Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1351 - 728: Return to the Tianzhu Realm (2)

The three eyes remained incredibly hideous, yet they had lost their former sharpness. Now dull and vacant, they resembled the glazed eyes of a corpse.

Zhao Sheng had barely finished his seclusion when the earth before him tore open. From the depths of the soil, the Tiger Head Spirit Puppet ascended directly to the surface.

Moving with a slight stiffness, the Spirit Puppet offered a respectful bow. "Meng Han greets the Ancestor!" it announced in a thick, muffled tone.

"Stand up, there is no need for such ceremony," Zhao Sheng replied, his calm expression suggesting he had expected this arrival.

The Tiger Head Spirit Puppet straightened its posture and stood in silence, waiting for the Ancestor to issue a command.

Observing the creature, a flicker of sorrow passed through Zhao Sheng’s eyes before he abruptly declared, "I am departing."

"Where does the Ancestor intend to go?" The Spirit Puppet asked, notably failing to ask him to stay.

This interaction made it clear that Zhao Menghan had surrendered the majority of their humanity upon becoming a Spirit Puppet—a heavy price to pay indeed.

"To the Tianzhu Realm!"

"And when will the Ancestor return to us?"

"That is uncertain. It might be soon, or it could be after a very long time."

The Tiger Head Spirit Puppet fell into a quiet stillness after hearing his words.

Zhao Sheng was not surprised by this reaction. With a final wave of farewell, his form began to blur, fading away until he vanished completely from the area.

Though sixteen Constant Years of distance lay between the Spring Birth Realm and the Tianzhu Realm, Zhao Sheng managed to complete the journey back in a mere thirteen days.

This return trip was actually two days faster than his previous voyage to the Spring Birth Realm.

Tianzhu Realm, Ascension Platform.

A towering figure suddenly materialized above the vast, rune-covered square of the Ascension Platform on this day. It was Zhao Sheng, returning in great haste.

His abrupt arrival startled the Qi Mountain Taoist, who had been deep in Cultivation at the base of the Ascension Tower.

Leaping to his feet, the Qi Mountain Taoist stared at Zhao Sheng with a mix of alarm and fury. "Who are you to trespass upon the Forbidden Land of the Ascension Platform? Be gone at once!" he bellowed.

However, before he could even trigger the defensive arrays of the Ascension Platform, an overwhelming wave of malice struck him. It pierced straight into the Soul Sea of his Purple Mansion, rattling his very Divine Soul.

A sharp pain flared in the Qi Mountain Taoist’s eyes followed by a wave of vertigo. In an instant, he was hurled off the Ascension Platform, tumbling toward the Nine-layered Cloud Sea below.

Simultaneously, a frigid, powerful voice resonated within his mind: "Since those eyes of yours cannot see the truth, they are useless to you. Consider this a minor lesson; in the future, do not be so quick to bark like a dog before you know who you face."

"Return and inform the others. This Ascension Platform is now under my temporary control. If anyone dares to intrude again, do not expect me to show mercy for the sake of old ties. My name is Zhao, of the Tianzhu Zhao!"

The Qi Mountain Taoist was consumed by dread, realizing he had crossed paths with an unstoppable power. He feared the damage done was permanent.

Though he was now blind, he could at least be grateful that his life had been spared.

While the Qi Mountain Taoist retreated to nurse his wounds, Zhao Sheng descended to the ground and circled the Nine-layered Ascension Tower twice.

He frowned as he noted the fading glow of the tower and the spiderweb of cracks covering its exterior walls. Something was wrong.

His suspicions were confirmed upon closer look.

A detailed inspection revealed that the Ascension Tower was not the only thing damaged; the surrounding Great Ascension Array was riddled with hundreds of flaws. Most of the array pillars were severely fractured, standing on the brink of total collapse.

Zhao Sheng had no interest in the history of how the Ascension Platform had been so brutally ravaged, but the reality was grim.

It appeared his plan to use this specific platform to reach the Spirit Realm was no longer viable.

Fortunately, he had a backup plan. The Ascension Platform in the Spring Birth Realm remained functional, even if its destination was a mystery to him.

