Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1566 - 846: The Ancestor Protection Bell Rings, Shocking the Divine Continent

At the exact moment the Life Jade erupted with brilliant radiance, the Ancient Bronze Bell, which had remained motionless for ten millennia within a grand hall in the Floating Continent’s upper reaches, began to toll without any breeze to stir it.

"TONG——"

The deep, majestic chime resonated instantly, like a grand celestial chant, rippling outward with profound solemnity and vast, boundless power.

Following the initial strike, the sound lingered, coiling and spiraling through the air.

CLANG——CLANG——CLANG——

The bell’s toll spread in concentric ripples, layer upon layer, shaking the very Void and stirring the souls of all Zhao Clan members across the Divine Continent.

The ancient Divine Continent seemed to rouse from a deep slumber; countless cultivators, moved by the sound, cheered in excitement. They abandoned their meditation dens and cave mansions, taking flight as streaks of light that converged upon the sacred Ancestor Hall.

The ringing immediately startled a Confucian-robed elder who had been dozing within the Ancestor Hall.

Zhao Changying, the elder in the Confucian robe, rolled over and sat up in a hurry, his ears filled with the deafening chime.

His face shifted in alarm, and he grumbled with deep regret: "Heavens! The Ancestor Protection Bell has sounded! I was lost in my cups, and I didn’t even hear it start. What a sin, what a sin! Do not hold this against me, ancestors of past generations!"

With those words, Zhao Changying stepped forward, his form ripping through the Void as he used Instantaneous Movement to vanish beyond the confines of the Divine Continent.

Outside, the cold, austere swordsman stood frozen, staring at Zhao Sheng as if he had seen a specter, stammering in disbelief: "You... you this..."

Zhao Sheng glanced upward, witnessing the typically serene Floating Continent erupt into chaotic activity, as countless streaks of light filled the sky, blocking out the sun.

SWISH!

Without warning, the Confucian-robed elder materialized beside the pair.

Upon seeing him, the True Spirit of the 'swordsman' pulled his blade back to his chest and remarked frostily: "Chang Shu, what brings you here!"

Hearing the name 'Chang Shu' caused Zhao Changying to stomp his foot in frustration. He vented his anger at the swordsman: "You blockhead! I’ve told you a thousand times, this old man is called Zhao Changying! Why can't your metallic brain hold on to that simple fact?"

"Hmph, I do not waste time arguing with fools. My duty is fulfilled; he is your problem now."

Before the words had finished, the swordsman shifted into a sword rainbow and vanished into the depths of the Divine Continent, leaving no trace.

Zhao Changying adjusted his robes and offered a friendly smile to Zhao Sheng, asking: "Little brother, might this old man have a look at that jade?"

Zhao Sheng gave a slight nod and passed the piece of jade over with a casual toss.

As the jade touched his palm, Zhao Changying’s eyes glittered with unbridled joy.

"...The Nine-layered Cloud Sea scatters, the Ascension Platform revealed! I... I am truly blessed." Zhao Changying turned the jade over in his hand, murmuring in delight.

Suddenly, a massive figure appeared from thin air nearby.

The newcomer possessed a square face, large ears, and eyes like a tiger’s, burning with intensity. His physique was remarkably sturdy, resembling a colossal mountain standing firm within the Void.

Zhao Changying’s smile stiffened, his expression guarded as he questioned: "Zhao Xuan Yu, why have you left Hundred Refinement Peak? Should you not be cultivating?"

Zhao Xuan Yu ignored him, his tiger-like gaze dropping onto Zhao Sheng to inspect him thoroughly, before a rare, stiff smile touched his lips.

"Little brother, where are you from? Which ancestral branch claims you?"

Zhao Sheng saluted with folded hands and replied calmly: "Junior Zhao Sheng, from the Three Extremes Zhao Family, residing at Yuewu Mountain in the Red Cloud Spirit Domain."

"The Three Extremes Zhao Family? I recall it now. Eight thousand years ago, a Divinity Transformation clansman of the Feng generation left the Ancestral Land for the Red Cloud Spirit Domain to establish a new branch. That must be the roots of your family."

