Chapter 971 - 695: Hidden Netherworld

Tianlong Retreat, a place brimming with Zen tranquility.

It is an external retreat established by Tianlong Monastery in Dragon-Slaying Immortal City.

At the entrance of the retreat, two guards, both with Fifth-Layer Qi Refining Cultivation, stood, their eyes sharp, vigilantly guarding the entrance.

The two monks glanced at Chu Zheng briefly, a hint of disdain in their hearts.

One of the monks spoke coldly:

"Recently, the retreat has been tight on lodging capacity; ordinary Loose Cultivators are not accepted."

"If you do not have formal Sect recommendation, leave quickly and do not linger here."

Chu Zheng stepped forward slowly, cupped his hands in salute:

"I am Chu Zheng, guided by Master Black Ebony, and I hold a Token to seek lodging at the retreat, I humbly ask for you to relay this message."

Saying this, he handed over a Token adorned with ancient Buddhist patterns from his palm.

As the Token emerged, a faint golden Buddha light flowed around it, its pure orthodox Buddhist aura quietly dispersing, solemn and dignified.

The two guarding monks’ expressions changed suddenly, their earlier disdain evaporating instantly.

Their attitude shifted radically, a hundred and eighty degrees:

"We were disrespectful! Please wait a moment, we will report to the Steward immediately!"

With those words, one of them hurriedly turned and strode deep into the retreat.

After a brief moment, steady footsteps could be heard from inside the retreat.

A middle-aged monk with gentle features walked out slowly, his aura thick and prolonged, evidently a cultivator at the Tenth-Layer Qi Refining Realm.

Seeing this person, Chu Zheng sighed inwardly.

Such cultivation level in the Accumulated Cloud Immortal Market was already a powerhouse!!

But now, this Steward appeared amiable, taking the Token and carefully evaluating its patterns and aura. After verifying its authenticity, he smiled, cupped his hands and greeted:

"I am Liao Chen, the Steward of this retreat. May I ask about the connection between you and Protector Black Ebony?"

Chu Zheng replied frankly:

"Previously, I was being pursued by enemies and trapped in desperation, fortunately saved by Master Black Ebony..."

"Due to the Master’s kindness, he gifted me this Token, advising me to lodge at the retreat to cultivate and find stable employment for safety."

Liao Chen, upon hearing this, understood fully and looked at Chu Zheng even more amiably and courteously.

Protector Black Ebony’s esteemed stature means even those casually supported juniors are not someone retreat stewards could neglect.

"I see. Rest assured, with the Protector’s token, the retreat will certainly offer privileges."

"May I know your cultivation specialties, whether it’s Body Technique, Swordsmanship, Magic, or Body Refining? Do you have any preferences?"

At the entrance, many low tier cultivators seeking lodging or employment paused, looking over with envy.

All were at Fifth to Sixth Layer Qi Refining Cultivation, above Chu Zheng.

Yet, they came seeking employment without ever receiving such preferential treatment or personal inquiry from the Steward.

Chu Zheng slightly bent and answered truthfully:

"I specialize in agile Escape Technique, expert in Swordsmanship, have a robust physical foundation, and do not shy away from hard work."

Upon hearing this, Liao Chen nodded and smiled knowingly:

"Very well! Swift body technique, adept in combat, these are most rare and useful. Given such, I shall select several positions for you to choose from."

Once he finished speaking, he slowly revealed three highly sought-after positions:

"First, guarding the Spirit Field, where one can routinely absorb its overflowing Spiritual Qi for stable cultivation without any risk;"

"Second, patrol in the Immortal City, which offers abundant rewards and the chance to accumulate city merits, exchangeable for Cultivation Techniques and Spiritual Medicine;"

"Third, guarding outside the Scripture Pavilion, leisurely and free, with frequent opportunities to overhear teachings from senior monks."

These positions were top opportunities in the retreat, devoid of arduous labor or peril, brimming with opportunities, making nearby cultivators envious.

Chu Zheng pondered slightly, inquired further details, then finally expressed:

"I am willing to choose the position of guarding the Scripture Pavilion."

Liao Chen heard this and praised him, nodding with a smile:

"You have a keen eye! I shall arrange it for you immediately."

After speaking, Liao Chen personally led the way, taking Chu Zheng into the depths of Tianlong Retreat, proceeding to the Scripture Pavilion to assign the position officially settling him in.

"Our Dragon-Slaying Immortal City is currently pioneering and expanding territories, vast with opportunities, where countless cultivators establish roots.

"With the guidance and protection of a guardian, your future is boundless, my young friend."

"When your cultivation deepens in the future, you can settle here, build a foundation, pass on your lineage, and establish a cultivation noble family of your own."

"Settle down? Establish a career? Create a family legacy?"

