Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1654: 890: Preparations from All Sides

The Inverted Mountain presented a peculiar setting, marked by extended periods of daylight and exceptionally brief, infrequent nights.

Not long after the mysterious robed figure departed, a dark essence materialized within the Cloud Sea below, spreading outward like an inkblot on water.

Within moments, roughly half of the Cloud Sea had transmuted into an obscuring mist of blackness.

As the sky began to dim, Zhao Sheng’s brow furrowed, a sense of unease suddenly dawning upon him.

At that precise instant, the Stone Spirit leaped skyward. Gazing at the Cloud Sea, now half-black and half-white, it cried out with alarm, “This is not good! The sky… the sky is about to darken!”

With a heavy thud, the Stone Spirit’s form impacted the ground, rolling to Zhao Sheng’s feet, its eyes glowing with an urgent, crimson light.

Observing this, Zhao Sheng inquired with curiosity, “What occurs when it becomes dark?”

The Stone Spirit’s eyes flickered erratically as it spoke with a voice quivering, “Once darkness descends, a formidable terror emerges to prowl. You are unaware, are you not? This great terror is exceedingly dreadful; even Ruined Immortals are but insignificant figures before it!”

“Little Zhao, why do you not hasten back? Our transaction can be discussed at a later time.”

Though the Stone Spirit’s concern was genuine, Zhao Sheng, with the looming major tribulation, felt neither the desire nor the ability to depart empty-handed.

Zhao Sheng swiftly gathered his thoughts and expressed his sincere gratitude to the Stone Spirit. “Thank you, Senior, for the warning. However, I wish to wait a while longer. Should the great terror appear, I shall depart immediately.”

Having stated this, he ascended into the air, his gaze fixed upon the rapidly darkening Cloud Sea, his expression growing increasingly solemn and serious.

Fortunately, the most dire outcome was averted.

In mere moments, a surge of dark energy traversed the barren landscape at an astonishing velocity, reaching the Inverted Mountain in the blink of an eye.

As the dark essence dispersed, the mysterious black-robed figure reappeared before Zhao Sheng and the Stone Spirit, carrying two Bone Boxes.

The mysterious figure appeared agitated and, without uttering a word, propelled the two Bone Boxes toward Zhao Sheng.

Concurrently, a transmission of intent reached Zhao Sheng: “The white box contains four Wind Immortal Bones. The Filthy Immortal Arrow resides within the gray Bone Box. The method for controlling the Filthy Immortal Arrow is…”

Zhao Sheng offered a slight nod and casually opened the white Bone Box. Inside lay four exquisitely clear bones of varying lengths, the longest nearly half a foot, the shortest akin to a toe bone.

With a soft click, he closed the box but refrained from opening the other.

Witnessing this, the mysterious black-robed man promptly inquired in a deep tone, “Do you harbor doubts toward me?”

Zhao Sheng placed the gray Bone Box on the ground, retreated several paces, and gestured toward it. “Senior, would you be so kind as to open it for me?”

“Hmph!” The mysterious man in the black robe emitted a cold snort. His face remained concealed by his robe, but his displeasure was palpable.

Without the slightest hesitation, he projected a thread of his will, instantly unsealing the Bone Box’s lid.

The moment the lid was lifted, substantial swarms of distorted phantoms streamed forth from within, enveloping the immediate surroundings within moments.

Upon closer examination, these phantoms appeared layered, all uniquely grotesque, bizarre, and monstrous.

Zhao Sheng narrowed his eyes slightly, recognizing them as the fabled Six Desires Demon Thoughts, whose peculiar and frightening nature he had previously encountered at the Gray Mountain Immortal Palace.

Curiously, the Six Desires Demon Thoughts did not breach the three-foot boundary, seemingly constrained by an unseen force.

“Senior, I require a complete explanation,” Zhao Sheng stated icily, his expression devoid of warmth.

The mysterious black-robed man remained composed, merely responding, “These are manifestations of Filthy Phenomena and pose no threat. Young friend, you are welcome to recite the Arrow Control Technique and attempt to command the Filthy Immortal Arrow.”

He continued with a cautionary note, “This arrow possesses immense power and is guaranteed to strike true. Exercise minimal control, but under no circumstances should you launch it.”

Zhao Sheng, though receiving this counsel, maintained a degree of caution in his heart.

After a brief pause, he recited the Arrow Control Incantation and extended his Will Heart Light into the Bone Box.

One breath,

two breaths,

following the third breath, the dense spectral forms appeared startled, suddenly retreating back into the container.

In the subsequent instant, a small, grayish-white arrow wobbled forth from the box.

The arrow, approximately six inches in length and as thick as a thumb, was adorned with peculiar patterns along its shaft. Its tip consisted of a cluster of pitch-black material, constantly shifting and morphing into various hideous demonic specters.

Faint beads of sweat emerged on Zhao Sheng’s forehead, as though the robust and potent Will Heart Light coursing through his entire being was being drained into a bottomless abyss, consumed at an alarming rate.

The Filthy Immortal Arrow behaved like a gluttonous Taotie, voraciously ingesting his Will Heart Light, its hunger seemingly insatiable.

After a brief moment, Zhao Sheng ceased his incantation, carefully returning the Filthy Immortal Arrow to its resting place within the Bone Box.

With a decisive click, the lid sealed shut, severing all ties between the Filthy Immortal Arrow and the external world.

Zhao Sheng then reached out, drawing the Bone Box into his grasp. Two sharp snaps followed as he affixed a yellow Sealing Talisman to each of the Bone Boxes.

In the very next second, he propelled an object towards the cloaked man, calling out, “Senior, do catch.”

The mysterious figure eagerly snatched the airborne Small Wind Stabilizing Pearl.

Glancing up to where Zhao Sheng had stood moments before, he found only emptiness; the person had vanished without a trace.

Just then, the Stone Spirit tumbled into view, its voice laced with profound worry, “Old Bone, you parted with the Filthy Immortal Arrow this time. Are you not concerned about losing everything?”

“Not concerned! He shall return.”

Before the words fully left his lips, the mysterious man in black had already dissolved into a swirling mass of dark vapor, streaking like lightning into the expanse above the ground.

Not long thereafter, the descent of the Inverted Mountain’s “night” blanketed the land!

…

Southwest Beast Mountain, Shen Zhou,

Beneath the boundless expanse of the sky above Great Saint Ridge, a vibrant swirl of multi-colored clouds drifted serenely.