Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension

Chapter 1360: Chapter 733: Nascent Souls Gather, Nine Nether Tower Illusion Realm?

Thirty years later, at the back mountain of Dragon Claw Peak in the Woqiu Mountain Range.

At the break of dawn, a light mist spread, turning the back mountain into a sea of emerald green with stretches of spirit pine bamboo forest extending for hundreds of miles, concealing simple and elegant courtyards beneath green bamboos and pines.

Deep within this forest, there was a massive square, around three miles in diameter, paved entirely with top-grade Spirit Jade.

A nine-story tower, more than ten zhang high, stood in the center of the square, exuding an eerie grey-black radiance.

The outer wall of the nine-story tower was smooth, constructed from some mysterious spirit gold, taking an octagonal shape. Each floor hung a crystal-clear bell, and the entire structure was sealed without a single window, with only a jade-white tower door on the bottom floor.

As the sun slowly crept over the peak, casting large swathes of golden light onto the forest, tunneling lights streaked from all directions, transforming into individuals clad in bright yellow robes upon landing on the square in front of the tower.

These individuals ranged in age but all bore extraordinary expressions, with profound auras.

Any young member of the Zhao Family present would be astounded, for all those gathered at this square were the Nascent Soul Elders of the clan, holding high positions and power.

These individuals were usually scattered across regions, each commanding their domain, wielding great authority.

Yet today, nearly a hundred Nascent Soul Elders had coincidentally gathered at this square. Who exactly summoned them here?

“Third Uncle, do you suppose Ancestor summoned us for that…?” a middle-aged man with a short topknot and a black face quietly asked the person beside him at a corner of the square.

“Don’t overthink. This is evidently a great opportunity. If we pass Ancestor’s test, the path ahead will be infinitely promising,” Zhao Changxiu solemnly transmitted to his nephew, Zhao Shengmeng.

“Indeed, Ancestor’s move carries profound meaning. There’s no way he’d engage in trifling matters. However, the clan is teeming with talents, and twelve great cultivators are already here. With our cultivation, I’m afraid we won’t catch Ancestor’s eye,” Zhao Shengmeng replied worriedly.

Zhao Xiandu, overhearing them, turned around and calmly said, “You two needn’t worry. As I understand, this trial is not about testing combat ability, but about one’s mindset and understanding of the Tao.”

“Second Elder, is that true?” Zhao Changxiu suddenly inquired.

In the Zhao family naming convention: Immortal Cultivation is Valuable for Longevity…

The “Immortal” generation ranks two above the “Longevity” generation, and in Zhao Xiandu’s generation, he ranks second in cultivation, hence Zhao Changxiu addressing him as Second Elder.

By now, the Zhao members are no longer ordered by birth, but by cultivation rank.

This ordering is simple: there are just too many cultivation clan members born each generation.

“Believe it or not!” Zhao Xiandu glanced at Zhao Changxiu; he wouldn’t have disclosed such important information unless he saw potential in him.

Hearing this, Zhao Changxiu was immediately thrilled, his confidence swiftly growing.

Zhao Shengmeng, beside him, also brightened up, clearly intrigued.

While there are varying levels of strength, every Nascent Soul Realm cultivator has their own unique understanding and perception of the Tao, and without direct competition, wouldn’t admit inferiority.

“Do you see that nine-story tower? That tower is a strange treasure; our trial lies within it. However many floors we climb will nearly dictate our future destiny!” Zhao Xiandu slowly scanned the cultivators on the square, speaking with mounting, fervent fighting spirit.

“Could it be that Ancestor intends to select a few clan members for close future cultivation?” Zhao Shengmeng realized his foolish question right after speaking and regretted it immensely.

Zhao Xiandu seemed not to hear, his gaze already directed toward those he considered “rivals.”

Among the Zhao Nascent Soul clan members, the eldest surviving generation is the “Yan” generation, followed by “Qinghua, Immortal Cultivation is Valuable for Longevity, Three Mountains Rise and Shine…up until the “Sky” generation,” totaling 193 individuals.

More than a hundred had gathered at the square today, among them twelve late-stage cultivators and thirty-two of the Nascent Soul Middle Stage…

Excluding the three “Yan” elders who were close to sitting down, at least nineteen posed strong “rivals” to him.

“… Zhao Xianhui, dignified in appearance, seemingly scholarly, yet deeply cunning, outwardly tolerant but inwardly severe…”

“… Zhao Changhu, at the Nascent Soul Eighth Layer, fierce as a tiger in appearance but meticulous in detail, having cultivated the ‘Heavenly One Sumeru Scripture’ to the Perfect Realm, threat level Five Stars…”

“… Zhao Zhenjin, born with a Golden Spirit Body, highly perceptive, mastering a top-grade divine skill, and an Artifact Refining Master… threat level Four Stars…”

“… Zhao San Yue, at the Nascent Soul Seventh Layer, an Alchemy Master, whose ‘Ten Thousand Wood Revival Technique’ has reached the Transformation Realm, once astounded many with ‘Withered Wood Revival’ divine skill…”

Zhao San Yue had a graceful figure and enchanting beauty, and even dressed in a Daoist robe, she could hardly conceal her charm, attracting numerous gazes.

Sensing Zhao Xiandu’s sharp gaze, Zhao San Yue, who had been looking at the tower, suddenly turned her head, meeting Zhao Xiandu’s eyes.

However, her gaze lingered on Zhao Xiandu only briefly before shifting away, with a fleeting hint of disdain in her eyes.

Zhao Xiandu’s eyes flickered slightly, promptly redirecting his gaze, scanning several other “rivals,” repeatedly assessing their threat levels.

As the Great Sun gradually ascended to its zenith, a lingering long dragon’s roar suddenly echoed from the depths of the Heavenly Vault, and a three-hundred-zhang-long golden Dragon Serpent broke through the sunlight, shooting rapidly from the horizon, landing above the tower square within just two or three breaths.