Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1498 - 811: Island Master

Inverted Mountain.

Three years later, the terrain that was formerly covered in random rocks has become smooth and tidy. All the worthless rocks were cast away from the mountain, whereas the valuable ones were gathered and stacked into a few modest mounds, sorted by their kinds.

The roughly dozen basic stone dwellings, following repairs by their proprietor, now appear entirely refreshed.

This was the strikingly altered vista that greeted Zhao Sheng upon his return to the spot.

Bam!

Sensing a presence nearby, the earth split apart with a sharp bam, propelling a small stone outward to thud down just three paces from Zhao Sheng.

"Well, well, it's really you. You've returned at last. What amount of Top-grade Spirit Stones have you got for me now?"

Zhao Sheng loosened the pouch from his belt and replied, "None of the Top-grade ones today, though I've got roughly a hundred Mid-grade Spirit Stones. Interested?"

"Interested? You bet I am!" The Stone Spirit winked lazily, hopping lightly on the spot in a carefree manner.

Clatter—a heap of sparkling Spirit Stones tumbled onto the dirt, with several rolling right toward the Stone Spirit.

The Stone Spirit beamed with joy and promptly parted its jaws to draw them in, observing the egg-like Mid-grade Spirit Stones lift off sequentially and eagerly rush into its maw.

Moments later, more than a hundred and sixty Mid-grade Spirit Stones vanished completely. The Stone Spirit let out a satisfied belch, its twin crimson eyes shining with greater intensity.

"It's been ages since I feasted like this. Kid, you're alright. I've got a nice stack of rocks ready for you—hurry up and pick what you need."

Zhao Sheng gave it a nod and walked toward the nearby clusters of stones, scanning them with his gaze, when a spark of astonishment abruptly lit up his expression.

"...Ten-thousand-year-old Xuan Iron, Innate Geng Metal, Wind Grinding Copper Marrow, Moon Flowing Silver—wait, is that...Earth?!" His pulse quickened as his sight locked onto a fist-sized dirt-hued rock that had tumbled from the Xuan Iron stack.

The dirt-colored rock bore a dark gray shade, smooth grain, and a subtle iridescent sheen.

Beneath its crusty exterior, a finger-length multicolored gem was vaguely visible, lodged far inside.

Upon closer inspection, Zhao Sheng verified that this multicolored gem truly was the fabled Earth, called the Five-Colored Stone in certain Spirit Realms.

A subtle glint passed through his eyes. He advanced, stooped to grab the rock, tucked it securely into his waist pouch, and then selected more premium Heaven and Earth Strange Objects such as Innate Geng Metal, Copper Marrow, and Moon Flowing Silver from the remaining heaps.

The Stone Spirit hopped beside him, eyed the selections, and remarked scornfully, "Why stop there? At this rate of choosing, when will I get to taste Top-grade Spirit Stones again?"

Zhao Sheng drew forth the Earth rock, displayed it to the Stone Spirit, and inquired, "Senior, are there others like this? I'd like a couple more."

The Stone Spirit vibrated in dismay, "None left! That chunk of impure rock came from the summit—it's the sole piece!"

At those words, Zhao Sheng lifted his view to the lofty, rugged mountaintop. The slope stood stark and desolate, its crest oddly severed midway to create a pitted ledge, whose features remained indistinct from afar.

"If that's the case, I won't push it. Still, Senior, stay alert for any more. Should you find similar stones, I'll buy whatever you've got and ensure you're fairly compensated."

Despite voicing this, doubt began to stir within Zhao Sheng's mind.

The Five-Colored Stone ranked as the mythic Earth Element Divine Object, an item that any earth- or stone-based being would desperately desire.

Yet this "Stone Spirit" displayed no interest in it, a truly odd occurrence.

Unless... it was deceiving him! Perhaps it wasn't truly a Stone Spirit at all, but some other entity.

Zhao Sheng concealed his doubts deep inside, becoming more cautious around the "Stone Spirit."

...

Following a whirlwind sequence of happenings.

Zhao Sheng barely steadied his footing before a rush of Spiritual Energy burst from within him; however, under the control of his Divine Sense, that rush of Spiritual Energy meekly channeled into his Dantian, swiftly condensing into vast reserves of clear liquid Spiritual Power that ultimately pooled in the Spiritual Power Lake.

The Spiritual Power Lake swelled swiftly, propelling his cultivation forward at an explosive pace, akin to a soaring missile.

Foundation Establishment Fourth Level,

Fifth Realm,

Sixth Level,

The barrier of the Seventh Realm shattered with ease mere instants later, attaining Foundation Establishment Seventh Level, as the surge of Spiritual Energy sharply waned.

It ceased just shy of Foundation Establishment Seventh Layer Peak, cutting off the intake of ambient spiritual energy.

Zhao Sheng sat in meditation, eyes shut, for an extended period, letting the roiling Spiritual Power settle into smooth circulation, as natural as moving his own arms and legs...

...

Seasons shifted, and peaches bore fruit on two occasions.

The more than three hundred pupils from the Lower Six Courtyards endured the grueling final trials and, through picks by the Outer Eight Halls, each secured their future direction.

With fresh newcomers settling into the Lower Six Courtyards, Zhao Sheng and his peers at last prepared to venture forth along the cultivation road.

In the Geng Ninth Room, Chen Polu drew near, complaining bitterly, "Brother Sheng, that Artifact Refining Hall overseer must be blind as a bat. Your skills in Artifact Refining are top-notch, but they still passed you over."

Zhao Sheng shot him a look and responded evenly, "I arranged it that way."

Uh!

Chen Polu paused in surprise for a beat, then hastily added in a sycophantic tone, "Truth is... the Foreign Affairs Hall isn't bad either. It's way superior to the Blood Killing Hall, at least. You've never been one for battles and bloodshed. If not, we could've teamed up for the Blood Killing Hall and risen to fame eventually."

"Mm," Zhao Sheng inclined his head faintly and abruptly produced a three-inch slender silver blade from his robe.

The slender silver blade featured a sleek form, broad at the center with sharpened sides, its edge glinting icily, while a sheen of pale silver glow rippled across it, reminiscent of cascading moonlight.

Zhao Sheng passed the blade to Chen Polu, stating, "Here, take this. It's named the Flowing Moon Sword and qualifies as a top-grade magic tool at best. Keeping it with you hereafter means few foes at your level will trouble you."