Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1583: 854: Universal Frequencies and the Three Tribulations of Ascension (Part 2)

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Previously on Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension...
Guided by strange fluctuations, Zhao Sheng arrived at a desolate island and climbed to the summit of Stone Mountain. There, he encountered an enigmatic, elderly stone mason who displayed a profound carving technique that seemed to synchronize with the natural gravity of the land. After an indirect exchange, the old man abruptly vanished from the island, leaving Zhao Sheng to realize that the stranger was none other than Zhao Xuanjing.
A brief moment later, he sank gracefully into the soil, vanishing into the subterranean depths. Before long, Zhao Sheng reappeared above ground, looking disheveled and caked in grime. Clearly, his foray below had been fraught with setbacks. The island's foundations were infused with a multitude of lethal Prohibitions; even for an Array Dao Grandmaster of his caliber, navigating them was a grueling trial, and he had nearly been unable to emerge. However, the mission confirmed the reality of a staggering Gravity Source buried deep beneath the earth. This source possessed immense power, yet it remained constrained within a confined space by layers of potent Prohibitions, trapped and unable to manifest. Furthermore, Zhao Xuanjing had deployed an Avatar to oversee the Stone Mountain, keeping a constant watch over the Gravity Source. Should it ever break free, the Ancestral Divine Land would surely crash onto the surface, unleashing a cataclysmic disaster far beyond the Zhao Family's ability to contain. Zhao Sheng had never imagined that this gravity anomaly, which he had accidentally cultivated in a past life, would possess such world-shaking potential in the hands of the Zhao Family. Admiring the sheer audacity of lifting an entire continent into the sky, he couldn't help but feel a pang of genuine respect. As the night waned and the first light of dawn touched the horizon, the elderly stone mason returned to the trail at the mountain's base, making his way up. Zhao Sheng, having changed into fresh robes, had remained stationed there throughout the night. Upon sighting him again, the old mason blinked in surprise. Oh, young man, still here? You possess the same restless spirit I had during my own youth! Zhao Sheng found himself at a loss for words, eventually offering a wry smile. Old Zhao, don't let my appearance deceive you; I am old enough to be your uncle. The mason lifted his heavy lids to peer at him and rasped, I am so old that my sight has grown dim; I failed to realize you were a Cultivator. Forgive this gaffer. Zhao Sheng chuckled softly. As the ancients taught, innocence is no sin. Your mortal gaze, naturally, cannot pierce through my true nature. The old stone mason smiled, drew a carving tool from his tunic, and prepared to resume his labor. Observing this, Zhao Sheng asked, Old Zhao, what drives you to chisel stone here day after day? The old man didn't even turn his head as he answered, A restless mind, young one. Chiseling away at this stone keeps my body supple and clears the clutter from my thoughts. It serves two purposes, so why not enjoy the process? As soon as he spoke, the rhythmic sound of stone hitting stone began once more. Zhao Sheng attempted to probe further, but the mesmerizing cadence of the chisel caught his ears, instantly pulling his consciousness into a strange, meditative state. Day turned to night, and another day passed in the blink of an eye. As dusk fell, Zhao Sheng finally regained his senses, feeling an immense, profound relief, as if an invisible chain had been shattered from his soul. Unbeknownst to him, his Will Heart Light had deepened significantly, and his cultivation had quietly progressed to the Returning to Void Second Level. As he cast his gaze around, he saw that countless ripples had emerged in the fabric of heaven and earth. Some appeared chaotic and jarring, utterly disharmonious. Others were crisp and distinct, oscillating with structured precision. These ripples constantly interfered, merged, and amplified one another. Every moment, infinite ripples were born or vanished, the smaller ones being absorbed or extinguished by grander, more luminous vibrations. At the center of his awareness, a massive, brilliant ripple emanated from the earth's core, so vast that it governed the countless smaller fluctuations dancing across the world. Zhao Sheng's eyes narrowed, his heart flooded with awe. He realized these ripples were the physical manifestations of universal probability. Ripples from lifeless stone were dim and easily extinguished, only to be reborn again. Those from flora and fauna were vibrant, flickering in and out of existence with far greater speed. He took special note of how the collective ripples of the stone and soil converged, forming a majestic wave centered on the very rock beneath his feet. After deep contemplation, Zhao Sheng felt a flicker of enlightenment. He stepped toward the Giant Stone, balled his fist, and tapped gently against the weakest, most disorganized frequency point he could perceive. Crack, crack... Instantly, a cacophony of fractures raced through the heart of the stone, and the entire structure collapsed into a heap of rubble with a thunderous roar. Zhao Sheng retreated a few paces, the radiance in his eyes dimming as the world's ripples faded from his sight. As the sages long ago decreed: The Void is vast, and all things carry the essence of their being. Though beings are diverse, they all resonate with the grand music of the cosmos. Some sing with the clarity of spring water hitting jade, while others hold the deep, resonant tone of wind through ancient pines. Metals and stones glow with the rhythm of spirits; grasses and insects harbor the fragrance of refined patterns. And in the Yuqing Immortal True Guide Mysterious Scripture, it is written: All transformations pivot on key rhythms; every unique frequency embodies the earth. Heaven and earth have no singular melody, yet the universe awakens as one! Both sources pointed to the same truth: everything has a rhythm. Deep insights flooded his spirit, and as he recalled his past life's attempts to open a Grotto Heaven, he finally saw the countless errors he had made. Though he had successfully opened the Five Thunders Cave Heaven, its Laws had failed to harmonize with the fundamental frequencies of nature. He had once believed the Grotto Heaven would endure for a million years, but now he realized that lasting thirty thousand years without collapse would have been a miracle.