Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1597 - 860: Hengxu Square, Return to the Divine Continent

The sun slowly sank behind the western peaks, draping the earth in fading light as devotees streamed down the mountain following their worship.

Within Lingbi Temple, Zhao Sheng sent away the Guest, the Scripture Master, and the other Daoists before heading into a serene chamber.

Right after entering, a single thought crossed his mind, summoning a pristine white barrier that instantly sealed off the entire room.

At once, a crystalline Glazed Treasure Mirror floated out from his form, radiating dazzling splendor.

The Glazed Treasure Mirror floated suspended in the air, cradled by swirling vapors and fog.

As the mirror released a gentle, radiant glow, the light cascaded like liquid, completely shrouding Zhao Sheng.

In the blink of an eye, Zhao Sheng lifted off the ground and merged into the Mirage Cloud Treasure Mirror.

Mists of cloud filled the heavens above, while below, relentless waves pounded with deafening thunder.

Standing on the clouds, Zhao Sheng effortlessly swept aside the vapors and fog in front of him.

The sea of clouds split apart to either side, gradually unveiling an infinite ocean stretching beneath.

Descending steadily, Zhao Sheng soon alighted on the water's surface, its depths crystal-clear and bottomless, pulsing with subtle Law ripples tied to the Water Element Dao.

Staring at the churning waves, a gleam of divine insight sparked at Zhao Sheng’s forehead, and his Divine Thought expanded vastly, enveloping the whole 'Mirror World' in a flash.

The instant after, right below his stance, the ocean plunged downward, waters surging wildly outward in every direction.

At the same time, a lush green Qinglian shot up from the seabed, unyielding and branchless, reaching Zhao Sheng’s feet in moments.

This lotus featured one stalk and nine leaves, topped by a massive bud that remained closed.

The bud twitched restlessly, its skin flashing with bursts of brilliant colors now and then.

Stepping close to the bud, Zhao Sheng laid his palm upon it softly, observing as it unfurled petal by petal in elegant layers, diffusing a cool, invigorating scent.

Soon enough, a splendid lotus fully opened before his eyes, and at its core, to his astonishment, rested a bare youth deep in sleep.

This youth possessed striking good looks, a lofty and balanced build, remarkably resembling Zhao Sheng himself.

A flicker in his gaze appeared as Zhao Sheng carefully studied the slumbering, exceptionally handsome lad, a grin forming unwittingly on his lips.

'Marvelous! Worth every bit of the ten years spent raising this body—it's almost flawless.'

With those words spoken, brilliant divine radiance erupted from Zhao Sheng’s brow, and another version of 'him' emerged from the glow, plunging into the sleeping youth and fusing seamlessly.

Shortly thereafter, the youth stirred from his long dream, eyelids parting gradually—first dazed, then sharpening with vitality.

He rose from the lotus, first inspecting his form with wonder, then testing his arms and legs lightly.

Next, he gathered several lotus petals and wrapped them around himself.

Those petals gleamed brightly, morphing into a pale green Daoist robe that clad him fully.

Satisfied nods came from him, followed by shared smiles with Zhao Sheng.

Bowing courteously, he grinned and declared, 'I am Zhao Chonghe, ready to serve you, Master!'

Zhao Sheng mirrored the bow. 'Lingbi Temple belongs to you now. Steer clear of needless conflicts and wait quietly for my return.'

He assured boldly, 'Fear not, venture ahead! I'm deep into Mixed Element Qi cultivation, too busy for any antics.'

Hearing this, Zhao Sheng paused briefly before pulling an Ancient Bronze Bell from his storage, passing it along.

'Take this Qinghuang Bell for your safeguard. Use it only in desperate straits.'

This fresh 'born' avatar was not just bodily weak but stuck at Foundation Establishment, vulnerable even to peers at Returning to Void, facing potential demise.

Lacking the Qinghuang Bell's defense, Zhao Sheng wouldn't risk letting him out lightly.

Zhao Chonghe accepted the Qinghuang Bell, forcing a drop of Heart Blood onto its face, then binding it with his Divine Thought to link with the Spirit Treasure True Spirit.

After an hour, the Qinghuang Bell chimed deeply, a Phoenix phantom bursting forth and darting into Zhao Chonghe’s Purple Mansion at his brow.

A surge of green light flashed, etching a Phoenix mark on Zhao Chonghe’s forehead before it faded away.

Following that, the Qinghuang Bell shrank to a ray of light, swiftly vanishing into Zhao Chonghe’s body.

Seeing this success, Zhao Sheng at last shed his final worry.

'Come on, let's go out,' Zhao Sheng summoned him.

Next, twin wisps of cloud mist enveloped them both.

Once the mists cleared, they had exited the Mirage Cloud Mirror Realm.

…

Night had fallen profoundly, stars glittering across the firmament.

Nearly a hundred miles under Lingbi Mountain in a hidden cavern, an archaic chant rose—deep, arcane, pulsing with enigmatic rhythm.

At the cavern's heart, Zhao Sheng positioned himself on an altar, a three-foot square Jade Plate beneath him etched with complex swirling motifs.

As moments ticked by, threads of luminescence began seeping from the Jade Plate.

Upon the incantation's final tone, a grayish-white whirlpool materialized mid-air, several feet wide—motionless yet spinning, exuding irresistible pull; the longer one stared, the stronger the compulsion to dive in.

Without a second thought, Zhao Sheng shot upward, piercing the gray-white vortex instantly, vanishing to parts unknown.

…

After a dizzying whirl of spins, Zhao Sheng blinked open his eyes and took in his surroundings.

The sight before him left him stunned.

This place differed completely from his expectations.