Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1512 - 818: Return to Yuewu Mountain, Outer Domain Expedition Imminent

Venturing into the Outer Domain of the Taiyi Spirit Realm remains an incredibly challenging endeavor.

Outside the Human Clan’s Spirit Domain stretch immense mysterious territories, filled with countless Alien Races and mighty demon beast clans. Every stretch of ground brimming with Spiritual Energy falls under the control of a mighty "outcast force."

Across endless ages, wave after wave of Outer Domain expeditions have been undertaken, with plenty concluding in failure or total wipeout.

Forget minor powers such as the Three Extremes Zhao Family—even second- or third-tier sects boasting multiple Divinity Transformation experts hesitate to venture casually into the Outer Domain for claiming lands.

Zhao Sheng pondered deeply and eventually realized that among the various mighty factions in the Red Cloud Spirit Domain, only the Mountain and River Sect might possess the drive to launch an Outer Domain expedition.

This was because, seven hundred years prior, a stunning prodigy had arisen in the Mountain and River Sect. He attained Foundation Establishment by age sixteen, formed his Golden Core at fifty, and triumphed over the Nascent Soul Thunder Tribulation before reaching two hundred.

Following that, this genius pressed onward with relentless momentum and, on his thousandth birthday, boldly faced tribulation in full view, achieving breakthrough and earning renown across the entire Red Cloud Spirit Domain.

Seven hundred years back, this talent had also cleaved open the void with one sword strike in the Mountain and River Sect’s back mountains, striding successfully into the Dark Sky.

He then secluded himself for a hundred years, and upon reappearing, the realm learned he had shattered the Returning Void Heaven, rising to become a scarce Half-Immortal of the Void in that domain.

For six centuries, the Mountain and River Sect had geared up for Outer Domain ventures, striving to carve out a minor Spirit Domain beyond the Red Cloud Spirit Domain.

The Mountain and River Sect never hid its grand designs, making this ambition common knowledge.

During those six hundred years, myriad cultivation groups like the Three Extremes Zhao Family yearned to trail behind the Mountain and River Sect and snag a share of the massive prize that was Outer Domain exploration.

It now appeared the Mountain and River Sect was fully set and poised to mobilize its whole sect for a fresh wave of Outer Domain exploration.

"Let’s go!" Zhao Sheng abruptly rose and shouted to Chen Polu.

"What do you mean let’s go?" Chen Polu blinked in confusion, as though he failed to catch his leader’s drift.

Yet he caught on swiftly and understood the intent in his leader’s words, his face lighting up with delight: "Boss, does this mean you’ve agreed?"

"Yes, I intend to head to Yuewu Mountain and first learn what terms the Family Head can provide. Let’s go!"

Saying this, Zhao Sheng strode out from the chamber.

Brimming with excitement, Chen Polu rushed after him.

In no time, a Cloud Boat lifted off from the isle, vanishing swiftly amid the clouds.

...

Over twenty days flew by in an instant.

The Cloud Boat traversed broad lush farmlands and soared into a colossal mountain chain where summits rolled on endlessly.

Within the depths of those mountains rose imposing ridges, yet atop every peak sprawled expansive man-made spirit fields and herbal gardens.

In the valleys and level grounds, settlements of differing scales dotted the landscape, sustaining a populace exceeding a million amid the peaks.

At the heart of the range hid a enigmatic zone wrapped in heavy mist. Peaks flickered in and out of the dense haze, denoting the ancestral grounds of the Three Extremes Zhao Family, Yuewu Mountain.

The Cloud Boat dove into the thick fog, pressing ahead for close to a hundred miles until the mist parted abruptly, unveiling a sheer and awe-inspiring peak thrusting toward the heavens!

Piercing the outer Barrier, the Cloud Boat hurtled down toward the vast city nestled at the mountain’s foot.

Before long, Zhao Sheng found himself in the most opulent hall inside the city.

Positioned on the Dragon Rhinoceros Platform at the hall’s far end stood an enchanting lady in a pink silk gown, her bosom full and commanding, radiating boundless temptation from her gaze.

"Gulp..."

A gulp of saliva echoed from nearby, as Chen Polu stared entranced, utterly captivated.

Zhao Sheng flicked his sleeve sharply, gazing steadily at the alluring woman.

A sharp chill wind lashed Chen Polu’s face, snapping him back to clarity. Aware of his blunder, he bowed his head at once, avoiding further looks.

The alluring woman flashed a coy smile, hiked up her skirt to bare sleek pale legs, and slinked down the stairs toward Zhao Sheng like a serpent.

"What a bold youth—you must be Brother Sheng, the one in retreat at Thousand Island Lake. I’m Zhao Zhenzhen. Delighted to meet you, Mr. Zhao."

Zhao Sheng’s brow creased faintly, and he answered flatly, "I use the name Shaoling. Please address me by it, Senior."

Zhao Zhenzhen’s grin dimmed slightly, and after appraising him, she spoke gravely, "Very well, Daoist Shaoling, you can refer to me as Jue Ying!"

