Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension

A month later, the cold wave was approaching.

Zhao Sheng felt exceptionally irritable, just as he could no longer restrain himself from setting out to return to Taifu Mountain.

Zhao Keru unexpectedly returned to the secret mansion alone.

Zhao Sheng floated down from beneath the Spiritual Peach Tree and came before him, asking curiously, "Why didn't Jing'er come back?"

While wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, Zhao Keru answered, "The thing is, not only is Xuanjing not coming back, but you also must immediately come back to Taifu Mountain with me."

Zhao Sheng's heart grew cold, and he immediately pressed, "Uncle Ru, has something happened at home?"

Caught off guard by the question, Zhao Keru quickly replied, "Don't worry, everything at home is safe and sound! It's just that there's a major issue at home waiting for you to come back and discuss."

Upon hearing that nothing had happened at home, Zhao Sheng was relieved and laughed, "What matter at home requires me to return before a decision can be made? Could it be that Jing'er is about to get married?"

"Don't joke about that, if Xuanjing had half the intelligence of Xuanan with that wooden head of his, I wouldn't have to worry about his marriage matters at all!" Zhao Keru repeatedly waved his hands as he spoke.

When speaking about his son, Zhao Keru's face was filled with helplessness.

After the casual family banter ended, his expression suddenly turned solemn as he said in a heavy tone, "The matter I'm talking about has nothing to do with Xuanjing but it's related to the family's Qi Fortune for the next few hundred years."

Qi Fortune again for the next few hundred years?!

Shocked by the words, Zhao Sheng couldn't help but think to himself, "Isn't the term 'Qi Fortune' almost worn out from overuse?"Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Pushing aside this frivolous thought, Zhao Sheng immediately grew serious.

Without waiting for him to ask further, Zhao Keru continued, "You are not aware of it here in Heavenly Pillar Mountain, but in the Elixir Cauldron Sect, there's been a Golden Core Master who has achieved Perfect Completion and successfully advanced to the Nascent Soul Realm."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng was at first astonished and then delighted.

Seeing that Zhao Keru still had the mood to play coy suggested that this event was cause for joy, not sorrow, for the Zhao family.

But what was the family's connection with that newly advanced Nascent Soul Ancestor?

Could it be that it was the Ge family's individual who had finally succeeded in making this advancement?

Thinking of the Ge family having a Perfect Golden Core, Zhao Sheng was secretly pleased.

"Uncle Ru, is the one who advanced from the Ge family's individual?"

"No."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng felt a chill in his heart.

At that time, he then heard Zhao Keru say with pride, "But it's not much different, the one who advanced to Nascent Soul Ancestor is the Dao partner of the Ge family's Golden Branch True Man."

Zhao Sheng exclaimed almost reflexively, "Master Yu Ye?"

"Hmm, exactly," Zhao Keru nodded and said with a smile.

Zhao Sheng was overjoyed at this sight.

One had to know that Golden Branch and Yu Ye, this pair of Golden Core Dao companions, not only had a resounding reputation within the Elixir Cauldron Sect, but their names were also well-known throughout the entire Tianzhu Realm.

Back in the day, Master Yu Ye was a Loose Cultivator, while Golden Branch True Man was the esteemed daughter of the Ge family.

Their statuses were starkly different, yet Golden Branch True Man had an eye for talent and set her sights on Master Yu Ye, who had not yet revealed his potential.

For the Ge family, having their cherished daughter fancy a down-and-out Loose Cultivator was an utter disgrace.

Consequently, the Ge family repeatedly suppressed and made things difficult for Master Yu Ye, attempting time and again to separate the Dao companions.

However, life is unpredictable, and fate is unfathomable.

The more the Ge family wanted to tear them apart, the more steadfast and unwavering the bond between the renowned Dao companions became.

Even more so, far from declining under the Ge family's suppression, Master Yu Ye's cultivation soared, encountering one fortuitous opportunity after another, and successfully advanced to Golden Core at the mere age of one hundred and thirty.

