Longevity, starting from being a chicken raising servant Chapter 2350: 185: Homecoming

Beyond the boundaries of the Cloud Sky Realm, at a distance that's neither too close nor too distant.

In the profound emptiness, dim flickers of Domains dotted the expanse, scattered like stars at dawn.

The elusive Chaos Origin Substance, drifting in and out like a hazy veil, permeated the view, veiling the clashes of far-off glows and shielding the hidden cultivators in this space.

But right now, these shadowy figures all wore faces etched with utmost seriousness, the air thickening to an almost suffocating halt.

“Fresh reports… the Cloud Sky Realm has suffered a crushing loss!”

“At the Supreme True Buddha’s den, the Xiahou Demon got beaten and slain right there, while True Man Gai and the Master of Quiet Cave, who rushed to aid, both retreated in disgrace…”

“Here in our Cloud Sky Realm sector, Heavenly Monarch Chao has perished too… We need to decide our next move!”

The voice of the one speaking trembled with uncontainable astonishment, restraint, and incredulity.

Silence enveloped the group.

Following a short pause, a low, furious murmur escaped someone:

“What kind of decisions are even possible?”

“The Cloud Sky Realm laid out such an elaborate plan this round, believing they could at least scatter the Supreme True Buddha’s followers if not wipe them out entirely. Yet the result, the result turned out this way!”

“Three Mahayana powerhouses, two slain, one barely escaped!”

“With just us ragtag remnants, how could we possibly turn the tide?”

These words prompted the assorted shadows to stare toward the horizon where lights smashed together, each lost in quiet contemplation.

Even the cultivators who had opposed the effort from the start now carried an immense weight in their chests.

The old saying ‘when the lips are gone, the teeth feel the chill’ rings true for all. Though they weighed their own groups’ gains, they had held off joining in, but inwardly, they yearned for the Cloud Sky Realm to crush the Supreme True Buddha.

If not crushed outright, then at least force the Supreme True Buddha to withdraw.

Still, even this basic hope ended up unfulfilled.

“With the Cloud Sky Realm’s downfall, our peaceful times are likely over… After wrapping up here, the Supreme True Buddha will target the Eastern Luli Buddha Realm, and around Duanhai Cliff, no power can stand against him. Then it’ll be our turn at Zhang’s Ruins… Zhang’s Ruins won’t last.”

The gathering of shadows brimmed with worry, as one shook their head and remarked:

“Zhang’s Ruins won’t hold, but where do we flee to?”

“The Realm Sea stretches endlessly, offering endless paths at first glance, but in truth, we’re out of options!”

Just then, a voice cut in:

“Why don’t we band together and shift Zhang’s Ruins to some desolate zone?”

Others quickly shot down the idea:

“Desolate spots are plentiful, sure, but what of the Chaos Origin Substance?”

“Lacking Chaos Origin Substance, Zhang’s Ruins becomes a barren wasteland, and in the Realm Sea, every spot rich in it is already occupied. Are we to raid and plunder our way through?”

This made many who had briefly considered it go quiet once more.

Where Chaos Origin Substance thrives, a mighty overlord rules, and while some cultivators wouldn’t hesitate to plunder, it invites fierce foes with slim odds of success.

Besides, Zhang’s Ruins teems with fractured alliances and endless strife, lacking any real cohesion. Against a mighty foe, these so-called allies might prove unreliable, stabbing each other in the back without mercy.

One persisted doggedly:

“I’ve heard that beyond Duanhai Cliff in the opposite direction, at the Realm Sea’s edge, the Chaos Origin Substance flows richer than near Duanhai Cliff or the four Great Realms…”

They didn’t get to end before being cut off:

“Hah, your intel’s incomplete then. That Realm Sea’s end is known as ‘Jicang Abyss,’ the link between the Third Realm Sea and Second Realm Sea. Beyond that chasm, legend says, the Second Realm Sea awaits.”

“Chaos Origin Substance there overflows, probably the densest in all the Realm Sea, but it’s home to elite Innate Divine Demons, primordial Demonic Beasts, and even rumored Immortal Remains. Snatching it from those terrors? We might as well dream of toppling the Supreme True Buddha!”

At these words, the nearby cultivators hushed once again.

Still, a wave of despair washed over them all.

It was a crushing impotence, like witnessing one’s own plunge into quicksand, marching toward doom without a fight.

After all, Zhang’s Ruins boasts far more Crossing Tribulation experts than any lone Great Realm, and united, they might not rival a powerhouse like the Cloud Sky Realm, but they could surely sway chunks of the Realm Sea’s balance and claim hefty rewards.

Yet infighting and rivalries bind them, trapping them in endless squabbles they can’t escape. Any attempt to rise from the sludge gets dragged down by myriad grasping arms from the depths.

Until a heavy sigh shattered the tense quiet:

“The Cloud Sky Realm’s loss seals the deal. Hanging around here offers us nothing; let’s head back to Zhang’s Ruins and plan for the long haul.”

“Agreed.”

“Time to return.”

“Plan for the long haul.”

The others chimed in with nods. Though reluctance lingered for some, it morphed into resigned breaths.

The Cloud Sky Realm’s collapse left them without cause to stay. Getting back to Zhang’s Ruins sooner could uncover some path forward.

At once, the cultivators stopped dawdling, waving their sleeves as they soared toward Zhang’s Ruins…

The Yin Family Ancestor, Yin Tianzhi, shifted his eyes to the distant view.

There, thick Chaos Origin Substance faintly cloaked two Domains.

One in pristine white, the other deep black.

Beyond the white Domain, a hazy human-like form loomed, smashing against it.