Longevity, starting from being a chicken raising servant Chapter 2226: 144: Core_4

The cultivators from Spirit Origin Prefecture and the Illusion Sky Realm were not easily deceived by Wan Kongcheng’s defensive posturing.

Wan Kongcheng’s thoughts moved rapidly before he gave a sudden nod, stating:

“Indeed, your reasoning holds weight. If the Spirit Origin Prefecture and the Illusion Sky Realm manage to weaken the Yin Family, my Wan Family would naturally reap greater benefits, perhaps even diverting a portion of the Chaos Origin Substance... However, the reality is that your two factions have lost two comrades, while the Baiqu Yin Clan has suffered no losses. Reflect on it yourselves; doing this would be equivalent to lifting a stone only to drop it on one's own feet!”

“What point are you trying to make?”

A Crossing Tribulation cultivator representing Spirit Origin Prefecture asked with a deep frown.

Wan Kongcheng inhaled deeply, his gaze flickering as he spoke:

“What I am suggesting is, could the Baiqu Yin Clan have employed a scheme to ambush Fellow Daoist Yuxian and the Huanling Immortal?”

“That location is extremely close to the Yin Ruins Arena. Who besides the Yin Family could it be?”

“To strike down two early-stage Crossing Tribulation cultivators so rapidly that they had no chance to flee... it is possible the Yin Old Ancestor intervened personally. By eliminating two Crossing Tribulation cultivators, the Yin Family may soon gain another; their dominance would grow immensely...”

The cultivators from the Illusion Sky Realm and Spirit Origin Prefecture were visibly disturbed by Wan Kongcheng’s words.

They already harbored deep suspicions toward the Baiqu Yin Clan, so the prospect of the clan gaining another Crossing Tribulation cultivator prompted them to immediately dispatch forces for an interception. Wan Kongcheng’s deductions aligned perfectly with their own fears.

“If I were in your position, I would stop worrying about other details and stick to the claim that the Unification Tributor was the one who slew Yuxian and the Huanling Immortal. If they refuse to surrender him, use it as a pretext to rally the various Sects for a joint strike to cripple the Yin Family. If they do hand him over, you will have neutralized a future Crossing Tribulation cultivator and sparked internal strife within the Yin Family, making it impossible for rogue cultivators to trust them. It is killing two birds with one stone...”

Wan Kongcheng’s tone was icy.

The listeners exchanged looks, a glimmer of calculating intent visible in their eyes.

...

At that same moment.

The dark chasm appeared to have no end.

Wang Ba and Yin Penglai continued their straight descent.

“The core of Zhang’s Ruins is accessible from almost anywhere inside. Any ordinary cultivator, using the correct technique, can make contact with a portion of Zhang’s Ruins to try and commune with its core. Once you are accepted, you are considered a resident and can engage in Cultivation as if you were within a domain. Naturally, the deeper you descend, the stronger the connection, though I believe the difference is negligible; it usually succeeds,” Yin Penglai explained thoroughly, then added:

“To put it loosely, the core of Zhang’s Ruins functions like the realm spirit of a domain.”

Wang Ba was somewhat amazed by this revelation:

“A Realm Spirit? Does this mean Zhang’s Ruins possesses its own consciousness?”

“That remains uncertain.” Yin Penglai shook his head:

“There have been theories, but since no one has ever encountered the consciousness of Zhang’s Ruins, it is generally assumed not to exist.”

Wang Ba nodded, then after a moment of hesitation, asked out of curiosity:

“Has anyone ever gained recognition only to later regret it?”

“Regret?” Yin Penglai nodded:

“Certainly, but once Zhang’s Ruins recognizes you, its laws are etched into your being. It won't hinder you while traveling the Realm Sea, but you will be shunned as an interloper if you visit other domains. Thus, regret is pointless.”

Wang Ba fell silent at those words.

Most who arrived here were drifting rogue cultivators without a home or the means to reach other domains, so regret was a luxury they couldn't afford.

He, however, was different.

He considered using Fu Gui to help wipe away the rules imprinted on him, which brought him some peace of mind.

If all else failed, he could return to the Chaotic Sea and use the Triple Layer of Suffering to purge the laws from his body.

Shortly after, he heard Yin Penglai’s laughter:

“We have arrived.”

The pair came to a halt.

Wang Ba observed the floor of the abyss ahead; the jagged stone surfaces below seemed to have a constant flow of water over them.

“This is the Secret Technique for communicating with the core. Fellow Daoist, give it a try,” Yin Penglai remarked casually, passing a portion of the Secret Technique to Wang Ba.

The technique was simple, and Wang Ba grasped it instantly.

He stepped down softly and rested his palm against the stone wall.

He then triggered the Secret Technique.

In an instant, Wang Ba’s vision became a blur.

His consciousness felt as though it had been submerged into a limitless ocean.

The surrounding 'waves' nudged him.

“Is this the core of Zhang’s Ruins?”

“According to Fellow Daoist Yin, if I remain within this core for a time and synchronize with these waves, I will be accepted as part of this land...”

With that thought, he waited patiently.

However, in the next heartbeat, the surrounding 'waves' suddenly churned; he felt powerful currents seize him, lifting him up before impatiently... hurling him straight out of the sea!

It was as if the place refused to let him stay for even a second!

“What is happening?!”

Wang Ba was bewildered. Before he could process it, his consciousness snapped back to reality.

Opening his eyes, he found Yin Penglai staring at him with a look of shock and confusion.

“Why was I rejected?”

Wang Ba frowned. Feeling a surge of stubbornness, he pressed his hand against the stone wall once more.

His consciousness dove back in...

Crash—

The moment he entered, a 'current' immediately expelled his consciousness!

He tried again!

Crash—

This time, his consciousness couldn't even break the surface!

It felt as though something was actively barring his entry, terrified that he might step inside again.

“What is going on?!”

Wang Ba turned to Yin Penglai, whose face was a mix of disappointment, frustration, and slight gloom.

“Perhaps... perhaps you just haven't adjusted yet. Why don't we go back and ask the Great Ancestor?” Yin Penglai suggested hesitantly.

Wang Ba looked at the stone walls, feeling a growing sense of unease. Yin Penglai’s expression told him more than words could.

Still clinging to a shred of hope, he nodded.

The two figures soon departed.

After they had left.

Deep inside the core of Zhang’s Ruins.

Within that vast 'ocean', a consciousness let out a long, trembling sigh of relief:

“Finally, they are gone... My lowly domain simply cannot hold such a terrifying presence...”