Longevity, starting from being a chicken raising servant Chapter 2300: 167: Hands Tied (2)

The eyes of the statue narrowed slightly, its focus shifting past Wang Ba to settle on a purple-robed young man who was slowly approaching from the rear. Although a flicker of seriousness appeared in its gaze, the statue’s voice remained perfectly composed:

“Sect Leader Bai, you were the first to violate the regulations… Furthermore, are these rules not established by our own hands?”

Wang Ba’s consciousness swept backward, and as expected, he spotted the purple-robed youth, Bai Lechan. The youth walked forward at a measured pace, passing Wang Ba with a frigid expression. Staring directly at the massive Buddha statue, he spoke in a quiet tone:

“Is that so? If that is the case, why haven’t you made a move yet?”

There was a brief pause from the Eastern Great Bodhisattva before his face regained its calm. He replied in a low rumble:

“The time is not yet ripe, so why the urgency?”

He then fixed his gaze on the purple-robed youth as if weighing his options. Gradually, the intensity on the statue's broad face began to fade, and he spoke softly:

“This round shall be considered your victory. However, the Buddha treasure and the divine beast enforcer must be returned to Wisdom Truth.”

Wang Ba’s face darkened at those words.

Before he could respond, the purple-robed youth let out a cold sneer:

“What do you mean by ‘counts as our victory’? In the art of magical combat, success depends on one's own Cultivation and skill. We have already triumphed, so what more is there to discuss? Since victory is ours, those Dao treasures and divine beasts are our rightful spoils of war. Why should we hand them back to you?”

“If you are dissatisfied, you are welcome to come to the Cloud Sky Realm and try to take them!”

His stance was unyielding and his voice held a firm resolve that brooked no hesitation.

Stunned by this sharp reprimand, the Eastern Great Bodhisattva found himself momentarily without a retort.

Wang Ba felt a surge of astonishment, but he quickly realized why the Cloud Sky Realm was able to draw so much support from surrounding cultivators despite the relentless assaults from the Supreme True Buddha.

Beyond the shared understanding of a common destiny, the character of Sect Leader Bai of the Cloud Sky Sect was clearly a major factor.

The Eastern Great Bodhisattva took a long, hard look at the purple-robed youth standing before Wang Ba. With his hands clasped behind his back, the youth possessed the aura of a divine being. The monk chanted softly:

“Supreme True Buddha… Sect Leader Bai, you are very confident. I only hope you do not feel regret on the day the Realm finally shatters.”

“There is no need for the monk to fret; every soul in the Cloud Sky Realm is prepared and waiting for that day,” the purple-robed youth replied indifferently.

The image of the statue began to dissolve and fade away.

The white surroundings vanished, and Wang Ba found himself standing once more in the Void of the Realm Sea, with the purple-robed youth positioned unexpectedly in front of him.

Across from them, the Red Bodhisattva seemed to have received a command. Though his face was twisted with reluctance and fury, he did not dare to stay. He quickly disappeared into the depths of the void.

Observing this, the purple-robed youth turned toward Wang Ba. A smile of appreciation touched his lips as he nodded:

“A job well done, Taoist Friend.”

Wang Ba did not celebrate, instead responding with gravity:

“My thanks, Taoist Brother Bai. That situation earlier was…”

The youth in purple let out a small chuckle upon hearing the question:

“That was simply one of the Eastern Great Monk’s secret techniques, designed to stealthily pull one’s mind and spirit into his Buddha Kingdom. Your Primordial Spirit seems powerful, yet it lacks a bit of tempered resolve, which is why you were ensnared.”

Wang Ba remained silent for a moment, feeling a new sense of realization and caution.

Thanks to his specific Dharma Lineage, his Primordial Spirit was indeed exceptionally solid, far outstripping his peers and even rivaling those at the middle-stage of Crossing Tribulation. It was not lacking in strength.

However, it was ultimately a matter of quality over quantity; as an early-stage Crossing Tribulation cultivator, he could hold his own in standard magical combat, but his weaknesses were instantly laid bare when facing a powerhouse like the Eastern Great Bodhisattva.

“There are two rounds remaining. Can you still manage them, Taoist Friend?” the purple-robed youth inquired with a look of concern.

Wang Ba examined the condition of his Primordial Spirit and answered:

“We shall see.”

It was the same reply he had given before fighting the Red Bodhisattva. This time, however, the purple-robed youth was no longer anxious. He couldn't help but clap his hands and laugh:

“Excellent! Excellent! I shall await your good news then, Taoist Friend!”

After saying this, he stepped back. He did not return to the Realm but chose to remain outside to watch the proceedings.

It was clear that even after repelling the Eastern Great Bodhisattva, he did not feel comfortable leaving Wang Ba alone. He stayed as a deterrent, preventing the Eastern Great Bodhisattva from disregarding his status to launch a personal ambush.

Such a thing was possible; after all, even he had felt the urge to eliminate the Wisdom Truth Bodhisattva to prevent future trouble. In the eyes of the enemy, the potential threat of the Taiyi Taoist was even greater than that of Wisdom Truth. Whether the Eastern Great Bodhisattva would strike depended entirely on his whim.

Standing solitary in the Void of the Realm Sea, Wang Ba faced the ranks of Bodhisattvas and Arhats from the Supreme True Buddha sect. Without a hint of fear, he recalled his various Dao treasures and divine beasts. He deactivated his Divine Skills, returning to the appearance of an ordinary Taoist, and said calmly:

“Next.”

His voice was not loud and carried a trace of fatigue, lacking any overwhelming pressure. Yet, this time, the side of the Supreme True Buddha fell into a heavy silence.

Even Wisdom Truth, the top-ranked of the ten Bodhisattvas and the pinnacle of the Bodhisattva Realm, had been defeated. Consequently, the remaining Bodhisattvas felt their confidence waver.

They traded hesitant glances with one another.

The sheer presence of one man had caused an entire host of Buddhas to hesitate.

After a long silence, a Bodhisattva finally flew forward with some hesitation.

Ranked third in the Bodhisattva Realm, he had come forward thinking that Wang Ba, having fought three Bodhisattvas—including a grueling match against Wisdom Truth—must be exhausted. He hoped to exploit this weakness.

However, the ensuing magical combat was lackluster. Perhaps due to over-caution, every technique was held back, lacking the intensity of the fight with Wisdom Truth.

Wang Ba repelled him with ease. Fearing that Wang Ba might plunder his Dao treasures, the Bodhisattva surrendered immediately and retreated.

Following that, no one else volunteered to step out. Eventually, the Eastern Great Bodhisattva was forced to personally command a Bodhisattva to enter the fray.

The result was predictable. Likely terrified that his own Buddha treasure would be seized, the designated Bodhisattva launched a brief, half-hearted attack and then surrendered instantly, giving Wang Ba no opportunity to strike back.