These few words exploded in Chu Zhang’s heart like a thunderclap.

Since he could remember, half his life had been spent wandering.

In his childhood, he entered the Tianyun Sect to cultivate, thinking the sect was his home, but after its destruction, he took a master for cultivation.

But now that his master has fallen, his heart and mind are filled with deep-seated hatred, never daring to hope for stability, never imagining he could one day stop wandering and have a place of his own.

Chu Zhang stood dazed, his heart spirit in turmoil, a flash of unprecedented confusion in his eyes, followed by a faint yet intense longing.

Yes.

After he avenges his enemies and comforts his master’s soul, he can stay in this stable Immortal City, root his cultivation, settle down, and build a career, continuing his bloodline, bidding farewell to a life of drifting and gaining a true home.

With this thought, he took a deep breath, suppressing the turbulent thoughts in his heart; his gaze became increasingly firm, as he bowed and sincerely thanked:

"Thank you, Steward, for your advice. I will remember it in my heart."

Liaochen saw his emotional expression and smiled even more warmly, saying softly:

"Cultivate well, for this place is your temporary stable abode, and one day, when the dragon soars, the vast world will be yours."

...

Deep within the Tianlong Temple.

Two towering figures stood facing each other, none other than Black Ebony and White Qiu.

White Qiu’s eyebrows carried a smile, and he sized up Black Ebony with amusement and teased:

"I heard you recently brought back a little guy in the Qi Refining Realm and even personally gave him a Buddhist Sect Token?"

"Could it be that the young man is your illegitimate son?"

Upon hearing this, Black Ebony’s face darkened, and he retorted irritably:

"Stop spouting nonsense!"

"Do you really think I’m like you, unable to suppress my true nature, and even practice the Joyful Technique to fool around with cultivation?"

White Qiu was unfazed, chuckling and calmly arguing:

"To spread joy and guide others is actually the orthodox way of the Buddhist Sect. How could it be considered fooling around? You, old bear, are far too rigid in nature."

The two bantered with each other, chatting about trivial matters of cultivation, the atmosphere in the rear mountain leisurely and relaxed.

Just at this moment, the Spiritual Qi of the entire world suddenly fell silent.

The gusty wind stopped abruptly, flowing clouds stagnated, and the temple’s bell ceased entirely.

Spiritual Qi from all directions, Dao Rhymes of Buddhism gathered and surged together.

A slender figure in white stepped out into the air; behind his head quietly floated a halo of ancient light, its dim yellow hue profound and restrained, revolving with the aura of ultimate truth, dispelling all worldly illusion—indeed, it was the Divine Technique [Samsara Wheel].

Black Ebony and White Qiu immediately reined in all their jocular behavior, their expressions solemn and respectful, both bowing deeply with utmost steadiness in their voices:

"Congratulations to the master on coming out of seclusion!"

Chen Sheng lifted his gaze, casting a calm glance over the two, seeing through their cultivation foundations at once, nodding slightly, as his gentle voice, infused with the lingering resonance of the Great Dao, slowly spread:

"The two of you have been diligent in your cultivation lately, with a solid Dao Foundation accumulation, just a thin layer away from reaching the mid-stage of the Dao Foundation."

"Black Ebony, your Mountain Shifting Dao Foundation is overly forceful yet lacking in suppleness; you must achieve a balance of strength and softness to solidly step into the mid-stage of your Dao Foundation."

"White Qiu, your Ocean Qiong Dao Foundation is endlessly expansive but too scattered and superficial. You must gather and focus the power to break through your own cultivation bottleneck."

With just a few words, he accurately pinpointed the bottlenecks in their cultivation.

As the words fell, two streams of pure and gentle Dao Rhymes silently flowed into their bodies, quietly purifying their essence and stabilizing their Dao Foundation.

Their cultivation bottlenecks loosened on the spot, their Dao Foundations grew increasingly perfect and firm, and their heart spirits were greatly shaken. They immediately bowed deeply once more:

"Thank you, master, for your guidance and nurturing. We have greatly benefited!"

"Withdraw now," Chen Sheng casually waved his sleeve, instructing lightly.

With hearts full of reverence and joy, Black Ebony and White Qiu bowed and left the place quietly.

Once their figures completely vanished into the distance, tranquility returned to the surroundings.

Chen Sheng stood quietly amidst the flowing clouds and gentle breeze, the solitary Samsara Wheel radiance behind his head gently trembling.

In the next instant, a wisp of profound darkness, concealing the Nine Netherworld and containing all Yin and Ming phenomena, rose and unfolded silently from behind him.

A second Divine Technique silently manifested—the [Hidden Netherworld].

A yellow and a black radiance respectively positioned themselves behind his head, the laws of the two Divine Techniques complementing and benefiting each other, their Dao Rhymes inexhaustibly profound.