Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension

"Below is the headquarters of our Spring and Autumn Alliance, the Nine Virtuous Isle," said Meng Quyi with self-satisfaction as he pointed toward the island below.

Zhao Sheng followed the direction of his finger and saw that the Nine Virtuous Isle was not one, but nine closely adjacent spirit islands.
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The nine spirit islands varied in size, with the largest spanning several hundred miles and the smallest a few dozen miles; they were either lush with forests and sea cliffs or bustling with workshops and pavilions, densely populated and remarkably scenic.

From above, the Nine Virtuous Isle resembled a round cake divided into nine uneven portions,

and the islands were connected by several large sea-crossing stone bridges. The bridges with their eighteen pillars flashed with the light halos of formations, resembling great dragons lying across the strait when viewed from the sky.

As Meng Quyi propelled their spirit bird forward, he continued to introduce the place with pride:

"The Nine Virtuous Isle has a population of several million, with over ten thousand cultivators. Divided by the trajectory and concentration of the spirit veins on the islands, the Nine Virtuous Isle consists of the Upper Spirit Three Islands and the Lower Spirit Five Islands.

The most central Spring and Autumn Island, which is also the largest island, is the location of the main hall of the Spring and Autumn Alliance. The island's spiritual energy is quite dense. Most of the Qi Refining Realm disciples and some of the Foundation Establishment Fellow Daoists of the Alliance reside here. As for the Lower Spirit Five Islands, they are somewhat chaotic, mainly comprising various workshops and the vast majority of loose cultivators."

Listening to Meng Quyi, Zhao Sheng noticed that on three of the islands below, the buildings were mostly white and light blue, built from giant stones, but the roofs were made of an unknown silver-white metal, which looked quite unique.

It was noon, and under the intense sunlight, the building complexes of the three islands reflected dazzling patches of white light, blinding to the eyes and obscuring the view below.

Suddenly, their spirit eagle dipped sharply, folding its wings and diving towards the largest Spring and Autumn Island, eventually landing on a plaza in front of a large palace built against the mountain.

"Brother Zhao, please!"

After Zhao Sheng dismounted from the spirit eagle, Meng Quyi also leaped down, flicking his sleeve and revealing a scroll that radiated dawn light when he collected the spirit eagle.

Then, with a beaming smile, he led Zhao Sheng towards the Spring and Autumn Hall.

Looking around, the Spring and Autumn Hall was constructed on a grand scale. Its main body was built from huge four-sided Blue Steel Stones, each side measuring twenty feet. The walls of the hall alone stood tens of feet high.

All around the main hall were also many slightly smaller stone buildings bustling with people, mostly in green robes and white garments, creating a lively scene.

Every so often, one could see cultivators on various flying artifacts, such as flying swords and cloud boats, or riding spirit birds flying in from afar, and quickly landing among the cluster of buildings.

Guided by Meng Quyi, Zhao Sheng circled the Spring and Autumn Hall, weaving in and out of compounds and corridors, bypassing entrances with strict defenses, until they reached a quaint courtyard that occupied a considerable area.

At the entrance to the courtyard stood a three-zhang-tall White Jade stone, inscribed with the ancient and spiritual text "Eternal Spring and Autumn," which faintly emitted a formidable pressure that was both concealed and profound.

If one was not familiar with this Taiyi Spiritual Text, ordinary cultivators would likely embarrass themselves in front of the stone.

"This is where our Alliance accommodates honored guests. Taoist Zhao, please rest here for a moment and enjoy our Alliance's Spiritual Tea. The Supreme Elder will arrive soon!"

Meng Quyi ushered Zhao Sheng into a tastefully furnished and peaceful parlor, then gently clapped his hands.

At that signal, three comely maids entered in single file, one offering a pot of Spiritual Tea while the other two set up the tea cups before quietly withdrawing.

Zhao Sheng and Meng Quyi then enjoyed their tea while casually chatting about the Spring and Autumn Alliance's trivial matters and anecdotes.

After a little while, laughter suddenly echoed from outside the parlor.

"Haha, Quyi, I heard you invited a Junior Foundation Establishment Friend today. Since the Alliance Hierarch is not on the island, I'll come and meet our visitor first," came the voice.

Before the laughter faded, a green-robed elder with a sallow complexion and white hair and beard stepped in through the door.

"Supreme Elder," Meng Quyi quickly stood up.

Zhao Sheng's expression shifted slightly as he too stood up, showing a respectful demeanor. Judging by Meng Quyi's address, the green-robed elder must be the Supreme Elder of the Spring and Autumn Alliance, Master Qi Feng.

