Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1435: 776: Washing Away the Past, Nine Nether Tower Reopens

Three days had passed, and the rear mountain of Dragon Head Peak came into focus.

Deep within the Bitter Prison Cave, the sealed Golden Essence Gate swung open without a sound. With a sweep of his robe sleeves, Zhao Sheng strode through the entrance.

The moment his presence was detected, the rhythmic chanting inside the chamber faded away. Red Dragon Son remained seated with his back to the room, his posture radiating a touch of isolation.

“Father, there’s no point in trying to convince me. Now that I’ve fully awakened, I’ve returned to the Great Freedom, finding ultimate bliss right here—”

Red Dragon Son’s words were cut short as Zhao Sheng’s features hardened abruptly, and in one swift motion, he closed the distance to stand directly behind his son.

His right hand shot out, fingers splayed wide, and clamped down firmly on the crown of Red Dragon Son’s head.

In the instant that followed, beams of pure light erupted from his palm, cascading like gentle streams that seeped softly into Red Dragon Son’s Purple Mansion Soul Sea.

A massive threat seemed to dawn on Red Dragon Son, prompting a frantic cry, “Hold on… stop! Father, don’t—ah!”

A piercing wail escaped him as Red Dragon Son’s frame shook uncontrollably, his hidden features contorting in torment, eyes glazing over and rolling upward, stripped of any darkness.

“Sigh, don’t hold it against your father—blame the Red Eyebrow Demon Path instead. Once all your old memories are cleansed, rebirth awaits… Clear the grime and refine the soul, let the spirit come home!”

Zhao Sheng’s face stayed composed while he executed the God Washing Technique, whispering the incantation under his breath.

This God Washing Technique stood as a rare Secret Technique passed down through the Taiyi Spirit Palace.

It erased every trace of a person’s recollections entirely without harming the Divine Soul, and it could even implant fresh memories into the affected individual.

For that reason, the God Washing Technique earned the nickname of the Brainwashing Technique.

Just a few days prior, Zhao Sheng had secured only the initial portion of this Secret Technique from Wu Yue, known as the Washing God Chapter, whereas the latter part, the Heavenly Soldier Chapter, remained a closely guarded secret inside the Taiyi Spirit Palace, never shared beyond its walls. Merely a handful in the Qintian Guard had received the Heavenly Soldier Secret Technique.

After some time, Zhao Sheng gradually pulled back his right hand, then willed Red Dragon Son to face him.

Gazing upon the bewildered and pure expression of Red Dragon Son, a faint ease softened Zhao Sheng’s look, only for his eyes to flash sharply next, sending Red Dragon Son into an instant faint with eyes rolled back.

With another mental command, Red Dragon Son rose slowly into the air, his form easing into a horizontal position, as though reclining on some unseen surface.

Turning toward the exit, Zhao Sheng moved ahead, and Red Dragon Son trailed after him, drawn by an unseen force.

They traversed the dim, winding corridor, emerging from the Bitter Prison Cave with Zhao Sheng’s lips curved in a grin.

Beyond the cave’s mouth, a vast crowd knelt in the shadows, numbering nearly two thousand upon a quick scan.

Every figure in the assembly boasted robust builds and powerful frames, famed for their innate vigor and exceptional vitality.

The instant Zhao Sheng emerged, the leading burly figure dropped lower in salute and proclaimed, “Grandson Zhao Rixiao pays respect to Grandfather, wishing Grandfather eternal happiness and longevity!”

Echoing Zhao Rixiao’s declaration, the rest of the grandsons lowered their heads one after another, their voices rising together, “Wishing Great Ancestor (Ancestor) eternal happiness and longevity.”

A subtle nod came from Zhao Sheng as he replied softly, “No need for such formalities, everyone, stand up!”

“Grandson obeys the command!”

Zhao Rixiao dipped his head once more before rising with care. The more than a thousand followers mirrored him, bowing and straightening in silence, quiet as hushed birds, none bold enough to utter a word.

As Red Dragon Son’s firstborn, Zhao Rixiao served as Zhao Sheng’s own grandson.

Yet Zhao Sheng’s long absence spanning centuries had faded his visage in the minds of these descendants, blending it with awe and distance.

