Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension

Chapter 1506: Chapter 815: Ten Lands Zhao Clan

Inside the Lakeside Pavilion, two Golden Core Masters sat facing each other.

Contrary to the tense atmosphere imagined by outsiders, the room was not only calm but also quite leisurely.

So leisurely that the two Golden Core Masters began to play chess.

The chessboard was square, with thirty-six paths crisscrossing it, densely packed with pieces. Black and white pieces intertwined like two great dragons in battle.

“Xin Jiu, sixteen positions in, a kill!” Zhao Sheng cheerfully pointed to a position on the board, and a white piece appeared with a flash.

Instantly, hundreds of nearby white pieces glowed together, transforming into a one-horned white dragon, swirling its tail, slaughtering over one hundred and fifty black pieces within its range.

A vast space suddenly opened up in the northwest corner of the board.

Zhao Yongxian’s eyes narrowed, his hand unconsciously stroked his long beard as his face paled, beads of sweat densely covered his forehead.

Zhao Sheng maintained a composed demeanor, quietly waiting for the opponent’s next move.

The chess match they were playing was not the popular Go of the mortal realm, but a form of Array Chess.

The chessboard was usually divided into thirty-six, fifty-four, and one hundred and eight paths. The larger the chess array, the more complex the setup and the exponentially increased difficulty.

Chess is akin to setting up an array, thus Array Chess is hard to learn and master, traditionally only popular among Array Masters. Most cultivators can hardly learn this form of chess strategy.

As it happened, Zhao Yongxian not only had profound cultivation but was also a highly ranked Array Master. Upon arriving at Seven Stars Island, he immediately sensed the presence of multiple hidden formations.

So, upon meeting, he proposed a match of Array Chess, and Zhao Sheng agreed without hesitation.

Thus, a match dragged on for a whole day and night, until Zhao Yongxian’s heart power waned, gradually falling into an absolute disadvantage.

Half an hour passed in an instant.

Zhao Yongxian’s face was ashen, his robe drenched with sweat. After hesitating for a long time, he finally sighed deeply and swept away all the black pieces.

“Ah, the Taoist friend’s array skill is unfathomable! I admit defeat in this game,” he said.

Zhao Sheng chuckled, likewise sweeping across the board, and watched as the chessboard and pieces transformed into flowing light, disappearing instantly.

“You appear to have third-tier skills. Given your age, before sitting down, you might touch the threshold of fourth-rank,” Zhao Sheng commented.

Compliments are pleasing to all, but the truth is often most hurtful.

Zhao Yongxian prided himself on restraint, yet still found it grating to hear, snorting coldly, “Humph, it seems the Taoist friend intends to admit,” he replied.

“Admit what?” Zhao Sheng feigned ignorance, asking in return.

“You know well in your heart, why force the old man to point it out?” Zhao Yongxian directly retorted, his expression confident.

The evidence was clear!

If not for high-level body seizing, how could a young man under thirty possess such profound skills in the Array Dao, much less already reach the Golden Core Realm?

All signs pointed to the fact that the person sitting opposite was definitely not “Zhao Ergou,” but a high-level cultivator reborn through body seizing.

“The old man doesn’t change his name or surname. Since birth, I’ve been Zhao Sheng. If the Taoist friend doubts, there’s nothing I can do,” Zhao Sheng spoke nothing but the truth, yet the other party didn’t believe a word.

Zhao Yongxian’s expression became solemn, saying earnestly, “Alright, I believe what the Taoist friend says. Let’s not speak of it for now. I originally came here to… forget it, I won’t mention that either. I only want to ask the Taoist friend one question. Have you ever considered ‘recognizing your ancestors and returning to your clan’?”

Zhao Sheng shook his head, “I’ve never thought about it!”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yongxian grew anxious, urgently persuading, “Do you know? Four hundred years ago, your ancestors were from the Zhao Family’s third branch, and are direct descendants of our clan. Both you and I possess the True Blood of the Zhao Family. Recognizing your ancestors and returning to the clan now is timely and cause for great joy!”

