Longevity, starting from being a chicken raising servant Chapter 2411 - 206: Rejected (2)
Previously on Longevity, starting from being a chicken raising servant...
Indeed, those over ten years weren't wasted for Tao Bingji at all; instead, they turned into a massive chance. During the journey, Wang Ba had no way to practice cultivation, and beyond reflecting on the endless variations of 'Unleashed Beasts,' he had little to occupy himself, so he offered precise guidance throughout, even handing over treasures to aid in cultivation. Consequently, within just more than a decade, Tao Bingji surged from the initial stage of Immortal Ascension all the way to its complete perfection, requiring only a suitable spot to endure the heavenly tribulation, temper his Primordial Spirit and Dao Domain, and advance into the Void Refining Realm.
This kind of rapid progress stands out as truly remarkable, even amid the Cloud Sky Realm.
Tao Bingji felt immense joy and shed every trace of arrogance from his former existence as an Innate Divine Demon, displaying complete respect toward his master.
The deeper their exchanges grew, the more he sensed himself gazing up at an immense peak.
He couldn't hold back a sigh:
"Without teacher's guidance, I'm afraid Bingji would have wandered lost through yet another life, perishing right here."
Wang Ba gave a light laugh and replied:
"After reincarnation, Innate Divine Demons vary—some come into the world sharp-minded, others dull by nature. Yet, truly setting foot on the Dao path doesn't hinge much on cleverness; it only affects the pace. Besides, achieving Nascent Soul Realm independently isn't a sign of slowness. The real secret is possessing the correct approach—lacking it wastes an entire life; armed with it, while soaring to the heavens overnight might be an overstatement, the path ahead brims with potential, and that's no mere boast."
"Naturally, there's also the issue where certain ones awaken their innate wisdom, recalling past and present existences, only to be swayed by the foundations of their Innate Divine Demon heritage from before, which disrupts their Dao-heart, blocks their progress, prevents them from focusing on steady cultivation, aiming grandly yet achieving little, or tumbling into all sorts of pitfalls..."
His insight into rules and the diverse traditions of Dao Laws likely trails only a Mahayana Cultivator, slowly touching that wondrous state where complexity simplifies and all Dharmas merge into one. With a single look, he completely understood Tao Bingji's cultivation state. His remarks weren't casual chatter but struck right at the core causes of Tao Bingji's past struggles in advancing.
"Teacher's insights ring so true. Back in the Yunhuo Realm, my cultivation level was modest, yet I frequently scorned the local cultivators. That's exactly what teacher described earlier as 'pride towering like a mountain, blocking the flow of Dharma waters.' Reflecting on it now, I was truly caught in those barriers..."
Tao Bingji spoke with genuine sincerity.
"Therefore, cultivation truly means nurturing the heart; without a solid heart, everything remains mere illusion."
Wang Ba chuckled.
As they conversed, a streak of azure light sped through the void.
Until it appeared to detect something, prompting the pair to finally pause their talk.
The blue streak of light came to an abrupt stop as well.
Two forms materialized, their eyes fixed on the horizon.
The boundless emptiness resembled a dark sky, dotted with star clusters far off. In front stretched an immense expanse of Chaos Origin Substance, like a deep chasm, thick and hushed, akin to a colossal beast of infinite scale traversing the Realm Sea.
"Is this the Quiet Cave?"
Tao Bingji whispered to himself; even after reincarnation and fresh cultivation, an odd sense of recognition washed over him here.
Wang Ba's eyes scanned the vista before them, distinctly noticing the multitude of watchful gazes rising from the Quiet Cave.
Yet, among them, only a handful carried any real danger to him.
Without doubt, those gazes belonged to the Innate Divine Demons and World Eaters dwelling inside the Quiet Cave.
Still, the heavy veil of Chaos Origin Substance obscured clear views of the beings within—he could make out just faint, shadowy outlines.
With a mere thought, he unleashed his aura fully, holding nothing back at that instant.
Standing close by, Tao Bingji—shielded by Wang Ba—still experienced a jolt of fear and breathlessness, almost a brush with doom, upon feeling Wang Ba's aura wash over him!
And right then, the many concealed presences amid this vast Chaos Origin Substance also picked up on Wang Ba's aura, each one struck with shock.
In silence, a being covered in shaggy, heavy fur, with a serpent's head atop a humanoid frame, darted out from the foggy Chaos Origin Substance, demanding sharply:
"You there, Cultivator—what's your purpose?"
"This Quiet Cave forbids entry; trespass, and face instant execution!"
He too bared his aura, at the late Eighth Tier, on par with the Northern Great Bodhisattva.
"Looks like some kind of overseer."
Wang Ba thought to himself, then cupped his hands in greeting, a subtle smile on his face, and declared:
"From Zhang’s Ruins, 'Taiyi' offers respects to this fellow Daoist. Might I inquire your name?"
"Taiyi? From Zhang’s Ruins?"
The serpent-headed, half-human Innate Divine Demon furrowed his brow slightly, eyed Wang Ba's features, and abruptly questioned:
"Are you that True Man Taiyi who, in the Cloud Sky Realm conflict, cut down numerous Bodhisattvas and Arhats?"
Wang Ba felt a touch of surprise, unaware that his fame had reached even the Quiet Cave. He pulled back his aura and gave a slight nod:
"Yes, though the number slain wasn't that high."
He quietly confirmed the other's guess.
But to his astonishment, the half-serpent Innate Divine Demon's face turned grim upon hearing this, a cold flicker in his snake-like eyes as he hissed:
"So you have the nerve to approach our Quiet Cave!"
With those words, his serpent head lunged forward, shifting into a furry gray python, coiling aggressively at Wang Ba!
The fur bristled like spikes, the fangs gleamed wickedly, and a foul odor spewed forth!
It appeared unremarkable at first, but that reek was truly terrifying, swiftly eating away at the void in its path!
Wang Ba's face grew a bit serious, instantly remembering the Xiahou Demon's earlier words about the grudge between the Cloud Sky Realm and the Quiet Cave.