Longevity, starting from being a chicken raising servant Chapter 2363 - 189: Subjugation (Part 2)

"Regarding my own situation, the logic remains identical. What deceptive secret arts do we possess to mislead the foe, do our cultivation levels and realms offer any edge, what objectives are we pursuing, and above all, is it possible for us to exit the Sea of Chaos Realm and evade this disaster beforehand."

Shao Yangzi delivered his words with steady composure and measured pace, but in an incredibly brief span, the assembly rapidly absorbed his insights and promptly developed their individual perspectives.

Wang Ba offered genuine admiration:

"Grandmaster Shao's reasoning is truly straightforward and incisive."

After a brief pause for reflection, he added:

"On the Supreme True Buddha's front, from the intel I've gathered, it stems from the fact that I captured all their assembled forces last time, leading to a shortage, which necessitates another round of recruitment. Furthermore, the clash between the Supreme True Buddha and the Cloud Sky Realm resulted in substantial casualties, so their need for additional personnel will probably increase. This round, their intent is most likely to collect more recruits, though there's a slight chance they seek to eradicate everything within the Sea of Chaos Realm entirely!"

"As to the exact number of arrivals, I can't pinpoint it, so we should prepare for a large force. I also lack certainty about the cultivation bases of those incoming, but individuals at the Great Bodhisattva stage are improbable. The majority will consist of Arhats or those in the Bodhisattva Realm, thus we ought to regard them all as Bodhisattva Realm cultivators."

"To put it another way..."

The Chongyuan Patriarch continued the discussion, his features tightening somewhat as he declared:

"Soon enough, a group of Bodhisattva Realm monks will invade the Sea of Chaos Realm?"

Wang Ba affirmed with a nod, his demeanor grave as he replied:

"Monks at the Bodhisattva Realm possess sharp senses. Sustaining deceptions against them demands exceptional skill. Any minor slip could reveal us. I lack the capability for that... pulling off this ruse is exceedingly challenging."

This differed from the rapid interactions of before, where discrepancies might escape immediate detection. Given his present realm and command of the Silkworm Dragon Staff, maintaining illusions to fool Bodhisattva Realm entities over time bordered on the unattainable.

With such remarks coming from Wang Ba, the foremost expert in spellcasting among them, a weight settled over everyone's minds.

Wang Ba pressed on:

"Moreover, the chance of departing the Sea of Chaos Realm ahead of schedule is virtually zero."

"The Sea of Chaos Realm operates under unique regulations. Entering proves simple; one merely locates a Realm Sea vortex and aligns the rules to pass through. However, exiting the Sea of Chaos Realm requires utilizing the Realm Sea vortex under the Supreme True Buddha's control."

"I am aware of the protocols for that outer Realm Sea vortex and could alter them anytime to reach the external realms. Yet a Bodhisattva perpetually watches the other end. Should we transfer across..."

He trailed off, though every cultivator present comprehended his implication.

"Thus, we must await entrants from beyond to slip out in their wake?"

Qiao Zhongxu, seated among the guests, pondered deeply.

"Exactly, a lone Bodhisattva might be manageable, yet I suspect the Buddha Lord stands guard outside as well..."

Wang Ba's voice stayed even, but the mention of 'Buddha Lord' prompted subtle shifts in the expressions of Chongyuan Patriarch and the rest.

A reputation spreads swiftly; the Tianshang Buddha Lord had vanquished three Mahayana experts—who could fail to dread such a figure?

Should the Tianshang Buddha Lord oversee the exterior, rashly triggering the Realm Sea vortex would equate to courting doom.

"Under those circumstances, our sole option is to devise a scheme to mislead them initially."

Shao Yangzi let out a soft sigh, then stated gravely:

"The Patriarch's 'Heavenly Observation Mirror' method holds promise, allowing surveillance across the entire Sea of Chaos Realm, akin to spreading a vast web in anticipation of their approach."

Wang Ba's brow creased faintly.

Surveillance served one purpose, yet misleading another.

And misleading formed the core of their entire approach.

In that instant, a quiet presence in the corner abruptly voiced:

"Employ the Heavenly Observation Mirror as support to seal off any breaches; we must gather every cultivator into a single location!"

"Should we succeed, we can resort to the tactic of one substituting for another, blurring reality and illusion to fool them!"

"Elder Xun?"

At this, all eyes turned toward him.

From his elevated position, Wang Ba regarded the unexpected Xun FuJun and nodded approvingly with a faint smile.

He had anticipated that this ex-interim sect leader would propose a strategy, though this one proved as merciless and decisive as always, surpassing even his own initial conception in severity.

"Gathering everyone... that could stir up considerable unrest."

An cultivator from beyond hesitated with a furrowed brow.

Implementing the gathering would withdraw their outposts, and for external factions, it signified total forfeiture of self-reliance, compelling reliance on the Little Cang World. Though the distinction felt minor presently, their outposts had at least upheld an illusion of independence outwardly.

Xun FuJun rose with a flick of his sleeve, his eyes cool as he fixed on the speaker, stating evenly:

"When stacked against survival or demise, what do a handful of ripples matter?"

"This... however..."

The external cultivator appeared reluctant but struggled to voice any counterargument.

Survival and death formed the paramount logic. The opponent held the ethical vantage, making any objection from him seem baseless.

"This proposal is superb!"

Abruptly, Gan Xiong declared.

Yun Qi and the Five Ghost Kings voiced their support in quick succession.

As a result, those from the Cloud Sky Realm and Shao Yangzi perceived the implications, aligning their endorsements without hesitation.

Within the vast hall, solely Qiao Zhongxu and his companions upheld a grave quiet, uttering nothing.

They comprehended fully, yet enacting the gathering would fuse external powers seamlessly into the Little Cang World—a development unfavorable to the Jade Pot Realm. Despite existing pacts between the realms, the Supreme True Buddha loomed as the pressing threat.

In his uncertainty, he chose muteness.

"Gathering... it stands as an inevitable requirement."