Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension

Not long after, Chen Shao'ang, who had left, suddenly returned and whispered into Zhao Sheng's ear.

Smack!

Zhao Sheng closed the book, a glint flashed in his eyes, and he exclaimed in surprise, "Are you saying Zhou Quan is from the Hongyang State Zhou Family? Are you sure?"

"Uncle-Master, I've asked numerous times. On such a matter, he wouldn't dare to tell a lie!"

"Hmm, good! I understand. You may leave now," Zhao Sheng said.

Once Chen Shao'ang turned around and left, a hint of a smile appeared on Zhao Sheng's face.

In the Desolate Domain, there were two major dynasties, the Da Yong and Da Zhen, with the former encompassing Eighty-eight States, among which Hongyang State, where the Zhou family resided, was one of the nine Upper Continents.

And this Zhou Family!

It was precisely the target Zhao Sheng intended to obliterate!

...

The Mining Gang, one of the two major factions in Mystic Iron City, was established thirteen years ago.

That year, just when the Mystic Iron Ore beneath Mystic Iron City had been exhausted, Sect powers withdrew, leaving behind thousands of miners.

Seeing the countless miners without livelihoods, at this critical moment, a Foundation Establishment Practitioner arrived in Mystic Iron City. He took in miners, took possession of mine tunnels and, with the momentum, established the Mining Gang.

After the Mining Gang was established, its power rapidly expanded, and in a very short time, it took over most of the mine tunnels in Mystic Iron City.

In a mining city, mine tunnels meant wealth; the Mining Gang's seizure of them was tantamount to snatching food from the mouth of the Great Dragon Hall.

Therefore, the Great Dragon Hall and the Mining Gang fought countless times over the mine tunnels, each winning and losing at times, but never able to decisively outdo the other.

The saying that one mountain cannot contain two tigers was verifiable; the two major factions of Mystic Iron City soon became mortal enemies.

That day, dark clouds filled the sky, with endless wind and sand whistling past Mystic Iron City. Sand and gravel rained down, the air became dry, the sandstorm blinded the eyes,

Mystic Iron City was very deserted, with almost no one walking the streets. The vast majority of people were holed up in the mine's rooms, avoiding the harsh weather.

However, in front of the Jiazi Mine on Yihai Road in South City, many burly men braved the sandstorm, constantly pacing around the mine.

These men wore woven bamboo hats, their gazes under the hats were exceptionally vigilant, always paying attention to their surroundings.

Next to the entrance of the mine, a man in grey with his arms crossed stood, his face as grim as water.

A Light Shield surrounded him, keeping the sandstorm at bay.

After some time, there was still no sign of the person he was waiting for!

Just as the man in grey's patience was wearing thin, a light cough suddenly came from behind him.

Cough, cough!

The man in grey was greatly alarmed, quickly turning to look, only to see a tall, slightly white-haired old man at the inner side of the mine entrance, his figure mostly hidden by the dim mine.

"May I ask if the esteemed guest is from Wind Feather Hall?" the man in grey asked cautiously, still feeling startled.

Zhao Sheng nodded slightly, "Indeed!"

The man in grey's gaze flickered multiple times, shocked again.

He couldn't detect any breath of life, as if the person in front of him was merely an illusion.

But... the elder clearly stood there, alive.

As the deputy leader of the Mining Gang, he was at the Qi Refining Perfection realm.

If the newcomer was stronger than him... could it be... Foundation Establishment!

The man in grey, setting aside his prior discontent, said respectfully, "Senior, please follow me! Our leader has been eagerly expecting you."

"Much obliged," Zhao Sheng responded.

"The pleasure is mine, please!"

Discover hidden stories at empire

The man in grey led the way ahead, escorting Zhao Sheng down to a depth of two hundred zhang.

It was then that Zhao Sheng realized that almost all beneath Mystic Iron City had been hollowed out, forming a vast empty nest; within it lay dense and disorderly tunnels. While the lighting was poor, the tunnels were well-connected, crisscrossing in all directions.

A quarter of an hour later, the two arrived at a large mine.

This mine was akin to an underground stone cave, roughly half the size of the Mountain Dragon Cave in terms of space.

A mine tunnel, two zhang wide, spiraled down along the walls of the cave, with nooks carved into the inner side for habitation.

At the very bottom of the mine, there were stone buildings of varying heights. Some were exquisitely made, while others were rugged, much like the dwellings of the people of the Desolate Domain.

Shortly after, the two passed by a dozen houses and stopped in front of a broad, white stone house.

At this time, a small, dark-skinned old man stood in front of the stone house, smiling warmly at Zhao Sheng and his companion, with a row of muscular men standing behind him.

"Boss, the distinguished guest has arrived!" the man in grey hurried forward a few steps, came in front of the little old man, and bowed.

Sensing the undisguised Foundation Establishment energy from the old man, Zhao Sheng smiled faintly and released his own aura.

The old man's eyes brightened, he cupped his hands and said loudly, "Master Ma Dacai of the Mining Gang welcomes the Taoist visitor!"

"Feng Yu Hall's Zhao Zhiqin pays respects to Master Ma," Zhao Sheng said, using the name from his previous life instead of his real one.

"Please!"

Ma Dacai stepped aside, gesturing for Zhao Sheng to enter.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Zhao Sheng nodded slightly and stepped forward.

Soon, the two entered the stone house side by side.

...

Half a day later, it was deep into the night in Mystic Iron City, and Zhao Sheng reappeared at Feng Yu Hall.

Upon his return, Zhao Sheng immediately summoned Chen Shao'ang and Feng Bupo among the four.

"Uncle-Master, have you come to an agreement?"

"Yes,"

Zhao Sheng sat on the throne-like chair, rubbing his forehead.

He had just spent a long time engaged in a battle of wits with an old fox, which had drained him of considerable energy.

Seeing this, Chen Shao'ang and the other three showed expressions of joy.

With two major powers joining forces, the chances of swallowing the Great Dragon Hall increased by another twenty percent.

"Shao'ang, have you investigated Yihai Road? What's the latest from the Great Dragon Hall?" Zhao Sheng asked.

"Thanks to the talismans you bestowed upon us, the so-called Treasure Pit traps have been mostly figured out. The Great Dragon Hall has secretly laid many Fire Bombs there. They plan to collapse Yihai Road and bury us alive," Chen Shao'ang reported.