrict his contact with others and prevent him from venturing beyond Hidden Dragon Peak. Is that clear?”

Zhao Rixiao stiffened and answered with utmost respect, “Grandson will keep it in mind and ensure Grandfather's orders are carried out without fail.”

Zhao Sheng gave another nod, adding, “Very well, now lead Red Dragon Son away, and the rest of you can go.”

Hearing this, Zhao Rixiao moved forward without delay, spreading his arms to lift his father into an embrace before withdrawing.

A few other grandsons wavered, but Zhao Sheng's commanding aura held them back from voicing concerns, wary of displeasing Grandfather.

Zhao Sheng swept his eyes across them, noting their inner turmoil, yet pretended ignorance.

The paths of offspring and descendants were their own; he lacked the leisure for such minor affairs.

In a relaxed gesture, Zhao Sheng produced a Sumeru Ring and flung it toward Zhao Rixiao.

Then, right before the assembly's stares, he dissolved into nothingness.

…

Over seven centuries later, Dragon Claw Peak in the southwest of the Wolong Mountain Range stirred back to life.

Starting from dawn, streams of figures descended from every direction, touching down on the plaza before Dragon Claw Peak.

Come noon, the plaza teemed with activity, crowded shoulder to shoulder, the gathering surpassing three thousand souls.

Fresh arrivals to the plaza found their attention swiftly captured by the nine-tiered tower at its heart, their gazes alight with passion and yearning.

The towering trial of more than seven hundred years past had evolved into cherished clan lore.

All forebears who joined that inaugural tower challenge reaped immense strength, including the rise of two Divinity Transformation Ancestors and over a dozen Nascent Souls.

So, after such a long interval, news of the second tower trial's launch spurred the qualified to sign up in a frenzy, desperate to avoid being shut out by capacity limits.

As the sun climbed to its zenith, two Divinity Transformation Ancestors from the Zhao Family—Zhao Xiandu and Zhao San Yue—descended side by side.

The sight of these two elders prompted the plaza's masses to prostrate with fervor in salute.

The younger clansfolk had matured on tales of the ancestors' exploits, fostering profound reverence.

Still, a pang of disappointment struck for the absence of the fabled Ancestor today.

Unbeknownst to them, Zhao Sheng had already taken position at the Nine Nether Tower, expanding the full Law Illusion Realm, ready for the juniors to step in and face the ordeal.

Zhao Xiandu cast a look skyward, uttered a brief address, and declared the trial underway.

The junior members of the family bowed promptly, then filed through the tower's entrance one after the other, disappearing inside.

With all participants now within the Nine Nether Tower, Zhao Xiandu turned to Zhao San Yue nearby, his voice tinged with feeling: “Time flies in an instant—seven hundred years gone, and here we are for the Nine Nether Tower's second unveiling. San Yue, do you believe anyone will conquer the Ninth Layer this round?”

Clad in simple garb and shoeless, Zhao San Yue answered evenly, “It might happen, or it might not. Heaven's chosen can't be compelled!”

Shaking his head, Zhao Xiandu sighed, “Heaven's chosen? I'd love to grasp what that truly means! No chance for me to reach Returning to Void in this lifetime, but you—you've not just hit Perfect God Transformation but shattered the Will Barrier, teetering on the edge of Returning to Void. It really stirs up… envy!”

By the close, Zhao Xiandu let his true sentiment spill: pure envy!

Zhao San Yue, ever composed, fixed his sight on the tower and remarked offhandedly, “Someone's made it to the second layer—who do you reckon?”

Caught off guard, Zhao Xiandu laughed, his earlier lapse forgotten, and dove into guesses with zeal: “From this batch, Zhao Tianran boasts the top aptitude; it has to be him.

Wait, no—Zhao Chongguang, with his deep perception, pierced the first Law Illusion Realm with ease… Zhao Rixian's stepped into Nascent Soul, so by level alone, he's a strong contender too.”

Zhao San Yue let Zhao Xiandu run through his list of promising youths without interruption, his eyes locked steadily on the tower.