Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1617: 870: The Spiritual Realm Has a Master (2)

To low-level cultivators, a single moment might merely pass as a brief flicker of thought.

Yet for those at higher cultivation levels, that same moment could extend into ten, a hundred, or even thousands, tens of thousands…

Fundamentally, the stronger the cultivation, the more flexible true time becomes.

Right now, Zhao Sheng operates at the “Hundred Moments” tier, surpassing peers in his realm by half a step.

Still, these golden ants move swifter than even “Hundred Moments” speed, leaving everyone stunned!

…

All of a sudden, the pitch-black void fell into an eerie hush.

The shadows deepened into utter stillness and mystery, as though something far more dreadful was gathering strength.

Right then, Zhao Sheng's thoughts stirred, sending the Five Directions Treasure Mirror whizzing back to hover beside him as five streams of radiant light encircling his form.

At the same instant, the Great Five Elements Extinction Realm expanded once more, shrouding the area within a hundred feet around him.

The very next instant, a gateway materialized deep within the shadowy void.

Three elders clad in white robes edged with gold stepped out successively from beyond the portal.

The foremost one donned a purple-gold flat sky crown, his features sharp and lean, radiating the aura of a transcendent immortal sage.

The remaining pair looked youthful yet sported white hair, both carrying an air of solemn authority.

From their looks alone, every one of them displayed exceptional poise and flawless elegance!

Zhao Sheng's gaze sharpened a bit. Their bold disregard for the ambient space-time forces alone revealed that all three had cultivations exceeding the Returning to Void realm.

In this hidden and bizarre location, the abrupt arrival of three Half-Immortals of the Void instantly put Zhao Sheng on high alert.

After sizing up Zhao Sheng, the elder with the purple-gold crown intoned suddenly, “Infinite Heavenly Venerate! Why have you intruded upon our sacred mountain gate without cause?”

Haha!

Hearing this, Zhao Sheng laughed coldly in fury, firing back at once, “Haha, what a twisted account of events! I haven't even demanded why you've set such a vicious ambush, and now you attempt to shift the blame—pure delusion!”

“Hey, don't act so shamelessly! You walked right in yourself, so how can you—”

“…Junior brother, mind your manners!”

The purple-gold crowned elder cut off his fellow abruptly.

He regarded Zhao Sheng steadily and stated, “I am Hu Qianqian. Might I know the esteemed name of fellow Taoist?”

Zhao Sheng ramped up his wariness inwardly and responded icily, “I am Zhao, called Five Directions. Regardless of your identities, I only seek entry to the spiritual realm for one item.

Once obtained, all prior grudges can be forgotten.”

“Hey! You think our sacred mountain gate is yours to come and go as you please? Let me warn you, today—”

“Ahem!” The purple-gold crowned elder coughed sharply, making the one behind him flinch and hold his tongue.

Zhao Sheng eyed the trio ahead, their faces growing more recognizable, until a memory struck him.

In that instant, inspiration hit, and he tested the waters, “I've just recalled. You're… from the Wuxiang Demon Sect!”

These words made all three faces change in unison.

After several breaths, the purple-gold crowned elder replied gravely, “Taoist Zhao, you jest. We follow not the Demon Path, but belong to an Immortal Sect. Ours is a hidden lineage, seldom mingling with the outside.”

“Haha, Wuxiang Demon Sect survivors or otherwise, my sole aim remains entering the spiritual realm for that one treasure. All else is irrelevant.”

The purple-gold crowned elder's brow arched faintly as he declared deeply, “And if I refuse? Will you force your way? Fellow Taoist, consider well—even against us three, victory isn't assured for you.”

Yet they held their ground unmoving, betraying their caution toward Zhao Sheng.

“Haha!” Zhao Sheng erupted in laughter.

His expression hardened abruptly, and he menaced darkly, “Refuse me entry, and see if I don't turn around and leave right now?”

Hu Qianqian's face shifted at these words, plunging into thought.

After a silent exchange with his two junior brothers, a grin bloomed on his features.

