rule 12

Chapter 153: The name of Ancestor Ji Kun must not be dishonored

In just a moment, they arrived at another gravestone, which bore the name Shi Jing.

"Senior Brother Shi, I hope we didn't disappoint you." Chen Xun bowed respectfully, a slight smile playing on his lips. "When we went to the imperial city back then, we discovered that the royal family had the surname Shi."

Shi Jing indeed had royal blood. The ancient records of the royal family mentioned the legends of superpowers, though they could no longer be verified.

"Moo~" The big black ox lowered softly. Shi Jing's map had greatly helped them, pointing them in the right direction.

"Old Ox, perform the rites. Senior Brother Shi is of royal blood; we can't treat him with just a cultivator's rites." Chen Xun adjusted his attire and brought out his prized possession, the 'King of Instruments' suona. "Senior Brother Shi's status is even grander than that of a high official."

"Moo~"

The big black ox shrank back, ancient fears welling up inside it, like sitting in a prison cell! It hastily brought out its special bells, attaching them to itself.

"Play the music, begin~"

Chen Xun took it very seriously, playing the suona. The mournful yet melodious tune brought him back to his meeting with Liu Yuan.

_Jingle, jingle_The big black ox swung its bells in rhythm with Chen Xun's music, putting in a great deal of effort. It was rare for Chen Xun to play the suona, a skill he was quite proud of.

"Liu Yuan, Shi Jing, farewell."

Chen Xun looked up at the sky, silently wishing that if there were reincarnation, they could stay together forever, never to be separated by life and death again.

After another half an hour, they visited Senior Brother Le Feng, whom they considered a true master.

Lastly, they came across a tombstone that read 'Chen Xun,' which startled the big black ox, causing it to break out in goosebumps.

But Chen Xun merely smiled, looking at it for a long time, saying it was fine and not doing anything extra.

A mountain breeze blew past, and the two figures completely vanished from Xianyin Mountain, disappearing like smoke, leaving no trace.

In the ancestral hall of the Five Elements Sect, the plaques of various elders were enshrined. The guarding elder outside was trembling. Two powerful figures, dressed like bandits, were burning incense inside.

He had been warned by the sect master not to disturb these two seniors, who meant no harm and might be ancient ancestors of the Five Elements Sect.

He couldn't help but complain inwardly. He wouldn't dare disturb them, even with ten times the courage! His spiritual senses were blocked, and his internal power was suppressed.

He didn't dare to look inside, as everything was completely screened off.

The plaque of Zuo Yiying.

Chen Xun and the big black ox were burning incense with infinite sorrow.

She was a true benefactor in their eyes, and now no one else dared to give them techniques so generously. In the end, it was still the 'elder' sending off the 'younger,' and she had gone first.

"Sister Zuo, although it's impossible for someone with a mixed five-element root to break through to the Golden Core stage..." Chen Xun burned the incense, his eyes filled with sorrow. "But alas, the heavens did not favor us. In the end, you went ahead."

"Moo~" The big black ox shook its head, burning incense, and let out a snort.

"Old Ox, let's offer some tributes." Chen Xun finished burning the incense and sighed lightly. "Sister Zuo, travel well. But, hey, the spiritual medicine garden is indeed nice."

"Moo~" The big black ox grinned and nodded, taking a tray of Crane Spirit Tree offerings from its storage bag, and placing them there.

They paid their respects to the various elders of the Five Elements Sect and left quietly.

Later, when the guarding elder saw the wooden statue offering in front of Zuo Yiying's plaque, he fell into deep thought. Could it be some hidden legacy?

In the sect master's hall, Ding Qiu was restless, sitting cross-legged in the hall, unable to calm his mind. The passing of Peak Master Liu was a great loss for the Five Elements Sect.

Suddenly, the surrounding candlelight flickered, and a terrifying pressure descended.

Ding Qiu was shocked and quickly stood up, bowing his head. "Two seniors have arrived, forgive me for not welcoming you sooner."

Ji Haoxuan had mentioned this matter upon his return, and he could guess that these two might have some connection with the Five Elements Sect.

But as cultivators who had lived for centuries, how could they demand too much, or morally coerce the seniors? They could only let things take their course, doing nothing extra, hoping to gain favor.

"Here are five bottles of mid-grade Five Elements Pills, to be handed over to the sect master." Two shadows appeared in the hall, their eyes wandering around as if they had never seen the inside before. "We hope the sect master will use them wisely."

