Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1724 - 924: Stop After Earning Three Hundred Thousand (2)

Yu Zhang Great Venerable observed Cold Light Venerable with an impassive expression before slowly resuming his seat.

Cold Light Venerable’s flowing hair settled, and the oppressive aura it exuded gradually retreated.

A moment later, it rummaged through its possessions and retrieved three substantial, snow-white Big Belly Bags. These, along with the Grotto Heaven Treasure Pearl, were then presented to Zhao Sheng.

Quickly securing the bags and the pearl, Zhao Sheng examined their contents. He discovered that the Big Belly Bags were packed with a vast quantity of Principle Crystals, totaling no less than one hundred fifty thousand.

Having confirmed the items, he stowed the Treasure Pearl and the Big Belly Bags and nudged the Gun God’s Skeleton towards Cold Light Venerable.

The Gun God’s Skeleton glided smoothly, but just as it neared its destination, Cold Light Venerable’s mouth opened wide. To everyone’s surprise, it swallowed the entire Gun God’s Skeleton in a single gulp, forcing it down with considerable effort.

In the very next instant, Cold Light Venerable’s form became a blur, and it vanished into thin air.

Having acquired the Gun God’s Skeleton, this Great Venerable of the Demon Clan abruptly departed without a word, seemingly going "offline."

Within the grand hall, many Immortal Ruins Guests fixed their burning gazes upon Zhao Sheng. Their expressions were a complex tapestry of emotions, including greed, envy, curiosity, doubt, and jealousy, among others.

Zhao Sheng, disregarding the onlookers’ stares, resolved to seize the opportune moment.

He then produced a Golden Silk Scroll.

"Fellow Daoists, I have a Fundamental Immortal Scripture available for acquisition. This scripture is known as the ’Supreme Yin Talisman Scripture,’ a cherished Immortal Scripture of the Supreme Sect. Legend holds that it originated from the very hand of the Supreme Dao Ancestor... It is said that upon cultivating to the Small Success Realm, one can directly ascend to Supreme Immortal Heaven, bypassing the arduous test of the Heart Demon Tribulation," Zhao Sheng proclaimed.

"What manner of Immortal Law is this ’Supreme Yin Talisman Scripture’? As an old man of limited wisdom, I have never encountered such a Fundamental Immortal Scripture in this world."

"Magnificent! Truly marvelous! My fortune has arrived. Someone is actually willing to part with the ’Supreme Yin Talisman Scripture.’ Could this individual be the Sect Hierarch of the Supreme Sect from some distant Spirit Realm?"

"...It is indeed this Supreme Immortal Scripture! Considering the Supreme Sect has dominated this realm for countless millennia, achieving success solely through successive generations of True Immortals ascending, I, though appearing unimpressive, may possess the capability to acquire this scripture. No, the opportunity is too rare to let pass; I must obtain it."

"Senior Lin, I implore you to lend me twenty thousand Principle Crystals. In the future, I vow to repay double the amount. I am also prepared to make a sacred Taoist vow, hoping you will grant me this assistance!"

"This is unfavorable. Someone is offering the ’Supreme Yin Talisman Scripture’... I must hasten to the Lower Realm to inform the Sect Hierarch! Yet, wait. If I could secure this scripture through auction, the position of Sect Hierarch might not be beyond my grasp..."

In a mere moment, the emotions of every Immortal Ruins Guest present churned intensely. Each harbored distinct thoughts, yet all collectively focused their attention on the Golden Silk Scroll held within Zhao Sheng’s grasp.

Zhao Sheng, appearing oblivious to the rising agitation, continued his announcement. "Although the scripture in my possession is but a fragment, the initial three volumes remain complete, ensuring a smooth cultivation path to the Small Success Realm. This presents a viable chance for Ascension to Immortality. What are you waiting for?"

His final sentence served as the spark that ignited the entire assembly.

"Ten thousand Principle Crystals!"

"Twenty thousand Principle Crystals, and a piece of Cave Heaven Marrow Jade."

"I am willing to offer fifty-seven thousand Fire Element Law Crystals, and I will also freely provide a clue regarding a certain True Immortal relic."

"Eighty thousand... and three shops located below in the workshop, along with a Great Dream Scripture that offers a direct path to Ascension."

"I possess a Heavenly Spirit Treasure known as the Nine Heavens Tribulation Sword, and I will add another twenty thousand Principle Crystals."

"Fellow Daoist, please heed my words. The Supreme Sect’s influence extends across numerous Spirit Realms. Once news of your possession of the ’Supreme Yin Talisman Scripture’ becomes public, it will undoubtedly bring about a fatal catastrophe. I strongly advise you to accept what you can and depart swiftly..."

The hall erupted in a cacophony of clamorous noise. Nearly all the Immortal Ruins Guests engaged in continuous bidding, their offers interspersed with veiled threats, enticements, and subtle probes.

Zhao Sheng remained unfazed by the unfolding chaos, quietly awaiting the emergence of the highest bid.

