Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1431: 772: The Dharma Assembly Begins, Yet Another Turn of Events

For any Cultivation Family, just how vital is a living ancestor at the Returning to Void Realm with unparalleled strength?

The response is incredibly vital, no doubt about it.

Having such a Returning to Void Ancestor to anchor the family turns the Divine Artisan Zhao Clan into a true “Small Immortal Faction.”

Lacking a Returning to Void Ancestor, the Divine Artisan Zhao Clan merely ranks as a second-tier Cultivation Force, forever eyed by hordes of “wolves and tigers,” losing bits of territory now and then.

Thus, Zhao Sheng’s comeback acts like refreshing rain at the perfect moment, pulling the Divine Artisan Zhao Clan back from the brink of collapse.

At the same time, Zhao Sheng’s abrupt emergence resembles a massive boulder crashing into a serene pond, stirring up immediate turmoil and ripples.

When word of this leaked out, the consequences were beyond anyone’s wildest imagination.

In merely a handful of days, families of all scales around Yellow Wind Immortal City caught wind of it. Right away, the stances of every major clan flipped overnight, and quite a few dispatched Special Envoys to offer congratulations at Zhao’s Suspended Island in Longshan City.

Even the two Immortal Gates in Yellow Wind Immortal City—the Huang Family from “Five Emperor Mountain” and the Feng Bo Clan of “Misty Wind”—got wind of the stir.

Though they hadn’t made any bold moves yet, the exchanges between those two clans ramped up noticeably from before.

…

Beneath the Wolong Mountain Range, far underground in the heart of the Spiritual Vein Cave, ethereal spirit clouds floated lazily, while fine mists rained down gently.

In the cave’s middle stood a ten-acre Jade Pond, its waters resembling pure Jade Liquid that shimmered brilliantly, actually the liquefied essence of Mystic Crystal Origin Qi.

Known as the Jade Void Spring Eye, this Jade Pond ranks among the Divine Artisan Zhao Clan’s most prized possessions.

Right now, a compact tripod featuring six ears and three legs hovered within the pond, its surface subtly luminous, with motifs of flora, fauna, bugs, and aquatic life appearing to pulse with vitality, greedily drawing in the nearby waters and whipping up swirling vortices on the pond’s top from the fierce intake.

Positioned cross-legged over the Jade Pond, Zhao Sheng kept crafting hand seals, channeling Primordial Spirit Seals into the Immortal Awakening Tripod beneath him.

Once a stretch of time elapsed, Zhao Sheng abruptly unhooked the spirit beast bag at his waist, gave it a quick look, and flung it downward toward the pond without ceremony.

Ancestor Xuanjing’s prime “present” to him, this spirit beast bag held twenty-six True Spirit Bloodlines.

Gathering that many True Spirit Bloodlines must have cost Zhao Xuanjing dearly, without question.

In a flash, the bag’s opening unfurled, shooting out a streak of rainbow brilliance that morphed into a majestic Nine-Colored Divine Deer, radiating an otherworldly grace unmatched by anything.

The Nine-Colored Divine Deer barely had time to respond before a potent pulling force surged from below.

Unable to fight back, it got yanked straight into the Immortal Awakening Tripod in no time.

Moments later, a three-inch clear soul form emerged on the tripod’s side, embodying the True Spirit of the Nine-Colored Divine Deer.

This Divine Deer’s True Spirit thrashed wildly, desperate to escape its prison. Yet its destiny was sealed: serving as an offering for the Immortal Awakening Tripod.

Having processed the Divine Deer’s True Spirit, Zhao Sheng pressed on without delay. Next, the spirit beast bag unleashed another being with Ancient True Spirit Bloodline—a Fire Phoenix—dooming it to the Immortal Awakening Tripod too.

As moments ticked by, Ancient True Spirit Bloodline after bloodline fell as tributes to the Immortal Awakening Tripod.

All the while, the Immortal Awakening Tripod’s might not only swelled dramatically, but its Primordial Spirit began stirring to life bit by bit.

