Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1739 933: Great Venerables Speak in Unison, Congratulating the Taoist
Previously on Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension...
The very instant Zhao Sheng attained the Dao and was recognized as a Great Venerable, the heavens above the Ancestral Land of the Divine Continent plunged into sudden darkness.
What was once a clear azure sky seemed to transform into the dead of night, as countless stars abruptly emerged, casting a faint, ethereal starlight.
Among this vast celestial tapestry, one colossal star shone with exceptional brilliance, akin to a miniature sun, its radiant glow momentarily eclipsing the surrounding starlight across the heavens.
Concurrently, innumerable streaks of flowing light descended from the profound depths of the star-studded firmament.
These streams of light, shaped like olives and trailing long, fiery tails, rapidly plunged towards the expansive Divine Continent below.
At that precise moment, the Zhao Family's myriad cultivators spread across the Divine Continent all tilted their heads towards the sky, their hearts filled with profound awe, rendering them speechless.
This celestial phenomenon of daytime stars was not confined to the Divine Continent; it was visible across the majority of the Four Holy Continents, a truly unprecedented astronomical event in recorded history.
Billions of cultivators were left astonished, each experiencing an overwhelming, inexplicable longing!
In the blink of an eye, countless Tao Spirit Mechanisms rained down upon the vast expanse of the Divine Continent, swiftly transforming into pure spirit rain that was readily absorbed by the earth.
Suddenly, the spirit medicine and flora scattered throughout the Divine Continent began to sprout and flourish with astonishing speed, as if they had aged centuries or even millennia in mere moments. Innumerable spirit herbs and precious plants acquired spiritual sentience, and countless birds and beasts rapidly gained wisdom, evolving into mystical creatures.
Daytime stars appearing, and sweet rain descending from the heavens!
Such magnificent and awe-inspiring celestial omens—could this not be the legendary harbinger of a Great Venerable proving their Dao!
Certain elders within the Returning to Void Realm, who had previously delved into ancient texts, were now moved to tears, their bodies trembling with unbridled joy.
In the southeastern reaches of the Divine Continent, the recently ascended Unification Realm Ancestor, Zhao Luo Mo, gazed at the star-filled heavens with shocked silence, uttering, "Who... who is it?"
Before his words had fully faded, a tall, imposing figure materialized beside him without any discernible movement.
The Cave Master of Chongyue, gazing at the dazzling Great Star with deep admiration, declared, "Our Fourth Ancestor must surely be a Divine being! Judging by these celestial signs, the Fourth Ancestor has likely succeeded in proving the Dao as a Great Venerable!"
Zhao Luo Mo felt a jolt course through him, utterly bewildered, "It truly is... the Fourth Ancestor?! How could it be so... so sudden!"
As he spoke, a resplendent bridge of seven-colored light suddenly ascended amidst the stars spanning the sky.
This rainbow bridge stretched from west to east, traversing a vast portion of the celestial canopy, rendering it exceptionally conspicuous!
At this juncture, a clear and melodious immortal resonance emanated from the profound depths, echoing throughout the Cloud Sky and spreading across the entirety of the Four Holy Continents.
In the ensuing moment, Zhao Family cultivators from every corner of the Divine Continent distinctly "perceived" two formations of impossibly beautiful fairies adorned in feathered robes, appearing at the terminus of the rainbow bridge.
These celestial maidens played various musical instruments while gracefully proceeding towards the dazzling Great Star.
Leading this ethereal procession was a Taoist priest clad in purple robes, his countenance concealed by an ornate Heaven Crown.
This purple-robed Taoist held a Yellow Scroll with both hands, progressing at a seemingly leisurely yet swift pace across the rainbow bridge, eventually halting his journey just outside the Great Star.
"As the esteemed master of Taiyi Spirit Palace, I, Taoyue Immortal Venerable, dispatch this junior to respectfully present my inquiries to Senior Shenglongzi:
Having been apprised of your successful proof of the Dao and your transcendence beyond mundane affairs, my joy knows no bounds.
Recollecting your ascension from humble beginnings, marked by an unparalleled, rapid ascent, you now command the paramount essence of the Five Elements, skillfully extracted from the very fabric of heaven and earth.
