Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1689 - 907: Heaven’s Will Has Always Been Hard to Fathom

After a moment of contemplation, Zhao Sheng rose to his feet. He then tilted his head, as if catching a distant sound.

With a sudden snap of his fingers, he vanished without a trace.

Another snap echoed, and Lu Haichao, who had been seated opposite, jolted awake from a trance, his eyes slowly regaining their clarity.

His mind became sharp once more as he surveyed the jade table before him, noticing two teacups emitting faint wisps of steam, indicating the tea was still warm.

Lu Haichao's countenance shifted dramatically. His eyes widened, as if he had encountered a specter, and he sprang to his feet.

Boom!

A formidable and imposing aura surged from his body, causing everything within the room to disintegrate into countless particles in an instant.

"Who... who was here just now?" Lu Haichao questioned aloud, his voice laced with shock.

The very next moment, a terrifying wave, akin to a boundless ocean, emanated from the room, instantly engulfing the entirety of Gaoya City.

In a flash, countless cultivators within the city turned ashen with fear, their gazes all converging towards the northern part of the city, the fabled sanctuary of the Divinity Transformation Ancestor.

The awe-inspiring wave of divine sense lingered over the city for an extended period.

Finding no discernible anomaly, after a considerable duration, the divine sense wave abruptly receded.

The cultivators throughout the city, having witnessed this event, still felt a lingering sense of dread. It was only as night descended that they could finally exhale in relief.

...

Since antiquity, Gaoya City has prospered in its southern districts while remaining impoverished in the north. This disparity arises because the northern city lies perilously close to a thousand-foot sea cliff; consequently, when sea beasts launch their assaults, the northern city walls bear the brunt of the attack.

Aside from the main thoroughfare, which bustled with activity, the other streets and alleyways in the northern part of the city appeared somewhat desolate.

Situated midway along Sea Treasure Road, north of the main street, stood a pharmacy known as Chongyang Hall.

The establishment's frontage was modest, adhering to the conventional design of a shop in the front with living quarters in the rear. The retail space spanned approximately two hundred square meters, connecting to two courtyards behind.

The Great Sun cast its rays westward, painting the sky with a dim, yellowish hue.

A continuous stream of pedestrians hurried past Chongyang Hall, yet not a single soul ventured into the pharmacy.

The unusual lack of patrons cast a pall of worry over the middle-aged shopkeeper behind the medicine counter, who let out frequent, sorrowful sighs.

At that precise moment, Zhao Sheng materialized discreetly at the pharmacy's entrance.

He cast a glance at the signboard before calmly entering the premises.

Upon spotting a potential customer, the middle-aged shopkeeper quickly forced a smile and offered a cordial greeting, "Welcome, esteemed guest. May I inquire about the elixir pills you seek? Our establishment boasts a six-century legacy of honorable trade, and we possess every item available in this city—"

"Shopkeeper, I've heard your establishment is available for acquisition?"

Zhao Sheng's words instantly stiffened the smile on the middle-aged shopkeeper's face.

Nevertheless, he recovered swiftly, replacing his previous expression with one of more genuine warmth, and hurried out from behind the counter.

The middle-aged shopkeeper first secured the shop's front entrance, then proceeded to activate the defensive barrier within the premises.

Having completed these preparations, he turned to Zhao Sheng, a smile gracing his features as he stated, "Esteemed Taoist, your information is impeccable! This humble shop is indeed up for sale. However, this is hardly the place for negotiations. Please, Taoist, allow me to escort you to the back courtyard for our discussion."

With that, the middle-aged shopkeeper gestured for Zhao Sheng to proceed, the smile on his face gradually fading.

"Very well."

Zhao Sheng nodded and followed the middle-aged shopkeeper, soon arriving in the rear courtyard.

...

As twilight deepened, the doors of Chongyang Hall were reopened, revealing two figures emerging from within – none other than Zhao Sheng and the middle-aged shopkeeper.

The middle-aged shopkeeper stepped out first, then turned back, cupping his fists in a solemn gesture. "Brother Zhao, a moment, if you please! From this day forward, Chongyang Hall belongs entirely to you. I trust you will manage this pharmacy with diligence, ensuring this six-hundred-year-old brand does not—"

With a sudden gesture, the middle-aged shopkeeper slapped his own forehead, a flicker of regret crossing his face as he exclaimed, "Why am I dwelling on such matters now?"

"Let it be! I, Cen, sincerely wish Chongyang Hall continued prosperity in its future endeavors!"

Zhao Sheng reciprocated the gesture, cupping his hands in return. "Thank you for your kind wishes! I also wish you, Daoist Cen, a luminous path ahead, and may you soon achieve a breakthrough to form the Core."

"Haha! Taoist Zhao, please do stay. We part ways here today. Farewell!"

Cen Baixiang's smile faltered slightly. After offering another fist-cupping salute, he turned and departed into the distance.

With the person having departed, Zhao Sheng's gaze drifted upwards towards the signboard. With a flick of his wrist, a spiritual light flashed, and the characters "Chongyang Hall" inscribed on the signboard dissolved into nothingness. In their place, three resplendent Immortal Seal characters materialized, proclaiming "Heavenly Will Square." Simultaneously, a poetic couplet unfurled on either side of the grand entrance.

"Fated guests are welcome to enter; those without destiny shall pass by unseen."

After a moment of contemplation, Zhao Sheng offered a slight nod of approval, finding the verse perfectly to his liking. He then issued a soft command into the air, "Mu Zha, where are you?"

Before his words had even fully dissipated, a verdant light coalesced from the void, rapidly taking the form of a tall, strikingly handsome young man clad in flowing green robes.

"Mu Zha, at your service, my lord!" the youth declared, kneeling on one knee with his head bowed in a gesture of profound respect.

Zhao Sheng paused for a beat, then instructed, "I am in need of several clerks to manage affairs within the store. Mu Zha, select a few individuals known for their sharp intellect and pleasing demeanor to attend to the patrons here."

"Your will be done!" Mu Zha responded, his stance becoming resolute. As he spoke, his mouth opened slightly, and in the ensuing moment, a cascade of shimmering lights erupted forth, solidifying into four distinct figures in the air.

Among the newly formed individuals were two men and two women. The male attendants possessed an unassuming appearance, yet exuded an aura of gentle refinement, akin to a gentle spring breeze that instantly put others at ease. The female attendants were both breathtakingly beautiful; one possessed a graceful and alluring charm, while the other carried an air of cool, celestial detachment, seemingly untouched by worldly matters.

Having just arrived in this new environment, the four immediately prostrated themselves before Zhao Sheng, offering a unified greeting, "Sinners... pay our respects to the Fourth Ancestor!"

Zhao Sheng acknowledged their obeisance with a nod, simultaneously sending a silent divine thought towards them. A flicker of surprise crossed their faces, quickly followed by an overwhelming surge of joy. They bowed once more, their voices filled with emotion, "The Fourth Ancestor's boundless benevolence is a debt we can never repay, not even across three lifetimes. From this moment forth, we pledge our absolute best efforts, yearning only to atone for our past transgressions at the earliest possible opportunity."