Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1532: 829: Jiuxuan City, Ku Rong Forests (Part 2)

The avenue stretched broad and level, flanked by lively emporiums such as the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, the Artifact Refining Tower, the Elixir Cauldron Pavilion, and the Spirit Medicine Room. Countless cultivators bustled about, and commerce flourished vigorously.

Zhao Sheng strolled down the avenue, casting casual looks at the establishments lining either side, his face showing mild disinterest.

Having traveled roughly seven or eight miles, he reached the vicinity of a enormous root marked by scale-like fissures, measuring more than three hundred feet across.

Gazing at the impressive entrance carved specially under the root, Zhao Sheng halted abruptly, eyed the couplets flanking it, and noted they proclaimed: “The moon and sun in the pot float on the ocean; the Qi Sea nurtures the universe and grows the Golden Lotus.”

Such grandiose claims!

With a mere notion, Zhao Sheng entered the premises.

Once inside, he discovered a vast chamber, adorned overhead with almost a hundred head-sized Bright Pearls embedded there, each radiating intense light, illuminating the space like broad daylight.

Around the chamber's walls stood nine arched doorways, each bearing spiritual plaques that named their purposes: the first layer Ten Thousand Treasure Pavilion, the second layer Treasure Restaurant, the third layer Auction House, the fourth layer Qunxian Residence, and others.

Zhao Sheng considered briefly and then darted swiftly through the doorway to the first layer Ten Thousand Treasure Pavilion.

Within, the area lay vacant, featuring just a small transmission array etched into the floor.

Zhao Sheng entered the array, which promptly emitted a gentle luminescence, surrounding him completely.

In an instant, he materialized in an elegant hall where seven or eight attendants clad in green robes, all with striking looks, stood ready beyond the array.

As a figure appeared via teleportation, one green-robed attendant approached promptly: “Welcome, honored visitor. I am Hu Shiba, ready to assist you.”

“Hmm, I possess certain treasures for sale. You lack the skill for this; summon Ku Rong Ancestor in person.” Zhao Sheng exited the transmission array, regarded the individual, and spoke firmly all at once.

The green-robed attendant replied politely with a grin: “The esteemed guest might be unaware, but Ku Rong Ancestor receives only those with Earth-level authority or higher. For levels below Earth, our staff manages the hospitality.”

Zhao Sheng offered a faint smile: “Oh, what steps lead to raising my authority?”

Having fielded myriad such inquiries, the green-robed attendant explained readily: “Our trading firm features three tiers of guests: Heavenly, Earth, and Human. Each tier includes nine grades… Spending more than ten Directions of top-grade Spirit Stones grants Earth-level authority, with each additional ten Directions advancing one grade… Moreover, Nascent Soul cultivators receive Human-level authority automatically, Divinity Transformation True Monarchs align with Earth-level, and Half-Immortal of the Void hold the pinnacle Heavenly level, drawing Ku Rong Ancestor’s personal attendance right away.”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng reflected briefly, then released his binding, unleashing his aura.

Suddenly, an immense, overpowering force materialized from nowhere, permeating the whole area.

Concurrently, a Five-Colored Dao Lotus bloomed from void, radiating an unfathomable ancient Dao aura.

The following instant brought a thunderous noise, causing the entire hall to tremble slightly, as though awakening to life.

On the western hall wall, a colossal face emerged abruptly, its contours sharp, eyes aglow with enlightened light, yet bearing a trace of wryness.

“Infinite Heavenly Venerate! Ah, a fellow Divinity Transformation cultivator graces us. Old Ku Rong failed to greet you promptly; pray forgive my oversight, Taoist Zhao.”

Zhao Sheng gave a light smile, flicked his sleeve abruptly, vanishing the Five-Colored Dao Lotus tracelessly, while the immense force faded away.

Though his cultivation had recently advanced to Late-stage Nascent Soul, mimicking nearly nine-tenths of Divinity Transformation realm pressure proved effortless.

Zhao Sheng formed a cupped-hand salute and declared, “I am Zhao Sheng, salutations, Elder Ku Rong. My haste prompted a rash demonstration, troubling you, elder; I offer my regrets.”

Ku Rong Ancestor truly served as the essence of this Ancient Kuro tree. While its realm matched Divinity Transformation, its might and longevity exceeded the Divinity Transformation bounds greatly, placing its actual standing akin to a Half-Immortal of the Void.

The renown of Wanyou Trading Company across the Red Cloud Spirit Domain owed much to Ku Rong Ancestor.

“Haha, the honored guest overstates politeness. Such matters hold no ill will from me. This spot suits not prolonged talk, so kindly move to the Earth number six secret chamber for our exchange.”

