Longevity, starting from being a chicken raising servant Chapter 2434 - 214: Heading to the Cloud Sky Realm 2
Previously on Longevity, starting from being a chicken raising servant...
Offerings manifest in various guises.
Wang Ba lacked a full understanding of what the beings inside Zhang’s Ruins demanded from cultivators, yet without question, the disappearance of late-stage Crossing Tribulation experts over the years linked directly to the 'core' of Zhang’s Ruins.
A flurry of ideas surged through his thoughts in a split second, but in Cheng Lianzi's presence, his face showed little alteration, simply curving into a smile as he spoke:
"Then I really ought to test that treasure; maybe I'll grasp some insight from it."
The item he meant was the horn bequeathed by the Laowen Sect's Patriarch.
Hearing this, Cheng Lianzi felt a twinge of reluctance but soon composed herself and said earnestly:
"If the Ruins Master can make use of it, that would be a true fortune."
They exchanged light remarks on some tales from Zhang’s Ruins before resuming their work on the formation.
The setback with the Supreme True Buddha Scripture didn't just harm the Arhats and Bodhisattvas; the loss of a Great Bodhisattva ensured they wouldn't swallow that defeat lying down.
No one knew when they might launch another assault, making it vital to prepare thoroughly ahead of time.
Wang Ba's knowledge of formations was quite basic. Beyond arranging over a dozen superior Dao Treasures to anchor the array, he offered little additional aid.
He could only find moments to hold discussions, resolving queries for the Zhang’s Ruins cultivators.
Only when the formation's repair on Zhang’s Ruins' surface reached roughly seventy to eighty percent completion did he head back solo to the Yin Ruins Arena.
He realized a return to the Cloud Sky Realm was necessary, though another task demanded attention first.
Sealing the immortal cave, he promptly retrieved the horn.
After a short contemplation, he probed it cautiously before trying to trigger it using Primordial Spirit and then immortal power.
When driven by Primordial Spirit, it yielded zero reaction.
Yet, upon channeling immortal power into it, even though his awareness didn't plunge into that 'ocean', by concentrating intensely and catching every tiny shift, he faintly detected a barely perceptible force subtly repelling him right then...
And that force matched precisely the one that had pushed him back from Zhang’s Ruins' 'core'!
"I knew it."
A glint passed through Wang Ba’s eyes.
Sure enough, a secret lurked inside Zhang’s Ruins!
Following a brief pause, he softly shook his head, seemingly letting out a disappointed sigh:
"Looks like my guess was off..."
With a flick of his hand, he tucked the horn into his sleeve and exited the Yin Ruins Arena, giving quick directives to Yin Tianzhi, Cheng Lianzi, and the rest, before soaring off alone from Zhang’s Ruins, bound directly for the Cloud Sky Realm.
And once he departed.
In the depths of Zhang’s Ruins.
From within the 'ocean', a awareness gradually surfaced, brow furrowing faintly:
"Has it been noticed already? It shouldn't impact..."
"Forget it, I'll act as if I know nothing."
It then withdrew back into the 'ocean'.
...
Precisely as Wang Ba journeyed toward the Cloud Sky Realm.
Distant from there, at the Reclining Buddha site, thousands of miles from Zhang’s Ruins.
The enormous Reclining Buddha kept its eyes partially open, partially shut.
A few silhouettes hovered in the sky before it.
Should Wang Ba be there, these figures would feel familiar; they included the Western Great Bodhisattva, Southern Great Bodhisattva, Eastern Great Bodhisattva, Ridi, Moon Truth, and the notably enfeebled Lord of Six Paths, plus others.
Right now, the Bodhisattvas stood reverently in front of the Reclining Buddha, appearing to heed its words.
A majestic, profound voice subtly resounded from the Reclining Buddha's interior:
"...This awakening brings even fiercer rejection from Realm Sea toward me; we must hasten the selection of the future Buddha’s son."
As the Reclining Buddha's voice rang out, the Bodhisattvas' faces showed mixed reactions before settling into shame:
"Our failure forced the Buddha Lord to step in and rescue us. Please punish us, Buddha Lord."
The Reclining Buddha's inner voice replied steadily:
"Your oversight was indeed a mistake, but Zhang’s Ruins proved more enigmatic than expected. Choosing Zhang’s Ruins doomed you to defeat."
"No further chastisement is required."
Hearing this, the group exhaled in collective relief.
Even facing Tianshang Buddha, known as the mightiest and strictest Buddha Lord in history, the favored Western Great Bodhisattva wouldn't dare relax in the slightest.
At that instant, the Western Great Bodhisattva displayed concern:
"Buddha Lord, after your departure from Realm Sea, the future Buddha’s son, even post-initiation, will need time to integrate it fully. In that interval, I'm worried True Man Gai could seize a chance."
The calm voice from the Reclining Buddha intoned:
"In that case, neutralize the Cloud Sky Realm threat prior to my exit. Attend to these affairs on your own."
The Western Great Bodhisattva assented but paused, then raised the issue:
"What of Zhang’s Ruins? Should we ignore it?"
"The cultivators of Zhang’s Ruins pose no genuine threat, yet True Man Taiyi remains a major issue... not a Mahayana, but equivalent in might."
"He could stir trouble."
True Man Taiyi truly wasn't a Mahayana Cultivator, but in the latest clash, he'd subdued three foes with ease, showcasing strength that even one or two Great Bodhisattvas couldn't contain alone. Thus, despite lacking Mahayana status, his presence deterred like one.
At minimum, no Great Bodhisattva serving the Supreme True Buddha could match him.
Upon the Western Great Bodhisattva's words, Ridi and Moon Truth cast indifferent looks, the Lord of Six Paths appeared uncertain. The Eastern Great Bodhisattva, having seen True Man Taiyi's prowess in the Cloud Sky Realm, shared doubts; solely the Southern Great Bodhisattva agreed.