Hu Qianqian waved welcomingly and proclaimed cheerfully, “Our sect cherishes harmony with all. Since fellow Taoist honors our mountain gate with a visit, we gladly receive you.”

He directed, “Junior Brother Cheng, Nephew Feng, fling wide the portal to greet our honored guest.”

“As you command!”

The two white-robed elders saluted and obeyed, wheeling about to plunge through the portal.

Moments later, the gateway surged in size several-fold, becoming a majestic light arch nine feet across and high.

Now, the purple-gold crowned elder Hu Qianqian turned to Zhao Sheng with a smile and inviting gesture, “Taoist Zhao, after you!”

With that, Hu Qianqian strode toward the light gate.

Zhao Sheng pondered swiftly, recalling the Five Directions Treasure Mirror into his body.

In a flash, he positioned himself beside Hu Qianqian.

They advanced together, stride for stride, neither leading.

Hu Qianqian acted oblivious, stepping into the light gate.

Zhao Sheng matched him without delay, crossing the threshold nearly together.

The following instant, brilliance flooded his vision, unveiling a fresh realm before Zhao Sheng.

An azure sky like polished jade spanned a thousand miles of lush plains, brimming with orderly spirit fields.

Winding rivers snaked through expansive spirit fields, meandering to far-off woods.

Along the waterways and fields rose many manors, hinting at bustling life amid idyllic scenery.

Aloft, isles hovered in the firmament, crowded with halls and pagodas linked by radiant bridges as figures hurried to and fro.

Hu Qianqian waited calmly until Zhao Sheng absorbed the vista, then smiled, “Taoist Zhao, this way!”

As he spoke, azure clouds gathered beneath his soles.

Zhao Sheng's eyes gleamed; the Nine Nether Tower in his grasp shimmered subtly, a gray-white thread—visible solely to him—stretching forth toward a remote peak.

“That's my destination!” Zhao Sheng indicated the far mountain and stated firmly.

A peculiar glint passed through Hu Qianqian’s gaze.

He nodded without pause, beaming, “Your haste is clear, so I shan't detain you. Proceed as you wish.”

Zhao Sheng brushed aside potential plots, zeroing in on the Great Saint’s lingering soul.

He saluted Hu Qianqian with clasped hands, “Taoist Hu, gratitude for your accommodation. Farewell!”

Thus spoke, he shot toward the horizon.

In a mere dozen breaths, Zhao Sheng traversed two thousand miles to crest the mountain.

Gazing down, the peak sprawled immensely, its ridges stretching hundreds of miles. Barren and grassless, it lay littered with massive boulders.

Zhao Sheng unleashed his Divine Thought, blanketing the entire mountain in a flash.

The gray-white line brushed the surface and fanned out, blanketing the whole range.

Zhao Sheng's brow furrowed lightly, puzzled briefly.

He focused intently, scanning the mountain below anew.

One breath, two, three…

Abruptly, a tremor hit him, like detecting a presence.

“Hmm, is this…?”

Within the “Divine Thought” sight, the mountain's exterior dissolved, exposing its true shape.

It morphed into a colossal stone ape, posed in kneeling or lounging reverence, eyes shut, face grave and majestic, vividly real.

Exactly!

Precisely!

Wasn't this identical to the reclining ape rock under the Golden Crane Great Saint before!

As the proverb says, the sought eludes until found by chance!

In a heartbeat, Zhao Sheng grasped that this mountain stemmed from the Great Saint’s residual soul.

Even as delight surged, a soft chuckle rang in his ear, “Haha, Taoist Zhao, you've located it astonishingly fast?”

Hmm?

Zhao Sheng’s mind jolted, and in an instant, he teleported a hundred miles away.

Just after his move, Hu Qianqian suddenly appeared at his previous location.

“Damn, I had just discovered a clue, and you interrupted me. Now I have to spend considerable effort searching again. You’ve come at such an inconvenient time!”

Zhao Sheng appeared aggrieved and shouted, putting on an arrogant demeanor.

Zhao Sheng’s mind jolted, and in an instant, he teleported a hundred miles away.

Just after his move, Hu Qianqian suddenly appeared at his previous location.