He hovered above the 'gorge', feeling extraordinarily small.
In his heart, he couldn't help but express a heartfelt sigh:
"If Zhang's Ruins is truly ford by a human body, what kind of realm must that existence have been?"
"And even such beings couldn't escape death; on the path of longevity, how many can ultimately achieve immortality?"
This is destined to be a rugged and difficult road...
But he did not dwell in such emotions. Seeing a green leaf-like flying boat approaching from afar, he was stirred, raised his hand in a distant salute, and called out:
"Outer Practitioner 'True Man Taiyi', greets Taoist Friend."
The leaf-like flying boat paused slightly, and the person inside seed to be silently observing him.
Then a figure flew out from the boat, also saluted from afar, and politely said:
"I wonder why Taoist Friend is blocking the way here, is there any important matter?"
The figure appeared tall and sturdy, powerfully built, with a square face and a slight beard, seemingly in middle age.
Yet at the corner of his eyes, a few scales were faintly visible, glimring slightly.
Wang Ba was not surprised; in the Realm Sea, though all were called cultivators, the environnts of various realms differed, and naturally, the appearance of cultivators could not be entirely consistent. Seeing that the other party was willing to stop and converse, he revealed a smile and said harmoniously:
"I have no permanent abode, and I've long heard of Zhang's Ruins' fad na, so I wanted to co here to settle. I only don't know the rules within, so I've stopped you to inquire clearly..."
As he spoke, he sized up the other person, then was slightly moved, and took out a middle-grade Dao Treasure with fewer innate cloud ban restrictions, and with a smile, gently pushed it in front of the other: "I dare ask for your guidance, Taoist Friend."
The cultivator's gaze shifted, glanced at the pushed middle-grade Dao Treasure, but did not accept it, rely nodded and said:
"I see, but there's no need for that, it's just a few words..."
"Taoist Friend is an outsider. Previously, entering Zhang's Ruins was simple; you only needed to obtain an entry-exit token and hand over so wealth to stay."
"But Taoist Friend must know that since those Evil Monks swept through, our days as rogue cultivators have not been easy. To prevent those of Supre True Buddha from infiltrating, the conditions now are much harsher: aside from needing a guarantee from soone within Zhang's Ruins, you also need to pass the 'Three Examinations and Five Inspections', and pay a sum of wealth, before you can gain the qualification to reside here."
"Guarantee? Three Examinations and Five Inspections?"
Wang Ba frowned slightly.
Evil Monks likely referred to the forces of the Supre True Buddha.
Given those monks' demand for 'travelers', it's highly possible they'd set their sights on Zhang's Ruins.
The cultivators inside raising the entry threshold is also reasonable.
But leaving aside the costs, just the guarantee alone is a hurdle he can't ignore.
With a thought, he looked to the other, showing a troubled expression, and said:
"I have co from afar, and have no friends here. Is there no way to stay here?"
The middle-aged man with the square face, hearing this, sized up Wang Ba, then showed a contemplative expression, and finally asked:
"May I ask what is Taoist Friend's cultivation?"
Wang Ba was startled, his mind raced, then hesitated and said:
"I am considered to be in the Unification Realm."
"Considered?"
The middle-aged man with the square face frowned slightly:
"Taoist Friend wishes to enter Zhang's Ruins, cultivation realm is extrely important. In the Three Examinations and Five Inspections, this is one aspect that absolutely must not be concealed."
"Moreover, the Unification Realm has early, middle, and late stages, with vast differences among them, how can one be vague?"
"Of course, if Taoist Friend is unwilling to reveal, I will not press the matter."
Saying this, he was about to flick his sleeves and return to the flying boat.
Seeing this, Wang Ba detected the tactic the person employed of feigning withdrawal to prompt pursuit.
Still, he desired to settle here now, so even knowing the other likely had intentions, he was not overly concerned. With a slight thought, he imdiately said:
"Ashad to say, I am of the Seventh Tier Dao Domain."
As he spoke, a flash of red Dao Domain appeared and vanished on his body.
Seeing this, the middle-aged man with the square face, hearing Wang Ba's words and sensing the seventh-tier Fire Attribute Tao Domain aura on him, was montarily stunned. Forgetting his earlier plan of feigned withdrawal to prompt pursuit, he couldn't help but show a trace of respect on his face, hurriedly bowing to Wang Ba again:
"I am Deng Yingjue from 'Green Flood Dragon Realm', yet I failed to recognize an expert earlier, and was disrespectful to Taoist Brother Taiyi."
"So it's Taoist Brother Deng, you're too kind."
Wang Ba returned the salute with a smile, finding this scene familiar yet not strange.
In a power force, there are often constraints binding each other. Cultivation realm is very important, but it's not the only asure of status.
Among rogue cultivators, however, raw strength commands respect.
If you are strong, you naturally receive respect.
If you are weak, no one cares about your reasons.
This was sothing he had seen very clearly from his early experiences as a rogue cultivator.
Deng Yingjue's change in attitude, while not obsequious, nevertheless confird this truth.
Seeing that Wang Ba did not rely on his realm for advantage, Deng Yingjue was slightly moved, then smiled, saying:
"In recent years, for an outsider rogue cultivator to enter Zhang's Ruins, it's typical to first have a guarantee, then undergo the Three Examinations and Five Inspections. After passing, and paying a sum of wealth, one can stay. However, my acquaintance with Taoist Friend feels predestined, and I can be your guarantor; naturally, the process of the Three Examinations and Five Inspections must still be followed."
Hearing this, Wang Ba deliberately displayed a look of joy on his face, yet he understood the aning behind the words, choosing to reciprocate the favor, smiled and said:
"Thank you, Taoist Friend. I've just arrived here, and I'm not too familiar with the circumstances. After entering, I wouldn't even know where to settle..."
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