Longevity, starting from being a chicken raising servant Chapter 2302 - 168: Wanxiang Ancestor

Deep within the boundless Cloud Sky Realm.

The Spiritual Energy here has condensed into a liquid-like state, so incredibly dense that it floats across the Sky Dome. It is visible to the naked eye, drifting like ethereal clouds, making the place appear just like the Immortal Realm.

Seven vast continents make up this realm, all of them encircled by massive oceans.

Positioned in the southeast of the "Huanyu Continent," numerous sects dominate the landscape.

Standing at the pinnacle are the Three Sects.

They are known as the "Wanxiang Sect," the "Longevity Sect," and "Youxian Temple."

These Three Sects are situated in a triangular formation, creating a powerful alliance. Their disciples treat one another as kin; though they are three separate entities, they function as a single unit.

With three experts in the Tribulation-Transcending Realm protecting them, their combined might terrifies their neighbors, ensuring no one dares to provoke them.

However, the foundation of the Three Sects was shattered during the last great disaster from beyond the realm. They suffered devastating losses, and one of their three Patriarchs, the Wanxiang Ancestor Zhong Yuanzi, was so gravely wounded that he has remained in secluded cultivation ever since.

On this particular day, the heavy gates of the immortal cave at the Wanxiang Sect—which had been sealed for ages—slowly ground open. A shriveled, sickly old man stepped out. Looking exhausted, he turned his gaze toward the heavens. He could faintly hear the echoes of celebration coming from the Taoist Field within the Realm Membrane. With a look of confusion in his eyes, he called out to the young boy guarding the entrance.

“Child, what is the cause for such joy outside?”

The boy looked up, his expression blank. Because his cultivation base was too low, he was unable to hear the "joyous event" the old man mentioned. He quickly replied:

“I’ll go fetch the Sect Master immediately!”

The withered old man gave a small nod.

The child dashed away at once, his voice echoing:

“Ancestor has awakened! Ancestor has awakened!”

Watching the boy’s clumsy exit, a faint smile touched the old man’s lips.

It wasn't long before a middle-aged cultivator arrived in a hurry. When he saw the old man, his face lit up with genuine excitement.

“Patriarch, have you fully recovered?”

The old man let out a bitter laugh. He looked down at his frail, emaciated frame and shook his head slightly.

“With wounds like these, how could I ever truly recover? I can only hold things together for you all for a few more days. Once this great calamity ends, I will travel to the Cloud Sky Sect to trade for a chance at rebirth or a quota for enlightenment...”

The light in the middle-aged cultivator's eyes faded instantly upon hearing this, though he managed to maintain a forced smile.

“It is enough that the Patriarch has emerged from seclusion. We finally have a pillar to lean on again.”

The old man nodded and pointed toward the sky.

“Is there some kind of celebration happening up there?”

The middle-aged man looked toward the heavens, realizing the Patriarch was referring to the Cloud Sky Sect’s Taoist Field inside the Realm Membrane. He frowned slightly.

“I have heard that a new, powerful figure has arrived at the Cloud Sky Sect’s Taoist Field to provide assistance. He is honored as ‘Taiyi.’ He has won five consecutive battles, even defeating the person considered the strongest in the Bodhisattva Realm from the Supreme True Buddha’s faction. Because he successfully defended against the challenge from the Supreme True Buddha’s side, a celebratory feast is being held. We were invited, but Ancestral Master Qin is currently traveling outside the realm, and Grandmaster Qitian declined the invitation using his cultivation as an excuse. Since you were still recovering, Patriarch, we did not attend either.”

“A challenge?”

The old man looked puzzled.

Realizing the Patriarch had been in seclusion for so long that he was disconnected from current events, the middle-aged cultivator provided a quick summary of recent history.

“So, the Evil Monks from the Supreme True Buddha have returned...”

A sickly flush appeared on the old man’s pale, waxy face. As memories of the realm being torn apart resurfaced, his eyes flickered with a mix of bitterness and regret.

Had it not been for those Evil Monks from the Supreme True Buddha, he might have successfully reached the middle-stage of Crossing Tribulation. Instead, that man-made disaster caused him to fail at the cusp of success, damaging his foundation and leaving him with very little time left to live.

Now, he could do nothing but hide within his sect and wait for the end.

Sensing the heavy mood, the old man tried to shift the conversation, sighing:

“This Taiyi Taoist must be a true genius to win five battles in a row. I wonder where he comes from; he must be from one of the Great Realms...”

The middle-aged cultivator answered:

“Word is he might be from a neighboring Domain. Apparently, when he heard the Supreme True Buddha was attacking our Domain, he came specifically to help. Many Tribulation Crossing Great Powers have praised his profound understanding of the Dao Law. He is even being called the number one person below the late-stage of Tribulation Crossing in the entire Realm Sea—a genius the likes of which is rarely seen in ten thousand years.”

As he spoke, the middle-aged cultivator couldn't hide his admiration.

“He is treated as a most honored guest by the Cloud Sky Sect. I’ve heard that after his five victories, even Sect Leader Bai personally left the realm to welcome him, showing him immense respect.”

“That is absolute nonsense.”

The old man couldn't help but laugh as he scolded his junior.

“Consider Sect Leader Bai’s status and realm—he is on the verge of ascending to the Mahayana stage. Never mind someone who is merely the best below the late-stage of Tribulation Crossing; even a true late-stage cultivator would treat him with the highest reverence.”

He paused, a look of longing in his eyes.

“However, such a person would indeed deserve Sect Leader Bai’s polite hospitality.”

Envy and regret swirled in his heart.

He had once dreamed of becoming like this "Taiyi Taoist," being welcomed as an honored guest of the Cloud Sky Sect and speaking as an equal with their leader.

He had even hoped to ascend to The Heavens and leave a legendary legacy in the Cloud Sky Realm.

But those dreams had crumbled along with his health, now buried under the weight of his injuries.

Shaking his head, he offered a piece of advice:

“The way you handled this was not right.”

“Your patriarch possesses incredible Talent but is too detached and dislikes socializing. The disciples of Youxian Temple take after him, which is understandable. Grandmaster Qitian also lacks social grace, but he is at least dedicated to his cultivation.”

“But you are the Sect Master of the Wanxiang Sect. When the Cloud Sky Sect sends an invitation, you should go. You should network with your peers. If you had the chance to meet Taiyi Taoist and ask for his guidance, it would have been a great benefit. It might have helped you understand the rules faster and enter the Tribulation-Transcending Realm. You must remember that the path of learning requires passion; how can you achieve anything if you remain isolated like this?”