Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1479 - 800: Yun Qing Reveals Herself, Minister Elders

Just as Zhao Sheng triumphed over the Five Elements Thunder Tribulation and stepped into the Unification Realm, high upon an imposing nine-tiered tower overlooking a particular star river, a middle-aged Taoist in a starry robe meditated silently at the observation post, staring intently at the resplendent star river far below. A touch of frost graced his temples, while his eyes held profound depths, as if he had endured endless cycles of time.

Right then, in the southwestern reaches of the splendid star river, a lone star gradually materialized, only to erupt in sudden brilliance, its piercing starlight briefly eclipsing the countless stars scattered across the heavens.

Spotting this spectacle, the middle-aged Taoist's face shifted subtly, his eyes flaring wide as he blurted out, "The stars align! Who has managed to open a Grotto Heaven? Hold on, this is grave; I need to alert the Hall Master without delay."

With those words uttered, he flicked his sleeve sharply, dispatching a speck of starlight that sliced through the void in an instant, hurtling toward the core depths of the Spirit Palace's Taiyi Hall.

Not long afterward, various rays of streaming light descended from the distant heavens, entering the Taiyi Hall one by one.

The Taiyi Hall stood as its own Grotto Heaven, the expanse within rivaling the vastness of a Middle Thousand World.

In that moment, above the Ninth Layer Cloud Sky, three masses of auspicious clouds drifted together gradually, each one supporting a grand silhouette wrapped in misty glow.

Soon enough, the glow parted, unveiling an elderly Taoist with a youthful complexion and flowing white locks, a woman of pure and striking features crowned elegantly, and a plump burly man who bared his broad chest.

"Yun Qing pays respects to the Hall Master," the woman with clear features offered a deep bow to the old Taoist.

The hefty man sprawled lazily across his auspicious cloud, hailing the old Taoist with, "Senior Brother, what called me here? I've got a heap of duties piling up at the Qintian Guard; I'm swamped!"

This elegant and ethereal old Taoist served as the reigning Hall Master of the Taiyi Spirit Palace, famed as Bai Qi, who had conquered the Wind and Fire Tribulation and shone brightly among all Tribulation Crossing Venerables.

The burly man held the rank of Grand Governor in the Qintian Guard, named Zheng Beichen and dubbed Bai Ji, his cultivation realm likewise towering beyond Tribulation Crossing.

"Skip the formalities, Junior Brother Zheng; how progresses the probe?" Bai Qi, the old Taoist, dismissed with a wave and questioned.

The burly man lifted his brows and responded, "We've sorted most of it; yes, a traitor lurks deep in the upper ranks of the Spirit-controlling Immortal Sect. Yet this traitor conceals himself thoroughly. The site of the Mao Immortal Peak clash has every trace of Law Fluctuations wiped clean, offering zero hints, so that path leads nowhere."

"Even with your direct involvement, no signs turned up?" Bai Qi, the old Taoist, creased his forehead lightly and pressed.

"A traitor bold enough to covertly join forces with the Alien Demon Clan stays extra vigilant in daily life, no doubt. On top of that, the ancient immortals of the Spirit-controlling Immortal Sect keep a sharp eye on me always. Spotting any flaw would be the true shock," the burly man replied with a scoff.

"Given those circumstances, it's no surprise you're held in check. Fine, rooting out the traitor demands a drawn-out scheme," Bai Qi, the old Taoist, noted in a mild voice.

"That aside, I gathered you both for one more critical affair to unravel. Moments ago, a dispatch from the observatory reported that yet another Half-Immortal of the Void in the southwest of the Spirit Realm has broken through to the Unification Realm. This one's origins and history escape me, so Junior Brother and Junior Sister, hasten to uncover their identity."

At those words, the burly man's gaze sparked with interest, and he declared at once, "I'll take charge of this. The Qintian Guard overflows with agents; our network spans the Four Continents and Eight Seas, putting us at the top for intel hunts and tracking down targets."

"Hall Master, without doubt, the Spirit Immortal Sects and Immortal Gates teem with experts at Returning to Void Perfection. Couldn't this be one from their ranks?" In that instant, the silent woman of clear features spoke up abruptly.

"No, every Spirit Immortal Sect and Immortal Gate wields techniques to veil starlight, so this individual can't possibly hail from them," Bai Qi, the old Taoist, raised his eyes to her and clarified with patience.

His junior sister had only recently returned to life, much of her old memories faded away, causing her to overlook heaps of "everyday wisdom" and pose this "innocent" query.

Were Zhao Sheng present, shock would grip him utterly, for this woman of pure looks was none other than the long-ago Xue Susu.

That same woman had once called herself Yun Qing.

Obviously, Xue Susu had faced a dire end, with Venerable Yun Qing seizing her body for a clear rebirth.

Certainly, Zhao Sheng nursed his own doubts on the subject, simply ignorant that those doubts had materialized into truth.

Right then, a ray of flowing light soared from the cloud sea underneath, arriving in a flash within the grasp of Bai Qi, the old Taoist.

A single breath passed, and Bai Qi, the old Taoist, revealed a startled look, then knit his brows faintly and uttered in a solemn tone: "No probe needed; the individual's identity stands revealed. He bears the name Zhao Xi, originating from the Divine Artisan Zhao Clan in a lesser Immortal Faction across the Four Holy Continents. To the world, he's the Thunder God. Intel states his years number under three thousand. If accurate, his talent stands matchless and scarce, potentially harboring an Immortal Form!"

"Senior Brother, do you confirm that one's name as Zhao Xi? Has he fought in the Vermilion Bird Star System's two-race war before?" Xue Yunqing's face twisted sharply, her query flying out immediately.

"This report makes no mention. Still, drawn from the Painting Fool, the details carry ironclad trust," Bai Qi, the old Taoist, shook his head and affirmed.

Hmm?

Endowed with a Seven-Orifice Exquisite Heart, the burly man seized the implication swiftly, emitting a soft 'hmm' as he probed, "Has Junior Sister encountered this person in times past?"

Xue Yunqing inhaled deeply, regaining her poise in a heartbeat, and replied coolly, "Yes, centuries ago, through pure chance, I carried out a deeply classified task alongside him. We share a passing familiarity."

Hearing this, Bai Qi, the old Taoist, voiced his thoughts, "The mission Junior Sister references, could it truly be the one from that fateful year..."