Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension

Approximately an hour later, the entire convoy had become thin and scattered.

At this moment, Zhao Jijian approached Zhao Sheng, took out a map and spread it open before inquiring, "Which location shall we head to first?"

The Zhao family had previously selected Shilan Mountain, Flame Ridge, and Lush Peach Mountain as targets, but had not made a final decision.

They needed to conduct an on-site survey first to truly determine which spirit land was most suitable for their Zhao family.

Zhao Sheng immediately said, "Let's go to Flame Ridge first, then to Lush Peach Mountain. The two places are conveniently on a straight line."

"Alright, we'll head to Flame Ridge first."

Shortly after, the prow of Zhao's Cloud Boat suddenly veered, and the vessel sharply turned seventy degrees, quickly breaking away from the team and flying towards the eastern horizon.

An hour later, a distance of six hundred li had been left behind.

It was then that Zhao Jijian suddenly shouted, "Chongwei, someone is following us!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng turned around to look back.

His eyes slightly squinted, he could faintly see a speck in the distant horizon, intermittently visible.

After observing for a while, Zhao Sheng confirmed that it was a small-sized Cloud Boat similar in size and length to the one under his feet.

"Don't mind it; it could just be someone passing by."

As Zhao Sheng spoke these words, on the Cloud Boat behind them, there were people discussing the Zhao family.

Shen Zhenghui, with an aged face, looked at the family's Foundation Establishment Cultivators and asked, "Uncle, shall we just keep tailing them like this?"

Shen Yangao was one of the only two Foundation Establishment Cultivators in the Shen Family, having reached Mid-stage Foundation Establishment.

He kept his eyes on the Cloud Boat ahead as he spoke, "Taifu Mountain's Zhao family has recently become in-laws with Elixir Saint Ge Family. They surely know many details we are unaware of. Instead of blindly choosing a place, it's better to follow the Zhao family. The spirit land they pick must be excellent."

"Hmm, that makes sense!"

"Moreover, I have already inquired clearly. The two highest in cultivation among the Zhao's Mid-stage Foundation Establishment members are only at third layer realm. There's no need for the Great Elder to make a move; I alone can handle it."

Shen Yangao was unaware that the Zhao family had a third Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

Zhao Sheng had been staying in the secret mansion of Heavenly Pillar Mountain after reaching Foundation Establishment, only returning to Taifu Mountain recently due to the territory expansion war. Because he had intentionally kept a low profile, outsiders had no idea that the Zhao family was hiding a third Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

A quarter of an hour later, Zhao Sheng's eyebrows began to furrow, the Cloud Boat that had been persistently following behind could no longer be explained as a mere coincidence.

After pondering for a moment, he suddenly raised his voice and commanded, "Uncle Ru, reduce speed! Everyone, on alert!"

The Cloud Boat promptly decelerated, and Zhao Clan Members began drawing out their flying swords, hard crossbows, and other weapons, their expressions instantly becoming serious.

Beside him, Zhao Jijian said coldly, "Are you planning to confront those following us?"

Zhao Sheng replied in a stern voice, "Let's go up and say hello first; we'll make a decision after assessing the situation!"

Meanwhile,

"Uncle, the Zhao family has slowed down."

"It's no big deal; let's just go meet them."

Moments later, the Cloud Boats of the Shens and Zhaos stood a hundred zhang apart in the upper sky, facing each other.

Zhao Sheng stayed behind while Zhao Jijian stepped forward to the bow, commanding the Red Rainbow Sword, flying to the middle between both boats, and proclaimed loudly, "Taifu Mountain's Zhao family is here. May I know which honorable guests are on the opposite side?"

"Haha, the Shen Family of Southern Mountain. Shen Yangao has the pleasure of meeting Taoist Zhao," Shen Yangao laughed heartily as he leapt from his Cloud Boat, meeting them.

Zhao Jijian asked in a solemn tone, "Why is your distinguished family following the Zhao's?"

"Tracking? Ha, what a joke! The sky is so vast, and my Shen Family will fly as we please. How does it concern the Zhao Family?" Shen Yangao sneered in response.

