Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1549 - 837: Sea Demon Robe and Return to Jiuxuan City (2)

Zhao Sheng was on the verge of posing yet another query when the Tuberculosis Ghost dismissed it with a wave and pressed on, "I can tell what’s running through your head. The Sea Demon Robe doesn’t just mask one’s aura; it also shields somewhat from the Gun Sea’s corrupting influence. Yet, those aren’t the vital features. The crucial benefit is that donning the Sea Demon Robe stops those nameless horrors from spotting you."

"So... how exactly is the Sea Demon Robe crafted?" Zhao Sheng inquired directly upon hearing this.

Shaking his head, the Tuberculosis Ghost replied, "I have no idea, and the other Immortal Ruins visitors don’t either. Just the Immortal Ruins remnants hold the secret to forging the Sea Demon Robe."

"Then—"

Before Zhao Sheng could finish, the Tuberculosis Ghost cut in, "Whenever a sea calamity strikes, the Immortal Ruins survivors emerge. All we must do is bide our time."

After a brief pause, Zhao Sheng declared, "I’m willing to hand over this Sea Demon Skin, but only in trade for Principle Crystals."

"This..." The Tuberculosis Ghost appeared distressed, suddenly wavering.

Zhao Sheng waited calmly for an answer, inwardly wishing the man would turn it down.

But this time, his hopes were dashed.

Though the Tuberculosis Ghost felt a pang of regret at the idea, his craving for the Gun Sea overwhelmed him, leading him to grudgingly produce three Principle Crystals of different sizes and pass them to Zhao Sheng.

Taking a quick look, Zhao Sheng shook his head right away, "That won’t do! Judging by the biggest one, you ought to provide at least two more of equal size, no matter their Law Attribute."

"Don’t get too avaricious, fellow Daoist. The offer I’m making fairly covers this Sea Demon Skin," the Tuberculosis Ghost responded in a deep, firm voice.

"Very well, then you’re free to go."

With those words, Zhao Sheng flicked his wrist, drawing the Sea Demon Skin and the bundle of white spikes swiftly back into his grasp.

Filled with worry and fury, the Tuberculosis Ghost weighed the option of grabbing the items forcefully, yet he held back, unsure of Zhao Sheng’s actual power.

Spotting this, Zhao Sheng stoked the flames, "I’ll give you another hundred breaths. Once that passes, I’ll head back to my domain. You might rue this later, sir."

His statement struck a raw spot.

The moment he spoke, the Tuberculosis Ghost’s face shifted slightly, and he declared sharply, "I’ll buy this Sea Demon Skin. Take it."

No sooner had he uttered the words than he tossed out five Principle Crystals of assorted sizes.

Zhao Sheng’s thoughts raced, and with a mental command, an unseen giant palm gathered the five Principle Crystals, slipping them promptly into his sleeve.

Simultaneously, the Sea Demon Skin drifted softly toward the Tuberculosis Ghost, who tucked it away as well.

Zhao Sheng narrowed his eyes a bit, unable to spot how the fellow concealed the Sea Demon Skin.

"Are you interested in these Sea Demon Bone Spines, sir?"

The Tuberculosis Ghost nodded at once, "Of course! They may not serve much purpose, but they can be turned into a set of Water Dividing Needles. Still, I can only give two Pocket World Jades."

"Agreed!"

Zhao Sheng answered without delay.

Nodding in return, the Tuberculosis Ghost wasted no words and promptly withdrew two crystal-clear, hand-sized Pocket World Jades, swapping them for the white spikes bundle.

At last, Zhao Sheng clearly observed the man’s storage trick; that black robe he donned could hold items—utterly astonishing!

Curiosity gleamed in Zhao Sheng’s eyes, though he held back from questioning.

The cosmos brims with endless wondrous artifacts, and plenty of spatial treasures function inside the Burial Immortal Ruins. Zhao Sheng was aware of a couple, like the Void Pupil Pearl and the Big Belly Bag.

Transaction complete, the Tuberculosis Ghost rushed back to the Lower Realm, not staying a second more in the Ice Cave.

Watching this, Zhao Sheng pivoted and entered the workshop, starting to browse the various stalls for valuables.

After nearly an hour, Zhao Sheng had checked every stall and bought heaps of shattered magic treasure pieces from more than a dozen vendors.

In the Burial Immortal Ruins, these magic treasure shards displayed no special traits, but they could be smelted in the Bright Sun Mirror’s Heaven and Earth True Fire Pool to extract loads of Five Elements Essence and valuable spirit resources.

As a skilled Refining Master, Zhao Sheng could turn those refined materials to great advantage, reaping huge gains from little investment.

