Longevity, starting from being a chicken raising servant Chapter 2268: 157: Fallen Souls (Part 2)
Previously on Longevity, starting from being a chicken raising servant...
One can only remain unaffected by this environment once their mastery over rules reaches the pinnacle and becomes entirely self-contained.
“The primary advantage of early-stage Tribulation-Transcending Realm cultivators is nullified when rules cannot be utilized. This narrows the gap between them and Unification cultivators significantly… It is no wonder this region is deemed so perilous.”
As a realization dawned on him, Wang Ba noticed the subtle shifts in the facial expressions of the nearby cultivators.
In this place, perhaps only Mahayana Cultivators, whose rules are self-contained and transcend the Realm Sea, can travel without concern.
However, Wang Ba soon observed True Man Ba leading the group and True Man Nie guarding the rear. While they appeared tense, they lacked the sheer panic seen in the others, allowing Wang Ba to understand the situation better.
Cultivators at the early stage of the Tribulation-Transcending Realm have only begun to grasp rules, making it difficult for them to withstand the environment of Soul Falling. Conversely, middle-stage cultivators have progressed further in their Cultivation, granting them better resistance.
This was clearly the root of True Man Ba’s self-assurance.
In the depths of Soul Falling, the ability to wield rules is the difference between a fragile rowboat and a sturdy ship.
Though the logic was complex, these thoughts crossed Wang Ba's mind in a mere instant.
The group continued to follow True Man Ba, decelerating as they cautiously ventured into the encroaching gloom.
A whistling wind carrying chaotic gales battered the party. While it caused no physical injuries, it brought a sinister, bone-deep chill that intensified by the moment. Before long, ghostly whispers and mournful cries began to echo endlessly in their ears...
Wang Ba scanned the path ahead, but his eyes suddenly locked onto a cultivator directly in front of him. The man’s Primordial Spirit had unexpectedly drifted out from his Xin Gate! With a delirious expression, the spirit began to float away, caught in the malevolent gale.
“The falling of the soul!”
“Is this how Soul Falling earned its name?! Even those in the Tribulation-Transcending Realm can lose their souls if they drop their guard!”
Wang Ba’s face darkened as he prepared to intervene.
However, True Man Ba had already sensed the disturbance. He came to a sudden halt, spun around, and thrust his palm downward with great force!
The drifting Primordial Spirit was violently slammed back into the cultivator’s body by True Man Ba’s strike!
Once his Primordial Spirit was restored, the cultivator’s eyes regained their clarity immediately.
A mix of terror, relief, and profound gratitude filled his voice as he spoke:
“I am in your debt, Taoist Brother Ba!”
“Silence! Seal your five senses at once! Use only your spiritual sense to communicate! Stay close to me!”
True Man Ba didn't even look at him, barked out a stern warning as he sensed the growing danger.
The rescued cultivator flushed with shame but offered no rebuttal. He promptly closed off his five senses, relying solely on his spiritual sense to navigate the surroundings.
Wang Ba narrowed his eyes as he surveyed the area, yet he chose not to seal his senses.
His Primordial Spirit possessed an incredibly sturdy foundation due to the potent effects of his Dharma Lineage. Although he was only at the early stage of the Tribulation-Transcending Realm, the sheer variety of rules he had mastered was unmatched by anyone present. Consequently, he did not fear the haunting echoes of Soul Falling.
Furthermore, spiritual sense was not entirely infallible; maintaining his five senses provided an essential secondary layer of perception.
Indeed, Wang Ba noticed that neither True Man Ba at the front nor True Man Nie at the back had sealed their senses. Both were vigilantly watching their environment, adjusting their speed to navigate the hazards.
Suddenly, True Man Ba turned his head, his eyes flashing with sharpness as he shouted:
“You, the one from Zhang’s Ruins…”
“I am Taiyi.”
Detecting the other man's hostility, Wang Ba’s expression grew cold as he raised a hand in acknowledgment.
“I gave the order to seal your five senses! What do you think you are doing?!”
True Man Ba’s face was grim as he shouted his reprimand.
This outburst drew the attention of the other cultivators. Their spiritual senses swept over the scene, seeing True Man Ba lose his temper once more. While some felt a flicker of pity for Wang Ba, none dared to speak up.
Wang Ba stared at his detractor, his own expression darkening involuntarily.
With a focused gaze, he suddenly threw his hand out. His sleeve billowed outward, abruptly lunging toward True Man Ba!
The sudden move stunned the entire group!
At the rear, True Man Nie’s expression shifted rapidly as he cried out urgently:
“Stop!”
True Man Ba was blindsided by Wang Ba’s sudden eruption. Overwhelmed by a mix of shock and fury, he prepared to launch a counterattack.
But in that split second, a terrifying chill raced down his spine!
Before he could move, a piercing, high-pitched screech erupted, followed by the sound of something scraping past him at high speed.
The chill vanished as a shadowy figure flickered by, struggling violently as it was swept away.
Exclamations immediately broke out from the cultivators and True Man Nie.
“What kind of creature is that?!”
“To think such monsters are prowling within the wind!”
“Could this be the source of those haunting sounds?”
“Taoist Friend Taiyi’s perception is truly remarkable; I didn't notice a thing!”
True Man Ba turned toward the voices.
He saw Wang Ba standing calmly, holding a dark object roughly three feet in length.
It looked like a fox, its neck firmly gripped. It bared its teeth in a desperate attempt to flee, its form a blur of ghostly Qi that shifted between solid and illusory states.
The group gathered around, unable to hide their amazement.
Even the usually stoic True Man Nie approached to get a better look at the Black Fox, his face showing a hint of surprise.
Standing outside the circle, True Man Ba realized that the man from Zhang’s Ruins hadn't been attacking him, but had moved to intercept this creature.
As he recalled the speed and precision Taiyi had just demonstrated, his heart tightened with apprehension.
Wang Ba, however, spoke with total indifference: