Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension

Leng Sha prattled on and on about a big list of things, but when summed up, it was essentially three prohibitions: never meddle in affairs that aren't your business, never listen to secrets you aren't supposed to hear, and never go to places you aren't supposed to go!

Zhao Sheng nodded repeatedly as he listened, seemingly in full agreement.

But in reality, what did he actually know about the true state of Avici Hell? He was aware of what Leng Sha knew. And he also knew what Leng Sha did not.

In the thirteen-layered prison, darkness and cold silence reigned, with evil spirits nearly materializing. Zhao Sheng walked shoulder to shoulder with Leng Sha, while all sorts of strange noises emanated from the cells on both sides.

Bang, bang, bang!

Heh heh, heh heh... Roar!

"Let... me... out... I am... Sect Leader... Choose wealth and glory to your heart's desire..."

When the two reached the midpoint of the corridor, the iron wall on the right side suddenly trembled slightly, followed by a massive banging sound that erupted abruptly, causing the thick and sturdy cold iron cell door to slightly distort.

Zhao Sheng glanced sideways.

"Don't get involved in idle matters! There is a copper-armored corpse locked inside. The master plans to continue cultivating it for a few more years before subduing it," Leng Sha reminded him.

Zhao Sheng nodded, when suddenly a wailing and seductive voice reached his ears, "This humble one is the Earth Element Mysterious Woman. If you save me, I swear on my late mother's name, I will repay you with everything I have."

"Ha ha! Young brother, you heard it too, right? That demoness has already bewitched two fools, and even now she is still not giving up! Really... Hmph!"

An hour later, the two finished their inspection of one layer of the prison and smoothly handed over their duties to the next team of Prison Guards.

The rules of Avici Hell were different from those above.

Because the crimes of the prisoners were of an extremely dangerous nature, the Prison Guards were not permitted to enter any of the cells without the Prison Captain's authorization.

They usually just patrolled the prison layer, and the examination of the prisoners was completely designated by Xiao Moluo.

It took only seven or eight days for Zhao Sheng, who was adept at understanding people's natures, to become familiar with the Prison Guards.

"Young brother, you're just unlucky! Just two days ago, we just lost two old pals here. There's a shortage of people below, so Leader Xiao mentioned both of you," someone said.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng immediately realized that his "the plum tree withers in place of the peach" plan had succeeded.

"Don't listen to his nonsense! Since you've come to Avici Hell, there's at least something to look forward to. Accumulate enough merits, and we can switch to a more lucrative position, and then enjoy endless wealth and glory."

"Pah, you think you can get out? Guarding a Corpse Ghost that everyone hates and is disgusted by, if you can get out alive, that would be an eight-generation blessing!"

"Ha ha! I've guarded the prison my entire life, am I not entitled to enjoy a bit of luxury yet!"

"Our boss, a mighty Mid-stage Foundation Establishment expert, has been a prison guard for decades and accumulated enough merit, yet he still can't transfer out of this damned place."

"That's because Xiao... is deliberately suppressing him. Otherwise, the boss would have been transferred to Spirit Treasure Hall long ago."

"Cough cough!"

With a cough, a rugged old man with a gaunt face and a large frame strode into the cafeteria.

"What are you all muttering about, your hides itching for a beating? If you're well-fed and drunk, roll back to your cultivation. Increase your cultivation as much as you can to avoid an unexplained death. You youngsters don't need to worry about my affairs!" he said.

"Boss, don't be angry, we're leaving now, right this minute!" Leng Sha said with a sheepish smile, standing up and repeatedly nodding and bowing to the burly old man.

At the same time, he quickly pulled Zhao Sheng and swiftly left the canteen, prompting loud laughter from the bored Prison Guards.

After finishing his shift that day, Zhao Sheng quickly entered the Cultivation Room and, after activating the Defense Barrier, instantly vanished into thin air.

After less than the amount of time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Zhao Sheng, transformed into Wind Carrier Shadowless, once again arrived at Pafeng Building.

Sitting down in his usual spot, Zhao Sheng began to rest with his eyes closed.

Strangely enough, the guests who used to compete to show up first were now nowhere to be seen.

Zhao Sheng was not in a hurry, though. He just waited silently.

Sure enough, within a short time, a handsome, young man in yellow robes floated in and sat down across from Zhao Sheng.

"Guest, what brings you here? Please state your business," Zhao Sheng asked, pretending not to recognize the person, with a calm and composed demeanor.

"I am Gu Yu, and I have met Master Wu Ying. Regarding A Jiu's impolite invitation earlier, I have already punished him for it. I hope the Master will not take it to heart," Gu Yu remarked, and lightly clapped his hands.

Clap clap!

The next second, a burly man with thick eyebrows, covered in bloodstains, emerged from the stairwell and walked to the side of the table.

"Young Master,"

the man bowed deeply, then dropped to one knee before Zhao Sheng, and pleaded, "I am Gu Jiu. I was rude and offended the Master last time. Please forgive my ignorance and failure to recognize the Sun!"

