Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1566 - 846: The Ancestor Protection Bell Rings, Shocking the Divine Continent

At the exact moment the Life Jade erupted with brilliant radiance, the Ancient Bronze Bell housed within an age-old hall atop the Floating Continent—silent for tens of millennia—began to toll spontaneously, stirred by an unseen force.

"TONG——"

A formidable, resonating peal shattered the silence, echoing like a grand celestial chant throughout the environment, spreading its solemn and boundless influence in every direction.

The initial impact was followed by a prolonged, rhythmic vibration that twisted and spiraled through the air.

CLANG——CLANG——CLANG——

Rippling out in successive waves, the bell's toll shook the very Void and stirred the spirits of every member of the Zhao Clan across the Divine Continent.

Awakening from its deep slumber, the ancient Divine Continent hummed with activity. Throngs of cultivators, stirred by the sound, abandoned their cave mansions and meditation chambers, transforming into streams of light as they surged toward the Ancestor Hall in a frenzy of excitement.

The tolling bell instantly roused a Confucian-robed elder who had been slumbering peacefully inside the Ancestor Hall.

Zhao Changying, the elder in the Confucian robes, jolted upright, his ears ringing with the thunderous peal.

His expression shifted to one of sheer alarm as he groaned in regret: "Heaven preserve me, the Ancestor Protection Bell has actually rung! This old man was far too intoxicated just now; I failed to notice until now. Such a grave sin—I implore the ancestors of past generations to forgive my negligence!"

With those words, Zhao Changying stepped forward, his body piercing the Void as he utilized Instantaneous Movement to escape the borders of the Divine Continent.

Beyond the Divine Continent, the stern swordsman looked as if he had encountered a ghost, staring at Zhao Sheng with a blank expression, stammering out: "You... you this..."

Looking upward, Zhao Sheng witnessed the once-tranquil Floating Continent erupting in chaos, with countless streaks of light racing toward the sky, effectively blotting out the sun.

SWISH!

Without a sound, a Confucian-robed elder materialized beside the pair.

Observing the new arrival, the True Spirit of the "swordsman" hastily sheathed his weapon, saying with a cold tone: "Chang Shu, what brings you here!"

At the mention of the name Chang Shu, Zhao Changying stomped his feet in frustration and scolded: "You stubborn fool! I have told you hundreds of times—this old man is titled Zhao Changying. Why can your thick head never grasp that simple fact!"

"Hmph, this True Monarch does not squabble with the dim-witted. My duty is concluded; this individual is now your charge."

Before he finished speaking, the swordsman dissolved into a streak of light, vanishing into the depths of the Divine Continent without leaving a trace.

Smoothing his attire, Zhao Changying looked toward Zhao Sheng with a pleasant smile: "Young brother, would you permit this old man a glimpse of that jade?"

Nodding, Zhao Sheng carelessly tossed the item over.

As he caught the jade, Zhao Changying’s eyes widened with intense joy, his face alight with disbelief.

"...The Nine-layered Cloud Sea dissolves, and the Ascension Platform manifests! My fortune is truly boundless." Zhao Changying caressed the jade, murmuring in pure ecstasy.

Just then, a muscular figure phased into existence before them.

The newcomer possessed a square jaw and imposing ears, his tiger-like eyes burning with intensity; he stood with the sturdy, solid presence of a massive mountain looming over the Void.

Zhao Changying’s smile vanished, his gaze turning wary as he asked: "Zhao Xuan Yu, why have you abandoned your training at Hundred Refinement Peak to appear here today?"

Ignoring him, Zhao Xuan Yu fixed his gaze on Zhao Sheng. After an intense appraisal, a rare, stiff smile touched his lips.

"Young brother, what is your lineage? From which of our family's branches do you hail?"

Zhao Sheng folded his hands in a respectful salute: "Junior Zhao Sheng, from the Three Extremes Zhao Family, based at Yuewu Mountain in the Red Cloud Spirit Domain."

"The Three Extremes Zhao Family? I recall... Eight thousand years ago, a Divinity Transformation realm member of the Feng generation left the Ancestral Land for specific reasons to establish a new lineage in the Red Cloud Spirit Domain. Thinking on it, that lineage must be the foundation of the Three Extremes Zhao branch."

Zhao Changying, a devotee of ancient texts and gambling, had spent his youth scouring the records of the Heavenly One Pavilion, and his knowledge proved quite useful now.

No sooner had he finished speaking than Zhao Xuan Yu extended a hand coldly: "Surrender it!"