Ding Qiu's eyes filled with joy, but he still bowed his head, not daring to use his spiritual senses. If he looked up, he would see the two wandering around, touching everything...

"Remember the words of the seniors. I will use them wisely."

"Take good care of Liu Yuan's descendants, sect master."

"Seniors, you are too polite! We have never treated Peak Master Liu unfairly."

Ding Qiu spoke with righteous sincerity. Half of the sect's forces had been mobilized to avenge Liu Yuan; they had no regrets about this matter.

"Very good." Chen Xun's gaze shifted to a statue, feeling an itch to touch it. "If the descendants of Ji Kun and Shi Jing are found, they must not be neglected."

He almost mentioned Le Feng, but then remembered he was an orphan with no descendants or disciples. Ding Qiu's eyes darted around, thinking through his ancestors. He didn't recall anyone named Ji Kun, though he knew about Shi Jing.

"Senior... may I ask who Ji Kun is?"

"That would be me."

"Ah?!!"

Ding Qiu exclaimed in shock, looking up in confusion. What were these two seniors doing? What kind of outfit was this?!

The big black ox was wandering to the edge of the hall, examining the layout, paying no attention to Ding Qiu.

Ding Qiu's eyes widened slightly. Why did they look more like bandits than honorable seniors?

"The sect master seems to be a sensible person, so I won't say much."

With a wave of his hand, Chen Xun sent five bottles of mid-grade Five Elements Pills over. "We'll come back to visit when we have time."

The big black ox suddenly appeared next to Chen Xun, raising its head high and putting on an air of importance, subconsciously snorting.

Instantly, five bottles of pills appeared in Ding Qiu's hands. He bowed deeply, full of gratitude.

These five bottles of pills were a tremendous gift, enough to elevate the Five Elements Sect for a generation. Chen Xun nodded with his hands behind his back. A teachable young one. These five bottles wouldn't bring disaster to the Five Elements Sect, nor would they cause them to become too arrogant.

He had struck a perfect balance, helping his old home within his means.

"Sect master, we are about to travel far and wide. Manage the Five Elements Sect well and give more attention to itinerant cultivators." With those words, the two figures left gracefully, not even revealing their faces.

"Farewell, ancestors!!" Deeply moved, Ding Qiu bowed and shouted, "I will remember your teachings!"

Unconsciously, Ding Qiu had started referring to them as ancestors, subtly strengthening the relationship. For an entire incense stick's time, Ding Qiu didn't lift his head, still bowing in gratitude.

And the release of Wei Xun must have been the Purple Cloud Sect's consideration for these two ancestors. Truly, heaven blessed the Five Elements Sect.

"Someone! Summon the peak masters!" 

Ding Qiu's eyes hardened, releasing his power from the hall. "Convene a sect meeting. The burial of Peak Master Liu must be discussed in detail and carried out with the highest honor the Five Elements Sect can offer!"

"Yes, sect master!"

"Yes, sect master!"

Several elders outside responded with bowed heads, suspecting those two ancestors had a connection to Peak Master Liu.

"Also, check the sect records for the lineage of Ancestor Ji Kun!" Ding Qiu rushed out of the hall, stepping into the air. "Whether they are descendants in the mortal world or within the sect, I will personally mentor them! Notify the outer sect's affairs hall to send disciples to retrieve Ancestor Ji Kun's descendants. Even if they have no spiritual roots, they should be brought back to enjoy the sect's offerings."

"Yes, sect master!"

"Yes!"

The entire Five Elements Sect seemed to become busy. Disciples from all peaks were excited, knowing that two ancestors stood behind their sect!

The next day, orders were issued by all peak masters.

"All disciples are to be cautious in their words and actions outside. Do not disgrace the name of Ancestor Ji Kun. Focus on cultivation and strengthen our Five Elements Sect!"

"Dishonoring the Five Elements Sect's name is the same as dishonoring Ancestor Ji Kun. Such a disciple will have their cultivation abolished and be expelled from the sect!"

This command struck fear into the disciples of the Five Elements Sect, immediately curbing any arrogance that had been growing, though pride remained in their eyes.

A strong wind of diligent cultivation swept through the Five Elements Sect, even reducing internal strife significantly.

Meanwhile, various sects in the outside world were on edge. They had heard rumors about the instant killing of three Golden Core cultivators from Tianwu Sect and had thought it an accident.

That Xia Yuan had been a well-known Golden Core cultivator, rumored to be nearing a breakthrough...

