Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1553: 839: The Treasure Contest Begins (Part 2)

Zhao Sheng directed the Light Ball straight into the Central Earth Mirror, summoning the Spirit Realm Law Power to pin the Dapeng Primordial Spirit firmly under the Infinite Thick Earth.

In just a short while, Zhao Sheng ripped apart the veils of space and time, making his way back to the current era once more.

Positioned cross-legged upon the Jade Couch, he reflected deeply on all the events that had unfolded recently.

It was clear beyond question that Jun Tianxing had suffered an unseen betrayal at some earlier moment.

That Returning to Void Splitting God possessed the power to outright claim his body, but chose not to, opting instead to hide in secrecy.

“Its aim… Never mind, no point in idle speculation when a simple Soul Search will reveal the truth!” Zhao Sheng smacked his thigh, struck by sudden insight.

Words turned swiftly to action!

He promptly unleashed the Central Earth Mirror and vanished into the Mirror Realm in a flash.

After the time it takes for roughly two incense sticks to burn, Zhao Sheng emerged from the mirror with a blank expression.

He tucked away the Thick Earth Mirror without much thought, then resumed his cross-legged position, lost in quiet reflection.

From the tale told by that Returning to Void Splitting God, Jun Tianxing had caught the eye of the Demon Emperor Jun Beiming right on the day his bloodline reached full purity.

Because of this, with Jun Beiming’s hidden protection, the clueless Jun Tianxing went on to refine seven or eight “fellow kin,” enhancing his bloodline even further.

Nine years back, pressed by the dire state of the war, Jun Beiming finally yielded and permitted the Returning to Void Splitting God to possess Jun Tianxing’s form.

Right at the brink of possession, the Returning to Void Splitting God abruptly detected the Five Passes Heavenly Demon Curse.

Stunned and furious, it was forced to abandon the takeover and slink into the innermost reaches of Jun Tianxing’s Mud Ball Palace.

Once aware of this, Jun Beiming himself wiped away that segment of memory, allowing Jun Tianxing to awaken.

Jun Tianxing stayed completely ignorant, oblivious to how his hidden truths had already come to light.

Jun Beiming didn’t just pilfer the “Blood Nerve Scripture”; he also uncovered the Zhao Family of Yuewu Mountain and “his” very being.

Whether from some fear or the looming threat of the forces arrayed against him, Jun Beiming refrained from striking at the Zhao Family of Yuewu Mountain.

To expose the hidden hand behind it all, Jun Beiming deliberately reversed his approach, “accidentally” revealing to Jun Tianxing that he was marked for possession.

The intent here was to compel Jun Tianxing to reach out to the true orchestrator, leading to their eventual capture.

To his surprise, Jun Tianxing failed to connect, but found himself called forth instead.

This set the stage for the confrontation that unfolded today!

Now, Zhao Sheng grasped that his cover had been blown.

Yet panic evaded him entirely; aside from doubts on whether the Demon Emperor Jun Beiming would risk entering Jiuxuan City.

Should it dare venture inside, a real showdown between them would leave the victor unclear!

No,

Defeat awaited the Demon Emperor Jun Beiming without fail!

In the end, the image of the Life and Death Pen plunged deep into the Soul Sea flashed in Zhao Sheng’s mind.

At that instant, Zhao Sheng’s fighting spirit blazed high, igniting a fierce urge to rush back to the Heavenly Rift Valley right away and lure Jun Beiming into the trap.

Yet prior to that, reaching out to the contact from the Mountain and Sea Sect would prove wise.

…

Time raced onward, and more than a year slipped by in an instant.

On the eighth day of the tenth month, tales claim this marks the birth of the Red Cloud Venerable.

As such, Jiuxuan City burst into festivity on this occasion, hung with vibrant lanterns and banners, skies awash in Qingyun and rosy clouds, flowers of rare beauty blooming across the land, while Immortal Cranes and Phoenix Dancers soared elegantly. Scenes of captivating splendor filled every corner, rendering each area a true slice of the Immortal Realm.

This occasion also heralded the official launch of the Treasure Competition.

As Jiuxuan City reveled in magnificent festivities, representatives from the Five Tribes and Thirty-six Houses of Sects and Bureaucrats convened to deliberate on key aspects of the Treasure Competition.

From morning’s first light until the sun’s descent, endless streets in Jiuxuan City buzzed with activity, cultivators assembling in vast throngs.

As the lavish event drew toward its close, lamps blazed through the deepening twilight.

With night’s arrival, Jiuxuan City transformed into a city that never slept, aglow in all directions, alive with shimmering colors and drifting Immortal Music.

In a fleeting instant, the full moon spilled forth its vast, pure radiance.

This radiance wove into the darkness, quietly shaping into an immense light screen.

The screen wrapped around the whole city, displaying a spotless white Eight Diagrams Altar. Towering and imposing, the altar split into nine levels, each shielded by a protective barrier.

“Haha, the moment has arrived at last!”

“Gaze upward—the treasure contest is on the verge of starting!”