"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Jue Ying!" Zhao Sheng cupped his hands in polite salute.

"You may leave!" Zhao Zhenzhen shot a glance at Chen Polu, commanding icily.

"Yes." Chen Polu saluted with a bow, then spun around and exited the hall.

Moments later, Zhao Sheng and Zhao Zhenzhen ascended the platform and settled into their chairs.

After exchanging courtesies, Zhao Sheng cut to the chase, inquiring, "Is the Family Head here?"

"The Family Head has traveled to the Mountain and River Sect alongside the Ancestor and hasn’t come back yet. I’m handling family matters in the meantime. Has Daoist Shaoling come to discuss the Outer Domain exploration?" Zhao Zhenzhen asked with a warm smile.

"Indeed." Zhao Sheng answered directly.

"Even without your question, I would have raised it. Truth be told, the family has readied itself for this over three centuries. All is in place now, needing only that final push." Zhao Zhenzhen declared assuredly.

"Oh? I’m eager to learn about the family’s preparations?" Zhao Sheng asked curiously.

Zhao Zhenzhen’s eyes sparkled as she started her alluring rundown.

Some time later, Zhao Sheng quietly drank Spiritual Tea, offering no reply to Zhao Zhenzhen’s subtle probes.

Truth was, the Zhao Family’s terms were quite generous; should he join the venture, they’d allow him three days of unrestricted entry to the family’s Scripture Storage Tower.

Moreover, the Three Extremes Zhao Family promised a superior magic treasure and, upon victory, a Blessed Land for his Dao Field, its Spirit Vein at least third-tier.

On top of that, the Three Extremes Zhao Family had teamed up with the two key ally clans, He and Wei, for this Outer Domain push, joining forces to claim a domain.

The He and Wei clans weren’t feeble, each harboring a handful of Golden Core True Immortals.

The Pingmo He Family even retained a Nascent Soul Ancestor, making it just a touch inferior to the Three Extremes Zhao Family.

Through Zhao Zhenzhen’s account, Zhao Sheng gained a clear picture of the Three Extremes Zhao Family’s strength, which went beyond the three prominent Golden Cores to include a hidden Golden Core family member and two Golden Core Realm Guest Elders.

This hidden Golden Core family member held special rank, turning out to be a genuine disciple of the Mountain and River Sect.

Only after Zhao Zhenzhen disclosed it did Zhao Sheng fully comprehend the Zhao Family’s clever strategy; they weren’t overreaching but had schemed carefully for ages.

Thinking it over, the Zhao Family’s push into Outer Domain exploration could partly be clearing a path for that Golden Core family member.

Though Zhao Zhenzhen skipped it, Zhao Sheng was aware the Zhao Family’s Nascent Soul Ancestor neared the end of his Life Span, desperately requiring a fresh Nascent Soul Cultivator.

Among the current Zhao Family Golden Cores, a few had potential, but that unemerged true disciple appeared the prime candidate to conquer the Nascent Soul Thunder Tribulation.

Snapping from his reverie, Zhao Sheng saw Zhao Zhenzhen’s smile turning a bit forced and stated evenly, "I accept the offer. When can I encounter the other Golden Core fellow Taoists?"

Zhao Zhenzhen’s expression brightened fully, and she replied sincerely, "Uncle Xian departed ahead, and Yu Ru is occupied, but Master Ming Yue is at the back mountains now. I’ll take you to him."

Master Ming Yue served as another Golden Core Guest Minister, his cultivation whispered to hover at the fifth or sixth layer of Golden Core.

Zhao Zhenzhen spoke of him with assurance, probably because, swayed by her allure, he counted among her suitors.

Quickly, Zhao Sheng and Zhao Zhenzhen arrived at the back mountain and easily encountered the adoring Master Ming Yue.

...

A year and more zipped by unnoticed, and the Mountain and River Sect at last conducted a lavish heaven-worship rite.

In the rite, the Mountain and River Sect’s present Sect Leader openly declared that to secure the Human Clan’s eternal legacy and foster peace and abundance for all life, the sect would embark on a fresh Outer Domain exploration in a decade.

Post-rite, the Mountain and River Sect lavishly presented exploration charts to all attendees, showing only broad landscapes yet invaluable all the same.

Two months on, the Zhao Family Ancestor Zhao Zhuanggong, bearing the chart and two Golden Core youths, abruptly returned to the Zhao Clan’s ancestral site, Yuewu Mountain.

That same day, they convened Zhao Sheng, Zhao Zhenzhen (Jue Ying), Master Ming Yue, and the rest of the Golden Core True Immortals.

Zhao Sheng finally crossed paths with that Mountain and River Sect true disciple, Zhao Chongnan, whose looks were plain but whose cultivation shone brightly, at the Perfect Golden Core stage.

Though Zhao Chongnan strove to conceal his real prowess, Zhao Sheng’s senses couldn’t be fooled.