Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension

"Alas, who would have thought that Brother Zhao, at such a young age, your Sword Intent has already reached the realm of ’refinement and illusion.’ Truly a case of a great mentor yielding an exceptional disciple! I, Hong, wanted to show off my strength, but instead, I’ve made a fool of myself. Such a miscalculation!"

Hong Qingqiu showed a bitter expression and couldn’t help scratching his head again, knowing he had been overly rash just now.

Zhao Sheng smiled without speaking, his mind recalling the background of this man.

Hong Qingqiu hailed from the Seeking Dao Lineage, truly a figure among the ascetics. And the most significant trait of the ascetics is their earnest quest for the Dao, comporting themselves naturally and spontaneously.

His impetuous move today, was it merely due to an itch in his hands, or perhaps a trial?

Zhao Sheng silently pondered the other’s motive for acting,

By now, Hong Qingqiu had realized, even though their realms were similar, both around the Golden Core’s second or third levels, and perhaps his own cultivation was even higher, facing this person before him was not about winning or losing, but not even knowing how he would have died.

There is always a kind of person in this world whose very existence makes the vast majority of people feel ashamed, as if they have lived all their years in vain.

If the information received was correct, this revered disciple of Que Yue feared not even a hundred years old, truly a genius bestowed by the heavens!

Hong Qingqiu looked deeply at Zhao Sheng and sighed, "It seems that this year’s territory division, I, Hong, will have to drop another rank. Brother Zhao, you must strive hard, fight to slap the faces of those old thieves, make a name for yourself and maybe even snatch a Qiu Ling Plate."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng’s face revealed a thoughtful look, and he inquired, "Mr. Hong, what is this ’territory division’ you speak of? Also, the so-called Qiu Ling Plate, could it be referring to the Qiu Ling Sect?"

Hong Qingqiu cracked a grin, about to explain.

Just at this moment, a five-colored tunneling light suddenly burst forth from a Floating Island about twenty miles to the west, sweeping rapidly towards them.

The five-colored tunneling light arrived in an instant, and just as quickly the brightness faded, revealing a slender Daoist in a high-crowned white robe.

Who else could it be but Taoist Zhai Kong?

"Brother!"

"I am Hong Qingqiu, greetings to Senior Zhai Kong," Zhao Sheng and the other greeted Zhai Kong in turn.

Zhai Kong’s gaze swept over Hong Qingqiu, and with a gentle smile, he said, "So it’s the Green Fire Sword Mr. Hong! I thought some enemy had found my little junior brother here. Hehe, I myself am also itching for some action, Mr. Hong. If you are interested, we could spar a bit."

"Ah, my humble Daoist cultivation is nowhere close to the mighty Five-Colored Sword Master. Far too inferior, not daring at all!" Hong Qingqiu hastily begged off upon hearing this.

Zhai Kong had intended to teach him a lesson, but seeing Hong Qingqiu voluntarily lower his stance in submission, he chose not to dwell on the other’s mistake anymore.

"Anything else, Mr. Hong?" asked Zhai Kong.

Hong Qingqiu quickly replied, "Er, nothing else, I shall take my leave!"

As he spoke, his Sword Light emerged, ready to flee.

At this moment, however, Zhao Sheng suddenly said, "Mr. Hong, please wait."

"Uh, Brother Zhao, is there something you need?"

Hong Qingqiu dissipated his Sword Light and turned to look back.

Zhao Sheng smiled and said, "Taoist Zhai Kong and I have just arrived at this Treasure Land and are unaware of many things. I was hoping to seek some advice from Mr. Hong. Why don’t we go down to my abode for some tea and a chat? Brother Zhai Kong, what do you think?"

Zhai Kong understood and immediately responded, "I was thinking the same."

After speaking, his eyes shone intensely toward Hong Qingqiu.

Seeing this, Taoist Hong couldn’t help but grimace but nodded and said, "Coincidentally, I’m quite thirsty myself. I will take up Brother Zhao on his offer for a few cups of tea!"

"Please!"

Zhao Sheng led the way with a welcoming gesture, flying ahead towards the Floating Island.

In a short while, within the depths of the cave mansion’s guest hall, the room was filled with the fragrance of tea, with spirit cloud wafting gently. ƒreewebɳovel.com

After the three had sipped a cup of tea, Zhao Sheng opened the conversation, "Mr. Hong, what is this division of territory you spoke of?"

"Hmm, junior brother, you don’t know?" Upon hearing this, Zhai Kong’s eyebrows slightly furrowed as he spoke first.

Zhao Sheng shook his head innocently, "Brother Hong was just about to explain when Brother Zhai Kong, you arrived."

Zhai Kong’s eyes flashed and looked at Hong Qingqiu, saying indifferently, "Mr. Hong, why don’t you tell him?"

Hong Qingqiu opened his mouth, his frustrations stuck in his throat and finally swallowed all his grievances, begrudgingly explaining, "This matter of dividing territories, it’s a long story! Back then... we had no choice but to divide up the territories and periodically purge the invading Sea Demons and ghostly creatures."

After listening to his explanation, Zhao Sheng finally understood what was going on.

It turns out that when Wuzhou sank into the sea overnight, it resulted in the deaths of countless lives in the state.

The resentment from countless beings dying simultaneously was unimaginably immense.

The year Wuzhou sank, heaven and earth mourned together, resentment obscured the sun and sky, turning the entire Netherworld dark as night, filled with wails and bloodied tears.

Beneath the sea of the Wuzhou Sea region, bones covered the earth, and the boundless yin and resentful death energy gathered and did not dissipate, creating a "Netherworld" where countless ghostly creatures and Yin Souls were born.

Countless resentful ghostly creatures and Yin Souls, in a "Netherworld" environment, engaged in a mad fray, devouring each other. In a short time, many ghostly creatures rapidly increased in strength, creating a horde of mighty and evil ghosts and demons.

The immense attraction of the Earth Core Sea Eye not only pulled the nature’s spiritual energy towards this region but also drew the yin and resentful death energy.

With such a unique environment established, it’s understandable how many ghostly creatures and Sea Demons would relocate here.