The two who acted were actually related to the Five Elements Sect!

Some major sects with intentions against the Five Elements Sect quietly withdrew their plans, laughing it off, prioritizing harmony.

Tianwu Sect had already paid dearly for compensation, but upon hearing this news, they were terrified. The sect master personally led a delegation to mourn Liu Yuan, expressing goodwill.

However, the true identities of those two remained a mystery. Even the Top Ten Sects couldn't find any clues, treating the Five Elements Sect with greater respect.

No one had seen their true faces, let alone imprinted their aura with spiritual senses.

Chapter 154: The final push to the pinnacle of Golden Core

Outside the Five Elements Sect, Chen Xun and the big black ox did not travel through the air. They reverted to their original appearance and wandered around the nearby city, buying some food. Their silver coins were quite valuable.

However, they heard that the royal family of the Qian Nation had undergone a generational change and was no longer the Shi family.

Upon hearing this, Chen Xun sighed and couldn't help but feel a sense of impermanence.

Outside the city, the two of them strolled along the road; both sides of the big black ox were filled with food—buns and meals from restaurants.

"Old Ox, the plan for the future is to improve our strength," said Chen Xun, holding a string of candied fruits and chewing slowly. "Otherwise, we'll be timid about everything in this world."

"Moo moo," the ox nodded dumbly, its tongue curling up as it ate one of Chen Xun's candied fruits.

That feeling of being respected as an ancestor was still quite comfortable for it. With strength, everyone reasoned together, and everything was harmonious.

"Although our old friends have passed away, we still have to live, right?" Chen Xun's eyes were now filled with openness. He was no longer so anxious. "Old Ox, we made a promise to take them to see the future."

"Moo moo!" The big black ox stopped eating, its gaze momentarily absent-minded. It kicked its hind hooves twice, suddenly feeling happy.

It didn't have as many thoughts as Chen Xun. As long as it could accumulate merits and perform rituals for them, it would have a good next life and be able to meet them again.Chen Xun glanced at the big black ox and chuckled, "The road ahead is long. With the blessing of heaven and merits, what are we afraid of?"

"Moo!" The ox excitedly yelled, its last trace of sadness disappearing. It kept rubbing against Chen Xun, its eyes filled with joy.

Chen Xun hugged it, feeling a bit sentimental. Being respected as an ancestor was really fascinating and quite pleasant.

Just then, a cloud of dust rose ahead.

A group of martial artists were galloping on horseback along the official road, their eyes sharp.

"Get out of the way!" Several people scolded the cattle herders ahead, "Don't you have eyes?!"

"What the hell, looking for trouble?!" Chen Xun was shocked. 

It had been a long time since he had felt like this. Could they be scolded even when walking along the edge of the official road with the big black ox?

"Moo!" 

The big black ox spat out a mouthful of saliva, directly spitting it out. What kind of presence were they trying to establish here?

"Sigh~~"

The three of them stopped their horses, and the wind and sand blew on Chen Xun and the ox's faces.

A burly man angrily shouted, "Get out of the way, didn't you hear?!"

At this moment, a horse-drawn carriage was coming from behind, looking very noble. Inside was a man with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, holding a white paper fan, exuding a powerful aura.

He only glanced briefly at Chen Xun on the side of the road, his eyes full of indifference.

After a moment, there was a loud bang.

Smoke and dust billowed on the official road, people fell off their horses, begging for mercy. The carriage cover was lifted into the air, and all four wheels of the carriage were crushed.

The man remained seated on the carriage; the paper fan broken in half. His pupils were trembling, his body stiff, and his black hair scattered in the smoke and dust.

"Immortal Master, forgive us!"

"We beg for forgiveness, Immortal Master!!

The surrounding guards kept kneeling and begging for mercy, looking at the two figures disappearing into the distance.

"I didn't know what you were pretending to do?! Are you used to bullying ordinary people?!"

"Moo moo moo!"

From a distance came the sound of two voices cursing. The martial artists here kept bowing and kneeling, with snot and tears streaming down their faces.

Who could have imagined that the seemingly ordinary cattle herder on the road was actually an old monster!! Originally, they had wanted to show off in front of their young masters, but unexpectedly, they kicked the iron plate of an immortal.

On the road, Chen Xun and the big black ox chuckled, and they went to the underground cave dwelling on their own.

Before entering, they had already spread out their divine consciousness and circled the mountain range inside and out several times.

They even ran to the top of the high peak to observe for a long time. They didn't miss anything in the sky before finally returning to the dense forest.

