Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1591 - 857: Cursing and Infiltrating the Taihang Sect (Part 2)

"To the Immortal, we report. All of us are disciples from the Heavenly Demon Sect. The sect's headquarters stands at the Ten Evil Peaks in the Southern Domain of the Upper Radiance Continent..."

"Within this realm exist six Great Continents: Beiliang Divine Continent, Lower Radiance Continent, Lower Radiance Continent, East Lu Continent, West Plate Continent, and Qixia Continent..."

"...The Heavenly Demon Sect boasts two Supreme Sect Leaders whose strength surpasses Returning to Void... Our forebears bequeathed the Heavenly Demon Cave Heaven, inherited across 180,000 years..."

"Innate Divine Continent? To the Immortal, I report: I've never come across the Innate Divine Continent, knowing only of the six Great Continents in this realm, which include..."

"Maybe the Innate Divine Continent goes by a different title now. This realm's history stretches back too far into antiquity. Ages ago, the six Great Continents could have borne other names, with one possibly once dubbed the Innate Divine Continent."

"To the Immortal, we report. The Upper Radiance Continent's eldest sect is the Taihang Sect, part of the 'One Sect and Three Sects'. Its mountain gate resides in Outer Lixu Heaven. Yet the sect's Lower Realm Mountain Gate lies in the Eastern Domain of the Upper Radiance Continent..."

"The Taiching Spirit Realm has long earned fame as 'One Sect and Three Sects and Nine Mountains and Seas'. The One Sect means the Supreme Sect, established eons ago... The Three Sects consist of the Ancient Miao Sect, Treasure Plate Sect, and Taiqing Sect... Each of the Nine Mountains and Seas controls multiple or numerous Spirit Domains, as great sect disciples scatter throughout the Six Continents and Seven Seas..."

"...I would never presume to mislead the Immortal. Truly, I know nothing and have heard naught of the Innate Divine Continent..."

Four hours passed before Zhao Sheng emotionlessly retracted his Divine Thought, a trace of irritation stirring within him.

Prior to this, he and numerous high echelons of the Zhao Family had pondered the matter of time, yet none foresaw such an immense gulf.

Evidently now, the Golden Crane Great Saint likely achieved enlightenment myriad years past, and the "Innate Divine Continent" he mentioned has probably been renamed or ceased to be altogether.

Time stands as the mightiest power across existence; it alters all things without mercy.

Myriad years have flown by, transforming everything utterly; no force wields greater change.

Soon after, Zhao Sheng shifted his resolve swiftly, opting to spare Tong Xin and his companions from death temporarily.

Though death evades them, chastisement remains unavoidable!

Zhao Sheng's piercing stare fixed on Tong Xin and the rest, his icy eyes sending shivers through them, draining color from their faces.

Abruptly, brilliant Divine Light burst from Zhao Sheng's forehead, enveloping Tong Xin and others like pristine liquid.

In the instant that followed, myriad archaic runes surfaced from the Divine Light, merging into vibrant torrents.

These vibrant torrents hovered over Tong Xin and the others' heads, seeping downward through the crowns of their skulls...

Ah, ah, ah!

The very next moment, Tong Xin and his group erupted in agonized shrieks, twisting in torment, faces hideously warped as they howled and cried out.

Within mere breaths, blood poured from all seven orifices, flesh torn and soaked in crimson, their once-thriving auras plummeting swiftly.

As they teetered on death's edge, anguish driving them toward self-destruction, Zhao Sheng ceased his incantation at last.

"You lot now bear my Five Passes Heavenly Demon Curse. Should you crave escape from torment worse than demise, obey my commands without fail. Understood?"

Tong Xin, like one pardoned from execution, flung himself prostrate before Zhao Sheng's feet, voice dripping reverence: "Immortal, your might knows no bounds. I pledge myself as your slave; pray, revoke your divine arts."

"Old servant Gongsun Kong pays homage to the master."

"Old servant Xue Qie pays homage to the Immortal lord."

"Old servant..."

...

Months onward, buried deep within the Ten Evil Peaks in the Southern Domain of the Upper Radiance Continent.

Here sprawls the Desolate Forbidden Land, bereft of mortals, perpetually cloaked in swirling Cloud Mist amid pervasive Miasma fumes.

Amid verdant primordial woods teeming with venomous beasts and Exotic Beasts, myriad bizarre potent creatures dominate peaks, bellowing triumphantly across the wilds.

Nevertheless, at this forbidden zone's core hides a scenic Blessed Land brimming with dense Spiritual Energy.

This "Blessed Land" stretches across nigh a thousand miles, harboring seventy-eight Spiritual Mountain Treasure Lands that yield endless treasures such as Spiritual Medicine and spirit beasts each year.