By this time, the Ge family had no choice but to swallow their pride and acknowledge Master Yu Ye as their son-in-law.

The reputation of the two True Immortals, whose affection was said to be stronger than gold, had spread throughout the Southern Border.

Over the past century, as both Golden Branch and Yu Ye had advanced to the Late-stage Golden Core, their story had become a beloved anecdote within the Cultivation World.

Having confirmed the news, Zhao Sheng couldn't help but lament, "Master Yu Ye truly is a role model for us all. With such fierce diligence, she is indeed an exceptional Loose Cultivator."

Beside him, Zhao Keru also nodded in agreement, visibly moved.

After his moment of reflection, Zhao Sheng composed himself and asked calmly, "What does Master Yu Ye's upgrade to Nascent Soul have to do with our family's important affairs?"

"It's hugely significant. We've relocated to the Southern Border for so many years. Don't tell me you haven't heard of the Pioneer Wars?"

The Pioneer Wars?!

On hearing these words, Zhao Sheng was shocked, and he had an immediate epiphany.

"Uncle Ru, you mean to say that Master Yu Ye...no, Ancestor Yu Ye actually harbors such grand ambitions to expand territory in the Southern Border Wilderness? Is she aiming for the Ten Thousand Great Mountains or the Endless Mang Forest?"

Zhao Keru said, "Where exactly Ancestor Yu Ye has set her sights on remains unknown, but there's a high probability it leans toward the Ten Thousand Great Mountains. After all, the Endless Mang Forest is the domain of the Beast Taming Sect."

Although Zhao Sheng had countless unresolved questions swirling in his mind, he did not inquire further but said with a stern expression, "There's no time to lose; we should set off for home immediately."

"Wait a moment, I still have some unsettled business," Zhao Keru hastily interjected.

"What is it?"

"Two things: one is to harvest a batch of Spiritual Medicine, the other is to bring Little Gold back to Taifu Mountain."

Zhao Sheng frowned upon hearing this.

Harvesting Spiritual Medicine was understandable; as the Zhao family intended to participate in the Pioneer Wars, the expenses would be significant. Using Spiritual Medicine to exchange for spirit stone and elixir, among other resources, was also understandable.

But... Little Gold posed a huge risk. If he was accidentally exposed after being brought to Taifu Mountain, it would be nothing short of a disaster for the Zhao family.

In the past years, he had only dared to stealthily take some spirit soil back but had not dared to remove a Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm. He feared accidentally giving himself away and allowing those with intentions to find the leak.

"Uncle Ru, it was Zhao Xuanjing who asked you to bring Little Gold back, wasn't it? Does he not realize how dangerous this is?" Zhao Sheng questioned.

Zhao Keru scratched his head and admitted frankly, "I also advised Jing'er against it. But he insisted, saying that Little Gold could be of great use in the upcoming Pioneer Wars."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng contemplated for a moment, then nodded decisively, "In that case, let's follow Xuanjing's wishes."

Zhao Sheng had watched Zhao Xuanjing grow up and knew him well. Given his insistence, there must be a reason behind his decision.

After all, Xuanjing was not one to boast or deceive without cause.

Four hours later, having packed up, the two immediately embarked on their journey home.

No need for long-windedness when nothing needs to be said!

Seven days later, two streaks of light raced across the sky, descending like meteors onto the Upper Sky above Taifu Mountain and, in the blink of an eye, landed in the green stone courtyard at the mountain's peak.

...

Half a month later, within a small building on the mountainside.

In the courtyard of the building, Zhao Sheng stood in front of a wall, his face calm, eyes intently studying it.

This wall was densely covered with pieces of paper,

which bore intelligence gathered by the Zhao family.

It ranged from minor details such as the recent market price fluctuations of talisman, elixir, and refining materials, to major movements within the Elixir Cauldron Sect—covering all aspects.

Although the Zhao family had limited strength and most of the intelligence was inconsequential, significant pieces of information were very scarce.

After summarizing all the information, Zhao Sheng suddenly perceived that the seemingly tranquil Southern Border was on the verge of upheaval due to the Pioneer Wars.