Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1673: 900: Cause and Effect Settled, Heavenly Dao Hard to Repay

Chapter 1673: Chapter 900: Cause and Effect Settled, Heavenly Dao Hard to Repay

Deep beneath the Divine Continent, within the vast Chaotic Space.

After a moment of astonishment, Zhao Sheng felt a surge of anxiety, quickly urging, “Ancestor, the rebellion on the Divine Continent hasn't been fully quelled, and the Great Ancestor is currently in a stalemate. Without anyone to oversee external affairs, it could plunge into even greater turmoil. We should depart from this place at once.”

Zhao Xuanjing responded with an unconcerned air, “There is no need for worry! Wu Lei and Eternal Night have already returned to the Divine Continent; they shall manage matters beyond this realm. The chaos within this very space is our primary concern.”

As he concluded his statement, he abruptly extended his right hand downwards, his five fingers moving with a gentle grace, as if he were plucking unseen strings.

Indeed, the ubiquitous strings of gravity were being caressed by him, as he coincidentally “performed” a profoundly mysterious “tune.”

This “melody” was intangible, yet it carried within it an indescribable essence.

In the blink of an eye, an myriad of tentacles began to undulate, seemingly to the rhythm of the celestial song.

A single breath later, nine grand tentacles slowly extended, manifesting before Zhao Sheng and Zhao Xuanjing. From the tips of these appendages, a drop of golden liquid slowly emerged, crystal clear and resembling solidified amber.

This golden “amber” descended into the spiritual realm bubble, instantly erupting with a resplendent golden radiance, suffusing the entirety of the spiritual realm and transforming it into a golden ocean.

Zhao Xuanjing gestured with his hand, and the nine spiritual realm “bubbles” gently swayed. They then detached from the tentacles, gracefully drifting towards Zhao Sheng.

Upon witnessing this, Zhao Sheng immediately grasped his ancestor's intent. He waved his sleeve, smoothly collecting all nine spiritual realms.

Having completed this task, he turned his gaze towards his ancestor, a look of bewilderment etched on his face.

Zhao Xuanjing lowered his right hand and inquired with a smile, “Chonghe, do you not find it peculiar? In merely over two hundred thousand years, not only has my progress been extraordinary, but San Yue and Hongyun have also advanced with astonishing speed. Do you understand the underlying reason for this?”

Zhao Sheng pondered for a moment, then gestured towards the surrounding chaos, posing a question, “Could it be… due to the Chaos itself?!”

“Haha, indeed, it is because of Chaos!” Zhao Xuanjing reaffirmed with a hearty laugh, nodding his assent.

“Chaos is undoubtedly a favored child of the Great Dao, its very blood a manifestation of the power of Daoist Laws. It possesses numerous miraculous properties, such as accelerating the 'growth' of Grotto Heavens and aiding in the establishment of grand Cave Heaven Blessed Lands.

The blood of Chaos is exceptionally scarce. Even true Immortals covet it intensely. Were it not for Chaos’s overwhelming might, those Immortals would have long ago resorted to forceful acquisition.”

Zhao Sheng felt a secret tremor upon hearing this, astonished that even True Immortals harbored desires for Chaos. How many secrets lay concealed within their family’s history, unrecorded and untold?

Zhao Xuanjing paused, then continued, “Throughout the past two hundred thousand years, True Immortals and certain veteran Great Venerables have kept a watchful eye on Chaos. I was compelled to publicly declare that Chaos could only yield a single drop of its Divine Blood every century. Consequently, over the years, the vast majority of this Divine Blood was obtained through trade with the True Immortals, leaving precious little in the possession of the Zhao Family.”

At this revelation, Zhao Sheng’s mind immediately turned to the nine drops of Divine Blood he had just collected.

Zhao Xuanjing, seeming to perceive his thoughts, suddenly chuckled with a sly grin. “Naturally, I have managed to conceal a substantial quantity of Divine Blood. Even a few True Immortals are aware of this fact, yet they have all implicitly agreed to my actions. While I publicly state that only one drop is produced per hundred years, in reality, the actual output is ninefold.”

“And this surplus Divine Blood has been utilized for my own cultivation, as well as for San Yue, Hongyun, and Da Shan. This is precisely why our advancements have been so remarkably swift.

Presently, San Yue and Hongyun are in secluded cultivation, while Da Shan unfortunately met his demise. For the time being, I am unable to utilize Chaos Divine Blood myself. Henceforth, any additional Chaos Divine Blood will be exclusively allocated to you.”

“My hope is that you can rapidly enhance your cultivation. While we were fortunate enough to repel Old Ghost Wanxing this time, as long as Wanxing draws breath, our clan will never know true peace. Should Old Ghost Wanxing launch another assault, we may not be so fortunate next time.”

Zhao Xuanjing’s countenance grew exceedingly grave, his apprehension towards Old Ghost Wanxing palpable.

