Eternal Tale

Chapter 261: Leaving the Forbidden Sea

The medium-sized Five Elements teleportation array was quite large, several times bigger than any array they had used before. It was unclear how many layers of formations Black Ox had added to it.

A circular formation sat at its center, with the edges lined with massive Five Elements Stones, each half a meter tall. Surrounding the teleportation array was the Five Extremes Formation, Black Ox’s proud creation.

It had been modified for offense, defense, and concealment, making it impossible even for divine senses to penetrate. Anyone attempting to force their way in would be met with a backlash from the Extinguishing Spirit Wind.

Standing in the center, Black Ox waved the formation flag. In an instant, the entire island trembled, emitting a deep rumbling sound.

Xiao Chi broke into a cold sweat without realizing it; the commotion was far greater than what they had experienced when using a cross-state teleportation array back in Da Li.

*Buzz—*

The Five Elements divine light illuminated in all directions, and the Five Elements Stones stirred up strong gusts of wind. Sand and rocks flew as the force of space tugged at them.

Chen Xun remained calm, glancing at Black Ox, who was still controlling the array, his eyes filled with absolute trust.

After a stick of incense’s time, their bodies tensed as the Five Elements energy of the formation bound them like chains. Xiao Chi’s expression turned sour; the pressure of the Five Elements energy on his spiritual power was intense.

After their departure, the Five Extremes Formation began its automatic operation, deeply concealing the teleportation array, leaving no trace behind. The desolate island returned to its quiet state.

…

In the Forbidden Sea, on an island that looked as if its body had been hollowed out, a burst of brilliant formation light shot skyward from a mine pit, dazzling in its splendor.

Three figures gradually emerged from the formation, their eyes filled with a mix of shock and a sense of having returned after ages. They had made it back just like that.

The surroundings were familiar to them—this abandoned, massive mine pit was their handiwork.

"Impressive... Old Ox," Chen Xun said in awe, looking around. "It really worked."

Black Ox snorted in satisfaction, standing up with a triumphant look. His long-held dream had finally been realized.

However, there were still many improvements needed for the Five Elements teleportation array—such as reducing the commotion it caused and speeding up the teleportation process.

Black Ox mooed as he pulled out a notebook to jot down notes. Experiencing teleportation firsthand was entirely different from using stones; the experience gave him new insights.

"Brother Ox, this vast cultivation world is ours to roam!" Xiao Chi’s eyes widened. "Who could possibly catch us now?"

"Hahaha..."

Chen Xun laughed heartily, feeling exhilarated. "We’ll have to return to the Heaven's End Plains at some point and set up a teleportation array there too."

"Brother Xun, I remember the route. I’ll lead the way!"

"Sounds good."

Chen Xun clapped Black Ox on the back. "Old Ox, let’s go to the Western Sea to fish while we wait for the Hanging Heaven's Gate to open."

"Moo~" Black Ox responded absentmindedly, still scribbling notes in his notebook with great focus.

Xiao Chi glanced over, finding Brother Xun and Brother Ox's habits rather peculiar. They were always writing in notebooks, unlike typical cultivators who usually recorded cultivation methods and techniques.

Chen Xun tapped the ground lightly, and a breeze swept past as he headed toward the coast, followed by a writing Black Ox and a chattering lion.

When they reached the shore, Chen Xun waved his hand, and the giant ship’s ethereal shadow slowly materialized. The Crane Spirit Five Elements Tree revived, swaying with its mystical energy.

Chen Xun stepped onto the ship, settling on the roof of the pavilion atop the deck. He looked in a specific direction. "Brothers, set sail."

"Moo!"

"I’ll scout ahead!"

Black Ox and Xiao Chi sprang into action. The ship let out a resounding roar as the formation activated, propelling them toward the Western Sea.

Meanwhile, the Forbidden Sea was filled with young cultivators aboard large ships, venturing into the depths with high spirits, battling against the sea’s will, other cultivators, and sea beasts alike.

"Watch out below the surface!"

"There’s purple mist ahead—avoid it quickly!"

"Ancient warship! We’re doomed—run!!"

…

All around the Forbidden Sea, the cries of Da Li’s cultivators echoed. The waves roared like drums, resonating in their hearts. Threats emerged from every direction, making the scene terrifying.

