Longevity, starting from being a chicken raising servant Chapter 2423 - 210: The Great Breakthrough

Flames blazed like a crimson sun mirrored on the waves, hastily brightening the skies above Zhang’s Ruins, as though the whole world had erupted in fire.

The glazed formation ignited as well, shimmering faintly with a scarlet tint.

Swiftly activating, the formation unleashed bursts of vibrant rays, striking back at the invading monks.

An Arhat got surprised by the assault, struck right away, his golden form crumbling, demonic qi scattering, until he shriveled and perished soon after.

Those from Zhang’s Ruins came from varied backgrounds with all sorts of skills; while some followed the righteous path, plenty relied on the shady arts from the Yin Domain.

This surprise attack out of nowhere surely caused casualties among the monks.

In that instant, the blaze erupted from the formation too, slamming into the nearest Arhats.

The Arhats had no time to respond, their forms swiftly swallowed by the inferno, and in a flash, both their golden bodies and demonic qi burned away entirely.

For a brief moment, hush fell inside and outside the ruins alike!

"A top-grade Buddha Treasure?"

The Western Great Bodhisattva showed mild astonishment, then gave a slight nod, facing the young monk at his side and offering praise:

"You were correct; these scattered cultivators do hold surprises, but it changes nothing. No matter how many schemes or tactics they muster, they're mere trifles in the end."

Upon hearing that, the little monk nodded, gazing at the wild flames that had just wiped out scores of Arhats in moments, his face unable to conceal a trace of pity:

"Why doesn't Master step in to seize this foe? Why allow these Arhats to perish pointlessly?"

The Western Great Bodhisattva caught those words, his features softening with mercy as he gently shook his head:

"This trial is one they must endure. Even should I act this instant, they'd face such a test later on. Better to let it serve as a chance for rebirth on the great path."

"Is that the case?"

The little monk appeared to grasp it only halfway.

A smile crossed the Western Great Bodhisattva's face then, as he gestured toward Wisdom Calm Bodhisattva and the distant blaze, chuckling:

"See, haven't these budding Buddhas already started their journey?"

The little monk turned toward where he pointed. While they conversed, Wisdom Calm Bodhisattva descended, halting right in front of the flames.

As if detecting peril, a silhouette stepped from the fire, bearing a wide yet mild demeanor, though his gaze held a hint of malice.

It turned out to be Cheng Lianzi, Sect Master of the Laowen Sect.

Cheng Lianzi eyed Wisdom Calm Bodhisattva appraisingly, then let out a chilly scoff:

"The Supreme True Buddha couldn't conquer the Cloud Sky Realm, and now it stirs trouble in my Zhang’s Ruins? Today, I'll ensure you arrive but never depart!"

No matter the skill in combat, one must first seize the upper hand in spirit.

Wisdom Calm Bodhisattva's face filled with sympathy at those words, as if mourning the Arhats lost just before, but his eyes betrayed no feeling whatsoever, and he murmured a Buddha's invocation quietly:

"Supreme True Buddha, this Layman burns with fury, bound by his transgressions. Wouldn't it suit him better if I aided in washing away Layman’s sins and ascending beyond this dusty realm..."

Cheng Lianzi bristled at that and barked icily:

"You fiendish monks, if battle is what you seek, then let's fight—spare the empty talk! I offer you fair warning out of goodwill, but you spurn it, so we'll settle this through clash of arms!"

With that, he gripped a fire stone, swinging it like a hefty tile at Wisdom Calm Bodhisattva; as the stone arced, the flames morphed into a blazing streak hurtling directly toward him.

Witnessing this, Wisdom Calm Bodhisattva grew vigilant, promptly lifting a flower basket from his grasp.

That basket was a top-grade Dao Treasure too, launching from his hold to drop down and snare the fire stone, as though aiming to trap it inside.

The fire stone proved mighty, clashing against it with a pause, before both rebounded apart.

Yet the flower basket now blazed with fire, whereas the fire stone escaped unscathed.

Taking in this sight, Wisdom Calm Bodhisattva's face grew a touch stern; he glanced at the other bodhisattvas and Taoist masters vying for the Buddha’s son role, noting their mocking grins as if eager for his failure, and he snorted disdainfully:

"Your Buddha Treasures may be mighty, but do mine lack power?"

In that instant, he called forth another Buddha Treasure shaped like a pestle, flinging it at Cheng Lianzi.

Cheng Lianzi's cultivation had reached profound depths; though short of the late Crossing Tribulation stage, he neared it closely.

Facing the incoming Dao Treasure, he stayed composed, channeling a spell that made his form shimmer and dissolve into flickering firelight.

The Dao Treasure smashed into Cheng Lianzi, exploding in radiance, yet it flew back empty-handed.

Down in the ruins below.

The leaders from Golden Water Pond, Yutang Prefecture, Illusion Sky Realm, and Fan Fenglei gathered at the gateway, observing the skirmish overhead, their faces etched with confusion and awe:

"I never imagined Taoist Friend Cheng possessed such prowess!"

"True enough; earlier, when the Ruins Master subdued him effortlessly, I figured his leading role in the ruins was unearned. Yet viewing this now, it's clear Cheng Lianzi isn't feeble—it's that the Ruins Master wields overwhelming might..."

Those remarks stirred memories in everyone of how Cheng Lianzi yielded after one blow from the Ruins Master, prompting nods all around.

Had they stood in his shoes against Wisdom Calm Bodhisattva's top-grade Dao Treasure, resistance might prove futile.

But Cheng Lianzi countered it solely with a fire stone, shifting fluidly, not just defending but advancing with poise.

This showed they'd gravely misjudged Cheng Lianzi's true capabilities.

"Fellows, stop merely spectating—Taoist Friend Cheng has engaged, so we can't lag behind."

Yin Tianzhi voiced this abruptly.

As he did, his eyes flicked to Cheng Lianzi locked in intense combat with the bodhisattva above, a mix of emotions churning within.

Among Zhang’s Ruins' faction heads, this one had always topped his list of concerns, and he hadn't foreseen such valor and strength in this grand conflict; in contrast, allies he counted on like Fan Fenglei and the Illusion Sky Realm's master appeared rather underwhelming.