Longevity, starting from being a chicken raising servant Chapter 2223: 144: Core

“When you encounter the Second Ancestor shortly, Taoist Friend Taiyi, simply provide an account of what transpired… The sudden disappearance of two Crossing Tribulation Cultivators from the Spirit Origin Prefecture and the Illusion Sky Realm is bound to create a massive disturbance. We must grasp the situation fully to formulate a proper reaction. I trust you can understand our position.”

While standing on the Flying Boat, Yin Penglai spoke with an air of ease.

Wang Ba maintained a neutral expression, giving a slight nod of agreement:

“It is only right; I am duty-bound to assist without hesitation.”

Observing Wang Ba’s willing cooperation, Yin Penglai nodded with a smile before shifting the conversation:

“Regarding that She Mansion and the Wan Family…”

A look of icy sternness crossed his features:

“It appears Wan Kongcheng truly possesses a death wish… Do not worry, Taoist Friend, our Yin Family shall soon raze She Mansion to the ground, ensuring this grievance is avenged on your behalf!”

However, Wang Ba sensed a hidden implication and asked out of curiosity:

“How can one permit others to snore beside their own bed? With the Yin Family’s formidable strength, why has the Wan Family’s arrogance at She Mansion been tolerated for so long?”

Yin Penglai paused, casting a glance at Wang Ba as if weighing his words before finally answering:

“Judging by your inquiry, Taoist Friend, you have surely held a position of authority before… To be blunt, the Wan Family itself is not the problem. The true issue is the web of nearly thirty Crossing Tribulation forces backing them. You grasp my meaning, don’t you?”

Wang Ba went silent, immediately understanding the subtext.

The abundance of resources at the gates of Zhang’s Ruins, contrasted with the desolation within, had naturally split the nearly forty Crossing Tribulation Forces into three primary camps.

The first group, spearheaded by the White Canal Yin Family, held dominion over the entrance with eleven allied forces.

The second group, which included the Wan Family, lacked the power to seize a gateway and was forced to establish a foothold in the interior, surviving as secondary Crossing Tribulation forces through various alliances.

The final group consisted of Rogue Cultivators who possessed no backing or foundation.

Being disorganized and fragmented, the Rogue Cultivators were unable to accomplish much and were the first to be dismissed from any serious strategic consideration.

Secondary Crossing Tribulation forces like the Wan Family stood no chance in a direct confrontation against giants like the White Canal Yin Family, Spirit Origin Prefecture, or the Illusion Sky Realm; they were constantly under the threat of annihilation. Thus, their only path to survival was to unite with other similarly situated forces to collectively oppose the dominant eleven.

A lone Wan Family, possessing only the single Crossing Tribulation cultivator Wan Kongcheng, was insignificant to the White Canal Yin Family.

Yet, when nearly thirty such secondary Crossing Tribulation forces combined, they transformed into a staggering power.

Confronted with such a coalition, any entity would have to move with extreme caution, fearing the consequences of a rash action.

This had resulted in a fragile equilibrium, which was the reason the status quo within Zhang’s Ruins had persisted for so long.

This dynamic bore a striking resemblance to the power struggles within the Sea of Chaos Realm, specifically between the Three Realms and the various external powers.

With this realization, the entire strategic map of Zhang’s Ruins became crystal clear to Wang Ba.

A sudden thought crossed his mind:

“If a person were to unify these disparate forces through clever alliances, the hundred or so Crossing Tribulation Cultivators inside Zhang’s Ruins might actually possess the strength to shatter the Immortal Pass…”

However, he quickly dismissed the idea, suppressing the bold ambition.

Since the current state of Zhang’s Ruins had endured for so long, it undoubtedly contained extraordinary figures, yet none had managed to alter the landscape. This proved how deep the entanglements truly ran. Overturning such a structure would require either absolute, overwhelming power or a rare alignment of fate; relying solely on manipulation would likely lead to an endless quagmire.

By the time such a plan bore fruit, he might have already ascended to a supreme realm, where he could achieve his goals through far simpler means.

“Regardless, Zhang’s Ruins deserves further scrutiny.”

He silently made a mental note of this intention.

The return journey took significantly less time than their departure. It wasn't long before Wang Ba sensed several powerful auras ahead, flickering like lanterns in the darkness.

These presences were somewhat familiar; he had felt them when he first stepped into the Yin Ruins Arena.

His mind sharpened with tension as he turned to Yin Penglai with a questioning look:

“Taoist Friend, who are these people…?”

“I did not anticipate that all the Ancestors would manifest.”

Yin Penglai appeared startled, but then seemed to find a reason:

“They likely caught wind of the ambush and came out of concern to check on your safety…”

Wang Ba’s face remained stoic upon hearing this, though he felt a deep sense of doubt internally.

None of these figures had bothered to show themselves when he first arrived at the Yin Ruins Arena; it defied logic that they would personally come to welcome him just because of a minor skirmish.

“Could it be due to the fact that I slew those two Crossing Tribulation Cultivators?”

His thoughts began to churn.

He had intentionally withheld the full truth from the Yin Family for two reasons: first, as a lone traveler, he always prepared for the worst and was loath to reveal his trump cards prematurely.

Second, the words spoken earlier by that female Cultivator from the Illusion Sky Realm had put him on high alert.

While an ordinary Crossing Tribulation Cultivator might earn the Yin Family’s respect, a person like him—one who could slaughter a Crossing Tribulation Cultivator while still in the Unification Realm—would inspire not just respect, but profound dread.

Dread was manageable, but if external pressure became too great, the family might choose to sacrifice him to restore peace…

This wasn't just him being cynical; he simply preferred to view human nature through a lens of extreme caution.

The Yin Family, and Yin Penglai in particular, had shown him kindness, and he had no desire to ruin those ties over his own complications if it could be avoided.