Longevity, starting from being a chicken raising servant Chapter 2388 198: Entering Again (Part 2)

A faint smile also graced Wisdom None's lips as his eyes scanned the faces of several people in the assembly, before he shifted to discussing yet another topic:

"Furthermore, I humbly request that Layman Zhao show mercy to the Jade Pot Realm, considering this old monk's meager reputation."

"I wouldn't dare."

Standing next to Zhao Feng, Ji Ying cast a quick look at Qiao Zhongxu, whose face remained grave and inscrutable, and he swiftly interjected:

"Our earlier clash with Fellow Daoist Qiao was merely a minor mix-up, and with awareness of your esteemed ties to the Jade Pot Realm, plus your direct intervention, we've naturally settled things, so please be at ease, senior."

Upon catching these words, Wisdom None smiled once more and turned his attention to Qiao Zhongxu:

"What say you, Layman Qiao?"

Qiao Zhongxu gave a slight bow, displeasure flickering across his features, but he could only murmur in response:

"Answering Martial Uncle Patriarch, I will comply with your directives faithfully."

Detecting the bitterness and fury laced in Qiao Zhongxu's tone, Wisdom None kept his smile steady, offered a Buddhist benediction, and gazed contentedly at Zhao Feng and his companions:

"Having Layman Ji's word puts the old monk's mind at rest."

Qiao Zhongxu's desire to wipe out the Little Cang World through this opportunity was obvious, requiring no Telepathy to discern.

Yet Qiao Zhongxu remained unaware that Wisdom None harbored no fondness for the Jade Pot Realm, and from the Supreme True Buddha's viewpoint, preserving equilibrium between the various powers in the Sea of Chaos Realm served the greater purpose.

He had no intention of backing the Jade Pot Realm against the Little Cang World.

In the same vein, thanks to his pledge, even as the Little Cang World expanded in strength, it wouldn't boldly strike at the Jade Pot Realm, thus securing a solid foothold amid the Sea of Chaos Realm.

Truth be told, for him, seizing direct control of the Sea of Chaos Realm would prove far easier.

That said, the Sea of Chaos Realm brimmed with profound wickedness, and lingering there extendedly would torment not just him, but Bodhisattvas and Great Bodhisattvas alike.

Besides, squandering such resources recklessly offered no benefit.

Thus, over recent years, while collecting promising talents here, he devoted greater effort to unsettling the balance of forces in the Sea of Chaos Realm.

"Oh, and there's that Gan Xiong as well..."

His eyes passed over the unremarkable old man amid the group, a subtle spark igniting deep in Wisdom None's gaze.

Once the lingering troubles of the Holy Desecration Realm were resolved, it could serve to counterbalance the Little Cang World, with certain elements revealed and others concealed.

This stemmed from his careful choices and arrangements spanning the last century.

His expression betrayed no hint of this, as he smiled amiably and remarked:

"In that case, the old monk will depart now. Friends, the Realm Sea lies far off, but fate will bring us together again someday."

He lifted his hand in a formal palm gesture, offering a modest bow to the gathering, displaying none of the haughtiness expected from a Tribulation Crossing mighty figure—his modesty and politeness left a strong impression.

The chosen cultivators trailing him copied the motion, extending their palms outward.

Having paid respects, Wisdom None delayed no further, waving his wide sleeve to instantly veil the expansive emptiness.

By the time Zhao Feng and his group snapped back to awareness, Wisdom None along with the cultivators had vanished from sight.

Zhao Feng, Qiao Zhongxu, and Gan Xiong all bore stern looks, the air around them chilling to frost.

Only when Ji Ying spotted the shift in a Magic Tool hidden in his sleeve did he murmur softly:

"Everyone, the Heavenly Observation Mirror shows he's departed, moving toward the side passage of the Realm Sea whirlpool."

At these words, the strained faces of the group eased at last.

The most restless among them, Gan Xiong, turned to Qiao Zhongxu and chuckled while shaking his head:

"Fellow Daoist Qiao, your Martial Uncle Patriarch has actually taken notice of me."

A wry grin crossed Qiao Zhongxu's visage:

"Fellow Daoist Gan, you're pulling my leg. His nature has shifted profoundly, he pays no heed to the Jade Pot Realm anymore, and he's grown distant from it entirely. All that was just empty show, and the title is only for show. He's no longer tied to the Jade Pot Realm, so his actions concern us not."

Gan Xiong let out a laugh:

"No need to dodge so hastily; I've laid no blame at your feet. It's simply fascinating how entrenched your Jade Pot Realm is, boasting so many powerful elders beyond its borders."

Catching this, Qiao Zhongxu's smile turned even more rueful as he shook his head:

"Within the Sea of Chaos Realm dwell countless factions, brimming with exceptional geniuses, yet all confined like birds in a cage, their potential stifled. The Jade Pot Realm isn't unique; should your Holy Desecration Realm venture forth, it might yield Mahayana Cultivators... but even in triumph, they're ensnared by those fiendish monks with their bizarre Dharmas, forever denied true freedom—hardly an enviable fate."