This reverence shaped the moment unfolding now.

Zhao Sheng fixed his gaze on Zhao Rixiao and directed, “Xiao’er, escort your father back to Hidden Dragon Peak and confine him under close watch. Handle him as before, but prevent him from mingling with crowds or stepping beyond Hidden Dragon Peak. Clear?”

Zhao Rixiao stiffened and answered with deference, “Grandson will keep it in mind and carry out Grandfather’s orders without fail.”

Zhao Sheng gave another nod and added, “Good, now lead Red Dragon Son away, and the rest of you can go.”

Hearing this, Zhao Rixiao hurried forward at once, reaching out to scoop his father into his embrace before withdrawing.

A few other grandsons wavered, yet Zhao Sheng’s commanding aura kept them from voicing concerns, wary of souring their standing with Grandfather.

Zhao Sheng swept his eyes across the group, noting their reactions plainly, though he pretended otherwise.

Each generation carved its own path; he lacked the leisure for such minor family squabbles.

In a relaxed gesture, Zhao Sheng produced a Sumeru Ring and flung it toward Zhao Rixiao’s chest.

Then, right before their stares, he dissolved into nothingness.

…

Over seven centuries on, Dragon Claw Peak in the southwest of the Wolong Mountain Range stirred back to life.

Starting from dawn, streaks of light streaked in from every side, touching down on the plaza before Dragon Claw Peak.

Come noon, the plaza teemed with activity, crammed full of figures, surpassing three thousand in number.

Fresh arrivals to the area quickly found their attention pulled to the towering nine-story structure at the plaza’s heart, their gazes burning with passion and longing.

The trial of that lofty tower from more than seven hundred years back had woven itself into cherished family tales.

All who joined that initial tower trial soared to immense strength, birthing even two Divinity Transformation Ancestors alongside over a dozen Nascent Souls.

So, seven centuries later, word of the second tower trial’s launch sent every qualified soul scrambling to sign up, desperate not to miss the limited spots.

As the sun climbed to its peak, two Divinity Transformation Ancestors from the Zhao Family, Zhao Xiandu and Zhao San Yue, made their joint entrance.

The sight of these two elders prompted the plaza’s throng to prostrate themselves in fervent homage.

These younger kin had matured on tales of the ancestors’ exploits, fostering profound respect within them.

Still, a deep disappointment lingered from not beholding the fabled Ancestor this day.

Unbeknownst to them, Zhao Sheng had already taken position at the Nine Nether Tower, expanding the full Law Illusion Realm and readying it for the juniors’ trials.

Zhao Xiandu cast a look skyward, offered brief remarks, and declared the trial underway.

The family youths bowed deeply before filing through the tower’s entrance one by one, disappearing inside.

With all participants now within the Nine Nether Tower, Zhao Xiandu turned to Zhao San Yue at his side, his voice tinged with feeling: “Time flies in an instant—seven hundred years gone, and here I am witnessing the Nine Nether Tower open anew. San Yue, do you reckon anyone will conquer the Ninth Layer this round?”

Clad in simple garb and shoeless, Zhao San Yue responded steadily, “Maybe so, maybe not. Heaven’s chosen can’t be compelled!”

Zhao Xiandu shook his head with a sigh, “Heaven’s chosen? I’d give anything to grasp what that truly means! No chance for me to reach Returning to Void in this lifetime, but you—you’ve not just hit Perfect God Transformation but shattered the Will Barrier too, inches from Returning to Void. It’s enough to stir… envy!”

By the close, Zhao Xiandu let his true sentiment spill out unchecked: pure envy!

Zhao San Yue, ever composed, stared at the tower and remarked offhand, “Someone’s made it to the second layer—who do you suppose?”

Taken aback, Zhao Xiandu laughed, his earlier lapse forgotten as he dove in with guesses: “From this batch, Zhao Tianran boasts the top talent, so probably him.

Wait, no—Zhao Chongguang’s comprehension runs deep, piercing the first Law Illusion Realm with ease… And Zhao Rixian just broke into Nascent Soul, so by raw power, he’s a strong contender too.”

Zhao San Yue let Zhao Xiandu rattle off his list of promising names without interruption, his eyes locked steadily on the tower.