Seeing the other’s indifferent attitude, Zhao Yongxian continued, “Perhaps you don’t know. Our clan possesses three lineages of the True Scripture, all pointing directly to the God Transformation Realm. Furthermore, our clan currently has a Nascent Soul Ancestor safeguarding the Ancestral Land. Given your age and the Ancestor’s guidance in cultivation, you could break through… breakthrough… uh!”

By the end, Zhao Yongxian stammered and couldn’t continue.

He suddenly remembered—the person sitting opposite is an old monster reborn through body seizing.

It is well known that only high-level cultivators above the Nascent Soul Realm can seize bodies.

In other words, before body seizing, the person’s cultivation was at least beyond the Nascent Soul level, making the guidance of their clan ancestor unnecessary.

But precisely because of this, Zhao Yongxian’s desire to recruit the other party grew more fervent.

Seeing Zhao Sheng unmoved, Zhao Yongxian thought quickly, searching for ways to persuade him to “recognize his ancestors and return to his clan.”

After a few moments, he suddenly remembered something, rejoicing internally, and said eagerly, “Do you know about the origins of the Three Extremes Zhao Family?”

“Hmm? I’m willing to hear the details!”

Though he already had some guesses, Zhao Sheng was still curious about what the other would say next.

Zhao Yongxian began eloquently, “My Zhao Family has been established for over three thousand years, with generations of Nascent Soul Ancestors safeguarding it. However, our high ancestor was a Divinity Transformation True Monarch. Not only that, the high ancestor had an extraordinary background, being from the Immortal Gate’s great Ten Lands Zhao Family.”

“Ten Lands Zhao Family?” Zhao Sheng’s eyes flashed as he suddenly asked.

Believing Zhao Sheng had heard of the Ten Lands Zhao Family’s reputation, Zhao Yongxian’s confidence surged, and he laughed heartily, “Indeed, it is the Ten Lands Zhao Family!”

He was about to continue, but Zhao Sheng interrupted, “Hold on, why don’t you tell me more about this Ten Lands Zhao Family.”

His brows arched slightly, looking at Zhao Sheng with mild surprise, Zhao Yongxian asked, “Have you truly never heard of the ‘Ten Lands Zhao Family’?”

“The old man doesn’t enjoy socializing, has always been accustomed to ascetic cultivation, so I’m inevitably somewhat ignorant.”

Zhao Yongxian heard this and finally nodded slightly, feeling relieved. Since ancient times, the cultivation world has had many ascetics focused solely on cultivation, so it is not surprising if one has not heard of the Ten Lands Zhao Family.

“The Four Holy Continents have numerous Spirit Domains, each vast and boundless. The Ten Lands Zhao Family resides in the Ten Thousand Peak Spirit Domain, separated by several Spirit Domains from here, so it’s no wonder you’re unfamiliar with them.”

Zhao Yongxian stroked his long beard and continued: “The Spirit Domains of the Four Holy Continents are numerous, but there are only ten Immortal Gates. The Ten Lands Zhao Family is not only one of them but also ranks in the top five. Their power is unfathomable, with Nascent Souls as common as clouds, True Monarchs everywhere, and even the Half-Immortals of the Void are not uncommon. As far as I know, the Ten Lands Zhao Family owns several Cave Heaven Blessed Lands. The number of Integration Realm Great Powers is uncertain, but there’s more than one.”

“Our clan’s ancestor originated from the Ten Lands Zhao Family, so we still retain a special privilege. That is…” Zhao Yongxian deliberately dragged out his words to spark curiosity in the listener.

Seeing the other person in deep thought, he was secretly pleased and hesitated intentionally before saying, “That is… our Nascent Soul Ancestors of every generation may visit the ancestral land of the Ten Thousand Peak Spirit Domain to pay respects to our ancestors. If the elders of the ancestral land take a liking, they may remain there for cultivation. So… do you understand, Taoist?”

“Understood!”

No one understands the foundation of the “Ten Lands Zhao Family” better than Zhao Sheng.

Upon hearing Ten Thousand Peak Spirit Domain

However, Zhao Sheng was not thinking about “reclaiming his roots and returning to the family”; rather, he wondered when the Divine Artisan Zhao Clan became the “Ten Lands Zhao Family”.

