Eternal Tale

On the desolate island, the cold sea wind blew, and darkness and solitude remained the eternal melody here.

Black Ox and Xiao Chi were in the center of the island, working on a medium-sized teleportation array. They communicated fluently in beast language, mooing and growling as they worked.

Chen Xun sat cross-legged by the coast. While there were no living creatures on the island or in the sky, the Forbidden Sea still harbored various sea beasts and fish, with the creatures at the far end being the most peculiar.

*Boom!*

The sea exploded, and the black waters surged toward Chen Xun. A faint light shimmered around him, and a five-colored protective shield appeared, sizzling as the black sea collided with it.

He held a large fish at the Foundation Establishment stage, its species unidentifiable, but its jaws bore fangs, and its blood-red eyes glared menacingly at him.

The fish opened its bloodthirsty maw, showing no fear, even in the presence of a Nascent Soul cultivator. It had lost its intelligence, driven only by its violent instincts.

Chen Xun pointed a finger, and the fish's eyes lost their light as its body began to wither. A streak of foul blood was drawn out, suspended in front of Chen Xun.

"This..." Chen Xun frowned. "This blood is even stranger than that of demonic cultivators. It doesn’t feel like the blood of a living being."

He carefully examined it. The blood lacked even a trace of vital energy as if it was something rejected by the heavens. Vital energy, born of nature, exists inherently in all living beings.

This fish was at the Foundation Establishment stage, and its vital energy was supposed to be hidden deep within its veins, impossible to fully expel.

Now that Chen Xun had begun to grasp the ways of the world's vital energy, he could see things other cultivators could not. Otherwise, as in the past, he would have merely killed the sea beasts of the Forbidden Sea without noticing anything unusual.

Such blood would not react even if placed in a Rootless Essence Flower; it was useless blood.

"Incredible. Could it be that beyond the sea... lies an enemy?"

Chen Xun’s eyes deepened as he looked toward the distant ancient formation. "Corrupted life… an existence that contaminates lifespan, not beasts but something else—maybe not even living creatures."

Lifespan is like a blade. No matter how invincible or powerful you are, it subtly influences your state of mind, pushing you forward, especially for high-level cultivators.

Their determination, talent, and resolve to explore the unknown are far beyond ordinary cultivators. But if such a thing truly exists, it would go against all of nature’s beings.

"These are just speculations. If it really is corrupted lifespan, then it’s meaningless. I’ll need to investigate further."

Chen Xun shook his head lightly, doubting that cultivators would be so foolish. "I’ll have to return to Da Li when the time comes and cross the sea with those cultivators to 'witness' the Heavenly Gate."

He pulled out a small notebook and began planning the next steps, muttering, "I wonder if that abbot has broken through yet. Dual Golden Cores—what a rare talent." ɌаŊȱᛒĘ𝘚

Chen Xun’s eyes showed admiration. Whether it was a single or five-element spiritual root, he had never heard of anyone cultivating two Golden Cores.

The abbot's other Golden Core was particularly mysterious, beyond his understanding. It didn’t seem to be cultivated in the usual way...

They had once cultivated five Golden Cores, but those were formed through later efforts. The abbot’s other Golden Core was entirely different.

At that time, he didn’t dare investigate further; it was certainly someone else’s secret. He was simply unsettled by the mention of the Deity Transformation Stage, as Golden Core Cultivators should not be able to discern Chen Xun and Black Ox's cultivation levels. He couldn’t believe it!

Especially since they practiced the Five Elements Immortal Dao, making it impossible for others to discern their cultivation so easily. The abbot must be hiding many secrets.

"Early Golden Core stage... Abbot, you hide your cards well. I wonder if you can overcome your inner obstacles."

Chen Xun laughed, finding it interesting. "It’s the first time Old Ox and I have encountered such a genius on our journey. Let’s hope he doesn’t meet an early end."

His expression grew calm as he began calculating the timeline for leaving the desolate island. Various possibilities and plans gradually filled the small notebook.

Half a month later.

A loud roar from Black Ox and a lion’s roar echoed across the island. The medium-sized teleportation array had been completed, capable of crossing the sea of thunder!

Chen Xun, still sitting by the coast, stared into the distance, lost in thought, until the roar snapped him back to reality.

"It’s done?!"

"Moo!!"

"Brother Xun, it’s foolproof!"

Black Ox trotted over with Xiao Chi standing proudly on his back, waving his paws. The abundance of Extinguishing Spirit Stones made the teleportation array incredibly stable, and this place didn’t hinder the Five Elements energy of heaven and earth.

Chen Xun stood up with a smile, his eyes showing a hint of depth. They didn’t think too much about it.

"Moo moo~~" Black Ox came up to Chen Xun, giving him a firm nudge. The teleportation array was connected to the Five Elements Formation Flag; only Black Ox could control this medium-sized array.

The Formation Flag contained too many complexities. Black Ox’s thousand-year expertise in formations was all embedded within it, enough to overwhelm anyone.

Even Chen Xun couldn’t control this medium-sized teleportation array. The formation’s operational path was known only to the Formation Flag, as the Five Elements energy alone couldn’t activate it.

"Let’s go. Time to leave the Forbidden Sea." Chen Xun glanced at the giant ship. "Brother Crane, get ready. Conceal your vital energy."

*Rustle...*

The Crane Spirit Five Elements Tree swayed, and its black and white leaves gradually dimmed, until no aura remained, as if it had hidden everything.

"Brother Crane is amazing. It can even transform its vital energy and merge into the ship." Xiao Chi was envious, stretching his neck. "If I could do that, I’d be a master of playing dead. No one would ever find me."

*Smack!*

Chen Xun slapped Xiao Chi, sending him spinning through the air with a miserable cry, twirling 720 degrees before landing.

"Moo!" Black Ox roared, leaping into the air for a Black Ox Charge!

"Ahhhh!!!" Xiao Chi’s cries grew louder as he spun even faster in the air.

"Transform your vital energy? Your Brother Crane is alive; it’s never played dead. Xiao Chi, watch your words."

Chen Xun scolded, pointing at Xiao Chi. "Brother Crane is one of us. Don’t say anything that might harm our unity."

"Moo moo!" Black Ox also huffed angrily, blowing a breath at Xiao Chi.

They only concealed Brother Crane’s aura for the sake of the teleportation array. Now that it had gained sentience, they weren’t treating it like a mere spirit beast to be stored away.

In the end, Xiao Chi lay down on Black Ox’s back, whimpering and no longer daring to speak out of turn, but feeling touched.

Brother Xun had never treated them as mere spirit beasts or tools; they were like a family of different bloodlines.

For Brother Ox to be so powerful yet still follow Brother Xun wholeheartedly—it was clear that Brother Xun’s charisma was unmatched.

"I was wrong, Brother Xun, Brother Ox, Brother Crane." Xiao Chi grinned sheepishly, bowing his head low. "I’ll think before I speak from now on."

"See that you do. Brothers, let’s go." Chen Xun took a step forward as Five Elements energy surrounded the ship. It rumbled as the black sea began to churn with massive waves.

They all leaped into the air, heading toward the teleportation array at the center of the island.

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