Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1503: 813: Artifact Refining Master, Main Family Envoy, and the Land of Self-Oblivion (Part 2)

Those pale golden lees, nothing more than worthless remnants from the wine-making process, now make ideal nourishment for the spirit carp.

"Since the Island Master showed up, things on the island have improved more and more each year. We've got spirit fish, plus a Third Grade spirit field. Not just that, I get to enjoy golden corn daily, and the spirit fish in the lake are thriving thanks to the Island Master's luck—soon we could see Second-Order ones. I really wish this kind of life keeps going forever; maybe someday, even old Han here could reach Foundation Establishment…"

Hope and delight filled the old fisherman's face as he scattered the lees.

Buzz buzz!

Suddenly, a deep humming sound echoed from above, startling all the spirit carp into plunging into the lake and disappearing in a flash.

The old fisherman's expression shifted, and he lifted his gaze to spot a massive black centipede, stretching over three meters, armored in eerie black plates from head to tail, its back wings fluttering as it coiled downward in a menacing, horrifying descent.

A black-robed figure adorned with feathers stood tall atop the winged centipede, revealing a spirited young man with striking good looks.

Trailing the youth by mere meters, an elder in a dark cloak perched cross-legged upon a coffin, radiating an icy chill.

Bang!

Paleness drained the color from the old fisherman's face; the wooden basin slipped from his hands, clattering against the boat's edge.

"Foundation… Foundation Establishment!" Wide-eyed with terror, the old fisherman stammered, too scared even to bow.

The black-robed man sneered with haughty disdain, "Tell me, is this Seven Stars Island?"

As if jolted from a daze, the old fisherman bowed low in haste, his body shaking, "To the lord, yes, this is Seven Stars Island."

The black-robed man gave a curt nod, "Good. Where's the Island Master? The family's Special Envoy has arrived—you'd better summon him out to greet us right away."

The old fisherman bobbed his head in agreement and swiftly pulled out a Communication Spirit Talisman, firing off an urgent alert to the island.

Moments later, a Spirit Plant Cultivator dashed over in a rush, with Zhou Chu at the head of a servant entourage, all hurrying to the island's perimeter to receive the envoy.

Yet the Seven Stars Island Master remained nowhere in sight.

Irritation flared in the black-robed man's eyes at this slight; he spurred his spirit centipede forward, soaring straight onto the island, storming into the Lakeside Pavilion to conduct a thorough sweep.

Regrettably, the pavilion stood deserted, showing no sign of Zhao Sheng anywhere.

The black-robed man's fury eased a touch; he then rounded up the others for questioning, but none had any clue about the Island Master's location.

Only then did the black-cloaked elder break his silence, "Young Master, perhaps you ought to remain on the island for the time being. The issue of the Seven Stars Island Master's shortcomings can be passed to the Foreign Affairs Hall to manage. With the Water Mansion on the verge of surfacing, Young Master, it's wise to conserve your energy and avoid getting sidetracked by minor annoyances."

"Hmph, Elder Yang makes a solid point."

Zhao Jincheng, the black-robed youth, hailed from the direct line of the Three Extremes Zhao Family; at merely thirty, he'd forged his Foundation, earning him a standout reputation among Zhao kin—which is why he'd been dispatched to Thousand Island Lake.

Once every few centuries, the Water Mansion hidden under Thousand Island Lake would surface, drawing swarms of Foundation Establishment prodigies from across the Red Cloud Spirit Domain to the area.

Legends from antiquity claimed the Water Mansion as an inheritance from long-lost cultivators, brimming with endless Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, along with heirloom artifacts from its original master.

Were it not for the Water Mansion's creator weaving in unique Prohibitions that barred any above Golden Core from entry, it would have been ransacked ages ago by packs of Nascent Soul and even Divinity Transformation powerhouses.

Less than half a day after settling into the Lakeside Pavilion, the black-cloaked elder burst into Zhao Jincheng's chambers.

"Young Master, come with me at once." Urgency laced the elder's grave words as he faced his charge.

Drowsiness vanished from Zhao Jincheng in an instant; he sprang to his feet, demanding, "Elder Yang, what have you found?"

"Young Master, you'll see for yourself once we're there," the elder answered swiftly.

With that, he spun on his heel and departed.

Intrigue pulled Zhao Jincheng along in close pursuit.

Soon enough, the pair hovered over an expansive spirit field, where golden glows danced below amid spirit rice stalks towering like trees, their heavy ears bending with a subtle golden jade sheen.

"What in the world…" Zhao Jincheng extended his senses, detecting the extraordinarily dense spiritual energy of nature in the vicinity, a flicker of astonishment crossing his features.

"Third-tier! The spiritual energy density matches a Third-rank Spirit Vein. And that spirit rice—it's no less impressive than the clan's prized Red Dragon Rice." Eyes gleaming, the black-cloaked elder murmured in a hushed, serious voice.

"Let's investigate closer!"