Furthermore, how many years have passed from his fall to his rebirth?

Is Xuan Jing still alive now? What realm has his cultivation reached?

Does his Five Thunders Cave Heaven still exist?

For a moment, countless questions surged in Zhao Sheng’s mind.

Zhao Yongxian saw the other person remain silent for a long while and could not help but feel secretly anxious, yet outwardly maintained a confident and steady demeanor.

Honestly, he increasingly admired himself. If he could recruit a “potentially powerful” Golden Core Master for the family this time, it would be infinitely beneficial not only to his line but also to the family as a whole.

One must know, the person before him is no ordinary Golden Core cultivator, but a high-level cultivator whose pre-death cultivation level is unknown.

Nascent Soul Ancestor? Or perhaps… a Divinity Transformation True Monarch?! Even…

Zhao Yongxian dared not continue his wild imagination; how could a Half-Immortal of the Void possibly seize the body of a Five Spirit Roots Mixed Cultivator?

As he was lost in contemplation, he suddenly heard the other person speak.

Zhao Yongxian’s spirit lifted as he immediately focused on listening, yet he was quickly disappointed.

“Apologies! I’m accustomed to wandering freely without constraints and do not wish to find an ancestor for myself out of nowhere. I appreciate your good intentions, Taoist, but let’s drop this matter.” Zhao Sheng’s expression was indifferent, politely declining the proposal.

Zhao Yongxian’s eyebrows furrowed upon witnessing this, feeling quite discontented, and he spoke again: “Taoist, think seriously, do you know what kind of opportunity you’re giving up?”

Having said this, he saw the other person still unmoved and could not help but feel deeply frustrated.

Zhao Yongxian had to settle for the next best option, advising once more: “Taoist be not hasty in refusal. Now unwilling does not mean unwilling forever. How about this; you may temporarily serve as a Minister Elder for our clan. From now on, this Seven Stars Island will belong to you, Taoist. Additionally, you’ll receive a spiritual salary of one hundred thousand Spirit Stones each year. What do you think, Taoist?”

Zhao Sheng was momentarily stunned upon hearing this, and after pondering for a moment, finally nodded: “Very well!”

Seeing the person finally agree, Zhao Yongxian was overjoyed.

…

A day and a night passed.

The crowd outside the waterside pavilion still waited tirelessly. Most of them had long grown restless and impatient.

Only Chen Polu felt more fear as he waited, feeling increasingly hopeless about his future.

He was merely a small Qi Refinement cultivator, yet now found himself involved in matters at the Golden Core Master level; one misstep could cost him his life.

Just as fear arose in Chen Polu, two Golden Core Masters suddenly walked out of the waterside pavilion arm in arm.

Seeing this, the crowd hurriedly bowed and saluted.

Zhao Yongxian waved his sleeve to lift the crowd and announced before everyone that the Seven Stars Island Master had agreed to serve as the family’s Minister Elder.

The crowd felt inexplicably moved, but still followed tradition, respectfully bowing and saluting the new Minister Elder.

Zhao Sheng nodded slightly, graciously accepting the grand salutes from everyone.

Thus, the “misunderstanding” was resolved, and both sides were utterly pleased.

…

Summer fades, autumn arrives, and the cold wind blows bleakly!

Outside Wolong Island, emerald waves stretch far as mighty Treasure Ships arrive one after another.

Hundreds of Cloud Boats were already suspended in the azure sky.

The emergence of the Water Mansion was imminent, and the major and minor forces near Thousand Island Lake gathered at Wohu Island, awaiting the day the Water Mansion opens.

Three days later, suddenly, there was great commotion on the lake surface, as the waters surged, revealing a massive vortex with a diameter of a thousand feet in the center of the lake.

A thick beam of light abruptly shot out from the depths of the vortex, instantly piercing the cloud sky.

Nearby Cloud Boats quickly avoided it, while seven to eight larger ships boldly moved forward.

Rich flows of light emerged from the various large ships, swiftly entering the light beam and disappearing.

Meanwhile, the figures within the Treasure Ships on the lake tread the waves, clamoring to plunge into the giant vortex.