Eternal Tale

Chapter 293: Ding Lingxiao… It’s Snowing

Despite everything, Yu Jingxin’s expression remained calm—no fear, no surprise, and no resentment. It was as if he had known all along how things would end. The strength of his two opponents far surpassed his own, and he understood that Chen Xun might have even spared him.

For cultivators, especially those at the Deity Transformation stage, death was seen differently from how ordinary people viewed it. For Yu Jingxin, it was even more so.

“Heh... as expected of Brother Chen,” he said, lying stiff on the ground, a faint smile lingering as he stared at the dim sky, blood trickling from the corners of his mouth. “Cultivating... it’s truly exhausting.”

“Moo?!”

Brother Ox looked at Chen Xun in surprise, wondering how Yu Jingxin recognized him.

Chen Xun, wearing a somber expression, patted Brother Ox and slowly walked forward. He stood over Yu Jingxin, who lay motionless, his vacant eyes fixed on the sky.

Yu Jingxin glanced at Chen Xun and, with great effort, pulled out an orange from his storage ring. “Brother Chen, here... for you.”

Chen Xun accepted it gently, remaining silent.

“Brother Chen, is it snowing...?” Yu Jingxin’s eyes held no resentment or hostility; he only gazed up with a hazy expression. “Ding Lingxiao... it’s snowing.”

Chen Xun slowly raised his head, looking at the sky. It was merely the light of the formation dispersing. The Forbidden Sea never experienced snow.

“Heh, Brother Yu, it’s snowing.”

Chen Xun suddenly smiled and sat down beside him. “It seems you are still Yu Xianfan.”

“If there is a next life, I... only wish to be an ordinary man,” Yu Jingxin whispered, his voice growing weaker as his life force faded. “Having a few close friends and a beloved wife would be enough.”

Chen Xun nodded slightly, his gaze steady. “If I ever meet someone named Yu Xianfan in the future, I’ll share a drink with him.”

“Then Brother Chen, it’s a promise, heh...”

“It’s a promise.”

“... Thank you.”

A hint of nostalgia filled Yu Jingxin’s eyes as he gazed at the snow covering the island. A smile slowly formed on his lips. After centuries of burden, his soul finally found release. But a trace of sadness lingered—he had let down the Yu family and the two brothers who had always supported him on his cultivation journey.

At that moment, a blurry figure appeared in the dim sky. Yu Jingxin’s eyes became distant, as if seeing the deepest memory in his heart—it was her.

People often said she lacked the beauty to match his status, but what did they know of a virtuous woman’s true worth?

Ding Lingxiao, we do have a home... I’ve come to find you.

He slowly closed his eyes, placing his storage ring next to Chen Xun. His blood drained quickly as he forced it out.

Chen Xun’s pupils trembled as the pool of blood expanded, Yu Jingxin’s body withering and shrinking. Brother Ox watched in shock. What was happening to this Deity Transformation cultivator?

The formation lights dispersed like falling snow, resembling the night Ding Lingxiao had left, gradually covering Yu Jingxin’s body. Tears finally rolled down his cheeks as he faded into eternal darkness, feeling a sense of release, relief... and a hint of regret.

Chen Xun clenched the storage ring in his hand, standing up and leaving with Brother Ox, their steps firm. It was the first time he had not destroyed a corpse.

Xiao Chi watched nervously, sensing something off about Brother Chen’s mood. Brother Ox nudged Chen Xun, understanding why he hadn’t used any destructive artifacts on Yu Jingxin’s body. His elder brother feared that the deathly energy might destroy the corpse.

They stepped into the teleportation array and vanished from the island without a trace.

…

Two hours later.

The two Yu family patriarchs broke through the blockade of ancient warships, charging onto the Forbidden Sea’s island. Covered in blood, they remained fearless—they had come for their third brother!

As they scanned the ravaged island, it was clear a fierce battle had taken place. They had arrived too late.

“Jingxin!!”

“Jingxin!!!”

