Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1586: 855: Trading the Immortal Bone (Part 2)

…

Inverted Mountain.

Years later, Zhao Sheng stepped onto Inverted Mountain again. Although he had beheld the reversal of sky and earth many times over,

the view still stirred a breathtaking, matchless awe within him!

A low-hanging sky met a heavy gray sea of clouds that blanketed the infinite heavens.

One massive peak after another thrust through the clouds, towering above, while a broad, barren expanse stretched across the summit.

Rustle…

Zhao Sheng's feet crunched softly on the loose gravel, producing a faint rustling sound.

Nearby, a row of a dozen stone huts clung to the cliff's edge.

Right then, a skinny youth wrapped in bandages from neck to feet stepped out from one hut, catching sight of Zhao Sheng who had appeared abruptly.

Noticing the arrival, the youth looked startled, retreating two steps instinctively, half his body ducking behind the door.

Zhao Sheng stopped in his tracks, speaking mildly, “Young brother, don’t fear. This old man harbors no ill intent.”

The youth kept his vigilance up, calling out from afar, “Stay back. Stone Spirit senior will return shortly.”

Hearing that, Zhao Sheng's mind stirred, yet he kept smiling, “I share a close bond with Stone Spirit. You'll see when it comes back.”

With those words, Zhao Sheng stayed put.

The youth relaxed a touch at this.

Moments later, Zhao Sheng sensed a presence and glanced toward the horizon.

Just then, a streak of red light burst from a distant colossal peak.

Like a shooting star, the crimson glow sped across over half the cloud sea, reaching above Inverted Mountain where Zhao Sheng waited, then dove sharply down.

In an instant, the red light scattered, exposing a head-sized, translucent “pebble” hovering mid-air—the actual form of Stone Spirit.

“Wow, Zhao Kid, you're finally here! I've missed you so much!” Stone Spirit cried out in delight the instant it spotted Zhao Sheng.

With a whoosh, it zipped over and began orbiting Zhao Sheng gleefully.

Zhao Sheng saluted with cupped hands, grinning, “It's been ages, Stone Spirit senior. You're still brimming with energy as ever.”

“Heh, born timeless and eternal from the start. Envious, Zhao Kid?”

“Absolutely,” Zhao Sheng answered offhandedly, then looked toward the youth cautiously emerging from the hut.

“Stone Spirit senior, who might this young friend be?”

Stone Spirit's eyes darted about, murmuring, “An old pal handed this kid over to me. He's crashing here for now. No need to fuss over him.”

As it spoke, Stone Spirit thudded to the ground, then blurted, “Oh right, you've crossed paths with my old pal before, yeah? That stubborn old undying from before.”

Zhao Sheng's gaze flickered faintly, pretending shock, “You mean the one who had me craft a Small Wind Stabilizing Pearl last time?”

Stone Spirit bounced around in thrill, “Exactly, that old undying!”

At this, Zhao Sheng gestured at the youth who had withdrawn into the hut, musing, “So he's another survivor from Immortal Ruins?”

“Yep, besides those remnant folks, hardly anyone sticks around Inverted Mountain long-term.”

With this key puzzle solved, Zhao Sheng promptly drew a heap of Top-grade Spirit Stones from his storage, presenting them to Stone Spirit.

Stone Spirit lit up with joy, gaping wide to gulp down every spirit stone into its endless belly.

After devouring them, Stone Spirit's agate-red eyes gleamed three times brighter, its face radiating utter contentment.

“Stone Spirit senior, I'd like to resume our last deal. How can I reach that senior?”

“Oh, the old bones? Simple—I’ll ping it now. Hang tight for a few days.”

Done talking, Stone Spirit showed no outward action, just its red eyes flashing wildly for a bit.

Zhao Sheng watched curiously but held back from prying.

Soon, Stone Spirit normalized, hopping once more, “I've gathered some prime stones. Care to swap?”

Before it finished, the earth quaked as mounds of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures emerged gradually, mostly Gold Element and Earth Element treasures.

