Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1360: 733: Nascent Souls Gather, Nine Nether Tower Illusion Realm?

Three decades had passed. At the rear mountain of Dragon Claw Peak within the Woqiu Mountain Range, a transformation was taking place.

As dawn broke, a thin veil of mist drifted through the air, turning the mountain into a vast ocean of emerald. Hundreds of miles of spirit pine and bamboo forests stretched out, masking elegant, understated courtyards beneath their green canopy.

Hidden deep within this verdant woods lay a colossal square. Spanning roughly three miles, the entire area was paved with premium Spirit Jade.

In the center of this expanse stood a nine-story tower, rising over ten zhang into the sky. It radiated a chilling, grey-black light that felt both ancient and eerie.

The tower’s exterior was smooth and octagonal, forged from a mysterious spirit gold. Crystal-clear bells dangled from every floor, yet the structure lacked a single window. The only way inside was through a jade-white door located on the ground floor.

When the sun finally crested the mountain peaks and bathed the forest in golden brilliance, streaks of light shot across the sky from every direction. These lights descended upon the square, manifesting as figures dressed in vibrant yellow robes.

Though they varied in age, every person present possessed an aura of profound power and an extraordinary temperament.

Any junior of the Zhao Family would have been paralyzed with awe; everyone gathered here was a Nascent Soul Elder of the clan, individuals who held immense status and authority.

Typically, these figures were scattered across various territories, ruling their own domains with absolute power.

Yet on this day, nearly a hundred Nascent Soul Elders had converged on this single square. One had to wonder who possessed the influence to summon them all.

“Third Uncle, do you think the Ancestor called us here for that...?” a dark-faced, middle-aged man with a short topknot whispered to the person standing beside him in a corner of the square.

“Do not let your mind wander. This is clearly a massive opportunity. Should we pass the Ancestor’s trial, our future path will be boundless,” Zhao Changxiu replied to his nephew, Zhao Shengmeng, via a solemn Qi transmission.

“True, the Ancestor’s actions always have deep significance. He wouldn't summon us for something trivial. Still, the clan is overflowing with talent, and twelve great cultivators are already present. With our current Cultivation, I fear we won't draw the Ancestor's attention,” Zhao Shengmeng said, his voice laced with concern.

Zhao Xiandu, who had been listening nearby, turned and spoke calmly, “The two of you should not fret. From what I have gathered, this test is not a measure of martial prowess, but rather a trial of one's mindset and their comprehension of the Dao.”

“Second Elder, is that the truth?” Zhao Changxiu asked quickly.

According to the Zhao family’s naming tradition: Immortal Cultivation is Valuable for Longevity...

The "Immortal" generation is two ranks above the "Longevity" generation. In Zhao Xiandu’s group, he was ranked second in terms of Cultivation, which is why Zhao Changxiu addressed him as Second Elder.

By this era, the Zhao members were no longer ranked by birth order, but by the strength of their Cultivation.

This system was necessary because the sheer number of clan members born into each generation had become too vast to manage otherwise.

“You can choose to believe it or not!” Zhao Xiandu gave Zhao Changxiu a brief look; he only shared such vital intel because he recognized the man's potential.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Changxiu felt a surge of excitement, and his self-assurance began to bloom.

Zhao Shengmeng’s expression also lightened, his interest clearly piqued.

While power levels certainly varied, every cultivator in the Nascent Soul Realm possessed a unique grasp of the Dao. Without a direct fight to prove otherwise, none of them would easily admit to being inferior to another.

“Observe that nine-story tower? It is a peculiar treasure, and our trial will take place within its walls. The number of floors we manage to ascend will essentially determine our future fate!” Zhao Xiandu said, his eyes scanning the square as his fighting spirit began to burn.

“Does this mean the Ancestor intends to hand-pick a few disciples for personal guidance in the future?” Zhao Shengmeng realized how naive his question sounded the moment it left his lips and immediately felt a twinge of regret.

Zhao Xiandu ignored him, his focus already shifting toward those he deemed his true "competitors."

Among the Nascent Soul members of the Zhao clan, the oldest living generation was the "Yan" generation, followed by "Qinghua, Immortal Cultivation is Valuable for Longevity, Three Mountains Rise and Shine..." all the way to the "Sky" generation, totaling 193 people.

Over a hundred were present today, including twelve at the late-stage and thirty-two at the Nascent Soul Middle Stage...

Discounting the three "Yan" elders who were nearing the end of their lifespans, there were at least nineteen individuals who posed a serious challenge to him.

“... Zhao Xianhui, looking every bit the refined scholar, but he is incredibly crafty—kind on the outside, but cold and calculating within...”

“... Zhao Changhu, at the eighth layer of the Nascent Soul. He looks as fierce as a tiger but possesses a meticulous mind. He has mastered the ‘Heavenly One Sumeru Scripture’ to the Perfect Realm. Five-star threat...”

“... Zhao Zhenjin, a natural Golden Spirit Body with high talent. He’s mastered a top-tier divine skill and is an Artifact Refining Master... Four-star threat...”

“... Zhao San Yue, seventh layer of the Nascent Soul, an Alchemy Master. Her ‘Ten Thousand Wood Revival Technique’ has reached the Transformation Realm. She once stunned everyone with her ‘Withered Wood Revival’ divine skill...”

Zhao San Yue possessed a lithe, elegant figure and a captivating beauty. Even the simple Daoist robes she wore could not mask her allure, and she drew many eyes from the crowd.

Feeling Zhao Xiandu’s intense stare, Zhao San Yue, who had been observing the tower, turned her head and locked eyes with him.

Her gaze only rested on him for a second before she looked away, a faint trace of mockery flickering in her eyes.

Zhao Xiandu’s eyes narrowed slightly as he looked away, continuing to scan the other "rivals" and mentally calculating their threat levels.

As the sun climbed to its highest point in the sky, a thunderous dragon’s roar suddenly vibrated from the heavens. A golden Dragon Serpent, three hundred zhang in length, tore through the sunlight and streaked across the horizon, landing above the square in the blink of an eye.