Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1602: 864: Hunyuan Self-Transformation, One Qi Births Yin Yang

Silence hung heavy in the hall, the five Vice Hall Masters rendered speechless, as though mounting a mute protest.

Zhao Tianyi’s cold gaze raked across the assembly, his voice rumbling deeply, “Since you have no objections, let’s do it as I have decided. The task level will be set at Heavenly Tier Class A, and each golden statue can be exchanged for one medium-grade reward. There is no limit to the number, the more the better.”

Witnessing the Hall Master pushing forward alone, Zhao Yiyi couldn’t resist urging, “Hall Master, please reconsider!”

“My decision stands firm. No need to try persuading me further. We must handle this matter perfectly. Any fallout, I’ll shoulder entirely. Now go execute the task!”

Exchanging looks among themselves, the five Vice Hall Masters grasped the Hall Master’s unyielding resolve this time and refrained from further opposition, accepting orders to carry on.

Shortly thereafter, the five Vice Hall Masters departed one by one.

Soon enough, atop the Foreign Affairs Hall’s central task board, the top spot in the Heavenly Tier Task area blazed with a striking golden reward.

“…Reward for statues worshipped with incense for over a thousand years. The statue must be made of pure gold. Each golden statue can be exchanged for one medium-grade reward, with no limit on quantity, time, eligibility, or source. Note: The reward for the first hundred statues will be doubled…”

This reward’s emergence sparked an instant buzz, drawing crowds of cultivators who flocked beneath the central task list, gesturing animatedly and whispering fervently.

It had been ages since the Foreign Affairs Hall offered a Heavenly Tier reward that balanced moderate challenge with lavish generosity.

The news raced outward like wildfire, blanketing much of the Ancestral Land in mere days.

Suddenly, throngs of Zhao Family cultivators sprang into action, darting via teleportation to distant Spirit Domains, raiding ancient temples in a frenzy, hauling back statues to the Foreign Affairs Hall for their prizes.

The vast majority of Zhao Family cultivators remained oblivious to the ulterior motive fueling this Heavenly Tier reward, yet a select few “insiders”

had already gleaned its secrets through diverse channels.

Such “insiders” encompassed not just Returning to Void Realm elders like Zhao Changying, but also numerous Immortal Ruins Guests.

Moreover, they comprised a cadre of Zhao Family “Daoists.”

Truth be told, Zhao Family Daoists had long kept a vigilant eye on Zhao Sheng—some driven by intrigue, others by wariness and vigilance, and a few harboring outright malice.

In the Divine Continent’s western reaches, upon a drifting spirit island, a stern-faced middle-aged man rushed into a Dao Field.

Within the Dao Field at that instant, stellar radiance overflowed, myriad stars twinkling in dense clusters, vaguely coalescing into a dazzling tiny Star River.

Deep inside the Star River loomed a lofty silhouette, stars flickering in and out with each subtle motion.

The stern-faced middle-aged man positioned himself at the Star River’s brink, cradling a Jade Talisman reverently in both hands, and declared with deference, “Master, urgent word from the Foreign Affairs Hall. ‘That one’, secluded on Hualong Island for thirty years without stirring, has abruptly acted. Kindly review the details, Master.”

Oh?

A chilling voice abruptly echoed from the Star River’s depths.

In the blink of an eye, the stellar glow faded away, revealing a youth with sharp sword brows and starlit eyes, radiating an awe-inspiring presence, who materialized abruptly before them.

Zhao Dingji accepted the Jade Talisman, his Divine Thought sweeping through it briefly, igniting a sudden spark in his gaze.

“Xiao Lie, what’s your take on why our ‘First Daoist’ is abruptly collecting golden statues?” Zhao Dingji shattered the Jade Talisman while posing the question offhandedly.

The stern-faced middle-aged man paused briefly before murmuring lowly, “Master, I’m too obtuse to fathom that individual’s schemes. Spare me, Master!”

“Haha, if you’re clueless, isn’t it your job to uncover it?! Alert Zhao Yiyi to monitor closely. Relay all updates at once.”

“Yes!” The stern-faced middle-aged man Zhao Lie inclined his head firmly, then saluted and withdrew from the Dao Field.

Zhao Dingji lingered at the Dao Field’s heart, his eyes gleaming pensively.

Seconds later, a faint smile curved his lips; he produced a Crystal Pearl, inscribed a transmission within, and pulverized it instantly.

Among the Zhao Family Daoists stood Zhao Dingji, innately gifted with a Void Dao Body, who at barely over six centuries had ascended to the Perfect God Transformation Realm long ago.

At present, his cultivation teetered at its zenith, poised to shatter into the Returning to Void Realm.

Yet this slim gap often yawned like an abyss, dooming certain Qi Fortune-lacking Divinity Transformation True Monarchs to eternal stagnation.

Even among fellow Daoists, the youthful Zhao Dingji ranked elite, surpassed solely by three Returning to Void Realm Daoists.

That said, three decades prior, the Daoist standings erupted in upheaval: prior leader Zhao Luo Mo tumbled to second, supplanted by the upstart “outsider” Zhao Sheng in the Daoist lineup.

This upheaval unleashed a tempest in the Zhao Family’s elite circles; while most Returning to Void Realm elders and Daoists fumed in fury and confusion, three Integration Ancestors issued concurrent edicts—an unprecedented spectacle.

The edicts’ essence aligned closely: “Henceforth, elevate Chonghe Daoist to paramount Daoist of the Zhao Family… and confer the Heaven Pillar Order as accolade!”

Beyond the titular prestige of First Daoist, the elite reeled harder from the three Ancestors granting that figure the Heaven Pillar Order.

One should recognize the Heaven Pillar Order as the Ancestor’s intimate emblem; its bearer embodies the Ancestor incarnate.

Put differently, should that person wield the Heaven Pillar Order to direct the clan, every Zhao Family member, irrespective of rank, must obey without question.

Defying the Order invites an unpardonable offense, with repercussions too dire to fathom.