Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1541: 833: Refining Treasure and Selecting People (Part 2)

Qingxu Zi prepared to utter more words, but then he observed Zhao Sheng's countenance brighten with delight, and abruptly the man chuckled: “Haha, today proves to be a truly blessed occasion, with double joys descending!”

No sooner had the statement ended than Qingxu Zi caught a subtle scent, one that appeared to drift down from the celestial heights.

He lifted his gaze skyward, and to his astonishment, a massive Great Sun began its descent from the firmament, aiming straight for the volcanic depression below.

Like a shooting star, the Great Sun plummeted swiftly, vanishing into the crater in mere moments, where it promptly began to fade.

Right then, an antique tripod with six ears and three legs—a elixir furnace—emerged from the heart of the Great Sun.

This furnace, roughly the size of a skull, featured a lid adorned with visions of dragons and tigers, surrounded by swirling elixir mists, releasing an intensely potent medicinal aroma.

As the Great Sun swiftly dulled and disappeared, the tripod elixir furnace turned into a glowing orb, dropping right before Zhao Sheng and hovering steadily in place.

With a sweep of his wide sleeve, Zhao Sheng caused the furnace lid to soar upward, unleashing three rays of golden brilliance that burst forth in every direction.

In that instant, a mighty and expansive divine sense expanded outward, enveloping the entire thousand-foot expanse of emptiness around them, halting every golden core in mid-flight.

A mere shift in his mind sent the three golden cores reversing course, meekly returning to his sleeve and vanishing completely.

Though the sight was brief, Qingxu Zi managed to glimpse the pills' form, his mind jolting in shock as he quickly inquired: “Master, were those... the Fourth-grade top-grade treasure pill, Yuxu Primordial Spirit Pill?!”

Zhao Sheng affirmed with a nod, replying, “Daoist, your vision is keen indeed. Correct, those were the Yuxu Primordial Spirit Pill. This batch has been maturing for an entire year, and it chose this very day to emerge.”

At these words, various feelings flickered across Qingxu Zi's face: “I've heard tales of the master's supreme skills in Dan, Artifact, and Talisman paths. I didn't realize they were factual. For Master to craft the Yuxu Primordial Spirit Pill means you are surely an Alchemy Grandmaster. I never imagined your alchemy prowess reached such heights; I had assumed...”

His voice trailed off, Qingxu Zi's features tinged with unease.

“Hehe, beside the grand pursuit of cultivation, alchemy and artifact forging are mere side pursuits! Daoist Qingxu, your aptitude shines brightly, and with the Thunder Emperor Tribulation Order safeguarding you, you'll undoubtedly overcome the heavenly tribulation to reach Returning to Void someday. In that regard alone, I fall far short.”

A wry look crossed Qingxu Zi's visage: “Achieving Returning to Void is immensely challenging! Even aided by the Thunder Emperor Tribulation Order, my odds are barely one in ten.”

“Enough of that topic. This Daoist seeks two Yuxu Primordial Spirit Pills—might Master be willing to part with a couple?”

Zhao Sheng chuckled and responded, “Should the Daoist meet the cost, I'd gladly hand over all three if you wish—what's the issue?”

Joy surged through Qingxu Zi, who promptly declared: “All three Primordial Spirit Pills, I'll take them. Pray tell, what does Master require in exchange?”

“This old man's desires are no mystery to anyone. If the Daoist is inclined, fetching some Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures bearing Five Elements or space-time properties would delight me—the greater the quantity, the better; I welcome it all,” Zhao Sheng stated forthrightly.

Hearing this, Qingxu Zi couldn't resist scanning the nearby terrain, a contemplative look settling on his features.

“Agreed! I'll hasten to gather the Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures Master requires. One further request: please keep these three Primordial Spirit Pills under wraps for now. I realize this is rather bold, but—”

“No need for explanations! This old man consents.” Zhao Sheng fully understood Qingxu Zi's caution, given that the Yuxu Primordial Spirit Pill ranked as a premier Fourth-grade treasure pill for fortifying the Divine Soul and amplifying divine sense.

Such a pill offered immense aid to those facing tribulations, rendering it the prime target among countless Divinity Transformation True Monarchs.

In crafting this elixir, Zhao Sheng held no obligation to trade for treasures, regardless of the counterparty.

Presenting it to Qingxu Zi now secured a debt of gratitude while sparing needless chatter—why refuse such convenience?

Shortly thereafter, Zhao Sheng escorted Qingxu Zi from the cave dwelling, observing as he departed into the horizon.

He had barely turned to reenter when he detected seven or eight divine senses slicing through the void, accompanied by a rush of voices flooding his hearing.

