Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1537 - 831: Jixian Island (2)

At the conclusion, Golden Core Master Ruolin abruptly seized the jade scroll, rose to his feet, and saluted his longtime companion with cupped hands: "I've got urgent matters to handle, so let's wrap up our drinking session for today—charge the bill to my account. My apologies, I must depart now."

"Heh heh, safe travels!" The old man with the red nose remained seated firmly, offering a casual salute with his hands, and promptly observed his companion's exit.

Once his companion had departed from the Treasure Restaurant, the red-nosed old man abruptly rose, scanned the surroundings, and moved toward another patron in the Golden Core Realm.

"Fellow Daoist, this is Liu Wu, an old man offering greetings..."

…

As the red-nosed old man discreetly peddled the jade scrolls, undercurrents churned fiercely in Jiuxuan City, where innumerable factions sprang into action upon the news, each striving to uncover the background and details concerning Master Shaoling.

Millions of cultivators populate Jiuxuan City, and artifact refiners are far from rare. Yet, those who forge Spiritual Treasures flawlessly every time remain exceedingly uncommon.

Grandmasters of Shaoling's caliber, hailed as "peerless experts," are typically scouted early by ancient Immortal Sects and other supreme immortal powers, seldom making public appearances.

The sudden emergence of an Artifact Refining Master skilled in crafting personalized lifebound spiritual treasures naturally sparked immense thrill and delight among countless Divinity Transformation True Monarchs.

For every Divinity Transformation True Monarch, possessing a Spiritual Treasure to shield during the Void Crossing Thunder Tribulation represents an entirely distinct scenario.

Guarded by a Spiritual Treasure, the odds of success rise by no less than thirty percent!

Lacking a Spiritual Treasure's safeguard, attempting to pass the tribulation equates to inevitable doom!

Even safeguarded by a Spiritual Treasure, the chances of advancing to Returning to Void remain quite low, yet when pitted against sure death, that thirty percent shot inspires countless Divinity Transformation True Monarchs to risk everything.

This underscores the intense desire these Divinity Transformation True Monarchs harbor for Master Shaoling.

All of this aligned precisely with Zhao Sheng's foresight.

Thus, following the creation of the third Spiritual Treasure, the Heavenly Crane Treasure Armor, numerous Divinity Transformation True Monarchs swiftly arrived bearing gifts, humbly submitting calling cards in hopes that the esteemed grandmaster would deign to receive them.

Zhao Sheng gathered the calling cards and examined them carefully, indeed spotting over seventy varieties of the Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures essential to his needs.

Nevertheless, on this occasion, Zhao Sheng refrained from welcoming any visitors right away, opting instead to seal his doors shut.

Occasionally, allowing tensions to simmer a bit proves a shrewd tactic!

Within the depths of Heavenly Number Six Cave Mansion, Zhao Sheng positioned himself cross-legged upon the Ten Thousand Year Clear God Jade Bed, immersing in silent meditation.

In the enigmatic void, stars materialized one by one, each pulsing with an elusive, otherworldly radiance.

Amid the expansive stellar array, three stars shone most vividly, one blazing like a mighty sun, another profound as a black hole, and the third a grand star encircled by myriad "satellites."

The "Great Sun" blazed with overwhelming brilliance, its mere proximity evoking a sensation of the Divine Soul aflame, rendering it utterly inaccessible.

In stark contrast, the black hole-like enigmatic star devoured all Divine Thought cast into it, vanishing utterly as if consumed by some horrifying entity.

This particular star posed far too great a peril to select!

After prolonged contemplation, Zhao Sheng settled on the grand star orbited by others.

This star gleamed in a profound azure hue, evoking an endless sea; the deeper one peered, the more it captivated, harboring profound "Tao and principles."

With a mere shift in intent, an intangible strand of soul extended into the shadowy mystery, abruptly linking with the azure grand star.

The instant afterward, Zhao Sheng disappeared tracelessly from the serene chamber.

Upon reopening his eyes, a fresh world unfolded before him.

Everywhere his gaze fell, the terrain and vistas appeared crystalline, as though sculpted from myriad premium ice crystals, with icy forests and vast forsaken palaces emitting a spectral chill glow.

This realm resembled a divine artisan's creation, blending exquisite finesse and ethereal beauty amid the desolation, akin to the fabled Immortal Spirit Treasure Realm.

