Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1553: 839: The Treasure Contest Begins (Part 2)

Zhao Sheng directed the Light Ball right into the Central Earth Mirror, subsequently channeling the Spirit Realm Law Power to pin the Dapeng Primordial Spirit under the Infinite Thick Earth.

In just a short while, Zhao Sheng ripped apart the veils of space and time, making his way back to the current era once more.

Positioned cross-legged upon the Jade Couch, he pondered over all the events that had unfolded moments ago.

There was no question that Jun Tianxing had suffered some covert interference without his knowledge at some earlier time.

That Returning to Void Splitting God possessed the power to directly claim his body, but chose not to, opting instead to hide in secrecy.

“Its aim… Never mind, no point in wild speculations when a simple Soul Search can reveal everything!” Zhao Sheng smacked his thigh, struck by a sudden insight.

With that thought, he acted swiftly!

He promptly unleashed the Central Earth Mirror and vanished into the Mirror Realm in a flash.

After the time it takes for about two incense sticks to burn, Zhao Sheng emerged from the mirror with a blank expression.

He casually stored away the Thick Earth Mirror, then resumed his cross-legged position, lost in quiet reflection.

From the words of that Returning to Void Splitting God, it turned out Jun Tianxing had been selected by the Demon Emperor Jun Beiming right on the day his bloodline purification succeeded.

As a result, with Jun Beiming's hidden protection, the unaware Jun Tianxing effortlessly absorbed seven or eight “blood-related siblings,” enhancing his bloodline purity even further.

Nine years prior, amid the dire circumstances of the battlefield, Jun Beiming finally yielded and permitted the Returning to Void Splitting God to possess Jun Tianxing's form.

Right at the instant before the possession, the Returning to Void Splitting God abruptly detected the Five Passes Heavenly Demon Curse.

Stunned and furious, it was forced to abandon the takeover and instead concealed itself in the innermost depths of Jun Tianxing's Mud Ball Palace.

Once informed of this development, Jun Beiming himself wiped out that segment of memory, allowing Jun Tianxing to awaken.

Jun Tianxing stayed completely ignorant, oblivious to the fact that his hidden truths were already exposed.

Not only had Jun Beiming pilfered the “Blood Nerve Scripture,” but he had also uncovered details about the Zhao Family of Yuewu Mountain and “his” very being.

Whether driven by some fear or compelled by the advancing forces, Jun Beiming refrained from striking at the Zhao Family of Yuewu Mountain.

To uncover the true culprit, Jun Beiming deliberately reversed his approach, “accidentally” allowing Jun Tianxing to learn of the impending possession.

The intent behind this move was to compel Jun Tianxing to reach out to the instigator, leading to that person's capture in due course.

To their surprise, Jun Tianxing failed to connect, but he received a summons unexpectedly.

This led straight to the events unfolding today!

In that instant, Zhao Sheng grasped that his cover had been blown.

Yet, panic was the last thing on his mind; setting aside whether the Demon Emperor Jun Beiming had the audacity to slip into Jiuxuan City.

Even should it venture inside, a full confrontation would leave the outcome anyone's guess!

No,

The Demon Emperor Jun Beiming was bound to suffer defeat!

Finally, Zhao Sheng recalled the Life and Death Pen plunged deep within the Soul Sea.

Right then, Zhao Sheng's fighting spirit ignited fiercely, and an overwhelming urge welled up inside him to rush back to the Heavenly Rift Valley at once and lay in wait for Jun Beiming to fall into the trap.

Still, prior to that, reaching out to the contact from the Mountain and Sea Sect beforehand would prove wise.

…

Time raced by, and more than a year slipped away in the wink of an eye.

On the eighth day of the tenth month, folklore holds this as the birthday of the Red Cloud Venerable.

Consequently, Jiuxuan City burst into vibrant festivity on this occasion, with lanterns and banners adorning every corner, swirling Qingyun and rosy clouds painting the skies, blossoms of rare beauty sprouting across the metropolis, and Immortal Cranes alongside Phoenix Dancers soaring elegantly. Breathtaking vistas of splendor appeared in abundance, rendering each neighborhood a slice of the Immortal Realm.

This occasion also marked the official launch of the Treasure Competition.

As Jiuxuan City reveled in magnificent festivities, representatives from the Five Tribes and the Thirty-six Houses of Sects and Bureaucrats convened to deliberate on key aspects of the Treasure Competition.

From morning until evening, the myriad streets of Jiuxuan City buzzed with activity, thronged by cultivators as dense as gathering clouds.

As the lavish festivities drew toward a close, the evening glow deepened with brilliant lanterns illuminating the night.

With the arrival of darkness, Jiuxuan City transformed into a city that never sleeps, aglow in every direction, alive with vivid lights and the strains of Immortal Music drifting everywhere.

In a particular instant, the full moon poured forth its vast, pure radiance.

This pure glow merged with the darkness of night, quietly evolving into a vast expanse of light screen.

The light screen draped over the whole city, displaying a spotless white Eight Diagrams Altar. The altar rose imposingly and grandly, structured in nine tiers, each shielded by a protective barrier.

“Haha, at long last, it's starting!”