This very Blessed Land serves as the Heavenly Demon Sect's Lower Realm Mountain Gate, veiled eternally by advanced Illusion Arrays; outsiders see only desolate ridges, blind to the unparalleled natural paradise concealed beneath the illusory veil.

Zhao Sheng had lingered in this Blessed Land for months now.

In that span, he covertly ransacked the Heavenly Demon Sect's Scripture Cave, poring over stacks of Jade Scroll Bone Scrolls.

Still, not a single trace of the "Innate Divine Continent" emerged.

The Heavenly Demon Sect, founded 130,000 years ago, counts among the Upper Radiance Continent's most venerable powers.

An ancient force so deeply entrenched yielded zero clues on the "Innate Divine Continent."

Such oddity screams irregularity!

Some True Immortal figures might have deliberately scrubbed every record of the "Innate Divine Continent."

Or aeons may have worn away all recollections of yore.

Both paths foretell colossal peril.

Suddenly, chill gripped Zhao Sheng's core, a vague ominous dread rising.

Within a cavern dwelling at a Spiritual Mountain's base, Zhao Sheng meditated cross-legged upon a Jade Mat as Tong Xin knelt ahead, deferentially declaring: "Immortal, per your directive, I've deposited the item in the Heavenly Demon Cave Heaven."

"Excellent work," Zhao Sheng commended first, then drew a Sumeru Ring from his sleeve and flung it to Tong Xin.

"Head to Wuchang City and await Old Zhao's arrival. Deliver this ring to him yourself."

"I obey!" Tong Xin bowed his head meekly, receiving the order.

Old Zhao served as Zhao Jinhua's alias. Inside the Sumeru Ring lay a treasure trove of Cultivation Technique tomes, meticulously collected by Zhao Sheng from the Scripture Cave's depths.

"Depart at once!" Zhao Sheng dismissed Tong Xin offhandedly.

Tong Xin wasted no moment, body stock-still yet gliding backward horizontally through the entrance.

Once the figure departed, Zhao Sheng blurred and dissolved into nothingness.

...

More than twenty days whisked by in moments.

In Carefree City, thousands of miles distant in the Eastern Domain, a fatigued yet striking youth appeared.

This was Zhao Sheng in disguised form.

Carefree City enjoys renown across the Eastern Domain, governing one of ten ancient cities under Taihang Sect rule and serving as a prime disciple recruitment hub.

Once every century, the Taihang Sect conducts Outer Disciple trials across those ten ancient cities.

Entry demands little: any cultivator below a century in age may participate.

Qualifying proves simple, but claiming a position demands Herculean effort.

Come tournament day, hordes of youthful cultivators converge, battling fiercely for a mere 200 slots.

Though the event lay months off, Carefree City buzzed with fervor.

Lately, scores to hundreds of ambitious young cultivators streamed in daily, hungry for glory.

Upon city entry, Zhao Sheng secured lodging in a Third-rank Spiritual Mansion and awaited the tournament's launch.

The Taiching Spirit Realm bears the storied title 'One Sect and Three Sects and Nine Mountains and Seas'.

The Taihang Sect, exalted within the Three Sects, has dominated the Taiching Spirit Realm across endless ages, though its mountain gate's whereabouts elude most.

Per countless Ancient Scrolls from the Heavenly Demon Sect's Scripture Cave, the Taihang Sect's mountain gate is a True Immortal Cave Heaven, its immense expanse able to encompass three Upper Radiance Continents.

Owing to this True Immortal Cave Heaven, the Taihang Sect needs scant from the outer world; most disciples dwell lifelong within, never venturing beyond.

Zhao Sheng knew well that Cave Heavens rarely manifest in the present era, typically concealed in arcane realms of the Divine Palace Heaven.

True Immortal Cave Heavens prove rarer and more elusive still; infiltration demands posing as an Outer Disciple, with scant alternatives.

Armed with his 'Infinite Universe Gate' innate ability, Zhao Sheng boldly pursued his 'Deceiving the Heaven' scheme.

For even ensnarement within a True Immortal Cave Heaven permitted escape via the Burial Immortal Ruins.

Months flew past rapidly, ushering in the Outer Disciple selection as planned.

Over half a month, Zhao Sheng surmounted trials and vanquished myriad foes amid tens of thousands, claiming his coveted spot.

One month hence, Taihang Sect Special Envoys escorted their chosen "Reserve Disciples" to the lofty Liezi Hall piercing the Cloud Sky.

Liezi Hall's facade looked weathered and worn, belying its status as a Primordial Yang Level Spiritual Treasure.

This artifact commanded Space-Time Teleportation prowess, perfectly crafted for ferrying souls afar.