Following his solemn declaration, Zhao Sheng’s lips curved into a smile, tinged with a hint of pride. “Ancestor need not fret! Old Ghost Wanxing can no longer cause any trouble, for it has met its ultimate end.”

“What?” Upon hearing this, Zhao Xuanjing’s expression shifted dramatically. He inquired with haste and eagerness, “Old Ghost Wanxing is truly fallen? Are you absolutely certain?!”

Zhao Sheng declared with unwavering certainty: “More truthful than any gold! I personally witnessed the Filthy Immortal Arrow strike down Old Ghost Wanxing and saw him utterly consumed by malevolent Devilish Thought. He… is unquestionably deceased!”

“Magnificent, absolutely magnificent! Wanxing’s demise is a blessing!” Zhao Xuanjing declared with immense heartiness, his countenance visibly easing, as if a colossal weight had been lifted.

“Chonghe, you have… performed admirably!” Zhao Xuanjing lauded Zhao Sheng amidst his jovial laughter.

Zhao Sheng responded with humility, “Were it not for the Ancestor continuously pinning down Old Ghost Wanxing, achieving such a flawless strike would have been beyond my capabilities.”

“Ah, that is hardly the case… Your merit is paramount, an achievement none can diminish! With you to safeguard the Zhao Family, I can finally find peace.”

At this juncture, Zhao Xuanjing’s tone shifted dramatically: “The rampant Chaos intensifies too rapidly, compelling me to sustain the Divine Continent by siphoning Divine Blood regularly to curb its expansion. Now, with the Heart Demon relentlessly assaulting me, maintaining control over Chaos alone depletes my Heart Power, leaving me with precious little attention for other matters.

San Yue and Hongyun are indisposed, unable to attend to the Zhao Family’s affairs, and Wu Lei along with Eternal Night possess insufficient capabilities. Therefore, commencing from this moment, the Ten Lands Zhao Clan must solely be entrusted to your vigilant guardianship.

Chonghe, you must comprehend that our clan, while appearing formidable and nigh-invincible on the surface, is secretly riddled with countless perils. Not only do worldly True Immortals and seasoned Great Venerables constantly cast avaricious glances upon Chaos, but numerous insidious Evil Demons also covertly observe our clan’s most guarded secrets.

Should any misfortune befall me, San Yue, or Hongyun, every single 'adversary' lying in wait for the Zhao Family would undoubtedly surge forth, unleashing consequences beyond comprehension.

Consequently, for the enduring prosperity of the Zhao Family, you must urgently elevate your strength to avert the occurrence of such unspeakable calamities.”

As Zhao Sheng absorbed these words, a growing weight settled in his heart. He discerned within his Ancestor’s counsel a subtle undertone of impending responsibility, and a sense of unease began to stir.

“Ancestor, why speak such words! With your might present, who would dare to challenge the Zhao Family?”

In response to Zhao Sheng’s earnest query, Zhao Xuanjing’s expression grew even more grave, and he stated with profound seriousness: “Across the vast expanse of history, Tribulation Crossing Realm Venerables have emerged in endless succession, yet how many have truly attained immortal ascension? Taoyue Immortal Venerable once presciently remarked that navigating the tribulations of wind and fire is comparatively simple; the true challenge lies in eradicating the Heart Demon! The Heart Demon Tribulation is a beast entirely distinct from the trials of Heavenly Fire and Majestic Wind. In truth, the moment one successfully overcomes the Majestic Wind Tribulation, the Heart Demon Tribulation has already stealthily commenced.

For us Great Venerables, the Heart Demon Tribulation represents an unending trial. Only a select, minuscule fraction possessing an ironclad Dao heart and unparalleled mental clarity can perceive the Heart Demon as nonexistent, thereby effortlessly surmounting this formidable challenge.

However, the overwhelming majority of cultivators within the Tribulation Crossing Realm find themselves burdened not only by a multitude of heart demons stemming from deeply entrenched past causes and effects but also by an immense debt owed to the Heavenly Dao.

The ancient sages wisely imparted, 'When karmic debts are settled, the Heavenly Dao remains arduous to repay!' Should one fail to discharge their 'obligations' to the Heavenly Dao, the Celestial Gate will forever remain sealed against daytime ascension.

While I have the capacity to leverage the power of Chaos and forcibly ascend to the Immortal Heaven, I harbor a profound fear that the Heavenly Dao will unjustly assign the karmic retribution to the Zhao Family. Should that occur, the Zhao Family would inevitably face utter annihilation. Such a selfish act is beyond my capability, nor is it my desire!”

Zhao Xuanjing’s unvarnished disclosure of his internal struggles deeply resonated with Zhao Sheng, rendering him speechless and unable to offer any words of comfort.

