Longevity, starting from being a chicken raising servant Chapter 2332: 178: Outbreak

“The battle has begun!”

“Finally, the conflict has broken out in the Cloud Sky Realm!”

Within the Realm Sea, positioned neither too distant nor too near the Cloud Sky Realm.

Silhouettes concealed in the emptiness displayed a mix of thrill and restlessness.

Yet, some among them stayed wary and murmured softly:

“Fellow Daoists, we shouldn’t rush in with excitement. Remember, we only promised Zhang Bokai to strike once those demon monks pull back from Supreme True Buddha. It’s unwise to step in amid this foggy situation.”

His remark swiftly drew nods of approval:

“Exactly, Lord Fan’s point is spot on. As Rogue Cultivators, the Cloud Sky Realm might not even see us as worth noticing. They’re just short on hands, so they stoop to ask for our help. Supreme True Buddha is our shared foe, sure, but jumping in too soon and suffering losses would bring us pain without any gain, even if we repel Supreme True Buddha.”

“True enough for us too: if there’s a fight worth joining, we will. Should the Cloud Sky Sect falter, they can’t fault us for holding back.”

In the group, Taoist Friend Yin of the Yin Family couldn’t help furrowing his brow upon catching those words, then cast a look toward the far-off shimmering glow—the spot where the Cloud Sky Realm lay—and whispered:

“Lord Fan’s view holds merit, but facing Supreme True Buddha, our fates are tied to the Cloud Sky Realm’s in rise or fall. Lacking the Cloud Sky Realm to stand guard upfront, it’s just a question of when Supreme True Buddha turns on us. Getting picked off one by one would leave us in endless worry. Right now, with the Cloud Sky Realm forging ties with nearby realms to stand against Supreme True Buddha, this is a precious chance we have.”

“Fellow Daoists, our moves aren’t for quick wins, but for each of our lasting futures… even with some sacrifices, it’s a price worth paying.”

At Yin Tianzhi’s words, Lord Fan couldn’t resist firing back:

“Aren’t we here precisely to grasp this uncommon chance?”

“But if the Cloud Sky Realm crumbles, are we to charge ahead and throw our lives away for nothing?”

Yin Tianzhi lifted his brows and replied:

“Does destiny bow to the heavens alone? Victory or defeat rests in our hands! Without giving our all, how can we tell it won’t succeed?”

A voice cut in with sarcasm:

“Hah, Taoist Friend Yin puts it so nobly—then why not lead the entire Yin Family here? Why just a few of you?”

Yin Tianzhi’s expression soured, and he fell quiet at last.

The argument rang true, yet he truly couldn’t follow through. After all, dragging every top cultivator from the Yin Family to this spot, only for their base in Zhang’s Ruins to get hit by rivals, how would he answer to the family’s juniors?

For them, the clan’s endurance always ranked highest.

Particularly in a harsh place like Zhang’s Ruins.

This realization made him sneak another peek at that tiny gleam far across the Realm Sea’s border.

“May it all go well.”

He wished from the depths of his heart.

…

Cloud Sky Realm.

Azure Dragon Mountain Range.

Within the protective light barrier.

The skinny elder and the young man in earthy robes both stared in horror and disbelief as the Northern Great Bodhisattva struck abruptly from beyond the realm, aiming straight for Wang Ba.

“Watch out!”

That Northern Great Bodhisattva, whose power rivaled Sect Leader Bai of the Cloud Sky Sect, had shown his terrifying strength during the initial realm invasion—the two had seen middle-stage Tribulation Crossing Cultivators treated like mere kids before him, captured effortlessly. This marked their initial brush with the full force of the peak Tribulation Crossing stage.

And now, this mighty figure cast aside all dignity to launch a sneak assault!

Yet, astonishingly, Wang Ba took the hit from him and stood firm without faltering, leaving the pair dumbfounded.

“How… how on earth did he manage that?!”

Snapping back, the skinny elder felt a surge of awe and joy.

The shifts in the heavens unfolded at breakneck speed; he lost sight of the Northern Great Bodhisattva’s form, catching only a golden Buddha’s Palm streaking like swift radiance right at Wang Ba!

His pulse quickened once more, but right as clarity eluded him, a mighty lion’s bellow rang out across the entire Cloud Sky Realm!

Though not aimed his way, that roar alone churned his Blood Energy, pushing his frail Primordial Spirit to the brink of shattering!

Alarmed, he swiftly shielded his Primordial Spirit and hurried to process the Treasure Pill he’d swallowed before inside it.

The Eighth Tier Treasure Pill that Wang Ba had obtained from the Cloud Sky Sect proved remarkably potent. Were it not for the brief interval before its full potency kicked in, plus his prior reckless use of Secret Techniques that further damaged his Primordial Spirit, he wouldn’t feel so exposed.

Thankfully, the prompt refining brought a faint recovery to his Primordial Spirit.

Still, no moment lingered for deeper reflection; he quickly shifted his gaze to the roar’s origin.

There, a white-robed figure perched on the lion’s head came into view, jolting him to recognition:

“It’s… it’s him from the Canlong Realm…”

“Heavenly Monarch Chao!”

Memories flooded his mind of their first encounter with this being.

In the previous realm assault, he’d braced for death, only for Heavenly Monarch Chao and another Realm Master—Xiahou Demon of the Void Demon Realm—to emerge alongside True Man Gai, turning the tide and sparing them doom.

He had unleashed the Ten Thousand Headed Lion Beast, brushing off hordes of Bodhisattvas and Arhats, unbeatable by any, and in the end compelling Supreme True Buddha’s followers to withdraw. That had been his debut glimpse of a Mahayana Cultivator’s awe-inspiring prowess, nearly godlike as a Demi Immortal.

Hence, this Mahayana cultivator lingered sharply in his thoughts.

Naturally, the Bodhisattvas and Arhats from that prior wave numbered far less than the current onslaught.

Back then, just two Great Bodhisattvas had joined, along with a single Lord of Six Paths.