Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1707 - 918: Reunion with the Ancestor, Journey to the Vast Sea Realm (2)

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Previously on Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension...
Twenty years have passed as Zhao Sheng cultivates within the Five Elements Cave Heaven. He sends out Dao Golden Pearls, which transform into secret realms and spirit lands. Later, his disciples Jin Zha, Shui Zha, and Huozha return, presenting him with numerous treasures, while Mu Zha and Tu Zha also appear, leading to some bickering among them. Zhao Sheng uses the collected treasures to enhance the Cave Heaven.
Within mere decades, the Five Elements Cave Heaven's diameter dramatically expanded, growing from three hundred and sixty thousand li to four hundred and ten thousand li. Zhao Sheng's cultivation pace, already dozens of times swifter than his peers, accelerated exponentially after acquiring a substantial quantity of Principle Crystals, Cave Heaven Marrow Jade, and Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures. His cultivation speed now surged to an astonishing hundredfold increase. This meant that a century of his diligent practice was equivalent to at least ten thousand years for others in the Integration Realm. ... Thirty years vanished in the blink of an eye. With the assistance of his two avatars, Zhao Sheng dedicated nearly two hundred years to initially grasp over fourteen hundred Tao True Texts. By this time, the Five Elements Cave Heaven had burgeoned to an immense forty-six thousand li, and Zhao Sheng's personal strength naturally ascended to the mid-stage Integration Realm. On this particular day, he reopened his eyes and extended his right hand, meticulously calculating with his fingers. After a single breath, Zhao Sheng suddenly comprehended and rose to his feet. As he stood, his two avatars simultaneously rose and bowed respectfully towards his main body. Zhao Sheng returned the bow and inquired, "Where are Jin Zha and Huozha?" The question was uttered at a moderate volume, exhibiting no unusual resonance. Yet, in an instant, the voice permeated the entirety of the Cave Heaven, reaching Jin Zha and Huozha's awareness immediately. Two breaths later, Jin Zha and Huozha hastened to their master's side, offering him profound salutations. Zhao Sheng regarded the two avatars and stated with gravity, "This time, have Jin Zha and Huozha accompany you. Journeys into the heavens are fraught with unpredictable perils; thus, you must proceed with utmost caution. I entrust this mission to you!" With their telepathic connection, the two avatars solemnly bowed in unison, proclaiming, "We shall not falter in our duty!" Upon speaking, the two avatars summoned Jin Zha and Huozha to their proximity and imparted several instructions. Subsequently, they bid farewell to Zhao Sheng and soon departed the Cave Heaven, setting their course towards the Divine Land Ancestral Land. Half a year later, the two avatars, escorting millions of miscellaneous clansmen from the Zhao Family, recommenced their expedition to explore the heavens. ... In the heart of the Divine Land, upon a desolate island within the Nameless Sea. A barren stone mountain, reaching a thousand zhang in height, stood ensconced deep within the island. The rhythmic sound of axes striking stone echoed daily from its summit. That day, Zhao Sheng emerged from the Dark Sky and arrived at the mountainside of this towering stone peak. Chink chink chink! The reverberations of stone chiseling emanated from the cliff face below the mountainside. Observed from a distance, a slender, aged figure could be seen diligently wielding an iron chisel beneath the cliff. Each strike of the chisel upon the unyielding stone wall dislodged a cascade of rock fragments, progressively revealing a remarkably lifelike humanoid stone effigy. Zhao Sheng materialized silently behind the Old Stone Mason, offered a slight nod to the young Daoist standing nearby, and then intently observed the Old Stone Mason's meticulous carving. The young Daoist, not daring to be remiss, promptly bowed in greeting and conveyed his respects to the Fourth Ancestor via Divine Thought. "Qiongye pays his respects to the Fourth Ancestor!" Zhao Sheng silently continued his observation of the Old Stone Mason's technique while transmitting a reply through Divine Thought, "No need for excessive formality! Since you have inherited Chongyue Cave Heaven, we shall henceforth regard each other as equals." The young Daoist, bearing the surname Zhao and the given name Qiongye, had previously held the ninth rank among the Zhao Family's Daoists. Following the vacancy of the Chongyue Cave Heaven's master, all the Returning Void elders within the Zhao Family had cast covetous glances towards it. In their pursuit of inheriting the esteemed title of Cave Heaven Lord, every elder had showcased their unique talents, sparing no effort. However, the ultimate victor in this contest was the youthful Zhao Qiongye, who stood before him. The reason for his inheritance of Chongyue Cave Heaven was not solely attributed to his belonging to the same ancestral lineage as the Three Ancestors, but more crucially, because he was sufficiently "young." Indeed! For the position of Cave Heaven Lord, youth represented the most significant advantage. Zhao Qiongye, at a mere seventeen hundred years of age, possessed the potential to live for at least another thirty thousand years after assuming control of Chongyue Cave Heaven, vastly outliving those elder figures. Ultimately, the less frequently a Cave Heaven changed hands, the slower its degradation, thereby indirectly extending its "lifespan." Chink chink —— Shortly thereafter, the rhythmic chipping of stone abruptly ceased. The Old Stone Mason lowered his chisel, slowly straightened himself, and then turned around.

