Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1526 - 826: Subjugation (Part 2)

In that instant, a majestic Green-winged Roc soared rapidly through the crimson clouds, heading straight for the Heavenly Rift Valley with astonishing velocity.

Lord Zhao's face twisted in alarm, and he sprang to his feet without delay. His Lifebound Flying Sword morphed into a dazzling sword rainbow, shielding a ten-foot area surrounding him.

Within moments, the Green-winged Roc crossed above the Heavenly Rift Valley. Its silhouette expanded to enormous proportions, grand and imposing, nearly eclipsing the heavens.

Just as Lord Zhao's spirits plummeted, bracing himself for a fatal clash with the foe, a lofty silhouette abruptly descended from the Roc's back.

Lord Zhao's eyes narrowed to pinpricks, his features etched with utter disbelief and astonishment.

'This... this...' Shock rendered him nearly speechless.

Zhao Sheng touched down about a dozen feet distant, a gentle smile gracing his lips as he inclined his head and cupped his hands in salute, 'Lord, how have you been since our previous encounter?'

No sooner had the words left his mouth than a sharp eagle's screech resounded from the firmament.

The Green-winged Roc then dove earthward, its frame contracting swiftly as it fell.

When it alighted beside the pair, it had shifted into a youth clad in a feathered robe, with slit-like eyes and a hooked beak-like nose—none other than the Demon Emperor's offspring, Jun Tianxing.

Lord Zhao angled his gaze slightly toward this youth, who exuded potent Devil Qi and wore a sly grin, and he gulped down his apprehension.

No fight was necessary; a single look confirmed the adversary's power vastly surpassed his.

Moreover, the Green-winged Roc hailed from an Ancient True Spirit lineage, its inherent might outstripping human cultivators at equivalent levels.

'Who might this Young Master be...' Lord Zhao quelled his inner turmoil and inquired with strained composure.

Jun Tianxing lifted his chin haughtily, snorting dismissively, 'Hmph, I... I serve as the Young Master's... mount.'

Midway in his arrogant declaration, he caught the look on the Young Master's visage and swiftly toned down, altering his words on the spot.

'What? A mount!' Lord Zhao stood briefly stunned, scarcely crediting what he heard.

The Green-winged Roc lineage had forever embodied supreme arrogance, so when had they grown so submissive as to claim the role of a mount?

Zhao Sheng eyed Jun Tianxing and remarked evenly, 'Xiao Xing, mind your manners. Approach and show respect to Old Clan Chief Zhao.'

Jun Tianxing shuddered throughout and bowed hastily, 'This little demon, Jun Tianxing, extends greetings to Old Clan Chief Zhao.'

At these words, Lord Zhao's pulse quickened, and he returned the gesture with cupped hands, 'Excellent, excellent—old Zhao Zhuanggong also offers respects to Taoist Jun.'

Once done, Lord Zhao turned an unreadable stare upon Zhao Sheng.

Zhao Sheng stayed composed and spoke deliberately, 'Lord, I know questions flood your mind at present. Yet this spot isn't suited for such talks. Shall we seek a secluded area where I can clarify all?'

'Very well, Taoist Zhao and Young Master Jun, come with me!' Lord Zhao consented at once upon hearing this.

Before long, the pair of men and the demon stepped into a concealed cave mansion deep below the Heavenly Rift Valley.

The cave mansion's barrier then activated, sealing the entrance for an extended duration.

...

Time flew by over the years, and the demon beast numbers in the Heavenly Rift Valley diminished steadily with each passing year.

Following years of rebuilding efforts, the Three Yin Evil Acupoints had evolved into a fortified stronghold equipped with robust defenses.

In these latter years, signs of bustling life emerged in the city as droves of clansmen were steadily moved from Yuewu Mountain, swelling the populace beyond one thousand souls.

On a certain day, a colossal silver-white ship abruptly materialized from the skies, suspending itself over the fortress.

Not much later, a sword rainbow burst forth from the city's depths, streaking southward.

To the southwest of Heavenly Rift Valley sprawled a serene lake with gentle undulating waves of emerald, a faint haze drifting atop its waters to veil it from the intense sunlight.

As a radiant sword rainbow sliced through the lakeside mist, a gourd-like isle came into view at the water's heart.

The sword rainbow settled upon the isle, promptly unveiling Lord Zhao's form.

Lord Zhao paid no heed to the nearby vistas, striding swiftly into a quaint courtyard of verdant tiles and vermilion walls to locate the proprietor, who was nurturing blooms.

'Shaoling, catastrophe approaches!' Lord Zhao cried out in urgency the instant they reunited.

Zhao Sheng rose upright and erected a protective barrier around the juvenile Demon God Flower prior to questioning, 'Lord, what has stirred such alarm in you?'

Lord Zhao Zhuanggong withdrew a jade resembling a mountain from his sleeve, displayed it momentarily, and declared with creased brows: 'The Mountain and River Sect has summoned the Mountain Order, demanding one Nascent Soul cultivator and three Golden Core cultivators present themselves at the primary base. Failure to do so within three months spells doom for our whole clan.'

