Longevity, starting from being a chicken raising servant Chapter 2311 - 171: Testing (Bonus - 1)

"Should fellow Daoists achieve even greater advancements on this occasion, it would entirely stem from the benevolence of Taoist Brother Taiyi. Should you require any aid in times ahead, simply summon us, and we shall rush to your side without delay..."

"You honor me too much; I simply followed an intuition and offered a modest effort..."

With the banquet on the central summit drawing to a close, numerous cultivators lingered around Wang Ba, showering him with thanks. Their auras radiated powerfully, filling the onlookers with deep reverence. Yet, the air of enigma and superiority that once cloaked them had faded away, replaced by warm smiles that made them appear like everyday cultivators.

The Qitian Patriarch, along with Hui Yunzi and their companions, arrived just in time to behold this unfolding scene.

Though the Qitian Patriarch's mindset soared to greater heights, a touch of sentiment stirred within him, yet he kept his poise intact. Hui Yunzi, still absorbing the astonishing truth that Wang Ba was none other than the 'True Man Taiyi,' found the display before them barely ruffling his calm.

Only the middle-aged cultivator, who served as Sect Master of the Wanxiang Sect and traveled with them, fixed his gaze on Wang Ba amid the throng. A wholly distinct sensation bubbled up in his chest, as if he were trapped in a vivid dream.

"True Man Taiyi... Could he really hail from the lower realms—no, from the Wanxiang Sect in the Little Cang World?"

As memories of the information Hui Yunzi had imparted flooded back, he found it hard to wrap his mind around the reality.

Waves of astonishment, wild delight, and unease churned within him.

So many feelings crashed through his heart that, upon spotting the green-robed figure in the midst of the group, he hesitated to draw near, his anxiety and dread only mounting.

It took a considerable time before the gathering began to thin out.

Before long, Wang Ba strolled alongside the Cloud Sky Sect Master, engaging in relaxed conversation.

The approach of the youth in purple robes sparked a flicker of unease in the Qitian Patriarch's core, igniting a silent foreboding.

True enough, as they drew closer, Wang Ba turned to the purple-robed youth with a grin and made the introductions:

"This is the Patriarch from the sect where I began, called Qitian, and this is my grandmaster..."

"Hui Yunzi."

Even though Hui Yunzi typically stayed aloof, he wasted no time in stating his name.

The Qitian Patriarch promptly lifted his hand in salute to the purple-robed youth:

"I am Qitian; I greet Sect Leader Bai."

In the presence of the purple-robed youth, an unusual hint of strain crept over him.

A brief glint of astonishment crossed the eyes of the purple-robed youth, but his expression held no trace of scorn. Instead, he offered a kind smile, his striking features beaming as he responded in a friendly tone:

"Haha, greetings to Taoist Friend Qitian."

Deeply flattered, the Qitian Patriarch hastened to return the gesture.

The purple-robed youth remained steady and at ease, flashing a gentle smile and nod toward Hui Yunzi:

"Greetings, Taoist Friend Hui."

He uttered nothing further, yet the words touched Hui Yunzi, who quickly bowed in return.

Beyond the fact that this individual was the Cloud Sky Sect Master—a key figure beneath True Man Gai, nearly a sovereign of a domain, with immense prestige— even a mere look from him would signify great courtesy. But here he was, humbling himself by addressing him as a Taoist Friend, granting tremendous respect.

His eyes then drifted subtly, glancing at the middle-aged man beside Hui Yunzi, before settling on Wang Ba with a smile as he inquired:

"And this is...?"

The middle-aged man's face strove for composure, though his inner world swirled with thrill and jitters; still, he refrained from answering straight to Wang Ba's face.

Wang Ba's eyes landed on the middle-aged man, a momentary flicker of uncertainty crossing his features as he swiftly searched his memory for any matching image among the sect Patriarchs' portraits, only to draw a blank.

In the end, Hui Yunzi leaned in and murmured:

"This is the Sect Master of the Wanxiang Sect."

"Ah—right, the Sect Master of the Wanxiang Sect."

A bright, welcoming smile instantly bloomed across Wang Ba's face, like the warmth of spring.

The middle-aged cultivator quickly chimed in:

"Junior Lan He."

Upon hearing this, the purple-robed youth pondered briefly but grasped the situation. Evidently, Wang Ba shared little connection with this sect despite his origins there.

Without delay, he offered a faint smile and a nod to the middle-aged cultivator:

"Your sect brims with promising talents; you lead it admirably as Sect Master."

Praised by the purple-robed youth, the middle-aged cultivator—aware the compliment arose from deference to Wang Ba—swelled with elation, eager to reply yet managing only a flustered acknowledgment.

Having grown up in that place, his admiration for the Cloud Sky Sect Master ran profound; once an unreachable icon, now engaging in direct exchange felt utterly dreamlike.

Turning back to Wang Ba, the purple-robed youth let out a soft chuckle:

"Taoist Friend Taiyi, feel free to converse with your sect kin; I'll head over there and await you."

"My thanks, Taoist Brother."

Wang Ba responded with his own smile.

With that, the purple-robed youth gave a smiling nod to the Qitian Patriarch before stepping a brief distance away.

A twinge of regret touched the Qitian Patriarch; encounters with such figures were rare indeed.

For the others, however, a wave of relief washed over them, as if an enormous burden had been cast off.

Despite the Cloud Sky Sect Master's affable grin, his commanding aura pressed down oppressively, each phrase and chuckle sparking tension and caution.

His withdrawal now brought a profound sense of ease to all.

Wang Ba then offered a formal bow to the Qitian Patriarch:

"Wang Ba pays respects to the Qitian Patriarch."

The Qitian Patriarch quickly moved aside, displaying an uncommon sincere smile as he spoke with heartfelt warmth:

"I offered you no real assistance and cannot bear such elaborate rites. Moreover, you have outstripped me in cultivation; seniority in lineage alone doesn't bar us from treating each other as peers."

Wang Ba promptly voiced his own modesty.

Next, he turned to honor Hui Yunzi.

Hui Yunzi too dodged swiftly; if the Qitian Patriarch refused such deference, how could he possibly accept it?