"Moo moo~"

The big black ox ran in a meadow, remembering the smell and faintly sensing the formation it had set up. Even if this place were flattened, it wouldn't affect them finding their underground cave dwelling.

"Not bad, Old Ox," Chen Xun praised sincerely. "It seems you're getting closer to my strength."

"Moo?"

"Really, keep up the good work, Black Ox." Chen Xun stood with his hands behind his back, exuding an air of superiority. "Big brother's strength is unimaginable because it's already beyond your imagination."

"Moo~~~!" The big black ox's eyes widened, its tail wagging slower. It believed him again.

"Alright, let's go." Chen Xun laughed heartily, and a rainbow light surrounded them. "Old Ox, start drilling."

"Moo~" 

The ground turned into a swamp again, and the two figures quickly submerged, disappearing completely underground.

In the underground cave dwelling, there was light everywhere. The Crane Spirit Trees were constantly burning themselves, illuminating Chen Xun and the black ox.

The wood of the Crane Spirit Trees was naturally extraordinary. Chen Xun ignited the Five Elements Fire attribute.

Several Jade Source Fruit trees had already borne fruit, but there was a limit to their age. When they reached three thousand years, the fruits would fall directly, and they couldn't continue to grow older.

The entire cave was filled with the fragrance of Jade Source Fruit, refreshing people's spirits.

"Old Ox, focus on the Jade Source Fruits." Chen Xun surveyed the cave and breathed a sigh of relief. "I'll leave the cultivation of spiritual herbs to you, and I'll focus on alchemy."

"Moo~~" The big black ox grinned, completely without any problems.

Its storage bag was full of water, so even if it needed herbs that grew in water, it wouldn't make any mistakes.

"Start the final push to the pinnacle of Golden Core!"

"Moo!!"

After a roar, they had no worries in their hearts, living only for themselves with the spirits of their deceased friends in heaven.

After encouraging each other, Chen Xun rushed into the alchemy room, while the big black ox rushed into the beast spirit room.

Both places began to shimmer with spiritual light, appearing extremely busy.

They spent their years of cultivation in this busy yet comfortable underground cave dwelling. They never secluded themselves for cultivation but always explored and experimented together.

Because of their defense, Chen Xun was quite reckless, constantly testing the limits of medicinal herbs. The fire also continuously controlled its path towards the limit. After several years, a truly mutated True Yuan Pill began to take shape, with mysterious and intricate patterns spread all over it.

The rich medicinal power made Chen Xun's and the big black ox's eyelids twitch. He also felt quite unsure. If the medicinal power was too strong, the practitioner would directly ascend to immortality, which would become a joke for eternity.

He was just practicing the limits of alchemy techniques. They didn't lack pills or spiritual herbs, so he dispersed them later and continued with alchemy.

The big black ox was also constantly learning formations, and pillars of spiritual energy often rose in the beast spirit room.

Chen Xun felt that the Five Elements Formation had become even more substantial, and he couldn't help but marvel. He had thought it was quite outrageous when the big black ox broke through the Five Elements Sect's protective mountain formation.

With just two formation flags, a wave of his hand, and a gap appeared. At that time, even Chen Xun was stunned, but there was an urgent matter, so he didn't think much about it.

Sometimes, when they felt a bit tired from cultivation, they would go out to play, hunt, admire the scenery, listen to storytelling in the city, or bring back some food.

Time has lost its sensitivity for them now. As long as they had a direction in mind, it was enough.

Chapter 155: The 'wonders' of the cultivation world

Days pass, months come, and the years flow like tides, rushing forward day by day. Three hundred years have passed.

The Top Ten Sects officially issued orders to all sects to unite with Moyu Pavilion, the Four Symbols Alliance, and the Moon-Holding Tower to explore the north.

Ancestors from the three major forces also gathered from all directions, and numerous cultivators from the small countries in the east of the Qian Nation came as well.

When these small countries united, they formed a force even more terrifying than the Qian Nation, but they were too chaotic. Even if integrated, it would take thousands of years.

The Top Ten Sects were powerless and not skilled in managing so many mortal nations, so they left them be.

Moreover, the cultivation resources there were occupied by various forces, and the highest achievable level was only the Nascent Soul stage. No one wanted to do a unappreciated job.

The main forces of the major sects in the Qian Nation also began to gather towards the Wu Nation. The number of cultivators in Qian suddenly reduced by more than half, and even most vagabond cultivators followed, seeking opportunities.

