Longevity, starting from being a chicken raising servant Chapter 2314: 172: Another Duel

A piercing whistle resounded across the entire Taoist Field.

Cultivators dashed to their assigned positions in a swift yet disciplined manner.

Wang Ba and Hui Yunzi trailed after the purple-robed youth toward the water curtain overseeing the Cloud Sky Realm's borders, their faces etched with surprise:

“They’ve returned so quickly?”

The youth in the purple robe gave a grave nod:

“The Supreme True Buddha’s challenge timings fluctuate, yet the gaps between them are undoubtedly shrinking…”

At these words, Wang Ba’s face grew tense as well.

These narrowing gaps signaled an unmistakable truth.

The monks of the Supreme True Buddha were likely running out of tolerance bit by bit.

Before their conversation ended, they arrived at the water curtain, where numerous other cultivators had already gathered besides them.

Glancing over the shifting scenes on the water curtain, they spotted the monks under the Eastern Great Bodhisattva’s command emerging anew in the Outer Realm Void.

One Bodhisattva perched on a Lotus Platform, soaring from a distance. From their vantage, the cultivators observed him halting in the emptiness close to the realm, his voice booming out:

“By the decree of the Great Bodhisattva…”

Before long, everyone in the Taoist Field furrowed their brows.

“Now the challenge guidelines have shifted once more, assembling groups of ten for formation clashes, with the winner determined by three out of five bouts…”

A trace of darkness crossed the purple-robed youth’s features as he murmured to Wang Ba:

“These new rules appear tailored to counter you specifically, my friend.”

Wang Ba stayed silent.

The guidelines clearly aimed at him, an expert in spell-based fighting.

Regardless of a single person’s prowess, getting ensnared in a ten-member formation without synergy would leave them hampered by allies and unable to exploit their full potential.

Furthermore, Cloud Sky Realm boasts far fewer Crossing Tribulation cultivators compared to the Supreme True Buddha. Five rounds demand fifty such experts. Should the foes deploy ten Bodhisattvas per formation, that equals fifty Bodhisattvas, whereas Cloud Sky Realm struggles to assemble even half the needed mid-stage Crossing Tribulation forces.

This implies that prior to the duel’s onset, defeat already looms inevitable.

Not just Wang Ba, but the purple-robed youth and fellow cultivators grasped this harsh reality too.

“I possess a blueprint for a ten-person formation with potent effects—let’s all rush to rehearse it, and we might salvage a shot.”

An early-stage Crossing Tribulation cultivator versed in formations declared.

At this suggestion, the cultivators exchanged glances, though excitement remained muted.

Within formation arts restricted to ten participants, even varying formation strengths yield only modest differences. Under these conditions, the personal power and teamwork of the formation’s members gain paramount importance, especially their ability to merge forces into a unified whole.

“That formation could be solid, yet we hail from diverse domains with differing cultivation paths, mixing acquaintances and strangers. Fully relying on others for one’s protection proves challenging, unlike the Supreme True Buddha’s followers who know each other intimately. Ignoring power disparities, coordination issues alone spell trouble.”

A mid-stage Crossing Tribulation cultivator shook his head with a sigh.

Many agreed with reluctant nods.

Still, certain individuals promptly proposed a fix:

“I know a ‘Heart Manipulation Puppet Technique’ that etches a unique talisman onto the cultivator’s Primordial Spirit. Whoever holds the ‘master talisman’ can command with a mere intention, eliminating concerns over poor teamwork.”

While it fails to address the chaos of mismatched systems and poor synergy, pairing it with a formation base at least guarantees smoother collaboration, cutting down on blunders.

This idea sparked a glimmer of hope in everyone’s eyes.

But it sparked a fresh dilemma: who would wield the ‘master talisman’ and lead the ‘master formation’.

The purple-robed youth interjected abruptly:

“Whoever commands the master talisman requires supreme prowess in magical combat and a robust Primordial Spirit. Lacking spell expertise renders participation pointless. A weak Primordial Spirit can’t handle guiding nine allies’ moves at once while fending off enemy assaults—it’s incredibly taxing.”

These criteria drew all eyes straight to Wang Ba.

Sect Leader Bai’s stipulations fit only True Man Taiyi among the assembly, short of late-stage Crossing Tribulation experts.

Crucially, True Man Taiyi had recalled aiding comrades even amid past perils. This behavior fosters deep confidence.

Other cultivators pale in comparison.

Wang Ba pondered briefly yet didn’t object, aware that concealing abilities now served no purpose. With a furrowed brow, he stated:

“I’ll give it a go, though facing their ten-Bodhisattva formations per bout, we lack sufficient mid-stage Crossing Tribulation cultivators. We can’t field enough for three rounds when lineups swap each time, needing three wins across five matches.”

The purple-robed youth’s brow creased faintly too:

“We’ll adapt on the fly then, enduring as long as we can. If it proves impossible, rotations it is… I’ll strive to provide all with aiding pills.”

The youth’s assurance buoyed the cultivators’ morale.

But just then, True Man Nie voiced his thoughts:

“Requiring three wins from five bouts, with just one Taoist Brother Taiyi, he’d need three straight triumphs for victory. To prevent surprises, perhaps the initial bout should have others test their prowess, giving Taoist Brother Taiyi time to ready himself.”

True Man Nie’s suggestion prompted the purple-robed youth to reflect deeply before agreeing with a nod:

“Taoist Friend Nie is right, but who’s willing to step up first?”