Longevity, starting from being a chicken raising servant Chapter 2401 - 203: Salty Submission

The Black Water churned wildly, tides ebbing and flowing without cease.

Splashing water waves dispersed the hazy Chaos Origin Substance far off, exposing the silhouettes concealed within the void, one after another.

However, all present remained stunned and lost in thought, staring at the serene blue-robed figure amid the Black Water, their minds roiling like the crashing waves, each surge more intense than the one before.

Fan Fenglei positioned himself before the Spirit Origin Prefecture’s makeshift imperial palace and the cluster of Cultivators from Spirit Origin Prefecture, tilting his head upward just a bit.

The Black Water Dao Domain and the sword-light shattered in unison, the whipping winds and waves tousled his white hair, but they failed to pierce the profound silence gripping his heart. His faintly ashen face mingled with the damp, unkempt white strands, exposing a hint of awkwardness and helpless isolation.

He murmured under his breath, sounding puzzled, as though refusing to accept it:

"How is this possible... how is this possible..."

High above the Black Water.

Wang Ba’s expression stayed composed and unshaken, without stepping back even an inch. His eyes swept past the crumbling Black Water Dao Domain toward Fan Fenglei, and he declared in a clear voice:

"Lord Fan, there is still one more sword."

Although his tone wasn’t booming, not a single nearby Cultivator dared to overlook it, so every word rang out distinctly.

Yin Tianzhi gazed at Wang Ba, who stood with hands clasped behind on the water, parting his lips but in the end holding back from calling for a halt.

In that instant, he grasped a truth he had previously ignored.

Over three centuries back, when the Taiyi Tributor first stepped into the Crossing Tribulation stage, he dominated peers at his level and even boldly unsheathed his sword against the false Lord of the Ten Thousand Demon Palace. Though merely three hundred years had elapsed—a mere blink for beings like them—how could someone akin to a true dragon be measured by ordinary standards?

"Even with that, this remains far too..."

Deep inside, he wavered, momentarily at a loss for words to capture the overwhelming shock from such feats.

It resembled watching a scholar toil for years over letters, only to witness a newborn scribble an epic tale right after learning to grip a brush.

Amid the awe, a dreamlike bewilderment took hold.

And for the gathered spectators, only the term ’terrifying’ echoed in their minds.

They marveled at how True Man Taiyi stood unmoved and effortlessly blocked Fan Fenglei’s peak two swords, while fearing the motives of such a powerhouse aligning with the Yin Family.

The Realm Master of Illusion Sky Realm, Sangkong—a youthful woman—observed Wang Ba’s grandeur with her lovely eyes gleaming brightly.

Prominent figures such as the Lord of the Golden Water Pond, the Yutang Mansion Master, and their ilk all displayed grave and cautious stares.

Cheng Lianzi from the Laowen Sect appeared even more deeply thoughtful, uncertain what to conclude, his attention fixed purely on Wang Ba, bypassing Yin Tianzhi completely:

"How does the Yin Family’s Tributor wield such prowess?"

"Didn’t reports claim he’d only recently reached the Tribulation-Transcending Realm, depending on a supreme Dao Treasure?"

Yet from the scene unfolding, the opponent evidently hadn’t deployed any Dao Treasure, clashing solely through rules.

Right then, he perceived that the circumstances diverged completely from his earlier assumptions.

He even fleetingly considered a notion that chilled him to the core.

"Taiyi... might he actually be that legendary figure from the Cloud Sky Realm? Wasn’t he pursued and slain by the Northern Great Bodhisattva?"

"Why would a powerhouse like that back the Yin Family?"

"No way, right?"

Amid his inner turmoil and skepticism, he caught Wang Ba’s declaration before the Spirit Origin Prefecture’s temporary imperial palace. The intricate emotions in Fan Fenglei’s gaze intensified, but he still lifted his two fingers, rules rippling as the shattered Black Water Dao Domain gathered like liquid, surging endlessly, swiftly morphing into sword gleams that hinted at boundless might.

The nearby Cultivators felt the immense force building and all adopted somewhat serious looks.

As this blow appeared poised to erupt, bound to rattle heavens and earth, Fan Fenglei abruptly let out a sigh. The sword-light crafted from the Black Water Dao Domain quivered faintly, then issued a sorrowful wail of hesitation before dispersing with a sharp clang.

Beneath the crowd’s astonished stares, Fan Fenglei gradually lowered his sword fingers, drooped his eyelids, and shut his eyes. In that instant, he looked markedly older, shaking his head while murmuring:

"The third sword need not be unleashed."

"Taoist Friend Taiyi has the demeanor of a gentleman, and Spirit Origin Prefecture is not without shame."

"After today, the grievances between Spirit Origin Prefecture and Taoist Friend shall be written off."

His words carried a weight of solitude, bleakness, regret, and quiet resignation.

Upon catching these statements, the surrounding Cultivators weren’t overly taken aback, yet Fan Fenglei’s forlorn visage stirred sympathy in many.

Any keen observer could tell those prior two swords represented Fan Fenglei’s finest moves, but they left True Man Taiyi utterly unscathed, proving the pair operated on wholly different planes. Launching a third sword wouldn’t alter the outcome in the least.

Rather than claiming Fan Fenglei chose to yield, it was more accurate to say he was compelled to yield, preserving at least a shred of honor.

Fan Fenglei’s power, among the ten great powers now in Zhang’s Ruins, might not rank at the pinnacle but held steady in the middle. Those earlier two swords, while possibly lacking in spell battles, packed enough punch that even Cheng Lianzi wouldn’t confront them head-on, yet they proved useless against this True Man Taiyi. Thus, it seemed unlikely anyone from the other factions could stand against him.

Facing this realization, no heart among the gathered Cultivators stayed at ease.

"The Yin Family’s overall might in Zhang’s Ruins ranks solidly above average, and with this True Man Taiyi added... who in Zhang’s Ruins could possibly match them?"

In silence, Cheng Lianzi and the rest traded looks, each spotting profound fear in the others’ eyes, along with a creeping cold dread...