Longevity, starting from being a chicken raising servant Chapter 2396: 201: Visit (Part 2)
Previously on Longevity, starting from being a chicken raising servant...
Right now, a wave of frustration and remorse surged through Yin Tianzhi's heart.
Previously, influenced by the fake Palace Master of the Ten Thousand Demon Palace, groups like the Spirit Origin Prefecture and the Illusion Sky Realm had assembled beyond the Yin Ruins Arena, pressuring the Taiyi Tributor to depart.
Even after exerting all his efforts, he had no choice but to witness the other side being driven out.
Had the Taiyi Tributor remained, the Bai Qu Yin Family might not find itself in such a defensive position, as Yin Penglai had pointed out.
Yet, he refused to linger on these futile feelings, declaring gravely instead:
“Any recent movements from Yutang Prefecture and Longcong Prefecture?”
The Second Ancestor gave a faint shake of his head:
“They reached out to us, claiming a desire to ally, though I suspect they're mainly aiming to keep us steady while seizing the chance to swallow up the leftover forces of the Ten Thousand Demon Palace… Tensions between the Laowen Sect and them have escalated lately, so the Laowen Sect likely fears a partnership between us and Yutang Prefecture, prompting their quick move.”
Forces including Yutang Prefecture and the Golden Water Pond hold down the Ear Acupoint, while Longcong Prefecture and the Ten Thousand Demon Palace control the Eye Acupoint, and the Laowen Sect oversees the Xin Gate.
These five powers lie in close proximity, forming the most intricate region within Zhang’s Ruins.
But following the quiet substitution of the Ten Thousand Demon Palace's Master by an agent of the Supreme True Buddha, and the seizure of Jiu Futu—who ranked just below the Master—by True Man Taiyi, the palace lost its leader. The four neighboring forces spotted a chance and, upon their return from the Cloud Sky Realm, launched a joint effort to carve up the Ten Thousand Demon Palace.
The Yin Family, Spirit Origin Prefecture, and Illusion Sky Realm knew of it but couldn't respond promptly, each suspicious of the others. When they finally could move, the Ten Thousand Demon Palace had vanished, its territory claimed by the four forces at once, locked in a fierce standoff.
This spot also serves as a key gateway to the Chaos Origin Substance, and claiming it offers huge advantages to whichever power does so, making it something nobody wants to relinquish.
After a brief pause, the Second Ancestor murmured:
“Great Ancestor, the Laowen Sect has rooted itself deeply in Zhang’s Ruins for countless years. Its founding Patriarch reached Mahayana and rose to The Heavens. Though weakened today, its base endures. The Sect Master ‘Cheng Lianzi’ stands as the closest to late-stage Crossing Tribulation in Zhang’s Ruins, poised to break through anytime; surveying the landscape, only the Laowen Sect seems poised to unite all of Zhang’s Ruins…”
“And then?”
Yin Tianzhi's expression grew icier as he fixed a chilly gaze on the Second Ancestor and stated:
“Should the Laowen Sect rise to dominance, even conquering the whole of Zhang’s Ruins, would they spare room for our Yin Family?”
“I understand Cheng Lianzi far better than you do; outwardly benevolent, yet inwardly sly, ruthless, and heartless.”
“Long ago, a band of Rogue Cultivators arriving in Zhang’s Ruins depended on them, handling all sorts of filthy tasks, only for Cheng Lianzi to turn them into Human Pills!”
“Once they fully seize Zhang’s Ruins, our Yin Family would likely be drained to exhaustion, and he'd still demand more until nothing's left!”
“This…”
The Second Ancestor froze, then lowered his head in embarrassment:
“I spoke without thinking.”
Yin Tianzhi let out a cold huff but held back from further outburst.
A sense of powerlessness and unusual bewilderment filled his mind.
Though he grasped the Laowen Sect's realities well, the Second Ancestor's words held truth. In his own assessment, out of the thirteen primary powers in Zhang’s Ruins, the Laowen Sect truly possessed the strongest shot at emerging supreme.
This very fact deepened his inner turmoil.
Yin Penglai paused briefly before prompting:
“Great Ancestor, Second Ancestor, the messengers from the Laowen Sect and the Golden Water Pond await outside—what's our reply to them?”
Yin Tianzhi quieted for an instant, thoughts whirling, before giving a nod:
“Bring in the messengers; I'll prepare a letter for them…”
Mid-sentence, a silhouette burst through the ancestral hall's entrance and dashed inside, shouting with thrill:
“Great Ancestor, Elders! Wonderful tidings! Amazing news!”
“Yin Fu?”
Yin Tianzhi creased his brow lightly yet overlooked the impropriety.
Yin Penglai pressed urgently:
“Yin Fu, what's this exciting news that's got you so worked up?”
The Yin Family's Chief Steward, Yin Fu, grinned widely and gestured outward in haste:
“Tai, Taiyi Tributor!”
“The Taiyi Tributor stands beyond the Taoist Field, paying a visit!”
These words plunged the ancestral hall into hush.
Following a short stillness, Yin Tianzhi vanished in a flicker from his spot.
“Great Ancestor, Great Ancestor, and the messengers?”
Yin Penglai shouted after him.
The Second Ancestor shook his head gently and whispered:
“Nothing to do but delay them for the time being.”
With that, he vanished as well.
Witnessing this, Yin Penglai set aside all else, directed Yin Fu, and rushed out of the Taoist Field.
The instant Yin Tianzhi stepped from the Taoist Field, his eyes caught a known form in azure robes, arms folded behind, apparently deep in contemplation. Sensing the stir, the figure turned with a grin and lifted a hand:
“It's been ages, Taoist Brother Yin—how have you fared?”
“Hahaha! Indeed, it's you, Taoist Friend Taiyi! I figured Yin Fu must be pranking me!”
“I'm overjoyed, truly overjoyed—I've longed for you since your departure!”
Yin Tianzhi, filled with astonishment and joy, soared forward, then halted to scrutinize him closely, a trace of astonishment flickering in his gaze:
“Your present cultivation level eludes my perception entirely…”
Wang Ba chuckled loudly:
“Merely a simple method to hide one's aura! You appear even more vibrant than last time, Taoist Brother—has your Cultivation advanced further?”
Yin Tianzhi shook his head with a wry smile:
“You're teasing me; just a small step forward, hardly noteworthy.”
Then, he brightened:
“I've been remiss—your coming back is no small matter; come, let's discuss within the Taoist Field.”