Longevity, starting from being a chicken raising servant Chapter 2432: 213: The Ruins

“Ruins Master!”

Atop the grounds of Zhang’s Ruins.

As Wang Ba came down, Yin Tianzhi, Cheng Lianzi, and their companions rushed ahead to pay their respects with deep bows.

Figures such as the Golden Water Pond Master and the Yutang Mansion Lord showed even greater devotion, trailing Cheng Lianzi with a caution born of awe.

Before, their submission stemmed more from dread than admiration, forced by his superior might, but the clash with the Supreme True Buddha had exposed the vast gap between them and the Ruins Master.

From facing off alone against three mighty Great Bodhisattvas to casually chatting with the Mahayana expert True Man Gai afterward, these accomplishments lay far beyond their reach.

As a result, their faces grew more deferential, their stances dropping lower with each step.

Wang Ba glanced across the group, lifted his hand with a grin, and stopped them from dropping to their knees.

“Though the abrupt fight let us hold Zhang’s Ruins, your efforts deserve praise, particularly…”

The cultivators perked up right away at these words.

Wang Ba’s eyes turned subtly to Cheng Lianzi.

Catching that look, Cheng Lianzi’s features turned grave without thinking.

But then Wang Ba broke into a broad smile, offering genuine acclaim:

“Particularly Taoist Friend Cheng, who, to safeguard Zhang’s Ruins, showed no fear or selfishness, boldly charging from the Great Array to fight the Bodhisattva of the Supreme True Buddha. Such valor and resolve surprised me deeply, making me feel humbled…”

Hearing Wang Ba’s commendation, Cheng Lianzi froze for a moment, caught off guard by the direct approval, though he quickly saw through the strategy to gain loyalty, cautioning himself inwardly:

“It’s just a simple trick to capture hearts!”

“Hmph! I may not match your skill, but I won’t fall for empty gestures!”

With that thought, a faint smile crept onto his stern face unbidden, which he forced back down as soon as he noticed.

Still, his mouth curved upward, making his words stumble:

“The Ruins Master flatters me too much; I, I only…”

Noticing this, Wang Ba let a gentle smile show, then turned his palm over, pulling out an item and sending it to Cheng Lianzi.

Cheng Lianzi took hold of it, his spiritual power surging instinctively, unveiling twenty-nine innate cloud bans before the stunned gazes of the nearby cultivators…

Cheng Lianzi jolted in shock, staring at Wang Ba with wide eyes:

“Twenty-nine… top grade Dao Treasure!?”

“For—for me?!”

Wang Ba nodded casually, responding:

“Taoist Friend Cheng, your deeds stand out, displaying the glory of Zhang’s Ruins. With such merit, a fitting prize is in order… I suppose when you next meet Wisdom Calm Bodhisattva, Taoist Friend Cheng will come out on top?”

Cheng Lianzi stared at Wang Ba in a daze, his face starting to soften.

After moments of quiet.

He carefully tucked away the Dao Treasure, then, under the jealous stares of the others, gave Wang Ba a profound bow before lifting his hand to the Realm Sea, swearing firmly:

“I, Cheng Lianzi, pledge that should I fail to slay Wisdom Calm Bodhisattva at our next clash, I’ll have no shame to face the Ruins Master and will take my own life to honor his favor!”

The onlookers all gasped, unprepared for Cheng Lianzi’s fierce resolve.

At this vow, Wang Ba’s look turned serious; he quickly grabbed Cheng Lianzi’s hand and shook his head softly:

“Your intent is enough; the people of Zhang’s Ruins don’t require such harsh vows.”

Cheng Lianzi shook his head faintly, his bearing turning resolute, free of former shadows:

“This aligns with my Dao-heart; the Ruins Master shouldn’t try to stop me.”

Wang Ba frowned at that, finally letting out a soft sigh and pulling back his hand.

Cheng Lianzi smiled then, offering Wang Ba another sincere bow before stepping back among the group.

Wang Ba turned his attention to Yin Tianzhi next, commending him similarly and granting a top grade Dao Treasure.

Yin Tianzhi felt both astonishment and elation. Aware of how scarce top grade Dao Treasures were, in all of Zhang’s Ruins, only Cheng Lianzi handled one, backed by Laowen Sect’s strong resources.

Watching Cheng Lianzi get such a prize had sparked envy and longing, yet he knew his own role wasn’t as pivotal.

Now bestowed with it, genuine thrill and wonder filled him, though he fretted that accepting might seem off. After pausing, he tried to decline.

“Taoist Friend Yin acted as my Enforcer, blocking external threats and allowing me to handle the Great Bodhisattvas. This top grade Dao Treasure is yours by right.”

Wang Ba grinned and pressed the Dao Treasure into Yin Tianzhi’s grasp.

The spectators, though green with envy, held their tongues.

During the siege of Yin Ruins Arena, Yin Tianzhi had stood firm against mounting pressures, keeping disruptions away from the Ruins Master; his faithfulness earned this top grade Dao Treasure, or risk disheartening the rest.

On the flip side, seeing Yin Tianzhi honored this way fueled their drive to earn the same.

Wang Ba went on to distribute rewards based on merits, with others getting no more than upper grade Dao Treasures or select rare Elixirs.

Yet no one grumbled, understanding that absent Wang Ba, Zhang’s Ruins stood no hope against the Supreme True Buddha’s army; their roles, vital as they were, couldn’t compare.