Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1501: 812: Ten Years Flow Like Water, Breaking Through the Golden Core (Part 2)

Chen Polu experienced a surge of letdown upon hearing those words. Over the previous seven years, he'd wielded this blade to defeat countless formidable foes and fully recognized the immense might of the Flowing Moon Sword, which nearly rivaled a Second Order Spiritual Artifact. He certainly didn't wish for such a weapon to be ruined without purpose.

Yet, prior to him uttering a single syllable, the leader shifted his voice abruptly: “However, using the Samadhi True Fire, I can forge something superior.”

Chen Polu's concern flipped to delight as he quickly inquired, “Boss, how much time do you need to complete the forging? I've got a task ahead and can linger on the island for no more than two months.”

“Half a month will suffice. Simply hold on; I'll begin immediately.”

Upon saying this, Zhao Sheng stood up straight, grasping the Flowing Moon Sword along with a gourd, and strode away with poise.

Chen Polu observed his retreating form, his face a mix of intricate emotions and strain, revealing a touch of unease.

The span of half a month flew by swiftly.

On that particular day, joyous chuckles erupted from the Lakeside Pavilion, where Chen Polu clutched a tiny, one-inch crystalline blade, guffawing without pause.

Amid the resounding mirth, the crystal miniature sword leaped about like a lively fish, casting a chill, radiant glow reminiscent of the luminous moon, and now and then releasing a humming vibration.

“Haha, such an amazingly spirited flying sword! Boss, your forging talents are truly astounding!” Chen Polu cradled the flying sword with affection, showering it with boundless admiration.

Zhao Sheng stayed composed and remarked indifferently, “It's due to your exceptional fortune. While crafting this flying sword, I incorporated a scarce spiritual ingredient, and unexpectedly, a peculiar transformation arose at the moment of its formation. By sheer luck, it resulted in this Spiritual Artifact-grade Bright Moon Sword.”

When “Spiritual Artifact” was uttered, Chen Polu’s face lit up with sheer disbelief, and he cried out, “This… this counts as a spirit sword! Boss, your cultivation—”

“No Foundation Establishment, merely Qi Refining Late Stage,” Zhao Sheng anticipated his query and answered directly.

“That quick!” Chen Polu exclaimed without thinking. He was aware that the boss shared his burden of the most inferior Five Spirits Roots.

During those seven years, despite his array of lucky breaks, he'd advanced only to the Qi Refining Seventh Layer, whereas the boss had remained confined to the island without venturing beyond, yet achieved the identical level.

Reflecting on the perilous trials endured in the last seven years, Chen Polu was struck by a sense of dejection, making even the Bright Moon Sword in his grasp feel somewhat diminished.

After half a day, though hesitant, Chen Polu departed Seven Stars Island in haste.

…

Time slipped away swiftly, and four months vanished in an instant.

At Cold Spring Island, Zhao Sheng and Hu Yuanqiao were seated in lotus position atop a vast lotus leaf, repeatedly lifting their cups while engaging in delightful banter.

Beneath the lotus leaves lay a pristine pond, releasing a chill aura from its waters. Drifting across the surface were fist-sized white jade wine vessels, the liquid within partially iced and partially liquid, with a delicate frost coating the interiors.

Hu Yuanqiao extended his hand to retrieve a white jade wine cup from the pool, lifting it toward Zhao Sheng in salute, chuckling, “Here, fellow Daoist, down this cup completely. As the proverb states, one cup erases the troubles of eras. No need to ponder the frosty lunar curve upon sobering.”

Zhao Sheng extended his arm to claim a wine cup, toasting in return before gulping it entirely. The brew cascaded down his throat akin to a fresh spring's flow, sharpening his mind at once. Following the chill, a soothing heat surged through his body and veins.

“Excellent brew!” Zhao Sheng flung the cup aside casually and couldn't resist acclaiming.

With a grin, Hu Yuanqiao set his cup down and clapped toward the bank. A elegant, lovely maiden hastened across the lotus leaves.

Hu Yuanqiao gestured at the charming girl and, emboldened by the alcohol, laughed, “For your information, Daoist Zhao, this is this old man's granddaughter, Hu Yu’er. Yu’er is entering the bloom of youth; she's a bit younger than you but of similar years. I leave her in your hands henceforth. Yu’er, pay respects to Daoist Zhao.”

