Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1536: 831: Jixian Island

As winter fades and spring arrives, all things awaken to new life.

Day after day, the heat intensifies, causing the Ancient Bitter Rong Tree to grow even more luxuriant and robust.

Its vast canopy, resembling a colossal umbrella that eclipses the sun, obstructs the majority of the rays, delivering a hint of refreshment to the workshop beneath.

Positioned on the second tier of the canopy, the Treasure Restaurant attracts hordes of cultivators each day, who savor global gourmet delights while picking up city intelligence.

Throughout the previous two months, a certain name has surged in popularity within discussions.

This buzz peaked especially following the triumphant forging of the Spirit Treasure Level flying sword named Seven Seas Imperfection Sword, transforming the swirling tales of Master Shaoling into the hottest topic among cultivators.

“Master Shaoling, is he really that amazing? Laozi doesn’t believe it!”

Within the Treasure Restaurant, at a table near the window, a Golden Core Master, mildly inebriated from wine, abruptly launches into a debate with his companion.

The companion sharing the table is a red-nosed elderly man, who lets out a chuckle: “Hehe, Brother Lin, you doubt it? Allow me to inform you. Seven months back, Elder Huo Long approached Master Shaoling. Imagine this, in merely three months, a Spirit Treasure Level Divine Weapon called Fire Dragon Spear was forged without hassle.

Four months prior, Master Shaoling even managed to mend the Flying Bear Saber that had shattered into pieces. Keep in mind, this Flying Bear Saber carries a fearsome legacy; it served as the lifebound spiritual treasure for our city’s Deputy City Lord, the Nanpo Ancestor, prior to his Returning to Void. This item holds tremendous importance to the Deputy City Lord…

And seven days ago, while you were in cultivation, did you catch that faint crane’s call?”

The man pays close attention, nods instinctively, then abruptly displays shock and cries out, “Could that crane’s cry possibly be…?”

“Exactly! It marked the initial spiritual cry from the Heavenly Crane Treasure Armor, the cherished possession of the previous Family Head of the Bei Hai Clan, as it released Wisdom Light.

In a mere half-year span, the Fire Dragon Spear, Seven Seas Imperfection Sword, and Heavenly Crane Treasure Armor—three spiritual treasures all crafted by Master Shaoling. As for the confidential ones, heaven knows the count!”

With that, the red-nosed old man gives a sly laugh, glances about first, then pivots back, and employs Divine Sense for sound transmission: “Take a good look at the number of ‘prominent figures’ who’ve shown up today.”

The man feels a jolt, swiftly swivels his head to survey the nearby tables and Jade Couches.

To his astonishment, enigmatic stares emerge from every direction.

This Golden Core Master meets those stares directly, his heart racing in terror. He quickly averts his eyes and ducks his head submissively.

No helping it, the scene was utterly intimidating!

The patrons nearby consisted mostly of Nascent Soul Realm powerhouses, with only a few Golden Core Masters present, including those at his own table.

And those were merely the common areas; considering the private chambers, who can say how many Divinity Transformation True Monarchs lurk within, or even a Half-Immortal of the Void.

“Notice anything? I’d wager at least eighty percent of these powerhouses are here chasing Master Shaoling.” The red-nosed old man sends another Divine Sense message: “Yet, they stand no chance. Master Shaoling is scorching with demand right now—what shot do simple Nascent Souls have at seeing him? Even Divinity Transformation True Monarchs face slim odds. Only a Half-Immortal of the Void or someone offering a treasure that stirs the Great Grandmaster’s interest might succeed.”

During his words, the red-nosed individual suddenly slides out a Jade Scroll, gently nudging it toward his friend.

Golden Core Master Ruolin accepts the Jade Scroll and peers within, his gaze igniting at once as he transmits: “Is this information accurate?”

“Rest assured! With our friendship spanning over three centuries, why would I mislead you? Beyond the initial one hundred and eighty-three items, should you secure one of the remaining ninety-two Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, you’ll gain an opportunity for Master Shaoling to craft something for you.

Moreover, here’s a confidential tidbit. Our Great Grandmaster excels not just in Artifact Refining but surpasses even that in Alchemy Skill. After acquiring the treasure, the Fire Dragon Taoist didn’t rely solely on the Fire Dragon Spear; he also ingested a Five-Turn Dragon Tiger Golden Pill in secret, fueling his rapid power surge and streak of seven triumphs.”

Master Ruolin mutters inwardly in amazement: “Incredible, I figured the Fire Dragon Taoist’s victories stemmed from wielding a Spiritual Treasure. Never imagined the real story behind it.

Do you suppose… the Fire Dragon Taoist could… claim the top spot?!”

As he poses the question, the red-nosed old man’s wine cup halts midway, his face turning grave.

He ponders briefly, then gradually sets the cup down, shakes his head, and exhales: “Tough, tough, as arduous as heaven’s ascent! Summiting is already a monumental challenge, let alone holding it undefiled for a century.”

In Jiuxuan City lies a renowned landmark known as the Mystic Spirit Tower.

Constructed concurrently with Jiuxuan City, this tower stands as the city’s most ancient edifice.

The Mystic Spirit Tower boasts ninety-nine levels, each functioning as an arena. Climbers advance floor by floor, winners press onward, while the defeated either depart or opt to guard the tower’s arena.

Any cultivator who conquers the peak and stays unbeaten for a hundred years earns the prospect of apprenticeship under the Red Cloud Venerable.

Even without the Great Venerable’s direct favor, one could at least join as a disciple of the Great Venerable’s disciple. Gaining entry into the Great Venerable’s lineage equates to soaring to the heavens in one leap, offering strong prospects for Reaching Returning to Void or even a faint shot at Grotto Heaven creation.

Across more than a million years, myriad souls have scaled the summit, yet only six thousand seven hundred and thirty-one gifted individuals, blending luck and might, have held their arena for a full century.

From those six thousand seven hundred and thirty-one, just over twenty entered the Great Venerable’s personal fold, with only three dropping out en route, the others all attaining Returning to Void. Four even rose to Integration Realm Great Powers.

“While summiting proves challenging, hope isn’t entirely absent! The Fire Dragon Taoist sits five levels shy of the top. Should fortune allow him to reach it someday, wouldn’t the Fire Dragon Taoist overturn his destiny? It’s no surprise so many powerhouses converge here today.”