Longevity, starting from being a chicken raising servant Chapter 2497: 235: Grand Aspiration (Part 2)

Li Yuehua paused for a heartbeat, her gaze shifting downward to contemplate Wang Ba with newfound focus:

"Are you asking me to infiltrate that library to uncover a path for your escape?"

Wang Ba hesitated before giving a slow nod.

Under normal circumstances, he would never dream of trespassing into someone else’s private collection. Yet, the stakes were far too high; he was forced to drop his reservations and stoop to the level of a thief just this once.

Li Yuehua bit her lip, her internal conflict etched on her face before she finally spoke:

"I can try to inquire on your behalf. But even if I secure entry, I simply don’t have the freedom to look around. Those Cui women are constantly keeping watch..."

Wang Ba was quick to express his gratitude:

"My sincerest thanks, Teacher’s Wife. I promise not to put you in a difficult position."

With a nod, Li Yuehua hurried away.

Wang Ba chose not to keep all his eggs in one basket. Instead, he maintained his vigil over the Waterside Pavilion, scanning for any signs of instability.

Deprived of his Dao Domain, Primordial Spirit, and physical form, he still retained his keen perception. After a prolonged observation, he detected a thin, protective barrier shielding the structure.

Every time he drifted too close, his True Spirit felt as if it were on the verge of fracturing.

He circled the area for quite some time, eventually formulating a strategy: he would splash a small portion of the Water of Origin against the pavilion to probe the nature of the array.

To his astonishment, the liquid struck the pillars without meeting any resistance at all.

It appeared that the Water of Origin held a suppressive influence over the barrier.

Wang Ba was left perplexed. Logic dictated that a library’s defense should, at the very least, be equipped to repel the surrounding currents—especially given its contents. True, these were not ordinary scrolls, but the water of this realm was no common liquid either.

On second thought, the answer suddenly clicked.

He was in the Third Realm Sea, where the Water of Origin reigned supreme. While the pavilion’s barrier was indeed formidable—enough to baffle even him—it was ultimately no match for the erosive power inherent to the Third Realm Sea itself.

Still, shattering it outright could trigger an alarm and complicate his mission. Thus, Wang Ba opted for patience instead of force.

Eventually, Li Yuehua returned.

"The Master mandates that only he may access the volumes inside the Waterside Pavilion. I am afraid I am of no help there."

"However, I probed them with questions; the external barrier is but a simple dust-warding charm and presents no danger. If I gain the opportunity, I might be able to sneak a peek for you..."

She whispered these words while hunched by the riverbank.

Wang Ba nodded, gave his body a brief flick, and replied:

"You must stay here, Teacher’s Wife; there is no need for such risks. Since the barrier poses no threat, I shall handle it myself."

Li Yuehua widened her eyes in shock:

"You intend to do it yourself?"

Focusing his mind, Wang Ba surged with energy, manifesting into the form of a Taoist clad in green robes, standing mid-water.

Li Yuehua’s features betrayed her astonishment:

"You... you have mastered transformation?"

Wang Ba offered a nod without pretense:

"I have grasped some of the local laws and achieved this form. However, a major disruption within the Realm Sea is looming, and I must depart immediately. This is the only chance I have to slip into that library."

"If the Master discovers this, hide nothing. Tell him the truth. Should he demand punishment, I only ask for a reprieve until I have settled my affairs. I will return of my own volition to face the consequences."

Li Yuehua’s expression stiffened, clearly sensing the depth of his resolve.

After a moment of silence, she finally acquiesced:

"I will relay your message."

Wang Ba flashed a small smile and advised her:

"Teacher’s Wife, you need not remain here any longer. Just act as if you know nothing."

Without another word, she handed him a few Elixirs before turning away with a complex expression.

Wang Ba accepted the items without argument and shifted back into his fish form, diving deep into the water.

A few days later, deciding he could wait no longer, Wang Ba acted under the cover of a starlit night. He ingested a mouthful of the Water of Origin, resumed his human guise, and stepped onto the shore. He walked up to the corridor, stopping before the small plaque labeled "Yuan Zhai."

He didn’t force his way in. Instead, he stood respectfully before the sign and offered a solemn bow:

"I, Wang Ba of the Third Realm Sea, seek to fulfill a part of my Dao-heart. By intruding upon this treasury, I hope for your understanding, Senior. I do not take this choice lightly. Once my task is complete, I shall return to offer a proper apology."

With those words, he flicked his sleeve, launching a spray of the Water of Origin to dissolve the external seal.

Straightening his robes, he stepped through the threshold.

Once inside, however, Wang Ba froze in place.

In what he assumed to be a vast library, there were only a handful of volumes resting on a single shelf.

His mind went blank. He had listened to the Realm Sea Lord, Taiyuan, boast about this location so grandly that he expected countless hidden texts—not just this sparse collection."