Eternal Tale

Chapter 326: Amidst the Vast Sea of Clouds

Xiao Chi’s eyes widened, rushing to the front. “Heh, we’re all family here, no need for formalities,” he announced with a grin, then hurried back to Brother Ox’s side. With anyone else, Xiao Chi was always polite yet cautious, never dropping his guard unless it was with those three he truly trusted.

He sat there with a friendly smile, glancing at the view from the cliff now and then but staying respectfully silent as the two brothers caught up.

The four elders felt a bit awkward, realizing this “senior” wasn’t quite as welcoming to them.

“Xiao Chi, have you forgotten your manners?” Chen Xun chided.

“Huh? Brother Xun, what did I—”

“Moo!”

Brother Ox snorted, nudging his storage bag. “Moo moo~~”

A welcome gift!

Xiao Chi’s jaw dropped. There were such rules?

Panicking slightly, he rummaged through his storage ring, eventually pulling out four spirit beast eggs—most of them from his vast collection of Foundation Establishment-level beast eggs.

“Here, since you’re all Brother Xun’s juniors, don’t hold back!”

Each elder received an egg with reverence, thanking Xiao Chi respectfully, “Thank you, Senior, for your gift.”

Despite the fact that the yolk of each egg had long since gone solid, devoid of any life, their respect remained unshaken.

Chen Xun chuckled. Xiao Chi’s offerings may have been meager, but they were given with genuine sincerity.

Brother Ox gave Xiao Chi a hearty nudge, a silent exchange between good friends.

“How have things been?” Chen Xun asked, stretching out and sipping his tea. “It’s been a while since I’ve been able to sit back like this—let’s chat.”

Liu Han’s eyes sparkled with excitement as she began pouring him more tea. “Ancestor, there’s so much to tell you! Did you know, after you left, Ji Zhao actually spent ten years working as a blacksmith!”

“Hey, Shi Wujun, why are you putting me on blast in front of the Ancestor? Weren’t you the one who opened a tavern?!”

“Haha…”

Their laughter echoed across the cliff, mingling with the faint scent of flowers drifting in the breeze. Chen Xun even caught a few petals, tucking them away.

But what really surprised Chen Xun and Brother Ox was learning that Liu Han and Shi Wujun had become Dao companions and now had twin children.

The girl was named Shi Muqing, and the boy, Shi Qian. Both possessed dual spirit roots and had already reached the Golden Core stage—a promising start.

They were out training, deepening their understanding of the world, and had yet to return. Shi Wujun had set high expectations for them.

For cultivators, bearing children was no simple feat. After advancing to Foundation Establishment, every bit of vital essence became precious, and most waited until reaching Golden Core before considering it.

Both Liu Han and Shi Wujun had even waited until they reached the Nascent Soul stage before starting a family, hoping for stronger offspring. The resources it consumed were immense, but with Chen Xun’s extra medicinal support, the Five Elements Sect could endure the strain and continue growing.

Still, Liu Han had been severely weakened by the childbirth, her Nascent Soul damaged, only recovering after several years.

Yet the twins had not disappointed—they were born with stronger constitutions than most and reached Foundation Establishment on the day they were born.

Chen Xun took a leisurely sip of tea, thoughtfully musing, “Ah, that explains a lot.”

He had observed the Bai Li Clan’s female cultivators, noting their robust energy and vitality. Whether beast or human, the stronger one became, the harder it was to conceive. But if successful, the child would far surpass the average, almost certainly possessing spiritual roots.

“Moo~~” Brother Ox let out a low moo, wide-eyed at the news. It wasn’t something he’d ever considered before, but it was fascinating nonetheless.

Xiao Chi, on the other hand, blinked mischievously, recalling how he’d once seen mother spirit beasts drained of strength after giving birth, left temporarily vulnerable.

Chen Xun, ever generous, made a quick promise. He’d personally guarantee the twins reached the late Nascent Soul stage, allowing them more time to cultivate their minds.

Liu Han and Shi Wujun bowed deeply, their gratitude evident. They knew well that none of the Ancestor’s elixirs came with any “pill poison.”

Over time, the effects of pill poison went far beyond tolerance issues. It could create bottlenecks, hinder mental clarity, and even impact one’s Dao Heart…

While elixirs weren’t shortcuts, they were helpful boosts, unlike the truly miraculous benefits of natural treasures.

Elixirs without pill poison? Incomparable, unheard of—even in ancient times. Yet here they were, and the four could only guess that their Ancestor’s alchemy skills had reached an unparalleled level.

Chen Xun soon steered the conversation toward lighter topics, and the cliffside was filled with laughter as they chatted about everything from the Eastern Region’s cultivation scene to the southern Endless Mountain Range, from the rise of the Five Elements Sect to how they’d held onto his teachings.

They had grown in strength, yet had never flaunted their power, always quietly aiding others.

Only when the Nascent Soul cultivators from the Ten Great Sects’ older generation eventually succumbed to time did the three finally make their presence known. And when the Ten Great Sects realized they had overlooked the hidden power of the Five Elements Sect, it was too late.