Yu Zhang Great Venerable, as expected, did not disappoint, ultimately exchanging ten thousand Principle Crystals and a Micro Cave Heaven for the 'Supreme Yin Talisman Scripture' that he held.

Witnessing the Immortal Scripture fall into the possession of a Great Venerable filled the Immortal Ruins Guests with immense disappointment. Nevertheless, many still secretly transmitted their voices, attempting to initiate further transactions.

Having secured a substantial amount of Principle Crystals, Zhao Sheng had no intention of parting with the 'Supreme Yin Talisman Scripture' for a paltry sum.

Therefore, no matter how eloquently they pleaded, he remained resolute.

Perceiving his unyielding stance, the cultivators gradually lost interest. Soon, someone else stood up, commencing the display of their own treasures.

Simultaneously, other Immortal Ruins Guests brought forth items they had accumulated over the years, offering them for fellow Taoists to admire.

As time wore on, the cultivators' focus gradually shifted towards these other treasures, and Zhao Sheng's area became notably deserted.

Seven Ruins Days passed swiftly, and the Shouxin Hall gathering drew towards its conclusion.

On this particular day, Yu Zhang Great Venerable once again took center stage. As before, he first presented a considerable quantity of Dao Golden Pearls.

Observing this, the other Immortal Ruins Guests likewise produced their Dao Golden Pearls.

Zhao Sheng, in contrast, revealed three thousand Dao Golden Pearls, all of which were True Texts gifted by the Golden Crane Great Saint.

The sheer volume of Dao Golden Pearls he displayed, second only to Yu Zhang Great Venerable, recaptured the attention of numerous cultivators.

In an instant, dozens of Will fluctuations subtly reached him. Zhao Sheng, demonstrating remarkable multitasking ability, skillfully engaged in exchanges with his fellow Daoists.

After an additional two Ruins Days, he reaped significant gains, acquiring a total of eight hundred and twenty-nine new Dao True Texts.

While the quantity was less than his previous haul, Zhao Sheng was thoroughly satisfied.

Shortly thereafter, the Shouxin Hall gathering smoothly concluded.

Many Immortal Ruins Guests promptly returned to the Lower Realm, while others departed Shouxin Hall, rapidly ascending towards the distant heavens.

Naturally... the very moment the gathering ended, Zhao Sheng opted to go offline.

However, he soon adopted a completely new appearance and reappeared within his workshop.

Zhao Sheng unleashed his Will Heart Light, instantly detecting Mu Zha's presence.

With a mere flicker of thought, Mu Zha sensed him and swiftly came to meet him.

...

Five Elements Cave Heaven,

Zhao Sheng adopted a solemn expression, his hands ceaselessly weaving intricate gestures, conjuring numerous afterimages.

Streams of iridescent Flowing Light emanated from his sleeves, vanishing instantly into the Void.

Within the realm of Law Silk Strings, each Principle Crystal manifested as a cluster of luminous thread-like strings, continuously impacting the boundless expanse of strings.

Immediately, the Silk String World was beset by waves of Law storms, with countless Law Rainbow Lights erupting, churned up within the world.

Yet, under the meticulous guidance of tens of thousands of Divine Thoughts, the myriad Law storms were swiftly pacified, integrating into this Principle World.

The Principle Crystals were combusted to their absolute limit, relentlessly generating immense Law power. Simultaneously, they condensed earth, water, fire, wind, and the very essence of nature from nothingness.

Over the span of hundreds of years, the Five Elements Cave Heaven experienced rapid expansion at a compounded rate. Seven continents bore witness to the constant quaking of the crust, while the four vast oceans surged outwards, with a rarity of annual sea-level drops.

Concurrently, the concentration of Spiritual Energy within the Cave Heaven failed to keep pace with its burgeoning size, paradoxically declining rather than rising, markedly decelerating the natural pace of evolution.

After the infusion of substantial quantities of Cave Heaven Marrow Jade, the Cave Heaven's firmament dramatically expanded outwards. It simultaneously grew sturdier and more dense than before, its inherent strength far surpassing that of his peers among the Great Abilities.

Sixty years later, the Five Elements Cave Heaven breached the million-mile threshold in a single bound, finally meeting the minimum requirement for ascension to Near Heaven.

To achieve this feat, Zhao Sheng extravagantly consumed over twenty thousand Five Elements Law Crystals in one go.

Such an action, if it were known to other Great Abilities, would undoubtedly leave them utterly astonished.

To shave off thousands, or even tens of thousands, of years – how could one possibly squander such an abundance of Principle Crystals!

Dismissing the thoughts of these "paupers," Zhao Sheng scoffed. Since time immemorial, cultivation has been a relentless race against time; to impede one's cultivation for the sake of mere material possessions is an act of utter foolishness.

Zhao Sheng fecklessly lavished his wealth, unconcerned by the arduous struggles of his fellow Daoists.

After all, no one's Principle Crystals are conjured from thin air; how could they possibly withstand such profligate expenditure.

One might venture to say… Zhao Sheng developed a rather misguided notion stemming from the ease with which he obtained the Skeleton of the Gun God.