Longevity, starting from being a chicken raising servant Chapter 2303 - 168: Wanxiang Ancestor
Previously on Longevity, starting from being a chicken raising servant...
A sense of shame washed over the middle-aged cultivator as he listened to those words:
“My talent is lackluster; I fear the hope of Crossing Tribulation is beyond my reach.”
The gaunt elder let out a soft sigh upon hearing the response:
“It is not a lack of intelligence that hinders you, but rather the limitations of your mental energy. You have been burdened by trivial worldly affairs and forced to sustain the Sect single-handedly while I recovered from grievous wounds. Such distractions have clouded your spirit and stalled your Cultivation... the fault lies with me as well.”
“The Patriarch has never been in the wrong.”
The middle-aged cultivator interjected swiftly.
Suddenly, the sound of a disturbance echoed from the distance, followed by the startled cry of a child:
“The Ancestor has not given you permission to enter! You must stay back!”
“Move aside.”
A cold, blunt voice answered without the slightest bit of courtesy.
“I refuse! I will not move!”
The child shouted back in defiance.
A frown appeared on the gaunt elder’s face.
Turning his gaze toward the middle-aged cultivator, he questioned in a confused tone:
“What is the meaning of this?”
A look of frustration surfaced on the middle-aged cultivator’s face the moment he recognized that voice:
“Patriarch, it is a disciple who ascended from the Wanxiang Sect in the lower realm a few years ago. He has been seeking our assistance since his tribulation.”
“He has approached us numerous times, describing the perils of the lower realms in hopes that we would launch a rescue operation. I have informed him repeatedly that your injuries are severe and that with the great tribulation looming, we simply lack the resources to help. Nevertheless, he persists in pestering us and has even convinced several other elders who ascended from below to join his cause. Having heard of your return, he has undoubtedly rushed here.”
The gaunt elder’s thick brows knitted together at this explanation, and his voice turned remarkably stern:
“It is not merely the lower realm; it is the Little Cang World!”
“That place is the very foundation of our Wanxiang Sect!”
Realizing his blunder, the middle-aged cultivator nodded his head in hurried agreement.
Seeing this, the elder’s expression softened slightly as he spoke with great earnestness:
“Whether one hails from the Little Cang World or the Cloud Sky Realm, regardless of their beginnings, all are members of the Wanxiang Sect. Only through unity can we hope to conquer every obstacle!”
“I instilled this truth in your master, and I have spoken it to you as well. Now, I shall say it once more: as the Master of a Sect, you must never harbor prejudice regarding upper or lower realms!”
As he spoke, the gravity in his voice intensified.
Though the middle-aged cultivator might not have been entirely convinced, he did not dare challenge the gaunt elder’s authority and nodded repeatedly in submission.
The gaunt elder’s tone turned somber as he commanded:
“Go and bring that disciple to me.”
The middle-aged cultivator wavered, his voice filled with uncertainty:
“But...”
“The situation regarding the Wanxiang Sect in the Little Cang World is my responsibility.”
A shadow of melancholy passed over the gaunt elder’s face; he continued solemnly:
“My power was insufficient. Before the Supreme True Buddha shattered the realm’s boundaries, I dispatched Jiang Yi. Had the plan succeeded, the Wanxiang Sect of the Little Cang World would have arrived here by now. Since they have not appeared, it seems that for one reason or another, the mission has failed...”
“I offered them a glimmer of hope, yet I failed to deliver them. If I were to continue hiding from this truth, would it not invite even greater contempt upon us?”
“Patriarch, it was only because your injuries were so...”
The middle-aged cultivator tried to argue.
“There is no need for further words.”
The gaunt elder silenced him with a sharp gesture.
In truth, he had dedicated immense effort to the Wanxiang Sect of the Little Cang World, even securing a reincarnation technique from the Cloud Sky Sect to guide his disciples. He had even prepared himself to personally traverse the Realm Sea to conduct the rescue if the path proved too treacherous.
Despite having never left the realm and knowing little of the Realm Sea’s secrets—and despite his own master’s disapproval—he believed that the vast Lifespan and formidable powers of a Rob Cultivator would give him a chance to locate the Little Cang World.
However, the sudden rise of the Supreme True Buddha’s forces had completely derailed his intentions.
The Wanxiang Sect had been crippled, he himself was left with devastating wounds, and all his plans had turned to dust.
A wave of sorrow hit him as these thoughts swirled in his mind.
Noticing this, the middle-aged cultivator quickly took his leave.
A short while later, he returned with a Taoist. The man had white hair secured by a jade hairpin and wore a pristine moon-white Daoist robe, his appearance perfectly composed.
The Taoist Qingjue’s stoic expression flickered with a hint of joy upon seeing the gaunt elder, but his face soon filled with worry as he sensed the elder’s fading aura:
“Chongyuan Patriarch, how have you become...”
He trailed off, struggling to find the words to describe the elder’s frail state.
The middle-aged cultivator spoke up with a heavy tone:
“I have explained this to you many times. It is not a lack of will, but with the Patriarch’s injuries being so severe, our options are limited. You should be able to see that for yourself...”
“That is enough.”
The gaunt elder waved for the middle-aged cultivator to depart. The cultivator obeyed immediately. Left alone with the Taoist, the elder studied him closely before nodding in approval:
“To achieve ascension during an era when the Chaos Origin Substance of the Little Cang World is failing proves you possess an unwavering Dao-heart and remarkable talent. Tell me, what is your name?”
Taoist Qingjue did not dare be disrespectful and performed a formal salute:
“I have cast aside my worldly name, keeping only the title bestowed by my master: ‘Hui Yunzi.’”
“Hui Yunzi...”
The gaunt elder repeated the name warmly, adding:
“Hui represents focus, and Yunzi signifies containment—a refined spirit that hides its brilliance within a focused mind. It seems your teacher held you in high esteem. You belong to the lineage of Lianqing Peak, do you not?”
“Your wisdom is truly profound, Patriarch. That is correct.”
Hui Yunzi, who usually remained detached and aloof, could not fully suppress his internal emotions while standing before this elder.
After years of being in this realm, he was finally meeting the legendary Patriarch of the Wanxiang Sect, Zhong Yuanzi.
The Patriarch’s name was revered by every disciple of the Wanxiang Sect, and even a man of his standing was not immune to such deep-seated respect.
“Lianqing Peak seeks the ultimate expression of emotion through the path of detachment. It is no wonder you have been so persistent in seeking the Sect Master all these years.”
Zhong Yuanzi nodded slowly, his words exposing the hidden essence of the Lianqing Peak cultivation techniques.