Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1499: 811: Island Master (Part 2)

Chen Polu felt a surge of astonishment, gripping the Flowing Moon Sword tightly with both hands, his face etched with profound emotion, tears almost spilling from his eyes.

“Take it!”

The moment those words escaped his lips, Chen Polu shifted to a mischievous grin, bowing and nodding frantically toward the boss.

Right then, the other roommates crowded in close, their faces alight with anticipation as they eyed their boss.

Noticing this, Zhao Sheng pulled out the Magic Artifacts he'd set aside beforehand and handed one to each of them. These were top-grade items, yet their strength rivaled ordinary top-grade magic tools.

Having shared five years as roommates, even without strong bonds, a basic camaraderie had formed.

As they went their separate ways, he gifted each a magic artifact to mark their friendship.

…

Two weeks passed, and a Hundred Feet Cloud Boat pierced through the clouds, diving swiftly toward the boundless lake stretching below.

The water gleamed on the surface, deep and verdant, crystal clear, with islands of all sizes sprinkled across it, barely discernible through the light mist.

The Hundred Feet Cloud Boat glided swiftly over the lake, and after covering seventy or eighty miles in flight, it abruptly slowed down.

Suddenly, a person leaped from inside the cloud boat, and while dropping through the air, a shadowy turtle shell materialized under their feet.

Instantly, the turtle shell glowed with a dim black light, coming to a complete stop just above the lake.

Whoosh!

The waters of the lake split apart on either side, sending a white wave racing far across the surface, as Zhao Sheng advanced on the Mystic Turtle Shield. Before long, a modest island appeared three or four miles in the distance.

Shortly after, he arrived at the dock by the small island, stored away the Mystic Turtle Shield, and scanned his surroundings, spotting a middle-aged man dressed in watery green attire hurrying toward him.

Plop, plop.

The middle-aged man dashed up and dropped to his knees without a word, kowtowing deeply in respect, “I am Zhou Chu, offering my respects to the Island Master, sir!”

“No need for such ceremony, rise,” Zhao Sheng replied evenly, while producing a Seven-Star Token and displaying it to the man.

The middle-aged man rose to his feet, scrutinizing the token closely for a moment, and once he verified it was genuine, he let out a heavy breath of relief.

“Sir, you must be weary after the long trip. Kindly follow me onto the island. The primary residence stands ready for the Island Master to unwind,” Zhou Chu said with a fawning smile, gesturing welcomingly all at once.

After stowing the token, Zhao Sheng inquired, “What position do you occupy here on the island? How familiar are you with Seven Stars Island?”

Zhou Chu kept up his grin, “To speak plainly, sir, I serve as the Chief of Miscellaneous Affairs at present. The island currently employs seventy-two servants, including one Spirit Plant Cultivator and one Fish Father. Moreover, we've developed thirty-three acres of spirit field, two fish ponds, a medicine field…”

Zhao Sheng set foot on the dock and headed toward the island's heart, with Zhou Chu trailing after him, describing the island's routines, landscapes, and yields as they went.

…

In the northwest of the Red Cloud Spirit Domain, south of the Lingxia Mountain Range, sprawls a massive lake spanning almost ten thousand miles around, called Thousand Island Lake for the myriad islands dotting its expanse.

Spiritual energy thrives at Thousand Island Lake, and a huge third-tier Spirit Vein runs beneath it, its many offshoots reaching deep into most of the islands.

From times long past, Thousand Island Lake has drawn Loose Cultivators to gather, while numerous small Cultivation Families live leisurely on its isles.

Thousand Island Lake boasts plentiful local treasures, among them various spiritual items that aid Golden Core Masters and even Nascent Soul Ancestors, prompting many mighty factions to station agents there solely to gather these “spiritual items” from the waters.

The Three Extremes Zhao Family counts as one such faction.

Zhao Sheng got sent to Seven Stars Island since the former Island Master received “joyful tidings from home” and earned a promotion, vacating the spot, which Zhao Sheng claimed through his “efforts.”

Naturally, without his generosity, the role might have slipped past him.

That very day, Zhao Sheng settled into the Lakeside Pavilion, launching his time as island master.

Within merely two days, he smoothly brought under his control the two Late-stage Qi Refining Cultivators—the Spirit Plant Cultivator and Fish Father—on the island.

Seeing this display, the remaining servants swiftly realigned their allegiances, rushing to swear fealty to the Island Master!

Zhao Sheng devoted half a day to exploring Seven Stars Island, then handled the backlog of island business with straightforward efficiency.

