Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1537 - 831: Jixian Island (2)

At the conclusion of his words, Golden Core Master Ruolin seized the jade scroll abruptly, rose to his feet, and saluted his longtime companion with cupped hands: "I have matters to handle, so we'll end our drinking session here for today—charge it to my account. Apologies, but I must depart."

"Heh heh, safe travels!" The old man with the red nose remained seated firmly, returning the gesture casually with cupped hands, and soon observed his friend's departure.

As his companion exited the Treasure Restaurant, the red-nosed elder abruptly rose, scanned the surroundings, and drew near to yet another patron in the Golden Core Realm.

"Fellow Daoist, allow this Liu Wu to offer greetings..."

...

While the red-nosed elder covertly peddled jade scrolls, shadowy undercurrents churned through Jiuxuan City, with innumerable factions mobilizing at the news, each striving to uncover the background and details surrounding Master Shaoling.

Millions of cultivators dwell in Jiuxuan City, and artifact refiners are far from rare. Yet, those who craft Spiritual Treasures flawlessly are exceedingly scarce.

Such exceptional grandmasters as Shaoling are typically scouted early by ancient Immortal Sects and other supreme immortal powers, seldom making public appearances.

The sudden emergence of an Artifact Refining Master skilled in forging personalized lifebound spiritual treasures naturally sparks immense thrill and delight among countless Divinity Transformation True Monarchs.

For every Divinity Transformation True Monarch, wielding a Spiritual Treasure during the Void Crossing Thunder Tribulation marks an entirely distinct scenario.

Protected by a Spiritual Treasure, their odds of triumph rise by no less than thirty percent!

Lacking such a Spiritual Treasure's safeguard, attempting the tribulation equates to inevitable doom!

Even guarded by a Spiritual Treasure, the chances of advancing to Returning to Void remain quite low, but against sure annihilation, a thirty percent shot at victory drives myriad Divinity Transformation True Monarchs to desperate battles.

This underscores the intense yearning of Divinity Transformation True Monarchs for Master Shaoling.

All of this aligned precisely with Zhao Sheng's foresight.

Thus, upon completing the third Spiritual Treasure, the Heavenly Crane Treasure Armor, numerous Divinity Transformation True Monarchs hastened over with gifts, deferentially offering calling cards in hopes the esteemed grandmaster would grant them an audience.

Zhao Sheng received the cards and examined them carefully, indeed spotting over seventy varieties of essential Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures.

Nevertheless, on this occasion, Zhao Sheng refrained from welcoming anyone right away, opting instead to seal his doors shut.

Occasionally, allowing tensions to simmer proves a shrewd tactic!

Within the depths of Heavenly Number Six Cave Mansion, Zhao Sheng settled cross-legged upon the Ten Thousand Year Clear God Jade Bed, immersed in serene meditation.

In the enigmatic void, "stars" materialized one by one, each pulsing with an ineffable, arcane, and otherworldly radiance.

Amid the expansive stellar array, three shone most brilliantly—some blazing like the mighty sun, others abyssal like a black hole, or akin to a grand star encircled by myriad "satellites."

The "Great Sun" blazed with overwhelming brilliance, and even nearing it faintly seared the Divine Soul as if by flames, rendering it utterly inaccessible.

In stark contrast, the black hole-like mysterious star devoured all, with any infusion of Divine Thought vanishing utterly, as though consumed by some horrifying entity.

This star posed far too great a peril to select!

After prolonged contemplation, Zhao Sheng finally favored the grand star ringed by companions.

This star gleamed in profound azure, evoking an endless sea; the deeper the gaze, the more it captivated, harboring some exalted "Tao and principle."

With a mere stir of intent, a subtle soul filament extended into the arcane darkness, abruptly linking to the azure grand star.

The instant after, Zhao Sheng dissolved from the tranquil chamber without a hint.

Upon reopening his eyes, a fresh realm unfolded before him.

Everywhere the sight stretched, the terrain and environs gleamed crystalline, as though hewn from myriad premium ice crystals—forests of ice crystals and vast forsaken palaces emitted a spectral chill glow.

All here resembled divine craftsmanship, blending exquisite finesse and ethereal poise amid desolation and erosion, evoking the fabled Immortal Spirit Treasure Land.

