Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension

The scorching sun blazed down as a lazy and smug hum came from an elegant courtyard nestled at the foot of the lush, verdant mountains in the center of South Lamma Island.

"Hum hum... having eaten sea cucumber stewed with fatty meat, not even an... immortal... can match me, aha... ya ya!"

In the courtyard, an ancient Spiritual Rong Tree grew lush and leafy, casting a large patch of cool shade. Beneath the shade, Xin Buhai squinted leisurely, lying on a spacious lounge chair, rhythmically tapping his hand and intermittently humming a ditty.

A porcelain pot was placed over the fire stove beside him, inside the pot, black and white slices of sea cucumber and fat meat intermingled, and the soup burbled, emitting a rich and exotic fragrance.

Indulging in the aroma of the Spirit Food in the pot, Xin Buhai felt extremely comfortable and satisfied.

As a Qi Refining Third Layer cultivator, Xin Buhai's status on South Lamma Island was second only to the Island Master himself.

Just waiting for the old man of his house to die, the title of South Lamma Island Master was bound to fall into his hands sooner or later.

The thought of more than twenty thousand people on the island being at his command in the future excited Xin Buhai beyond measure.

"...life rarely offers... such intoxication! Ya ya!"

As Xin Buhai delightedly sang, he suddenly sensed a dark shadow appear before him.

He opened his eyes, only to see a handsome and dashing young man standing beside him, as elegant as a flourishing willow.

"You… who are you? Why... ouch!"

He was cut off mid-sentence as a surge of aura, characteristic of the Foundation Establishment Realm, burst forth from Zhao Sheng. A drastic change crossed Xin Buhai's expression, and he almost collapsed on the spot.

Although Xin Buhai had a round face and big ears, and his body was round like a pig's, he was exceedingly clever.

He quickly rolled off the lounge chair and lay prostrate on the ground, pleading repeatedly, "Senior, spare my life! This lowly one was blind and has offended your dignity, I beg you to spare me this once."

"Get up," Zhao Sheng said indifferently.

"Ah, thank you, Senior, for your magnanimity!"

Xin Buhai, with tears of gratitude, scrambled up from the ground and looked at Zhao Sheng with a fawning expression.

Zhao Sheng sat down on the lounge chair, relaxed his body, and incidentally glanced at the hot pot on the side.

Seeing Zhao Sheng's gaze, Xin Buhai immediately said with a flattering smile, "Senior, this is the famous delicacy of South Lamma Island, sea cucumber stewed with fat meat. Not only is the flavor superb, but it is also highly nourishing!"

Zhao Sheng nodded noncommittally and asked, "Hmm, what is your name? And where is this place? Tell me about the nearby seas."

"My name is Xin Buhai, this place is South Lamma Island, located in the southwestern part of the Inner Star Sea, under the jurisdiction of Star Constellation Spirit Island's Nine Virtuous Isle..."

Xin Buhai began to introduce the local customs and the situation in the Cultivation World in detail while diligently serving a bowl of Spirit Meat Sea Cucumber Soup in front of Zhao Sheng.

Having cultivated in seclusion for several years, Zhao Sheng had developed a craving for some good food.

That was why he found himself rather appreciative of Xin Buhai's cleverness.

"When the time comes... I'll spare his life," Zhao Sheng thought to himself after sipping the exceptionally delicious soup, a new idea forming in his mind.

...

Seven days later, under the Spiritual Rong Tree in the small courtyard, Zhao Sheng lay leisurely on the lounge chair, feigning sleep.

Beside him, Xin Buhai wore a worried expression, his hands clumsily forming spells, channeling Spiritual Power, and barely managing to infuse a thread of spirit light into a human-shaped wooden puppet that was taller than him.

At this moment, Xin Buhai felt very anxious. He had lived a carefree life, but since the Senior's arrival, his good days were gone.

Being only at the Qi Refining Third Layer, the Senior had actually asked him to Refine a top-grade wooden puppet.

Xin Buhai didn't know why the Senior had made such a request, nor did he dare to ask.

"Entrusting such a precious thing to him for Refining, has this Senior gone mad or is he a fool? Or perhaps... he has other plans."

He, Xin Buhai, a man weighing over two hundred fifty pounds, hadn't done anything wrong!

As the sun reached its zenith, Zhao Sheng slowly opened his eyes and languidly said, "Little Xinzi, it's about time for lunch, what's on the menu today?"

Xin Buhai hurriedly stopped what he was doing and respectfully answered, "Senior, today the island sent over a hundred-year-old sea gate snake, how about we make some steamed minced meat?"

"Go on," Zhao Sheng waved his hand, giving the signal to proceed.

"Ah, Senior, please wait a moment!"

With that, Xin Buhai dashed into the nearby kitchen.

After successfully reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm, Zhao Sheng had originally wanted to find a scapegoat to collect the ancient painting and bamboo basket for him.

Passing by South Lamma Island, he discovered Xin Buhai, a Qi Refining Third Layer cultivator.

His cultivation might have been low, but after all, he was a cultivator.

Thus Zhao Sheng had chosen Xin Buhai, only to find that this fellow had excellent culinary skills.

In just seven days, Zhao Sheng's taste buds had been spoiled by Xin Buhai.

Smelling the fragrance wafting from not too far away, Zhao Sheng thought to himself, "What a waste it would be if this little guy weren't a chef!"

...

Three months passed in the blink of an eye.

One day, Xin Buhai came to Zhao Sheng, his face lit up with excitement, and shouted, "Senior, I've done it! I've refined the puppet."

"Oh, have you?"
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The moment the words fell, Xin Buhai felt a pain in his forehead, his vision went dark, and he fainted, his face still wearing an excited expression.

He didn't know how long it had been when Xin Buhai groggily regained consciousness.

"You're awake!"

A familiar voice sounded in his ear. Xin Buhai instinctively shuddered and instantly became fully aware.

He flipped over and sat up abruptly, then lay prostrate on the ground, begging in fear, "Senior, spare my life! I haven't leaked any information about your whereabouts. Please spare me for the sake of my diligent service over the past three months!"