Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1564 - 844: Dissipation of the Nine-layered Cloud Sea, Emergence of the Ascension Platform (Part 3)

In that instant, a hint of sorrow appeared on his face, and he inexplicably released a profound sigh of ease.

For an unknown reason, an intense foreboding surged within him, foretelling that the individual he encountered today would undoubtedly rise to prominence across the Taiyi Spirit Realm someday, perhaps even beyond...

...

One day passed, and Zhao Sheng abruptly emerged from the Heavenly Number Three Cave Mansion.

His emergence instantly stirred up a storm among innumerable cultivators. Countless factions mobilized swiftly once the word got out.

Eager Divinity Transformation True Monarchs, catching wind of the report, hurried over to the Wanyou Trading Company without delay.

Before the gathered crowd, Zhao Sheng maintained a composed air as he ascended to the third floor of the Treasure Restaurant, openly summoning a feast of gourmet dishes, then savored them leisurely, oblivious to the surrounding spectators.

Moments later, at last, a daring cultivator ventured closer to initiate dialogue.

Yet, prior to reaching within three zhang, an immense and tyrannical aura repelled him forcefully.

Following that, others persistently attempted to draw near, but each one regrettably halted at three zhang distance.

Only with the arrival of Ku Rong Ancestor did the spectators finally scatter.

"Taoist Zhao, I find this puzzling. Should you only request it, the choicest delicacies would be brought to you; why venture into this disorderly spot..."

Zhao Sheng sidestepped the query, warmly beckoning, "Fellow Daoist Ku Rong, join me at this table without delay."

The ancient Ku Rong advanced accordingly, seating himself with a sense of resignation.

Before long, four verdant wooden barriers abruptly ascended around their position, swiftly enclosing a somewhat private area.

Zhao Sheng emptied his cup of crystalline nectar in a single swallow, startlingly declaring, "I’m departing!"

At these words, Ku Rong Ancestor grew instantly distraught: "Why declare this now? Was it due to my poor hospitality earlier, failing to attend to Taoist Zhao properly? I shall certainly—"

"Nothing of the sort! I’ve desired to depart for ages. I merely chose to inform you today."

Upon hearing that, Ku Rong Ancestor gave a wry shake of his head: "Should I exert all means to persuade you to stay, would Fellow Daoist reconsider?"

Zhao Sheng denied with a shake of his head, his gaze brimming with resolve.

Observing this, Ku Rong realized his decision was firm and unyielding.

Ku Rong Ancestor sighed in defeat: "Very well! When does the Grandmaster plan to set off, and what destination awaits afterward?"

"Ten Thousand Peak Spirit Domain!" Zhao Sheng responded steadily, voicing the four decisive words.

Ku Rong Ancestor’s face stiffened, his thoughts swiftly turning to a renowned ancient Immortal Gate.

"Master, might you hail from the Ten Lands Zhao Clan?"

"I head to the Ten Thousand Peak Spirit Domain to reclaim my heritage and reunite with my lineage."

"I understand now; evidently, Jiuxuan City proves too confining for a Daoist’s grand ambitions!" Ku Rong Ancestor revealed a trace of comprehension.

Right then, Zhao Sheng cast a quick look about, grinning: "They’ve arrived with such haste!"

No sooner had he spoken than the wooden barriers parted, allowing Demon Moon Ancestor to enter bearing an alluring grin.

"In this realm, neither beauties nor fine foods ought to go unappreciated! I’ve come likewise to sample the culinary mastery of the Treasure Restaurant."

...

After ten days, the Teleportation Hall on Jiuxuan City’s eastern side stood pre-emptively vacated.

As midday approached, imposing presences materialized one after another in the square beyond the hall.

Flanked by seven or eight Divinity Transformation True Monarchs, Zhao Sheng entered the square.

Spotting the central figure, the assembly surged ahead at once, offering zealous salutations to Zhao Sheng.

Zhao Sheng adeptly navigated the influx of welcomes as he progressed unswervingly toward the Teleportation Hall.

Since the announcement of his impending exit circulated ten days prior,

the central offices of the Five Clans and Thirty-Six Families, joined by numerous Cultivation Forces, sent representatives in waves to pay respects.

