Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension

Over the century, as the Heavenly Dao Sect's power greatly declined, the Da Gu Court had not yet stabilized the nation.

All over the realm, numerous uprisings in the name of divine spirits erupted and quelled in waves. The most significant, known as the "Sky Toppling Change," almost obliterated the Heavenly Dao Sect as well.

In the midst of the Sky Toppling Change, the previous Sect Leader of the Ghost God Association, Emperor Banshan, led a group of ghost gods and suddenly attacked the main peak of the Heavenly Dao Sect, Tao Reverence Peak.

Caught off guard, the Heavenly Dao Sect's defenses were breached from within and without, their followers slaughtered, and blood flowed like rivers.

During this critical moment, the Sect Leader of the Ghost Chi, unable to do otherwise due to severe injuries, had to come out and face the enemy himself, ultimately unleashing the sect's foundational powers at great cost. He annihilated most of the invaders, sending the surviving ghost gods fleeing down the mountains in terror.

Such a tremendous upheaval not only led to the transcendental passing of both the Sect Leader of the Heavenly Dao and Emperor Banshan but also inflicted countless casualties below them.

Owing to the heavy losses of personnel, the Heavenly Dao Sect had no choice but to actively retract their sphere of influence, rendering them incapable of influencing the overall situation of the world.

This allowed the Great Gu Ancestor to rise opportunistically, harnessing the resources and manpower of the Heavenly Dao Sect. Over nearly a hundred years, he quelled numerous rebellions and suppressed all opposition, eventually founding the Da Gu Heavenly Dynasty.

The establishment of the Da Gu Heavenly Dynasty was actually a result of compromise.

Due to the decline in power, the Heavenly Dao Sect had no choice but to retreat behind the scenes, indirectly "ruling" the entire continent through the Da Gu Court.

Moreover, after reviewing a large number of books and Jade Scrolls from that period, Zhao Sheng also noticed many discrepancies.

Between thirteen hundred to two hundred years ago, the Heavenly Dao Sect endured two major setbacks.

One was during the campaign against Corpse Abyss, which ended with heavy casualties and a full retreat from Corpse Abyss.

The other setback was caused by the sinking catastrophe of Wuzhou.

Similarly, over twelve hundred years ago, the Heavenly Dao Sect suddenly moved a major portion of their core forces to a small continent called Wuzhou.

Subsequent records were sparse, and it was unknown what major disasters occurred after that.

Decades later, one day, Wuzhou suddenly collapsed, the entire continent sinking into the sea in a very short time, with millions of lives lost, and only cultivators and a very few ordinary people managing to escape.

Gathering various clues, Zhao Sheng was astonished to discover that a large part of the Slave Clan residing in Chu State City had migrated from Wuzhou, including... the ancestors of Zhao Hongyun's branch, Zhao Xiuchan!

As Zhao Sheng thought through all the information, he quietly speculated, "... It seems that the great war between the two realms did not only occur in Corpse Abyss?"

The records in Zhenlang Pavilion were ultimately too scant. To understand the entire truth, he would definitely need to visit the main temple of the Heavenly Dao Sect in the future.

As for Corpse Abyss, that cursed place is one of the most perilous dead zones on the continent. Before advancing to Golden Core, it's best not even to think about it.

At this moment, Zhao Sheng's ears twitched as a conversation nearby caught his attention.

"Haha! Is this the famous Daoist Li who survived great adversities? I am Zhao Zhongque, currently an Elder of the Heavenly Rebel Alliance in Fulong Province. Daoist Li, you have had a tough few years!

"For the sake of the Righteous Path, I've long viewed life and death lightly," there's no hardship to speak of. Speaking of hardships, the Fellow Daoists in Fulong Province are truly deserving of high praise, having successfully turned a high-ranking official in the Provincial Temple. How did you manage to do that? I am genuinely curious!"

"The details are complex; let's talk more inside."

"Very well! After you, Taoist Zhao..."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng suddenly felt inspired and made a calculation on his fingers.

"Embodied by the Feng Xian Ming Ren Sect, fortified by Quanzhen Du Taihe. Declared by The Classic of Sincerity and Jade, regulated by Zhongzheng Chang Jinke. Informed by the Essence of the Mystic Path, supported by Gao Hongding Daluo, guided by Moral Performance, honored by 'Immortal Cultivation is Valuable for Longevity.'"

The Zhao Family names each generation with a sixty-year cycle.

Starting with Zhao Xiuchan, "Immortal Cultivation is Valuable for Longevity" spans five generations, which is three hundred years.

When the cycle returns to the second round, from the Feng Generation to the Jian Generation, it spans fifteen generations or nine hundred years in total.

Three hundred plus nine hundred equals exactly twelve hundred years.