May your future entail soaring with the clouds, sharing eternity with the cosmos, and basking in the brilliance of the sun and moon.
This event is a boon to all sentient beings and an honor to this realm; I have specifically prepared the Mystic Jade and Cloud Brocade Heavenly Book as a manifestation of your Dao.
We humbly implore the Supreme Sect to bestow its mercy, and we pray for the junior's swift ascension to the Immortal Palace!"
At that specific moment on the Lower Realm's Divine Continent, countless cultivators strained their ears, desperately seeking to decipher even a single syllable of the celestial pronouncement.
Yet, despite their utmost efforts, they remained unable to comprehend the words spoken by the purple-robed Taoist.
Only those situated in the Near Heaven realm, specifically Venerables at the Tribulation Crossing stage, could clearly discern the speaker's voice.
Presently, a Taoist, exuding an otherworldly aura, slowly emerged from within the confines of the Five Elements Cave Heaven; this was the Avatar, Dongzhenzi.
Upon perceiving the arrival of the principal figure, the purple-robed Taoist immediately raised the Immortal Decree aloft, bowed with utmost reverence, and proclaimed, "Please accept the Cloud Brocade Heavenly Book, Senior!"
Zhao Sheng floated in front of him, his hand extended to receive the Heavenly Book Scroll. The purple-robed Taoist felt a sense of relief in his hands and couldn't suppress a flicker of joy. He swiftly retrieved a Jade Box from his sleeve and presented it to Zhao Sheng, saying, "Mystic Jade is within. Please keep it safe, Senior." Zhao Sheng nodded with a slight hum and accepted the Jade Box, placing it into his sleeve. At this juncture, the purple-robed Taoist dared to raise his head, a wide grin on his face, and declared, "I, Dan Yangzi, offer my felicitations to Senior on attaining the Dao as a Great Venerable today. Before my arrival, the Immortal Venerable specifically instructed me to foster good relations with Senior." Zhao Sheng's eyes shimmered with a trace of inquiry, prompting him to ask, "Oh? What is your connection to the Taoyue Immortal Venerable?" Dan Yangzi responded, "The Immortal Venerable is my Daoist Ancestor, and I can be considered his indirect disciple." "I see, my apologies, my apologies!" Zhao Sheng replied casually upon hearing this. Observing his nonchalant attitude, Dan Yangzi showed no displeasure, continuing with a smile, "Senior might not be aware, but any individual who achieves the Dao as a Great Venerable in this realm must select a title of reverence, one that will be honored by all beings. What title does Senior wish to adopt? I shall record it and report to the Spirit Palace." The moment this was mentioned, Zhao Sheng's heart stirred, and he immediately entered a state of deep thought. Dan Yangzi stood by his side, a smile gracing his features, waiting patiently. After a period of contemplation, Zhao Sheng inexplicably felt a surge of spiritual light within his heart, a perfect idea materializing instantly. "I, the Venerable, have attained the Dao through the Five Elements... I have learned that Hunyuan governs the Five Elements and Yin Yang, serving as the primordial essence of the Dao. Today, I shall adopt Hunyuan as my title to signify my intent." "Such a title from a Senior is truly magnificent! This humble Daoist is deeply impressed." Dan Yangzi exclaimed, clapping his hands in delight and incessantly showering praises. After speaking, he bowed solemnly and stated, "This humble Daoist shall return to the palace to convey the message, with the hope of soon proclaiming the Venerable's chosen title throughout the heavens of the Spirit Realm." Zhao Sheng offered a simple nod, returning the salute with ease. At this moment, Dan Yangzi stood once more, turned towards the rainbow bridge, and the celestial maidens playing music and dancing behind him followed suit. Swiftly, the vibrant rainbow bridge that spanned the heavens slowly receded and vanished without a trace. Witnessing this, Zhao Sheng was about to turn away when suddenly, two figures materialized directly before him. Who else could they be but Zhao Xuanjing and Tianyunzi! Zhao Sheng stabilized himself and immediately bowed to the two ancestors, greeting them, "Dongzhenzi pays respects to the First Ancestor and the Second Ancestor." Zhao Xuanjing stepped forward, helped him to his feet, and chuckled heartily, "Haha, I always knew you possessed the potential, but I never anticipated you would overcome the