Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension

Chapter 1726 - 925: Yuan Hong’s Emergence, Tianyunzi’s Return (Part 2)

Zhao Sheng’s sudden appearance immediately alarmed the three Lords of the Grotto Heaven waiting at the summit.

The Master of Eternal Night was a dignified elder with a high crown.

He reacted first, swiftly approached Zhao Sheng, and bowed in respect: "Eternal Night pays respect to the Fourth Ancestor!"

The Lords of Five Thunders and Chongyue were quick as well, flying forward and bowing in respect: "Five Thunders (Chongyue) pays respect to the Fourth Ancestor!"

Setting aside Five Thunders for now, the Lord of Chongyue was originally named Zhao Qiongye. Before inheriting Chongyue Grotto Heaven, he was ranked ninth among the Daoists.

After inheriting Chongyue Grotto Heaven, his original name was discarded and he would use "Chongyue" as he traversed the world henceforth.

The Lords of Five Thunders and Eternal Night were the same.

Zhao Sheng nodded slightly and returned the bow: "It has been many years since we last met, are you all well?"

"We are all well, and the Zhao Family is doing extremely well now." The Five Thunders Cave Master hurriedly replied.

Zhao Sheng nodded and then turned to call over his apprentice, instructing, "Apprentice, hurry and pay respects to the three Ancestors."

Upon hearing his master’s instructions, Yuan Hong obediently stepped forward and bowed: "Yuan Hong pays respects to the three Ancestors."

The Eternal Night Cave Master saw this and replied with a smile: "No need for such courtesy! Rise quickly."

After speaking, he flipped his right hand, suddenly revealing a Great Sun Golden Essence the size of a head.

Immediately following, he forcefully placed the Sun Gold Essence into Yuan Hong’s hands, while laughing: "I came in a rush today and did not prepare anything good. This Great Sun Golden Essence was obtained by chance, and today it shall be your greeting gift."

The Eternal Night Cave Master’s actions were swift, while Five Thunders and Chongyue were not slow either.

The two quickly took out treasures, similarly handing them to Yuan Hong.

Coincidentally, the Ten Thousand Years Golden Mother and Ruyi Divine Iron given by both were also high-grade heavenly treasures of the Gold Element.

Yuan Hong, just emerging into the world, did not know to refuse and accepted the treasures given by the three Ancestors without hesitation, and bowed in thanks.

Zhao Sheng watched silently, without any intention to stop.

The Eternal Night Cave Master carefully studied Yuan Hong, an inexplicable shock in his heart, and sighed in surprise: "Fourth Ancestor, your apprentice... truly extraordinary!"

"Indeed, indeed! If I’m not mistaken, Yuan Hong’s cultivation is likely not inferior to that of an average Returning to Void Realm cultivator. Your guidance is exceptional, making us feel inadequate."

Though he said this, the Five Thunders Cave Heaven was filled with doubt, not understanding why the Fourth Ancestor accepted a demon ape as an apprentice.

That’s right!

Even though Yuan Hong tried to suppress his aura, the three Integration Realm powers could discern some clues.

Moreover, the Five Thunders Cave Master, having been raised in the Spirit-controlling Immortal Sect, was very familiar with demon beasts.

The Chongyue Cave Master knew a little more about it.

He had once heard ancestors mention the Fourth Ancestor accepting an apprentice, hinting at envy in their words as if envious of his choice of a fine apprentice.

The Chongyue Cave Master’s thoughts raced, and he suddenly pretended to be displeased: "Fourth Ancestor, since you’ve already accepted a fine apprentice, why keep it hidden? You should notify the whole clan and let the younger generation hold a grand disciple acceptance ceremony for you."

Zhao Sheng smiled and humbly replied: "My apprentice was naturally unruly. After two thousand years of grinding, it finally shed his impatient temper. Only then did I decide to bring it out. Please do not blame me, esteemed ones!"

"Fourth Ancestor jests. I would never doubt you. It was merely a jest; please do not take offense." The Chongyue Cave Master quickly explained.

Zhao Sheng understood his intent and did not fault him.

At that moment, a large hole suddenly appeared on the ground nearby.

Zhao Sheng and the others noticed something amiss, twisting their heads to observe, only to see a tall and short figure emerging from below.