The ancestors of the Top Ten Sects also mobilized their forces. Giant ships soared through the sky, banners fluttering, creating a vast spectacle.

Any ruler with foresight and ambition understood that being trapped in the current cultivation world would only mean waiting for death to come; cultivating for a thousand years would be in vain.

Conflicts among the major sects had also intensified over the years, resulting in mutual destruction, making it impossible to resist the orders of the ten great immortal sects.Some cultivators were now beginning to realize that the laissez-faire attitude of the Top Ten Sects back then was not so simple.

Among the major sects, the ultimate winner turned out to be the Five Elements Sect. This sect not only didn't lose any people, but its influence also increased significantly, thriving on all sides.

Even among the seats of the thirteen great forces, the Five Elements Sect held a prominent position.

Various forces gathered at the northern border of the Wu Nation, and the thirteen great forces even introduced a merit point system.

As long as one contributed to the exploration, regardless of being a sect disciple, a demonic cultivator, or a vagabond cultivator, they could earn merit points based on their contributions, exchangeable for any cultivation item.

With this order, cultivators across the countries instantly boiled with excitement. The path to immortality lay ahead, compelling them to risk their lives for a chance at survival.

They set out in grandiose waves, and the countries became much more peaceful; no matter how chaotic the mortals became, they couldn't surpass the cultivators.

At this time, in the depths of an unknown mountain range in the Qian Nation, deep within an unknown dense forest...

"Who's there!!"

"Moo!!"

Two deafening roars echoed underground, with vast and violent spiritual energy rampaging as if ancient demons were awakening, heralding a great catastrophe in the cultivation world.

Two tremendous auras shook the underground continuously. If not for the stabilizing formations, the ground would have already collapsed.

In fact, it was just one man and one ox finally breaking through, reaching the peak of the Golden Core stage.

Their spiritual energy, physique, and spiritual sense had all ascended to the limit of the Golden Core stage, unable to advance further. Five golden cores, steady as mountains, emitted a faint glow within their bodies.

"Old Ox!" Chen Xun's black hair danced wildly, his eyes full of arrogance. "Below the Nascent Soul stage, I am invincible in the world. Above the Nascent Soul stage, we run first!"

"Moo moo!!"

The big black ox, covered in dense fur, nodded heavily, fully agreeing with its big brother's idea.

"Hahaha..." Chen Xun laughed maniacally, his body radiating a five-colored rainbow light, his whole being like a silver cast. His laughter shook the underground, "Tremble, youngsters."

"Moo~~~" The big black ox stood beside Chen Xun, raising its head high, its fur fluttering, eyes filled with arrogance.

"Old Ox, retract."

"Moo~"

Their sharpness gradually concealed, becoming ordinary again. A moment of indulgence was enough; they were never overwhelmed by their suddenly soaring power.

Chen Xun grinned, sitting on the ground, and looking at the big black ox, "Old Ox, sit."

"Moo~" The big black ox wagged its tail happily and sat opposite Chen Xun.

"It's really hard. It took hundreds of years to go from mid-Golden Core to peak." Chen Xun sighed, but the gains were significant. His spiritual energy far surpassed the mid-stage, "I feel I can now kill my mid-Golden Core self with a single spell."

"Moo~"

The big black ox nodded thoughtfully, then shook its head, "Moo moo?"

Over the years, they had not just been cultivating. They also refined pills, tended to spiritual herbs, and went out to play. The ox also had to learn formations.

"Spending over a thousand years to reach the peak of the Golden Core stage, there can be no one like this in the cultivation world." Chen Xun boasted, looking up, "Old Ox, our foundation is unshakable. Even the heavenly tribulation would kneel before us! Wait, I meant the tribulation, not you. Forgive me, forgive me." Chen Xun silently added.

"Moo~~!" The big black ox looked at Chen Xun with an admiring expression, eyes full of respect. Big brother was indeed terrifying.

Chen Xun's expression suddenly twitched. Speaking of the foundation, he thought of the five golden cores in his body, as steady as mountains.

"Old Ox, it's common knowledge in the cultivation world that forming a Nascent Soul requires breaking the golden core..."

"Moo~~!"

The big black ox's eyes also filled with horror. How were they supposed to break these five golden cores?

Chen Xun suddenly seemed choked by something and couldn't speak for a long time. He was puzzled as to why he felt nothing inside, even though he had reached the peak.

Back when he peaked the Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment stages, there was at least some feeling inside, and he could gradually push through with time.

