Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1526 - 826: Subjugation (Part 2)

In that instant, a Green-winged Roc soared rapidly through the crimson clouds, racing toward the Heavenly Rift Valley with astonishing velocity.

Lord Zhao’s face twisted in alarm, and he rose to his feet without delay. His Lifebound Flying Sword morphed into a dazzling sword rainbow, shielding an area of ten feet surrounding him.

Within moments, the Green-winged Roc crossed above the Heavenly Rift Valley. Its silhouette expanded vastly, becoming more imposing, nearly eclipsing the heavens.

Right when Lord Zhao’s spirits plummeted, bracing to perish alongside his foe, a lofty silhouette abruptly descended from the Roc’s back.

Lord Zhao’s eyes narrowed sharply, a look of utter disbelief spreading across his features.

"This... this..." Shock rendered him nearly speechless.

Zhao Sheng touched down about a dozen feet distant, offering a gentle smile as he inclined his head and cupped his hands in salute, "Lord, how have you been since our parting?"

As his words ended, a shrill eagle screech resounded from above.

The Green-winged Roc then dove steeply, its frame contracting swiftly during the fall.

When it settled close to the pair, it had shifted into a youth clad in a feather robe, with slit-like eyes and a hooked beak-like nose—the very son of the Demon Emperor, Jun Tianxing.

Lord Zhao angled his head somewhat, eyeing this youth radiating intense Devil Qi, whose countenance bore a crafty smirk, and he couldn’t suppress a gulp of apprehension.

No fight was needed; a single look confirmed the adversary’s power surpassed his by far.

Moreover, the Green-winged Roc hailed from an Ancient True Spirit lineage, inherently superior to human cultivators at equivalent levels.

"Who might this Young Master be..." Lord Zhao quelled his inner turmoil and inquired with strained composure.

Jun Tianxing lifted his chin haughtily, snorting dismissively, "Hmph, I... I serve as the Young Master’s... mount."

Midway in his brag, catching the Young Master’s look, he toned down swiftly, altering his statement right away.

"What? A mount!" Lord Zhao stood stunned for a second, scarcely crediting what he heard.

The Green-winged Roc lineage had forever been exceedingly arrogant, so when had they grown so tame as to declare themselves a mount?

Zhao Sheng eyed Jun Tianxing and remarked evenly, "Xiao Xing, mind your manners. Approach and show respect to Old Clan Chief Zhao."

Jun Tianxing shuddered throughout and bowed posthaste, "Little Demon Jun Tianxing, greets Old Clan Chief Zhao."

At these words, Lord Zhao’s pulse raced, and he cupped his hands back promptly, "Excellent, excellent, old man Zhao Zhuanggong also pays respects to Taoist Jun."

Once done, Lord Zhao directed an unreadable stare toward Zhao Sheng.

Zhao Sheng stayed composed and stated deliberately, "Lord, I know you’re brimming with queries at present. Yet this isn’t the spot for such talks. Shall we seek a secluded area, where I can clarify all?"

"Very well, Taoist Zhao and Young Master Jun, come with me!" Lord Zhao consented at once upon hearing this.

Before long, the pair of men and the demon stepped into a concealed cave dwelling under the Heavenly Rift Valley.

Next, the cave dwelling’s barrier engaged, sealing the entrance for an extended duration.

...

Time flew by across the years, with the demon beast numbers in the Heavenly Rift Valley shrinking steadily each year.

Following multiple years of rebuilding, the Three Yin Evil Acupoints evolved into a fortified and robust stronghold.

Lately, signs of vitality emerged in the city as numerous clansmen kept relocating from Yuewu Mountain, pushing the populace past one thousand.

On a certain day, an enormous silver-white ship abruptly appeared from the skies, suspending itself over the fortress.

Not much later, a sword rainbow burst forth from within the city, streaking southward.

To the southwest of Heavenly Rift Valley stretched a serene lake with gently undulating emerald waters, a faint haze drifting atop it, guarding against the blazing sunlight.

As a vivid sword rainbow sliced through the lake’s haze, a gourd-like isle emerged in its midst.

The sword rainbow alighted on the isle, promptly unveiling Lord Zhao’s form.

Lord Zhao paid no heed to the nearby vistas, hurrying into a modest courtyard of tiled green roofs and crimson walls to meet the proprietor, who was nurturing blooms.

"Shaoling, disaster looms!" Lord Zhao cried out in urgency the instant they encountered each other.

Zhao Sheng rose upright and erected a barrier around the juvenile Demon God Flower prior to inquiring, "Lord, what’s got you in such a fright?"

Lord Zhao Zhuanggong drew a jade resembling a mountain from his robe, displayed it momentarily, and spoke with creased forehead: "The Mountain and River Sect has sent the Mountain Order, demanding one Nascent Soul cultivator and three Golden Core cultivators to present themselves at the primary base. Failure to arrive in three months means our clan’s total extermination."