Once his workshop sweep ended, Zhao Sheng saw the Immortal Ruins guests staring at him, so he opted not to hang around and chose to "log off."

...

Three hundred miles beyond Jiuxuan City, Zhao Sheng materialized abruptly atop a hill.

With a resounding crash!

The hill crumbled without warning, exposing a vast crater thousands of feet wide.

Plunging into the crater, Zhao Sheng settled cross-legged swiftly and drew in the world’s spiritual energy, condensing it into mana droplets.

Since reaching Divinity Transformation, his swift cultivation gains had vanished, leaving his power growth at just one-tenth of before.

Zhao Sheng had anticipated this long ago and didn’t fuss over it.

The process, lasting about the time to sip a cup of tea, wrapped up with a minor boost to his cultivation, equaling half a year of tough training.

Opening his eyes, Zhao Sheng morphed into a streak of light and shot toward Jiuxuan City, three hundred miles distant.

In mere dozens of breaths, he reached Jiuxuan City, where the majestic Ancient Bitter Rong Tree towered in the distance.

After a short reflection, Zhao Sheng chose to soar toward the Ancient Bitter Rong Tree.

En route, he made no effort to hide his aura.

His presence thus promptly alerted Ku Rong Ancestor.

A verdant gleam streaked through the heavens.

As the glow dimmed, Ku Rong Ancestor’s elderly form came into Zhao Sheng’s view.

At their encounter, Ku Rong Ancestor let out a sigh of relief and cried, "Taoist Zhao, you’ve shown up at last. I’ve been waiting ages, dying to see you again!"

Bowing politely, Zhao Sheng grinned and said, "I departed without farewell last time, and I trust Fellow Daoist Ku Rong bears no ill will."

Ku Rong Ancestor gave a bitter smile, "None at all! I get why you did it. You were far too conspicuous then, so hiding away was smart."

"Haha, I figured it was the right move. That’s why I slipped off quietly."

"Water under the bridge. I’ve set up a lavish immortal banquet; please join us, Taoist Zhao!"

"Excellent, Fellow Daoist Ku Rong thinks of everything! I’ll trail behind you." Zhao Sheng replied, his eyes lighting up eagerly at the news.

"Fine, come this way!"

With that, Ku Rong Ancestor shifted into a vibrant green rainbow bridge, its base settling under Zhao Sheng’s feet while its tip vanished into the ancient tree’s foliage.

Stepping on the bridge, Zhao Sheng was borne aloft by an unseen power; he appeared still, yet he hurtled forward, disappearing into the lush canopy in an instant.

...

After a satisfying meal and drinks, Zhao Sheng sent a silent voice transmission.

Hearing it, Ku Rong Ancestor’s face altered, and he swiftly swept his sleeve.

Instantly, multiple barrier layers sprang up around the walls, isolating the dining hall into a secure chamber.

Zhao Sheng scanned the area, then released a Divine Thought that settled on the barriers, promptly layering on a Divine Thought Prohibition.

Noting Zhao Sheng’s wariness, Ku Rong Ancestor turned even graver, his stare sharpening.

"Take a look, fellow Daoist!"

As he said it, Zhao Sheng swept his sleeve, sending dozens of spotless ice boxes soaring out to arrange themselves before Ku Rong Ancestor.

Ku Rong Ancestor wasted no time in unveiling each ice box; he stayed composed at first, but as he progressed, his features grew increasingly stirred.

By the close, he stood dumbfounded.

Despite his tens of thousands of years of life, Ku Rong Ancestor seldom encountered such a trove of supreme treasures amassed in one spot.

"...Yuxu Primordial Spirit Pill, Doumu Soul-Stabilizing Pill, Dragon and Tiger Mysterious Spirit Powder, excellent, all Fourth-rank Supreme Treasure Pills... Oh, this one pulses with spirit energy, is it yet another Spiritual Treasure, and that Treasure Seal too..."

"...Wait, is this the Thunder Emperor Tribulation Order?"

When he reached the third-to-last ice box, Ku Rong Ancestor’s eyes bulged, and he couldn’t help snatching the item within for a close inspection.

The object was a foot-long bronze token in archaic design—the fabled Thunder Emperor Tribulation Order.

A century back, Qingxu Zi had secured a Tribulation Order from Zhao Sheng.

Though a hundred years had elapsed, it remained unknown if Qingxu Zi had endured the Returning to Void Thunder Tribulation.

Observing Ku Rong Ancestor’s rattled demeanor, Zhao Sheng sensed a hint of doubt stirring within.