Zhao Jincheng blurred into motion, plummeting toward the field.

"Stop!" Alarm twisted the elder's face; he yelled out in warning, but too slowly.

The instant Zhao Jincheng neared within three meters of the spirit field, a colossal force erupted from beneath, hurling him back with overwhelming power.

Luckily, the Barrier's creator meant no real harm; otherwise, that blast alone would have pulverized Zhao Jincheng.

The black-cloaked elder rushed ahead, flicking his sleeve to unleash a gentle breeze that caught and steadied the Young Master, his tension easing somewhat.

"Young Master, a prohibition guards this spirit field. It's unwise to force your way in."

Stern resolve hardened Zhao Jincheng's look; brushing off the elder's caution, he whipped his right hand out, launching several jade talismans like streaks of lightning.

The jade talismans soared skyward, slamming into the unseen prohibition and erupting in brilliant electric flares.

Bang! Bang!

Right away, scores of arm-thick deep blue lightning bolts crashed down with savage force.

High overhead, a flash of vivid yellow streaked by and faded, snuffing out every lightning bolt in a heartbeat, leaving no trace.

Witnessing this, Zhao Jincheng's face tightened a fraction. He cast a lingering, intense glance at the spirit field before pivoting silently and departing.

"Hold on!… We'll handle this once Zhao Sheng gets back!" The black-cloaked elder tracked the Young Master's back, when a firm, remarkably steady voice suddenly pierced his hearing.

…

His soul drifted like fog, while shadows swelled like an onrushing wave. No telling how long dragged by before stars began twinkling into view from the gloom's heart, each pulsing with unsteady glows.

Zhao Sheng skimmed past a dull yellow "star," his spirit weaving into a slender strand that slowly linked with a "tiny star" of barely perceptible light.

This star blazed with colors defying mortal comprehension; only upon contact did its true "radiance" unfold.

"It's you!" Emotion swelled in Zhao Sheng's chest, his will snapping onto this "radiant" star, his form blinking out from the Earth Fire Room in a puff.

The realm whirled, light and shadow flipping in a rush!

Regaining his balance and peering around, Zhao Sheng saw himself amid soaring mountains, veiled in drifting clouds and fog.

He occupied a barren little valley in the range's core, where no grass sprouted; the soil gleamed glassy and transparent, scarred by fierce scorch marks all about.

Glancing further, he noted figure upon figure seated in meditation, all fixated toward one spot, faces lost in rapt fascination.

A glint sparked in Zhao Sheng's eyes; turning his head, he beheld a sleek, flawless glazed jade set into a sheer cliff face.

Measuring over ten feet across in length and breadth, this jade shone mirror-smooth, faithfully mirroring the visages of those beholding it.

As his eyes locked on the glazed jade, an odd tremor stirred within Zhao Sheng, pulling his focus inexorably, unleashing a torrent of luminous visions like bursting waters.

At the same instant, a detached, ancient voice resounded in his thoughts: "…The path of cultivation stems from the Daoist Body, manifest in the Five Elements, blending form and spirit as one. Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth—these Five Elements form the hubs of Daoist energy, drawn inward to link heaven and earth, sustaining body and soul to master the five quarters… Prioritize unity at the heart, harmony as the base, weaving the subtle bonds of the Five Elements, in tune with the Dao's essence of peace and insight…"

In a blink, Zhao Sheng lost track of all else, sinking into cross-legged pose without thought, his face spellbound as he stared at the glazed jade.

As archaic Dao patterns slowly surfaced on the jade, Zhao Sheng shed awareness of time, of self, of place, plunging his spirit deep into the infinite "Dao sound" echoing through creation.

…

Time's passage blurred into uncertainty, until the Dao sound softly receded, rousing Zhao Sheng from his daze bit by bit.

His eyes fluttered open to pristine white walls, the air thick with scorching warmth that hung heavy.

Zhao Sheng surveyed the chamber, confirming his return to the Earth Fire Room.

Hmm?

Shock etched across his features then, as a rush of the purest natural spiritual energy surged unbidden through every fiber of his being.

Swiftly invoking a arcane technique, Zhao Sheng channeled the spiritual energy deluge into his Core Energy Sea, distilling it into Golden Core True Essence.

After an hour, the spiritual energy flow halted sharply, his cultivation leaping from Golden Core First Layer to late Golden Core Second Level, brushing the edge of Third Level.

But…

Doubt creased Zhao Sheng's brow as a nagging thought surfaced, "When exactly did I visit the Burial Immortal Ruins? Why is it all a blank? Unless…"

As realization dawned, he focused his spirit, materializing in the Purple Mansion Space, peering silently at the Endless Soul Sea below, and softly calling, "Emerge, Hundred Generations Book!"

The instant the notion formed, a jade volume rose from the Soul Sea's depths.

The volume unfurled, pages flipping rapidly through eight before halting at the ninth.

With his mind fixed, a cascade of lifelike, animated visions bloomed from the empty page.

Ah, so that's the truth!