Zhao Changying, who had obsessed over ancient texts and gambling lore in the Heavenly One Pavilion during his youth, found his vast knowledge quite useful at this moment.

Before he could continue, Zhao Xuan Yu reached out a hand and commanded coldly: "Hand it over!"

"Hand over what? In your dreams!" Zhao Changying puffed up like an agitated cat, clutched the jade, and shook his head defiantly: "I arrived first! If you want it, you’ll have to go through my corpse first!"

Seeing his resolve, a golden light washed over Zhao Xuan Yu’s face, turning him into a vision of a glittering Vajra Divine Man, entirely immune to harm.

"Get back!" He roared, his voice thunderous as he glared at the incoming swarms of light in the sky.

The sonic boom surged forward like an incoming tide, pushing back against the crowd.

The streaks of light halted instantly, turning around like a startled hive of bees to retreat toward the continent.

With his frustration spent, the golden glow faded, and Zhao Xuan Yu’s expression grew grave once more: "This child bears the Immortal Form! His fate is not for us to dictate. The Ancestor himself will decide his path. Chang Shu, try to behave yourself!"

With those final words, Zhao Xuan Yu punched through the Void and stepped into the Dark Sky, heading back to Hundred Refinement Peak to resume his physical tempering.

The dark fissure in space-time sealed shut behind him.

Zhao Changying stood dazed for a moment before snapping, "You crude brute! Last time I tell you—my name is Zhao Changying, not Chang Shu!"

Observing the interaction, Zhao Sheng found the scene amusing and felt encouraged that the Ten Lands Zhao Clan seemed surprisingly personable, suggesting future dealings might be quite smooth.

After his outburst, Zhao Changying smoothed his temper and turned back to Zhao Sheng with a gentle smile: "Little brother, come with me. We shall head to the Ancestor Hall to pay our respects properly."

Zhao Sheng nodded and followed Zhao Changying toward the continent’s heart.

...

Outside the Ancestor Hall, a crowd of Divinity Transformation True Monarchs waited in high anticipation, eyes locked on the western horizon.

Presently, two streaks of light traversed the continent, descending upon the square before the Ancestor Hall.

Facing the eager juniors, Zhao Changying put on a stern face and scolded: "Are you all so idle? Get back to your duties!"

Knowing that Ancestor Changying possessed the most lenient disposition among the Returning to Void seniors, the crowd felt little fear.

A True Monarch from his faction shouted: "Third Uncle, the Ancestor Protection Bell struck nine times. We know a new genius has appeared in our family, and we simply wish to witness it."

"The young brother looks noble, with a unique presence. Truly a dragon among men!"

"More than just a dragon! His Divine Intent has reached the realm of Returning to the Truth, blending perfectly with the natural order. I wonder what kind of Innate Taoist Body he hosts?"

"He must be at least in the Nascent Soul realm, if not higher, to reach such a level so early in his life."

"A true once-in-ten-thousand-years Immortal Material! In these two millennia, I have only seen two 'Daoists' of this caliber before today."

"The Ancestor may stir from his slumber for this."

"He has been secluded for twenty thousand years; it is not certain he will reemerge just for this youth. You are newly ascended and lack understanding of our deep secrets. If I told you the clan already holds ten such 'Immortal Materials,' would you believe it?"

"Even so, one of the three Integration Ancestors might appear. Let us hope he belongs to our branch!"

The Divinity Transformation True Monarchs watched Zhao Sheng with burning curiosity, wanting to approach but held back by the presence of the higher-ranked seniors.

Zhao Changying laughed off their comments before turning to Zhao Sheng: "...pay those nosy juniors no mind. Follow me into the hall!"

With a wave of his hand, Zhao Changying led the way toward the Ancient Bronze Hall.

Zhao Sheng acknowledged the group with a nod and trailed behind the elder, crossing the threshold of the hall.

As he stepped inside, the space expanded indefinitely; the hall opened into a vast expanse paved with top-grade Crystal Jade, stretching toward a horizon that revealed no walls, illuminated only by a brilliant Great Sun suspended at the zenith.