Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1612: 868: Innate Divine Continent, Confirmed!

Years sped by in a flash, with a full decade vanishing before anyone noticed.

Over those ten years, Zhao Sheng steadily grew acquainted with his local neighbors, forging bonds with seven or eight of them as “friends.”

All the while, he diligently maintained the guise of a regular Inner Sect Disciple, refraining from any impulsive behavior.

A decade on, Zhao Sheng dimly grasped a key insight: the formidable Great Abilities of the Taiqing Sect displayed total indifference toward him, acting as if he didn't exist at all.

Zhao Sheng dismissed the notion that such elevated “Great Abilities” lacked vision; rather, he figured they were just too indolent to root out a mole.

Whatever the real story, he concluded his position was “secure” for the moment.

So, during the eleventh year of his affiliation, Zhao Sheng departed Late Sun Valley at last and made his inaugural trip to Ziyun Mountain.

Ziyun Mountain stood at average stature, looking utterly ordinary and much like the adjacent summits.

Still, surface impressions can deceive profoundly at times.

That day, Zhao Sheng reached Ziyun Mountain's base, where a lengthy emerald stone stairway climbed from bottom all the way to the top.

Observing Immortal Cranes wheeling and cavorting across the vibrant greenery blanketing Ziyun Mountain, Zhao Sheng inhaled deeply before methodically starting his ascent.

Soon enough, after mounting hundreds of stone steps, not a single figure appeared in sight.

Silence and solitude enveloped Ziyun Mountain, with living creatures scarce, evoking a forsaken peak from distant wilds.

Zhao Sheng had learned from sect brothers long before that a True Immortal had infused Ziyun Mountain with supreme Great Divine Power ages ago.

In truth, a single Ziyun Mountain existed, yet via Space-time Law principles, it harbored countless “real reflections” all at once.

All were authentically real, merely positioned at distinct temporal junctures.

Fifteen minutes or so afterward, midway up the slope, Zhao Sheng spotted a three-tiered wooden tower hidden among leftward woods.

A central plaque on the tower proclaimed “Endless Sea of Books” in bold ink.

His gaze sharpened; veering from the stairs, Zhao Sheng swiftly approached the tower door.

He offered a deep bow and declared, “Inner and Outer Disciple Zhao Chonghe seeks entry into the Sea of Books, humbly beseeching the Ancestor of the Book's presence!”

No sooner had the words escaped than the tower door creaked open silently, revealing a youthful, striking Attendant Student emerging from behind it.

The Attendant Student shot him a chilly glance and demanded, “Lad, do you know the entry rules for the Book Sea Tower?”

“This disciple aims to peruse the History Department and requests the Ancestor's indulgence.”

Thereupon, Zhao Sheng withdrew ten Pure Coins, passing them to the Attendant Student.

The Attendant Student's demeanor softened noticeably as he pocketed the Pure Coins with a flourish, inquiring, “Nine floors and seventy-eight layers fill the History Department. Specify your desired floor and layer.”

Zhao Sheng replied without delay, “This disciple desires the Ancient Era Building.”

A peculiar look crossed the Attendant Student's face briefly before he explained, “Your rank permits only the lowest seven layers of the Ancient Era Building. Higher access demands True Disciple status—or more coin!”

Aware from sect mates of the Book Ancestor's legendary greed, Zhao Sheng instantly offered, “This disciple holds three pecks of Pure Gold Coins, ready to surrender them entirely to the Ancestor for a special allowance.”

Taiqing Sect reckoning held one peck as a thousand Pure Coins, a rise as one hundred.

Learning of three thousand Pure Coins, the Attendant Student lit up gleefully: “Splendid, splendid! This Ancestor grants access to the Ancient Era Building. Linger three days; every layer saves the top three lies open.”

With a faint nod, Zhao Sheng produced a Sumeru Ring and extended it anew to the Attendant Student.

True to form, the Attendant Student, funds secured, swept his sleeve; brilliant clear light promptly shrouded Zhao Sheng wholly.

Next instant, Zhao Sheng blinked out of existence right there.

He materialized amid an antiquated, weathered hall.

Innumerable bookshelves crowded the space, arrayed limitlessly beyond sight.

Myriads of books and Ancient Scrolls crammed the shelves, their vastness unimaginable.

Hurrying to the nearest shelf bank, Zhao Sheng spied an inked label atop: “Ancient Era Wind and Scenery Chapter (One).”

Elation surging, Zhao Sheng snatched an Ancient Scroll nearby and delved in rapidly.

Forty-eight hours nonstop later, seven layers thoroughly ransacked and countless history tomes plus Ancient Scrolls examined, a breakthrough clue emerged from one scroll.

“…Hongmeng's dawn split heaven from earth, twelve Meeting Elements traversed the cosmos. Pre-separation Innate chaos prevailed, golden radiance pierced stars to spawn the Divine Ape… Tales claim Hongmeng Era's close saw Taiqing's reign, Five Emperors partitioning realms into five vast continents: Eastern Fulu Divine Continent, Western Jade Plate Divine Continent, Southern Phoenix Nesting Divine Continent, Northern Mysterious Divine Continent, Central Innate Divine Continent. Eastern Fulu Divine Continent alone fills this tome. Two Holy Lands grace it, Yinfu Mountain among them…”

Gently shutting the Ancient Scroll, Zhao Sheng sighed inwardly; endless toils had yielded vital traces of the Innate Divine Continent!

Evidently, the Innate Divine Continent sat at the Taiching Spirit Realm's core.

Reviewing Taiching Spirit Realm's extant Six Continents and Seven Seas layout, Zhao Sheng pinpointed the Innate Divine Continent sandwiched between Upper Radiance Continent and Lower Radiance Continent.

Yin Sha Ocean, a historically dire peril zone, vast and forbidding, parts those twin continents.

“…Upper Radiance and Lower Radiance Continents might derive from the Innate Divine Continent, or it submerged entirely, spawning the Radiance pair later… What apocalyptic shift occurred? A colossal Divine Continent seems utterly vanished.”

“…Golden Light Cave's exact site on Innate Divine Continent? Ties to Divine Continent's plunge and Golden Crane Great Saint?”

Riddled with queries, Zhao Sheng advanced to the succeeding bookshelf; Divine Thought fractured into a thousand strands, unveiling thousands of Ancient Scrolls concurrently for voracious devouring of inscribed lore.