Longevity, starting from being a chicken raising servant Chapter 2311 - 171: Testing (Bonus - 1)

"Should esteemed fellow Daoists achieve even greater advancements this time, it would all be due to the benevolence of Taoist Brother Taiyi. In the days ahead, should you require any aid, simply summon us, and we'll rush to your side without delay..."

"No need for such praise; I merely followed an intuition and offered a modest effort..."

The banquet on the main peak had wrapped up, but numerous cultivators continued to cluster around Wang Ba, voicing their thanks profusely. Their auras brimmed with power, inspiring reverence in the onlookers. Yet, that enigmatic and superior air of theirs had softened considerably, replaced by friendly grins that made them seem like everyday cultivators.

The Qitian Patriarch, along with Hui Yunzi and their companions, arrived just in time to observe this unfolding scene.

With his elevated state of mind, the Qitian Patriarch experienced a touch of sentiment but stayed outwardly serene. Hui Yunzi, still processing the astonishing truth that Wang Ba was the 'True Man Taiyi' and the display unfolding before him, showed little outward reaction.

Only the middle-aged cultivator, who served as the Sect Master of Wanxiang Sect and traveled with them, fixed his eyes on Wang Ba amid the throng. A wholly distinct sensation stirred in his chest, as if he were lost in a vivid dream.

"True Man Taiyi... Could he really hail from the lower realms—no, from the Wanxiang Sect in the Little Cang World?"

As he reflected on the information Hui Yunzi had imparted, he found it hard to wrap his mind around.

A whirlwind of astonishment, wild delight, and unease bubbled up within him.

His heart churned with a torrent of feelings, to the point that spotting the green-robed figure in the midst of the group left him too hesitant to draw near; instead, a growing sense of discomfort and worry gripped him.

It took some time before the gathering began to thin out.

Before long, Wang Ba strolled casually alongside the Cloud Sky Sect Master, engaging in light conversation.

The approach of the youth in purple robes sparked a flicker of unease in the Qitian Patriarch's mind, evoking a subtle sense of foreboding he couldn't quite voice.

True enough, as they drew closer, Wang Ba turned to the purple-robed youth with a grin and made the introductions:

"This is the Patriarch from the sect where I began my path, called Qitian, and this is my grandmaster..."

"Hui Yunzi."

Even though Hui Yunzi typically kept a detached air, he wasted no time in stating his name.

The Qitian Patriarch promptly lifted his hand in a gesture of respect toward the purple-robed youth:

"I am Qitian; greetings to Sect Leader Bai."

In the presence of this purple-robed youth, he couldn't shake off an unusual twinge of nervousness.

A brief glint of astonishment crossed the eyes of the purple-robed youth, but his expression betrayed no arrogance. Instead, he offered a genial smile, his striking features radiating warmth as he responded courteously:

"Haha, greetings to Taoist Friend Qitian."

The Qitian Patriarch felt profoundly gratified and quickly reciprocated the gesture.

The purple-robed youth, ever poised and unruffled, turned with a gentle smile and inclined his head toward Hui Yunzi:

"Greetings, Taoist Friend Hui."

He uttered nothing further, yet this simple address touched Hui Yunzi, who hastened to return the bow.

Even without considering that this individual was the Sect Master of the Cloud Sky Sect—a figure under True Man Gai's wing, nearly a sovereign of realms with immense prestige—a mere look from him would have been a grand honor. But now, by addressing him as a Taoist Friend and showing such deference, the respect bestowed was immense.

His eyes then drifted subtly to the middle-aged man beside Hui Yunzi before settling on Wang Ba, where he inquired with a smile:

"And this is...?"

The middle-aged man's face strove for composure, though inside, a storm of thrill and anxiety raged; still, he refrained from speaking out of turn past Wang Ba.

Wang Ba's attention shifted to the middle-aged man, a momentary flicker of uncertainty crossing his features as he mentally scanned the portraits of the sect's past Patriarchs for any match, only to draw a blank.

In the end, Hui Yunzi leaned in and murmured softly:

"This is the Sect Master of the Wanxiang Sect."

"Ah—right, the Sect Master of the Wanxiang Sect."

Wang Ba's countenance instantly bloomed into a radiant, welcoming smile.

The middle-aged cultivator spoke up at once:

"Junior Lan He."

Upon hearing this, the purple-robed youth pondered briefly but grasped the implication. Evidently, despite Wang Ba's origins in this sect, his connections there were rather tenuous.

Without hesitation, he offered a faint smile and a nod to the middle-aged cultivator:

"Your sect brims with promising talents; you're managing it admirably as Sect Master."

Praised by the purple-robed youth, the middle-aged cultivator knew the compliment stemmed from deference to Wang Ba, yet elation flooded him all the same. He yearned to reply but managed only a flustered acknowledgment.

Having grown up in that world, his admiration for the Cloud Sky Sect Master ran deep; once an unreachable icon, to now share words with him felt utterly dreamlike.

The purple-robed youth then directed his gaze to Wang Ba, letting out a soft chuckle:

"Taoist Friend Taiyi, feel free to converse with your sect companions; I'll head over there and await you."

"My thanks, Taoist Brother."

Wang Ba responded with his own smile.

With that, the purple-robed youth gave a warm nod to the Qitian Patriarch before stepping a brief distance away.

A pang of mild regret touched the Qitian Patriarch; encounters with such figures were truly rare.

For the others, though, a wave of relief washed over them, as if an enormous burden had been shrugged off their shoulders.

Despite the Cloud Sky Sect Master's affable grin, his commanding aura pressed down oppressively, turning every exchange and jest into a source of tension and caution.

With him now withdrawn to the side, the group experienced a marked easing of their strain.

Wang Ba proceeded to offer a formal bow to the Qitian Patriarch:

"Wang Ba pays respects to Qitian Patriarch."

The Qitian Patriarch quickly moved aside, a sincere smile—uncommon for him—lighting his face as he spoke with genuine warmth:

"I've provided you no assistance and cannot accept such elaborate rites. Moreover, you've long outstripped me in cultivation, so even if my seniority came first, it shouldn't bar us from treating each other as peers."

Wang Ba hastened to downplay his own status.

Next, he turned to honor Hui Yunzi with a bow.

Hui Yunzi dodged it just as swiftly; if the Qitian Patriarch wouldn't accept such deference, how could he?