With the foundation laid by the Golden Core elders Chen Xun had trained and their adept concealment, the Five Elements Sect rose like a comet, eventually commanding respect across the cultivation world.

It wasn’t without struggle and bloodshed, but each crisis was skillfully navigated. Now, they stood at the pinnacle of power—respected yet humble.

As Xiao Chi listened, his fur bristled with excitement. Brother Xun’s sect seemed perfectly suited to his tastes.

…

The sun dipped low, leaving only a faint glow on the horizon, as if attempting to reach the edge of the world.

Chen Xun leaned back in his chair, his expression a mix of deep thought and satisfaction. “Brother Ox, set up another table. I’ll cook for you all.”

“Moo moo~”

“I’ll help too!” Xiao Chi volunteered.

With a nod, Chen Xun and Xiao Chi lightly tapped the ground, appearing in the Five Elements Sect’s kitchen in an instant, shocking the chefs within. Chen Xun calmed them with a few words, then got to work on the ingredients.

The chefs, wide-eyed, broke into a cold sweat, barely breathing as if time had come to a halt.

Meanwhile, Xiao Chi busily assisted Chen Xun with the cooking, using ingredients from spirit beasts at the Qi Condensation stage.

After half an hour, Chen Xun spoke up, “I spent a century working in this kitchen and picked up a few culinary tricks. Feel free to look them over when you have time.”

With a wave of his hand, each cook suddenly held a small booklet.

“Greetings, Ancestor!”

The cooks snapped to attention, finally snapping out of their daze and bowing deeply, shaking with awe.

“No need for all that,” Chen Xun said kindly as the dishes were served. “The Five Elements Sect’s Qi Condensation disciples rely on you. After all, who here didn’t start as a beginner?”

The cooks trembled, realizing this was their Ancestor’s Ancestor, speaking to them as if they were old friends. Xiao Chi snickered, looking around; the expressions on their faces were priceless, some gripping their ladles so hard they were bending.

After chatting a bit more, Chen Xun was pleased to learn that the cooks had all volunteered, simply because they loved cooking, and they still received annual contribution points for their work.

Chuckling to himself, Chen Xun thought back to how things had been. The sect once had nothing but bland fasting pills, barely sustaining energy.

It was only after visiting Da Li that he realized the importance of nourishing the body. Cultivation required so many resources, after all—without opportunity, funds, or guidance, the path to immortality was a brutal one.

“Keep doing your best. I’ll make sure the kitchen is well looked after. Your dedication is also cultivation in its own way.”

“Farewell, Ancestor!”

Every chef bowed deeply, some even tearing up. To them, the booklets were treasures—no, family heirlooms!

Chen Xun nodded with a warm smile, disappearing with Xiao Chi in a flash.

Back on the cliff, the table was laden with dishes.

The four elders’ eyes sparkled, as it had been far too long since they’d tasted a meal from their Ancestor’s hand.

Brother Ox used his tongue to pick up his food, and Xiao Chi dived in with his paws. The rest had no complaints—they were beyond delighted.

“This is amazing!” Ji Zhao shouted, cheeks stuffed full. “Just like the old days!”

Liu Han savored each bite, a hint of sadness shadowing her expression. She couldn’t shake the feeling that this visit might be brief.

Jiang Xuechen was simply grateful, occasionally glancing at Chen Xun. Their lives were worlds apart; all she felt was admiration.

Shi Wujun put down his chopsticks, frowning as he turned to Chen Xun. “Ancestor… What brings you back?”

Chen Xun laughed softly. “Mainly to see you all. The older you get, the more you realize how much you cherish.”

“Nonsense, Ancestor. There’s no one in the cultivation world as young as you,” Liu Han muttered, a playful pout softening her features as she brushed her hair over her shoulder.

“Just seeing you again is a blessing,” she added quietly.

Chen Xun burst into laughter. “That’s our Liu Han, always knows what to say.”

Giggling, Liu Han added more food to his plate, prompting jealous looks from the others. Ancestor had always had a soft spot for Liu Han.

“Brother Xun, Sister Liu speaks the truth—I fully agree!” Xiao Chi chimed in with a grin. “Our sect has a bright future ahead, with no enemies left. One day, maybe we’ll reach the… uh…”

Realizing he’d almost said too much, Xiao Chi clamped his mouth shut.

An uneasy silence fell over the table as everyone turned expectantly to Chen Xun, hope in their eyes.

Chen Xun set his chopsticks down, his gaze turning serious. “Brother Ox and I have prepared a path forward for this cultivation world, but for now, it’s best that you stay grounded.”

“Yes, Ancestor.” The elders lowered their heads, their faces solemn.

Brother Ox let out a gentle moo, setting his food aside. Xiao Chi nervously glanced around, too uneasy to speak again.

This visit would soon turn to their true purpose—to plan the Five Elements Sect’s future in the wider world.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the world bathed in twilight.

Nothing lasts forever, and every gathering must end. Until they meet again, perhaps it will be amidst that boundless sea of clouds.