“Gaze upward, the treasure contest is on the verge of kicking off!”

“Such an impressive display! Curious what extraordinary items will emerge this year.”

“I've endured over five centuries and joined five treasure contests. Fingers crossed I snag one or two Life-extending Elixirs this round!”

“I've anticipated this so much! Should I obtain a top-grade magic treasure now, I'll definitely conquer the Nascent Soul Thunder Tribulation and gain millennia more of life!”

“…The five clans and thirty-six sects—each greedier than the next. Nearly all the treasures fall into their hands. For us Loose Cultivators to snag a deal, it's tougher than reaching the heavens! Utterly frustrating.”

“Heard the tale? Three centuries back, it's said Master Pudu claimed a Buddhist Treasure during the contest. To this day, Master Pudu has achieved the Arhat Fruit, rivaling a Half-Immortal of the Void. Had such luck come my way, why linger in the Golden Core Realm for more than two hundred years? Perhaps…”

“Hehe! My treasure's already been picked. Wonder how far it'll climb this time? Reaching the third layer would make me rich beyond dreams.”

…

As the colossal light screen gradually expanded, cultivators across the city lifted their eyes to the heavens, their stares intense enough to set the skies ablaze.

All of a sudden, clusters of lucky clouds drifted in from every side, weaving rainbow bridges that stretched toward the firmament, one terminus linking to the city and the other to the lofty clouds.

At that juncture, numerous streaks of tunneling light burst forth from the urban expanse, promptly settling onto the various auspicious clouds.

The tunneling lights dissipated, unveiling cultivators of remarkable poise, radiating keen splendor.

A nearer look revealed that every auspicious cloud signified a distinct faction.

Over the urban area housing the Ancient Bitter Rong Tree, three clouds lingered as well.

One such cloud, rich and leafy green, positioned itself right over the ancient tree—this marked the Spirit Domain belonging to the Wanyou Trading Company.

Aloft the auspicious clouds, three silhouettes were vaguely discernible amid the swirling clouds and fog.

Ku Rong Ancestor, clad in a green robe, positioned himself a step back from the leading figure, accompanied by a visitor sporting a curly beard and armbands of gold.

The frontrunner was a man of pale complexion and neat beard, his eyes gleaming like stellar lights, draped in a magic robe that shimmered with the colors of dawn, emitting a rippling luminescence.

Trailing the trio, more than a dozen senior Store Managers held their hands folded, silently heeding their leader's directives.

“Ku Rong, after the treasure contest wraps up, I'd like an audience with this Master Shaoling.”

Hearing the proprietor speak, Ku Rong Ancestor inclined his head and replied, “Master Shaoling resides in the Qunxian Residence. You could call for him right away if you wish.”

Word has it the Wanyou Trading Company's owner serves as the personal disciple of the Red Cloud Venerable.

As the proverb states, no smoke without fire; often, tales hold a kernel of truth.

The proprietor of the Wanyou Trading Company goes by Deng Wenqiu. He is not merely the direct disciple of the Great Venerable but also a blood descendant of Red Cloud Venerable, holding a position of supreme honor.

As a follower of the Great Venerable, Deng Wenqiu attained Returning to Void ages past, his prowess beyond measure.

Deng Wenqiu positioned with hands clasped behind, observing the Eight Diagrams Altar in the celestial veil, and remarked unhurriedly, “Patience! We'll observe the outcomes first. Should the piece he crafted make it to the sixth layer, calling him too soon could come off as impolite.”

No sooner had he uttered those words than the curly-bearded guest erupted in derisive chuckles, “Master, you're esteeming this ‘master’ far too much! A treasure ascending to the sixth layer is an event unseen in a thousand years. How could a mere Divinity Transformation Realm cultivator forge such an exceptional item?”

“Ku Rong old fellow, your thoughts?” the guest queried, casting a sidelong glance.

Ku Rong Ancestor eyed the man, then offered a wry smile and shook his head, “I wouldn't dare speculate wildly. That said… Taoist Zhao remains profoundly mysterious; his true capabilities elude me. Still, I believe that Thunder Emperor Tribulation Order holds a possibility of reaching the sixth layer.”

The curly-bearded guest, Deng Gan, scowled fiercely and proclaimed with passion, “Impossible! That Tribulation Order belongs to me now. It won't enter the treasure contest anew.”

“Merely an opinion, nothing to get worked up over!” Ku Rong Ancestor laughed lightly, looking somewhat uneasy.

Deng Gan, the curly-bearded guest, displayed clear irritation, poised to retort.

Just then, streams of Treasure Light surged upward from the far-off auspicious clouds, all directing toward the Eight Diagrams Altar in the celestial canopy.

Witnessing this, Deng Wenqiu commanded steadily, “Ku Rong, your moment has arrived!”

“Understood, master!” Ku Rong Ancestor acknowledged, then swept wide his robe sleeves.

The instant after, bursts of Treasure Light erupted from his sleeves, charging into the celestial veil and descending precisely onto the altar's initial layer.

In short order, multitudes of “treasures” numbering in the thousands settled upon the altar's base level, and from a distance, the Treasure Light rocketed into the sky, a brilliant contest of wondrous artifacts gleaming fiercely.