Eternal Tale

“This is a small matter, Daoist friend, no need for such formality,” Bai Li Wentian replied heartily. “But is there any other purpose to your visit? We understand Marshal Zhonghu’s intentions.”

The Nine Heavens Patriarch kept silent, recalling the extinguishing spirit wind at the Heaven’s End Ravine—a joint creation by all the great powers to drive out corruption… though they never openly discussed it. The decision had been made long ago, and old matters like that were best left untouched.

“Heh, we’re here to exchange for some ordinary Deity Transformation-level techniques,” Chen Xun’s eyes gleamed as he looked toward the Nine Heavens Patriarch and then at Bai Li Wentian. “No need for anything too advanced. Simple and practical will do, given Qian Country’s scarce resources and broken heritage.”

Both figures raised their brows slightly—his request seemed to carry hidden meanings.

“May I ask which elemental root Daoist friend has?” Bai Li Wentian sighed quietly, knowing the difficulties of Qian Country’s cultivation realm. “Daoist Chen Xun, your request will be met as best we can by the Bai Li Clan.”

Chen Xun was a figure they both found intriguing—someone who had achieved so much despite limited resources. Such wisdom, character, and skill surpassed many of Da Li’s cultivators.

The Nine Heavens Patriarch scrutinized Brother Ox, who remained a mystery even to his discerning gaze. No idea what species this black ox belonged to, yet a constant sense of foreboding came over him.

Chen Xun respectfully clasped his hands. “Techniques for all five roots up to the heavenly root would be appreciated. We will give this battle our all.”

“Moo~” Brother Ox placed a storage bag filled with valuable, five-thousand-year-old spirit herbs on the ground!

“As will we of the Nine Heavens Demon-Suppressing Apes!”

At these words, the skies darkened as fierce winds howled and a murderous aura fell over the land. This battle was more than an individual matter.

“Thank you.”

“Moo”

“Roar! Roar!”

Chen Xun, Brother Ox, and Xiao Chi expressed their sincere gratitude. Some things could never be accomplished by their efforts alone.

“Nine Heavens Daoist…”

“Speak freely, Daoist friend.”

“Might I trouble you for two drops of Golden Core blood essence from the Nine Heavens Demon-Suppressing Apes? I have two three-thousand-year-old spirit ginseng roots here in exchange.”

Chen Xun gave an awkward smile, quickly producing his offering. “These should help with recovery.”

“Haha, Daoist Chen, no need to be so formal! It’s only a few drops of blood essence.” The Nine Heavens Patriarch’s massive frame shook with laughter. “Ape Yi!”

“Yes, Patriarch!” A large figure came barreling over from the distance, white fur gleaming under the sun as he shouted in response, “What’s up?”

“Hand over two drops of blood essence!”

“Huh?” Ape Yi skidded to a halt, wide-eyed in disbelief. He thought he was being called for a fight. “Blood ess—”

Boom!

A massive fist came down from above, leaving a crater in the ground as Ape Yi let out a yelp, limbs twitching before he could even finish his sentence. ṟà𝐍ǒ𝖇Ę𝙨

The Nine Heavens Patriarch wasted no time, pulling out two drops of blood essence and tossing Ape Yi the spirit herbs that Chen Xun had offered.

The scene made Chen Xun and his companions blink in amazement—this ancient spirit beast certainly didn’t waste time or bother with much protocol!

“Here you are, Daoist Chen.” The Nine Heavens Patriarch lifted his enormous hand, sending the two drops of Nascent Soul blood essence directly to Chen Xun. “If ever you need anything, come find me in the mountains. We can even have a sparring match!”

“Nine Heavens Daoist,” Chen Xun said, laughing as he clasped his hands in thanks, “you have my gratitude!”

“Moo~moo!” Brother Ox’s eyes sparkled—he wanted to spar a bit himself, for the sake of camaraderie, of course.

Xiao Chi let out a sigh of relief. Who would have guessed there’d be a connection between his clan and these powerful beasts? The Ten Thousand Mountains were safer than he’d imagined, with plenty of spirit beasts around to boot.

Just then, a formidable pressure radiated from Bai Li Wentian.

His robe billowed in the wind as he spoke gravely, “Daoist Chen Xun, there’s no turning back now. We’ll be waiting for you.”

Chen Xun’s gaze sharpened as a vast spiritual aura swept out, causing the surrounding mountains to hum. Many nearby spirit beasts froze in place as their spiritual energy stalled!

Standing opposite Bai Li Wentian, Chen Xun met his gaze calmly. “When we unleash turmoil upon the War Realm Camp, you’ll know.”

“Moo~” Brother Ox snorted, unwaveringly at Chen Xun’s side.

As they locked gazes, Bai Li Wentian’s blood surged with renewed fervor. This spirit pressure…he trusted Chen Xun’s resolve and nodded firmly.

The Next Day, in a Bai Li Clan Military Camp

The camp was full of junior cultivators, many at the Golden Core and Nascent Soul stages. Chen Xun and his companions strolled along the edge of the camp, taking it all in.

These cultivator-soldiers were leagues apart from ordinary cultivators, training in the Bai Li Clan’s lineage techniques from dawn till dusk, day and night.

They rarely had to search for resources on their own; every year, Da Li’s great factions contributed abundant resources to support the Bai Li Clan.

Firstly, to maintain relationships, and secondly, the Bai Li Clan had suffered many losses—each generation saw few cultivators who lived to a natural end, and they never competed in Da Li’s secret realms for treasures.

Many of the powerful forces held deep respect for this secluded clan.

Inside the camp, over a thousand people sat cross-legged, their blood and energy in harmony with the surrounding spiritual energy. In front of each of them lay a large, blood-red fruit.

Chen Xun’s eyes sparkled. It was the legendary Chaoyuan Scarlet Fruit, said to be a companion to the Nine Heavens Demon-Suppressing Apes and heralded by the heavens upon their birth.

The fruit was excellent for strengthening the body, and the leaves of the tree could even be used for medicinal baths during the Qi Refinement stage. Though that was more for those with deep pockets.

It was recorded that the Chaoyuan Scarlet Tree flowers once every hundred years and bears fruit once every thousand, though its limits are unknown. It was definitely leagues above the Jade Source Fruit.

But this tree couldn’t survive outside the Demon-Suppressing Apes’ domain, even with advanced water-nurturing techniques.

Chen Xun already had access to the five layers of Water Spirit Techniques stored in Yu Jingxin’s spatial ring, so this was a perfect opportunity to verify them with the Bai Li Clan before starting his cultivation.

“Moo?” Brother Ox nudged Chen Xun; he wanted a branch from the Chaoyuan Scarlet Tree.

“No worries, old Ox,” Chen Xun chuckled, glancing at Xiao Chi. “With these fruits around, you’ll reach the late Nascent Soul stage in no time.”

“Brother Xun, I’m not in a hurry,” Xiao Chi replied, scratching his head with a simple smile. “You and Brother Ox are the priority. I’ve got plenty of time.”

“Moo!” Brother Ox gave Xiao Chi a firm tap on the head—it was all serious business!

Chen Xun strolled along, lost in thought, letting Brother Ox and Xiao Chi bicker. These resources were valuable in the cultivation world, especially in the Grand World, where they could be sold for spirit stones—truly invaluable assets.

He also considered sending some back home, where they lacked any real body-strengthening techniques.

With that in mind, he extended his divine sense over the camp. The Bai Li Patriarch had mentioned that his fellow Qian Country cultivator was here.

But there was no need to make an official introduction—just a quick, discreet look around would do, especially as he knew so few cultivators from Qian Country to begin with.

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