Longevity, starting from being a chicken raising servant Chapter 2265: 156: Setting Out (2)

This territory stands as one of the prominent domains circling the Four Great Realms.

Naturally, despite its classification as a great realm, it falls short when measured against a powerhouse like the Cloud Sky Realm. Several early-stage Crossing Tribulation cultivators reside within its borders, alongside three middle-stage Crossing Tribulation experts who have earned local fame as the ‘Purple Flower Three Saints’.

By utilizing a profound combined cultivation technique, the Purple Flower Three Saints are capable of contending with those at the late-stage of Crossing Tribulation. Consequently, they maintain a dominant presence over the neighboring territories, second only to the Four Great Realms themselves.

Rumors suggest that the Purple Flower Three Saints maintain a close bond with the Cloud Sky Realm, making this the ideal location to seek intelligence regarding that domain.

The moment Wang Ba emerged from his Flying Dao Treasure, the smoky-purple domain seemed to sense his arrival. The Realm Membrane pulsed and shifted, and shortly after, several cultivators descended from the barrier. They observed Wang Ba with cautious, heavy expressions. Their leader, a man possessing a youthful countenance despite his snowy hair, performed a polite cupping of hands and spoke:

“I am True Man Hanqing of the Purple Flower Realm. Greetings, Taoist Brother. Might I inquire as to what brings you to our lands?”

Noticing their defensive posture, Wang Ba’s thoughts shifted quickly. He allowed a fraction of his Crossing Tribulation aura to leak out. With a subtle smile, he raised his hand in a return greeting and said:

“I am a Tribute of the Yin Family from Zhang’s Ruins. While passing through your territory, I wished to seek information regarding the Cloud Sky Realm. I hope my Taoist Friends can forgive this sudden intrusion and grant me their understanding.”

“A Tribute of the Yin Family from Zhang’s Ruins?”

The lead cultivator appeared somewhat startled by this revelation. Upon sensing the weight of Wang Ba’s Crossing Tribulation aura, his demeanor turned much more formal. He quickly cupped his hands again and stated:

“I understand. In that case, I must ask for your patience for a brief moment. The Supreme True Buddha has been acting aggressively of late. We must summon the Patriarch to this location.”

Wang Ba maintained a friendly smile and replied:

“Indeed, that is only right.”

As he finished speaking, a small rift opened within the Realm Membrane, and a figure surged forth instantly.

Before the newcomer’s face could even be seen, his voice arrived first, carrying a polite tone:

“Hanqing of the Purple Flower Realm offers greetings to my Taoist Friend. Might I be graced with your honorable name?”

The figure landed swiftly before the group of cultivators. He possessed a bronze-toned, square face, with his hair secured in a traditional Taoist bun. Dressed in wide, flowing robes and clutching a fly-whisk duster, he smiled and offered a slight bow toward Wang Ba.

The Qi swirling around him confirmed that he, too, was an early-stage Crossing Tribulation cultivator.

“So it is Taoist Friend Hanqing. My Taoist name is ‘Taiyi’.”

Wang Ba did not miss a beat and raised his hand to reciprocate the gesture of respect.

“The Zhang’s Ruins are quite a distance from this place; has Taoist Friend Taiyi also received an invitation to the Cloud Sky Realm?”

True Man Hanqing asked with a warm smile, his previous suspicions seemingly vanished.

Wang Ba’s mind raced for a second before he shook his head honestly, saying:

“I did not set out directly from Zhang’s Ruins. I was traveling abroad when I received word that the Supreme True Buddha planned a massive assault on the Cloud Sky Realm. Realizing that if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold, I rushed toward the Cloud Sky Realm. I was delayed during my journey and remain ignorant of the current state of affairs. Thus, I hesitated to charge in blindly. Having long respected the reputation of the Purple Flower Three Saints, I came here to ask for your guidance.”

True Man Hanqing’s expression softened with understanding. He dismissed the surrounding disciples and said:

“I see. I had assumed that traveling from Zhang’s Ruins straight to the Cloud Sky Realm would have been a shorter path… Regardless, it is a blessing that Taoist Friend did not act recklessly. Currently, the Bodhisattvas and Arhats of the Supreme True Buddha have cast a Heaven and Earth Net around the Cloud Sky Realm, severing all outside reinforcements. If one were to rush in without knowledge, the results would be catastrophic.”

Upon hearing this, Wang Ba felt a jolt of alarm and asked in a shocked tone:

“Has the Cloud Sky Realm truly been besieged already?”

True Man Hanqing shook his head and clarified:

“Not entirely surrounded; the situation for the Cloud Sky Realm is not yet that dire. Word has it that Heavenly Monarch Chao of the Canlong Realm and Realm Lord Xiahou of the Void Demon Realm have already arrived at the Cloud Sky Realm. With True Man Gai of the Cloud Sky Sect, three Mahayana cultivators are now united. Even if the Tianshang Buddha Lord appeared in person, he would likely be forced to retreat.”

Wang Ba knit his brows, catching a significant detail:

“Has the Eastern Luli Buddha Realm not sent any aid?”

True Man Hanqing sighed with a touch of frustration:

“Taoist Friend Taiyi must be unaware that the Eastern Luli Buddha Realm has always turned a blind eye to external conflicts. Unless the Supreme True Buddha brings the fight to their very gates, they are unlikely to get involved.”

Wang Ba was left momentarily speechless by True Man Hanqing’s explanation, but he quickly moved to his primary concern:

“Has the Supreme True Buddha actually begun the war with the Cloud Sky Realm?”

“They certainly have.”

Seeing Wang Ba’s persistent questioning, True Man Hanqing’s belief in Wang Ba’s identity grew, and he replied seriously:

“According to my earlier reports, the Supreme True Buddha crossed the Realm Sea years ago and halted near the Cloud Sky Realm. They were likely cautious of the Cloud Sky Realm calling upon allies from other domains, so they didn't advance as fiercely as they once did. They have only engaged in a few skirmishes with varying results. The Three Saints of our realm reached the Cloud Sky Realm recently and successfully repelled several Bodhisattvas of the Supreme True Buddha.”

A flicker of pride was evident in his voice as he spoke.

Then, he let out a soft sigh:

“However, some of our fellow cultivators have already fallen… This aggressive campaign by the Supreme True Buddha will likely not conclude easily.”

In response, Wang Ba appropriately displayed a look of deep respect:

“The Purple Flower Three Saints truly deserve their fame… But if one intends to enter the Cloud Sky Realm, how can they bypass the Supreme True Buddha’s blockade?”

“Even knowing the peril, does Taoist Friend still intend to proceed?”

True Man Hanqing stared at Wang Ba with a hint of astonishment.

It wasn't that he disapproved of the mission, but he assumed a Rogue Cultivator from Zhang’s Ruins would lack such intense commitment.

Wang Ba sighed and spoke with conviction:

“The Cloud Sky Realm is the jade pillar and golden beam that stabilizes this entire Realm Sea. If it were to fall to the Supreme True Buddha, the destruction would not be limited to a single realm. Zhang’s Ruins would never know peace again. As they say, ‘When the nest is overturned, no egg remains intact.’ Despite the danger, I cannot and must not turn away!”