Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1499: 811: Island Master (Part 2)

Chen Polu felt a surge of astonishment, clutching the Flowing Moon Sword tightly with both hands, his face showing profound emotion as tears nearly welled up in his eyes.

“Take it!”

The moment those words escaped his lips, Chen Polu switched to a mischievous demeanor, bowing and nodding vigorously toward the boss.

Right then, the rest of the roommates crowded in, each staring at their boss with anticipation gleaming in their eyes.

Noticing their eagerness, Zhao Sheng pulled out the Magic Artifacts he had readied beforehand and handed one to each of them. These were of top-grade quality, yet their might rivaled that of ordinary top-grade magic tools.

Having shared five years as companions, even without profound bonds, a certain camaraderie had formed.

As they went their separate ways, he gifted each a magic artifact to symbolize their friendship.

…

Two weeks passed, and a Hundred Feet Cloud Boat pierced through the clouds, diving swiftly toward the immense, boundless lake underneath.

The lake's waters gleamed under the light, deep green and transparent, with islands of all sizes sprinkled across it, barely discernible through the light mist.

The Hundred Feet Cloud Boat glided rapidly over the lake, and after covering seventy or eighty miles in flight, it abruptly slowed down.

Suddenly, a person leaped from inside the cloud boat, and while descending through the air, a shadowy turtle shell materialized under their feet.

Instantly, the turtle shell glowed with a subtle black light, coming to a complete stop just above the water.

Whoosh!

The waters of the lake split apart, creating a white wave that stretched far away, as Zhao Sheng advanced on the Mystic Turtle Shield. Before long, a modest island appeared in sight, about three or four miles distant.

Moments later, he arrived at the pier beyond the small island, stored the Mystic Turtle Shield, and scanned the surroundings, spotting a middle-aged man dressed in water-green robes hurrying toward him.

Plop, plop.

The middle-aged man dashed up and dropped to his knees without delay, kowtowing deeply, “I am Zhou Chu, offering my respects to the Island Master, sir!”

“No need for such ceremony, rise,” Zhao Sheng replied evenly, while producing a Seven-Star Token and displaying it to the man.

The middle-aged man rose to his feet, scrutinizing the token closely for some time, and once assured of its genuineness, he let out a heavy breath of relief.

“Sir, you must be weary after the long trip. Kindly come with me to the island. The primary residence stands ready for the Island Master to relax,” Zhou Chu said with a fawning grin, gesturing welcomingly all at once.

After stowing the token, Zhao Sheng inquired, “What position do you occupy here? How familiar are you with Seven Stars Island?”

Zhou Chu kept his smile plastered on, “To speak plainly, sir, I serve as the Chief of Miscellaneous Affairs presently. The island employs seventy-two servants, including one Spirit Plant Cultivator and one Fish Father. Moreover, we've cultivated thirty-three acres of spirit fields, two fish ponds, a medicine field…”

Zhao Sheng proceeded along the dock toward the heart of the island, Zhou Chu trailing after him, describing the island's traditions, landscapes, and yields as they went.

…

In the northwest of the Red Cloud Spirit Domain, south of the Lingxia Mountain Range, sprawls a vast lake spanning nearly ten thousand miles, called Thousand Island Lake for its myriad scattered isles.

Spiritual energy flourishes at Thousand Island Lake, and a massive third-tier Spirit Vein runs beneath it, its many offshoots delving mostly into the depths of the islands.

From times immemorial, Thousand Island Lake has drawn Loose Cultivators to congregate, while numerous minor Cultivation Families dwell leisurely on its isles.

Abundant in unique local products, Thousand Island Lake boasts several spiritual treasures that aid Golden Core Masters and even Nascent Soul Ancestors, prompting various mighty sects to dispatch agents solely to procure these “spiritual items” from the waters.

The Three Extremes Zhao Family counts among such powers.

Zhao Sheng got sent to Seven Stars Island since the former Island Master received “joyful tidings from the birthing chamber” and earned a promotion, vacating the post, which Zhao Sheng promptly claimed.

Naturally, without his lavish contributions, the role might have eluded him.

That very day, Zhao Sheng settled into the Lakeside Pavilion, commencing his duties as island master.

Within merely two days, he easily brought under his control the two Late-stage Qi Refining Cultivators—the Spirit Plant Cultivator and the Fish Father—on the island.

Seeing this display, the remaining servants swiftly realigned their allegiances, rushing to swear fealty to the Island Master!

Zhao Sheng devoted half a day to exploring Seven Stars Island, then handled the backlog of island business with effortless skill.

