Longevity, starting from being a chicken raising servant Chapter 2395: 201: A Visit

Vast Realm Sea.

A colossal grayish-blue figure of land hovered silently amid the emptiness.

Surrounding it, the turbulent Chaos Origin Substance rushed forth like ocean waves, pouring into the various openings of this immense humanoid form.

Xin Gate, eyes, ears, mouth, nose, lower yin…

Within the mouth opening, the Chaos Origin Substance poured in without cease, as streaks of light sporadically shot over from the distance, plunging directly inside.

Right now, far inside the mouth opening.

Inside the ‘Yin Ruins Arena’ that protected the mouth opening.

The Yin Family ancestral hall of White Canal.

Yin Tianzhi positioned himself with hands clasped behind, his head lifted a bit, staring at the Yin Family's ancestral plaques, deep in contemplation.

Trailing him, the eight Tribulation Crossing Ancestors from the Yin Family displayed grave faces, the air heavy with tension.

Just then, Ninth Ancestor Yin Penglai murmured softly:

“Great Ancestor, hesitation isn't wise right now. Spirit Origin Prefecture and Illusion Sky Realm once plotted against our Yin Family. Without True Man Taiyi's unexpected arrival, we'd have likely walked right into their scheme. They're joining forces in secret once more, clearly targeting us… Aligning with Laowen Sect and Golden Water Pond might be like seeking skin from a tiger, but it could at least ease our pressing crisis.”

Yin Tianzhi took in these words, yet he continued to stare silently at the plaques in front of him, saying nothing.

Yet another ancestor at his back felt compelled to add:

“Indeed, Great Ancestor, Supreme True Buddha's arrival is inevitable, and we all know that deep down. Zhang’s Ruins needs unification, or we'll stand no chance against them. Signs of disorder are emerging; if we delay picking a side, we could end up as everyone's prey…”

“Great Ancestor!”

“Great Ancestor.”

A few ancestors urged him on.

Yin Tianzhi absorbed their advice, pondering quietly, before letting out a soft sigh and speaking mildly:

“Spirit Origin Prefecture and Illusion Sky Realm aren't bound to be foes. Laowen Sect delivered the report of their hidden pact; it might not hold truth. Furthermore, if Laowen Sect and Golden Water Pond actually form ties with them, summoning the gods could prove simple, but dismissing them far harder… Reaching our current stature took immense effort, and I fully grasp the perilous bind the Yin Family endures today. Still, this choice truly impacts our clan's very existence and demands caution. Give me time to reflect on it, to mull it over.”

After Yin Tianzhi spoke, every ancestor there lapsed into quiet.

Zhang’s Ruins wasn't in utter turmoil yet, though all could feel this was merely the fleeting peace preceding the gale.

Be it the nearby ‘Spirit Origin Prefecture’, ‘Illusion Sky Realm’, or ‘Golden Water Pond’ overseeing an Ear Acupoint, along with ‘Laowen Sect’ safeguarding Xin Gate, each had started reaching out often to nearby powers.

Certain groups deemed their might inadequate and sought to stake their claim soon, whereas others had spent ages readying to consolidate the entirety of Zhang’s Ruins.

The White Canal Yin Family, as a somewhat fresh power, founded by Yin Tianzhi within Zhang’s Ruins, appeared deficient next to certain ancient lineages in the area.

Maybe the count of cultivators matched up roughly, yet now the true substance of each side shone through clearly; regarding the Yin Family's nine Tribulation Crossing experts, not one harbored thoughts of rising to command Zhang’s Ruins.

With both power and readiness in short supply, simply safeguarding the Yin Family amid this upheaval would count as divine favor, nothing more.

Yin Penglai appeared to recall something, sighing as well:

“It's a pity… Had True Man Taiyi remained, our position wouldn't feel so helpless.”

That name evoked nods of agreement from some in the hall, while others gave faint shakes of the head:

“Old Ninth, rumors hold that the True Man Taiyi of Cloud Sky Realm can't be our Taiyi Tributor… He's impressive too, but only stepping into early-stage Tribulation Crossing, worlds apart from our True Man Taiyi.”

“Would I not realize that? Back when he lingered in Unification Realm, I invited him myself!”

Yin Penglai shot back instinctively:

“Yet could the Realm Sea really host such fluke events?”

“We'd barely lost our True Man Taiyi when Cloud Sky Realm produced another… I struggle to accept it, but is such coincidence even possible?”

“Moreover, whether it's the Cloud Sky Realm's True Man Taiyi or not, should our friend Taiyi Tributor still be around, his feat of cleaving Ten Thousand Demon Palace’s false Palace Master in a single strike would have bolstered us greatly.”

“So where has he gone? Can you track him down?”

The prior ancestor countered sharply.

“But…”

Yin Penglai prepared to argue further.

“Enough.”

Yin Tianzhi turned his head a touch and chided gently, a hint of fatigue showing on his features, declaring gravely:

“No matter if our Taiyi Tributor ally was the True Man Taiyi from that old Cloud Sky Realm clash, far-off aid won't slake today's thirst. Also, during Cloud Sky Realm's fall years ago, witnesses spotted True Man Taiyi chased by Northern Great Bodhisattva, and with no word since, the outcome likely spells doom… Penglai, drop the subject.”

Yin Penglai felt reluctant yet managed a helpless nod.

He knew this reality well; his eager debating served only to release bottled-up exasperation.

The White Canal Yin Family's past splendor had faded, caught now between powers such as Spirit Origin Prefecture and Laowen Sect, pressured from every angle.

No errors marked their path; the sole flaw lay in their brief roots here, short on foundation, leaving them unsteady in these raging currents.