With those words, the western palace wall split open, unveiling a pathway from emptiness.

Zhao Sheng’s gaze sparkled, and he morphed into a streak of Flowing Light, vanishing into the pathway.

After he passed through, the pathway sealed shut instantly, restoring the hall wall to its prior state.

Shortly thereafter, in a room spacious, luminous, and simply adorned, Zhao Sheng seated himself cross-legged upon a wooden bench, observing the facing wall with evident delight.

The wall displayed intricate wood patterns, centered by a fist-sized, translucent orb embedded therein.

At that juncture, the opposing wall parted, allowing an aged, bald gentleman with a sour look to step forth.

The elder wore a lengthy green robe, shuffling along unsteadily, seeming rather awkward in motion.

“Infinite Heavenly Venerate! I am…”

Following brief formalities, Ku Rong Ancestor cut to essentials: “Haha, I eagerly await the treasures Taoist Zhao referenced; kindly reveal them that I might behold their splendor.”

“Very well.” Zhao Sheng consented at once, yet shifted topic: “Still, this space feels confined, somewhat restrictive.”

“No issue at all; declare it vast, and vast it becomes!”

Scarce had the phrase ended when the secret room indeed enlarged itself, swelling in size twofold and beyond.

“Does this serve?”

“Insufficient; expand it tenfold!”

“Agreed, agreed!” Enthralled in the moment, Ku Rong Ancestor stamped his foot, and sans any spell, the secret room grew anew.

After a single breath, the secret room had become a gigantic expanse exceeding a thousand feet in length and over a hundred meters in height.

Observing this, Zhao Sheng nodded, and abruptly, a circular mirror emerged from within him.

Next, the mirror’s surface undulated, from which a mountain-like True Dragon Skeleton surfaced.

Beholding the pristine, majestic True Dragon Skeleton, Ku Rong Ancestor’s face shifted, a ray of Flowing Light streaking beneath his feet.

The ray sank into the earth, fortifying it manifold, dozens of times stronger in a flash.

Boom!

The True Dragon Skeleton thudded down forcefully, provoking a deep growl from the ground.

Absent Zhao Sheng’s explanation, Ku Rong Ancestor’s eyes lit up as he rushed forward.

In a flash, he became myriad green tree roots, swarming over the True Dragon Skeleton. The roots writhed in and out like coiling snakes, producing sibilant noises.

Then, Ku Rong Ancestor’s voice resounded through the secret room: “What an extraordinary True Dragon Remains! Preserved in near-perfect condition, a true rarity, indeed!”

Seeing this, Zhao Sheng inquired, “Pray tell, Taoist, what worth does this item hold?”

“Valued in top-grade Spirit Stones, at least a hundred Directions. Yet for bartering goods, it hinges on what Taoist seeks in return.”

“I aim to acquire Pocket World Jade. How many Directions might your firm provide?”

“No more than three Directions,” echoed Ku Rong Ancestor’s voice within the chamber.

Zhao Sheng countered without pause, “At least ten Directions! Otherwise, no deal!”

One Direction of Pocket World Jade yields a hundred individual jades, each tradable for ten to several dozen top-grade Spirit Stones.

Naturally, top-grade Spirit Stones serve as reliable currency, though hardly scarce.

Pocket World Jade, conversely, commands fervent demand and seldom finds a price tag. The two stand incomparable.

“Five Directions! Five represents the utmost. Pocket World Jade proves exceedingly scarce. Our reserves stretch only thus far. Absent the Dragon Ball lingering within this True Dragon, I’d proffer no more than two Directions of Pocket World Jade.”

Ku Rong Ancestor spoke candidly, revealing the Dragon Ball’s presence without guile.

Zhao Sheng knew full well the skeleton harbored a Dragon Ball; elsewise, he’d not demand the steep sum of ten Directions of Pocket World Jade.

“Out of the question; the Dragon Ball aids a Dragon Serpent’s seamless shift to pureblood True Dragon, invaluable! At minimum, seven Directions of Pocket World Jade… Five Directions will do, provided it includes twenty Directions of top-grade Spirit Stones.”

“Five Directions of Pocket World Jade plus five Directions of top-grade Spirit Stones! Such an offer stands unmatched in a thousand years. Old I speaks truth always; does Taoist trust?”

“Trust, absolutely! Merely…”

Through intense yet concise haggling, Ku Rong Ancestor yielded somewhat, and the pair agreed upon five Directions of Pocket World Jade alongside eleven Directions of top-grade Spirit Stones.

The secret room’s floor soon split apart, and the True Dragon Skeleton descended gradually.

Concurrently, another form of Ku Rong Ancestor appeared from the wall, clutching a grimy pouch.