Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1550: 838: Departure

After quite a while, Ku Rong Ancestor managed to regain his composure. He gently returned the Thunder Emperor Tribulation Order to the Ice Box before proceeding to unveil the final two Ice Boxes.

Sure enough, the remaining two items were just as extraordinary as the Thunder Emperor Tribulation Order.

Having viewed every single Ice Box, Ku Rong Ancestor couldn't hold back his admiration: “I’ve existed for over ten thousand years and encountered more than a hundred Refining Masters, yet none have been as generous as Taoist Zhao. Spiritual Treasures that appear only once in a century are usually scarce, but you offer nine of them without a second thought, plus the Thunder Emperor Tribulation Order alongside various Treasure Pills and Rare Treasures.

Even I have to admit, this is truly impressive, truly impressive!”

“To be straightforward, Fellow Daoist Ku Rong, I plan to organize a massive auction dedicated to these items. I’m merely uncertain about whether they meet the criteria?”

“Absolutely, they do! How could they not? The treasures on display here would make perfect finale pieces in any auction. They could even headline a full set of ten auctions without issue.” Ku Rong Ancestor replied with evident enthusiasm.

At that moment, Ku Rong Ancestor shifted his approach: “I actually have a proposal. Would Taoist Zhao care to listen?”

“Certainly, I’m listening!”

“Once every century, the trading firms across Jiuxuan City join forces for a Treasure Duel Conference. This event is scheduled in seven years. If time isn’t pressing for you, perhaps consider submitting these nine Spiritual Treasures and the Thunder Emperor Tribulation Order to the Treasure Duel Conference. The benefits are ones you undoubtedly understand well.”

Hearing this, Zhao Sheng nodded thoughtfully in silence and promptly consented: “I’ll go along with the Taoist’s advice. That said, I won’t show up myself; rather, we can enter the Treasure Duel Conference under the banner of Wanyou Trading Company. How does that sound, Fellow Daoist Ku Rong?”

Ku Rong Ancestor chuckled loudly: “Ha ha, I’d be delighted beyond measure to agree! Thanks to Taoist Zhao for placing this faith in us. On behalf of the company, I offer our sincere thanks. We’ll make sure you face no setbacks.”

Zhao Sheng gave a subtle smile, drawing a Jade Scroll from his sleeve and passing it across.

“Everything I need is listed there. I trust Wanyou Trading Company won’t let me down!”

Ku Rong Ancestor took the Jade Scroll with utmost seriousness, scanned its contents, and soon displayed a faint grin.

“Ha ha, over the past century, the company has intentionally amassed numerous Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures that Taoist needs. We hoped for the moment of your comeback to make them useful. It seems that choice was spot on.

To be open with Taoist Zhao, we’ve already gathered close to sixty percent of the items you seek. The rest pose no real challenge. Luckily, we can acquire them during the duel conference as well.”

Zhao Sheng comprehended fully, recognizing the deeper purpose of the Treasure Duel Conference.

The Treasure Duel serves only as a cover; in truth, it stands as the grandest and most celebrated trading gathering in the Red Cloud Spirit Domain.

Right then, Zhao Sheng offered a light smile and abruptly added, “Incidentally, I have one more request.”

“Go ahead, Taoist!” Ku Rong Ancestor kept his upbeat attitude.

“On this return visit, I prefer that outsiders remain unaware. I request Fellow Daoist Ku Rong to maintain secrecy on my behalf.” Zhao Sheng stressed “outsiders” intentionally, making the meaning clear.

“My lips are sealed, no question!” Ku Rong Ancestor affirmed firmly right away, then paused slightly before continuing, “Still, by the rules, I need to inform the owner and the Store Manager. I hope Taoist Zhao takes no offense!”

Without pause, Zhao Sheng responded: “That’s perfectly reasonable. I won’t hold it against Fellow Daoist Ku Rong.”

“Excellent.” With that, Ku Rong Ancestor regained his joyful look.

Half a day later, Ku Rong Ancestor said his goodbyes and departed, allowing Zhao Sheng to settle quietly into Heavenly Number Three Cave Mansion.

If Heavenly Number One and Two Cave Mansions weren’t occupied by important guests, Ku Rong Ancestor would have surely cleared out Heavenly Number One Cave Mansion for Master Shaoling’s comfortable use.

Nevertheless, the moment the barrier around Heavenly Number Three Cave Mansion engaged, it promptly alerted many cultivators in the Qunxian Residence Cave Mansions.

All the cultivators buzzed with guesses, pondering the identity of this new occupant.

It was well known that with the Treasure Duel Conference drawing near, the cave mansions in Qunxian Residence grew ever more desirable. Without sufficient standing and power, typical cultivators couldn’t even hope to stay there, much less in the premium Heavenly-numbered ones.

As the cultivators chatted animatedly, inside the refined and beautiful Dao Field of Heavenly Number Three Cave Mansion, Zhao Sheng positioned himself cross-legged on a mat woven from Ten Thousand Year Clearing Spirit Grass, abruptly withdrawing a Crystal Ball about the size of a fist from his sleeve.

The Crystal Ball gleamed transparently like glass, with a tiny but strikingly realistic silhouette of a Roc floating within.

Zhao Sheng flung the Crystal Ball upward, chanted old incantations, and his forehead glowed as a strand of Divine Thought shot out, piercing into the Crystal Ball.

As soon as the Divine Thought merged with the Roc silhouette, it morphed into vast streams of data, silently bridging the endless void to reach Jun Tianxing.

Shortly after, Zhao Sheng extended his hand to catch the Crystal Ball and tucked it away in his sleeve once more.

Following that, he shut his eyes and swiftly entered a meditative trance.

Within the Purple Mansion Space, the endless Soul Sea churned with massive waves, and a “little person” standing three feet high suddenly widened his eyes, sharpness gleaming in them.

Zhao Sheng gazed downward at the expansive Soul Sea beneath, when an idea abruptly crossed his thoughts.

In an instant, the immense Soul Sea settled into stillness, its surface mirroring flawlessly without any disturbance.

Zhao Sheng drifted down toward the sea’s face, methodically focusing his Spirit to detect the essence lurking in the Soul Sea’s profound depths.

As moments ticked by, a White Jade Book gradually emerged, exposing the Hundred Generations Book in its form.

The Hundred Generations Book gave off a soft, pure glow, while a Broken Pen featuring a dark handle and white bristles lay pinned under it. The pen appeared rather plain, even a tad unsightly.