Longevity, starting from being a chicken raising servant Chapter 2303 - 168: Wanxiang Ancestor

A sense of shame washed over the middle-aged cultivator as he heard those words:

"My natural talent is lacking; I fear there is no hope for me to succeed in Crossing Tribulation."

The gaunt elder let out a soft sigh upon hearing this response:

"It is not a lack of intelligence that hinders you, but rather the limits of your mental strength. You have been buried in trivial matters and forced to maintain the Sect single-handedly while I recovered from my grave wounds. These burdens clouded your mind and stalled your Cultivation... the fault lies with me as well."

"The Patriarch has never been at fault," the middle-aged cultivator replied instantly.

Just then, a disturbance erupted in the distance, followed by the startled cry of a child:

"The Ancestor has not called for you! You are forbidden from entering!"

"Move aside," a cold, blunt voice commanded in response.

"Absolutely not! I will not move!" the child shouted back defiantly.

The gaunt elder’s brow furrowed. Turning his gaze toward the middle-aged cultivator, he asked with a look of confusion:

"What is the meaning of this?"

The middle-aged cultivator’s expression turned helpless the moment he recognized that voice:

"Patriarch, it is a disciple who ascended from the Wanxiang Sect in the lower realm several years ago. He has been seeking our assistance since his tribulation."

"He has approached us numerous times, describing the perils faced by the lower realms in hopes that we would launch a rescue mission. I have informed him repeatedly that your injuries are severe and that with the great tribulation looming over us, we lack the resources to help. Nevertheless, he persists in pestering us and has even rallied other elders who ascended from below. He must have caught wind of your return and hurried here."

Upon hearing this, the gaunt elder’s thick eyebrows knit together, and his tone became unusually sharp:

"It is not the lower realm; it is the Little Cang World!"

"That place is the very foundation of our Wanxiang Sect!"

Realizing his slip of the tongue, the middle-aged cultivator nodded quickly in submission.

Seeing this, the gaunt elder’s face relaxed slightly as he spoke with great earnestness:

"Whether it be the Little Cang World or the Cloud Sky Realm, regardless of their beginnings, every member belongs to our Wanxiang Sect. Only through unity can we conquer the obstacles before us!"

"I imparted this wisdom to your master, and I have said it to you as well. Now, I shall repeat it once more: as the Master of a Sect, you must never harbor prejudices regarding upper and lower realms!"

His voice grew increasingly stern as he lectured.

Though the middle-aged cultivator might not have been entirely convinced in his heart, he did not dare challenge the gaunt elder’s authority and simply nodded his head repeatedly.

The gaunt elder’s tone turned somber as he gave a command:

"Go and bring that disciple to me."

The middle-aged cultivator hesitated, appearing somewhat unsure:

"But..."

"The situation regarding the Wanxiang Sect in the Little Cang World is my responsibility."

A touch of melancholy appeared on the gaunt elder’s face as he spoke solemnly:

"My power was insufficient. Before the Supreme True Buddha shattered the realm, I dispatched Jiang Yi. Had things proceeded as planned, the Wanxiang Sect from the Little Cang World would have arrived here by now. Since they have not appeared, it seems they have met with failure for some reason..."

"I offered them a glimmer of hope, yet I failed to save them in the end. If I were to hide from this now, would it not invite even greater contempt upon us?"

"Patriarch, it was only because your injuries were so..." the middle-aged cultivator began to protest.

"Say no more," the gaunt elder interrupted him firmly.

In truth, he had dedicated much effort to the Wanxiang Sect of the Little Cang World. He had specifically secured the reincarnation technique from the Cloud Sky Sect and sent disciples to act as guides. He had even prepared himself to cross the Realm Sea personally to lead the rescue if the path proved too treacherous.

Even though he had never traveled there and knew little of the Realm Sea—and despite his own master's disapproval of the plan—he believed that the immense Lifespan and formidable powers of a Rob Cultivator gave him a fighting chance of locating the Little Cang World.

However, the rise of the Supreme True Buddha’s forces had completely derailed his intentions.

Not only had the Wanxiang Sect been severely diminished, but his own heavy injuries had rendered everything else impossible.

A wave of sorrow hit him as these thoughts crossed his mind.

Observing this, the middle-aged cultivator quickly withdrew.

A short while later, he returned with a Taoist who wore a jade hairpin in his white hair. Dressed in a pristine, moon-white Daoist robe, the newcomer’s appearance was perfectly composed.

The Taoist Qingjue’s stoic face softened with a flicker of joy upon seeing the gaunt elder, but this was quickly replaced by worry as he sensed the elder's fading aura:

"Chongyuan Patriarch, how could your condition have..."

He trailed off, seemingly at a loss for words to describe the elder’s state.

The middle-aged cultivator spoke up with a serious tone:

"I have explained this to you many times. It is not a lack of will to save them, but the Patriarch is still burdened by grave wounds. Our hands are tied, as you should well understand..."

"That is enough."

The gaunt elder waved his hand, signaling the middle-aged cultivator to depart. The cultivator obeyed without question. The elder then turned his attention to the Taoist, studying him with a look of approval:

"To achieve ascension at a time when the Chaos Origin Substance of the Little Cang World is so depleted proves you possess a resolute Dao-heart and remarkable talent. Tell me, what is your name?"

Taoist Qingjue did not dare be disrespectful and quickly performed a formal salute:

"I have cast aside my worldly name, keeping only the title bestowed by my master: 'Hui Yunzi.'"

"Hui Yunzi..."

The gaunt elder repeated the name warmly, adding:

"'Hui' for concentration, and 'Yunzi' for containment—a graceful presence that hides brilliance within and remains focused on its goal. Your teacher clearly held you in high esteem. You belong to the Lianqing Peak lineage, do you not?"

"Yes, your perception is truly sharp, Patriarch."

Hui Yunzi, who was usually distant and cold toward others, could not fully suppress his internal emotions in the presence of this elder.

After many years of being ascended, he was finally standing before the legendary Patriarch of the Wanxiang Sect, Zhong Yuanzi.

The Patriarch’s name was held in the highest regard by all disciples of the Wanxiang Sect, and even he was not immune to such reverence.

"Lianqing Peak seeks the ultimate emotion through the path of detachment. It is no wonder you have been so persistent in seeking the Sect Master all these years."

Zhong Yuanzi nodded slightly, his words exposing the hidden truths of the Lianqing Peak cultivation techniques.