"Chonghe, you’ve arrived!" Zhao Xuanjing regarded Zhao Sheng with a smile, his voice filled with warmth.

Zhao Sheng, not daring to show any disrespect, quickly bowed. "Chonghe greets the Ancestor."

Zhao Xuanjing made a dismissive gesture, signaling for him to dispense with such formality. He then indicated Zhao Qiongye with a nod.

"Qiongye, this young man possesses an excellent disposition. You should foster a closer relationship in the future. The Zhao Family's legacy will ultimately rest upon your shoulders."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Qiongye hastened to bow, replying, "Ancestor, I am but young and naive, entirely unworthy of such a significant undertaking."

Zhao Sheng, overhearing the exchange, responded, "The Ancestor must be jesting. My nature is rather aloof; I tend to follow my own whims and am ill-suited to bear the Ancestor's weighty responsibilities. Furthermore, with the Great Ancestor and Second Ancestor still present, surely it is not yet my turn."

"Additionally, Wu Lei and Yong Ye are also exceptionally astute and capable, more than sufficient to safeguard the Zhao Family's heritage."

Zhao Xuanjing sighed, a hint of helplessness in his expression. He simply pointed at Zhao Sheng before letting the matter drop.

He then devised a pretext to send Zhao Qiongye on his way.

Once Zhao Qiongye had vanished into the void, Zhao Xuanjing extended his hand and retrieved a stone box from the ethereal expanse.

He peeled away the sealing talisman from the lid, extracting a single drop of golden substance, resembling 'amber' – the Chaos Divine Blood.

Zhao Xuanjing presented the Chaos Divine Blood to Zhao Sheng. "Chonghe, I require your personal assistance with a certain matter."

"What is it that requires my attention?" Zhao Sheng inquired, his gaze curious as he carefully placed the Chaos Divine Blood into his Grotto Heaven Halo.

"You are to personally escort this stone box to the Taiyue Immortal Venerable within the Vast Sea Realm. This box contains a single drop of Chaos Divine Blood; you must not allow it to fall into the wrong hands."

Zhao Sheng looked at the stone box Zhao Xuanjing offered but did not immediately accept it. "Ancestor, my deepest desire is to refine the Chaos Divine Blood myself. Might we not entrust this task to another?"

Zhao Xuanjing let out a weary sigh. "Believe me, I would rather not task you with this journey. However, the Taiyue Immortal Venerable specifically requested you by name. I find myself with no other recourse."

A sense of unease settled upon Zhao Sheng as he heard this, his mind churning with questions regarding the Taiyue Immortal Venerable's peculiar choice.

"Ancestor, I rarely venture beyond these lands and have never had the honor of meeting the Taiyue Immortal Venerable. Why, then, would he specifically single me out by name..."

Zhao Xuanjing pondered for a moment, then ventured a guess. "Perhaps it is connected to your status as an Immortal Ruins Guest. When Da Shan was still among us, the Taiyue Immortal Venerable also dispatched him to the Vast Sea Realm. But... the precise reason for these summons remains elusive. Da Shan was ever tight-lipped, and I gained no insight... It is unlikely to be anything malevolent."

Upon hearing this explanation, a sudden spark of understanding ignited within Zhao Sheng.

"Could it be..."

A moment of profound realization struck him. Without further hesitation, he extended his hand to accept the stone box, thereby agreeing to undertake the mission.

Time, indeed, waits for no one!

Soon after, Zhao Sheng bid farewell to the Ancestor and dissolved into the very air, leaving no trace behind.

...

Beyond the confines of the Taiyi Spirit Realm lie numerous Constant Sand Worlds, scattered across the cosmos. Among them, the Vast Sea Realm holds paramount importance.

This realm serves as the heart of the Celestial Star Battle Formation. Through the ages, its existence has remained concealed, perceptible only to those who have attained the Integration Realm or higher.

The reason for its hidden nature is that the Vast Sea Realm does not reside in the current temporal flow but is secreted away within the Second Divine Palace Heaven.

Clutching a jade talisman, Zhao Sheng followed its guiding energy. In a tranquil, darkened sector of the Divine Palace Heaven, he soon perceived a solitary point of starlight.

With a surge of intent, his form transformed into a streak of pure light, plunging headlong into the depths of the starlight, vanishing completely.

In an instant, his surroundings shifted. A boundless ocean stretched out beneath him, vast and unending. In the hazy distance, at the periphery of this Heavenly Sea, a celestial mountain faintly materialized.

The mountain possessed an ethereal quality, veiled in swirling mists, appearing much like a fleeting mirage.

Zhao Sheng materialized just above the ocean's surface. His gaze fixed upon the distant celestial mountain, shimmering at the edge of the Heavenly Sea, before he once again dissolved into thin air.

The celestial mountain stood with imposing grandeur. A grand staircase, crafted from jade and spanning over three zhang in width, ascended from the mountain's base to its summit. Ancient, verdant trees lined the path, interspersed with exotic flora and rare herbs.

With a flash of movement, Zhao Sheng appeared upon the beginning of the stone steps and commenced his ascent up the majestic mountain.