Zhao Sheng inclined his head, musing: "I understand. It appears the initial clash of arms is set to begin."

Lord Zhao Zhuanggong vented furiously: "Almost certainly! Zhao Chongnan warned of this often before. I had assumed our clan’s frailty would spare us selection. Little did I expect the Mountain and River Sect’s cruelty and overbearing nature? This tactic plainly seeks to shatter our Zhao Family’s core."

Zhao Sheng stepped nearer and declared gravely: "The Mountain Order leaves the Zhao Family no choice but to obey. Maybe... Zhao Chongnan crossed someone in their ranks?"

"Uh??" Lord Zhao Zhuanggong’s heart jolted, his face twitching unwittingly.

"This... could well be true!"

For years, human and demon clans had clashed along the Great Wilderness Swamp, with war hanging in the balance.

All knew the opening direct confrontation would prove the fiercest, bloodiest, and most savage, so scant cultivation families desired to serve as mere fodder.

Thus, the Mountain and River Sect’s heads not only boosted incentives but resorted to various intimidations and persuasions.

Compelling the subordinate forces’ heads to the front was just one such forceful tactic.

As a genuine disciple, Zhao Chongnan’s position in the Mountain and River Sect ought to exempt him from conscription.

Yet events unfolded contrariwise, leaving the matter deeply puzzling.

"Any word from Chongnan?" Zhao Sheng pressed further.

Lord Zhao Zhuanggong shook his head, replying: "None, though at the prior assembly, he bade me not to fret, claiming he’d secured an edict from Master Hundred Eyes Ancestor. Never imagined he’d receive the Mountain Order!"

"Never mind, let’s set aside Chongnan’s situation and address our immediate concern. Zhao Zhuanggong, whom do you intend to dispatch to the vanguard?"

Lord Zhao Zhuanggong appeared vexed and exhaled deeply: "I’m undecided. Shaoling, any suggestions?"

He shifted the burden over.

Zhao Sheng grasped his aim and responded straightforwardly: "Master Ming Yue fits as one, Zhao Yongxian won’t do, nor will the rest. Earlier, I incidentally crafted some Golden Core Formation Pills and Dragon Tiger Nourishing God Pills. They’re ready for use now."

Hearing this, Lord Zhao Zhuanggong’s face grew solemn, and after brief reflection, he breathed a soft sigh: "Fine, so be it."

Zhao Sheng’s eyes flickered, and he abruptly turned his palm, producing two vials—one white, one green.

He flung them casually, while cautioning: "Have each take one Dragon Tiger Nourishing God Pill first, followed by a Golden Core Formation Pill. It ought to boost core formation odds by half. Still, enduring the tribulation rests on destiny."

The "they" Zhao Sheng meant were the seven or eight Zhao Family Foundation Establishment youths at peak perfection.

Through prolonged ordeals of survival, though many Foundation Establishment youths fell, the survivors had hit their peaks and merely needed the trial.

Zhao Sheng refrained from asking, and Lord Zhao Zhuanggong avoided broaching it, both silently bypassing the pivotal matter.

A month on, tribulation clouds amassed over the Heavenly Rift Valley, spiritual energy of the world rushing in from every side, swiftly crafting a huge vortex of spiritual energy.

Soon after, several arm-thick bolts of pale blue thunder crashed down from the firmament, marking the start of the Golden Core Thunder Tribulation.

...

Fall gave way to winter, and swiftly, the icy, snow-laden season arrived.

Across the snow-draped peaks, a five-hued lucky cloud abruptly appeared, gliding in.

The lucky cloud reached a lofty, sheer cliff soon enough, easing downward.

Moments later, a band of azure light streaked across the sky, covering vast swaths of the dome before hurtling toward the sheer cliff like a shooting star.

"This little one pays respects to the master!" Jun Tianxing landed swiftly, beholding his master scanning the horizon, and bowed with haste.

Zhao Sheng pivoted, regarding him steadily, and uttered softly: "Have you fetched the goods?"

Jun Tianxing dared not dally and at once produced a dark Sumeru Ring, proffering it with outstretched palms:

"To the master, I’ve assembled most of the Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures you specified, yet the Mirage Dragon Cloud Crystal, Ten Earthly Miasma, Treasure Light Blood Crystal, Transformation Ginseng Essence, 昙光 Golden Core... nineteen items prove excessively scarce, and I failed to obtain them promptly. I beg your pardon, master." Jun Tianxing answered meekly.

Zhao Sheng extended his hand to claim the Sumeru Ring, probing its interior with Divine Thought, noting twenty-six Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures in all, plus more than a hundred Top-grade Spirit Stones.

Included were Pocket World Jade, Sumeru Stone, Void Nether Stone, and similar space-time treasures.

This reflected Jun Tianxing’s thorough diligence.