Longevity, starting from being a chicken raising servant Chapter 2459: 222: Empowerment

Mount Xumi, outside Miaojue Temple.

Wang Ba stared at the temple doors gradually shutting and detected the final remnant of pain from the total break between his spirit and Kong Zen, which stirred a wave of tangled feelings in him. But quickly, he shook off this tangled mood and shifted his gaze to Heavenly Monarch Chao standing nearby:

“What are your next steps, Master Chao?”

Heavenly Monarch Chao cast a glance toward Miaojue Temple, his eyes filled with intricate sentiments. From inside came the ongoing echoes of Buddhist chants, laced with a subtle tone of grief and gravity.

He gave a faint shake of his head and replied:

“After Tianyin reaches Nirvana, I intend to venture past the realms and start reconstructing the Canlong Realm. I might require your support at that point.”

Wang Ba showed a bit of surprise:

“So soon?”

The danger posed by the Supreme True Buddha remained unresolved, making the rebuilding of the Canlong Realm at this juncture appear somewhat rushed.

Heavenly Monarch Chao nodded while eyeing Miaojue Temple, apparently pondering Buddha Lord Tianyin’s fate, a trace of powerlessness in his gaze:

“Tianshang Buddha Lord possesses immense might; Tianyin’s protection is peerless, and True Man Gai’s Sword Dao stands unrivaled, yet despite all that, they still can’t overcome him. I’ve already abandoned any expectations… Instead, I’ll focus on restoring the Canlong Realm and honoring my duty. Everything else depends on destiny. You carry my heritage, and the Canlong Realm’s legacy lives on in you. Should the Canlong Realm’s tradition endure successfully, it would ease the spirits of the ancient sages from the Canlong Realm. If it fails… then so be it, as fate wills.”

Wang Ba grew quiet upon hearing this, then nodded and responded:

“Master Chao, just give your orders. If Taiyi can lend a hand, I’ll exert every effort to support you.”

True Man Gai, who had been quiet until now, suddenly interjected:

“Fellow Daoist Chao, our realms were once like siblings. In the effort to rebuild the Canlong Realm, the Cloud Sky Realm stands ready to offer aid. Whatever you require, simply say the word.”

Hearing this, Heavenly Monarch Chao didn’t hesitate and nodded:

“Truthfully, I could use some assistance. The basic setup for the Canlong Realm is feasible, but there’s a shortage of hands.”

Wang Ba’s mind moved as he remembered a certain world, and he proposed:

“I’ll organize for some young lads and maidens to enter this realm. They can help Master Chao spread the ultimate techniques of the Canlong Realm and help establish arrays to guard against those who might take advantage.”

Heavenly Monarch Chao’s face lit up with satisfaction upon this:

“That sounds perfect.”

True Man Gai also grinned at the idea and added:

“I’ll supply some high-quality elixirs to rapidly train a batch of followers for the Canlong Realm. Oh, and remember the thing you’re nurturing in our Cloud Sky Realm.”

Heavenly Monarch Chao chuckled and said:

“Forget it? Impossible. I still owe Fellow Daoist Gai my thanks for your careful attention.”

True Man Gai gave a mild smile, then clasped his hands and declared:

“You both stay put here. I’ll head back to the Cloud Sky Realm first to handle various preparations, mainly since Liaochan is about to advance and needs my watchful eye.”

Envy flickered across Heavenly Monarch Chao’s features at this, and he offered congratulations:

“Your Martial Nephew Bai’s advancement lets Fellow Daoist rise without concerns. My best wishes ahead of time.”

The Canlong Realm had vanished; even if renewed, its roots were gone. Meanwhile, the Cloud Sky Realm boasted successors—how could this not stir his feelings?

He glanced over at Wang Ba, a touch of sorrow stirring in his chest.

Were Wang Ba a wanderer without roots, he could wholly back him in carrying forward the Canlong Realm’s heritage. But Wang Ba’s background prevented him from fully embracing the Canlong Realm’s identity, leaving Heavenly Monarch Chao to only sigh inwardly.

Heavenly Monarch Chao then clasped his hands and said:

“Fellow Daoist Gai, proceed as you must. With nothing more for me here, I’ll linger a while longer to guard Tianyin…”

Wang Ba chimed in with his own well-wishes:

“Then here’s to hoping Taoist Brother Bai succeeds in his breakthrough.”

True Man Gai offered a faint smile:

“I’ll make sure to pass along your good thoughts.”

With those words, he turned into a streak of sword light and sped away into the heavens.

Heavenly Monarch Chao’s eyes fixed back on Miaojue Temple, his face betraying the weight pressing on his heart. He then turned to Wang Ba and inquired:

“Did you bring up the idea of unlocking Duanhai Cliff with them?”

Wang Ba affirmed with a nod:

“I held nothing back, but True Man Gai refused, and Buddha Lord Tianyin turned it down too.”

Heavenly Monarch Chao shook his head and remarked:

“Duanhai Cliff’s presence touches the destiny of the four major realms. True Man Gai always puts the Cloud Sky Realm’s benefits first, so why would he consent to your proposal? Tianyin could have been a chance, but I suspect she’s powerless too…”

After a quiet sigh, he shook his head again and continued:

“In the flow of worldly matters, what endures the erosion of ages? Certainly not in the Third Realm Sea. Regarding the Second Realm Sea, it might not turn out as hoped. Why else would the Second Realm Sea’s immortals come back to the Third Realm Sea to begin with?”

Wang Ba nodded in agreement at these words:

“People always dream about the mysteries ahead, but who can say if the realm we ascend to is really a haven? I share Master Chao’s perspective; the Second Realm Sea probably isn’t a sanctuary of calm.”

He inevitably thought back to his initial impressions when stepping into the Cultivation World.

Early on, in the East Saint Sect, he believed switching sects would launch him into the heights and grant boundless freedom, only to tumble into the Tianmen Cult.

During his time in the Tianmen Cult, he figured even going solo as a Rogue Cultivator beat slaving away there, yet as a Rogue Cultivator, troubles still hounded him, scraping by in constant peril.

Then, he imagined joining a mighty sect would allow peaceful practice, but even in the Wanxiang Sect, without the daily death threats, bigger disasters loomed, stability ever elusive.

At the time, he blamed his luck for the endless woes. Looking back, though, it was just the natural order. Living in this world means facing trials that some might dodge forever.