Longevity, starting from being a chicken raising servant Chapter 2270 - 158: Encirclement

"With so many Boundary Sea Vortices present, which path actually connects to the Cloud Sky Realm?"

Stepping forward from the rear of the group, True Man Nie, the sole female Cultivator among them, moved with grace. She scrutinized the dozens of Boundary Sea Vortices swirling in the void, her eyebrows knitting together in thought.

Stony debris occasionally surged out from the depths of these whirlpools, evidently discarded by the Boundary Sea Vortex after being hauled from a distant location.

True Man Ba also frowned as his eyes scanned the chaotic vortices. In a heavy tone, he remarked:

"Wait here for a moment while I conduct a closer inspection."

The Boundary Sea Vortices were flickering in and out of existence, shifting constantly. Even though he had traversed this path before, he needed to verify the signs carefully to ensure they found the correct route.

After speaking, he drifted toward the anomalies.

Suddenly, Wang Ba chimed in:

"Taoist Brother Ba, I shall go with you."

Though momentarily surprised by the offer, True Man Ba did not decline. He gave a nod and cautioned:

"Taoist Friend, stay alert. Avoid falling into these Boundary Sea Vortices haphazardly, as they could cast you into a realm of great peril."

Wang Ba gave a slight nod in acknowledgement.

The two men advanced, beginning a systematic observation of each opening.

Since this was Wang Ba’s first encounter with such a high concentration of Boundary Sea Vortices, he studied them with intense focus.

Recalling the various configurations of Boundary Sea Vortices described by Taoist Man, he rapidly integrated that knowledge into his own perception. He searched for a pattern that matched the Boundary Sea Vortex he had seen near the Demon Capturing Path in the Chaotic Sea.

However, after a thorough search, Wang Ba felt a pang of disappointment.

None of the dozens of Boundary Sea Vortices before him bore any resemblance to that specific one.

"It appears I must manually calculate and adjust the path... though such a task will likely be time-consuming."

Wang Ba’s vision swept across the swirling gates once more, etching their entry patterns into his mind as he attempted to mentally deduce the necessary adjustments.

At that moment, the joyful voice of True Man Ba broke his concentration:

"I’ve found it! This is definitely the one!"

Turning toward the sound, Wang Ba saw True Man Ba hovering above an unremarkable Boundary Sea Vortex. He was performing rapid calculations with his fingers, a look of satisfaction on his face.

True Man Nie and the other dozen early-stage Crossing Tribulation cultivators hurried over at the news, staring down at the chosen vortex. True Man Nie still harbored some doubt:

"Taoist Friend Ba, are you certain this is the correct path?"

Despite the questioning, True Man Ba—who always maintained a polite demeanor toward fellow cultivators of his rank—smiled and replied:

"While the environment has shifted slightly, I have traveled this way before. Out of all these Boundary Sea Vortices, only this one aligns with the characteristics of the one outside the Cloud Sky Realm. I cannot say it is a certainty, but there is at least an eighty-eight percent probability!"

"With some minor adjustments later, we should be able to make the crossing."

Observing True Man Ba’s confidence, True Man Nie ceased her questioning and nodded:

"Shall we proceed then?"

True Man Ba was about to agree when a thought struck him. He turned to Wang Ba, his eyes filled with a questioning look:

"Taoist Friend Taiyi, what is your opinion?"

Wang Ba reflected for a moment before posing a question of his own:

"Do you know the distance between the exit of the Boundary Sea Vortex and the Cloud Sky Realm?"

True Man Ba had only asked out of courtesy, but noticing Wang Ba’s serious expression, he paused. Straightening his posture, he considered the question:

"It isn't exactly next door, but at our current speed, it would take fifteen minutes at most... Is something weighing on your mind, Taoist Friend?"

Wang Ba nodded slowly:

"The Supreme True Buddha has the Cloud Sky Realm under siege. Even if this Boundary Sea Vortex seems hidden, it won't escape the notice of those with hidden agendas. I am worried that the other side of this vortex might be under the watch of the Supreme True Buddha’s forces."

At those words, a cold shiver ran through the surrounding cultivators.

Even the expressions of True Man Ba and True Man Nie shifted uncomfortably.

True Man Ba hesitated before saying:

"That... seems unlikely. That Boundary Sea Vortex is quite close to the Cloud Sky Realm. If even that location were occupied by the Supreme True Buddha’s men, then the state of the Cloud Sky Realm would be far more dire than we anticipated. It shouldn't be that bad; besides, no such reports have reached us."

Wang Ba frowned but remained quiet.

In this Soul Falling region, the natural laws were in shambles, preventing outside news from entering. They could not afford to be complacent just because they lacked information.

True Man Nie spoke up again:

"Taoist Friend Ba makes a fair point. Since it is only a fifteen-minute journey from the vortex exit to the Cloud Sky Realm, even if we run into trouble, the Divine Sense of True Man Gai, Heavenly Monarch Chao, and Demon Lord Xiahou—those three Mahayana Cultivators—can reach us in an instant. There is no need for excessive alarm."

Only then did the tension in Wang Ba’s brow fade slightly as he nodded:

"In that case, perhaps I have been too paranoid."

True Man Nie shook her head gently:

"I didn't mean it that way. After all, being cautious is never a flaw."

She turned her gaze back to True Man Ba:

"What is your take, Taoist Friend Ba?"

True Man Ba nodded in agreement:

"The concerns of Taoist Friend Taiyi are valid. Prudence is a virtue, and if reality differs from our hopes, having extra preparations will only help us."

The other cultivators nodded along.

To have survived long enough to reach their current level, most of them were naturally wary, regardless of their personalities. Even without Wang Ba’s warning, many had already begun taking precautions. Some immediately proposed moving out in a coordinated formation.

This time, True Man Ba didn't offer any sharp rebukes. Since their lives were at stake, no one intended to be reckless.

Promptly, the cultivator who suggested the formation produced the required array flags and began setting them up. For those at the early-stage Crossing Tribulation realm, such a task was relatively simple.

After a brief rehearsal, each person held an array flag, creating an unnamed formation that hovered above the Boundary Sea Vortex.

True Man Ba looked at the group, his face turning solemn as he spoke:

"Everyone, once we enter this Boundary Sea Vortex, there is no turning back. If anyone is feeling hesitant, now is your final chance to step away."