Astonishingly, Zhao Sheng welcomed every visitor and capitalized on the moment to execute a multitude of deals.

He not only offloaded long-hoarded "worthless" possessions but also bartered them for substantial quantities of Pocket World Jade, Void Nether Stone, and sundry essential Heaven and Earth Strange Objects.

Such was the true intent behind his conspicuous display.

Once Zhao Sheng had parted with the group individually, the peak drama unfolded.

With the void ripping apart, the trio of Returning to Void Half-Immortals—Yao Yue, Deng Wenqiu, and Qingxu Zi—manifested concurrently, stunning the onlookers.

This spectacle by itself would fuel conversations among Jiuxuan City’s inhabitants for centuries.

To the rest, Qingxu Zi’s abrupt emergence came as a shock.

Yet Zhao Sheng stayed utterly poised, as though he had foreseen Qingxu Zi’s coming well in advance.

Indeed, who could resist forging ties with a Refining Great Grandmaster, particularly one tied to the Ten Lands Zhao Clan?

Backing the Ten Lands Zhao Clan loomed a Tribulation Crossing Venerable overseeing the Lineage of Scale Immortal. The savvy would scramble to ally, far from dismissing Master Shaoling.

Qingxu Zi moved beyond the other three Returning to Void peers, drawing nearer step by step, voicing thanks: "I, this humble Taoist, remained in seclusion till recently. Without my Third Senior Brother’s prompt alert, I’d have forfeited the honor of encountering the Grandmaster. Kindly take this modest gesture of thanks."

Qingxu Zi produced a jade box and presented it reverently to Zhao Sheng.

Zhao Sheng accepted without hesitation, taking the jade box while smiling: "I’ll take the offering, though the thanks I cannot claim."

Qingxu Zi inclined in a profound bow: "The Grandmaster has earned it! Absent the Thunder Emperor Tribulation Order, how might I have ascended to the Returning to Void realm?"

In that instant, Deng Wenqiu advanced abruptly and withdrew a jade box of his own, extending it forth.

"A mere token; please receive it."

"Haha, this honored one bears a sign of goodwill as well."

No sooner had Zhao Sheng grasped the jade box than Yao Yue strode up, unveiling a rosy silk kerchief from some hidden fold. Adorned with lushly blooming peach motifs, it wafted an alluring, perfumed scent.

"Known as Spring Peach, this kerchief’s purpose... Discover it through personal trial." Yao Yue offered an enigmatic smirk, a spark of desire gleaming in her gaze.

"I gratefully accept the senior’s kindness." Zhao Sheng took hold of the roseate fabric, conveying his appreciation.

Sixty minutes passed, and Zhao Sheng signaled farewell to the throng before entering the Teleportation Hall.

Moments thereafter, a brilliant ray pierced the heavens, leaving the Great Array’s core in the hall deserted, as the Array Pillars’ glow faded progressively.

...

The Four Holy Continents sprawled immensely, interspersed with myriad Human Clan Spirit Domains.

Zhao Sheng devoted half a year to traversing three Spirit Domains nonstop, enduring over two hundred teleports, ultimately reaching Muni City within the Ten Thousand Peak Spirit Domain’s domain.

In Muni City, monks and priests dominated, temples abounded throughout, and nearly all dwellers adhered fervently to Buddhist faith.

Positioned in the Ten Thousand Peak Spirit Domain’s southeast, Muni City lay "near" the Zhao Clan Ancestral Land—merely two teleports distant.

The moment Zhao Sheng exited the Teleportation Array, solemn elderly monks encircled him promptly, each proclaiming, "Benefactor, you share a bond with our Buddha! This humble monk received divine insight from the Buddha and arrives to lead you toward awakening."

With that, the elderly monks erupted into dispute; one invoked the Buddha’s revelation, another the Bodhisattva’s decree, debating fiercely until their cheeks flushed, on the verge of physical clash.

Zhao Sheng observed the scene with furrowed brows, sensing the monks’ peculiar nature despite their profound cultivation, rivaling typical Nascent Soul experts.