Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1409: 756: Identity Exposed, Recruitment, and Top-Secret Mission

Two months had passed.

Deep inside the central chamber of the A3 Virtual Realm Fortress.

Seated in a cross-legged position upon the lotus dais, Zhao Sheng formed a hand seal and remained utterly still. Deep within his Elixir Heaven, a crystal from the alien realms, roughly the size of a fist, spun slowly, its layers pulsing with bursts of thunderous glow, rhythmically swelling and shrinking.

At the heart of this alien crystal swirled a misty, rainbow-hued vortex, radiating a dazzling aura of law.

All at once, a bundle of pure white radiance dropped from the air above in the chamber, and the Illusion Spirit White Deer materialized in an instant.

“My lord, it seems a visitor has come?”

“Is that so? Who managed to track their way to this place?”

At these words, Zhao Sheng's eyes snapped open, a flicker of bewilderment crossing his features.

“White Deer, reveal their appearance to me right away!”

“Right away, my lord!”

Scarce had the command echoed when a glowing projection shimmered into view, displaying a massive figure with a stern visage, standing as imposing as a peak—it was none other than Zhao Xuanjing.

“Hmph, for something so minor, there's no need to show up yourself!”

With just one look, delight lit up Zhao Sheng's face, and his form blurred as he swiftly departed the central chamber.

Moments later, he reached the teleportation array chamber situated midway up the fortress.

Currently, within that chamber, Zhao Xuanjing stood beyond the array's boundaries, encircled by a handful of cultivators, appearing to have lingered there for some time already.

“My respects, Ancestor Jing!” Zhao Sheng bowed promptly to Zhao Xuanjing and inquired, “What brings you here in the flesh?”

“I never imagined you'd pull off such an impressive achievement in so short a time. Considering how crucial it is, I chose to handle this visit myself,” Zhao Xuanjing replied with a light chuckle, motioning for him to approach with a wave.

Zhao Sheng scanned the surroundings briefly and murmured, “This isn't suitable for discussion. Kindly come with me, Ancestor.”

Zhao Xuanjing gave a nod, letting Zhao Sheng guide him away from the teleportation chamber.

In short order, they entered a secluded yard, settling onto mats shaded by the Spiritual Peach Tree.

With a flip of his right palm, Zhao Sheng produced a drab wooden etched case in his grasp. He slid it quietly across to Zhao Xuanjing.

Zhao Xuanjing drew in a steadying breath, lifted the cover with an extended hand, and beheld nine neat rows of alien crystals within, amounting to eighty-one in total, each surpassing the size of a fist.

In today's Taiyi Spirit Realm, these alien crystals serve as prized "hard currency" among elite cultivators, since they aid in grasping Taoist Law and can be swapped directly for "Heavenly Merit."

Every one of the alien crystals filling that wooden case originated from Void Realm Demon Elders, and each promised at least three substantial Heavenly Merits upon exchange!

Zhao Sheng had labored intensely to trade his accumulated Heavenly Merit for these alien crystals, securing them at a favorable ten-percent reduction.

A gleam sparked in Zhao Xuanjing’s gaze as he snapped the lid shut and declared gravely, “Are you aware of the reason behind my personal visit to you?”

“Yes, I suspect I do. It likely stems from my cover being pierced by the higher authorities,” Zhao Sheng affirmed with a steady nod, for he had pieced together the situation beforehand.

“Good, you're on the mark! After all, a Half-Immortal of the Void doesn't grow on trees like common weeds. Moreover, your exceptional power inevitably catches the eye of those in command,” Zhao Xuanjing inclined his head faintly and went on, “On that note, I've reaped considerable benefits thanks to your efforts this round. The Sect Leader issued a special order, tasking me with convincing you to align with the Spirit-controlling Immortal Sect!

Naturally, the choice to affiliate with this sect rests entirely with you. All I mean to add is that now that you're on their radar, greater caution will be essential moving forward.”

By “their radar,” he meant the Integration Realm Great Powers and perhaps even the Tribulation Crossing Venerables.

It could extend further, for “he” might have drawn the scrutiny of an Immortal already.

During the prior conflict, had he not slain so excessively, he might have avoided rousing a presence thought to surpass a Tribulation Demon.

Consequently, a human Great Ability drew his blade in retaliation!

Though their exchange consisted of a single strike, it sent ripples of alarm through numerous upper-tier Human Clan figures.

Zhao Sheng’s masquerade proved almost flawless, yet the Spirit Realm Human Clan possessed an arsenal of Immortal Laws and wondrous techniques beyond count. Should the elite decide to probe deeply, they would uncover his “weak spot.”

In this way, the guise of “Yan Chixia” stood revealed to the upper strata.

Admittedly, his actual identity remained confined to the uppermost circles of the Spirit Realm, utterly inaccessible to any below the Integration Realm.

Zhao Xuanjing arrived in the role of an “emissary,” extending an invitation to enlist in the Spirit-controlling Immortal Sect.

This development fell well within his anticipations.

Indeed, following that clash, he had demonstrated boundless promise, rendering advancement to the Integration Realm far from impossible, and even offering a faint chance to pierce into the Tribulation Transcendence Realm.

When confronting a figure poised to ascend as a Venerable upon conquering the Tribulation Crossing Realm, it would be downright odd if the Spirit-controlling Immortal Sect refrained from dispatching a recruiter.

“Ancestor Jing, surely you recall that I originate from the Nine Questions Immortal Sect, bound by its rules against joining rival immortal sects.”

“Absolutely, that hasn't slipped my mind. Thus, I'm not pushing for full membership, but taking on the position of Guest Elder ought to pose no difficulty, correct?”

“Guest Elder?” Zhao Sheng's gaze flickered as he responded swiftly, “Of course, that's entirely acceptable—I agree!”

“Excellent! At last, I can deliver good news to the Sect Leader!” Zhao Xuanjing caressed his beard with a grin, drew a Source Jade Token from within his robe, and set it down in front of Zhao Sheng.

Observing this, Zhao Sheng swept his hand across the surface, claiming the Guest Token, and remarked with a grin, “It appears Ancestor Jing came fully prepared, token in hand and all!”

“Haha, it's mutually beneficial! I figured you'd have no grounds to decline. Plus, under our sect's shelter, you'll dodge plenty of hassles and perils.”

Zhao Sheng offered a quiet smile before steering the conversation toward the exchange of the True Soul.