Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1587: 856: The Human Heart Is Hard to Fathom

Four months had passed when another person set foot into the serene courtyard.

A burst of light flashed, and Zhao Dashan suddenly materialized right outside the courtyard entrance.

Looking at the elegant courtyard enveloped by a protective barrier, a hint of eagerness flickered in Zhao Dashan’s gaze.

He flicked his finger, unleashing a blast of fierce wind that slammed into the barrier, causing it to shimmer wildly with rippling waves.

After over a dozen breaths, the somewhat fatigued Zhao Sheng opened the courtyard door and stepped out.

Seeing this, Zhao Dashan inquired with worry, “Chonghe, you look unwell. Should we postpone it for a couple of days?”

Zhao Sheng understood what he meant and shook his head, “No issue! An agreement was set, so it must be honored.”

“Fine, follow me, old friend.”

With those words, a glowing ring slowly emerged from behind Da Shan’s head.

The ring rapidly grew into a gateway, Zhao Dashan stepping through first, with Zhao Sheng right behind.

They exited the gateway and arrived back at the plaza before the secret pavilion.

Standing there was a skinny old man, his face etched with deep wrinkles, none other than Zhao Jinhua, whom they had encountered previously.

“Jinhua, paying respects to the Three Ancestors! Greetings, Daoist Master.” The moment Zhao Jinhua spotted them, he hurried forward to offer a deep bow.

Zhao Dashan’s face grew serious, and he spoke gravely, “Jinhua, this task carries immense weight. You must avoid any slip-ups along the way. A single error, and even ten deaths wouldn’t absolve your fault!”

Zhao Jinhua looked utterly solemn, “Grandson vows with his life to help Daoist Master fulfill the mission without fail.”

“Excellent, keep that promise,” Zhao Dashan nodded before turning his gaze aside.

Noticing this, Zhao Sheng sent a mental message, “Three Ancestors, recall the major surprise I mentioned earlier?”

Zhao Dashan’s mind raced, replying via divine sense, “What major surprise?”

“We’ll discuss privately,” Zhao Sheng drew him farther away, then erected a pristine white barrier to block external senses.

Next, he carefully retrieved a gray pouch and a Jade Scroll from his robes, passing them to Zhao Dashan.

“Three Ancestors, whatever happens, don’t rashly remove the seal on the pouch. Check this Jade Scroll first.”

Intrigued by Zhao Sheng’s secretive air, Zhao Dashan dispatched a wisp of Divine Thought into the Jade Scroll.

The instant he did, Zhao Dashan nearly leaped in shock.

“…The method to refine the Wind Stabilizing Pearl—where did you obtain it? And that Demon Refining Heart Technique, the True Immortal Finger Bone in the pouch… these… forget it, I didn’t say anything.”

Mid-sentence, Zhao Dashan caught himself and halted abruptly.

Zhao Sheng grinned, sending a thought, “The ancestor seeks to survive the Majestic Wind Tribulation, and the Wind Stabilizing Pearl suits perfectly. Yet a real one is a supreme True Immortal Artifact, impossible for our weak cultivation to craft. With the ancestor’s profound Divine Skills, forging a lesser Wind Stabilizing Pearl should pose no challenge.”

“No challenge whatsoever!” Zhao Dashan beamed with delight, barely holding back his thrill.

Only he grasped the true worth of this Wind Stabilizing Pearl refining method and its vital role for the ancestor and the Ten Lands Zhao Clan.

Its importance defied description!

“Chonghe, I’m at a loss for words right now. Simply put, you’ve rendered huge service. Should the ancestor pass the Majestic Wind Tribulation, you claim the top merit!

…You, don’t leave yet—join me in paying homage to the ancestor!” Zhao Dashan said fervently.

“Three Ancestors, I’ll stay behind. The ancestor upholds the Zhao Clan’s fate, and if Chonghe can lend a hand, it’s my honor. As the saying goes, success needn’t be mine alone, but I’ll share in it! Let this inspire us both,” Zhao Sheng replied solemnly.

“Well spoken!”

Zhao Dashan lavished praise, his eyes filled with approval, as if signaling: Kid, your prospects just brightened!

Shortly after, Zhao Sheng dropped the barrier and walked back with Zhao Dashan to their spot.

Zhao Jinhua noticed the scarcely hidden elation on the Three Ancestors’ face, burning with curiosity yet too afraid to ask.

“Jinhua, hear this clearly. Even at the cost of your life, ensure Chonghe returns unharmed. Got it?” Zhao Dashan cautioned sternly.

Zhao Jinhua’s heart trembled, and he declared loudly, “Fear not, Three Ancestors. Even staking my life, grandson won’t allow Daoist Master to come to harm.”

Hearing this, Zhao Sheng quickly interjected, “That’s excessive. It’s just a simple meeting; nothing will go wrong.”

Zhao Dashan stayed silent but fixed Zhao Jinhua with a piercing stare.

Zhao Jinhua nodded wordlessly, then produced an Orbit Instrument Jade Plate.

Dozens of breaths later, a grayish-white whirlpool swirled into existence several zhang above the plaza. Zhao Jinhua and Zhao Sheng farewelled the Three Ancestors and vanished into the vortex.

…

Wuchang City spanned roughly seven hundred steps across, housing just over two thousand souls.

Its four walls rose no taller than two zhang, built of yellow clay within, clad in dual layers of blue bricks without.

Two main streets crossed north-south inside, flanked by crowded shops of every kind: apothecaries, lodgings, stationery stores, grain merchants, fabric emporiums, and more.

The heavens hung dark, winds wailed coldly, streets lay nearly deserted; now and then, a pedestrian dashed by, darting swiftly into a shop.

In a rundown courtyard on the city’s eastern edge, two figures materialized from nothing.

Zhao Jinhua eyed the sky, his face paling instantly as he yanked Zhao Sheng into the east wing.

Moments later, Zhao Jinhua huddled by a window crack, spying on the yard beyond.

Sensing trouble, Zhao Sheng expanded his Will outward in pulses, soon blanketing the courtyard and adjacent alleys.