Longevity, starting from being a chicken raising servant Chapter 2448: 218: Perfume Sea (Part 2)

“Is there something you wish to share with me?”

True Man Gai lightly creased his brows, sensing some confusion, but after a short hesitation, he nodded regardless and spoke without delay:

“From the Cloud Sky Realm's perspective, Liaochan stands on the brink of a breakthrough, leaving their inner defenses vulnerable. I can converse freely with you for now, yet I need to head back and set up certain precautions to avoid any opportunists striking.”

Buddha Tianyin offered a faint smile:

“That's fine, I'll await the True Man.”

True Man Gai cast a glance at Wang Ba, gave a nod, and departed, his steps unburdened.

Buddha Tianyin then directed Kong Zen:

“Kong Zen, guide Layman Taiyi down to the Perfume Sea, and along the way, discuss the Buddhist principles of Earth, Fire, Water, and Wind with him.”

With True Man Gai, the external visitor, gone, Kong Zen slipped back into his natural demeanor. Even before a Mahayana powerhouse like Buddha Tianyin, he showed no signs of tension, grinning as he replied:

“Sure thing! Old Tianyin, you can count on me completely! I won't brag, but I'm… er… er er…”

Buddha Tianyin pulled back his hand, maintained a composed expression, and chuckled toward Wang Ba:

“Heh, I apologize for making the Layman witness this.”

Yan Poluo at the side lowered his head further, averting his gaze in discomfort.

“Far from it; this shows true personality.”

Wang Ba cleared his throat softly, his cheeks flushing hotter than ever.

Knowing that the temple's inhabitants were unaware of his connection to Kong Zen, he still felt profound embarrassment.

Yet, after some reflection, he lifted his hand, formed a fist salute, and declared earnestly:

“There's another matter I'd like to address directly with the Buddha.”

Buddha Tianyin appeared mildly curious:

“Oh? What might that be?”

Wang Ba thought briefly, ignoring Kong Zen's mental pleas to hold back, fixed his gaze on Buddha Tianyin, and stated resolutely:

“I'm unsure of the Buddha's thoughts regarding the Sea of Chaos Realm?”

Buddha Tianyin considered for a moment, then met Wang Ba's eyes:

“The Layman should feel free to express himself.”

Wang Ba wavered slightly, despite Kong Zen's ongoing internal efforts to deter him, but in that instant, his mind felt pure and resolute, refusing to let his Dao-heart be obstructed, so he continued:

“Little Cang World lies within that Sea of Chaos Realm. I seek to shatter Duanhai Cliff and rescue the countless lives trapped there, though it seems to demand at least six Mahayana experts to achieve…”

Buddha Tianyin grasped his intent right away, his brows knitting faintly:

“Are you proposing that I assist in breaking Duanhai Cliff?”

Wang Ba affirmed with a nod and added:

“Indeed. I've learned that Buddhism values mercy, and even Small Mahayana Buddhism pursues benevolence… I implore the Buddha for aid.”

Buddha Tianyin's brows seldom tightened so much, his gaze distant in contemplation, though he held off on an immediate answer.

Instead, Yan Poluo nearby interjected involuntarily:

“Layman Taiyi's request seems a bit overreaching. Duanhai Cliff has been challenged by innumerable Mahayana Cultivators without success; it remains sealed. Furthermore, the Buddha is in his waning years, approaching Nirvana.”

Wang Ba fell quiet, his eyes on Buddha Tianyin.

Through Kong Zen's recollections, he understood this Buddha Tianyin, despite following Small Mahayana Buddhism, harbored a boundless compassion.

So he pressed on:

“I recognize the Buddha Tianyin's merciful nature, not one swayed by self-interest alone. I realize my plea might impose too much, but such an action wouldn't damage the Eastern Luli Buddha Realm. Shattering Duanhai Cliff would sever the Supreme True Buddha's flow of elite cultivators, like dousing the flames from their source—it liberates the souls in the Sea of Chaos Realm while eliminating a formidable foe. It's a mutual benefit; why hesitate?”

Upon Wang Ba's reasoning, Buddha Tianyin remained silent for some time before responding, his tone gravelly and profound:

“The Layman's points hold true. The distinctions of Small Mahayana and Large Mahayana are, at core, just shifts in a person's mindset.”

At these words, Wang Ba's face lit up with hope.

But Buddha Tianyin soon let out a sigh and continued:

“Regrettably, at present, I must also think of the inhabitants of the Glazed Buddha Realm… Truly, I lack the strength. I ask the Layman's understanding.”

Wang Ba stood momentarily taken aback, observing Buddha Tianyin's regretful expression as the hope in his eyes slowly dimmed.

He then offered a slight bow to Buddha Tianyin:

“The Buddha's stance is enough; it was Taiyi who overstepped.”

Buddha Tianyin shook his head gently:

“It's no issue.”

He then turned to Kong Zen nearby, whose mouth was sealed and speech impossible, and murmured:

“Kong Zen, please escort Layman Taiyi through the realm.”

“Mm, mm…”

Kong Zen pointed to his sealed mouth, signaling for Buddha Tianyin to free him, but Buddha Tianyin paid no heed, forcing Kong Zen to trudge along in irritation.

Witnessing this, Wang Ba saluted Buddha Tianyin and Yan Poluo before trailing after them from the Buddhist Temple.

Xin Yuan quickly hurried out as well.

In a flash, only Buddha Tianyin and Yan Poluo lingered inside the temple.

Tianyin observed Kong Zen and Wang Ba departing, his gaze lost in reverie.

At last, Yan Poluo couldn't restrain himself and voiced:

“Buddha, Kong Zen's behavior is excessively casual; can he really bear this vital responsibility?”

He hastened to clarify:

“I harbor no desire for the Buddha's role. I acknowledge Kong Zen's remarkable aptitude, yet I doubt his suitability for this burden—even Xin Yuan appears far more capable…”

Buddha Tianyin shook his head, stood from the lotus throne, and moved to the temple's entrance, staring at the outer sky before sighing:

“The Supreme True Buddha rises once more, bound to unleash calamity; in the past, our Small Mahayana Buddhism allowed mere endurance, but now it's a battle of doctrines intertwined with survival. The old way might not sustain the Eastern Luli Buddha Realm any longer, and thus…”

His words halted for a beat, then he faced Yan Poluo, a smile emerging on his features: