Longevity, starting from being a chicken raising servant Chapter 2467: 225: Conceptions

The Canlong Realm.

Atop the Sky Dome in the Canlong Realm, Heavenly Monarch Chao kept thrusting his palm forward like drawing out silk threads, grasping toward the nothingness and interlacing with the empty space around. At times, his brows knitted slightly, at others he looked contemplative, and occasionally a trace of delight crossed his features.

Right then, Wang Ba's form materialized quietly next to him, and he spoke with respect:

“Master Chao, I have returned.”

Heavenly Monarch Chao displayed no astonishment at Wang Ba's arrival. He went over their established guidelines and drew back his hand, a grin forming as he gestured toward the terrain beneath:

“The folks dispatched from Zhang’s Ruins have made it here. These individuals bring a vibrant energy to the Canlong Realm. Next, I'll hunt for appropriate Domains to relocate here, helping the Canlong Realm advance to a Great Realm, but you'll need to keep a close watch over things in the meantime.”

Wang Ba readily assented to these words, then let Tie Zhu out.

When the Eight-tailed Heavenly Fox came into view, Heavenly Monarch Chao first froze in shock, then burst out in astonishment:

“How did you manage to catch it?”

Wang Ba felt a bit taken aback:

“Master Chao knows about it?”

Heavenly Monarch Chao affirmed with a nod:

“Of course I know. You discovered it in the Soul Falling.”

Wang Ba nodded in response, then inquired:

“Since Master was aware, why didn't you seize it yourself?”

A smile played on Heavenly Monarch Chao's lips as he replied:

“Divine beast clans beyond Domains are scarce in the Realm Sea. I intentionally spared them earlier, not acting on it, in hopes that one day our Canlong Realm's disciples exploring outward could benefit from the spot.”

“Ah, so that's why.”

Wang Ba came to a sudden understanding, having been confused before about why the Soul Falling lay so close to the four Great Realms of Duanhai Cliff, and why Heavenly Monarch Chao, as a Mahayana Cultivator, hadn't spotted it. Now it clicked—the master had been aware all along, simply preserving a chance for future disciples.

An awkward look crept over his face:

“So, did I mess up Master Chao's plans?”

Yet Heavenly Monarch Chao dismissed it with a wave and a chuckle:

“The old Canlong Realm is no more; that opportunity serves no purpose now. Plus, your success in taming this creature highlights your prowess. It's wiser to make use of it at present, since timings vary. Furthermore, the Eight-tailed Heavenly Fox carries a complicated background. It originates from the Heavenly Demon Cave in Jicang Abyss. Taking it in without caution might bring issues from the Heavenly Demon Cave due to its awareness.”

“Heavenly Demon Cave?”

Wang Ba had only recently heard the term from the Eight-tailed Heavenly Fox itself, sparking his curiosity:

“Master Chao, what is the Heavenly Demon Cave precisely?”

Heavenly Monarch Chao began to elucidate:

“Recall how I told you before about a Domain founded by divine beasts close to Jicang Abyss?”

“That Domain is the Heavenly Demon Cave, among the rare few Domains centered on divine beasts in the Realm Sea. If it were in our area, the Heavenly Demon Cave wouldn't thrive. However, its location in Jicang Abyss—with its altered rules—means cultivators lack dominance there, letting these divine beasts hold sway and command, using the changes to shift into human forms, calling themselves ‘Yao’, which gives rise to ‘Heavenly Demon Cave Yao’. They bear enmity toward cultivators like us, and learning one of theirs was captured by our side might prompt inquiries. It's said the Heavenly Demon Cave even shelters Mahayana cultivators.”

“Naturally, it pales beside the danger from Supreme True Buddha's faction. When burdens are overwhelming, smaller worries fade.”

With those words, Heavenly Monarch Chao let out a booming laugh, seeming utterly relaxed and audacious.

Wang Ba found himself nodding in agreement.

He wasn't particularly fearful of the Heavenly Demon Cave, mainly due to its distance, and also because it seemed trivial next to the peril posed by Tianshang Buddha Lord.

All the same, as these thoughts swirled, new notions sparked in his mind, leading him to gaze pensively at Tie Zhu at his feet.

Under Wang Ba's intense stare, Tie Zhu shivered inexplicably, a spine-tingling unease washing over him as he forced a sycophantic grin.

After some reflection, Wang Ba turned to Heavenly Monarch Chao:

“What if we tossed the Eight-tailed Heavenly Fox to Tianshang Buddha Lord for them to slaughter brutally—would that spark a clash between the Heavenly Demon Cave and Supreme True Buddha?”

Tie Zhu's fur bristled at these words!

His enchanting eyes bulged wide with fright, fixed on Wang Ba.

Heavenly Monarch Chao, catching the suggestion, perked up with curiosity, pondered briefly, then denied it with a shake of his head:

“Unlikely. In the Realm Sea, the Supreme True Buddha stands as the mightiest power I'm aware of. The Heavenly Demon Cave holds strength, yet it's confined to the vicinity of Jicang Abyss. It probably won't challenge such a colossal force merely for a single Eight-tailed Heavenly Fox… Though, if we posed a real threat to defeating Tianshang Buddha Lord, they could step in.”

As Wang Ba and Heavenly Monarch Chao casually debated his fate right before him, Tie Zhu quaked, blurting out in human speech:

“Heavenly Monarch! Immortal! I… I'm merely an ordinary divine beast in the Heavenly Demon Cave. Even if I perished there, no Yao would bother…”

Witnessing Tie Zhu's sheer panic, Wang Ba and Heavenly Monarch Chao shared amused glances.

Heavenly Monarch Chao cleared his throat lightly, then spoke gravely:

“Using this beast as a base, the Ten Thousand Beasts Unbridled Technique could truly offer a path to nurturing a Ninth-Tier divine beast.”

This prospect excited him; he examined the quivering Tie Zhu, eyes sparkling. Afterward, he addressed Wang Ba:

“I had intentions once to nab this Black Fox and devised a few bloodline merging plans for it. Let me pass them on to you… You've already practiced the Five Spirits, haven't you?”