Guardians soared into the sky to fend off dangers, some cultivators fled without a second thought, abandoning their comrades, while others unleashed powerful spiritual weapons in defiant roars.

*Buzz—*

A giant ship hidden within the mists sailed in the opposite direction, passing by numerous other vessels and gliding through layers of purple mist.

Chen Xun remained seated at the top of the pavilion, calmly observing the battles of the young cultivators below. His heart remained untroubled.

"In the blink of an eye, I’ve been in the Forbidden Sea for over a hundred years. Has it really been that long?"

Chen Xun smiled unconsciously, now an accomplished cultivator in his own right. "Time is truly mysterious, and the cultivation world even more so."

Black Ox and Xiao Chi continued chatting and laughing below, their voices filled with a sense of camaraderie.

At that moment, several branches of the Crane Spirit Tree extended and rested silently beside Chen Xun, without making a sound.

The faint sound of wind slicing through the low sky of the Forbidden Sea created gentle ripples on the dark sea surface. The sky above gradually brightened, with a piercing light breaking through.

As the light expanded, an endless blue stretched before their eyes—clear skies and scattered white clouds drifted like lonely sails on the turquoise sea.

The blue sky seemed boundless, with a golden sun shining brightly above, illuminating everything.

"Moo!"

"Brother Xun, we made it out!"

Black Ox and Xiao Chi exclaimed, marveling at the vibrant dawn reflecting on the vast sea, which sparkled as if adorned with the red silk of a goddess.

"Ah." Chen Xun stood up, letting the sea breeze wash over him.

His bandit-style outfit gradually faded, revealing a youthful face with a warm smile, one that felt welcoming and difficult to dislike.

Yet, his deep black eyes remained clear and calm, and the faint smile at the corner of his lips carried an undeniable confidence.

"Brother Xun, there are many Yu family fleets out there."

Xiao Chi, initially excited, quickly grew alert, recognizing the flags of a force he had memorized when entering the Forbidden Sea. "It looks like they’re searching for someone."

"Moo~" Black Ox’s eyes glinted. These cultivators had no intention of entering the Forbidden Sea, instead scanning the passing ships constantly.

"Trying to block us?" Chen Xun sneered. "The Yu family really isn’t afraid of us going on a rampage. Do they plan to keep their young disciples sheltered forever?"

"Moo!" Black Ox raised his hind legs and looked at Chen Xun. If his big brother gave the command, he could sink those ships without a trace.

"Brother Xun, we should be cautious. If we act, there’s a chance that a Deity Transformation stage cultivator could appear out of nowhere."

Xiao Chi, eyeing the Golden Core cultivators on the ships, felt uneasy. He feared these powerful clans the most. "Such forces aren’t something individuals can confront. Killing a few people won’t solve anything."

Black Ox turned to Xiao Chi, amused. Even after reaching the mid-Nascent Soul stage, his little brother’s personality remained the same.

"Yes, Xiao Chi is right. These people aren’t foolish, and the power of Deity Transformation is beyond our current level."

Chen Xun nodded firmly. "If the Yu family’s disciples are this bold, it means they don’t fear us. But this enmity between us is already set."

"Moo!" Black Ox’s eyes flashed coldly. The Yu family’s actions had escalated beyond a personal grudge.

"Brother Xun, what should we do?"

Xiao Chi’s heart burned with anger for his two elder brothers. These powerful human clans acted as if they feared nothing. Did they really think reaching the pinnacle of Da Li allowed them to act with impunity?

"It’s fine; these are just ordinary cultivators. They likely don’t know the truth."

Chen Xun’s expression remained calm, a hint of thunderlight flashing in his eyes. "Stick to the plan. We won’t act rashly. The one responsible will get their due—no need to fall into their trap."

Xiao Chi sighed in relief, reassured by his elder brother’s steady approach. As expected of a seasoned cultivator, his plans were always sound.

"Moo~" Black Ox called softly as he waved the formation flag. The ship lifted into the air, shrouded by the concealment array, making it impossible for the Golden Core and Nascent Soul cultivators to detect them.

*Buzz!*

The ship soared into the sky, cutting through the clouds. The dark mists of the Forbidden Sea gradually faded into the distance, leaving them with clear skies and no more oppressive presence—finally, an unprecedented sense of freedom.