Longevity, starting from being a chicken raising servant Chapter 2304: 68: Wanxiang Ancestor

The reverence gleaming in Hui Yunzi’s eyes was a look Zhong Yuanzi had seen many times before. Over the centuries, every disciple who ascended had gazed upon him with that same deep respect—an admiration that only served to intensify the guilt weighing on his soul.

Releasing a heavy sigh, he spoke softly:

“You must not hold a grudge against him. As a Sect Master, his burdens are many and his mind is constantly occupied. With my Cultivation crippled by these severe wounds, the strain he endures is immense. Even if the desire to save those remaining in the Little Cang World is there, he simply lacks the power to act.”

Hui Yunzi opened his mouth to reply, but the words died in his throat. Ultimately, he chose to remain silent rather than argue.

He was no newcomer to this realm. Having lived here for many years, he had traveled extensively and even paid respects to the Qitian Patriarch, despite never having met the Chongyuan Patriarch personally. Because of this, he possessed a clear understanding of the Wanxiang Sect’s internal affairs within the Cloud Sky Realm.

Beyond the primary issue of Chongyuan Patriarch’s critical injuries, the Sect was comprised of many disciples who were native to the Cloud Sky Realm, not just those who had ascended from the Little Cang World. While the atmosphere within the Wanxiang Sect remained peaceful, the logistics of a cross-realm rescue were too demanding. Such an undertaking required an enormous expenditure of resources and effort, which inevitably sparked conflicts regarding the Sect’s interests.

Back when Chongyuan Patriarch was at the height of his power, no one dared to raise an objection; the entire Sect followed the Patriarch’s commands without question.

However, now that the Patriarch was incapacitated, the subordinate disciples were naturally more concerned with their own personal gains.

Hui Yunzi simply could not bring himself to voice these harsh realities to the esteemed Patriarch.

Zhong Yuanzi likely sensed the heart of the matter, yet he found himself willing but unable to change it. Furthermore, the Wanxiang Sect required absolute unity from its members and desperately needed a Crossing Tribulation cultivator to maintain order; thus, he did not wish to provoke further internal strife. Changing the subject, he asked with genuine curiosity:

“If my calculations are accurate, the Chaos Origin Substance surrounding the Little Cang World has been exhausted, leading to further degradation. Soon, it may not even be able to support Immortal Ascension. Since you managed to ascend, you must have endured incredible trials, haven't you?”

Hearing this, Hui Yunzi did not dare hide the truth. He immediately began a detailed account of everything he had witnessed and experienced within the Little Cang World.

Zhong Yuanzi’s expression did not flicker when he heard of the rupture in the realm membrane. It was only when he learned that cultivators from every continent had sacrificed themselves to mend the heavens—causing the Wanxiang Sect, from the Sect Master down, to halt their Immortal Ascension—that he let out a profound sigh.

“The will of Heaven is forever shifting and unpredictable. I foresaw the natural disasters of the Little Cang World, yet I failed to predict these human tragedies… Such a waste of those young lives. Truly, what a pity!”

He repeated the word ‘pity’ several times, his voice thick with a regret that seemed almost tangible.

Hui Yunzi continued his report, speaking rapidly about how Wang Ba had risen to the position of Deputy Sect Master. He described how Wang Ba had assisted two consecutive Sect Masters, braved dangerous frontiers, and established Taoist Fields. He even spoke of how Han Yanzi of the primitive Demon Sect had summoned World Eaters from the void, and how Wang Ba had decisively executed him. He finished by explaining how Wang Ba had single-handedly mended the heavens and saved the realm before his own ascension.

This was the extent of the history he knew before he had left that world.

As he listened to the straightforward tale, Zhong Yuanzi’s face shifted from astonishment to contemplation, eventually settling into a look of confusion.

“With such immense capability, why did that young man not simply take the position of Sect Master for himself?”

Hui Yunzi was caught off guard by the question, feeling a bit dazed. He had never truly considered the matter before, and now that he thought about it, he found the situation rather baffling as well.

Zhong Yuanzi did not linger on the thought for long. After a moment of reflection, he said:

“That child was able to change the fate of a world amidst such peril; he is clearly a chosen one, blessed by the destiny and fortune of the Little Cang World. By all rights, he should have ascended by now. However, if he hasn't, given the current state of that world, I fear…”

He trailed off, but his meaning was perfectly clear to Hui Yunzi.

Deprived of the nourishment of Chaos Origin Substance, the Little Cang World would eventually wither and face total annihilation. This was the terrifying realization Hui Yunzi had reached during his own ascension, but he had been forced to leave so quickly that he never had the chance to warn Wang Ba or the others. He remained ignorant of the world's current fate.

His heart grew heavy as he spoke with grim determination:

“I understand the struggles our Sect faces here, but our brothers in the Little Cang World are still in grave danger. I spent thousands of years guarding the Ancestral Hall with the intent of leading the junior disciples to the Cloud Sky Realm to escape this disaster. Now that I am here and they are nowhere to be found, I cannot rest. I humbly beg the Patriarch for guidance; I wish to return to the Little Cang World through the whirlpool in the Realm Sea.”

“Even if I cannot save them, I am prepared to die alongside them!”

Zhong Yuanzi was visibly moved by these words.

He looked at Hui Yunzi, his mind racing with conflicting thoughts before he finally sighed:

“I am well aware of your Emotion Lineage; once your mind is set, you will pursue your path even into the jaws of death… So be it. My time is running out. If the chance arises, I will help you, making one final effort for the juniors of the Wanxiang Sect. However, while the Supreme True Buddha continues to cause chaos, we must wait. Only after they withdraw—assuming I am still alive—will I go to the Cloud Sky Sect to see what can be done.”

Upon hearing this promise, Hui Yunzi performed a deep, formal bow.

“On behalf of the Wanxiang Sect of the Little Cang World, I thank the Patriarch!”

Zhong Yuanzi did not move to stop him. He simply gazed into the distance, a soft sigh escaping his lips.

When luck is on one's side, the world aligns; when fortune departs, even a hero loses his path.

During his era in the Little Cang World, despite some hardships, his journey had been largely successful. Alongside his Master and Junior Brother, they were the titans of their age, an unstoppable force when united.

Even after ascending to the Cloud Sky Realm, their combined strength allowed them to thrive. They had founded a Sect with great ambition and quickly gained renown, until their progress toward Crossing Tribulation drew the unwanted eyes of their neighbors.

It seemed his destiny had reached its limit.

When a peak is reached, decline must follow.

The Supreme True Buddha had shattered the realm, crushing his aspirations and destroying any hope for the future.

He was no longer the protagonist of this world’s story; the time had come for him to leave the stage to his successors and walk toward his own end.

Though he felt the sting of reluctance, he had to submit to the invisible, untouchable hand of fate.

Suddenly, the young boy who had been stationed at the gate came running toward them, shouting breathlessly:

“Ancestor! Ancestor! Something urgent has happened! The Sect Master has sent for you immediately.”

Zhong Yuanzi frowned in confusion and called out:

“The Sect Master wants to see me?”

He felt increasingly perplexed. Although he could still move, his injuries meant he should avoid unnecessary travel. The Sect Master was well aware of his condition and would not normally send a child with such a request.

“Something significant must have occurred.”

As he mused, the boy reached them and gasped out:

“It’s a high-level figure from the Cloud Sky Sect, a man named Chen. He is inviting you to attend a celebratory feast.”

“The Cloud Sky Sect? Surnamed Chen?”

Zhong Yuanzi repeated the name, his eyes clouding with even deeper bewilderment…