Hu Yu’er’s gaze sparkled as she advanced and performed a graceful bow, murmuring, “Yu’er pays respects to Brother Zhao.”

Zhao Sheng’s grin faded as he pondered inwardly how the elder's zeal was excessive, attempting to arrange a union before any bond formed. Did he truly believe beauty could sway him so easily?

“Master Hu, you're jesting. I possess only minor arts for maintaining a youthful look. Despite appearances, I'm past fifty in truth.”

Hu Yuanqiao’s grin stiffened upon this revelation, and Hu Yu’er’s features shifted subtly as well.

“Haha, the wine has loosened my tongue too much. Daoist Zhao, pardon my imprudent speech.”

“It's nothing,” Zhao Sheng responded with a mild smile.

Next, he called to Hu Yu’er and drew a bead necklace from his robe, flinging it her way.

“This is a small bauble I crafted casually, known as the Five Elements Pearl. It helps dispel stray notions and supports cultivation. Take it as a token for meeting Miss Hu Yu’er this day.”

Hu Yu’er snatched the beads, eyeing the smooth, shiny, luminous orbs with evident delight: “Yu’er thanks Senior Zhao for the present!”

Observing this, Hu Yuanqiao let out a soft laugh and commented, “You've been overly generous, fellow Daoist. Now, let's resume enjoying the wine.”

Thus, he nodded to his granddaughter.

Hu Yu’er comprehended and approached, selecting a white jade wine cup and offering it to Zhao Sheng with both palms.

Zhao Sheng accepted the vessel serenely, giving her a slight nod.

Hu Yuanqiao lifted his cup once more, and they imbibed deeply. Hu Yu’er remained quietly nearby, her smile radiant.

…

With summer yielding to autumn, the harvest arrived.

Across Seven Stars Island's thirty-three acres of spirit fields, spirit rice thrived, kernels swollen and round like longans, stems robust as thighs, towering beyond ten feet. It resembled a grove of golden timbers, an awe-inspiring sight.

Zhao Sheng positioned himself on the Mystic Turtle Shield, suspended in the sky over the fields, surveying the toiling workers beneath.

The workers carefully wielded keen sickles to reap entire rice heads, hauling them from the plots and depositing them into a massive jade container beside the land.

These White Jade Rice, nurtured for half a year, had undergone a successful change, earning the name Golden Jade Rice from Zhao Sheng.

A single acre produced a thousand pounds of golden grains, while the stalks served as precious spiritual resources, ideal for crafting superior talisman sheets.

Merely half a month prior, Hu Yuanqiao had glimpsed the almost-ripe Golden Jade Rice in the plot. Overwhelmed, he made repeated calls to request the seeds.

Zhao Sheng raised no objection; the Golden Jade Rice stemmed from serendipity, after all.

His true aim lay not in the rice itself, but in this very field.

Through the enhancement via the Five-Colored Stone, the underlying spirit vein had expanded greatly, elevating the spirit field to Third Grade.

After half a day, the entire field's spirit rice was gathered, yielding more than thirty thousand pounds stored securely.

In the interim, Hu Yuanqiao arrived without summons and, eager for the seeds, boldly included his granddaughter in his plea.

Zhao Sheng grasped this bold tactic; he understood intimately the harsh struggles of low-tier loose cultivators in the Cultivation World. For kin and self-advancement, dignity was a small sacrifice!

Naturally, freely bestowed items rarely hold true value.

Zhao Sheng demanded ten jars of Hundred-Year-Old Red Dust wine in exchange before handing over the Golden Jade Rice Seeds to Hu Yuanqiao.

…

Ten cycles of rice harvest came and went, leaving Seven Stars Island as serene as a decade earlier.

Amid this tranquil period, unbeknownst to others, Zhao Sheng had silently endured the Golden Core Heavenly Tribulation that year, emerging as a scarce Golden Core Master within Thousand Island Lake.

That same year, Chen Polu returned to Seven Stars Island.

At their reunion, his demeanor brimmed with vigor, his cultivation remarkably at Qi Refining Perfection.

The year after, as Hu Yuanqiao's lifespan dwindled to its close, he abruptly came to Seven Stars Island, committing his matters to his “old friend” Zhao Sheng.

Subsequently, during a stormy evening, Hu Yuanqiao secluded himself, attempting a breakthrough to Foundation Establishment in his final years.

Regrettably, fate seldom bends to desire; his effort ended in failure!