Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1534 - 830: The Great Grandmaster Emerges

~4 minute read · 1,073 words
Previously on Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension...
Ku Rong Ancestor handed a pouch to Zhao Sheng, who promptly presented an array of rare and mysterious treasures from his Sumeru Ring, impressing the ancestor with their authenticity and value. Zhao Sheng then provided a Jade Scroll detailing hundreds of desired heavenly materials and earthly treasures, from common to legendary, leading Ku Rong to list the company's substantial but insufficient holdings for full exchange. Confident in his mastery of alchemy, artifact refining, and other arts, Zhao Sheng proposed ongoing trades and prioritized key items, earning Ku Rong's support to attract clients in Jiuxuan City. He rented a Heavenly Cave Mansion for ten years using a verdant wooden token, and soon the ground swelled with tree tumors revealing the initial treasures.

Sumeru Stone, You Tan Golden Core, Mirage Dragon Cloud Crystal, Cave Heaven Marrow Jade... More than twenty varieties of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, totaling over a hundred pieces.

Divine Light gleamed in Zhao Sheng's eyes, and as he flicked his wide sleeve, a brilliant glow spread out widely, engulfing every treasure and pulling them all into his storage space.

Meanwhile, Ku Rong Ancestor let out a subtle smile, and abruptly, numerous green vines burst from the soil, wrapping around the several treasures that had been previously extracted, swiftly hauling them beneath the earth.

The deal wrapped up without issues, leaving both Zhao Sheng and Ku Rong Ancestor quite content with the outcome.

Rather than separating right away, the pair eagerly dove into talks about profound principles, sharing their knowledge and personal journeys in cultivation.

With Zhao Sheng's vast experience and deep roots, he could easily outshine Ku Rong Ancestor, but he chose to hold back his true prowess, now and then revealing hints of 'profound mystery' while subtly highlighting minor flaws in the other's cultivation path.

Ku Rong Ancestor grew more and more admiring, feeling immense gains, as if barriers in his mind were shattering, pushing his Dao forward with new clarity.

That was exactly the case!

After Ku Rong Ancestor thoroughly grasped Zhao Sheng's guidance, his cultivation would undoubtedly surge ahead, perhaps even offering him a faint chance at breaking through higher realms.

This enlightening discussion lasted a full day and night before Zhao Sheng ceased his words with a calm expression, pulling Ku Rong Ancestor from his deep immersion, prompting a hasty bow of deep appreciation.

From that point forward, Ku Rong Ancestor regarded this 'Fellow Daoist' with utmost respect, ready to go all out for any request from Zhao Sheng.

At the same time, Ku Rong Ancestor kept issuing heartfelt invites for Zhao Sheng to become part of the Wanyou Trading Company.

To achieve this, even the Wanyou Trading Company's proprietor, Yixin Ancestor, showed up in person to enlist this Divinity Transformation Grandmaster skilled in a Hundred Arts.

It was then that Zhao Sheng discovered the Wanyou Trading Company's foundations ran deeper than he'd thought, its leader Yixin Ancestor being a direct heir of the Red Cloud Venerable, with Late-stage Returning to Void cultivation, truly ranking among the top ten powerhouses in the Red Cloud Spirit Domain.

Of course, those events would unfold later; we'll set them aside for now.

...

The Bitter Rong Immortal Root Tree stands in the liveliest, most vibrant section of Jiuxuan City, acting as the Wanyou Trading Company's central hub and a prime spot for collecting news and rumors.

Situated on the Fourth Layer, the All Immortal Monarchs district is the hub of all knowledge, drawing in throngs of Wind Carriers who thrive on trading secrets. They prioritize info gathering but never skip their own cultivation efforts.

Scarcely half a day after Zhao Sheng took up residence in the Heavenly Number Six Cave Mansion, details about him began circulating rapidly.

Although the intel wasn't very detailed, it still pulled in plenty of Wind Carriers since Ku Rong Ancestor had craftily leaked word that Zhao Sheng was a Master of Hundred Arts and one of the Three Great Masters in Pill, Artifact, and Talisman fields.

That's the reason so many Wind Carriers swarmed in at such speed.

Even without stepping out of his cave mansion, Zhao Sheng stayed fully informed about the external buzz.

As a result, he quickly uncovered the scheme, instantly knowing it was Ku Rong Ancestor's 'ploy,' not overly ingenious but certainly working well.

Zhao Sheng felt delighted to 'sit back steadily by the fishing spot and let the catches come willingly.'

Right before the major catch hooked itself, Ku Rong Ancestor arrived with companions to pay a visit.

Observing this, Zhao Sheng promptly unsealed the cave mansion to greet the honored visitors.

Within the cave mansion's reception hall, the three Divinity Transformation Cultivators settled into their positions, with Ku Rong Ancestor stepping up to present: 'Please, allow this old man to make the introductions, Taoist Zhao. Here is Taoist Jin Xun, famed throughout Jiuxuan City for his extraordinary Miraculous Flame Boiling Sea Divine Power.'

In response, Zhao Sheng gave a light nod and clasped his hands smilingly, 'I am Zhao Sheng, pleased to meet Taoist Jin Xun!'

Taoist Jin Xun, a Late-stage Divinity Transformation Great True Monarch, possessed a rigid and honorable demeanor mixed with a hot-tempered nature, featuring a wide face and ears, bald head, skin resembling forged gold, and evidently pursuing the Body Refinement path as well.

'I go by Jin Xun, and fellow Daoists jestingly call me Fire Dragon Taoist. If it suits you, Taoist Zhao, feel free to address me as Fire Dragon Taoist.'

Jin Xun exuded a hint of superiority, his words carrying an elder's tone, positioning himself above the rest.

Zhao Sheng remained composed, replying with a warm smile, 'Fire Dragon Taoist, I go by Shaoling myself. Going forward, let's drop the formalities and just use Shaoling.'

Upon hearing that, Fire Dragon Taoist's eyes sharpened abruptly, unleashing two fiery rays from his gaze.

In a flash, an overbearing and intensely hot Divine Thought surged toward Zhao Sheng, heating up the reception room to sweltering summer levels.

Confronted by this abrupt challenge, Zhao Sheng showed no disturbance, a faint split forming between his brows as a rainbow-hued Divine Light abruptly shimmered.

The rainbow Divine Light pulsed once, effortlessly dissolving the aggressive fiery Divine Thought.

At that instant, Fire Dragon Taoist stared intently at the unmoving Zhao Sheng, filled with inner surprise.

Sharing the 'Divinity Transformation' realm, he couldn't fathom how the opponent had so adeptly countered his scan.

Exactly because it eluded his understanding, the shock deepened, stirring involuntary admiration and reverence within him.

Ku Rong Ancestor, having seen it all, kept an outward grin while surging with inner turmoil.

Fire Dragon Taoist, being straightforward, promptly voiced his regret: 'Taoist Shaoling, your depths are impressive! I acted rudely before; I hope you won't hold it against me.'

Zhao Sheng chuckled, 'It's fine! Fire Dragon Taoist, you've perfected the Fire Element Samadhi; such skill is truly exceptional. In days to come, I must frequently consult you on the Fire Path.'

'Hardly! Brother Shaoling excels in the Fire Path too. I also wish to learn from you, Taoist. If you find the time later, do come to my Golden Flame Lake; I'll receive you with open arms.'