The instant this Magical Treasure’s Primordial Spirit fully rouses marks the Immortal Awakening Tripod’s rebirth as a True Form Spirit Treasure.

…

On the ninth day of the ninth month, spirit clouds enveloped Dragon Head Peak, a vibrant Nine-Colored Rainbow Bridge arched overhead, and ornate lanterns lit up the scene in splendid fashion.

Countless Zhao Clan Members buzzed with activity and delight, milling about Dragon Head Peak, each immersed in their duties with full focus.

To pull off this event, the Zhao Clan had labored carefully for three full months, pouring in resources beyond measure; they’d sent out almost a thousand invitation letters by themselves.

Starting three months back, Dragon Head Peak started hosting one notable “guest” after the next.

Certain visitors swapped greetings, dropped off a present, and slipped away smoothly.

Others handed over lavish gifts and lingered on, their motives obvious: to join the big celebration three months down the line.

Naturally, some came with ulterior motives, pretending to celebrate while slyly fishing for intel.

With the Dharma Gathering drawing near, the summoned “honored guests” trickled in toward Dragon Head Peak; upon arrival, they often dropped by, occasionally seeking out Zhao Clan acquaintances they held dear.

To sum it up, the bigger and flashier the event, the more tangled and profound the underlying schemes become.

“The auspicious hour has arrived; welcome the Ancestor’s arrival!”

When the sun hit its highest point, a ritual announcement boomed across Dragon Head Peak, triggering every spirit flower to burst open together, as spirit clouds morphed into hordes of fairies who twirled elegantly amid swells of Immortal Music.

Within Dragon Head Peak’s grand hall, close to a hundred esteemed guests took their places one by one, all fixing their stares on the twelve-petaled Lotus Dharma Platform up front.

The instant after, a silhouette materialized from nowhere on the platform.

As Zhao Sheng showed up, he let out a faint trace of his aura.

In that moment, an immense and crushing force flooded the grand hall, permeating sky and land alike.

The hall plunged into dead quiet; the “honored guests’” expressions twisted sharply, with those under Divinity Transformation flushing crimson and staggering, as if the weight might crush them.

Divinity Transformation True Monarchs held up a tad better yet still turned beet red, compelled to unleash their own auras just to withstand the abrupt unseen burden.

Fortunately, the force hit hard and vanished just as abruptly!

Zhao Sheng had let it loose and reined it back in a flash, not aiming to shame anyone, just staking his claim.

“In today’s Dharma gathering, this old one will not discuss the Five Elements Yin Yang, nor speak of the workings of heaven and earth, but will talk about the Tao of Thunder. Thunder, is tribulation…”

Skipping all the rituals, Zhao Sheng dove straight into the core: sharing the Dharma.

The dazed guests snapped back fast, captivated by the Tao’s profound vibes, and before long, they hung on every word, utterly immersed.

Rumbling, rumbling!

Not long into the Dharma gathering’s start, the heavens over Dragon Head Peak darkened with storm clouds, booming thunder rolling one peal after another.

At the same time, an eerie, ominous gale whipped up out of nowhere, shredding the Nine-Colored Rainbow Bridge; the spirit flowers drooped and faded right before their eyes, while a heavy frost layer crept swiftly across the earth.

In the grand hall, Zhao Sheng cut off his lecture mid-sentence, lifting his gaze slowly, his sight seemingly boring through the ceiling to spot huge shadows lurking deep in the cloud masses.

“Huh, what’s happening?” A few jolted alert by the thunder finally noticed the oddity.

One sharp-witted person quipped, “Ha, can’t you see? The Thunder God isn’t satisfied with the theorization; now he intends to demonstrate personally.”

Yet the Divinity Transformation True Monarchs caught on quick, sensing right away that trouble brewed.

As a result, a particular Divinity Transformation elder snapped at his juniors: “Shut up, don’t speak recklessly if you don’t understand!”

Next, Zhao Xiandu, Zhao San Yue, and fellow Zhao Clan True Monarchs also sensed the wrongness, their faces shifting in alarm, all their gazes locking onto Ancestor Qi.