Longevity, starting from being a chicken raising servant Chapter 2422: 209: The Assault (Part 3)
Previously on Longevity, starting from being a chicken raising servant...
Yet in that instant, a flicker of delight crossed his features.
Though he harbored no real grudge toward Yin Tianzhi, the absence of the Ruins Master filled him with deep unease and constant anxiety.
The surrounding cultivators likewise couldn't suppress expressions of relief.
Cheng Lianzi, however, narrowed his eyes tighter, as though detecting an undercurrent.
Noticing the shift in Cheng Lianzi's demeanor, Yin Tianzhi felt a subtle weight settle in his chest.
Right then, the ape uttered:
“Master… has declared that all remains firmly in his grasp… no cause for concern, simply protect the Great Array well… At the opportune moment, he shall make his appearance.”
These words instantly lifted the spirits of every cultivator present.
When calamity strikes from above, taller pillars stand ready to bear the burden, and within Zhang’s Ruins, that towering presence was none other than the Ruins Master who had brought it all under one banner.
Earlier doubts had plagued them about the Ruins Master's delay, perhaps signaling an early departure, but the sight of this Demon Ape now eased their tensions somewhat; reluctant to provoke him more, they held their tongues and departed without delay.
Moments later, only the Master of Illusion Sky Realm, Fan Fenglei, Cheng Lianzi, and a few others lingered.
The Master of Illusion Sky Realm and Fan Fenglei cast a glance at Cheng Lianzi, then offered Yin Tianzhi a polite nod; fearing interference from the Supreme True Buddha outside, they refrained from staying longer and soared off, leaving Cheng Lianzi isolated soon after.
“Taoist Friend Cheng, do you have more to discuss?”
Yin Tianzhi fixed his gaze on Cheng Lianzi, his voice calm and measured.
Cheng Lianzi's expression darkened as he regarded Yin Tianzhi, then murmured privately:
“Be honest, has the Ruins Master already departed the Taoist Field?”
Yin Tianzhi's pulse quickened inwardly, his outward composure unbroken, replying with icy detachment:
“Nonsense!”
Cheng Lianzi scrutinized his features intently, as if probing for hidden truths or confirming suspicions already formed, then shook his head faintly and fell silent, turning to leave; yet just before vanishing, he added in a hush:
“Rest assured, I’ll keep it quiet…”
“Only pray you aren’t endangering us all.”
With those final words, he vanished swiftly.
Yin Tianzhi's eyes grew shadowed, arms folded behind him as he watched the receding form, struck by unexpected surprise.
Still, he found himself pulling back his hand, unfurling it gradually; the messaging Dao Treasure in his grasp pulsed with a soft glow, and his stare betrayed an involuntary trace of concern:
“Ruins Master… when might you come back?”
Meanwhile.
Beyond Zhang’s Ruins, among the assembled monks in anticipation, a radiant golden streak finally pierced the far-off emptiness.
This golden streak descended just outside Zhang’s Ruins, unveiling a host of silhouettes within.
Dominating the scene stood a colossal Buddha statue, its face beaming with benevolence, enthroned at the heart of the group as the unchallenged focal point among the monks, surrounded by Bodhisattvas and Arhats; among them appeared a young novice monk, his eyes bright with pure curiosity, scanning his surroundings.
At the sight of the massive Buddha statue, the waiting monks promptly offered salutations:
“Welcome, Western Great Bodhisattva!”
And extended greetings to several prominent figures among them.
“Greetings, Wisdom Calm Bodhisattva… Greetings, Wisdom Fate Bodhisattva… Greetings, Hell Path Master… Greetings, ‘Pu Yan Wanderer’…”
The colossal Buddha statue, far from arrogance despite his exalted cultivation, responded with a warm smile to the monks:
“Supreme True Buddha, your efforts have been commendable.”
Then, directing his attention to the accompanying figures, a grin formed:
“Wisdom Calm, Wisdom Fate… Shen Fu, be it through the Buddha Lord’s favor or the Bodhisattvas’ endorsement, this venture into Zhang’s Ruins will determine your worthiness for the future Buddha Lord role; though lacking formal benchmarks, success hinges on your own merits.”
Wisdom Calm Bodhisattva and the other mentioned monks bowed reverently to the Western Great Bodhisattva at these words.
Shen Fu, draped in monastic robes yet radiating intense Demonic Qi, stood somewhat apart.
The other monks around, however, dismissed any oddity.
For Shen Fu’s path embodied ‘Lay down the butcher knife, instantly attain Buddhahood,’ starting as a demon where the profounder the inner darkness, the higher the potential achievement, thereby enriching the Buddhist Law of the Six Paths lineage.
Among them, Wisdom Calm Bodhisattva offered a gesture of respect, then turned to the fellow aspirants with a faint smile, palms pressed together, and declared deferentially:
“Fellow seekers, allow me to go first.”
His visage gleamed like polished jade, strikingly handsome, evoking a learned scholar more than a Bodhisattva.
With that, he wheeled about and sped toward the array guarding Zhang’s Ruins.
And precisely then.
The monks ringing Zhang’s Ruins appeared to catch some cue, all clasping hands and chanting Buddhist Scriptures in unison.
In a flash, myriad Buddhist rays blanketed the humanoid terrain, slamming into its protective array like shooting stars…
“Master… what exactly are they up to?”
The novice monk watched the monks' maneuvers with keen interest, then tilted his head upward in confusion toward the towering Western Great Bodhisattva beside him, like a mountain peak, and inquired softly.
The Western Great Bodhisattva regarded the novice with gentle affection, chuckling as he answered:
“Pu Yan, having freshly cleansed your past transgressions, you might not grasp it all yet; they’re vying for the Buddha’s successor title. Upon confirmation, following the Buddha Lord’s passing into Nirvana, that one shall ascend as the next Buddha Lord… This marks their proving ground, yet it poses little challenge; these are mere rogue cultivators, constrained in power and scorned by greater realms—Wisdom Calm and his peers should subdue them with ease, though the real ordeal awaits later.”
“Future Buddha Lord?”
The novice monk grasped it only partially, then peered down at the humanoid expanse below, his brow furrowing lightly; suddenly, as if spurred by an inner urge, he blurted out:
“With nothing but rogue cultivators here, it shouldn’t prove too tough, but I’ve heard this site has endured for ages—who can say what mighty entities lurk within? All Bodhisattvas ought to proceed with care…”
“Haha, your merciful heart does you credit, but fret not overly…”
Before the sentence concluded, the Western Great Bodhisattva’s face abruptly stiffened.
Beneath the array shrouding Zhang’s Ruins, a blaze of flames erupted skyward!