Zhao Sheng eyed the treasures, nodding with a smile, “Shall we exchange by the old terms?”

“Perfect!” Stone Spirit leaped, its tone buzzing with eagerness.

Zhao Sheng smirked lightly, pulling out another hefty stack of Top-grade Spirit Stones.

…

Beyond the Three Desolate Heavens, a blob of black mist materialized abruptly over Inverted Mountain.

Zhao Sheng stood firm, face grave as he stared skyward.

Abruptly, the dark vapor parted, unveiling a black-robed figure who floated down steadily.

At once, Stone Spirit burst from the earth, griping at the black-robed stranger.

“Waaah! Black Day's closing in fast. Grab the kid and go now, or we won't be responsible for him.”

The black-robed stranger stayed mute, simply fishing a blood-red crystal from his sleeve and shoving it into Stone Spirit's mouth.

The Blood Stone hit, and Stone Spirit thrilled speechless.

Next, the bandaged youth dashed from the hut, face alight with joy as he neared the stranger, “Ancestor, is the Ruins Demon gone?”

Hmm,

The black-robed stranger nodded, voice raspy, “Finish this business, and I'll bring you to the cave mansion.”

The youth's excitement surged; he spun and raced back to pack inside the hut.

The black-robed stranger turned, murmuring softly, “Young friend, ready to proceed with the trade?”

Zhao Sheng affirmed instantly, “Yes! Got the True Immortal Relics?”

The black-robed stranger wordlessly flicked his sleeve, launching a jade-like finger bone straight at him.

Zhao Sheng held steady as a strand of Will Heart Light rose from him, forming an unseen colossal palm that snatched the True Immortal Finger Bone mid-flight.

Only then did he retrieve a grimy pouch from his chest, parting its opening with both hands to tuck the Immortal Bone within.

Next, Zhao Sheng produced a palm-sized paper talisman and sealed the pouch tight.

The talisman used plain paper, bearing a crimson seal script on its face.

Witnessing this, the black-robed stranger inwardly shook his head, skeptical of the talisman's potency.

Stone Spirit sprawled on the ground, rolling twice but saying nothing.

With the pouch secured against his chest, Zhao Sheng sighed in deep relief.

He then fixed a serious gaze on the black-robed stranger and suddenly queried, “Aren't you worried I'll grab the treasure and vanish?”

“No fear!” The black-robed stranger spat coldly.

He offered no reason.

Zhao Sheng smiled at this and dropped the matter.

Goal accomplished, Zhao Sheng wasted no time, bidding farewell to Stone Spirit and the black-robed stranger.

Stone Spirit made no effort to keep him, nor did the stranger.

Thus, Zhao Sheng yielded to the surrounding repulsion and flashed back to the lower realm.

As the man departed, Stone Spirit piped up, “Old bones, you left your——”

Mid-sentence, Stone Spirit sensed something and clammed up.

Now, the youth emerged from the hut lugging assorted belongings, hurrying eagerly to his ancestor.

“Let’s go!”

With that, the black-robed stranger morphed into swirling black mist, wrapping the youth and shooting toward the endless expanse overhead.

…

Dragon Transformation Blessed Land.

Zhao Sheng materialized above the Jade Pool Lotus Platform, descending softly onto it.

Back home, he yanked the Immortal Bone pouch from his chest and hurled it down.

Bam!

The pouch smacked the ground, ballooning as if its contents strained to break free.

Yet then, the paper talisman flared with dim blood glow.

The bloody light cascaded down, swiftly enshrouding the whole pouch.

Clatter!

A sound like a collapsing scaffold rang out; the pouch shrank flat, lying still and quiet.

Relieved, Zhao Sheng sat cross-legged at once, chanting arcane, ancient incantations.

At the same time, seven Will Heart Light Fire Lotuses formed from nothing, burrowing into the pouch to blaze fiercely.

Soon, strands of bizarre, writhing black fumes seeped from the pouch…