Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1560 - 843: Qinghuang Bell, Encountering an Old Friend in the Rift Valley (Part 2)

In an instant, the silver-white pill broke apart, sending countless crystal shards tumbling down. These fragments burst into flames right before hitting the ground and then faded away completely.

Suddenly, a mysterious and majestic fluctuation surged forth without warning, instantly wrapping around the silent chamber.

Zhao Sheng's grin vanished, his face turning gravely serious. A slight flick of his sleeve allowed a precious mirror to silently slide into his grasp.

"Ha ha, I was right about you! You’ve truly accomplished it."

Accompanied by hearty laughter, an elder with a youthful face and silvery hair, clad in a Daoist robe, materialized from the emptiness.

The moment he spotted the arrival, Zhao Sheng's eyes narrowed sharply, shock evident on his features.

Qi Tian Ancestor!

Stunned, Zhao Sheng quickly bowed low and offered his respects, "Junior Zhao Sheng pays respects to Senior Qi Tian."

Qi Tian Ancestor beamed widely while eyeing him, laughing, "You little rascal, you've really shocked me big time. I figured it'd take ages, but just a few years passed!

Zhao Sheng abruptly realized that the "Golden Core" had been crafted by Qi Tian Ancestor himself.

He'd earlier believed the "Golden Core" came from fellow Artifact Refiners to challenge his forging prowess.

Now he saw he'd misjudged the situation—it was far from simple and demanded utmost care.

Qi Tian Ancestor went on, "You little one, your skills in artifact forging are terrifyingly advanced! You're the sixth individual in almost twenty thousand years to unravel the Tao Forbidden Pearl successfully. Impressive, impressive!

I have a worry that only you can address. Would you assist me with this issue?"

Hearing that, Zhao Sheng's look grew profoundly grave; he gave a small nod, "Junior is willing. But—"

Qi Tian Ancestor cut him off abruptly, "Excellent that you agree! This task will grant you tremendous rewards. Check this out."

With those words, Qi Tian Ancestor plunged his right hand into his belly, rummaging around briefly before extracting a dull, fractured, and battered... Bronze Bell!

Zhao Sheng possessed remarkable insight into treasures, and the sight of the Bronze Bell told him at once it was no ordinary item.

Were it whole, this bell would surely rank as a world-shaking supreme artifact.

Qi Tian Ancestor toyed with the Bronze Bell for a moment before tossing it over with clear reluctance.

Zhao Sheng caught the bronze bell on reflex, while hearing: "This treasure goes by the nickname Qinghuang Bell. It was once my dearest companion. Sadly, seventy thousand years back in the No Return Heaven battle, this damaged bell took irrecoverable harm shielding its master.

For seventy thousand years, I've sought an Artifact Refiner capable of mending this bell, all in vain. Then you came along..."

Finishing his words, Qi Tian Ancestor regarded Zhao Sheng with deep intent.

Right then, Zhao Sheng paid no mind to Qi Tian Ancestor's stare; his soul was fully drawn to this worn-out bronze bell.

The instant the bronze bell touched his hand, a faint spiritual ripple slipped into the Purple Mansion Soul Sea, oddly harmonizing with the Primordial Spirit.

The Primordial Spirit quivered, and the vast Soul Sea turned mirror-smooth, mirroring an image of a Phoenix Divine Bird with shattered wings and a broken neck, its plumage shed.

The "Phoenix" resembled a dying flame, dimly flickering, on the verge of complete extinction.

Yet this Spirit Treasure True Spirit held an unyielding will to endure, clinging to its final spark of essence across tens of thousands of years until reaching Zhao Sheng's possession.

Gripping the Ancient Bell, Zhao Sheng lifted his gaze to Qi Tian Ancestor and declared firmly: "Junior will not let down the mission Senior entrusts!"

"Wonderful, wonderful! I seldom err in judging character. Your Qi fortune reaches for the skies; immense fate awaits you. With Qinghuang in your care, rebirth through nirvana is certain.

Zhao Kid, have this!"

As he spoke, Qi Tian Ancestor flung something his way.

Zhao Sheng extended his hand to seize it, finding what appeared to be a plain Eight Diagrams Compass.

"This compass serves as my token. Should troubles arise in the future, present it in Jiuxuan City. With my aid, even heavenly tribulations will pose no issue."

At those words, Zhao Sheng tucked the object securely into his robes.

Though Qi Tian Ancestor's claims sounded boastful, they held real weight!

Qi Tian Ancestor ranked as a Primordial Yang Spirit Treasure on par with a Unification Realm Expert, supported by a Tribulation Crossing Realm Venerable.

Within the Taiyi Spirit Realm, he truly qualified as a "Big Shot".

Securing Qi Tian Ancestor's backing essentially granted Zhao Sheng an additional lifeline.

Naturally, this hinged on him flawlessly "restoring" the Qinghuang Bell.

Qi Tian Ancestor hadn't voiced it outright, but Zhao Sheng grasped the implication fully.

Zhao Sheng couldn't promise success in repairing the Qinghuang Bell outright; destiny would unfold through his efforts.

Having handed the Qinghuang Bell to Zhao Sheng, Qi Tian Ancestor displayed no desire to stay and departed swiftly.

Soon after, Zhao Sheng, clutching the Qinghuang Bell, entered the Haoyang Mirror Realm and didn't emerge back to reality until seven or eight months had elapsed.

...

The heavens stretched clear, free of any clouds.

On that day, streaks of Qingyun ascended from spots across Jiuxuan City, all directing toward the South City.

Qingyun settled under the vast canopies of giant banyan trees, after which one "Big Shot" after another materialized in the fourth layer of Qunxian Residence.

"Taoist Zhao, no need to see me out. Farewell!"

Smiling, Zhao Sheng guided the Supreme Elder of the Yuan Family from the cave mansion, observed their departure, and promptly received a Divinity Transformation True Monarch from an Immortal Gate into the dwelling.

In short order, this Divinity Transformation True Monarch left the cave mansion, brimming with excitement, and invited Master Shaoling to their domain.

Zhao Sheng responded offhandedly with a couple of phrases, sending them away before yet another "major patron" arrived unbidden.