Untold until calculated, this revelation deeply shocked Zhao Sheng.

"Zhao Zhongque... from the Zhong generation? Could it be..."

Ever since the Ear Reporting God planted roots to eavesdrop at the base of the Heavenly Rebel Alliance, in the six or seven years since, Zhao Sheng, although he hadn't gone explicitly to gather information, had still heard much about the internal affairs.

The Heavenly Rebel Alliance was originally composed of remnants of sects and families annihilated by the Heavenly Dao Sect, later joined by countless Loose Cultivators and wild paths unwilling to endure control and exploitation.

As the Heavenly Rebel Alliance's power increasingly expanded, many ambitious individuals with formidable strength also actively joined the alliance.

After the beginning of the Seventh Epoch in the Heavenly Dao Calendar, a large group of new troops suddenly joined the Heavenly Rebel Alliance. Among them were names very familiar to Zhao Sheng, such as the Vast Sect...

Of course, the Vast Sect had already undergone a transformation in the Netherworld, now going by a new name called the Wind Shadow Sect.

It was no wonder to Zhao Sheng, looking back now, why the bearded old Taoist who had his cover blown years ago had such a desperate demeanor.

Apart from the Vast Sect, he also spotted what he suspected to be the presence of disciples from the Elixir Cauldron Sect.

There was a young man with an icy voice, but his words hinted at a familiarity with the bearded old Taoist, and he frequently mentioned matters related to Alchemy.

During a secretive investigation, Zhao Sheng noticed some unique Alchemy Formulas from the Elixir Cauldron Sect in the way the young man refined Elixir Pills.

As he pondered deeply, the Ear Reporting God timely conveyed noises from elsewhere.

Zhao Sheng immediately listened attentively.

...

About an hour later, he suddenly stood up from his cushion, waved his hand to disperse the Barrier, quickly walked to the door, and stepped out of the quiet room.

Arriving at the prison's cafeteria, a group of Prison Guards who just saw Zhao Sheng appear, eagerly stood up and greeted him warmly.

Zhao Sheng, however, remained cold and simply nodded at them.

The others did not mind his attitude and soon sat down to continue eating and drinking.

Zhao Sheng walked between two rows of tables and approached a table where a huge man in full armor was seated.

After sitting down, he suddenly transmitted a message, "Wei, these days, have you thought it through? Are you going to agree or not?"

The giant's real name was Wei Chong. Although he was a mortal, as a Divinity-reaching Grandmaster, his strength was among the top in all the Prison Guards, and not much less than that of the New Prison Captain, Ren Zhong.

"The prison rules are strict. The seventeenth and eighteenth floors are full of high-profile convicts. If I secretly take you into the cell, it is a capital offense!" the giant hesitated as he transmitted back.

Hearing this, Zhao Sheng could not help but scoff, "Come on! Whether the rules are strict or not, that's all for show to outsiders. Over the years, there have been many among us who violated the prison rules, and weren't they all capital crimes? Have you ever seen anyone actually get killed for it? At most, send a generous gift to the Prison Captain and issue a small punishment as a warning."

"This... this cannot be equated!" The giant tried to argue again, only to be abruptly interrupted by Zhao Sheng, "Wei, do you really want to die old in this jail, or do you no longer wish to be transferred out?

Keep in mind you're already over ninety. If you don't start building connections now, in another twenty or thirty years, your family will surely crumble after your death."

"This..."

"I have already prepared everything for you! It's just about doing me a small favor. During the patrol, I guarantee I won't cause any trouble nor will I have any contact with the prisoners."

While speaking, Zhao Sheng forcibly stuffed a Storage Space Seal into the giant's hand, affirming his statement.

"Alright! Just this once, no more exceptions!" the giant replied slowly nodding.

Ultimately, Wei Chong cared for his family and succumbed to reality.

Seeing his plan about to succeed, Zhao Sheng's face suddenly showed a bright and gentle smile.

...

Chu State East City, Furen Square.

Beneath Zhao Mansion, over two hundred feet underground, the earth had been hollowed out, forming a huge cave nearly two miles in length and width and a hundred feet high.

The cave was packed with densely arranged bookshelves, which were filled with piles of Jade Scrolls, ancient books, secret scrolls, and books...

Hu— Hu—

In a secluded dark corner amid the bookshelves, a snoring sound rose and fell rhythmically.

Just then, a figure suddenly emerged from the cave. Then Zhao Sheng walked out of the darkness.

As his footsteps began, the snoring in the corner abruptly stopped.

The next instant, a white light shot out from the middle of the bookshelves like lightning, landing on Zhao Sheng's shoulder and transforming into a snow-white, fluffy-tailed, red-eyed, pink-nosed rat.