With all affairs on the island restored to normalcy, he abruptly discovered himself with ample free time as Island Master.

Several days on, deep into the night, the moon shone coldly with stars thinly scattered.

A modest vessel sliced quietly through the misty clouds and moored at Seven Stars Island. Cloaked figures in black, faces masked, stepped off one after another, creeping stealthily onto the land.

Soon enough, five masked intruders slunk toward the Lakeside Pavilion, drawing curved sabers that gleamed with icy menace.

In a flash, the five charged into the pavilion sabers in hand, tossing vivid red Elixir Pills to scatter across the interior.

Boom boom!

The Elixir Pills detonated, erupting into thick pink clouds of toxic mist that swallowed the whole pavilion.

Hmph!

At that instant, the five caught a chilly snort echoing in their ears, followed by a streak of Sword Light tearing through the poison haze, slashing toward their throats at astonishing velocity.

Before they could react, four heads soared skyward, their ownerless bodies twitching momentarily before crumpling, blood spreading across the floor.

The last one's gaze brimmed with dread as a supreme Sword Intent bore down on his forehead, rooting him in horror, the curved saber slipping from his grasp to clatter on the ground.

The instant after, the survivor appeared to catch some sound, his face twisting in disbelief, before he meekly bowed his head and shuffled deeper into the pavilion.

Come morning, Zhao Sheng stepped out from the pavilion, utterly serene, every sign of the night's clash erased without a trace.

From the prisoner's interrogation, he discovered the five had taken a contract to sneak onto the island and slay the fresh Island Master.

Regrettably, these Loose Cultivator assassins knew nothing of their employer's identity.

Yet it scarcely signified! No matter who lurked in the shadows coveting Seven Stars Island, once uncovered, Zhao Sheng would strike them down without mercy.

…

In the dawn light, the lake waters sparkled.

Near Seven Stars Island, Zhao Sheng gripped a fishing rod, its bobber drifting far out on the lake, bobbing uncertainly.

Shortly, the bobber plunged abruptly, sending ripples across the lake in widening circles.

A faint smile crossed Zhao Sheng's lips as he lifted the rod sharply, hauling a blazing red spiritual carp from the depths.

With a quick snap, the spiritual carp arced through the air, splashing down onshore at a distance, flipping lively on the earth.

Zhou Chu, ever quick and alert, hurried over in a flash, seizing the spiritual carp firmly with both hands, fingers slipping into its gills to hoist it up, then dashed back to the Island Master's side, beaming sycophantically, “My congratulations, sir, on landing a Great Spirit Carp. This one tips the scales at ten pounds and has aged over a century at least. Even in Thousand Island Lake, such a veteran specimen proves exceedingly uncommon.”

Zhao Sheng rose leisurely, ignoring the carp entirely, and instead directed his eyes toward the lake beyond the island.

Just then, a shadowy canopy boat sped over the waves, pulling up to the bank in no time.

From it leaped an elder daoist with a boyish visage and flowing white hair like a crane's, approaching with a wide grin.

“Haha, word reached me of a new fellow daoist settling on Seven Stars Island, so I’ve come to pay a call. I am Cen Hezi; greetings to you, friend.”

The elder drew near and gave Zhao Sheng a courteous salute.

Zhao Sheng reciprocated with a smile, “Ah, a neighbor comes to call. I’m Zhao Sheng; greetings to Lord Cen.”

Evidently, this elder daoist ruled over the adjacent Spring and Autumn Island, having attained Qi Refining Great Perfection two decades prior, and he enjoyed considerable renown around Thousand Island Lake.

“Fellow Daoist Zhao, so youthful yet already named master of Seven Stars Island—your clan must hold you in high esteem. Your path in cultivation stretches endlessly ahead!” The elder's eyes sparkled as he voiced his admiration.

Zhao Sheng smiled in response, “You flatter me too much, Cen Dao You. This spot isn't ideal for talk; let us head inside the island to converse.”

“Excellent, I’ve carried along some Hundred-year-old Wine as an offering. Today, we shall indulge freely.”

Spring and Autumn Island famed for its array of Spiritual Wines, and though Lord Cen Hezi lacked prowess in combat, his brewing expertise shone, with his creations ever sparking fierce bids.

Zhao Sheng's gaze lit up, chuckling, “As the sages proclaimed: ‘With half-closed eyes, survey the mortal dust, and with a blade kissed by frost, summon spring across the Four Seas!’ Daoist Cen’s wine arrives just right for my spirits. After you!”

Thereupon, Zhao Sheng took the lead, bantering and laughing with Cen Hezi as they swiftly made their way into the Lakeside Pavilion.