Eternal Tale

Chapter 328: Do You Still Remember Liu Yuan?

Jiang Xuechen’s eyelid twitched. She rarely stayed within the Five Elements Sect, so she hadn’t noticed this. What astounded her more, though, was the grand mountain-protecting formation of the Five Elements Sect—an eternal formation, pulsing with boundless energy, seemingly inseparable from the heavens and earth...

"Ancestor, when do you plan to… depart?"

Liu Han’s question came in a soft, cautious tone. Her gaze fixed intently on the figure before her, so close yet feeling like an eternity away. “Will you return?”

Shi Wujun and Ji Zhao both found themselves standing up, hands subtly trembling with restrained emotion.

Jiang Xuechen sighed softly. The path of cultivation was vast and boundless, an endless journey. Under these heavens, where could one truly hold down these two?

“Wait until your Brother Ox sets up the large-scale teleportation array.”

Chen Xun’s tone was calm as ever, yet his gaze remained lifted to the stars. “Little ones, there will always be partings in life. No need to dwell on it too much.”

Brother Ox let out a low moo. Xiao Chi looked at the now slightly cool dishes on the table, feeling an unexpected hint of sadness at the thought.

The three disciples bowed solemnly. They were no longer who they had once been; their eyes showed newfound resilience and strength, capable now of supporting the legacy of the Five Elements Sect.

Chen Xun let out a hearty laugh. “The future is full of brilliance and surprises. I look forward to hearing the name of the Five Elements Sect echoing across the grand era to come!”

“We shall not fail the Ancestor’s expectations!”

In unison, the three disciples bowed, their voices resolute and filled with unwavering determination.

Though they did not fully grasp the meaning of “grand era,” they knew their sect’s steps forward would never halt. One day, the name of the Five Elements Sect would reach the ears of their two Ancestors, reverberating across the heavens!

Chen Xun nodded approvingly, placing a storage pouch into Jiang Xuechen’s hands. Being the sole power was unwise—they needed allies they could trust.

She performed a deep, respectful bow, understanding the unspoken meaning between them.

“Go on, make your arrangements. We’ll stay here a little while longer.”

Chen Xun looked deeply at each of them, an unreadable expression crossing his face. “It’s all looking quite good.”

Brother Ox also gave each of them a long look, running over to nuzzle each one in turn, as if to imprint their scent in his memory forever.

Liu Han’s eyes glistened with tears. “Ancestor…”

Shi Wujun gently pulled on her sleeve, shaking his head subtly.

Ji Zhao’s heart was in turmoil, unsure what to say in that moment.

Whoosh!

A soft breeze swept through, lifting the four of them into the air with a surprised shout. This time, neither Ancestor nor Brother Ox pointed or gave instructions; they simply left a distant silhouette.

However, Xiao Chi smirked, crouching on the ground as he pointed and chuckled at them.

“Hey, what’s so funny? Brother Ox, let’s teach him a lesson!”

“Moo moo!!”

“Ah! Ancestor! Brother Ox!”

…

Ghostly wails and screeches echoed from the cliffside as Brother Ox picked up Xiao Chi by the scruff of his neck. He wriggled in vain, left defenseless with no Brother Crane to protect him this time.

As Chen Xun watched, a hint of solemnity entered his gaze, though he remained nonchalant. He lacked the resources to grant them Deity Transformation pills or divine sense cultivation methods. With their current lifespans, they could not yet tackle the corrupted beings. This was as far as he could guide them—on the path of cultivation, challenges were necessary; growth could not flourish without them.

Today’s parting marked a turning point; the Five Elements Sect’s foundations were solid. Now, he could leave them with peace of mind, unburdened and free to pursue his destiny within the vast expanse of the Three Thousand Great Worlds.

…

The next day, the sky was clear, without a cloud in sight. A brilliant sun rose steadily, its rays scattering like fire over the misty peaks and floating mountains.

Brother Ox and Xiao Chi were already at work, setting up a massive five-element teleportation array, flags of power anchoring its range. Ji Zhao stayed close, assisting with each step.

On the cliff, Jiang Xuechen took her leave from Chen Xun. A treasured artifact in the shape of a shuttle glinted as it carried her away, bound for the Moon Tower to make preparations.

