Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension

Chapter 512: Chapter 336 Conspiracy and the Mystery of the Truth_2

Over the century, as the Heavenly Dao Sect’s power greatly declined, the Da Gu Court had not yet stabilized the nation.

All over the realm, numerous uprisings in the name of divine spirits erupted and quelled in waves. The most significant, known as the “Sky Toppling Change,” almost obliterated the Heavenly Dao Sect as well.

In the midst of the Sky Toppling Change, the previous Sect Leader of the Ghost God Association, Emperor Banshan, led a group of ghost gods and suddenly attacked the main peak of the Heavenly Dao Sect, Tao Reverence Peak.

Caught off guard, the Heavenly Dao Sect’s defenses were breached from within and without, their followers slaughtered, and blood flowed like rivers.

During this critical moment, the Sect Leader of the Ghost Chi, unable to do otherwise due to severe injuries, had to come out and face the enemy himself, ultimately unleashing the sect’s foundational powers at great cost. He annihilated most of the invaders, sending the surviving ghost gods fleeing down the mountains in terror.

Such a tremendous upheaval not only led to the transcendental passing of both the Sect Leader of the Heavenly Dao and Emperor Banshan but also inflicted countless casualties below them.

Owing to the heavy losses of personnel, the Heavenly Dao Sect had no choice but to actively retract their sphere of influence, rendering them incapable of influencing the overall situation of the world.

This allowed the Great Gu Ancestor to rise opportunistically, harnessing the resources and manpower of the Heavenly Dao Sect. Over nearly a hundred years, he quelled numerous rebellions and suppressed all opposition, eventually founding the Da Gu Heavenly Dynasty.

The establishment of the Da Gu Heavenly Dynasty was actually a result of compromise.

Due to the decline in power, the Heavenly Dao Sect had no choice but to retreat behind the scenes, indirectly “ruling” the entire continent through the Da Gu Court.

Moreover, after reviewing a large number of books and Jade Scrolls from that period, Zhao Sheng also noticed many discrepancies.

Between thirteen hundred to two hundred years ago, the Heavenly Dao Sect endured two major setbacks.

One was during the campaign against Corpse Abyss, which ended with heavy casualties and a full retreat from Corpse Abyss.

The other setback was caused by the sinking catastrophe of Wuzhou.

Similarly, over twelve hundred years ago, the Heavenly Dao Sect suddenly moved a major portion of their core forces to a small continent called Wuzhou.

Subsequent records were sparse, and it was unknown what major disasters occurred after that.

Decades later, one day, Wuzhou suddenly collapsed, the entire continent sinking into the sea in a very short time, with millions of lives lost, and only cultivators and a very few ordinary people managing to escape.

Gathering various clues, Zhao Sheng was astonished to discover that a large part of the Slave Clan residing in Chu State City had migrated from Wuzhou, including… the ancestors of Zhao Hongyun’s branch, Zhao Xiuchan!

As Zhao Sheng thought through all the information, he quietly speculated, “… It seems that the great war between the two realms did not only occur in Corpse Abyss?”

The records in Zhenlang Pavilion were ultimately too scant. To understand the entire truth, he would definitely need to visit the main temple of the Heavenly Dao Sect in the future.

As for Corpse Abyss, that cursed place is one of the most perilous dead zones on the continent. Before advancing to Golden Core, it’s best not even to think about it.

At this moment, Zhao Sheng’s ears twitched as a conversation nearby caught his attention.

“Haha! Is this the famous Daoist Li who survived great adversities? I am Zhao Zhongque, currently an Elder of the Heavenly Rebel Alliance in Fulong Province. Daoist Li, you have had a tough few years!

“For the sake of the Righteous Path, I’ve long viewed life and death lightly,” there’s no hardship to speak of. Speaking of hardships, the Fellow Daoists in Fulong Province are truly deserving of high praise, having successfully turned a high-ranking official in the Provincial Temple. How did you manage to do that? I am genuinely curious!”

“The details are complex; let’s talk more inside.”

“Very well! After you, Taoist Zhao…”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng suddenly felt inspired and made a calculation on his fingers.