Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension

Darkness faded, and Zhao Sheng suddenly opened his eyes to see a blue sky with white clouds, two suns hanging high, and a continuous stretch of palaces and pavilions among a forest of peaks...

Looking at the familiar scenery in front of him, Zhao Sheng felt bewildered, "I didn't die, and I'm back to where I started?"

He calmed his spirit, his figure flashed, diving directly from the mountain peak into the open air.

A thousand-foot peak flashed by, and Zhao Sheng gently landed among a large area of ancient-style buildings filled with abundant Spiritual Energy.

Hmm?

As soon as he landed, Zhao Sheng's expression subtly changed. During his flight, he had detected something unusual; a nameless weakness spontaneously arose in his body, leaving him feeling hollow as if a significant part of his spirit had been carved out of thin air.

"What is this? Could it be that with each death, the spirit also depletes? If the number of deaths increases, could it be that I will eventually die from the exhaustion of my spirit?!"

Thinking this, Zhao Sheng was shocked with horror.

"So that's how it is, I knew there were no such things as free benefits in this world!"

While Zhao Sheng was secretly alarmed, a young disciple in a white robe passed by him.

Upon seeing Zhao Sheng, the young man's face was stricken with fear, and he promptly bowed in respect, "Disciple Zhi Yan, greets Master Uncle Han Zhang."

Zhao Sheng's eyes flashed upon hearing this, and though he intended to ask questions, he instead spoke, "You... ah, you are Zhi Yan, correct? Very good, very good, I think highly of you."

The white-robed youth, upon hearing this, became very excited, "Thank you for your favor, Master Uncle. Zhi Yan will certainly work even harder in the future."

Zhao Sheng stroked his beard and smiled, "I have just emerged from seclusion and am unaware of the passage of time. Tell me, what year of the Heavenly Dao Calendar is it now?"

Zhi Yan was puzzled by the question but dared not inquire further. He honestly replied, "Master Uncle, it is now the year 3286 of the sixth epoch in the Heavenly Dao Calendar."

"Hmm, very good. Has anything significant happened in the sect recently?" Zhao Sheng nodded and continued to inquire.

"Master Uncle, nothing significant has happened in the sect, but the expeditionary army has been constantly pressing for supplies. Additionally, the Star Gem seems to be becoming more unstable. I heard the Star Gem has been strictly sealed off by the army, forbidding anyone from entering or exiting. It seems... It seems..."

Seeing his hesitation, Zhao Sheng's expression turned cold, and he urged, "Speak up, don't hem and haw!"

"Master Uncle, the disciple only says what he has heard in passing. It's rumored that the expeditionary army is faring poorly and has suffered a major defeat, and the army has already retreated back to our lands."

After listening, Zhao Sheng's demeanor subtly shifted, and he suddenly admonished, "Nonsense, how can you believe such ridiculous hearsay."

"Forgive me, Master Uncle, I was wrong! I should not have believed hearsay," Zhi Yan said, with an extreme look of terror, continuously bowing in respect.

"Go on your way, and do not blindly follow others in the future."

"Yes, yes, I will certainly bear Master Uncle's teachings in mind from now on."

Zhi Yan fled in a discomposed hurry.

Zhao Sheng watched his retreating figure, his gaze becoming deep and profound.

...

An hour later, Zhao Sheng walked out from the Merit Establishment Institute with a middle-aged Daoist with unusually long arms following him.

"Uncle Master, take care! Please speak well of me in front of Master in the future," the Daoist said.

"You don't need to see me off anymore. I will handle this matter myself," Zhao Sheng waved his hand and responded warmly.

He had just received quite a bit of information from this Qiu Long Arm "nephew," and some pleasantries were still in order.

After finishing his words, Zhao Sheng rose into the air, and his tunneling light shot toward the distant Artifact Refining Peak.

A few dozen miles passed in a flash.

But as he flew over a serene and clear lake, Zhao Sheng suddenly raised an eyebrow, the tunneling light changed course, and he swiftly flew into a water pavilion at the center of the lake below.

As soon as he set foot inside the pavilion, he saw a voluptuous and beautiful woman sitting behind a jade stone table – it was none other than the avatar of Saintess Ling Luo.

"Fellow Daoist Ling Luo, what is your purpose in summoning me here?" Zhao Sheng stepped forward and gazed intently at her.

Ling Luo chuckled lightly, waving her sleeve and speaking calmly, "Taoist Zhao, please take a seat! I am not your enemy."

Zhao Sheng sat down with an air of authority, indifferently replying, "Not now, but in the end, you certainly will be. We have never had dealings before, so let's speak plainly."

Seeing his reaction, Ling Luo dropped her smile and spoke seriously, "Since that is the case. I have a suggestion for Taoist Zhao to consider. Before we find that item, why don't we form an alliance? We could share intelligence and join forces against our enemies. What do you think of this idea?"

"Oh, your suggestion is quite interesting."

Zhao Sheng seemed somewhat indifferent to Saintess Ling Luo's proposal.

"Only... although Zhao believes he possesses some skills, everyone else has renowned strength and notoriety. Why didn't Fellow Daoist Ling Luo choose to ally with them, but instead chose the ordinary Zhao? Could it be... for Elder Brother Xiao Jiuke?"

Ling Luo shook her head, speaking gravely, "Taoist Zhao is completely mistaken. I am absolutely not here for Xiao Jiuke. Although he is powerful, he is too ugly. Also, I possess a Secret Technique; I know your strength is unfathomable, hence my choice to ally with you.

To show my sincerity, I will share an important piece of intelligence first. Based on a compilation of information from various sources, I speculate that the item is hidden in the Qiu Ling Sect's Forbidden Land, the Qiu Emperor Tomb."

Despite her revelation, Zhao Sheng's expression remained impassive; Ling Luo's intelligence was actually something he had "speculated" on long ago.

The Sect Leader inviting everyone to a banquet at the Rebirth Hall signified that the place was far from ordinary, especially since the Qiu Emperor Tomb was located adjacent to it.