Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1727 - 926: Destiny and Unity, United in Purpose

No sooner had the words left his lips than a commanding voice boomed from his side: "Because I... forbid it!"

Zhao Sheng turned towards the source of the voice and beheld his second ancestor, Zhao Hongyun, who had materialized silently beside him.

His eyes, catching the jade-like complexion of his second ancestor, betrayed a hint of bewilderment, as if questioning the reason.

As if grasping his thoughts, Zhao Hongyun abruptly swept his expansive sleeve, commanding in a deep tone, "Now... take another look."

The elder's gesture seemed to disperse a pervasive mist that had been shrouding the world.

As this ethereal veil gradually dissolved, Zhao Sheng observed myriad streams of multicolored Qi Fortune spontaneously ascending from the immense expanse of land below.

These patches of Qi Fortune, varying in size, ascended languidly. They resembled a celestial tapestry of stars against the night sky, banishing the surrounding darkness and imbuing the earth with countless vibrant hues. Their sheer quantity was immeasurable.

Zhao Sheng's heart pounded with excitement, and as his focus returned to the terrain, he noticed these dense Qi Fortune streams undergoing a subtle metamorphosis.

Some streams, no more than a zhang in circumference, gradually morphed into the forms of various creatures: cattle, horses, pigs, dogs, fish, snakes, swallows, pigeons, and the like.

Streams with a diameter exceeding one zhang, yet under a hundred zhang, slowly transformed into the shapes of ferocious beasts such as lions, tigers, wolves, leopards, eagles, crocodiles, and pythons.

As for the even larger streams of Qi Fortune, they likewise assumed the forms of more formidable spirit beasts, including Immortal Cranes, Phoenixes, Vermilion Birds, White Tigers, Wind Thunder Falcons, and other mythical, exotic creatures.

Within mere breaths, Zhao Sheng's perception sharpened, revealing further "truths."

All the Qi Fortune ascending into the heavens were tangible manifestations of the fortune belonging to cities and territories. The more flourishing a great city, the more magnificent and vibrant its manifested Qi Fortune became, and the more potent the forms of beasts it would transmute into.

Zhao Sheng observed with particular interest that certain powerful Martial Artists could also manifest signs of Qi Fortune above their heads.

However, most of these manifestations took the guise of fierce beasts like wolves, dogs, lions, tigers, bulls, or elephants. Only a select few with exceptionally high cultivation managed to nurture exotic beasts of mythic coloration.

Zhao Sheng peered into the distance, beholding countless ancient cities stretching for hundreds of miles, each boasting a populace surpassing ten million.

These colossal metropolises were the fabled Divine Cities of bygone dynasties. Looming above each Divine City was a majestic Qi Fortune Golden Dragon, its form extending over a thousand zhang.

Some of these Qi Fortune Golden Dragons, despite their immense size, appeared withered and decrepit, their bodies marred by imperfections and their forms becoming increasingly indistinct.

Conversely, other Qi Fortune Golden Dragons radiated vigor and vitality, perfectly mirroring the ascendance of their newly established dynasties.

"This Autonomous Grotto Heaven of mine permits no one to attain immortality, nor will I allow any destiny to slip from my grasp. Within my Grotto Heaven, a mortal cannot live beyond a century, nor can an Innate Martial Marquis survive past sixty years. Even a Martial Dao Immortal who cultivates Refining God and Entering the Acupoint can only endure for a millennium at the absolute most."

Zhao Sheng listened intently to his second ancestor's pronouncements, and abruptly, his vision swam.

In the ensuing moment, the pair found themselves suspended above a crowded thoroughfare, a hundred zhang in width, flanked by grand edifices on either side.

The street teemed with activity: bustling carriages and steeds traversed the path, the air thick with a thousand mingled scents, the sounds of neighing horses and hawking vendors creating a vibrant, lively tableau.

Remarkably, amidst this bustling scene, not a single soul seemed to acknowledge their presence, as if Zhao Sheng and his companion were utterly invisible.

Zhao Hongyun gestured eastward with a smile, saying, "Chonghe, direct your gaze over there."

Following the command, Zhao Sheng looked and suddenly perceived an opulent mansion, adorned with red walls and golden tiles, sprawling across a vast estate.

Hovering majestically above this residence was a Dragon Serpent, four-clawed and a hundred zhang in length, radiating an aura of potent authority.

Yet, not far from this Dragon Serpent, a Jiao Python observed with the predatory intensity of a tiger. Though merely a few zhang in size, it displayed no apprehension towards the Dragon Serpent's imposing presence.

"Qi Fortune manifesting as a Dragon Serpent? It appears the mansion's master not only hails from the Royal Family but holds a rank at least equivalent to a Prince."

As he spoke, Zhao Sheng extended his divine sense, enveloping the mansion and swiftly gaining comprehensive awareness of all within.

"Second Ancestor, this Duke Jing'an is indeed an unparalleled Human Immortal on the verge of breaching the Void. Furthermore... that illegitimate son named Chen Yi has cultivated truly extraordinary Martial Arts.

The True Martial Dragon Transformation Scripture?! Could this scripture have been personally devised by Second Ancestor himself?"

Zhao Hongyun affirmed, "That's right. In the past, to understand the distinctions between Qi Fortune and Destiny, I personally devised thirteen Human Immortal Martial Scriptures. The True Martial Dragon Transformation Scripture is one among them.

The Duke Jing’an's cultivation of the Dragon Whale Devouring Sea Scripture is also a Human Immortal Martial Scripture. However, it was not my creation but rather the work of the dynasty's founding ancestor. Chonghe, ponder again: why did I bring you here?"

Zhao Sheng's brow lifted, his gaze returning to the Qi Fortune Dragon Serpent and the ambitious Jiao Python.

In a mere ten breaths, he grasped the essence of the Human Immortal Martial Dao.

It's a lengthy narrative!

In prior existences, he had once pushed his Martial Arts to the Martial Saint Realm.

Based on his comprehension, Martial Arts could be categorized into four primary realms: Postnatal, Innate, Divinity, and Martial Saint.

In its nascent stages, the Human Immortal Martial Dao shares similarities, also comprising Postnatal and Innate divisions.

However, beyond the Innate stage, the Human Immortal Martial Dao forges a novel path, utilizing the human body as a vessel for traversing the world. Through relentless tempering of the flesh, continuous refinement and transformation, the physical body's might is ultimately elevated to a level approaching the Vajra Body.

This particular stage is designated as the Vajra Realm, also referred to as the half-step Human Immortal.

Following the Vajra Realm, only by perceiving the god within the Void and awakening one's Martial Arts Will can one truly ascend into the Human Immortal Realm.