Longevity, starting from being a chicken raising servant Chapter 2302 - 168: Wanxiang Ancestor

The Cloud Sky Realm is a vast expanse where Spiritual Energy flows like liquid, so dense it drifts above the Sky Dome like visible clouds, mimicking the scenery of the Immortal Realm.

Seven continents sit within this realm, each bordered by immense oceans.

In the southeastern region of the "Huanyu Continent," numerous sects have established their power.

Standing at the peak are the Three Sects.

These are the "Wanxiang Sect," the "Longevity Sect," and the "Youxian Temple."

The Three Sects are situated close together in a defensive alliance; their disciples treat one another as kin, and though they are three distinct entities, they function as a single unit.

With three Tribulation-Transcending Realm experts among them, their collective power is formidable enough to deter any nearby threats.

However, the foundation of the Three Sects was shattered during the last great calamity from beyond the realm. They suffered devastating losses, and one of the three leaders, Wanxiang Ancestor Zhong Yuanzi, was so gravely wounded that he has remained in secluded cultivation ever since.

On this particular day, the doors of a long-sealed immortal cave at the Wanxiang Sect slowly creaked open. A shriveled, sickly old man emerged, looking extremely frail. He stared up at the sky, his ears catching the faint sounds of celebration echoing from the Taoist Field within the Realm Membrane. With a look of confusion in his eyes, he gestured for the young servant guarding the entrance to come closer and asked:

"Child, what joyous event is taking place outside?"

The boy looked up, bewildered. Because his cultivation base was too low, he was unable to hear the "joyous event" the old man spoke of. He quickly replied:

"I’ll go fetch the Sect Master!"

The withered old man gave a soft nod.

The boy dashed away immediately, his voice echoing through the grounds: "Ancestor has awakened! Ancestor has awakened!"

Watching the boy's clumsy exit, the withered old man couldn't help but crack a small smile.

It wasn't long before a middle-aged cultivator arrived in a hurry. Seeing the old man, his face lit up with excitement:

"Patriarch, have you recovered?"

The old man smiled bitterly, looked down at his own emaciated frame, and shook his head slightly:

"With such severe injuries, how could I possibly recover? I can only hold out for a few more days to support you all. Once this disaster passes, I will travel to the Cloud Sky Sect to trade for a chance at rebirth and a quota for enlightenment..."

The middle-aged cultivator's joy vanished instantly upon hearing those words, though he forced himself to maintain a smile:

"It is enough that the Patriarch has emerged; we finally have a pillar to lean on."

The old man nodded and pointed toward the heavens:

"Is there some sort of celebration happening up there?"

The middle-aged man looked toward the sky, realizing the Patriarch was referring to the Cloud Sky Sect’s Taoist Field inside the Realm Membrane. He frowned and explained:

"I’ve heard that a powerful figure named 'Taiyi' has arrived at the Cloud Sky Sect’s Taoist Field to help. He won five consecutive matches, even defeating the person considered the strongest in the Bodhisattva Realm from the Supreme True Buddha’s faction. Because he overcame the challenge from the Supreme True Buddha, they are holding a victory banquet. We were invited, but Ancestral Master Qin is currently traveling outside the realm, and Grandmaster Qitian declined the invitation to focus on his cultivation. Since you were still recovering, Patriarch, we didn't attend either."

"A challenge?"

The old man looked puzzled.

The middle-aged cultivator realized the Patriarch had been in seclusion for so long that he was unaware of current affairs, so he provided a quick summary of recent events.

"So, the Evil Monks from the Supreme True Buddha have returned..."

A sickly flush appeared on the old man's pale, waxy face. As he remembered the era when the realm was torn apart, his eyes burned with resentment before he let out a long sigh.

Had it not been for those Evil Monks from the Supreme True Buddha, he might have successfully reached the middle-stage of Crossing Tribulation. Instead, that man-made disaster caused his breakthrough to fail at the last moment, damaging his foundation and leaving him with little time left to live.

Now, he could do nothing but hide within the sect and wait for his life to end.

Sensing the heavy mood, the old man changed the subject and sighed:

"This Taiyi Taoist, winning five battles in a row... what a talent! I wonder where he comes from; surely he must be from a Great Realm..."

The middle-aged cultivator answered:

"Word is he might be from a neighboring Domain. He supposedly came specifically to help after hearing the Supreme True Buddha was attacking us. Many Crossing Tribulation experts are praising his mastery of Dao Law; some even call him the top person below the late-stage of Crossing Tribulation in the entire Realm Sea. He is considered a genius rarely seen in ten thousand years."

As he spoke, the middle-aged man couldn't hide his admiration:

"He is treated as a prestigious guest at the Cloud Sky Sect. I’ve heard that after his five victories, even Sect Leader Bai left the realm personally to greet him with great respect."

"Absolute nonsense," the withered old man chuckled, scolding him gently.

"Given Sect Leader Bai’s status and realm—he is on the verge of ascending to Mahayana—even a late-stage cultivator would show him total respect, let alone someone who is merely the best 'below' that stage."

He paused, his eyes filled with emotion: "However, such a person would indeed deserve Sect Leader Bai’s hospitality."

A mixture of longing and regret welled up in his heart.

He had once dreamed of becoming a guest of the Cloud Sky Sect like "Taiyi Taoist," sharing drinks and conversation with the Sect Leader. He had hoped to ascend to the heavens and leave a legendary tale behind in the Cloud Sky Realm.

But those dreams had withered away with his injuries, buried in the dust of time.

Shaking his head, he offered a piece of advice: "The way you’ve handled things isn't quite right."

"Your Patriarch is exceptionally talented but naturally distant, so it's expected that he avoids people, much like the disciples of Youxian Temple. And while Grandmaster Qitian doesn't socialize much, he is at least dedicated to his path. But you are the Sect Master of the Wanxiang Sect. When the Cloud Sky Sect sends an invitation, you should go and network with your peers. If you could meet Taiyi Taoist and ask for guidance, it would be a great benefit. It might help you understand the laws faster and reach the Tribulation-Transcending Realm. Remember, the path of learning requires passion; how can you achieve anything if you remain isolated every day?"