Yet, within the myriad translucent crystals, oddities lay entombed—such as peculiar skeletal remains, stones and pebbles in assorted sizes, shattered blades, swords, steles, wheels, seals, and various fragmented magical treasures, alongside even more peculiar artifacts.

The site evoked an icy domain, though devoid of any chill.

Zhao Sheng tilted his head skyward, beholding the firmament like a lid, inky black and radiating deep ominousness.

More peculiarly, no clouds dotted the sky; the firmament seemed congealed in shadow, empty yet exuding unyielding solidity.

Suddenly, Zhao Sheng rose, swiveling to eye a distant lofty "Ice Mountain."

As the colossal form rounded the "Ice Mountain" with broad steps, he narrowed his eyes faintly, his right hand easing back into his robe sleeve.

The approaching figure towered nine feet tall, his flesh shimmering golden, features akin to the Human Clan's but with a single eye.

Erudite and informed, Zhao Sheng instantly identified the being as a member of the famed One-eyed Giant Clan, celebrated throughout the All Heavens and Universes.

One-eyed Giants share kinship with the Human Clan, boasting innate robust physiques. Typically, they possess limited intellect and cannot cultivate.

Yet, rare prodigies among them boast innate wisdom, often with resolute wills and pure Dao hearts, ascending swiftly to lofty cultivation heights.

Furthermore, One-eyed Giants exhibit potent fertility, birthing twice yearly with several young per litter.

The One-eyed Giant halted five yards distant, scrutinized Zhao Sheng thoroughly, and inquired in a gruff tone, "Human Clan cultivator, I am Bai Hemi. What name do you bear?"

"I am Zhao Wuming. Might I ask, what realm is this?"

"Hand over a Top-grade Spirit Stone, and I'll reveal this place's identity," the One-eyed Giant declared bluntly.

Hearing this, Zhao Sheng flicked forth a Top-grade Spirit Stone the size of a fist.

The One-eyed Giant extended a hand to snag the Top-grade Spirit Stone and promptly declared, "Commit this to memory: you stand on Jixian Island."

Zhao Sheng nodded and pressed further, "Could you tell me if workshops exist here?"

"One piece... Never mind, take this one free. Workshops abound, more than a few. Should you desire to visit, I can guide you, though a fee for guidance applies."

Noting the sly glint in the One-eyed Giant's eye, Zhao Sheng skipped haggling and simply hurled two Top-grade Spirit Stones his way.

The One-eyed Giant's face lit up with joy, his elongated arm swiftly snatching the pair of Top-grade Spirit Stones.

"Generous indeed! Across more than a millennium, you're the most open-handed Human Clan cultivator I've encountered. Come along!"

Thereupon, the One-eyed Giant pivoted and strode away, utterly unguarded.

Zhao Sheng's gaze flickered subtly as he trailed after in silence.

A keen observer would note his footfalls aligning precisely with the One-eyed Giant's prints.

During their journey, Zhao Sheng posed query after query, lavishly dispensing Top-grade Spirit Stones one by one.

The One-eyed Giant grinned broadly, pocketing the Top-grade Spirit Stones while responding fluidly to each inquiry.

In Bai Hemi's domain, Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures abound aplenty, but Top-grade Spirit Stones were exhausted long ago by forebears, rendering each worth a fortune.

Via this exchange of questions and replies, Zhao Sheng pieced together a broad overview of Jixian Island.

Jixian Island spans impressively, measuring three thousand miles across, strewn with ruins and eons of accumulated "debris."

Incidentally, all this "debris" tumbles from above.

Per Bai Hemi's narration,

With that, the One-eyed Giant turned and walked off without any guard.

Zhao Sheng’s eyes slightly flickered, moving quietly to follow.

If one looked closely, it was not difficult to notice that where he stepped perfectly overlapped with the One-eyed Giant’s footsteps.

As they walked along the way, Zhao Sheng repeatedly asked questions, generously giving out one Top-grade Spirit Stone after another.

The One-eyed Giant beamed, collecting the Top-grade Spirit Stones and fluently answering every question.

In the world where Bai Hemi resides, Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures are not scarce, only Top-grade Spirit Stones have long since been completely mined by predecessors, so each one can fetch astronomical prices.

Through this question and answer session, Zhao