Yet, within the profusion of sheer crystals, oddities lay entombed: peculiar skeletal remains, stones and boulders of assorted scales, shattered blades, swords, steles, wheels, seals, and diverse other magical artifacts, plus even more peculiar curiosities.

This domain mimicked an icy realm, yet harbored no chill whatsoever.

Zhao Sheng tilted his head skyward, beholding the firmament like a lid, inky black and radiating deep foreboding.

Even more peculiarly, no clouds marred the sky; the firmament seemed congealed in shadow, vacant yet seemingly impervious to breach.

Just then, Zhao Sheng sprang upright, swiveling to fix on a distant lofty "Ice Mountain."

Observing the colossal form striding forth from behind the "Ice Mountain", he narrowed his gaze subtly, his right hand easing back into his robe.

The approacher towered nine feet tall, skin shimmering golden, features akin to the Human Clan but bearing a single eye.

Erudite and informed, Zhao Sheng swiftly identified the intruder as a member of the famed One-eyed Giant Clan, celebrated throughout All Heavens and Universes.

One-eyed Giants rank as kin to the Human Clan, endowed with robust physiques by nature. The majority possess meager wits, incapable of cultivation.

Still, a select few gifted individuals boast innate sagacity, typically armed with resolute wills and pure Dao hearts, attaining lofty cultivation depths with ease.

Furthermore, One-eyed Giants boast formidable fertility, birthing twice yearly with several young each time.

The One-eyed Giant halted five yards distant, scrutinized Zhao Sheng thoroughly, and inquired in a gruff tone, "Human Clan cultivator, I am Bai Hemi. What name do you bear?"

"I am Zhao Wuming. Might I inquire, what realm is this?"

"Hand over a Top-grade Spirit Stone, and I'll reveal this place's identity," the One-eyed Giant declared bluntly.

Hearing this, Zhao Sheng flicked forth a Top-grade Spirit Stone the size of a fist.

The One-eyed Giant snatched the Top-grade Spirit Stone and promptly declared, "Mark this well: you stand on Jixian Island."

Zhao Sheng nodded and pressed on, "Might there be workshops here?"

"One piece... Never mind, take this one. Workshops exist aplenty, more than a single. Should you desire to proceed, I can guide you, though the escort fee applies."

Noting the sly glint in the One-eyed Giant's eye, Zhao Sheng skipped haggling and simply hurled two Top-grade Spirit Stones his way.

The One-eyed Giant grinned broadly, extending a lengthy arm to gather the pair of Top-grade Spirit Stones.

"Splendid! Across more than a millennium, you're the most lavish Human Clan cultivator I've encountered—come along!"

Thereupon, the One-eyed Giant pivoted and strode ahead, utterly unguarded.

Zhao Sheng's gaze shimmered faintly as he trailed in silence.

A keen observer would discern his steps aligning precisely with the One-eyed Giant's prints.

En route, Zhao Sheng posed query after query, lavishing Top-grade Spirit Stones freely.

The One-eyed Giant smiled ear to ear, pocketing the Top-grade Spirit Stones while responding fluidly to each.

In Bai Hemi's domain, Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures abound without shortage, but Top-grade Spirit Stones were exhausted long ago by ancestors, rendering each worth fortunes untold.

Via this exchange of queries and replies, Zhao Sheng pieced together a broad grasp of Jixian Island.

Jixian Island spans vastness, three thousand miles across, strewn with remnants and "debris" amassed over eons.

Incidentally, all such "debris" descended from above.

As recounted by Bai Hemi,

With that, the One-eyed Giant turned and walked off without any guard.

Zhao Sheng’s eyes slightly flickered, moving quietly to follow.

If one looked closely, it was not difficult to notice that where he stepped perfectly overlapped with the One-eyed Giant’s footsteps.

As they walked along the way, Zhao Sheng repeatedly asked questions, generously giving out one Top-grade Spirit Stone after another.

The One-eyed Giant beamed, collecting the Top-grade Spirit Stones and fluently answering every question.

In the world where Bai Hemi resides, Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures are not scarce, only Top-grade Spirit Stones have long since been completely mined by predecessors, so each one can fetch astronomical prices.

Through this question and answer session, Zhao