Zhao Sheng lifted his eyelids slightly, speaking weakly, "Get up! To know your faults and be able to change is indeed the greatest good."

"A Jiu, you go and stand guard first."

After Gu Jiu left, Zhao Sheng suddenly spoke, "So it turns out that Mr. Gu is the young master of the Gu Family. My apologies for the oversight!"

"Master Wu Ying is indeed well informed. Indeed, I am the thirteenth in line in my family, and my great-grandfather is the current City Governor of Chu State City," said Gu Yu with a spring breeze in his smile.

"May I inquire as to Mr. Gu's purpose for coming here?" Zhao Sheng feigned confusion.

Gu Yu pressed his right hand against the corner of the table and declared loudly, "The Master is a wise man, so I'll just speak frankly. Master, your abilities are remarkable. I hope that you can help me achieve great things. Just give the nod, and the future rewards will surely satisfy you."

Zhao Sheng fell into thought, pretending to ponder for a while before asking seriously, "I have heard that the treasured Zhenlang Pavilion of the Gu family is filled with countless books, most of which are from the royal Daoist Collection Tower. Is there any truth to this?"

"It is true! In the past, the Saintly Ancestor granted special permission allowing our branch of the Imperial Family to copy a portion of the scriptures and classics from the Daoist Collection Tower, which were then distributed to various provinces. Perhaps the Master wishes to enter the Zhenlang Pavilion to browse its myriad books?"

Zhao Sheng nodded, "Indeed! The Daoist Collection Tower has gathered the vastest array of scriptures and classics from all ages and places, with an ocean of books and mountains of jade scrolls. Who in the world wouldn't wish to take a look inside? Since the Master cannot enter the Daoist Collection Tower, I would fulfill my wish by perusing the Zhenlang Pavilion."

Gu Yu lowered his head in contemplation for a moment, then suddenly looked up resolutely and said, "The Zhenlang Pavilion is a critical location for our clan and is seldom open to outsiders. However, to demonstrate my sincere desire to seek talented individuals, I will not disappoint you! But let me say one thing in advance."

At this point, Gu Yu paused, his eyes earnestly fixing on Zhao Sheng, waiting for his response.

Zhao Sheng promptly said, "Mr. Gu, please speak your mind."

Gu Yu tapped the desk lightly and said solemnly, "I can only allow the Master to enter the Zhenlang Pavilion for up to three hours, during which you may freely read all the books and jade scrolls. But once the time is up, you must leave at once, and you may neither take any scraps of paper nor disclose any secrets of the Zhenlang Pavilion."

"Agreed! As long as Mr. Gu can do this, I am naturally willing to lend you my support," Zhao Sheng said with sincere expression.

Gu Yu listened but furrowed his brow slightly, seemingly not fully satisfied with the response.

Seeing this, Zhao Sheng subtly released a strand of Divine Sense into his Space Storage Seal.

In the next instant, a green pill bottle suddenly flew out from the Space Storage Seal and landed on the table in front of Gu Yu.

Upon witnessing this scene, Gu Yu couldn't help exclaiming, "This...this is Divine Sense?! Master, you actually... actually possess such strength, truly deceiving everyone! I have just been disrespectful, please do not blame me"

At this moment, he was both surprised and delighted, having realized that the bargaining chip he had just put forward was clearly not sufficient for the treatment of a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator.

Consider Bao Chen, who with only Foundation Establishment Realm cultivation, occupied the position of temple sacrifice at the Soul Comforting Temple. He not only controlled the entire Hufeng County in secret but also indirectly decided the life and death of nearly ten million people.

Bao Chen's power was so immense, he might as well be a king of an entire county!

This also showed just how high the status of a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator was in Diancang Province.

Therefore, while Gu Yu might be the Thirteen Young Master of the Diancang Gu Family, frankly speaking, in terms of status, he probably wasn't as esteemed as Zhao Sheng.

After all, the Gu Family Patriarch and a group of the family elders and ministers were merely at the Foundation Establishment level, and even the strongest ancestor in the Gu Family only reached the Golden Core stage, far from touching the threshold of the Nascent Soul Realm.

The Da Gu Royal Family, due to being covertly controlled by the Heavenly Dao Sect since the beginning of the dynasty, has never produced a Divinity Transformation True Monarch throughout its history, with the most powerful of each generation barely reaching the Nascent Soul Realm's strength.

As for the various Gu Family branches in the provinces, most cap at the Golden Core stage, with only a rare few exceptionally talented individuals breaking through barriers and successfully advancing to the Nascent Soul stage.

Seeing Gu Yu's proper attitude, Zhao Sheng inwardly praised him and nodded, "Mr. Gu, I meant every word I just said. Although I will not be under your command, you wouldn't refuse the possibility of having one more Minister, would you?"

"A Minister? Of course not!" Gu Yu replied spiritedly, overjoyed at the thought.

Zhao Sheng laughed heartily and gestured with his hand in respect, "If that's the case, I hope to become closer to Mr. Gu in the future!"