Longevity, starting from being a chicken raising servant Chapter 2486: 231: Master (Part 3)

During their journey, Wang Ba waited in silence within the bamboo basket while Li Yuehua moved forward.

Soon enough, they reached the area where the aquatic catch was being processed.

An unfamiliar person stooped down to peer into the basket. After a fleeting glance at the fish inside, she frowned and gestured toward Wang Ba, remarking, “Why is this one in such a sorry state? Just feed it to the dogs.”

A hand plunged into the basket, instantly blocking Wang Ba’s vision. He felt his fragile body being hoisted into the air, a jolt of panic seizing his heart!

Just then, Li Yuehua’s voice drifted down from above: “Sister Lin, Sister Cui requested that I release this particular one back into the water. Could you handle the others while I take care of this one?”

The woman called Lin replied nonchalantly, “Fine by me. Just make sure those are prepped quickly; the guests prefer their meal fresh.”

Sensing no further trouble from her, Li Yuehua laughed softly, “Sister Lin, you always find tasks for me to occupy myself with, though I’m not much help otherwise.”

“Alright, alright, go ahead,” the woman chuckled as she withdrew her hand.

Wang Ba tumbled back into the depths of the basket, landing without physical pain, yet feeling a wave of relief wash over him.

The woman did not tarry, grabbing the other fish and tossing the basket toward Li Yuehua, warning: “Once you’ve tossed it back, head straight to the side room. Stay there unless Sister Cui calls; we cannot risk an accidental encounter with our honored guests.”

Li Yuehua dared not be careless, hurriedly responding, “Yes, Yuehua understands. Thank you for the reminder, Sister Lin.”

“It’s nothing. Be off with you.”

With the kindly woman’s permission, Li Yuehua carried the basket and walked a measured distance.

Now alone in the basket, Wang Ba waited as the view above darkened, followed by the muffled thud of a closing door. A series of clattering noises followed, eventually dissolving into a prolonged, heavy silence.

Just as his anxiety began to mount, Li Yuehua’s hushed voice reached him: “You’re still breathing, aren’t you?”

Wang Ba remained frozen, stunned by the question.

Then, Li Yuehua’s face hovered over the rim once more. Her expression, previously masks of caution, now carried a complex sorrow. As she peered at Wang Ba, it was as if she were looking at her own reflection from the past. “So, you are indeed alive,” she whispered. “You aren't like those others whose True Spirit returned to the Realm Sea of Origin—they are truly perished. You, however, appear only temporarily stranded.”

Wang Ba attempted to speak, desperate to convey his story, but found his voice was completely gone.

Li Yuehua seemed to foresee his struggle; she pressed a finger to her lips, murmuring a soft ‘shh.’ With a hint of helplessness, she added, “I know you wish to communicate, but your True Spirit has returned to the origin and lacks a physical vessel. Without an external host or a special Dharma to facilitate your transition, you will remain trapped like this until you find a way to return to the Realm Sea.”

Wang Ba was taken aback. He had been dying to know how she had ended up in this strange place.

Li Yuehua did not hide the truth, clearly longing to confide in someone. Her gaze drifted into the distance as she revealed, “I departed the Little Cang World to ascend via the Thunder Tribulation, but I was ambushed by a World Eater just as I broke through. My physical form was shattered, yet I had already succeeded in my ascension. By pure chance, I transitioned into a True Spirit.”

“Ultimately, I ended up as a fish in the Realm Sea of Origin, much like you. But I was fortunate; there are few living True Spirits here. The host detected my lingering, unspent lifespan, helped me manifest a new form, and now here I am.”

Her words shook Wang Ba to his core. So, that was the catalyst!

He immediately thought of Xuan Yuanzi. According to his former mentor, he had also shed his Mystic Tortoise form, ascended through his True Spirit, reached the Realm Sea of Origin, and was ultimately retrieved by the Master of Quiet Cave.

An idea ignited in his mind: “If I can find the Master of Quiet Cave here in the Realm Sea of Origin, could I potentially leave with him?”

Then, another layer of confusion set in. His arrival had been erratic and violent—cast out by the Tianshang Buddha Lord, a stark contrast to the methodical True Spirit Ascension described by the others.

Before he could dwell on it, Li Yuehua spoke again: “I know you are curious about the identity of the ‘host.’ I cannot name him directly, but I will give you a hint to solve the mystery yourself.”

She lowered her voice to a mere breath: “In the Third Realm Sea, he is the undisputed sovereign.”

Wang Ba’s heart hammered. His previous suspicions were being validated one by one.

What kind of entity could command such absolute authority over the entire Third Realm Sea?

He realized, “The ‘host’ mentioned by my teacher’s wife… he must be the Lord of the Third Realm Sea!”

With this confirmation, the rest of the puzzle fell into place. The lord of an entire Realm Sea could hardly be a mere Mahayana practitioner; he had to be an immortal. And any guest invited by an immortal of that caliber?

“They must be Immortals from the Second Realm Sea!”