Longevity, starting from being a chicken raising servant Chapter 2438 - 215: The Truth (Part 2)

"Little Friend Taiyi, are you aware of the countless Human Cultivators slain by these Innate Divine Demons? And the Master of Quiet Cave—his hands are soaked in the blood and bones of so many Human Cultivators! While our Cloud Sky Realm holds no grudge against him, both you and I stand as Human Cultivators; how can we stand by while such horrors unfold? Were it not for the equilibrium of heaven and earth, were it not for his role in holding back the Supreme True Buddha, I would have wiped out Quiet Cave long ago!"

A seldom-seen evil aura emerged in his tone, revealing his intense loathing for the Innate Divine Demons, an emotion that had remained hidden until now.

Wang Ba’s face grew grave as well.

Noticing the abrupt shift in the mood to something heavy, Bai Lechan hurriedly picked up his teacup, offering a smile to ease the tension:

"This tea is of the Eighth Tier, true it offers scant benefit to our Cultivation Base, but its flavor is truly superb..."

Following a short pause, Wang Ba met True Man Gai’s darkened visage directly, speaking with steady composure:

"True Man, are you aware that clashes in this world come in all sizes?"

"The strife between humans and Innate Divine Demons counts as one, but the struggle between existence and oblivion is quite another. True Man Gai, your disdain for the Innate Divine Demons stems from various worries, yet don’t those very worries represent yet another conflict? We find ourselves compelled to join forces with these Innate Divine Demons—isn’t that just another layer of strife?"

True Man Gai’s face turned even more serious, as Wang Ba pressed on:

"Taoist Brother Bai, you must know I come from the Little Cang World, and though Sect Leader Bai might be unaware, that world now lies inside the Sea of Chaos Realm."

"As for the Sea of Chaos Realm? Likely only I among us truly grasps its state; the Chaos Origin Substance there has run dry, myriad factions locked in endless tangles with no way out, countless cultivators without Domain shields clinging to life by fragmenting their True Spirits, just scraping by. Fresh Chaos Origin Substance emerges but rarely now, and the doom of all life in the Sea of Chaos looms inevitable."

"My Little Cang World is trapped there, home to my Sect, my family, my elders, and my juniors..."

"True Man Gai cares deeply for Human Cultivators—a feeling I respect and share profoundly—yet such far-off worries feel distant to me. What matters most are the crises right in front of me. I beseech True Man Gai: if you were in that dire situation, what choice would you make?"

His tone stayed even, but a hidden wave of intensity flowed beneath.

These thoughts had simmered in his mind for countless days.

Back then, he had no power; his pleas would have echoed unheard.

Now, short of Mahayana yet armed with Zhang’s Ruins and backed by Quiet Cave, he reigns supreme among those below Mahayana; his strength has solidified, freeing him from the fears of a mere common cultivator hiding his roots.

So, after voicing his piece, even the mighty Mahayana True Man Gai stared in surprise.

The shadow on his features lifted, giving way to a mix of intricacy and enlightenment:

"I understand now..."

In that instant, Wang Ba rose swiftly, offering a deep bow to True Man Gai and Bai Lechan, and stated earnestly:

"Taiyi has come today to implore you, True Man, and Taoist Brother Bai—please rally the Mahayana cultivators to shatter Duanhai Cliff, freeing the countless cultivators ensnared in the Sea of Chaos Realm."

Upon hearing this plea, True Man Gai and Bai Lechan both revealed touched looks.

Bai Lechan wavered, glancing toward True Man Gai, and murmured:

"Teacher..."

True Man Gai kept his solemn demeanor, appearing lost in thought, but in the end, under Wang Ba’s hopeful stare, he shook his head with a heavy sigh:

"I’m afraid I cannot help with this, Little Friend Taiyi. Please forgive me."

At this refusal, Wang Ba’s face stiffened for a moment, then he quieted.

His thoughts instantly flashed to Master Chao’s warning when he’d shared his ideas, and then to how Bai Lechan and Xiahou Demon had reacted during talks of breaching Duanhai Cliff.

Right then, a storm of suspicion, bitterness, and reluctance boiled up inside him, leading to a sharp query aimed at True Man Gai:

"If I may ask, True Man, what exactly is the cause? Why did Master Chao and Xiahou Demon resist the idea of opening Duanhai Cliff?"

The mention of "Xiahou Demon" caught True Man Gai off guard, making him squint slightly:

"You’ve encountered Taoist Friend Xiahou?"

Observing True Man Gai’s reaction, a sudden insight hit Wang Ba, and he affirmed:

"Yes, the pact with the Master of Quiet Cave was arranged through Xiahou Demon. He wants me to claim Zhang’s Ruins, for Cloud Sky Realm to stand against the Supreme True Buddha, and once Buddha Lord Tianshang rises to The Heavens, we strike back at the Supreme True Buddha."

These revelations brought odd expressions to both True Man Gai and Bai Lechan.

After a shared look, Bai Lechan couldn’t resist inquiring:

"Did Senior Xiahou really tell you that?"

Wang Ba confirmed with a firm nod, then appeared confused:

"Yes? What’s wrong with it?"

Bai Lechan’s gaze wavered briefly.

True Man Gai shook his head and picked up the thread:

"I hadn’t caught wind that Buddha Lord Tianshang’s ascension might come soon... Did you just learn this, Little Friend?"

Only then did Wang Ba catch on, letting out an ’oh’ and nodding:

"That’s right, I got it recently from the Heavenly Demon."

True Man Gai gave a knowing smile and nod:

"Ah, that explains it... Who’d have thought you were connected to Taoist Friend Xiahou."

Wang Ba answered evasively:

"A bit of connection, I’d say."

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