Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 3 Wang Family of Fragrant Swallow Valley

With a faint grin, Zhao Sheng replied, "Third brother, don't mock me. My martial arts have seen a massive breakthrough lately. You had better be careful, or you might find yourself losing to me!"

Once he finished speaking, Zhao Sheng unsheathed his blade, tossed the scabbard aside, and leveled the sword tip toward Zhao Zhijing.

"Make your move!"

Noticing the gravity in the Ninth Young Master's eyes, Zhao Zhijing gave a helpless shake of his head. He assumed the "Phoenix Coming" stance and remarked nonchalantly, "Fine then, just show me your best!"

Observing the other man's dismissive attitude, Zhao Sheng resolved to give him a lesson he wouldn't forget.

With a quick shift in footwork, Zhao Sheng’s form vanished instantly. A moment later, he materialized right beside Zhao Zhijing, his right hand driving the sword toward the throat with the speed of a lightning strike.

Zhao Zhijing saw nothing but a blur and let out a sudden cry of shock.

Before he could even adjust his stance or lift his weapon, the cold, gleaming edge of a long sword was already resting against his neck.

"You've lost!"

Smiling brightly, Zhao Sheng looked at the stunned Zhao Zhijing and casually withdrew his Hundred Refinement Sword.

Fast—it was incredibly fast!

The sheer speed left every onlooker dazed.

The Third Brother had been defeated before he could even attempt a single move; the crowd simply couldn't trust their own senses.

Visibly shaken, Zhao Zhijing blurted out, "How... how could your speed be so great?"

"As I said, my martial arts have improved significantly of late," Zhao Sheng answered with composure.

"Could it be you... experienced a sudden enlightenment?" a voice from the crowd shouted suddenly.

"Hmm," Zhao Sheng nodded, confirming the suspicion.

The moment he admitted it, everyone—including Zhao Zhijing—gazed at him with a mixture of envy and resentment.

It was well known in the Martial World that sudden enlightenment was a rare stroke of luck that one could only encounter by chance, never by seeking it out.

Once a person achieved such a state, their martial arts would reach a new realm, allowing them to advance by leaps and bounds every single day.

How could such a blessing fall upon the lazy Xiao Jiu? It felt genuinely unfair!

"I don't believe it! Xiao Jiu, spar with me!"

Right then, Lao Liu, also known as Zhao Zhiping, stepped forward. Tall and powerfully built, he was considered one of the strongest among his generation, surpassed by only two others.

Seeing this, Zhao Zhijing stepped aside in silence, his approval of the challenge clear.

"Sixth brother, come and attack!"

Zhao Sheng had come here today specifically to prove his strength and would not back down from any opponent.

Furthermore, none of the Zhao Family members present were truly worthy of his concern; in his eyes, they were all mediocre talents.

Good!

With a roar, Zhao Zhiping lunged forward. He performed the White Rainbow Piercing the Sun technique, aiming his sword tip straight at Zhao Sheng's chest.

Fool!

The moment the strike began, Zhao Sheng cursed him in his mind.

White Rainbow Piercing the Sun was meant to be agile and swift, yet Zhao Zhiping executed it with brute force and heavy power, completely missing the technique's core meaning.

The Zhao Family had grown far too soft over the years, clearly failing to properly train the younger generation.

Sigh, things have to change!

With an internal sigh, Zhao Sheng flicked his wrist. The back of his blade met his opponent's steel. With a sharp tremor and a quick release, he redirected Zhao Zhiping's momentum effortlessly.

Then,

All of a sudden, a flash of sword light appeared like drifting smoke or a thin veil. It seemed slow but was deceptively fast, piercing right through Zhao Zhiping's guard until the tip was pressed firmly against his ribs.

"Sixth brother, this is how you actually perform White Rainbow Piercing the Sun!" Zhao Sheng remarked coldly.

Hearing those words, Zhao Zhiping’s face flushed a deep crimson as he retreated in a mix of shame and fury.

"Does anyone else wish to try?"

Zhao Sheng scanned the area with a calm gaze, his Hundred Refinement Sword held ready.

Impossible!

In a mere two days, Xiao Jiu's prowess had reached such a profound level.

Could sudden enlightenment really be that potent, totally remaking a person in such a short span of time?

However, the evidence was undeniable as one challenger after another tried their luck and met with defeat.