Zhao Sheng inclined his head, reflecting briefly before stating: 'I understand. It appears the initial wave of conflict is on the verge of erupting.'

Lord Zhao Zhuanggong fumed, 'More than likely! Zhao Chongnan warned of this time and again before. I had assumed our clan's frailty would spare us selection. Never anticipated the Mountain and River Sect's cruelty and overbearing ways—this tactic plainly seeks to shatter the Zhao Family's roots.'

Zhao Sheng drew nearer and intoned gravely: 'The Mountain Order leaves the Zhao Family no choice but to obey. Could it be... Zhao Chongnan crossed someone in their ranks?'

'Eh??' Lord Zhao Zhuanggong's heart jolted, his face twitching despite himself.

'This... cannot be ruled out!'

Human and demon clans had clashed across the Great Wilderness Swamp for ages, with war looming ever closer.

All knew the opening direct confrontation would prove the fiercest, most gore-soaked, and savage, hence scarce few cultivation clans desired to serve as mere fodder.

To this end, the Mountain and River Sect's upper echelons had not only boosted incentives but resorted to every manner of coercion and lure.

Compelling the leaders of subordinate powers to the front amounted to just such a heavy-handed tactic.

As a genuine disciple bearing his standing in the Mountain and River Sect, Zhao Chongnan ought not to face forced conscription.

Yet events unfolded contrariwise, leaving the matter deeply puzzling.

'Any word from Chongnan?' Zhao Sheng pressed further.

Lord Zhao Zhuanggong shook his head and replied: 'None, though at the prior assembly, he bade me remain at ease, claiming he'd secured an edict from Master Hundred Eyes Ancestor. Little did we foresee the arrival of this Mountain Order!'

'Leave Chongnan's situation aside for now and attend to our immediate concerns. Zhao Zhuanggong, whom do you intend to dispatch to the vanguard?'

Lord Zhao Zhuanggong appeared vexed and exhaled deeply: 'I'm undecided. Shaoling, have you suggestions?'

He essentially deferred the dilemma.

Zhao Sheng grasped his aim and responded forthrightly: 'Master Ming Yue could fill one slot; Zhao Yongxian won't do, nor will the rest. Earlier, I haphazardly concocted some Golden Core Formation Pills and Dragon Tiger Nourishing God Pills. The time has come to employ them.'

Lord Zhao Zhuanggong's countenance grew solemn at this, and after a brief contemplation, he let out a soft sigh: 'So be it, then.'

Zhao Sheng's eyes gleamed, and with a sudden palm turn, he produced two vials—one alabaster, one viridian.

He flung them casually across, while cautioning: 'Have each take a Dragon Tiger Nourishing God Pill initially, followed by a Golden Core Formation Pill. It ought to boost core formation odds by half. Success in enduring the tribulation hinges on destiny, however.'

The 'they' in Zhao Sheng's words denoted the seven or eight Zhao Family Foundation Establishment youths at peak perfection.

Through prolonged ordeals of peril and survival, though numerous Foundation Establishment youths had fallen, the survivors teetered at their zenith, merely pending the trial.

Zhao Sheng refrained from inquiring, and Lord Zhao Zhuanggong forbore from broaching it, both silently bypassing the paramount concern.

A month hence, ominous tribulation clouds amassed above the Heavenly Rift Valley, with ambient spiritual energy converging from every quarter, swiftly coalescing into a vast energy maelstrom.

Soon, several arm-thick streaks of pale azure thunder crashed from above, marking the onset of the Golden Core Thunder Tribulation.

...

Autumn yielded to winter, and in no time, the realm embraced the icy grip of a snow-laden season.

Among the frost-covered peaks, a pentachrome lucky cloud abruptly appeared, gliding forth.

The lucky cloud promptly reached a lofty, sheer cliff, descending gradually.

Moments later, a ribbon of cyan luminescence streaked across the distant sky, covering vast swaths of the celestial expanse before hurtling toward the precipice like a shooting star.

'Your humble servant pays homage to the master!' Jun Tianxing landed in haste, beholding his master who scanned the far-off vistas, and bowed with urgency.

Zhao Sheng pivoted, regarding him steadily, and uttered mildly: 'Have you obtained the required items?'

Jun Tianxing wasted no second and promptly retrieved a dark Sumeru Ring, presenting it aloft with open palms:

'To the master: I have amassed the majority of the Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures you specified, yet the Mirage Dragon Cloud Crystal, Ten Earthly Miasma, Treasure Light Blood Crystal, Transformation Ginseng Essence, 昙光 Golden Core... among nineteen such rarities, I failed to procure them promptly. I beg your pardon, master.' Jun Tianxing answered meekly.

Zhao Sheng extended his hand to claim the Sumeru Ring, his Divine Thought delving within to survey the holdings: twenty-six Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures in total, plus more than a hundred Top-grade Spirit Stones.

Included were Pocket World Jade, Sumeru Stone, Void Nether Stone, and sundry space-time attuned rarities.

This attested to Jun Tianxing's diligent pursuit.