Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1556 - 841: Birth of the Desire to Leave

As the moon dips low and stars fade away, the vivid red petals slowly scatter, while myriad streams of treasure radiance surge toward the cloudy heavens, resounding the city with clamor until the crimson sun ascends, casting its glow over thousands of miles.

The extended night finally ended, with the magnificent treasure glow, akin to a divine aurora from the celestial realm, beaming down upon Jiuxuan City for the entire duration.

Once all the red flowers had drifted down, the day's treasure contest crowned its genuine 'Treasure King'.

The Nine Orifice Treasure Pearl and the Five Thunders Halberd towered proudly upon the Sixth Layer altar, gazing disdainfully at the lesser treasures beneath them like true sovereigns.

On the Fifth Layer altar, a mere thirteen treasures remained, each radiating an intense luster.

Descending to the Fourth Layer altar, the count of treasures swelled markedly, surpassing three hundred. Within the brightest top ten, five had been crafted by Zhao Sheng.

With the crimson sun climbing high and painting the heavens in rosy dawn hues, the Praying to Heaven Ancestor yawned lazily before rising to his feet unhurriedly.

He glanced over the crowded city of cultivators, curved his lips in a faint grin, and abruptly flicked his wide sleeve.

In a flash, thousands of treasures lifted skyward, morphing into a multitude of streaking lights that plunged into the city, heading straight for their respective Qingyun owners.

Soon after, the streaking lights scattered apart, returning every treasure briefly to its rightful possessor.

At that instant, the Praying to Heaven Ancestor muttered under his breath: 'This treasure contest proved far more engaging than the previous dozen! Hehe, fortune favored me indeed, bringing two outstanding talents at once!

Wonderful, wonderful!'

While uttering these words, the light barrier enveloping the firmament swiftly faded away, and the Eight Diagrams Altar dissolved into a swirling mist of brilliance, rapidly assimilating into the Praying to Heaven Ancestor's form.

Not much time passed before the skies brightened once more, and Jiuxuan City erupted in thunderous uproar, immersing every cultivator within its walls in boundless thrill and delight.

The Praying to Heaven Ancestor beheld the diverse expressions across the populace, a grin lingering on his face, his spirit filled with deep satisfaction.

Then, he lifted his gaze toward the rising crimson sun at the edge of the world, abruptly blending seamlessly with the cosmos, and vanished in an instant without a single trace.

Barring those who had surpassed the Half-Immortal of the Void realm, nobody detected the moment the Praying to Heaven Ancestor departed.

While myriad cultivators employed every trick to seize treasures.

In line with longstanding custom, the massive auction hosted together by the Five Clans and Thirty-Six Families kicked off on that very day.

Adhering to tradition, this vast auction took place within the Nine Profound Tower.

The Nine Profound Tower boasts nine levels, and during the treasure contest, a supreme treasure had ascended to the Sixth Layer.

Thus, the grand auction split into six tiers as well, with the pinnacle auction reserved exclusively for the tower's Sixth Layer.

Biddings on the tower's levels above the Fourth remain closed to the masses. Participation demands a special invitation for elite guests alone.

Furthermore, nosy outsiders face absolute bans from entry.

Zhao Sheng certainly didn't count among the nosy sorts; instead, he ranked among the earliest to obtain an invitation.

Even prior to midday, the Ku Rong Ancestor arrived personally, delivering a unique invitation forged from Mystic Crystal Origin Stone.

Zhao Sheng initially refused it, steadfastly ignoring the Ku Rong Ancestor's attempts to convince him.

Ultimately, the Ku Rong Ancestor ceased his efforts unexpectedly and departed with a show of disappointment.

Though appearing disappointed on the surface, in truth, he brimmed with hidden glee!

Zhao Sheng perceived this clearly and fully grasped the reason behind the other's joy.

He dismissed it entirely.

......

'You mean... he turned it down?!'

Deng Wenqiu whipped around abruptly, his face etched with real astonishment as he eyed the Ku Rong Ancestor at his side.

'That's right! I urged him earnestly, but Taoist Zhao remained completely indifferent,' the Ku Rong Ancestor replied, shaking his head with a touch of puzzlement.

Deng Wenqiu creased his forehead slightly, pondering inwardly: '...Putting on airs? Or seeking to delay? Impossible! With treasures abundant like the night sky at the auction, could he truly resist the allure?

Ah, naturally! My earlier assumption was wrong. A person capable of forging a supreme spiritual treasure such as the Five Thunders Halberd would surely disdain ordinary goods. Plus, there's the matter of his business ventures...'

With this realization, Deng Wenqiu formed a plan: 'Ku Rong, arrange for me to encounter Master Shaoling right away.'

The Ku Rong Ancestor bowed in assent and prepared to escort the master toward the Heavenly Number Three Cave Mansion.

At that precise moment, he halted suddenly, then reported swiftly: 'Master, the Yuan Family's present head, Yuan Feng, has come. He's waiting right outside the Heavenly Number Three Cave Mansion. What's more, representatives from numerous Five Clans and Thirty-Six Families linger around the cave mansion.'

Deng Wenqiu arched an eyebrow faintly and responded steadily: 'It appears... the information has spread! Ku Rong, investigate at once to uncover the source of the breach.'

'Understood,' the Ku Rong Ancestor affirmed with a nod, then inquired: 'Master, Yuan Feng seeks Taoist Zhao. Shall we obstruct him?'

'Obstruct? Hmph, how could we possibly block them all?'

A sharp flicker lit in Deng Wenqiu's gaze, and he declared resolutely: 'If blocking proves futile, then I'll step forward directly, simply to gauge that individual's true measure.'

Upon witnessing this, the Ku Rong Ancestor found himself shrouded in a veil of blue radiance.

The blue radiance seeped into the surrounding walls, causing the refined chamber to shift into motion.

Shortly thereafter, the earth in front of the Heavenly Number Three Cave Mansion parted soundlessly, revealing a pathway.

Following this, Ku Rong Ancestor and Deng Wenqiu, attired in luminous robes, ascended from the depths, alighting before the cave mansion's entrance.

The instant these two forms emerged, they seized the focus of all onlookers.

The Yuan Family's current leader, Yuan Feng, carried an imposing and solemn presence like a bottomless chasm, having attained the flawless stage of Divinity Transformation.

Upon spotting Deng Wenqiu, Yuan Feng quivered, a flicker of dismay crossing his features immediately.

He advanced without delay, offering a deferential bow: 'Nephew Yuan Feng pays respects to Grandmaster Deng!'

'Hehe, such politeness isn't necessary! I share a close bond with your Senior Brother Yuan; little Feng, there's no call for such ceremony!'

Despite these words, Yuan Feng refrained from any hint of irreverence.