Liu Han and Shi Wujun organized a grand sect meeting. The hall was filled, every elder bearing a solemn expression. The atmosphere was thick with determination and strength.

A renewed energy surged through the Five Elements Sect, the air filled with the constant hum of movement. Every disciple was busy fulfilling their duties.

Chen Xun withdrew his gaze, an amused glint in his eye as he then turned and vanished from the cliff.

By now, he had left the Jade Bamboo Mountains, striding through the sky as he journeyed toward the Endless Mountain Range in the southern territories.

However, he wasn’t in any rush. At each mountain cliff and cave he passed, he’d pause to plant a few spirit herbs or scatter seeds of fortuitous encounters.

In his early days, he and Brother Ox had combed through these places in vain, searching for these very treasures. Now, it felt fitting to leave behind a legacy, quietly awaiting those with the right fate.

In a shadowy mountain cave, a low rumbling echoed as if some force within stirred.

“Let’s begin the ritual!”

Chen Xun arranged incense, facing the sky with open hands, and spoke with a tone of reverence, “Today, I return my gratitude to this land. May the heavens and all immortals and deities above bless my brothers and me with good fortune and success!”

As the incense smoke coiled, colors of radiant light burst forth. Chen Xun’s gaze was serene, though a lopsided grin betrayed his amusement.

With the smoke trailing behind him, Chen Xun disappeared without a sound.

…

Three days later, in the Endless Mountain Range of southern Qian Country…

Looking out across the mountains, only the layers of peaks stretching to the horizon were visible. The closer ranges stood out in crisp detail, while the distant ones faded, blurring into the sky.

Mist blanketed the valleys, obscuring the bases of the peaks, leaving only the mountaintops visible.

Towering ancient trees filled the area, shrouded in an aura of antiquity and mystery. In the heart of the range, fearsome beasts made their homes, wielding power far beyond mortal comprehension. No ordinary person would dare venture near.

At the mountain range’s edge, groups of cultivators patrolled, half from the Five Elements Sect, half from the Moon Tower. Each bore a steely aura as they stood watch, keeping a wary eye on the beasts deep within the mountains.

Inside a secluded cave, a man sat in meditation. His features were unassuming, his hair dark and dense, but his steady gaze held a depth that commanded respect.

This man was Qi Hao, a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator. Despite his faintly wan complexion, his vitality was still strong—an unusual combination.

There was only one explanation for this: he must have consumed rare treasures that extended his lifespan!

Thud…

Footsteps echoed from outside his cave. Qi Hao’s eyes snapped open, his body tensing as a sense of impending danger flooded him. He quickly patted his spirit beast pouch, releasing its contents, while his Nascent Soul manifested beside him. With a surge of power, his formidable aura spread throughout the cave.

He called out cautiously, “Who’s there?”

A gray-robed man entered with a calm smile, seemingly unaffected by the cave’s defenses. His presence felt detached, as though he existed outside the boundaries of this world, beyond the constraints of any cultivation technique.

Qi Hao’s heart raced. He’d never encountered someone so powerful! Nor had he ever heard of anyone who matched this level.

But when he got a clear look at the man’s face, his shock gave way to joy. Bowing deeply, he exclaimed, “Disciple Qi Hao of the Five Elements Sect greets the Ancestor!”

“No need for formalities. You’ve worked hard over the years.”

Chen Xun raised a hand, looking closely at the man’s face, trying to recall if he recognized him. “Tell me, how do you know me?”

“Ancestor… do you still remember Liu Yuan, Master of Liu Peak?”

Boom!

A low tremor ran through the cave, as though the very earth had answered. The faint smile in Chen Xun’s eyes shifted, replaced by a solemn glint.

A drop of sweat appeared on Qi Hao’s forehead, his breathing growing labored as an overpowering presence bore down on him, stalling his divine sense and disrupting his mana flow.

Pale-faced, he remembered a terrifying scene from years ago: when the heavenly aura had retreated, and the sheer force of that man’s presence had obliterated all escape routes for the disciples of the Tianwu Sect. A single blow, like a divine axe, had erased everything in its path.