Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1542 - 834: Laying Low in the Lower Realm, Preparing for Crossing Tribulation After a Century

Daze Realm, Songshan Square.

Inside the cave mansion's depths, a lofty silhouette suddenly materialized in the expansive and refined hidden chamber.

Huangfu Yuli had only just come back to the Lower Realm, without even a moment to rest, when a huge surge of heaven and earth's spiritual energy burst forth from his four limbs and torso.

He promptly assumed a cross-legged position, shut his eyes, and concentrated entirely on taming the wild spiritual energy inside him, rapidly converting it into Foundation Establishment Spiritual Power.

Within mere moments, a deluge of fluid spiritual power cascaded down fiercely, clearly swelling and broadening the dantian spiritual power whirlpool, propelling his cultivation forward at breakneck speed like a soaring missile.

As Huangfu Yuli immersed himself completely in processing the incoming spiritual energy, a lithe form silently emerged at his back.

Zhao Sheng’s forehead shimmered faintly, and a Five-Colored Dao Lotus manifested behind him, translucent as jade, its layers quivering nonstop, on the verge of unfolding.

His divine sense swept through his body and limbs like surging waves, drawing the vast heaven and earth's spiritual energy into the central energy ocean, purifying it in a flash.

The obstacle to the Nascent Soul Ninth Layer felt like a fragile membrane that shattered instantly, letting Zhao Sheng smoothly attain the Nascent Soul Ninth Layer with ease.

Huangfu Yuli stayed oblivious to the events unfolding behind, still deeply focused on refining the spiritual energy with his eyes closed.

Zhao Sheng surveyed the hidden chamber, sending his divine sense outward like spreading waves in every direction, as the image of the magic domain at his back gradually dissolved.

Instantly, every sight within eight hundred miles entered his awareness.

After an hour, Zhao Sheng gradually pulled back his divine sense, now familiar with the area's traditions and ways.

He was located in a cultivation bazaar called Songshan Square, which wasn't vast in scale, featuring just three avenues and two halls, supported by a single second-order high-grade spirit vein below ground.

Songshan Square was founded and is now managed by the Qinglu Qing Clan.

The Qinglu Qing Clan holds considerable might, boasting not just a Golden Core Realm Ancestor leading the family, but also seventeen Foundation Establishment Elders, along with hundreds of Qi Refinement family members, establishing it as the dominant power across a thousand miles without question.

Notably, Huangfu Yuli appears to have joined the Qinglu Qing Clan, since when security patrols went past the cave mansion, one mentioned casually that it belonged to the Guest Elder and ought not to be interrupted.

Zhao Sheng had earlier heard from Huangfu Yuli that his mentor, the Old Man Nanhua, ranked among the scarce experts in the Daze Realm and had achieved late-stage Nascent Soul cultivation prior to vanishing.

It seems now that Huangfu Yuli is lurking in the spiritually thin Songshan Square, likely aiming to mask his true self.

Following a quick reflection, Zhao Sheng grasped his motive right away—simply to evade formidable foes or the like.

The swift ascent of Old Man Nanhua is an uncommon sight in the Daze Realm over thousands of years, and such rapid progress naturally breeds certain adversaries.

One could easily picture that only fellow realm cultivators at Nascent Soul level could pose as Old Man Nanhua’s foes!

Furthermore, as the old saying goes, "All under heaven scramble for profit, all hustle for benefit!"

Old Man Nanhua’s cultivation progressed far too fast, and to any sharp observer, it was clear he possessed "a great secret."

During his days, his power stood unmatched, with no peers in the realm to challenge him, so of course, none dared eye his hidden knowledge.

However... several years back, he abruptly vanished in puzzling fashion, and with passing time, his pupil Huangfu Yuli inevitably drew the attention of numerous Nascent Soul Ancestors, all eager to reveal the "secret" of Old Man Nanhua.

Huangfu Yuli, as the sole successor to Old Man Nanhua, turns into the mark for those "enemies" bent on vengeance now without his teacher's shield, forcing him to conceal his name and roam distant lands.

...

Half a month flew by swiftly.

Huangfu Yuli gradually parted his eyelids, revealing two bolts of electric glow buried in his irises. His features lit with delight, he rose swiftly, and a barrage of popping noises rang out across his frame.

Right then, a chuckle erupted from the rear: "Haha, you finally woke up?"

Huangfu Yuli jolted fiercely, his hairs rising, a cold shiver racing along his back.

He spun around at once, while thrusting his palms to unleash over a dozen beams of streaming light.

Zhao Sheng flicked his sleeve upon seeing this, and the beams of streaming light froze in the air, reverting to slender and sheer tiny blades resembling cicada wings.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The sheer tiny blades dropped to the floor successively, producing a string of sharp clinks, instantly rousing the stunned Huangfu Yuli.

Huangfu Yuli, as though emerging from a trance, hastily offered a deep bow and stated, "This junior didn’t know that Senior Zhao was here. I acted rashly out of fear just now. I hope the senior can forgive me."

Zhao Sheng regarded him with a grin, and remarked with a light smile, "It’s no problem, after all, ignorance is no crime!"

Huangfu Yuli sensed relief at his words, displaying a straightforward and sincere grin once more: "Well... why did you... why?"

"Haha, you little rascal!" Zhao Sheng laughed and jested, "I have matters to attend to in this lower realm. As for the rest, do you want to know, kid?"

"No, no, this junior misspoke. I don’t want to know, not at all." Huangfu Yuli answered, drenched in sweat, as he quickly shook his hands to clarify.

He was fully aware that knowing too much sped up one's demise.

This principle Huangfu Yuli grasped thoroughly, or else he wouldn't have sought refuge in such an out-of-the-way spot like Songshan Square.

"Smart of you!" Zhao Sheng jested, then added gravely, "I must leave, but before I go, I wanted to say goodbye to you. Oh, by the way!"

While speaking, Zhao Sheng drew a jade talisman from his sleeve and flung it over casually.

"Take this talisman. If disaster befalls you in the future, just crush it, and it will ensure your survival!"

At these words, Huangfu Yuli gripped the jade talisman firmly, bending low in salute with an expression brimming with thanks, offering repeated gratitude.

Zhao Sheng dismissed it with a casual wave and declared, "We are destined to meet again, so it will happen naturally. I take my leave now!"