Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1430: 771: Does the Tao Distinguish Between Good and Evil?

In the heart of the Bitter Prison, echoes of endless chanting reverberated, carrying a holy and mysterious aura.

Zhao Sheng gradually appeared, his eyes abruptly locking onto the figure seated in meditation, back to the entrance.

The meditating individual detected the presence, causing the chants to cease suddenly.

“Father, you've come back.”

Following a prolonged quiet, the Red Dragon Son at last uttered words, his tone devoid of joy or grief, remarkably composed.

Zhao Sheng let out a soft sigh, “Silly boy, from times immemorial, righteousness and evil cannot stand together—it's still not too late for you to repent!”

“What defines righteousness? What marks evil? Within the three thousand Daos of existence, do true lines between righteousness and evil truly exist? The fault lies not with your son, but with father's profound ignorance.”

With that said, the Red Dragon Son gradually pivoted, at last confronting his “father” directly.

Zhao Sheng regarded that strikingly familiar visage, and a heavy weight settled in his chest.

What an odd countenance! The left side bore the gravity of an enlightened sage, whereas the right side perpetually grinned with a chilling, haughty smirk, full of smug certainty.

The Red Dragon Son appeared unaware of any abnormality, his eyes steady like still waters, undisturbed.

What powerful technique!

Through Zhao Sheng’s discerning sight, he instantly recognized that his son's essence and cultivation had attained a deeply advanced state, surpassing what typical cultivators could reach.

Shock and fury gripped Zhao Sheng, intensifying his loathing for the Great Freedom Heavenly Demon Path.

After all, the Red Dragon Son was his sole heir by blood, now twisted into this half-mortal, half-spectral form. How could this fail to shatter his heart!

“Hong’er, for this so-called Great Freedom, will you truly cast aside family and blood ties, severing every bond?” Zhao Sheng advanced, urging with deep sincerity once again.

“Father, you're mistaken once more—your son harbors no cruelty or lack of essence, but has achieved profound enlightenment. This Great Freedom means ultimate release. All worldly laws morph into something new. This morphing isn't escape from the world, but transcendence amid it. To move through the world unhindered; to change within it, untouched by its essence. Thus, morphing anew ultimately brings true freedom.” The Red Dragon Son elaborated his cultivation beliefs with growing gravity and conviction.

“…When I ascend in the Dao, I shall liberate my wife, children, and kin from the ocean of mortal woes, including you, father.”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng deemed it completely absurd and couldn't suppress a thunderous outburst, “Rubbish, total rubbish! Hong’er, if you persist in this stubbornness, don't fault your father for intervening. Once I uproot your demonic core and clear your mind, you'll thank me for this day.”

As words left his lips, Zhao Sheng materialized before the Red Dragon Son, his right palm slamming onto the youth's crown with blinding swiftness, and immediately, bolts of thunder erupted from his hand, threads of Exorcism Divine Thunder wriggling downward like serpents, burrowing into the senses and apertures.

In a flash, thunderous glow encased the Red Dragon Son, his form radiating brightly, lighting up the shadowy confines.

Simultaneously, Zhao Sheng’s divine sense burst forth at maximum, becoming a raging flood that poured into the Red Dragon Son’s forehead at the Purple Mansion, swiftly forming multicolored shackles that locked down the Red Dragon Son’s primordial spirit without delay.

“…Om Ma Ni Pad Me Hum… Silly boy, haven't you awakened yet?”

“…Gate gate, pāragate, pārasaṃgate, bodhi svāhā… Red Dragon Son, awaken at once!”

Over the Purple Mansion Soul Sea, Dao incantations boomed like thunder across the Purple Mansion, while the soul sea beneath churned with massive billows.

Yet, the nine-inch Nascent Soul form of the Red Dragon Son, eyes shut tight, began chanting the Great Freedom Heart Sutra: “All beings hold inherent essence. This essence is inherently void, without…”

The chant, faint and barely audible, persisted without end, reflecting the Red Dragon Son’s unyielding “devotion to the Dao.”

Much later, Zhao Sheng gradually pulled back his right hand, his face unusually grim.

He had been unsuccessful!

Even employing his utmost abilities, he failed to sway the Red Dragon Son’s devotion to the Dao.

Zhao Sheng’s eyes settled on his son, noting the growing determination in those eyes, and he released a deep sigh: “Alas, foolish boy, foolish boy, you… look after yourself!”

