Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension

Dawn broke, with the first pale light of day kissing the horizon.

Next to the grand entrance of a large estate in the eastern part of Zhao'an City,

a Blue Dragon Horse nearly ten feet tall, its body covered with scales, tossed its head and swished its tail restlessly as the stable boy tried in vain to calm it, its four large, bowl-sized iron hooves kicking the ground impatiently.

Sometime later, with a creak, the mansion's gate was slowly opened by someone, and then a tall, broad-faced middle-aged man with large ears emerged, surrounded by a throng of people.

"Madam, you should go back," said Zhao Shuo, pulling on the horse's reins and turning to speak to his wife.

"My lord, can't you avoid going? Otherwise, let An'er beg Grandfather. He is a Cultivator, he can surely get you out of this assignment."

Seeing his wife's tearful state, Zhao Shuo set his face sternly and said in a grave voice, "Madam, you do not see! Precisely because An'er is a Cultivator, it is all the more reason for me, his father, to go. Besides, it is my inescapable duty to do this for the Zhao Family's thousand-year foundation."

"But... what if"

Zhao Shuo waved his hand, cutting off his wife's words, and said decisively, "There are no 'what ifs.' Even if I die in the Southern Border Wilderness, it will be in service of the family enterprise. That would be... a worthy death."

Having said that, Zhao Shuo suddenly mounted his horse, pulling the reins to turn the horse around, and looking back at his wife said, "Madam, take care!"

With those words, Zhao Shuo spurred his horse, and the Blue Dragon Horse, pained, reared up on its front hooves before leaping forward.

"My lord... sob sob!"

Watching her husband's receding figure, the lady of the Zhao family, who had always lived in luxury, suddenly burst into tears.

A moment later, Zhao Shuo, mounted on the dragon horse, quickly approached the eastern gate of Zhao'an City.

By then, he could see silhouettes of twelve people already waiting on the side of the gate, each mounted on a dragon horse.

Among these figures, most were white-haired elders, with only one like him in the prime of life.

Upon reaching the gate, Zhao Shuo pulled on his horse's head, silently joining the group with his Blue Dragon Horse.

After a while, seven more Innate Martial Artists of the Zhao family arrived from various parts of Zhao'an City.

Seeing that everyone had arrived, the eldest among them, Zhao Wenxi, suddenly spoke in a deep voice, "Gentlemen, the Zhao family has committed fully to this, so this mission to the Southern Border must succeed—we cannot afford to fail.

Additionally, let me remind you once more. Even in death, we, the old bones, must die before the Cultivating members of our family. Understood?"

"Third Master, rest assured!"

"Of course!"

"Haha, Third Brother, we know what's more important," responded the gathered Innate members of the Zhao family, their expressions varying from solemn to carefree.

Zhao Wenxi nodded with a smile, then, pulling the reins tightly, he called out, "Depart!"

No sooner had his words fallen than his Blue Dragon Horse surged forward.

Following his lead, the rest of the Innate Martial Artists of the Zhao family raised their whips and squeezed their mounts' sides, and twenty-one dragon horses thundered forth, racing toward Taifu Mountain.

...

Three days later, beside a secluded pond halfway up the mountain, Zhao Shuo looked down at the two troops of horses gradually disappearing into the distance, his expression as still as an ancient well, silent for a long time.

Standing beside him, Zhao Xuan'an couldn't help but ask, "Seventh Uncle, was this all too hasty?"

Zhao Shuo turned to look at the current Family Head of the Zhaos and spoke with a calm tone, "This is a trial, as well as an adjustment. If they can't even cope with the nearby Ghost Mist Ridge, how will they be of any use in the Southern Border Wilderness..."

Zhao Xuan'an, despite not fully agreeing with his Seventh Uncle's approach, refrained from further questioning.

Over the past two years, he had stayed with the Ge family to gather intelligence. The more he delved into the intricacies of the war for territorial expansion, the more Zhao Xuan'an soberly realized the brutality of the conflict.

As harsh and unfeeling as Seventh Uncle's decision might have seemed, it was indeed the best choice for the family.

"Xuan'an, you and Feng'er should stay behind this time and remain at Taifu Mountain," he said.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xuan'an protested urgently, "How can this be acceptable? With the family currently short on manpower, and both Feng'er and I at the Sixth Level of Qi Refining, how can we simply stand by and watch?"

Zhao Sheng waved his hand and said, "Anyone in the family, including myself, may die, but neither of you, husband and wife, can perish. Do you understand?"

Zhao Xuan'an fell silent, grasping the unspoken implications in his Seventh Uncle's words.

"Besides, having you two preside over Taifu Mountain is very important for the family. We must cut off the prying eyes of those with ill-intent while also taking care of the younger generation of the Zhao family, the 'Xuan' wards, who are in the first and second layers of Qi Refinement.

The most crucial thing is that the tremendous responsibility of logistics for the family will also fall on you. Compared to the addition of two more Sixth Level of Qi Refining combatants, aren't these tasks far more significant?"

Hearing this, Zhao Xuan'an nodded in earnest agreement, his heart's doubts instantly resolving.

"By the way, when is Feng'er returning?" Zhao Sheng suddenly asked.

After a moment's thought, Zhao Xuan'an replied, "Considering the journey, she should be back soon, at most in a day or two."

"Mm," Zhao Sheng nodded thoughtfully.

...

Two days later, within the green stone courtyard on the summit of Taifu Mountain.

Zhao Jijian, Zhao Keru, Zhao Sheng, Zhao Xuan'an, and other key members of the Zhao family were all present.

The reason for this full attendance was because Ge Feng'er had brought back a piece of intelligence of utmost importance.

Ge Feng'er, not very tall and exuding a delicate charm, boasted an unexpectedly cheerful and magnanimous personality.

She stood beside her husband, smiling as she looked at her Zhao family uncles and elders, her presence somehow managing to subtly overshadow Zhao Xuan'an.

"Feng'er, quickly show us what you've brought!" urged Zhao Xuan'an.

Ge Feng'er rolled her eyes at her husband and, with a smile, pulled a crystal ball the size of a human head from her Storage Bag and said, "Respected uncles and elders, I have not failed in my task. I have brought back the True Shadow Ball, which records part of the Desolate Domain's terrain."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Afterwards, she took out a scroll, a map, handed it to her husband, and added, "This is a simplified map I copied from our family archives, roughly encompassing the area of this expansion war."

At her words, Zhao Jijian couldn't hide his delight, promptly stepping forward to take the Crystal Ball while repeatedly praising, "Feng'er, you've done well! You have truly made a significant contribution to the Zhao family. If we succeed this time, you shall be credited with the highest merit!"

"Feng'er dares not claim such credit. Having married into the Zhao family, my duty is to prioritize the family's interests," Ge Feng'er replied modestly.

"Well said. An'er is truly fortunate to have you as his wife!" Zhao Sheng praised as well.

"Seventh Uncle, you flatter me. Who made me fall for this casanova back then?" Ge Feng'er quipped, casting a sideways glance at her husband.

Zhao Xuan'an offered an embarrassed smile, a trace of bitterness evident on his face.

In the brief span of the conversation, Zhao Jijian successfully activated the magic artifact, the True Shadow Ball.

At that moment, a layer of light emerged on the surface of the Crystal Ball, and shortly after, a lifelike three-dimensional image projected from within the sphere into mid-air.

The perspective of the image was from high above, as if someone were flying forward at great speed with a Controlling Device, looking down below, capturing every detail of the passing landscape and topology.

As far as the eye could see, the land below was filled with undulating peaks and hills, valleys and swamps.