“Master Shaoling, wait! I am Qi Wufeng…”

“…I, Lei Huai, beseech Taoist Zhao to extend some favor…”

“Senior Zhao, I possess a peerless treasure…”

“I serve under Red Cloud Venerable… My master invites the master to lend his aid once…”

Zhao Sheng's face remained impassive as he pivoted and retreated into the cave dwelling, the entrance slamming closed with a thunderous echo, severing all intrusive divine senses and watchful eyes.

Merely over a month passed before Qingxu Zi made his return.

Soon enough, he emerged from the cave dwelling with a composed demeanor, then soared away leisurely atop a cloud.

…

Clink clink clink!

Near the base of an ice mountain towering seventy to eighty meters tall, distant echoes of ice being hacked resounded.

There, a robust and towering form positioned itself before a sheer cliff, hoisting a pickaxe overhead with both arms, striking forcefully at the ice crystals ahead.

In short order, chunks of ice littered the ground, the cliff wall hollowed noticeably, unveiling the outline of a cavern roughly a meter wide.

A few meters off, Zhao Sheng kept his hands tucked in his sleeves, observing the diligent young giant carve out the cavern, grinning as he commented: “Little Zizi, feeling weary? Care for a rest?”

“No, Senior Zhao, I’m not tired.” Without turning, the tall youth answered, his pickaxe whirling rapidly like a bolt of lightning, as though dreading the task's end.

Hehe, what a foolish lad!

As he beheld the youth's tireless efforts, a hint of approval appeared on Zhao Sheng's expression.

This individual stood as the fortunate soul Zhao Sheng had meticulously chosen.

The youth went by Huangfu Yuli, hailing from a Constant Sand World known as Daze Realm, where his cultivation lingered at Foundation Establishment, yet his bodily constitution proved robust, hinting at traces of ancient human race lineage.

Due to his inherent gifts, this youth had drawn his master's attention early and been accepted as a pupil.

That master, Old Man Nanhua, an Immortal Ruins Guest, had taken Huangfu Yuli under his wing upon recognizing the boy's space-time aptitude.

Just days prior, Old Man Nanhua had met his untimely demise on Jixian Island.

Huangfu Yuli lingered in hope, yet his master never reappeared in their realm, confirming the grim outcome.

Desperate, the youth scoured for sufficient Void Nether Stone, employing the technique his master imparted to activate a space-time rift, arriving at Jixian Island for the first time.

There, he nearly perished in entrapment, but Zhao Sheng's timely rescue preserved his existence.

With Zhao Sheng's prowess, a handful of words sufficed to earn the youth's utter loyalty, prompting him to trail here willingly for treasure extraction.

Another three-quarters of an hour elapsed before Huangfu Yuli halted his swing, exclaiming in thrill: “Senior, senior, hurry over! I’ve discovered it.”

At the call, Zhao Sheng approached, peering into the cavern's depths, where a thigh-sized, gently arced bone gleamed with jade hues, lodged beneath the ice.

After thorough examination, Zhao Sheng's mouth quirked upward, nodding approvingly: “Well found, young one! Now make way.”

Huangfu Yuli obediently shifted aside, clearing the path.

Stepping beyond the youth to loom over the bone, Zhao Sheng prodded the ice lightly with his foot.

Crack!

The dense ice layer fractured at once, exposing the full jade-toned bone.

Extending his hand to grasp the sturdy rib, Zhao Sheng instantly recognized its authenticity upon contact.

This bone originated from a Half-Immortal of the Void; though aged by eons, it remained astonishingly intact for reasons unknown.

…

Clink clink clink!

Near the base of an ice mountain towering seventy to eighty meters tall, distant echoes of ice being hacked resounded.

There, a robust and towering form positioned itself before a sheer cliff, hoisting a pickaxe overhead with both arms, striking forcefully at the ice crystals ahead.

In short order, chunks of ice littered the ground, the cliff wall hollowed noticeably, unveiling the outline of a cavern roughly a meter wide.

A few meters off, Zhao Sheng kept his hands tucked in his sleeves, observing the diligent young giant carve out the cavern, grinning as he commented: “Little Zizi, feeling weary? Care for a rest?”

“No, Senior Zhao, I’m not tired.” Without turning, the tall youth answered, his pickaxe whirling rapidly like a bolt of lightning, as though dreading the task's end.

Hehe, what a foolish lad!

As he beheld the youth's tireless efforts, a hint of approval appeared on Zhao Sheng's expression.

This individual stood as the fortunate soul Zhao Sheng had meticulously chosen.

The youth went by Huangfu Yuli, hailing from a Constant Sand World known as Daze Realm, where his cultivation lingered at Foundation Establishment, yet his bodily constitution proved robust, hinting at traces of ancient human race blood