Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1358 - 732: Selection and Expansion

A Floating Island spans over four hundred miles above Longshan City, its surface dotted with an expansive network of pavilions and palaces. Beams of tunneling light frequently dart between the structures, creating an atmosphere of constant, bustling activity.

Standing atop the island's peak is a magnificent golden palace, its grand presence towering over the entire landscape with extraordinary majesty.

No guards watched the entrance to the great hall, yet muffled sounds of a heated conflict drifted from within, occasionally punctuated by the heavy thuds of what seemed like a physical altercation.

High above the golden palace's roof, two elegant figures ascended silently into the air before drifting toward a dense, verdant grove at the mountain's base.

One woman was draped in a white veil, her slender form radiating a cold, otherworldly aura.

The other possessed a more voluptuous frame and was clad in vibrant red, her every motion humming with a seductive allure; she was none other than Ren Yinfu, the eldest daughter of the Ren Family.

"Those old geezers care for nothing but profit; it is highly probable that we sisters will be used as bargaining chips this time," Ren Yinfu remarked with indignation, her gaze fixed on her sister.

"Is marrying into the Divine Artisan Zhao Clan truly so terrible? They are a powerful force, after all, and have long held a place within the 'Small Immortal Faction'," Ren Jinzi replied, a faint, mocking smile playing on her lips.

"Hehe, sister, you make a fine point! If we both wed the same man, we can still see each other frequently in the years to come," Ren Yinfu said, her eyes twinkling with a playful grin.

"You are no longer a child, so how can you utter such shameless words? This 'marriage alliance' appeared out of thin air, and I find it difficult to grasp why the Zhao Family is making such a grand spectacle of it. I have heard that it isn't just our Ren Family; every clan in Longshan City has received these marriage invitations from the Zhao Family," Ren Jinzi noted, her brow furrowed in confusion.

"Sister, you are overthinking things. I suspect the Zhao Family's motive is quite straightforward. It is likely just some old fellow without an heir who now desires children. Our sisters possess Charming Girl constitutions, which naturally makes conception easier," Ren Yinfu said with a dismissive pout.

Upon hearing this, Ren Jinzi’s expression shifted, and a sense of desolation washed over her. She sighed, "It seems my sister is the one who sees the truth. Our fates were sealed the moment we were born. I simply did not anticipate this day arriving so abruptly!"

"The Divine Artisan Zhao Clan boasts at least five Divinity Transformation Ancestors. We don't even know which ancient immortal we will be serving as concubines. Curse it! Our family is teeming with greedy sycophants; otherwise, we wouldn't be in this position. Sister, let us run away!" Ren Yinfu's eyes flashed with a cold, venomous light as she spoke.

"No!" Ren Jinzi’s face turned as cold as ice as she gave a firm, decisive refusal.

"Sister, we are in the flower of our youth, and the world is vast! Why must we suffer such injustice..." Ren Yinfu argued stubbornly, her beautiful eyes shimmering with resolve.

Ren Jinzi bit her lip softly, but before she could convince her sister to abandon the reckless idea of flight, a calm voice reached their ears: "...Because the family's interests are paramount, and because your sister understands the necessity of prioritizing the greater good."

As the words faded, a tall, commanding figure materialized suddenly before the two sisters.

The sisters' faces paled instantly upon recognizing the newcomer. They gasped, "Grandfather..."

"Grandfather, when... when did you arrive?" Ren Yinfu stammered, struggling to hide her mounting panic.

"While the two of you were busy eavesdropping," Ren Shouzhong replied with a stern, furious expression. He rebuked them harshly, "Jinzi, Yinfu, you have grown bold to spy on your elders. Now... follow me back and answer for your transgressions."

Ren Jinzi stepped back, taking her sister's hand firmly as she bowed her head in submission. "Grandfather, we were in the wrong!"

Ren Yinfu felt a sharp squeeze in her palm and looked at her sister in astonishment. Her chest heaved with emotion, and a flicker of disappointment crossed her seductive eyes.

Ren Shouzhong noticed the subtle interaction between the two but remained silent, merely prompting them to return with him to face the elders' judgment.

...

The news that the Divine Artisan Zhao Clan intended to form a "marriage alliance" with various families spread like wildfire, causing a massive stir throughout Longshan.

In thousands of years, the Zhao Family had never initiated such a high-profile series of unions.

Any observer with a keen mind could see that this was less about an alliance and more about selecting dual cultivation partners for a high-level cultivator.

Consequently, every clan in Longshan City began making major moves, desperate to seize this chance to align themselves with the "Small Immortal Faction" of the Zhao Clan.

The news traveled beyond Longshan City to the surrounding satellite towns, where cultivation families rushed to recommend their most beautiful daughters to the Zhao Family.

Many of these women possessed rare constitutions, and some had even been specifically trained in various dual cultivation techniques.

Backed by a Divinity Transformation Ancestor, the Divine Artisan Zhao Clan was a renowned power within the Ten Thousand Peak Spirit Domain, recognized as a "Small Immortal Faction."

While an "Immortal Gate" refers to an ancient Longevity Clan that has birthed true Immortals, a "Small Immortal Faction" denotes a family that houses at least one Half-Immortal of the Void.

Currently, no "Immortal Gate" exists within the Ten Thousand Peak Spirit Domain, but there are twenty-six "Small Immortal Factions," with the Divine Artisan Zhao Clan holding the seventeenth rank.

In the region of Yellow Wind Immortal City, the Zhao Clan is one of the few powers that no one dares to provoke. Even with a relatively shallow foundation, they sit among the top five on the Immortal City’s power rankings.

Within a month, hundreds of unmatched beauties were escorted to Divine Art Island by their elders, though most were swiftly rejected.

Following a personal inspection by Zhao Sheng, six "lucky" candidates managed to stir his True Spirit bloodline. They were permitted to stay on the island, and among them were the two sisters of the Ren Family.