Indeed, the youth of the Zhao family were beaten fairly and squarely.

In truth, even if they weren't considered, if one ignored the boost from Inner True Qi and focused purely on technique, barely three people in the family could have lasted a hundred rounds against him.

Following this display, the news of Zhao Sheng's incredible martial advancement spread like wildfire through Zhao Family's Castle.

A few doubting young masters and ladies tried to test him themselves, only to retreat in utter embarrassment.

Three days later, Zhao Sheng's previous status was quietly reinstated, and his monthly stipend was even raised to two hundred taels.

He was quite satisfied with this outcome. The head lady was truly fit for her position—shrewd, aware of the changing tides, and precise in her management.

Two days later, sword in hand, Zhao Sheng went to see Zhao Hetai, the manager of the third house. What they discussed behind closed doors remained a mystery to all.

However, that same evening, Zhao Hetai urgently sought out the Family Head, Zhao Hexing.

After a short talk, Zhao Hexing personally called for a secret assembly of all house managers and Elders.

Within a few days, all rumors regarding the Ninth Young Master vanished. No one spoke of the recent events ever again.

In a major family, if some members are the "face," others must be the "lining." The face must remain spotless, and if blood is spilled, the lining must absorb it. If the lining fails and the mess reaches the surface, the family's ruin follows.

Zhao Sheng chose to become the silent "lining" of the Nanyang Zhao Family.

Having experienced three lives, he was far beyond the point of chasing worldly fame. What was a lifetime of prestige compared to the pursuit of immortality?

In this incarnation, he had but one goal: to become a Cultivator.

...

As the seasons turned and spring faded, time marched on. In a flash, three years had gone by.

While the reputation of the "Jade Sword Young Master" Zhao Zhijing was becoming famous throughout the Ganzhou Martial World, a simple carriage rolled through the gates of Moling City, eventually pulling up before a three-story tavern.

"Young master, we have arrived," Zhao Xiaobao announced as he hopped down, addressing the person inside with deep respect.

Three years had transformed Zhao Xiaobao into a sharp, handsome young man.

As for his master, Zhao Sheng...

The carriage curtain was pulled back, revealing a remarkably handsome man with a tall, graceful build and an air of elegance as he stepped out.

"Let us enter!"

With those words, Zhao Sheng led the way into the building.

This establishment, the Yuelai Inn, served as a hidden base for the Zhao Family within Moling City.

The moment the pair appeared, the inn’s manager hurried them into a concealed back room.

As soon as Zhao Sheng took his seat, the manager, Zhao Sanchong, immediately moved to drop to his knees in greeting.

Zhao Sheng reached out to stop him, releasing a thread of azure True Qi that physically held the man up. "No need for such formalities. Tell me what you have found."

"True Qi externalization?!" Zhao Sanchong was hit with a wave of shock. He never imagined that Master Jiu, who wasn't even twenty yet, had reached such a terrifying level of power.

It was common knowledge in the Martial World that only top-tier masters could project their True Qi externally.

What was more incredible was that Master Jiu was only eighteen!

"The rise of the Zhao family is finally at hand!" Zhao Sanchong thought with fervor.

Over two centuries, many in the Zhao family had trained in martial arts, producing several experts. Yet, only two had ever become true Innate Grandmasters: the founder and the fifth Family Head.

The path to the Innate realm was notoriously difficult!

Thinking of this, Zhao Sanchong’s respect for the Ninth Young Master deepened even further.

"Young Master, I have located a very suspicious site. Fifty miles to the south of this city lies a hidden canyon known as Fragrant Swallow Valley.

The place is constantly shrouded in heavy mist, but local woodsmen frequently report seeing figures moving within. Some have even claimed to see Immortals descending from the clouds. Because of this, I am eighty percent certain that Fragrant Swallow Valley is a stronghold for the Wang Family."

Zhao Sheng nodded in satisfaction. "You have done well. Once this is fully verified, you may return to the Castle to report. I will reward you with thirty acres of prime land and a twenty-tael raise to your monthly pay. Furthermore, I will permit one of your sons to be officially entered into the family lineage."

"I thank the Young Master for his incredible grace!" Zhao Sanchong replied, his eyes welling with tears of gratitude.

The land and money were one thing, but the chance to have his son recognized in the main family genealogy was a gift beyond measure.