Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1500: 812: Ten Years Flow Like Water, Shattering the Golden Core
Previously on Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension...
A gentle spring shower had just passed, leaving a veil of mist drifting above the lake's surface.
Seven Stars Island was enveloped in this haze, while the spirit fields brimmed with lush White Jade Rice, its emerald-green hue releasing a subtle, inviting aroma.
As Zhao Sheng strolled amid the spirit fields, dew dampened one side of his robe. Gazing upon the flourishing White Jade Rice, a faint smile crossed his lips before he abruptly swung his long sleeve, unleashing a broad cloud of ashen dust that drifted softly onto the rice stalks across acres of land.
He advanced more than a dozen paces to the heart of the spirit fields, formed a hand seal, and directed a ray of vivid yellow spirit light downward into the soil.
Right away, the ground yielded without a sound, creating a cavity roughly a foot in diameter.
From his sleeve, Zhao Sheng retrieved a Five-Colored Stone no larger than a thumb, gave it a quick inspection, and dropped it into the opening.
The instant it landed, a flash of radiance streaked through the hole, which then sealed shut noiselessly, restoring the earth to its prior condition.
With that accomplished, Zhao Sheng shut his eyes, extended his Divine Sense outward, and remained motionless, attuned to the surroundings.
Moments ticked by, and it appeared as though the ambient spiritual energy was being pulled toward an unseen force, steadily converging on the spirit fields, where the density of Spiritual Qi swelled at an astonishing rate.
Before half a day had elapsed, ethereal spirit clouds gathered overhead, followed shortly by a soft shower of spirit rain.
Zhao Sheng's eyes fluttered open; he knelt low and placed both palms against the earth, channeling a rush of refined Spiritual Power that splintered into countless delicate "frequencies," delving ten meters deep into the soil.
Little by little, a slender, nascent spirit vein materialized within his Heart Lake, its routes, offshoots, junctions, and origins laid bare in sharp detail.
Concentrating his thoughts, Zhao Sheng shaped his Divine Sense into an unseen grasp, seizing the Five-Colored Stone and embedding it firmly at the spirit vein's central node.
In that very instant, an immense surge of Earth Element Spiritual Qi erupted from the earth's depths, flooding into the core node before rapidly spreading across the entire spirit vein.
Swish!
Abruptly, bunches of spirit rice quivered though no breeze stirred, producing a chorus of whispering rustles, as their pale green stalks and foliage noticeably bulked up and deepened in color, glowing with jade-like vigor and fresh life.
“Hmm, it's finally up to standard!” Zhao Sheng rose to his feet, cast a pleased glance around, brushed the soil from his palms, and ascended skyward, elegantly leaving the spirit fields behind.
Just then, a young servant dashed up in haste, offered a deep bow, and murmured, “Master, a visitor has arrived, and they’re waiting in the Lakeside Pavilion right now.”
“Hmm, got it.”
Zhao Sheng gave a subtle nod, then strode ahead, vanishing to a spot ten feet distant in a flash, as if performing Instantaneous Movement.
In this manner, each step covered ten feet, then twenty, then thirty… and within moments, he was out of sight.
Lakeside Pavilion.
No sooner had he stepped into the chamber than a burly Great Han leaped from his seat, booming with laughter as he advanced.
This Great Han already cut an intimidating figure, and his boisterous guffaws only amplified his wild, ferocious air.
“Boss, it's been seven years since we last met—I’ve truly missed you.”
With those words, the Great Han threw open his arms and charged at Zhao Sheng.
Zhao Sheng's face twisted in mock disgust; he dodged back swiftly, cocked his fist, and tapped the Great Han's shoulder with light force, sending him stumbling.
Chen Polu clutched his shoulder, wincing dramatically, and grumbled a bit, “Ouch, you nearly took me out! Boss, how did you get so powerful?”
Zhao Sheng chuckled and chided, “Rubbish, that was hardly any effort. Why play the victim? Sit down already.”
At this, Chen Polu flashed a broad grin, trailed after the boss into the main area, and they both took their seats.
Servants promptly brought Spiritual Tea for the pair.
Zhao Sheng reclined against his chair with relaxed ease, inquiring offhandedly, “You don't visit without cause. Making the trip all the way to Seven Stars Island today means you've got business. Speak up—what's the matter? I'll assist if possible, but if not, even pleading to the heavens won't help.”
Chen Polu beamed and replied, “Boss, your insight is spot on! Indeed, brother here needs a favor.”
“Haha, nobody asks for help without bringing something. You know the drill!” Zhao Sheng ribbed him on purpose.
“Of course I wouldn't show up empty-handed! I've gone to great lengths to obtain a treasure. Boss, I bet you'll love it!”
Chen Polu offered a fawning smile and drew a apricot-yellow gourd, about the size of a palm, from his bosom, presenting it with care.
Arching a brow, Zhao Sheng dispatched his Divine Sense as a slender probe into the gourd, and his brows shot up once more in surprise.
With a flick, the gourd drifted into his grasp; he removed the stopper and gave it a firm pat.
Slap!
The following instant, a vivid azure flame burst from the gourd's opening, compact as a palm yet radiating a mild yet intense warmth.
“Samadhi True Fire?! You've stumbled onto something remarkable, kid.” Zhao Sheng's gaze gleamed with approval.
Chen Polu puffed up with pride and said, “Impressive, right? I figured you'd appreciate it. Brother Sheng, with this Samadhi True Fire in hand, your breakthrough to Foundation Establishment is guaranteed to succeed.”
To him, since his boss practiced the “Samadhi True Fire Technique,” pairing it with the actual Samadhi True Fire would propel his cultivation to swift mastery, making the Foundation Establishment hurdle a breeze.
Chen Polu remained blissfully unaware of the true nature of the figure before him.
Zhao Sheng returned the Samadhi True Fire to the gourd, secured the lid, and stated gravely, “Taking such a valuable gift from you… I can't back out now. So, what's your ask?”
Chen Polu dropped his smile, turned his palm over, and revealed a small silver sword in his grip.
Yet this sword was riddled with fissures, its luster faded entirely, rendering it utterly worthless at present.
“Boss, the Flowing Moon Sword is damaged—can you reforge it?”
Upon seeing it, Zhao Sheng took hold of the small sword, toyed with it for a moment, and declared, “No, the inner Magic Prohibition is shattered beyond recovery; it's got no worth left for fixing.”