With everything on the island settled back into routine, he abruptly discovered himself with nothing pressing as Island Master.

Several days on, deep into the night, a chill moon hovered while stars dotted the sky sparsely.

A modest vessel sliced quietly through the misty clouds and pulled up at Seven Stars Island. Figures in black robes and masks stepped off one after another, creeping stealthily onto the land.

Not much later, five masked intruders crept up to the Lakeside Pavilion, each drawing a hooked saber that shone with icy gleam.

In a flash, the five charged into the pavilion sabers in hand, tossing vivid red Elixir Pills to corners all around.

Boom boom!

The Elixir Pills detonated, bursting into thick pink clouds of toxic mist that swallowed the whole structure.

Hmph!

At that instant, the five caught a chilly snort echoing in their ears, followed by a streak of Sword Light tearing through the poison haze, slashing toward their throats at astonishing velocity.

Heads of four soared skyward in moments, their headless forms going rigid for a second before crumpling, blood spreading across the floor.

The last one's eyes brimmed with dread as a supreme Sword Intent bore down on his forehead, rooting him in fright, the saber slipping from his grasp with a sharp clatter.

The next instant, the survivor appeared to catch some sound, his face twisting in disbelief, before he meekly bowed his head and shuffled deeper into the pavilion.

Come morning, Zhao Sheng stepped out from the pavilion, utterly serene, every sign of the night's clash erased completely.

From the prisoner's confession under interrogation, he discovered the five had taken a contract to sneak onto the island and slay the fresh Island Master.

Regrettably, as Loose Cultivator assassins, they knew nothing of who posted the bounty.

Yet it scarcely signified! No matter the hidden foe coveting Seven Stars Island, once uncovered, Zhao Sheng would strike them down without delay.

…

In the dawn light, the lake surface sparkled.

Near Seven Stars Island, Zhao Sheng gripped a fishing rod, the bobber drifting far out on the water, bobbing faintly.

Before long, the bobber plunged abruptly, sending ripples spreading across the lake.

A faint smile crossed Zhao Sheng's lips as he lifted the rod sharply, hauling a blazing red spiritual carp from the depths.

With a quick snap of the wrist, the spiritual carp arced through the air, splashing down on distant shore, wriggling lively on the earth.

Zhou Chu, ever quick on his feet, dashed over in a hurry, seizing the spiritual carp firmly in both hands, fingers slipping into its gills to hoist it up, then hurried back to the Island Master's side, beaming subserviently, “My congratulations, sir, on landing a Great Spirit Carp. This one tips the scales at ten pounds and has aged over a century at least. Even in Thousand Island Lake, such a veteran specimen proves elusive.”

Zhao Sheng rose leisurely, ignoring the carp entirely, and instead directed his eyes toward the waters beyond the island.

Just then, a sleek black-roofed boat sped over the waves, reaching the bank in a heartbeat.

From it sprang an old daoist with boyish features and snowy white hair, approaching with a wide grin.

“Haha, word reached me of a new fellow daoist settling on Seven Stars Island, so I’ve come to pay a call. I’m Cen Hezi—greetings to you, friend.”

The elder daoist drew near and gave Zhao Sheng a courteous bow.

Zhao Sheng reciprocated with a nod and smile, “Ah, a neighbor dropping by. I’m Zhao Sheng—greetings to Lord Cen.”

Evidently, this elder daoist ruled over the adjacent Spring and Autumn Island, his cultivation hitting Qi Refining Great Perfection two decades back, earning him notable renown around Thousand Island Lake.

“Fellow Daoist Zhao, so youthful yet already named master of Seven Stars Island—clear proof of your clan's high regard. Your path in cultivation stretches endlessly ahead!” The old daoist's gaze sharpened as he voiced his admiration.

Zhao Sheng smiled back, “Daoist Cen flatters me excessively. This spot isn't ideal for talk—let us head inside the island to converse.”

“Excellent, I’ve carried along some Hundred-year-old Wine as a token. Today, we shall indulge freely.”

Spring and Autumn Island excels in brewing all sorts of Spiritual Wines, and though Lord Cen Hezi lacks prowess in combat, his winemaking skills shine, with his creations forever sparking fierce bids.

Zhao Sheng's eyes lit up, chuckling, “As the sages put it: ‘With half-closed eyes, survey the world's dust, and with a blade of frost, awaken spring across the Four Seas!’ Daoist Cen offers wine, matching my spirits ideally. After you!”

Saying so, Zhao Sheng took the lead, bantering and laughing alongside Cen Hezi as they soon reached the Lakeside Pavilion.