“…”

After a brief period of contemplation, he abruptly produced a box fashioned from bone, a muted gray-white in hue, from within his robes. He then firmly placed this container into Zhao Xuanjing’s outstretched hand.

“Ancestor, I accept this solemn charge. However, you cannot wholly absolve yourself of involvement. Within this box lie four Wind Immortal Bones. I implore you to refine every last one into Small Wind Stabilizing Pearls!”

Upon receiving the Bone Box, Zhao Xuanjing could not suppress a laugh, coupled with a gentle chiding: “Do you intend to toil this old man to exhaustion? Do you realize the sheer duration required to refine four Wind Immortal Bones? Are you aware of the immense rarity of wind-attributed True Immortal Bones? One or perhaps two Small Wind Stabilizing Pearls would suffice; refining them all would constitute an unforgivable waste!”

Hearing this, Zhao Sheng chuckled with a hint of mischievousness: “Your explanation matters little to me. At the very least, two Small Wind Stabilizing Pearls must be produced. One already has a designated recipient, and the other will serve as a treasured safeguard for the clan.”

Across all known universes, both Immortal Bones and Chaos Divine Blood stand as undeniable manifestations of the potent Power of Daoist Law.

It can be definitively stated that each individual Immortal Bone encapsulates a vast treasury of Tao True Texts, rendering them immeasurably valuable treasures to cultivators in the Lower Realm.

The profound understanding of the great Dao is directly proportional to the number of Dao True Texts comprehended, leading to swift advancements in one's Daoist cultivation.

Ordinarily, for a Tribulation Crossing Venerable to ascend to immortality, a minimum of one thousand Dao True Texts, all pertaining to the same Dao, must be mastered.

This fact underscores the critical importance of True Immortal Skeletons for Venerables at the Tribulation Crossing Realm.

Indeed, even Worldly True Immortals, such as Taoyue and Wu Naji, actively pursue True Immortal Skeletons aligned with their cultivated Dao. The sheer volume of Dao True Texts, numbering in the thousands, makes it impossible for even True Immortals to comprehend them all.

What's more, a paramount requirement for advancing to the Golden Immortal stage is the complete mastery of all Tao True Texts associated with one's cultivated Daoist Law.

Across innumerable Meeting Elements, the count of Golden Immortals who have achieved this feat can be tallied on a single hand!

Returning to the current discussion!

Zhao Xuanjing was acutely aware of the immense value of True Immortal Skeletons, making him hesitant to squander such celestial artifacts.

He secured the Bone Box within his robes while assenting to Zhao Sheng's request.

“You may return in a century. For now, take this Heavenly Book and depart swiftly; do not presume to disturb this old man's tranquility!” Zhao Xuanjing casually placed the Heavenly Book Ancestor Scroll into Zhao Sheng’s grasp, purposefully and impatiently ushering him out of the Chaotic Space.

Zhao Sheng remained unperturbed, carefully stowing the Heavenly Book Ancestor Scroll. He then engaged his ancestor with a few lighthearted, teasing remarks.

This playful banter, however, incited Zhao Xuanjing into a feigned ‘furious outburst,’ resulting in Zhao Sheng’s immediate expulsion.

…

A fleeting blur, and Zhao Sheng materialized instantaneously above Stone Mountain.

His smile vanished as he cast his gaze downwards upon Stone Mountain multiple times, before abruptly vanishing from his position.

Although the rebellion on the Divine Continent was quelled in less than a day, it inflicted considerable losses upon the Zhao Family.

The demise of a single figure, Zhao Dashan of the Three Ancestors, dealt a significant blow to the Zhao Family's Primordial Qi. This was compounded by the unexpected defection of Returning Void Elders, such as Zhao Chongjing and Zhao Chongxu, alongside three Returning Void Demon Emperors.

Initially, the Zhao Family boasted seventy-eight cultivators within the Returning to Void Realm; however, nine of them perished during this conflict.

The two Lords of Cave Heaven, Wu Lei and Eternal Night, personally intervened and swiftly executed the three Demon Emperors, striking decisive fear into the hearts of numerous hidden forces.

With Zhao Sheng conveying the ancestor's decree, the morale of the Zhao Family members was rapidly restored.

Under his direct oversight, a grander and more imposing Ancestor Hall was re-established in the heavens above the Divine Continent ten days later.

Three months hence, the devastation wrought by the preceding chaos was completely rectified, and the Divine Continent gradually regained its former peace and prosperity.

To preempt any potential enemy incursions, Zhao Sheng assumed the role of guardian within the Ancestor Hall for a full sixty years.

Upon the completion of sixty years, a new Master of Eternal Night emerged.

With this individual now safeguarding the Ancestor Hall, Zhao Sheng finally considered his obligations fulfilled and secretly retired, returning to Hualong Island to commence secluded cultivation.

With this individual now safeguarding the Ancestor Hall, Zhao Sheng finally considered his obligations fulfilled and secretly retired.