Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1671: 898: The Riddle of Chaos, End of the Great Battle (Part 3)

“The kindness you’ve shown me today, Junior Sister, I will not forget. In the future, I shall repay you tenfold, a hundredfold!”

Li Changxue’s smile held a hint of allure, seemingly quite pleased with her senior brother’s declaration.

Zhao Sheng perceived a peculiar nuance and couldn’t help but cast several glances at Zhao Xuanjing, musing internally, “This old fellow possesses remarkable charm; he can even captivate a legendary Empress. It truly brings back memories of my own past glory. Not bad, not bad at all!”

Lost in such thoughts, Zhao Sheng’s lips involuntarily curved into a subtle smile.

At that precise moment, a hoarse, aged voice suddenly resonated from below: “My mind was previously clouded by the deceitful schemes of that scoundrel Wanxing, and the actions I took were never my true intention. I am willing to atone with my life. I implore you two Taoists to show mercy on my arduous cultivation journey and spare me this day.”

Following the sound, Zhao Sheng observed an old, blind man whose expression conveyed a sense of desolation. This sight stirred something within Zhao Sheng, prompting him to turn his gaze toward Zhao Xuanjing.

“Lie Wuque, your transgressions are grievous…” Zhao Xuanjing’s demeanor shifted to one of exceptional sternness as he spoke in a profound tone.

As Zhao Sheng listened intently, he suddenly received a Divine Thought from Zhao San Yue.

Instantly, he became privy to the blind old man’s background and identity. This individual bore the surname Lie, his given name being Wuque, hailing from the Sui Ancient Lineage of the Nine Questions Immortal Sect within the Taisu Spiritual Realm. He had already transcended the Heavenly Fire Tribulation, attesting to his status as a One Tribulation Great Venerable.

“Nine Questions Immortal Sect?!” Zhao Sheng was intimately familiar with this particular sect; it was the very one to which he had pledged his allegiance in his previous existence!

Within the expansive framework of the Nine Questions Immortal Sect, there existed nine distinct lineages. Among them, the Sui Ancient Lineage stood out as the most ancient and enigmatic. Its successors were exceedingly rare, yet each generation consistently produced individuals of extraordinary talent. Legend had it that a Venerable of the Tribulation Crossing Realm resided within its ranks.

The presence of this man today seemed to validate the legend, provided, of course, that the man was not uttering falsehoods.

Zhao Sheng found himself believing in the sincerity of the old man’s words and entertained the notion of retaining him to serve the Zhao Family. However, Zhao Xuanjing clearly harbored different intentions.

He engaged Lie Wuque in a lengthy interrogation, but ultimately, he proceeded to seal the old man’s entire cultivation base and confined him within Xuanhu Mountain.

Having accomplished this, Zhao Xuanjing, accompanied by several individuals, departed from the Red Moon Cave Heaven.

His intention was to persuade Li Changxue to prolong her stay for a few days. However, the Empress politely demurred with a single word, subsequently returning with the Ten Thousand Spirits Map to the Spirit-controlling Immortal Sect’s mountain gate.

After witnessing the Empress’s departure, Zhao San Yue could no longer suppress her accumulated injuries. She promptly returned the Time Blade to the Ancestor and expressed her desire to enter seclusion.

Zhao Xuanjing was acutely aware of the considerable price paid for utilizing the Time Blade, and he felt a deep pang of heartache for Zhao San Yue’s sacrifice.

Observing Zhao San Yue enveloped in an aura of death, Zhao Xuanjing experienced a mixture of sorrow and shame. He hastily produced a collection of life-extending Elixir Pills and treasures, pressing them all into Zhao San Yue’s hands.

“Xiao Yue, you… you rest assured and enter seclusion! Your Ancestor will spare no effort in sourcing more life-extending items for you!” Zhao Xuanjing declared, offering a sincere vow after bestowing the treasures.

Zhao San Yue appeared remarkably composed, even managing a smile as she responded, “Ancestor, life-extending items are unnecessary; I have achieved enlightenment!”

“What? Yue’er, you mean…” Zhao Xuanjing inquired with evident shock, his tone hesitant.

Zhao San Yue smiled faintly. “Within a hundred years at the latest, the Nine-nine Tribulation will descend! I cannot afford to delay it, nor do I wish to. I currently possess a seventy percent confidence in successfully crossing this tribulation.”

Upon hearing this revelation, Zhao Sheng was greatly taken aback, never having anticipated such a level of confidence from the great ancestor.

Zhao Xuanjing, naturally, did not entertain any doubts regarding San Yue’s assertion. His joy was immediate and profound: “Good, good, good! Xiao Yue, you must hasten your entry into seclusion; there is no need to concern yourself with any other matters. All external affairs shall be handled by this old man alone!”

Zhao San Yue offered a slight bow to the Ancestor, then turned her attention to Zhao Sheng, imparting several crucial instructions.

Zhao Sheng readily agreed to each, committing them all to memory.

After her pronouncements, a Grotto Heaven Halo materialized behind Zhao San Yue’s head. She then ascended into the air, entering the halo and vanishing from sight.

Zhao Xuanjing, cradling Xuanhu Mountain in his right hand and gripping the Time Blade in his left, issued a command: “Chonghe, accompany me!”

With that, he raised his hand, conjuring a Qingyun, and stepped onto it. Zhao Sheng, witnessing this, swiftly followed suit, alighting on the edge of the cloud.