At first sight, Zhao Sheng was taken aback, quickly moving forward and bowing in respect: "Zhao Sheng pays respects to the Ancestor and Second Ancestor!"

The three of Chongyue, Eternal Night, and Five Thunders also hurriedly stepped forward to respectfully greet the two Ancestors.

A flash of golden light had Yuan Hong appearing before Zhao Xuanjing and Zhao Hongyun, falling to his knees and continuously kowtowing: "Grand-disciple Yuan Hong pays respects to the two Ancestors."

"No need for such courtesy!" Zhao Xuanjing spoke kindly.

Zhao Hongyun’s gaze fell on Yuan Hong, two bursts of divine light flaring from his eyes, showing rare loss of composure.

"This... this... Lingering divine essence, endowed by heaven and earth! Excellent, truly a peerless talent, unmatched in this world!"

Zhao Hongyun clearly understood the relationship between Yuan Hong and the Golden Crane Great Saint, thus viewing him in a special light.

Zhao Xuanjing also reacted at that moment, his gaze brightening as he examined the Daoist kneeling before him.

"Rise!" He called for Yuan Hong to stand while retrieving a three-inch-long golden needle from his sleeve and solemnly placing it into Yuan Hong’s arms.

Yuan Hong rose, cradling the treasure, instinctively blowing a breath upon it.

In the next instant, the golden needle swelled in size, growing into a golden long stick one zhang and nine chi in length, with countless intricate Dao Patterns at each end, glowing brightly.

Yuan Hong gripped the Spiritual Treasure Long Stick, joyous to the point of scratching his ears and cheeks, itching to perform with it on the spot.

Zhao Sheng noticed his apprentice’s intent, immediately snapping: "Impertinent one, retreat quickly."

Yuan Hong jolted awake, terrified, hastily clutching the stick and darting behind his master, obediently standing.

Zhao Hongyun watched this scene, softly saying: "Chonghe, the nature of the monkey is such, why be so strict with it?"

Zhao Sheng responded: "Second Ancestor, as the saying goes, ’a severe teacher brings forth excellent students.’ What I do is for its own good, lest it squanders its unmatched talent."

Zhao Hongyun shook his head, intending to persuade him to change his attitude.

But Zhao Xuanjing suddenly interrupted: "Enough! Chonghe has his own thoughts; let us wait patiently. Hongyun, you needn’t say more."

Zhao Hongyun, realizing this, lowered his voice: "The Ancestor’s wisdom prevails, I have been too hasty."

After speaking, he voluntarily retreated behind Zhao Xuanjing, yielding the conversation.

The three of Chongyue, Five Thunders, and Eternal Night exchanged looks, not daring to interject.

Zhao Xuanjing’s gaze swept over them, slowly speaking: "I decreed a gathering of all Integration Realm clan members every thousand years. Last time, Hongyun missed it due to circumstances. Now with Hongyun’s safe return, I am overjoyed."

He then looked at Zhao Hongyun and said sternly: "Hongyun, this time you shall begin the teaching."

The so-called millennial gathering was essentially the Ancestor summoning the clan’s Integration Realm members, not just to address significant accumulated matters but also to lecture the younger generation.

Zhao Hongyun, after ascending to Crossing Tribulation, had to travel to No Return Heaven.

His journey lasted over two thousand years, during which no news was sent back.

Fortunately, today, Tianyunzi has finally returned to the Divine Continent, bringing relief to Zhao Xuanjing and Zhao Sheng.

Zhao Hongyun nodded, moving to the center, with a pure white Grotto Heaven Halo suddenly appearing behind him.

"Do not resist, come inside with me!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng immediately withdrew his Divine Thought and Will, his body rising and entering the Grotto Heaven Halo.

Chongyue, Eternal Night, Five Thunders, Yuan Hong and Zhao Xuanjing also flew up simultaneously, vanishing into the halo.

In the blink of an eye, the summit was empty.

...

As his sight cleared, Zhao Sheng suddenly realized he had arrived in a strange world.

Looking around, clouds and mist surrounded him, and beneath lay vast plains filled with countless cities. The land was divided into large fields.

Numerous towns and villages dotted the fields and roads, a well-established and densely populated feudal dynasty stretched across the plains.

Huh?

A few breaths later, Zhao Sheng suddenly uttered a soft sound, realizing something was amiss.

"Something’s wrong, why... are there no cultivators here?" He muttered in surprise.