As the green-robed elder entered, the parlor was suddenly enveloped by a sharp and potent invisible aura. The room seemed to transform into a "vacuum," with every wisp of air falling under the control of the kindly smiling Taoist elder.

"Supreme Elder, this is Taoist Zhao," Meng Quyi introduced with a smile on his face.

"I am Zhao Chonghe. Greetings, True Immortal. I wish you a longevity of a thousand years!" Zhao Sheng bowed with a fist-in-palm salute to Master Qi Feng. He didn't use his real name, but instead gave the name from his past life.

The green-robed elder eyed Zhao Sheng, his gaze lingering on his face, and said with a hint of profound meaning, "Mr. Zhao, why not reveal your true face? Could it be that you don't trust our Spring and Autumn Alliance?"

At these words, Zhao Sheng's eyebrows furrowed.

This statement, said at their first meeting, was clearly a subtle show of dominance from Master Qi Feng.

Now it was up to him to respond.

Zhao Sheng's brow relaxed and he said loudly, "The elder is not aware, but I have cultivated a special technique, which will utterly destroy my features until it reaches great success. Therefore, it is inconvenient to show myself in public."

Unexpectedly, Master Qi Feng did not continue to press the issue, but let it go and proceeded to invite the two of them to sit down.

Surprised, yet impressed by Master Qi Feng's skillful handling of people, Zhao Sheng took his seat.

The three of them sat down in order of seniority, with Master Qi Feng taking the host's seat without dispute. At his command, a maid came in to replace the old tea and served fresh Spiritual Tea.

After some casual conversation, Zhao Sheng indirectly expressed his willingness to be recruited, yet still conveyed his reservations.

Qi Feng's expression became stern as he said seriously, "Since that is the case, let me speak frankly. Our Spring and Autumn Alliance is currently seeking talents desperately. If Mr. Zhao has any concerns, he may as well express them now. For some negotiable matters, I can make promises on behalf of the Alliance Hierarch."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng appeared somewhat moved. After a moment of contemplation, he hesitantly asked,

"I would like to ask if, in the event that the Spring and Autumn Alliance is in conflict with a hostile force, would the Minister Elders necessarily have to take part?"

Hearing this, Qi Feng first looked surprised, then he laughed warmly and sincerely said,

"Unless the Spring and Autumn Alliance faces a disaster of annihilation, the alliance typically offers missions with rewards if we need the Minister Elders to take action. Minister Elders may consider for themselves whether to accept or not, and the alliance will not force them."

"Then, what if I become a Minister Eldere and then decide to leave the Spring and Autumn Alliance?" Zhao Sheng pressed on.

"If Mr. Zhao is unsatisfied with the alliance, he may leave at his discretion, and the alliance will certainly not hinder him purposefully," Qi Feng stated magnanimously.

Hearing this, Zhao Sheng's expression revealed a hint of satisfaction, and he nodded, "If that is the case, I am willing to join your esteemed alliance as a Minister Elder."

Qi Feng smiled contentedly at these words, while Meng Quyi's face lit up with delight.

After all, any Foundation Establishment Cultivator in the Shattered Star Sea was exceedingly valuable.

A Foundation Establishment Cultivator could easily become the master of an island and support a small Cultivation Force.

Most importantly, Zhao Sheng was clearly young and had much more potential than the average Foundation Establishment Cultivator, with more time to foster his allegiance to the Spring and Autumn Alliance.

For the Foreign Affairs Hall alone, gaining a Foundation Establishment Minister would mean a significant enhancement of the hall's overall strength.

Qi Feng excused himself for another matter thereafter, leaving Meng Quyi to explain the specific benefits of being a Minister Elder to Zhao Sheng,

There were ranks among the Spring and Autumn Alliance's Minister Elders. Reaching the early-stage Foundation Establishment qualified one to become an ordinary Minister Elder, and naturally, upon advancing to mid-stage Foundation Establishment or higher, one would become a senior Minister Elder.

Moreover, the Spring and Autumn Alliance promised each Minister Elder a separate cave mansion located upon a core Spirit Vein, most of which were centered amidst the hills and valleys in the northwest of Spring and Autumn Island.

In addition, Minister Elders would receive a certain number of Spirit Stones and Spirit Pills as an annual stipend.

Although Zhao Sheng wasn't interested in these things, they represented the attitude of the Spring and Autumn Alliance.

After the introduction to the benefits, Meng Quyi formally invited Zhao Sheng to join the Foreign Affairs Hall.

After a brief contemplation, Zhao Sheng nodded and agreed.