Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1375: 740: Winning Is Winning (Part 2)

Chapter 1375: Chapter 740: Winning Is Winning (Part 2)

Even though the Marquis of Wind and the Diwu Clan both desired to keep the Zhao Family in check, the history between their two lineages was filled with old grudges and conflicting interests. Consequently, Jiexing, the Marquis of Wind, took great pleasure in watching the Diwu Family stumble.

“Hmph, the final result hasn't been decided yet!” Di Wuque barked, his voice turning raspy. His calm and relaxed air had vanished, replaced by a savage expression as he nervously licked his lips, making those around him feel quite uneasy.

“Di Wuque, are your youngsters actually capable or not? If they lose to some nameless newcomer, it will be a stain on the Diwu Clan’s reputation.”

“The Night Demon King? Haha, that title seems like a joke now!” a Returning to Void level expert remarked with a mocking sneer.

“Damn it! He’s just a useless fool. I can’t believe I wagered on him. Sixteen Principle Crystals gone! I’ve suffered a massive loss!” another Returning to Void cultivator shouted, losing his composure and cursing in frustration.

“Amitabha Buddha! Since the dawn of time, success and failure have been part of every struggle. As they say, there is no gambling without the risk of loss; you must not let your hearts be troubled,” Master Jie Bude said, his face becoming more dignified and tranquil.

“You hypocritical bald thief! You’re the one who set the odds and pocketed the winnings. You'd better watch your back on the road home.”

“Amitabha Buddha! Mr. Fang, guard your tongue, or your anger might sow the seeds of a future tribulation!”

“You wretched monk! How dare you threaten me...”

“...”

“Very well, this monk shall await Mr. Fang’s arrival at the Great Xumi Temple... Amitabha Buddha!”

The dialogue between these Returning to Void experts occurred through Divine Thought, allow for an incredibly rapid exchange of information. Before a single breath had passed, Master Jie Bude and the man named Fang had already scheduled a duel.

At that moment, Diwu Xuanye finally realized something was wrong as a wave of dizziness hit him and his vision blurred. Green light flickered before his eyes, his limbs turned heavy and weak, and the flow of Qi within his body became sluggish and difficult to command. Thick fog swirled around him, instantly "swallowing" the Divine Thought he tried to project.

Diwu Xuanye shook his head violently to clear his mind, his eyes flashing with Divine Light as he triggered the Heart Clearing Demon Extinguishing Divine Power. The brilliance of the technique lessened his vertigo and restored his sight. However, his face soon froze in terror. Looking down, he discovered that thick green moss had sprouted across his hands and neck without him noticing.

This moss was not limited to his extremities; it was spreading with terrifying speed across his entire frame. In an instant, Diwu Xuanye looked like a man made entirely of green moss.

“Bang, bang, bang!”

Muffled pops echoed as emerald-colored branches tore through Diwu Xuanye’s skin, reaching outward and swaying. Numerous green leaves unfurled rapidly, followed by the sudden blooming of vibrant peach blossoms.

Though his mind was now clear, the fact that he had been completely unaware of these changes filled him with a deep, paralyzing dread.

The struggle was over; the victor was clear.

With a faint smile, Zhao Sheng gestured with his hand, causing the mist filling the hall to evaporate. It was only then that the gathered Divinity Transformation True Monarchs realized with a shock that the fight had ended in an entirely unexpected way.

Seeing Zhao San Yue standing there with poise while Diwu Xuanye remained frozen like a wooden statue, Zhao Qingfeng felt an immense sense of relief. He wiped his brow, realizing he had broken out in a cold sweat during the tension.

Zhao San Yue gave a polite bow to the Half-Immortals of the Void seated above. Then, in a blur of green light, she returned to her seat, looking as calm and indifferent as if she had done nothing at all.

Di Wuque’s face darkened with rage. With a cold glare, he unleashed a pure white Fierce Flame that engulfed Diwu Xuanye, instantly incinerating the moss and branches into ash. Once freed, Diwu Xuanye felt a crushing sense of humiliation. He retreated to his seat with his head low, unable to look anyone in the eye.

Pa! Pa! Pa!

Master Huang Shi suddenly struck the table and laughed. “The Zhao Family truly possesses incredible talent. Seeing this young lady makes me certain the Zhao Family has worthy heirs! Even I would have felt inadequate compared to her in my younger days!”

“Master Huang, you flatter us too much! San Yue only won because her opponent was unfamiliar with her techniques. It was a stroke of luck and nothing more,” Zhao Sheng explained to the crowd with a humble smile.

While few believed his modest claims, the younger Divinity Transformation cultivators felt a bit better after hearing his words. Still, a win is a win! The reality of her triumph could not be denied.

Following this clash, Zhao San Yue’s fame skyrocketed, eclipsing that of Diwu Xuanye. Her name would undoubtedly spread across the Ten Thousand Peak Spirit Domain. She was no longer a hidden figure but someone other powers would now view with caution. Within the Divine Artisan Zhao Clan, her position as a "Returning Void Immortal Seed" became untouchable.

“Fifth Daoist, thank you for the match,” Zhao Sheng said, looking at Di Wuque with eyes full of amusement.

“Hmph, here is your Immortal Fruit!” Di Wuque muttered irritably, waving his sleeve over the table. The plate containing the Kunyuan Immortal Fruits flew across the room, landing before Zhao Sheng. Despite the sting of defeat, Di Wuque maintained his honor; he could not risk his reputation by breaking a promise in front of so many fellow experts.

Zhao Sheng swept the two fruits into his sleeve and smiled toward Master Jie Bude. The monk pressed his palms together, whispered a mantra, and a Storage Bag containing over seven hundred Principle Crystals was delivered to Zhao Sheng. There were still three hundred more crystals owed by those who couldn't pay immediately, including Di Wuque. Every time Di Wuque thought of the debt, his heart ached, and his resentment toward the "incompetent" Diwu Xuanye grew.

On the other hand, Zhao Sheng was thrilled. His wealth had nearly doubled, and these thousand-plus Principle Crystals would sustain his Cultivation for a century. Having tasted rapid growth, he refused to return to a slower pace.

...

Half a day later, the Kunyuan Meeting concluded. Groups of Half-Immortals and their juniors began to depart from the Five Elders Palace. Zhao Sheng turned down Master Huang Shi’s invitations and left in his Golden Dragon Divine Palace, heading for the Wolong Mountain Range.

As the palace vanished into the horizon, a middle-aged Daoist in golden robes appeared beside Master Huang Shi. “Ancestor, the Zhao Family is clearly rising. Why did you not try to slow them down instead of showing such kindness?”

Master Huang Shi stared at the sky for a long time, his eyes deep and contemplative. Eventually, he let out a long breath. “...He is beyond my sight. That man is not someone to provoke. It is better to show him respect from a distance than to make him an enemy.”

Master Huang Shi’s voice was heavy with emotion, sounding like a hero nearing his end. The middle-aged Daoist felt the Ancestor was being overly cautious, as he hadn't seen anything truly terrifying about Zhao Sheng. Yet, he didn't dare question the judgment of a man who had never been wrong.

He was unaware of a specific secret known only to the heads of the families who guarded the Five Elders Palace. The Huang Family didn't just host the meeting to show off; there was a far more important reason...