Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1501: 812: Ten Years Flow Like Water, Breaking Through the Golden Core (Part 2)

Chen Polu experienced a surge of dismay upon hearing those words. Over the previous seven years, he'd wielded this blade to defeat countless formidable foes, fully recognizing the immense might of the Flowing Moon Sword, which rivaled a Second Order Spiritual Artifact. He certainly didn't wish for such a weapon to be ruined pointlessly.

Yet, prior to him uttering a single syllable, the leader shifted his manner abruptly: “However, using the Samadhi True Fire, I can craft an even superior version.”

Chen Polu's concern flipped instantly to delight, prompting him to inquire eagerly, “Boss, how much time will it require for you to forge it successfully? I've got a task ahead and can linger on the island for no more than two months.”

“Merely half a month will suffice. Simply hold on; I'll commence immediately.”

Upon finishing, Zhao Sheng stood up completely, grasping the Flowing Moon Sword along with a gourd, and strode away with elegant poise.

Chen Polu observed his retreating form, his face a mix of intricate emotions and strain, revealing a touch of unease.

Time flew by in an instant, marking the passage of half a month.

On that particular day, joyous chuckles erupted abruptly from the Lakeside Pavilion, where Chen Polu clutched a tiny, one-inch crystalline blade, overcome with mirth.

As the echoes of laughter filled the air, the little crystalline sword darted about playfully like a lively fish, casting a chilly, radiant glow reminiscent of the full moon, and from time to time releasing a humming vibration.

“Haha, such an exquisitely spirited flying sword! Boss, your forging abilities are truly astonishing!” Chen Polu cradled the flying sword with affection, showering it with boundless admiration.

Zhao Sheng stayed composed and remarked indifferently, “It stems from your exceptional fortune. While crafting this flying sword, I incorporated a scarce spiritual substance, and unexpectedly, a peculiar transformation arose at the moment of its emergence. By sheer luck, it evolved into this Spiritual Artifact-grade Bright Moon Sword.”

The instant “Spiritual Artifact” was uttered, Chen Polu's features twisted in sheer disbelief, leading him to cry out, “This… this counts as a spirit sword! Boss, your cultivation—”

“Still no Foundation Establishment, merely Qi Refining Late Stage,” Zhao Sheng anticipated his query and responded directly.

“That quick!” Chen Polu exclaimed without thinking. He was aware that the boss shared his own inferior Five Spirits Roots.

Despite his array of lucky breaks across seven years, he'd merely advanced to the Qi Refining Seventh Layer, whereas the boss had remained confined to the island without venturing beyond, yet matched his level.

Reflecting on the perilous trials of those seven years, Chen Polu was struck by a pang of dejection, making even the Bright Moon Sword in his grasp feel somewhat diminished.

After a mere half day, laden with hesitation, Chen Polu departed Seven Stars Island in haste.

…

Days slipped away swiftly, and four months vanished just like that.

Aboard Cold Spring Island, Zhao Sheng and Hu Yuanqiao were seated in lotus position atop a vast lotus leaf, frequently lifting their cups while engaging in lively discussion.

Beneath the lotus leaves lay a pristine pool, releasing a chill that wafted upward. Drifting across the water were fist-sized white jade cups containing wine that was partially iced over and partially liquid, with frost delicately lining the interiors.

Hu Yuanqiao extended his hand to retrieve a white jade wine cup from the pool, lifting it toward Zhao Sheng in salute, chuckling, “Here, fellow Daoist, down this cup completely. As the proverb states, one cup erases the burdens of countless eras. No need to ponder the frosty lunar curve upon rising.”

Zhao Sheng picked up a cup of wine, mirrored the toast, and swallowed it in a single gulp. The liquid cascaded down his throat akin to a fresh spring stream, sharpening his mind right away. Following the chill came a rush of heat that swiftly coursed through his body.

“Excellent brew!” Zhao Sheng flung the cup aside casually and couldn't resist commending it.

Grinning, Hu Yuanqiao set his cup down and clapped toward the bank. A lithe, lovely maiden hurried across the lotus leaves.

Hu Yuanqiao indicated the charming girl and, emboldened by the alcohol, guffawed, “For your information, Daoist Zhao, this is my granddaughter, Hu Yu’er. At the tender age of blossoming affections, she's a bit younger than you but not by much. I leave her in your hands henceforth. Yu’er, pay respects to Daoist Zhao.”

Hu Yu’er’s gaze sparkled as she approached and performed a graceful bow, murmuring gently, “Yu’er greets Brother Zhao.”

Zhao Sheng’s grin faded as he pondered inwardly how the elder's zeal was excessive, attempting to arrange a union before any connection formed. Did he truly believe beauty could influence him?

“Elder Hu, you're jesting. My youthful appearance comes from certain longevity techniques. Though I seem young, I'm in truth past fifty.”