Their roars echoed through the sky as they rushed to the tombstone, their eyes red. People often said Deity Transformation cultivators were indifferent, but that was a misconception.

They knew Yu Jingxin was tied to the Jiang family, especially after that incident in the mortal world. The flaws and suspicions had been too numerous. They had set up countless precautions.

In the past, spies from the Jiang family had infiltrated, but those individuals never rose beyond the late Nascent Soul stage and never accessed the family’s core secrets. Hence, the Yu family had chosen to suppress the Jiang family rather than tear the veil.

The Jiang family’s decline over the years was not only due to sending their most talented descendants to the Yu family but also the Yu family’s covert actions. Despite this, Yu Jingxin’s cultivation had indeed protected the Yu family’s peace.

He had long been considered one of their own. The true prodigies of the Yu family were few, and they had nurtured him into the Deity Transformation stage. Their bond extended beyond mere bloodlines.

“Elder brother... Jingxin forced out his blood essence.”

“I know.”

The elder brother remained composed, crouching to gently brush away the blood-stained tears. “Third brother, I understand.”

The second brother’s face was filled with grief and anger. Although Jingxin might not have fully understood his elder brother’s intentions, he would have, someday. They had hoped for that day.

He clenched his fists, his chest heaving with rage.

People said that those covered in blood were either monsters or the most terrifying beings in the world.

Yet, the elder brother gently wiped away the blood from Yu Jingxin’s face, though it seemed impossible to clean, and the wounds remained unhealed.

“In the end, all of this stems from the Jiang family.”

The elder brother’s voice was solemn, low as if he feared disturbing his long-slumbering third brother. “Declare war. It’s time to settle our grievances.”

The person responsible had already shown them enough respect. It was also a warning. The Yu family lacked the strength for revenge; their hidden trump cards weren’t meant for lone cultivators.

“Yes, elder brother.”

The second brother responded with a heavy heart. They dared not investigate the mysterious cultivator from the Forbidden Sea any further. “I’ll prepare immediately.”

No other faction dared to interfere with the third brother’s death—this was the Yu family’s internal matter. When an ancient cultivation family mobilizes its full strength, no one dares to become entangled.

The elder brother nodded slightly, lifting Yu Jingxin’s body. He would not be left here; he would always be their third brother.

The elder brother’s gaze turned steely as a towering killing intent surged around him. He would ensure the Jiang family felt the full force of the Yu family’s wrath!

Outside the Forbidden Sea.

Cultivators from all sides continued their battle against the ancient warships. The mist of purple energy clashed wildly, preventing anyone from entering the depths.

Suddenly, they paused, looking toward the rear of the ancient warships. Two blood-soaked figures emerged from the island—they were the Yu family’s patriarchs. Their eyes were fierce, brimming with suppressed fury.

One of them carried a corpse—the remains of a Deity Transformation cultivator.

“How is this possible?! Daoist Yu...”

A Deity Transformation cultivator muttered, his voice filled with shock. The fall had been too swift—something even they could not achieve.

For such a quick kill, it must have been either a group attack or an assault by a mid-to-late Deity Transformation cultivator. The swift and lethal execution spanning thousands of miles instilled fear in all present Deity Transformation cultivators. What crime had Yu Jingxin committed to provoke such a terrifying figure?

Da Li’s 360 prefectures were full of hidden dangers. The whereabouts of known late-stage Deity Transformation cultivators were unclear, and who knew how many ancient beings still lay dormant.

The patriarchs of various sects exchanged glances, their expressions heavy. With a silent agreement, they turned and left.

This was not a matter they could involve themselves in; any hidden motives they had vanished in an instant.

The two Jiang family patriarchs felt a slight shiver in their hearts—they hadn’t saved him in time.

At that moment, two fierce gazes fixed upon them. The two Jiang patriarchs frowned deeply and immediately retreated. The Yu family had likely discovered something.

Yu Jingxin’s attachment to the mortal world had not been part of their calculations. Perhaps the flaw lay in that, leaving them with a bitter sense of frustration.