With that, Zhao Sheng spun and strode toward the exit, his figure carrying a touch of loneliness.

…

Ancestor Xi’s homecoming was surely a shocking affair for the whole Zhao family.

Thus, as Zhao Sheng headed to the Bitter Prison, the attending Zhao Family Elders swiftly disseminated the announcement worldwide.

Within mere half an hour, the entire Zhao Family buzzed with excitement.

Likewise, upon getting this bombshell report, Zhao Family disciples scattered across Tian Nan hurried back to the clan home at top speed.

Longshan City lay nearest to the Wolong Mountain Range, and news prompted the Golden Core and Nascent Soul cultivators of the Zhao clan there to return to Dragon Head Peak on that same day.

For hundreds of years, the clan at last faced a fresh pivotal moment.

Ancestor Xi’s return could represent a vital chance for the clan to escape peril and find security.

Indeed, ever since word spread of the Ancestor’s shattered cultivation, the Divine Artisan Zhao Clan had endured endless downturns. Their territory had contracted time and again, and even Yellow Wind Immortal City clung on by a thread.

Zhao Xiandu, in urgent talks with the other two clan True Monarchs, resolved to organize a lavish ceremony celebrating Ancestor Xi’s triumphant return.

Notably, the Divine Artisan Zhao Clan once boasted three Divinity Transformation True Monarchs: besides Zhao Xiandu’s recent breakthrough to Divinity Transformation, there was the veteran True Monarch of the Xuan Generation, Zhao Xuanji.

The final one, famed as the “Yao Yue Fairy,” was Zhao San Yue.

Owing to her immense strength, nearly unmatched in her level, her renown echoed widely, celebrated across half the Four Holy Spirit Continent.

The Divine Artisan Zhao Clan’s endurance through decline hinged largely on Yao Yue Fairy’s storied prestige.

After departing the Bitter Prison, Zhao Sheng promptly called for Zhao Xiandu to learn the clan’s condition and key happenings in the Taiyi Spirit Realm across the centuries, naturally including details on the Great Freedom Heavenly Demon Path.

Zhao Xiandu appeared ready, promptly offering a Jade Scroll of reports for Ancestor Xi to examine.

Zhao Sheng nodded approvingly before channeling his divine sense into the Jade Scroll.

After several breaths, he raised his head once more, his look rather intricate.

In these recent centuries, the Taiyi Spirit Realm had endured nonstop upheavals, not quite chaotic and unsteady, but definitely an era of unrest.

While the alliance of Red Eyebrow Demon Path and Alien Demon Clan posed a lasting danger, against the Star River grand clash that decided Human Clan destiny, it amounted to a small concern, hardly noteworthy.

Still, Zhao Sheng paid no mind to those “epic tales,” focusing solely on the clan’s roots and the individuals or issues he cherished.

“What… you claim Ancestor Jing suffered grave wounds and lost his cultivation—is this accurate?” Zhao Sheng showed deep astonishment, a trace of aura slipping out uncontrollably.

Zhao Xiandu felt a profound jolt, slightly cowed by his ancestor’s presence, but pressed on to clarify: “To Ancestor Xi, this came straight from the Seventh Ancestor himself, so it… ought to be true.”

The mentioned Seventh Ancestor was the Mountain Dragon Little Gold, who fancied the name Xiao Qi, leading the Zhao Family to honor him as “Seventh Ancestor.”

Hmm?

At these words, a spark of insight lit Zhao Sheng’s thoughts, as though he seized an idea. He inquired further, “Since Ancestor Jing’s injury, have you met him in person?”

Zhao Xiandu shook his head, replying sincerely: “Never. Yet, post the Ancestor’s cultivation ruin, he met only one visitor face-to-face. That was Zhao San Yue.”

“Oh?!”

Hearing this, Zhao Sheng sensed deeper layers to the story and at once ordered, “Where’s San Yue at present? Summon her to me without delay.”

Observing this, Zhao Xiandu nodded swiftly in assent, then drew out the Communication Jade to relay Ancestor Xi’s supreme command.

Astonishingly, within under half an hour, Zhao San Yue reached the cave mansion’s entrance, seeking audience with Ancestor Xi.

She entered the cave mansion promptly and lingered there for quite a while, eventually departing with poise, her face serene.