Hu Yuanqiao’s grin stiffened upon those remarks, and Hu Yu’er’s face subtly altered.

“Haha, the wine has loosened my tongue too much. Daoist Zhao, pardon my imprudent speech.”

“It's fine,” Zhao Sheng answered with a mild smile.

Next, he gestured to Hu Yu’er and drew a bead necklace from his robe, flinging it her way.

“This is a minor item I fashioned casually, known as the Five Elements Pearl. It helps dispel stray notions and supports cultivation. Take it as a token for Miss Hu Yu’er on this occasion.”

Hu Yu’er snatched the beads, eyeing the smooth, shiny, luminous spheres with evident delight: “Yu’er thanks Senior Zhao for the present!”

Witnessing this, Hu Yuanqiao let out a soft laugh and noted, “You've been overly generous, fellow Daoist. Now, let's resume enjoying the wine.”

Thus, he nodded to his granddaughter.

Hu Yu’er caught on and advanced, selecting a white jade wine cup to offer Zhao Sheng with both hands.

Zhao Sheng accepted the cup steadily, giving her a faint nod.

Hu Yuanqiao lifted his cup once more, and they imbibed deeply. Hu Yu’er remained quietly at the side, her smile radiant.

…

Summer yielded to autumn, bringing the harvest season.

Across Seven Stars Island's thirty-three acres of spirit fields, spirit rice thrived abundantly, with kernels swollen and as big as longans, stems robust like thighs, towering beyond ten feet. It resembled a woodland of gleaming golden trunks, an awe-inspiring sight.

Zhao Sheng positioned himself on the Mystic Turtle Shield, suspended in the sky over the fields, watching the workers toil beneath him.

The laborers wielded keen sickles with care, harvesting entire rice heads before hauling them from the plots and depositing them into a massive jade container nearby.

These White Jade Rice, nurtured for half a year, had undergone a successful variation, which Zhao Sheng dubbed Golden Jade Rice.

Each acre produced a thousand pounds of golden grains, while the stalks served as valuable spiritual resources, ideal for crafting premium talisman sheets.

Just half a month prior, Hu Yuanqiao had stumbled upon the almost-ripe Golden Jade Rice and, in shock, made repeated trips begging for the seeds.

Zhao Sheng raised no objections; the Golden Jade Rice arose from serendipity, after all.

His true aim lay not in the rice itself, but in this very spirit field.

Through the enhancement from the Five-Colored Stone, the underlying spirit vein had expanded greatly, elevating the field to Third Grade status.

By day's end, the entire field's spirit rice was gathered, yielding more than thirty thousand pounds stored securely.

In the interim, Hu Yuanqiao arrived without invitation and, desperate for the seeds, boldly included his granddaughter in his plea.

Zhao Sheng recognized this bold tactic; he understood intimately the harsh struggles of low-tier loose cultivators in the Cultivation World. For kin and self-advancement, dignity could be sacrificed!

Naturally, freely bestowed items rarely hold true value.

Zhao Sheng demanded ten jars of Hundred-Year-Old Red Dust wine in exchange before handing over the Golden Jade Rice Seeds to Hu Yuanqiao.

…

Ten cycles of rice harvest came and went, leaving Seven Stars Island as serene as a decade earlier.

Amid this tranquil period, unbeknownst to others, Zhao Sheng had silently endured the Golden Core Heavenly Tribulation that year, ascending to become one of Thousand Island Lake's scarce Golden Core Masters.

That same year, Chen Polu returned to Seven Stars Island.

When they reunited, his demeanor brimmed with vigor, his cultivation remarkably at Qi Refining Perfection.

The year after, as Hu Yuanqiao's lifespan drew to a close, he abruptly came to Seven Stars Island, committing his matters to his “old friend” Zhao Sheng.

Subsequently, during a stormy evening, Hu Yuanqiao secluded himself, attempting a breakthrough to Foundation Establishment in his final years.

Regrettably, fate rarely aligns with desires; his effort ended in failure!

Amid this tranquil period, unbeknownst to others, Zhao Sheng had silently endured the Golden Core Heavenly Tribulation that year, ascending to become one of Thousand Island Lake's scarce Golden Core Masters.

That same year, Chen Polu returned to Seven Stars Island.

That same year, Chen Polu returned to Seven Stars Island. That same year, Chen Polu returned to Seven Stars Island.

When they reunited, his demeanor brimmed with vigor, his cultivation remarkably at Qi Refining Perfection. When they reunited, his demeanor brimmed with vigor, his cultivation remarkably at Qi Refining Perfection.

The year after, as Hu Yuanqiao's lifespan drew to a close, he abruptly came to Seven Stars Island, committing his matters to his “old friend” Zhao Sheng.