"Surrender what? Absolutely not!" Zhao Changying acted like a startled animal, clutching the jade tightly to his chest while shaking his head in defiance: "I arrived first; if you intend to take it by force, you will have to see me dead before you succeed!"

Watching his defensive stance, Zhao Xuan Yu’s face took on a golden sheen, resembling a Vajra deity from a temple, seemingly immune to any harm.

"Back off!" he bellowed, his voice echoing like thunder toward the incoming streams of light in the sky.

The roar, akin to a bolt from the clear blue, sent shockwaves propagating in all directions.

The tunneling lights stalled immediately before buzzing frantically like a disturbed swarm of bees, retreating hurriedly back toward the Divine Continent.

Once he had vented his frustration, the golden radiance faded from Zhao Xuan Yu’s face, and he returned to his stoic demeanor, stating coldly:

"This child possesses the Immortal Form! His fate is not for us to dictate. Decisions will be made by an Ancestor in due time. Chang Shu, look after yourself!"

Having spoken, Zhao Xuan Yu shattered the Void with a punch and stepped into the Dark Sky, making his way back to Hundred Refinement Peak to resume his physical training.

The dark fissure in space-time sealed shut and vanished.

Stunned for a moment, Zhao Changying began to curse: "You uncouth brute, this is my final warning! I am Zhao Changying, not Chang Shu!"

Zhao Sheng observed this scene with amusement, finding the dynamic within the Ten Lands Zhao Clan surprisingly lighthearted; he felt confident that navigating future dealings would be simple.

Once his cursing ceased, Zhao Changying regained his amiable expression, beckoning for Zhao Sheng to follow. "Young brother, come along. Let us head to the Ancestor Hall to pay our respects to our predecessors."

Nodding in agreement, Zhao Sheng trailed after Zhao Changying as they flew toward the heart of the Divine Continent.

...

Outside the Ancestor Hall, the square was teeming with excitement as various Divinity Transformation True Monarchs waited impatiently, staring toward the western horizon.

Moments later, the duo crossed the expanse of the Divine Continent and touched down upon the square in front of the Ancestor Hall.

Observing the eager group of junior Divinity Transformation cultivators, Zhao Changying assumed a stern look and reprimanded them: "Have you all nothing better to do? Why are you congregating here; disperse at once!"

Because they knew Ancestor Changying was the most approachable of the Returning to Void seniors, none of them felt true fear.

One True Monarch from Zhao Changying’s faction boldly called out: "Third Uncle, the Ancestor Protection Bell tolled nine times. We are aware a rare genius has appeared within the clan. Naturally, we wish to witness this person for ourselves."

"Look at the young brother; he carries himself with such dignity. His appearance is striking and his aura is truly transcendent—he is surely a dragon among men!"

"He is more than just a dragon! His Divine Intent has reached the stage of Returning to the Truth, making him feel as though he is one with the heavens. I wonder what manner of Innate Taoist Body he might possess?"

"The child is spectacular; to reach the state of Returning to the Truth at such a young age, his cultivation must already surpass Nascent Soul!"

"An Immortal Material born once in ten thousand years, he lives up to his reputation! I have lived over two thousand years and have only been fortunate enough to witness two such 'Daoists.' Today, I have finally seen a third."

"The arrival of this child is sure to stir the Ancestor."

"Heh, the Ancestor has been in seclusion for twenty thousand years. Even if this child is exceptionally talented, it may not warrant his emergence. You have only just reached the Divinity Transformation stage and remain ignorant of deep secrets. If I told you there are at least ten 'Immortal Materials' like this within the family, would you believe me?"

"Regardless of the Ancestor remaining in seclusion, it is unclear which of the three Integration Ancestors might appear. Ancestors grant that this child hails from the lineage of our palace."

The group of Divinity Transformation True Monarchs gazed greedily at Zhao Sheng, desperate to approach, but held back by the presence of the Returning to Void seniors.

Zhao Changying laughed and offered a light scolding before turning to Zhao Sheng with a smile: "...Just a crowd of meddling youngsters. Do not mind them, follow me into the hall immediately!"

Leading the way, Zhao Changying guided the youth toward the Ancient Bronze Hall.

Zhao Sheng offered a polite salute to the cultivators before following Zhao Changying into the structure.

Upon crossing the threshold, his perception widened; the interior space was thousands of times larger than the exterior, with floors paved in premium Crystal Jade stretching toward an infinite horizon, devoid of visible walls.

A magnificent Great Sun hung suspended in the vast space, acting as the sole illumination for the grand hall.