Longevity, starting from being a chicken raising servant Chapter 2565: 257: The Highest (3)
Previously on Longevity, starting from being a chicken raising servant...
Regardless of the type, it fully validates Wang Ba's earlier conjecture that Tianshang Buddha Lord will likely descend upon them the instant he fully commands the Dharma Realm.
This signals that their remaining time is swiftly vanishing.
Aware of this harsh truth, True Man Gai—who had most fiercely resisted unlocking Duanhai Cliff—now wore a grave look as he compelled himself to utter words.
At True Man Gai's statement, Heavenly Monarch Chao, Xiahou Demon, Bai Lechan, and the others all bore somber faces.
Heavenly Monarch Chao cast a glance toward Bald Man Jiao, then spoke up first:
“With Taoist Friend Jiao's aid, the Eight-tailed Heavenly Fox's transformation looms near, sparing us further toil—we simply await its natural advance to Ninth-Tier. Thus, I'm prepared to make another attempt whenever on my end.”
Bald Man Jiao nodded at these words:
“I can also.”
Both then shifted their eyes to True Man Gai, Bai Lechan, and Lady Hua.
Bai Lechan stated calmly:
“Drawing support from the four Great Realms and forging the Great Array with Chaos Origin Substance has it nearly finished, though hampered by scarce materials and labor, its strength hits merely two or three tenths of the prototype. I figure that despite the three Dharma Realms fusing into one, as they weren't built for assault originally, their unleashed might might fall short of a genuine Profound Immortal. Our array could endure perhaps three clashes at most… Oh, and one more detail: should Duanhai Cliff shatter, Chaos Origin Substance will surge in reverse, dismantling the array sans any blow.”
Lady Hua, fondling True Man Gai, betrayed a wavering look.
Just then, Xiahou Demon let out a faint chuckle:
“I can also, but let me declare upfront: if Tianshang's might proves unstoppable, I won't delay but execute Instant Ascension.”
“I urge you all against pointless sacrifice… when the sky crumbles, the lofty bear it. The Realm Sea spans so vast, mighty figures surely lurk who can topple Tianshang. Should none arise, it's heaven's will—we've poured our utmost, perishing over this would be folly.”
Without naming names, all grasped he meant True Man Gai.
Upon his words, various Mahayana cultivators flashed ire.
Wang Ba briefly froze at the idiom 'when the sky falls, taller ones will take the burden,' struck by its odd familiarity.
True Man Gai replied with cool detachment, only sighing faintly:
“A toppled nest leaves no egg whole; if all harbor such thoughts, how shall the Realm Sea endure?”
He eyed Wang Ba, then Bai Lechan and the rest, a faint smile emerging:
“Fellows, pardon my absence for the path ahead. May fortune favor you all.”
All stood stunned; Xiahou Demon's eyes narrowed faintly too.
Only Lady Hua appeared to sense it, fixing on True Man Gai as her visage blanched, quaking like a fragile bloom:
“No, brother…”
True Man Gai regarded Lady Hua, guilt briefly shadowing his features:
“In this life, my deepest apologies to you.”
With tender yet steadfast motion, he brushed off Lady Hua's silken hand from his form.
The very next instant, bereft of Lady Hua's vital essence, his long-vacant frame released a moan resembling a sigh. Amid the tangled stares of all, it wavered momentarily before dissolving into vapor...
Lady Hua's frame tensed subtly, her gaze lost.
Bai Lechan's expression turned perplexed; he extended a gentle hand.
A mote of True Spirit, akin to a butterfly, drifted softly onto his palm.
“Teacher…”
Subtle streams of bewilderment and anguish swirled in Bai Lechan's eyes…
He had clearly scaled heights others craved, poised to slip free from this trap with ease—yet why embrace this cultivation-shunning course, squandering eons of tireless toil?
He half-grasped it, yet failed to fathom fully.
Matching turmoil and mourning drifted in Heavenly Monarch Chao's gaze.
Longtime comrades they were, near as kin, but now destined to witness one another's plunge into rebirth's wheel—any future incarnation would birth a stranger anew.
Xiahou Demon hadn't foreseen True Man Gai's iron will either, lapsing into hush.
Wang Ba shared the shock, beholding the True Spirit wisp cradled in Bai Lechan's grasp.
Mulling his conduct and speech, intricate sentiments stirred in Wang Ba's core.
To the world at large, True Man Gai cut no figure of kindness—duping Quiet Cave's lord, exploiting then discarding, a byword for deceit—yet for Cloud Sky Realm, his righteousness shone unmatched.
For Cloud Sky Realm's sake, though Ascension lay within reach, he dove unflinchingly into this swamp, withholding naught.
Even discerning how his presence shackled Lady Hua—a Mahayana titan—he ruthlessly severed his own lifeline's thread.
In a certain way, Wang Ba genuinely comprehended and sympathized with him.
He, along with True Man Gai and Taoist Master Changying of the Jade Pot Realm within the Sea of Chaos Realm, shared that trait—ready to give everything for the things they held dear.
Nearby, Lady Hua softly brushed the tears from her eyes, displaying the poise befitting a Mahayana Cultivator:
“Confronting Tianshang, I can also!”
At her side, Kong Zen declared with calm resolve:
“On my side, preparations are almost complete.”
Wang Ba listened to their statements, paused in silence for a beat, then faced Xiahou Demon and spoke deliberately:
“Taoist Friend Xiahou just said, when the sky falls, taller ones will take the burden; there's indeed some truth to that.”
Xiahou Demon's face grew solemn, his eyes narrowing faintly as he heard those words.
“However,”
Wang Ba spun around, gazing at the apparently boundless high wall stretching ahead, hesitated briefly, and murmured softly to himself:
“What if we are the tallest ones?”
From his Primordial Spirit, the Six Root Magic Staff emerged once more, scattering to everyone present.
Meanwhile.
Silhouettes rapidly closed in from the remote four Great Realms and Zhang’s Ruins…
“Since there’s no escape, nowhere to wait, no need to wait anymore.”
“Friends, please join me, form the formation, break Duanhai Cliff!”