If he ended up too far away, locating the gates of the Spirit-controlling Immortal Sect would be a difficult task.

As these thoughts crossed his mind, a beam of Divine Light shone from Zhao Sheng’s forehead. He sent a powerful Divine Thought transmission down toward the mountain city below.

Within the City Lord’s Mansion, Zhao Dingshan was jolted awake by the sudden mental message.

Once he understood the message, his face lit up with pure joy. Without a second thought, he transformed into a streak of light and raced toward the edge of the city.

An hour passed before Zhao Dingshan reached the peak. Crossing through the outer barriers, he stepped onto the Ascension Platform and immediately spotted Zhao Sheng standing with his hands behind his back.

Zhao Dingshan rushed forward and knelt repeatedly in greeting. "Junior Zhao Dingshan welcomes the Ancestor’s glorious return!"

Zhao Sheng gestured for him to stand and began asking casual questions.

Zhao Dingshan spoke truthfully, summarizing the major events of the past few years. He spoke of the Ghost God Sect’s downfall and the relocation of Flying Immortal City to the east.

Crucially, he reported that the unification of the clan—the task assigned by the Ancestor—was off to a strong start.

Lured by the promise of legitimacy and vast Cultivation resources, the North and South Sects had been quick to join. Only the Four Seas Sects remained hesitant, wary of the Central Sect’s true motives.

"I will be staying for a while this time. If the various sects have concerns, they can come to the Ascension Platform. I will address them personally," Zhao Sheng stated.

Feeling honored, Zhao Dingshan replied, "With the Ancestor’s personal involvement, their doubts will vanish. Our Tianzhu Zhao has been fractured for millennia; to see it reunited is a dream. If this succeeds, I could die content."

At these words, Zhao Sheng’s mind turned to a specific plan. With a wave of his hand, a two-zhang-tall Leopard Head Spirit Puppet crashed onto the ground, radiating a suffocating aura.

Zhao Sheng had already purged the Primordial Spirit of Fengyi True Monarch from the Spirit Core, leaving the puppet without a master.

Zhao Dingshan stared at the Leopard Head Spirit Puppet, his eyes wide with shock.

"Do not fear, it is harmless for now," Zhao Sheng assured him. He then asked, "Tell me, what do you envision for your future? Given your current talent and insight, reaching the Divinity Transformation stage is nearly impossible."

Zhao Dingshan was confused at first, but as his eyes drifted back to the Spirit Puppet, a realization struck him. His expression shifted rapidly.

"Dingshan will follow whatever the Ancestor suggests!" he replied, choosing to trust his instincts and show total devotion.

Zhao Sheng was impressed by the man's quick wit and intuition.

"I possess an unconventional Longevity Technique. While it does not offer true immortality, it can grant you a lifespan of ten thousand years. Is this something you desire?"

"Dingshan desires it. I beg the Ancestor to grant me this technique."

"Even if it means you will exist as neither man nor ghost? Even if you lose your emotions and worldly desires?" Zhao Sheng pressed.

After a brief moment of hesitation, Zhao Dingshan nodded firmly. "I have considered it. No matter the cost, I will not waver."

"Excellent! I knew I chose correctly," Zhao Sheng praised with a smile.

"This Spirit Puppet shall be your new vessel. I will transplant your Nascent Soul into its Spirit Core. You will be its master, using its power to destroy your enemies and ensure the safety of the Zhao Family."

"This puppet possesses the strength of a Divinity Transformation True Monarch and functions perfectly in areas devoid of Qi. It is essentially invincible in this realm. With this guardian, the Tianzhu Zhao will be protected forever."

Zhao Dingshan’s eyes burned with excitement, hoping the Ancestor would begin the process immediately.

"Control your impatience. Return home for one month to purify your spirit and reflect on this choice. If you remain certain, settle your worldly affairs and return to the Ascension Platform in thirty days," Zhao Sheng cautioned.

"Yes, Dingshan obeys!" He calmed his racing heart, bowed low, and departed from the platform.

The promise of a protector with the power of a Divinity Transformation True Monarch, capable of defending the clan even in a spiritless environment, left Zhao Dingshan eager for the transformation to begin.