Longevity, starting from being a chicken raising servant Chapter 2423 - 210: The Great Breakthrough
Previously on Longevity, starting from being a chicken raising servant...
The blaze resembled a crimson sun mirrored on the waves, rapidly brightening the skies above Zhang’s Ruins, as though the entire realm was engulfed in flames.
The glazed formation ignited too, casting a subtle fiery red luminescence.
Swiftly activating, the formation unleashed bursts of vibrant rays, striking back at the invading monks.
An Arhat got surprised by the assault, struck right away, his golden form crumbling, demonic qi scattering, until he shriveled and perished moments later.
Those from Zhang’s Ruins hailed from varied backgrounds with unique arts; while some followed righteous paths, plenty resorted to the shady arts of the Yin Domain.
This abrupt surprise attack, of course, caused casualties among the monks.
In the midst, flames erupted from the formation, slamming into the nearest Arhats.
The Arhats had no time to respond, their forms swiftly swallowed by fire, and in a flash, both golden bodies and demonic qi burned away entirely.
For an instant, hush fell inside and beyond the ruins!
"A top-grade Buddha Treasure?"
The Western Great Bodhisattva showed mild astonishment, then gave a faint nod, facing the young monk at his side and offering praise:
"You were correct; these rogue cultivators truly hold surprises, but it makes no difference. No matter a thousand schemes or endless tactics, they remain mere trifles in the end."
Upon hearing that, the little monk nodded, gazing at the wild flames that had just wiped out dozens of Arhats in a heartbeat, his face unable to conceal a trace of pity:
"Why doesn’t Master step in to seize this foe? Why allow these Arhats to perish pointlessly?"
The Western Great Bodhisattva took in those words, his expression full of mercy, and softly shook his head:
"This trial is one they must endure. Even should I act now, such a calamity would await them later. Better to let it serve as a chance to refine their path to enlightenment."
"Is that the case?"
The little monk appeared to grasp it only halfway.
The Western Great Bodhisattva then grinned, gesturing toward Wisdom Calm Bodhisattva and the distant blaze, chuckling:
"See, haven’t these budding Buddhas already commenced?"
The little monk turned toward where he pointed. While they conversed, Wisdom Calm Bodhisattva vaulted forward, positioning himself right in front of the flames.
As if detecting peril, a silhouette stepped from the blaze, bearing a wide yet mild demeanor, though his gaze held a hint of malice.
It turned out to be Cheng Lianzi, Sect Master of the Laowen Sect.
Cheng Lianzi eyed Wisdom Calm Bodhisattva, then let out a icy scoff:
"The Supreme True Buddha couldn’t breach the Cloud Sky Realm, and now seeks to meddle in my Zhang’s Ruins? Today, I’ll ensure you arrive but never depart!"
No matter the skill in combat, one must first seize the initiative in spirit.
Wisdom Calm Bodhisattva displayed compassion at those words, as if mourning the fallen Arhats from before, but his eyes betrayed no feeling whatsoever, and he murmured a Buddha’s invocation quietly:
"Supreme True Buddha, this Layman’s ferocity binds him in sin. Wouldn’t it be wiser for me to aid in purging Layman’s sins and guiding him beyond this mortal coil..."
Cheng Lianzi caught that and bellowed with chill:
"You fiendish monks, if battle is your wish, then let it begin—why prattle on! I offer you kind counsel, but you spurn it, so we’ll settle this through combat!"
With that, he gripped a fire stone, swinging it like a hefty tile at Wisdom Calm Bodhisattva; as the stone moved, the flames morphed into a beam of brilliance hurtling directly toward Wisdom Calm Bodhisattva.
Facing this, Wisdom Calm Bodhisattva refused to underestimate it, promptly lifting a flower basket from his grasp.
That flower basket counted as a top-grade Dao Treasure too, soaring from his hold to drop and enclose the fire stone, attempting to trap it within.
The fire stone proved mighty, clashing against it, pausing briefly, before both items rebounded.
Yet the flower basket now blazed with fire, whereas the fire stone stayed unscathed.
Witnessing this, Wisdom Calm Bodhisattva’s face grew a touch stern; he glanced at the fellow bodhisattvas and Taoist masters vying for the Buddha’s son role, noting their mocking grins as if eager for his embarrassment, and he snorted frostily:
"You boast potent Buddha Treasures—do I lack my own?"
In that instant, he called forth another Buddha Treasure shaped like a pestle, flinging it at Cheng Lianzi.
Cheng Lianzi’s cultivation had reached profound depths; though shy of the late Crossing Tribulation stage, he neared it closely.
As the Dao Treasure approached, he remained calm, channeling a spell that made his form shimmer and dissolve into flickering flames.
The Dao Treasure hit Cheng Lianzi, exploding in radiance, yet it flew back empty-handed.
Down in the ruins.
The leaders from Golden Water Pond, Yutang Prefecture, Illusion Sky Realm, and Fan Fenglei gathered at the gateway, observing the clash overhead, their faces etched with confusion and shock:
"I never imagined Taoist Friend Cheng possessed such might!"
"True enough; earlier, when the Ruins Master subdued him effortlessly, I figured his leading role in the ruins was unearned. But viewing this now, it’s clear Cheng Lianzi isn’t feeble—it’s that the Ruins Master wields overwhelming power..."
At those remarks, the group couldn’t help recalling how Cheng Lianzi yielded after one strike from the Ruins Master, all giving nods of assent.
Placed in his shoes, against Wisdom Calm Bodhisattva’s top-grade Dao Treasure, they’d likely stand no chance.
But Cheng Lianzi countered it merely with a fire stone, shifting fluidly, not just defending but advancing with poise.
This showed they had gravely misjudged Cheng Lianzi’s prowess.
"Friends, cease mere watching—Taoist Friend Cheng battles on, we mustn’t lag."
Just then, Yin Tianzhi voiced up.
As he did, he eyed Cheng Lianzi locked in intense combat with the bodhisattva aloft, a mix of emotions stirring within.
Among Zhang’s Ruins’ faction heads, this one drew his deepest caution, yet he hadn’t foreseen such valor and strength in this grand conflict; meanwhile, allies he’d counted on, like Fan Fenglei and the Illusion Sky Realm’s Master, paled in contrast.