Zhao Jijian paused, then said, "If that's the case, how about your esteemed family takes the lead and heads out first?"

Huh?!

Upon hearing this, a flash of cold light crossed Shen Yangao's eyes as he asked in a cold voice, "What do you mean by that?"

"Nothing much, just that our Cloud Boat has encountered a small problem and needs to stop for a bit of repair," Zhao Jijian said with an unwavering tone.

After hearing this, Shen Yangao's expression fluctuated uncertainly as he hovered in the air, not speaking immediately.

At this moment, Zhao Keru suddenly flew out from the Cloud Boat and hurried over to stand shoulder to shoulder with Zhao Jijian.

Facing two Foundation Establishment Cultivators, Shen Yangao's face turned fierce, ready to make a move.

Suddenly, his figure paused, and he tilted his head to listen carefully.

A few breaths later, Shen Yangao nodded his head and then, without hesitation, turned around and flew back to the Cloud Boat.

Shortly after, the Shen Family's Cloud Boat increased its speed, swiftly surpassing the Zhao family's and soared towards the horizon.

Back on the Cloud Boat, Zhao Jijian immediately found Zhao Sheng and asked with bewilderment, "What exactly is the Shen Family up to, slipping away silently all of a sudden? Could we have guessed wrong?"

Zhao Sheng did not answer immediately,n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

After making a mark on the map, he smiled and said, "Fourth Master, we've been a bit careless this time. Look here,"

As he spoke, Zhao Sheng drew a straight line on the map and explained, "After breaking away from the group, we've been flying straight towards Flame Ridge. Our current location is less than two hundred miles from Flame Ridge. It wouldn't take much for them to deduce our destination."

Zhao Jijian leaned over to look and saw that they were indeed very close to Flame Ridge.

His expression tensed and he said immediately, "Then what are we waiting for? Let's hurry up and catch up! Don't let the Shen Family get there first."

Zhao Sheng shook his head and said, "No need to chase. We'll give up on Flame Ridge for now and head straight to Lush Peach Mountain. Flame Ridge has an Earth Fire Vein, which is immensely useful for both Alchemy and Artifact Refining.

The target is too obvious, and it won't be easy for the Shen Family to take it. Right now, who knows how many families are waiting to swoop in like opportunistic fishermen. It wouldn't hurt for us to play the role of those fishermen as well."

...

An hour later, the Zhao's Cloud Boat flew through the thick clouds, and below the cloud layer was a reddish-brown mountain peak with sparse vegetation and a ring-shaped valley in the center.

By this time, the Shen Family's Cloud Boat had already landed on the summit of this extinct volcano.

After passing Flame Ridge, the Cloud Boat flew for about another four hundred miles.

Zhao Sheng peered down and saw clumps of pink clouds rising intermittently from the mountain ridges ahead.

Ah, Lush Peach Mountain at last!

Just then, the Cloud Boat suddenly descended from the heavens, landing in a valley about twenty miles away from Lush Peach Mountain.

Upon touching down, the Zhao Clan Members didn't need Zhao Sheng's instruction; they immediately jumped from the Cloud Boat and set about establishing a temporary camp based on the prearranged plan.

Zhao Chongwei, at the Qi Refining Seventh Level, led a team of Innate Martial Artists to hunt in the nearby forest and scout the surroundings.

Zhao Xuanjing, at the Qi Refining Eighth Layer, together with a few Qi Refining Clan Members, quickly found a stable rock wall and activated the Stone to Mud Technique to begin digging and carving out a cave.

Zhao Xuanjing had spent nearly twenty years digging and constructing cave mansions on Heavenly Pillar Mountain and was now akin to a master of cave digging. Constructing a temporary cave mansion was like child's play to him.

In just four hours, as dusk fell, a cave mansion with more than twenty stone rooms complete with a main hall and storage was constructed.

After the Zhao family members moved into the cave mansion, Zhao Sheng and Zhao Jijian quickly set up an alert Array around the perimeter of the dwelling.