Longevity, starting from being a chicken raising servant Chapter 2284: 162: Identity (Part 2)
Previously on Longevity, starting from being a chicken raising servant...
The youth in purple robes had a slight flicker in his gaze upon hearing those words, then he spoke with a grave expression:
“The Supreme True Buddha wields immense power; it is a challenge to withstand him even if all cultivators united their strength. Furthermore, the Tianshang Buddha possesses nearly limitless mana that few can hope to equal. Because of this, the Heavenly Monarch and True Man Gai of my Sect, alongside the Xiahou Heavenly Venerate, are currently in meditative seclusion. They are working together to forge a specialized treasure designed to oppose the Supreme True Buddha.”
“As it stands, I am afraid they are unable to grant you an audience, Taoist Friend.”
“Forging a treasure?”
Wang Ba felt a wave of anxiety wash over his heart when he heard this news.
Within the vastness of the Realm Sea, what kind of artifact could possibly stand against a Mahayana cultivator?
Moreover, the Supreme True Buddha holds an abundance of Dao treasures within his Sea of Chaos Realm. The sheer volume of high-grade Dao treasures he has amassed over countless years must be a staggering figure.
Who could possibly compete with the sheer wealth of the Supreme True Buddha?
Despite being plagued by confusion, he held back from asking too many questions, mindful of his status as a newcomer.
He could only give a nod and reply:
“I understand. It appears my arrival was poorly timed, causing me to miss the chance to meet True Man Gai…”
The purple-robed youth, being quite sharp, showed a trace of astonishment:
“Is it your wish to meet True Man Gai? For what reason?”
He posed the question directly. Wang Ba moved to respond, but he suddenly recalled the strange attitude Heavenly Monarch Chao displayed regarding the breaking of the Immortal Pass, as well as the warnings he had been given. Shifting his perspective, he said with respect:
“I have admired True Man Gai’s renown for a long time and hold him in high regard. Since he is currently in seclusion, I can only lament this missed opportunity.”
The youth in purple did not question his sincerity. Even if True Man Gai wasn't a household name among the younger generation, his reputation was significant among Crossing Tribulation cultivators beyond the realm's borders.
He offered a word of comfort, saying:
“The Supreme True Buddha has kept our realm besieged for several years, maintaining a heavy pressure. A massive conflict is unavoidable, and when that time comes, you will surely have your chance to meet True Man Gai, Taoist Friend.”
At those words, Wang Ba’s thoughts flashed back to the ambush he faced after arriving from the Soul Falling abyss, causing his heart to grow heavy.
The realm sea vortex located outside the Cloud Sky Realm was already in close proximity. The fact that they could not even secure such a nearby area proved how precarious the Cloud Sky Realm's situation truly was. Even if the defenses hadn't collapsed yet, the circumstances were dire, perhaps even hopeless.
“Why does the Supreme True Buddha choose to encircle the realm without launching an attack?”
Wang Ba couldn't help but frown as they continued their walk and conversation:
“Based on what Sect Leader Bai mentioned, if the Cloud Sky Realm cannot match the Supreme True Buddha, they should have been crushed already…”
He paused for a heartbeat before choosing a different phrasing:
“They should have breached the realm by this point, shouldn't they?”
The youth in purple remained unruffled and replied:
“There is no need for such formality; as a disciple of the Heavenly Monarch, we are of the same rank. Since I am likely older by a few years, you may simply call me Dao Brother… Regarding the siege, they likely fear a repeat of what happened during the invasions of the Canlong and Void Demon Realms. Both those realms were obliterated, yet the Heavenly Monarch and Xiahou Heavenly Venerate—two Mahayana cultivators—managed to escape. Since then, they have relentlessly harassed the Supreme True Buddha’s forces, stalling their progress. If the Cloud Sky Realm were destroyed now, True Man Gai and the other two would also flee…”
He left the thought hanging, but Wang Ba was quick to grasp the meaning and was shaken:
“So, their goal is to trap all three Mahayana cultivators within this single realm?”
The purple-robed youth walked casually toward a Taoist field visible in the distance and nodded:
“Given the strength and resources of those false monks serving the Supreme True Buddha, they are in no rush. By slowly tightening the noose, they can force the three Mahayana experts to show themselves and then strike to kill them all at once. Once that is done, the Cloud Sky Realm will be nothing more than a ripe fruit waiting to be plucked.”
“In reality, the Supreme True Buddha has already shown us his hand.”
Likely because of Wang Ba's ties to Heavenly Monarch Chao, the youth was quite talkative.
Wang Ba’s expression shifted slightly as he listened.
If Sect Leader Bai’s assessment was accurate, the Cloud Sky Realm had no hope of defeating the Supreme True Buddha.
However, after reflecting on how calmly the youth discussed the realm's peril and the Buddha's strategy, it was clear they had prepared a plan of their own.
As for the details of that plan, it was obvious the youth wouldn't reveal them easily.
Being sensible, Wang Ba did not press for more information. Instead, he hesitated before suggesting:
“Sect Lea… Dao Brother, if there is any task you need help with, please do not hesitate to ask.”
The youth in purple stopped, turned around, and gave a smile:
“Taoist Friend Taiyi has already been of great service from the moment he arrived. Had you not scouted that region and its inhabitants, we would have remained ignorant of the many traps they set. We would have suffered terrible casualties once the fighting started.”
He seemed to recall something suddenly:
“I almost forgot. Our realm has sent out invitations to many fellow Daoists for assistance, and we have opened the treasure vault specifically for them. With the Merit you earned from slaying several Bodhisattvas, you might be able to trade for something beneficial…”
Wang Ba felt his interest sharpen. Remembering Chen Zhongqi’s comment about ‘several realm marrows,’ he felt a surge of desire but replied with feigned modesty:
“I am worried I haven't done enough to deserve this…”
The purple-robed youth waved it off with great poise, responding smoothly:
“There is no need for such politeness between us. I will have Zhong Qi escort you there immediately, so you don't lose out on something you want to someone else…”
As luck would have it, Chen Zhongqi was already approaching with several Cloud Sky Realm cultivators, accompanying a group that was flying toward them in haste.
Upon hearing the purple-robed youth's call, he quickly descended to stand beside them.
The youth in purple paused, looking at Wang Ba with a touch of awkwardness: