Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1511 - 817: Suspicion of Alien Demons, Birth of the Lifebound Magic Treasure (Part 3)

Previously on Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension...
Zhao Yongxian and Zhao Sheng reflected on the Water Mansion's dark secret as a demon crab's lair, where thousands of Foundation Establishment cultivators perished over two millennia, fueling fears of a broader conspiracy involving the Alien Demon Clan or demonic collusion that could have infiltrated the human realms through brainwashed traitors. Though bound by oaths to silence the scandal, Zhao Sheng pondered these threats but set them aside amid his recent Golden Core breakthrough, instead suppressing a captured lake crab and securing forging materials from Wanyou Trading Company. Months later, in a spirit-rich cave beneath Seven Stars Island, he refined over three hundred flawless Third-Order Spirit Pills using a Five-Colored Dao Lotus and array of Fire Lotuses, culminating in a ritual invocation of five elemental True Fires and Tao True Texts to harmonize the nascent Lifebound Magic Treasure.

Simultaneously, from within his chest burst a head-sized Sumeru Stone of pristine clarity, which plunged straight into the Five-Colored True Flame in a flash, starting its refinement and incineration under the blaze.

The Sumeru Stone bobbed amid the inferno, shrinking noticeably as it went, with faint trails of dark smoke occasionally rising from its exterior, only to get devoured instantly by the True Flame's ferocity.

Time wore on, rendering the Sumeru Stone ever more translucent and pure, its form shifting from a simple bead-like orb into a circular mirror spanning about a foot wide, boasting a flawless reflective face where every detail stood out with sharp precision.

From Zhao Sheng's forehead radiated a brilliant five-colored glow, his Divine Sense fracturing into thousands of threads—half delving into the heart of the Sumeru Stone mirror, the other half coaxing the Five-Colored Dao Lotus to unfurl petal by petal.

In the instant the Dao Lotus achieved full bloom, a Five-Colored Stone lifted from beneath, drawn by an unseen force, soaring to the Sumeru Stone mirror and fusing seamlessly in a heartbeat.

Immediately after, the Five-Colored Dao Lotus's glow erupted in brilliance, abruptly shifting to a vivid yellow, which merged into the mirror's rear side in the wink of an eye and vanished without trace.

Moments later, a multitude of intricate Dao Patterns sprang forth on the stone mirror's back, featuring a vibrant yellow lotus at its core that pulsed with vitality, its petals flowing with the cadence of the Dao, while the entirety exuded an aura of immense, ineffable profundity.

"The Tao of Earth, True Text like a vast sea, now scoop with a ladle, refine Tao to merge truths... Central Sumeru Mirror, forged complete!"

His voice boomed with intensity as Zhao Sheng's entire figure lit up in splendor, a colossal five-colored hand thrusting forth from his Core Energy Sea to snatch the stone mirror from the Fire Sea, yanking it back with lightning speed.

A flicker of light later, the Central Sumeru Mirror settled into the Core Energy Sea at last, where the supremely refined Golden Core True Essence would gradually nourish and temper it.

Upon that fateful day, Zhao Sheng completed forging his very first Lifebound Magic Treasure, the Central Sumeru Mirror—the chief among the Five Directions Five Elements Cave Heaven Mirrors, born with the power to foster all existence and harbor the vast universe inside.

...

Azure skies towered overhead, ochre earth sprawled solidly below, the sun's warmth contrasting the moon's chill, all simmering the span of human lives.

Five years drifted by unnoticed; in those years, Zhao Sheng made another trip to the Burial Immortal Ruins, his cultivation base advancing steadily to Late-stage Golden Core.

Over that interval, he managed to forge the second and third Lifebound Treasure Mirrors with success: the Eastern Kongsang Mirror and the Western Xiantang Mirror.

As autumn took hold, the air turned sharper with each passing day. That day, a Silver White Cloud Boat stretching more than ten yards sliced through the clouds to touch down on Seven Stars Island.

Soon enough, a middle-aged man bearing the marks of weathered journeys stepped into the Lakeside Pavilion, where he promptly encountered the Island Master.

Spotting the newcomer, Zhao Sheng quipped with a grin, "Guess who? It's you, kid. Take a seat."

Chen Polu perched awkwardly on a chair, flashing an awkward smile, "Ol... boss, how have you been doing these years?"

With a smile, Zhao Sheng replied, "Well, doing great! But you, kid, haven't dropped by since hitting Foundation Establishment a few years back. Showing up now means you've got a reason! Out with it—what do you want from me?"

Chen Polu's cheeks colored faintly with embarrassment as he murmured, "Boss, you get me—these years, I've been rushing around, tied up with stuff outside and no free time. This visit's only happening because the Family Head pushed for it so I could see you."

Eh?

At those words, Zhao Sheng picked up on the undertone and asked sharply, "Does this mean the Zhao Family's gearing up for some major plays lately?"

Chen Polu nodded vigorously, "Boss, your sharp insight never fails to amaze. These past two years, the family's set everything in place, just biding time for the perfect chance to kick off a fresh push into the Outer Domains.

That's why the Family Head sent me with this message—he's hoping you'll join the fight in this round of exploration."

Those words made Zhao Sheng's brows crease deeper and deeper, drawing him into a thoughtful silence he couldn't shake.