Nine-layered Thunder Tribulation with such ease. Back then, I barely managed to survive it; your feat today is nothing like my struggle." The Second Ancestor, Zhao Hongyun, stood nearby, his expression serene but his eyes filled with admiration and joy. He keenly understood that from this day forward, the Zhao Family of the "Ten Lands" had undeniably secured its status as the "First Immortal Valve," and for epochs to come, no one would be able to challenge the clan's preeminence. However... the ancient adage wisely states that fortune and misfortune are intertwined! The Zhao Family rightfully earned the title of "First Immortal Valve," yet they would also have to face the unforeseen "calamities" that accompanied this distinction. As Tianyunzi was discreetly contemplating the omens of fortune and misfortune, the surrounding stars suddenly blazed with brilliance. Following this, a gentle voice, akin to the chime of jade, emanated from within one of the stars: "Wu Daozi the Wanderer offers congratulations to fellow Daoist!" The voice resonated through the void and the wilderness, outshining the vast expanse of starlight. As the Painting Saint concluded his address, other stars began to emit voices in succession, each tone distinct – some aged and profound, others solemn, and a few imbued with arrogance: "Xue Yunqing of Taiyi Spirit Palace congratulates fellow Daoist!" "Xuantian Immortal Sect's... Spiritual Daoist, offers congratulations!" "Taishi Demon Sect's... Elder Wanjie, congratulates you!" "Great Brightness Temple's... Monk Kong Sang, offers his blessings!" "Hehe, I, the Venerable of Self-free Heaven... congratulate fellow Daoist on proving the Dao, wishing you great freedom and supreme bliss soon!" "Supreme Sect's... Qi Ruxian, offers congratulations!" "..." Zhao Sheng gazed towards the stars, intently listening to the congratulatory messages from fellow Daoists in the Tribulation Crossing Realm for the very first time, recognizing the names of many esteemed Great Venerables within this domain.
A profound silence enveloped the stars, confirming his prior observation: thirty-five Venerables had previously conveyed their words.
This statistic revealed that, excluding their trio, an astounding thirty-five cultivators had reached the Tribulation Crossing Realm within the Taiyi Spirit Realm. Among them, a startling nine hailed from the ranks of the Evil Demons.
This revelation brought a flicker of surprise to him!
...
Zhao Xuanjing and Tianyunzi departed without lingering, their farewells consisting only of vital advice concerning the taboos and necessary precautions for the Tribulation Crossing Realm.
Clutching the Jade Scroll, Zhao Sheng watched their figures vanish before turning his steps towards the Five Elements Cave Heaven.
As Dongzhenzi managed the external world's commotions, the Zhao Family dedicated all their efforts to comprehending the myriad spirit lights that followed the breakthrough.
Within the boundless Law world known as "Silk Strings," the once-chaotic threads suddenly aligned into perfect order, their colors resonating with a powerful rhythm that stirred a multitude of emotions at a single glance.
With the passage of time, each intricate layer of these silk strings gradually transformed into luminous and dynamic "Tao True Texts."
Concurrently, Zhao Sheng's physical form underwent a rapid metamorphosis, progressing towards the Postnatal Five Elements Dao Body.
Lost in the profound evolution of the Laws, he felt as though time itself had ceased to exist.
An immeasurable period elapsed before Zhao Sheng experienced an overwhelming exhaustion in his Spirit, compelling him to descend from the world of Law Silk Strings. His consciousness snapped back into his physical body.
The instant his eyes fluttered open, the very heavens and earth seemed to resonate with a cascade of clear, bell-like sounds, reminiscent of bamboo flutes, pure and utterly delightful.
A mere glance was enough to encompass the entirety of the cave heaven within his perception.
In that moment, he grasped that his epiphany regarding the Dao had consumed an extraordinary duration.
From the genesis of his Tribulation Crossing breakthrough until this present instant, a colossal two thousand five hundred years had unfurled.
Nine generations had risen and fallen, yet he had never before experienced such an extended period of profound meditative cultivation.
Yet, swiftly casting aside these disquieting thoughts, he immediately concentrated on the transformations reshaping his own being.