Eternal Tale

Chapter 273: A Daring Escape – The Path Less Taken

“Haha, Brother Xun, isn’t that the truth? Going after the corrupted beings is practically a death sentence!”

Xiao Chi laughed heartily, feeling a surge of energy through his body. He was back in his element. “Enjoying the scenery is the way to go—my Brother Xun never disappoints!”

“Old Ox, the War Realm Camp token is responding. It seems the route through the Forbidden Sea is indeed connected to the Four Immortal Mountains overseas.”

Chen Xun sighed softly, ignoring Xiao Chi’s excitement as his gaze remained fixed on the distant horizon. “Let’s take another route and sneak across. That passage should be open too.”

“Huh?!”

“Moo!” Black Ox shuddered, unintentionally shaking Xiao Chi off. But Brother Xun’s decision was final.

Black Ox glanced back at the Hanging Heaven's Gate, finally realizing that the formation was connected to the Celestial River—it wasn’t just any ordinary array, which explained why Brother Xun’s previous attacks had no effect.

Low moos of awe escaped Black Ox. Such a grand creation was beyond its ability to replicate, even if given the formation blueprint.

Xiao Chi slumped by the boat’s edge, throwing his paws up in despair. The thought of sneaking through the Forbidden Sea seemed even more dangerous than their current predicament.

Chen Xun’s gaze sharpened as his aura surged, becoming profound and otherworldly, completely different from the cultivation systems of their world. “Xiao Chi, we’ll protect Old Ox during the process.”

“Moo!”

“Understood, Brother Xun.” Xiao Chi, now trembling, quickly steeled himself. Brother Xun was serious. “Brother Ox, go ahead without worry!”

Chen Xun and Xiao Chi leapt into the air, standing on the sea’s surface, their spiritual senses extending outward. Most of the warships had already disappeared into the distance.

However, they were unaware that beyond the Hanging Heaven's Gate, an old woman stood, scanning the fleets. She wielded a black ancient mirror, as if searching for something.

Every warship that passed her was greeted with respectful bows from its cultivators, none daring to cross her path.

“Yu Weizi, what you’re doing is not permitted!”

As the old woman continued her search, a domineering voice echoed in her mind. She flinched, turning toward the source—it was Bai Li Wentian, watching her intently.

“Daoist Wentian, I act on behalf of the Yu family. I’m merely searching for three late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators. I only need to mark their spiritual signatures and will not hinder their passage through the gate.”

Yu Weizi’s transmission came with a hint of submission; she knew this act was somewhat against the rules.

“This is your private feud, but I won’t allow it to interfere with the journey through the Celestial Gate. Moreover, those three are late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators—a valuable asset to our realm!”

Bai Li Wentian frowned, casting a glance at the old woman. “You belong to the ancient families. I expect you to exercise restraint and not abuse your power.”

The Bai Li Clan had little regard for the ancient sects and noble families. During the ancient wars, they provided people but rarely committed their full strength, earning a reputation for reluctance.

It seemed as though they had no desire to explore the frontier or leave their realm.

Even as time passed, the elders of these clans rarely stayed long at the Celestial River. They would only appear to break through their cultivation stage before returning to guard their families.

But now, each generation sent more disciples through the gate. So long as they didn’t interfere, there was no reason to engage.

“Of course, Daoist Wentian, I won’t act beyond what is necessary.” Yu Weizi’s eyes flashed coldly. “I’m simply repaying a favor to the Yu family.”

“I hope so.”

Bai Li Wentian stood still before the gate, remaining silent as he continued to watch over the younger generation heading toward the Celestial River.

Yu Weizi adjusted the black mirror again. Finding late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators was already easy, and finding three of them was even simpler—unless they had no intention of advancing to the Deity Transformation stage. In that case, they would definitely pass through this route.

She sighed internally. She could still feel a faint, ever-present gaze observing her, as if any misstep would bring immediate punishment. However, she owed the Yu family a favor, so she pressed on despite the pressure, knowing that her duty was to make the attempt. If she couldn’t find them, so be it—her effort alone would suffice.

The power of the Four Immortal Mountains was beyond what any cultivator could imagine. Searching for three Nascent Soul cultivators amidst this sea of people was challenging, but if they were trying to conceal their cultivation, they could still be found—unless, of course, they had chosen not to appear at all.

Once she marked their spiritual signatures, the Yu family would take care of the rest.

Meanwhile, Chen Xun and his companions remained unaware of the Deity Transformation cultivators scanning the area, including Yu Weizi’s group.

At the edge of the Hanging Sea Region, they lingered, making casual remarks and sketching, watching as the warships faded from sight. Chen Xun even started to draw the Hanging Heaven's Gate, unable to resist the urge.

Half an hour later.

“Moo moo!” Black Ox activated their shared spiritual link, waving its hoofs to signal that everything was ready—they could teleport at any time!

Over the years, it had refined its skills. While Chen Xun focused on talismans, Black Ox had perfected the teleportation arrays. Their medium-sized array no longer required extensive preparation time like before.

The key was layering the formation with Five Elemental Stones; the more layers added, the more slots the array could accommodate.

Black Ox pulled out a small notebook, displaying a detailed route map. They had hidden teleportation arrays on many islands, all for this very moment.

“Brother Ox, have you been calculating the distances too?!”

“Moo?” Black Ox tilted its head, confused. Its arithmetic was average—what was the point of calculating distances? “Moo moo?”

“Hehe.” Xiao Chi chuckled slyly, giving Black Ox a knowing look before turning to Chen Xun, who was engrossed in his drawing. “Brother Xun, when do we leave?”

“How’s it looking, Old Ox?” Chen Xun called out, still seated calmly on the sea, letting the wind and waves buffet him as he sketched. It was his favorite pastime outside of cultivating.

“Moo~~”

Black Ox snorted, standing tall with pride, its eyes saying one thing—everything was set!

“Let’s move!”

Chen Xun laughed, grabbing both Xiao Chi and Black Ox. He leapt onto the small boat, placing spirit stones into the slots as the vessel surged forward.

But Xiao Chi noticed something odd—they weren’t heading toward the Celestial Gate. Instead, they veered toward the opposite direction of the Hanging Sea Region!

“Brother Xun!!!”

“Moo!!”

“Hahaha!!”

Shouts of surprise and laughter mixed as the small boat caught the waves, plunging downward.

The boat’s speed was so fast that they felt as if they were airborne. Xiao Chi’s eyes rolled as he was gripped tightly, unable to channel any spiritual energy.

“Woohoo!”

“Moo moo~~”

Chen Xun and Black Ox leaned over the front, exhilarated by the rush. These small thrills were their true source of enjoyment.

“Let’s go, Old Ox.”

“Moo~”

With a wave of its hoof, Black Ox activated the phantom image of the Five Elements Formation Flag. The boat radiated a dark glow, turning the small vessel into a teleportation array—an extraordinary feat.

*Buzz—*

The teleportation array burst into a blinding light. The entire Hanging Sea Region seethed as elemental energies from all directions converged.

Chen Xun’s expression grew calm and serious as he exchanged a glance with Black Ox. This was a multi-directional teleportation array!

A storm of thoughts raged within Chen Xun. Black Ox’s mastery of formations had exceeded his expectations.

As the small boat ascended, the spiritual pressure intensified, pressing Xiao Chi flat against the deck, his body drenched in sweat as his eyes twitched.

*Boom!*

With a thunderous blast, the boat vanished into a dark vortex, disappearing from the Hanging Sea Region.

Just as they vanished, several powerful gazes swept across the sky in their direction, all frowning in confusion—what was that peculiar disturbance?!