"Wise counsel from Fellow Daoist Qiao."

At his side, Zhao Feng gave a subtle nod, his voice sincere as he added:

"Without Fellow Daoist Qiao's sharp insight and readiness to ally with us, sending this monk away would have proven far tougher."

Qiao Zhongxu responded with a mere weary nod, letting out a sigh:

"If it were feasible, I'd long to trail after Martial Uncle Patriarch, but sadly..."

As he had mentioned before, this Martial Uncle Patriarch held no real attachment to the Jade Pot Realm, implying the foe was already alienated from the Little Cang World too. Thus, the choice came easily.

Something else occurred to him then, and he faced Zhao Feng, commenting:

"Incidentally, regarding Taoist Brother Taiyi, he..."

Zhao Feng and Ji Ying shared looks with a handful of others, then affirmed and answered honestly:

"Taoist Master Taiyi has already crossed over. That said, our sect's Patriarchs remain here. Moreover, he asked me to pass along to Fellow Daoist Qiao that for your realm's Patriarchs, if an opportunity arises, he'll do his utmost to break their bonds and return them to their true forms. Still, the challenge is immense, so he urges Fellow Daoist Qiao not to hold overly high hopes."

Hearing this, Qiao Zhongxu paused in mild surprise before giving a small nod:

"Then I'll entrust it to Taoist Brother Taiyi's hands."

He grasped well the underlying message in the opponent's stress on the Tribulation Crossing Ancestor still lurking in the Sea of Chaos Realm, and a powerless grin tugged at him. Even sans those Tribulation Cultivators, the prior might of the Little Cang World already outmatched the Jade Pot Realm.

A wave of apathy washed over him right then, stirring an urge to leave.

He wasted no time, lifting his hand in farewell to the assembly.

Watching Qiao Zhongxu depart, Gan Xiong followed suit and bid his goodbyes.

Now that they had gone, just Zhao Feng and the remaining Little Cang World cultivators hovered in the sky, sharing anxious expressions.

"Junior Brother journeys without cease, finding no respite, yet we're helpless to aid—it's heartbreaking..."

Zhao Feng let out a soft sigh; with Wisdom None's exit, the golden double pupils in his eyes stood openly revealed.

Ji Ying shook his head, commenting:

"He's surged way beyond us, leaving us far behind long ago. Still, raising the spirit beasts he tasked us with poses no issue."

"True salvation comes from one's own efforts."

Zhao Feng murmured:

"We can't rely solely on Junior Brother forever. With the rule disruptions Junior Brother resolved, and our Immortal Blood in hand, we must honor the immortals' legacy. Upon returning, I intend to seclude myself and attempt a breakthrough."

This announcement stunned the group visibly.

Zhao Feng's progress in cultivation had already outpaced all predictions, eclipsing everyone to claim the top spot among Inner World Cultivators, save for Cloud Sky Realm peers and figures like Yao Wudi turned Realm Spirits. Across cultivation level, realm depth, and spell battles, he ranked supreme.

This pace, fueled by Immortal Blood, bordered on the absurd. Of course, Zhao Feng's praiseworthy hard work played an essential role. In this scenario, his next push toward the Tribulation-Transcending Realm loomed large...

A burning pressure surged in each heart right then.

"Let's move!"

The cultivators soared off toward the Little Cang World.

Zhao Feng peered toward the void's horizon, unease briefly crossing his eyes:

"Junior Brother..."

He quickly pulled back his stare and sped into the distance...

...

Meanwhile.

In some secluded nook of the Sea of Chaos Realm.

An indistinct whirlpool in the emptiness spun slowly, inch by inch.

Wisdom None positioned himself over the whirlpool, executing a hand seal, while the cultivators once ordinary behind him now looked stiff and blank-faced.

They formed a line one after another, advancing steadily to the whirlpool before them.

As his eyes roamed these cultivators, spotting a youth in purple armor, Wisdom None gave a faint nod, his face lighting with approval.

Ever cautious, he extended his hand, imprinting seals successively upon them.

Sure enough, he quickly uncovered a deeply concealed Dharma Seal on one cultivator.

"My Martial Nephew certainly weaves many plots!"

Wisdom None scoffed, unsurprised, and softly overlaid an '卍' mark upon that Dharma Seal.

One final inspection later, content at last, he nodded.

His thoughts turned to the almost eight hundred cultivators arrayed ahead, stirring his intent.

Guided by his will, they stepped mutely into the Realm Sea's vortex.

Once every cultivator had passed through without incident, Wisdom None nodded approvingly and bounded in after them.

His entry prompted the vortex to seal shut gradually and silently.

Unbeknownst to him, a shadowy form had trailed him quietly, vanishing with him into the vortex...