“Such an impressive display! Curious what extraordinary items will emerge this year.”

“I’ve endured over five centuries and joined five treasure contests. This round, I yearn to claim one or two Life-extending Elixirs!”

“I’ve anticipated this with bated breath! Should I obtain a top-grade magic treasure now, I’ll conquer the Nascent Soul Thunder Tribulation and gain millennia more of life!”

“…The five clans and thirty-six sects—each greedier than the next. Nearly all prizes fall to them. We Loose Cultivators chasing scraps face odds steeper than reaching the heavens! Utterly maddening.”

“Heard the whispers? Three centuries past, legend says Master Pudu seized a Buddhist Treasure in the contest. Even now, Master Pudu has achieved the Arhat Fruit, standing equal to a Half-Immortal of the Void. With such luck on my side, why linger in the Golden Core Realm for more than two hundred years? Perhaps…”

“Hehe! A treasure of mine stands chosen already. Wonder how far it’ll climb this time? Third layer would mean striking gold.”

…

As the colossal light screen gradually expanded, every cultivator in the city lifted their eyes to the heavens, stares intense enough to ignite the skies.

All at once, clouds of good fortune drifted in from every side, crafting rainbow bridges that stretched toward the firmament, one end touching the city, the other linking to the heights above.

In that instant, myriads of tunneling lights streaked from the city, swiftly settling onto the auspicious clouds.

As the lights dimmed, figures of cultivators emerged, each bearing an air of distinction and radiating keen prowess.

A nearer look revealed that every cloud bore the mark of a unique faction.

Over the district housing the Ancient Bitter Rong Tree, three such clouds lingered as well.

One cloud, rich and green, floated right over the ancient tree—this marked the Spirit Domain of the Wanyou Trading Company.

Aloft the auspicious clouds, three silhouettes appeared faintly amid the vapors.

Ku Rong Ancestor, clad in a green robe, positioned himself just behind the leading form, accompanied by a visitor sporting a curly beard and golden arm rings.

At the forefront stood a man of pale complexion and neat beard, his eyes gleaming like distant stars, draped in a magic robe that shimmered with dawn’s colors, flowing in radiant waves.

Trailing the trio, more than a dozen senior Store Managers held their hands folded, silently poised for their leader’s directive.

“Ku Rong, after the treasure contest wraps up, arrange a meeting with this Master Shaoling.”

Hearing the owner’s words, Ku Rong Ancestor inclined his head and replied, “Master Shaoling resides in the Qunxian Residence. You could call for him at once if you wish.”

Whispers hold that the Wanyou Trading Company’s owner serves as the personal disciple of the Red Cloud Venerable.

The old adage rings true: where there’s smoke, there’s fire; rumors often hold a kernel of truth.

The Wanyou Trading Company’s proprietor bears the name Deng Wenqiu. He stands not only as the direct disciple of the Great Venerable but also as a blood heir to the Red Cloud Venerable, commanding supreme respect.

As a follower of the Great Venerable, Deng Wenqiu attained Returning to Void long ago, his power defying measurement.

Deng Wenqiu, hands clasped behind him, eyed the Eight Diagrams Altar in the heavenly display and spoke at ease, “No haste! We’ll observe the outcome first. Should his creation climb to the sixth layer, calling him too soon could appear discourteous.”

Scarce had his words ended when the curly-bearded guest erupted in derisive chuckles, “Master, you hold this ‘master’ in too high regard! A treasure hitting the sixth layer is an event unseen in a thousand years. How could a mere Divinity Transformation Realm cultivator craft such an exceptional piece?”

“Ku Rong old man, your thoughts?” the guest asked, shooting a look his way.

Ku Rong Ancestor eyed the man briefly, then offered a wry smile and shook his head, “I won’t venture wild guesses. Still… Taoist Zhao remains a mystery; his true capabilities elude me. That said, I believe the Thunder Emperor Tribulation Order holds a shot at reaching the sixth layer.”

The curly-bearded guest, Deng Gan, fixed a stern glare and proclaimed forcefully, “Impossible! That Tribulation Order belongs to me already. It won’t enter the treasure contest anew.”

“Merely an opinion, nothing to take to heart!” Ku Rong Ancestor laughed lightly, seeming somewhat uneasy.

Deng Gan, the curly-bearded guest, wore a scowl, ready to retort.

Right then, streams of Treasure Light erupted toward the sky from the far-off auspicious clouds, all bound for the Eight Diagrams Altar in the celestial veil.

Witnessing this, Deng Wenqiu directed with composure, “Ku Rong, your move!”

“Understood, master!” Ku Rong Ancestor acknowledged, then swept wide his robe sleeves.

The instant after, bursts of Treasure Light surged from his sleeves, charging into the heavenly curtain, descending steadily onto the altar’s base level.

Soon enough, tens of thousands of “treasures” settled upon the altar’s first layer, and from a distance, the Treasure Light blazed upward, a brilliant contest of wondrous items unfolding in splendor.