Longevity, starting from being a chicken raising servant Chapter 2203 139: Tribute

"Within the ruins of Zhang, nearly forty powers capable of Crossing Tribulation are spread across the various portals. These locations serve as hubs for gathering Chaos Origin Substance, making their resources and environmental conditions far superior to other territories. Naturally, such prime spots are held only by those with immense strength."

"The areas corresponding to Zhang's head are the most ruthlessly fought over. For instance, the Mouth Acupoint is held by the White Channel Yin Family, while the Nose Acupoint is under the control of Spirit Origin Prefecture and the Illusion Sky Realm. The Ear Acupoint is occupied by Longcong Prefecture and Golden Water Pond; the Eye Acupoint is shared by Yutang Prefecture and the Ten Thousand Demon Palace; and the Xin Gate is home to the Laowen Sect..."

"Furthermore, other vital points across the body, such as the Navel Acupoint and the two Ni Acupoints, are also under the protection of Crossing Tribulation forces..."

Thick mist clings to the dark cliffside, creating a shroud so dense it seems as though sunlight hasn't touched the stone in ages.

Deep within this gloom, a hidden corridor appears to lead toward an undisclosed destination.

Wang Ba walked alone behind Yin Penglai, absorbing the details of the political landscape within Zhang's Ruins as the other man spoke.

As he listened, Wang Ba performed a quick mental tally and felt a surge of doubt:

"Based on your description, Taoist Brother, there are only eleven guarded locations. Yet, with nearly forty Crossing Tribulation forces residing in Zhang's Ruins, wouldn't it be exceptionally difficult to claim a spot?"

Stopping for a brief moment, Yin Penglai turned around with a look of visible pride:

"It is exactly as you say. Any Sect or power capable of holding one of these eleven entrances is considered the elite of the elite. Furthermore, because they control the gateways, they are the first to encounter and recruit any new Rogue Cultivator who wanders in. This ensures the strong only grow stronger, which is why the ownership of these entrances almost never changes."

Reflecting on his own recent circumstances, Wang Ba nodded in silent agreement.

He had only just arrived, and after a brief display of his abilities, he was immediately spotted by Yin Penglai. Without hesitation, he had been invited to serve as a Guest Elder for the White Channel Yin Family.

It was obvious he wasn't the first to be scouted this way, and he certainly wouldn't be the last.

"Do the other factions not protest this arrangement?"

Driven by curiosity, Wang Ba pressed for more information.

"Haha, how could they not?"

Yin Penglai let out a laugh and shook his head dismissively:

"Those other forces are constantly plotting to usurp us, desperate to seize these prosperous lands to ensure their own power remains at its peak, much like they did back in the Domain to avoid fading into obscurity... But what of it?"

"In the Realm Sea, power is the ultimate arbiter. The mighty command respect, while the weak are cast aside... To be honest with you, Taoist Friend—and I speak truly before a True Man—if you didn't possess your current level of skill, I wouldn't place such high value on you, even if you were destined for Crossing Tribulation success."

He looked at Wang Ba with a serious expression, laying bare his pragmatic worldview without any pretense.

Wang Ba remained quiet for a beat.

This level of bluntness felt less like a gesture of friendship and more like a display of absolute dominance.

It was the confidence of someone who believed that even if Wang Ba reached the Crossing Tribulation stage, he would still be tied to the White Channel Yin Family. This certainty allowed him to speak the raw truth without fear.

Such self-assurance was well-founded, rooted in his own Cultivation level and the deep, historical foundations of the Yin Family.

Wang Ba offered a faint smile before skillfully steering the conversation elsewhere:

"If those lesser forces see no path for advancement, is it possible they might seek desperate measures? Perhaps making deals with the devil, or attempting to borrow a knife to kill their enemies?"

Yin Penglai didn't seem to notice the shift in topic. Understanding the implication, he laughed as they continued their trek:

"Making deals with the devil?"

"Are you suggesting these factions would turn to other Domains or even the Supreme True Buddha?"

Seeing that Yin Penglai had caught his meaning, and noting they were alone, Wang Ba nodded and spoke gravely:

"The human heart is a fickle thing; the instinct for survival is paramount. Moreover, you mentioned that areas outside the acupoints are quite barren. This might drive some to take extreme risks."

Yin Penglai stopped walking to ponder the thought for a moment, but eventually, he shook his head with conviction:

"While what you suggest isn't impossible, the likelihood is incredibly slim... You may not realize this yet, but while staying in Zhang's Ruins for a century or a millennium is simple enough, using this place to draw forth Thunder Tribulation for Cultivation requires a cultivator to become fundamentally bound to Zhang's Ruins."

"They share in its prosperity, and they share in its downfall."

"The powers here are inseparable from the ruins, having been rooted here for as long as hundreds of thousands of years, or ten thousand at the very least. Since they are one with Zhang's Ruins, bringing in outsiders or the Supreme True Buddha offers them no advantage. Why would they risk it?"

Observing Yin Penglai’s certainty, Wang Ba dropped the subject, though his interest was piqued by another detail:

"Bound to Zhang's Ruins?"

Yin Penglai led Wang Ba further into the tunnel. As the mist grew heavier and the path ahead blurred, he nodded while walking:

"Perhaps 'bound' isn't the right word; it is more like receiving the recognition of Zhang's Ruins."

"As you know, for a cultivator to advance their Realm—starting from the Golden Core—they usually require the tempering of a Thunder Tribulation to channel the Power of Creation for their evolution... Ordinarily, this can only happen within a Domain where the cultivator originated to receive the acknowledgment of the heavens... Doesn't it strike you as odd? How does Zhang's Ruins support so many factions and allow them to endure?"

Wang Ba nodded, sensing that Yin Penglai was about to reveal a significant secret.