Longevity, starting from being a chicken raising servant Chapter 2199 137: Zhang's Ruins (Part 4)

A smile spread across Deng Yingjue’s face the moment he realized Wang Ba had grasped the hidden meaning behind his words.

"Our people maintain a manor within the Green Flood Dragon Realm. If you don't mind, Taoist Friend, you are welcome to rest there once the three examinations and five investigations are concluded. We can discuss future arrangements after that."

"I appreciate the gesture... but I must ask, what exactly do these three examinations and five investigations entail?"

Wang Ba inquired politely, focusing on the most critical subject.

Deng Yingjue’s expression turned solemn as he explained:

"The three examinations and five investigations are essentially checks into one's Cultivation Realm, background, techniques, social ties, and so on. However, the most vital aspect is determining if your mind remains autonomous. Those Evil Monks possess terrifying skills for bewitching the hearts of men. Provided you pass that test, the rest is quite simple to manage."

Wang Ba nodded, a look of sudden realization crossing his features.

Deng Yingjue then took the lead, inviting Wang Ba to board the Green Leaf Flying Boat.

Once inside, Wang Ba noticed numerous Cultivators who, like Deng Yingjue, possessed scales at the corners of their eyes.

There were over a hundred of them, their Cultivation levels varying significantly.

"These are all kinsmen who were scattered when our Domain was destroyed. We have only recently managed to track some of them down," Deng Yingjue explained, noticing Wang Ba observing the group.

Through their conversation, Wang Ba began to piece together the history of the Green Flood Dragon Realm.

While it shared similarities with the Little Cang World and the Yunhuo Realm, it was also distinct in many ways.

Unlike those worlds, the Green Flood Dragon Realm did not collapse due to a depletion of Chaos Origin Substance.

Instead, a cataclysmic battle between peak Cultivators and Innate Divine Demons had spilled into their territory. The resulting damage to the Domain was irreparable, forcing the inhabitants to flee into the void.

Despite this, the survivors of the Green Flood Dragon Realm were not weak. Many were Refining Void Cultivators, and a few had even achieved breakthroughs within Zhang's Ruins over the years.

"We are insignificant compared to the true powers of Zhang's Ruins. The real heavyweights are those backed by Tribulation-Transcending Realm masters. In my opinion, the collective power of Zhang's Ruins is on par with any Great Realm," Deng Yingjue remarked with a deep sigh.

As they talked, the Green Leaf Flying Boat began a rapid descent toward a massive 'Canyon' below.

The vessel soon plunged into the depths, enveloped by a dense concentration of Chaos Origin Substance.

The surroundings turned into a murky chaos.

The Flying Boat began to shudder violently.

"Entering through this route always causes such turbulence. If we had used the 'Navel Acupoint,' the transition would be much smoother... but this path is far closer to our current base," Deng Yingjue explained warmly.

Wang Ba nodded in acknowledgment.

Before long, the thick Chaos Origin Substance began to dissipate, and the view ahead cleared.

The Flying Boat descended further until a mysterious suction force pulled it into a dimly lit corridor.

In an instant, the light returned to their surroundings.

Suddenly, a harsh, booming voice echoed from outside:

"Why are there so many outsiders aboard that Flying Boat?"

Deng Yingjue didn't have time to explain further to Wang Ba. He hurriedly exited the vessel and shouted back:

"I am Deng Yingjue of the Green Flood Dragon Realm, a resident of the 'She Mansion.' Here is my identity Token. Everyone on this boat is a Cultivator and a friend of my Green Flood Dragon Realm..."

"Tell them all to disembark then."

The voice lost some of its edge after the speaker presumably verified Deng Yingjue’s Token.

"Understood. Please wait a moment, Taoist Brother," Deng Yingjue replied before rushing back into the boat.

Not wishing to cause any trouble for his host, Wang Ba was the first to step out of the craft.

He saw that they had landed on a platform constructed at the base of a towering cliff.

Small alcoves had been hewn into the cliff face, where the faint silhouettes of Cultivators could be seen sitting cross-legged.

They sat like statues on altars, emitting mysterious and profound auras.

On the platform itself, a group of Cultivators in uniform stood in a high state of alert.

Deng Yingjue led the rest of the Green Flood Dragon Realm survivors off the boat, offering a forced smile to the black-faced Cultivator in charge.

"Taoist Brother, they have all gathered here."

However, the black-faced Cultivator’s expression turned cold and serious as he barked an order:

"Surround them!"

Within heartbeats, the guards moved to encircle the group, while several others began activating a Formation to trap them.

Wang Ba’s eyes narrowed as he shifted his gaze between Deng Yingjue and the surrounding guards.

Deng Yingjue was visibly floored, his face a mask of confusion.

"Taoist Brother, what is the meaning of this?"

The black-faced Cultivator let out a cold snort.

"What is the meaning? The 'Heart-knocking Banner' has clearly detected nearly three hundred Dao Domain auras, yet only a hundred or so people have stepped off that boat. What do you think that means?"

"Three... three hundred Dao?"

Deng Yingjue was paralyzed with shock. Then, a sudden realization hit him, and he whipped his head around to stare at Wang Ba.

Following his lead, the black-faced Cultivator and the rest of the guards immediately locked their predatory gazes onto Wang Ba!