But now, there was nothing. It was so stable it felt like nothing at all.

"Damn..." Chen Xun shrank his head slightly and glanced at the big black ox. "Old Ox, we have a big problem."

"Moo~!" The ox also widened its eyes and let out a loud cry. They were doomed.

The deep foundation had its advantages, but when it came to breaking through major bottlenecks, the disadvantages also became apparent. If their lifespan was limited, it would truly be a dead end.

Being invincible at the same level was just a joke. Others would break through a major realm and directly crush you in all aspects. Their lifespan would be longer, their circles wider, their status higher, and their vision unmatched.

Chen Xun suddenly chuckled, and the big black ox mooed in confusion, looking at his inexplicable sneer.

"Hehe, it's nothing, Old Ox. I just thought of some things from the past." Chen Xun waved his hand, brushing away unrealistic thoughts. "Let's go, Old Ox. We'll go out and gather information, then proceed according to our plan. We'll rely on external means to break through. No rush, we'll take it step by step."

"Moo moo~"

The big black ox stood up with a roar and started running around, packing their belongings.

Chen Xun stretched his muscles. Immersed in their final stage of cultivation over the years, they hadn't had time to go out.

Now, all their life-bound treasures were perfected, each reaching 180,000 years, the limit of their current strength. Going any further would exceed their bodies' capacity.

Even though the vagabond cultivator's suit had no death energy, it still relied on the golden cores for suppression and nurturing.

However, it also became quite marvelous. Its full effects were not yet apparent, but it had already far surpassed the characteristics of the Thousand Thread Spirit Vine.

Chen Xun also fulfilled his promise to the big black ox. Together, they made three formation flags from a 99,000-year-old crane spirit tree, preventing it from transforming into death energy.

Chen Xun used his treasured alchemy furnace, continuously refining with alchemical fire, and it took forty-nine years to complete. He dedicated all his axe training time to this, even more diligently than when making pills, spending thousands of low-grade spirit stones and considerable spiritual energy.

But the result was remarkable. With the big black ox's formation materials, the spiritual energy conduction was leagues beyond ordinary formation flags.

The big black ox, being quite unorthodox, directly nurtured them in its Five Elements Golden Cores. Having more golden cores meant indulgence.

As it continually researched the Five Extremes Formation, it began to understand it intuitively, no longer using spiritual energy to form arrays.

Due to the Five Elements Golden Cores, they believed that the Five Elements Qi of heaven and earth was better than spiritual energy, and it was available everywhere.

The big black ox used the circulation of the Five Elements in its golden cores, letting the three flags absorb it as its life-bound treasures.

It could now roughly use the Five Elements Qi to communicate with heaven and earth for array formation, moving beyond the cultivation world's norm of using spiritual energy to leverage natural forces.

As the years passed and the golden cores nurtured them, the big black ox's three life-bound flags became increasingly compatible with the Five Elements Qi.

Even the formation's core was modified by the big black ox to be controlled by its life-bound treasures, directly overhauled...

Every time Chen Xun saw this, he would shake his head and laugh, "I refine pills and modify them, are you also modifying formations to follow my steps now?!"

From then on, this man and ox continually walked further on the path of overturning the cultivation world's understanding.

Whether in spells, other skills, or their physical conditions, they were truly 'extraordinary'.

"Moo~~"

The big black ox called out to Chen Xun. It had finished packing.

"Let's go, and start our Nascent Soul plan, haha." Chen Xun waved his hand, a touch of excitement appearing on his face, and the five-colored rainbow light surged.

The big black ox flashed a grin, its body also beginning to overflow with vast spiritual energy.

They started to ascend instantly. The big black ox waved its hoof, and the materials of the Five Extremes Formation were all collected into its storage ring.

_Rumble..._

_Rumble..._

The underground cave, where they had stayed for hundreds of years collapsed, and was buried by massive stones and soil, creating dull, thunderous noises.

A day later, sunlight streamed in, the breeze brushed their faces, and the scent of earth filled the air. Chen Xun and the big black ox took a deep breath as they savored the beauty of nature, lost in its charm. They glanced at each other, transformed into a ray of light, and completely disappeared from that place.

Chapter 156: While you all are exploring and fighting for opportunities, we'll head east and plunder their homes

Jiao Gu Market is a medium-sized place for cultivators to interact, managed by a small sect.

Nowadays, it has become quite desolate. Many shops have closed down, and only a few scattered cultivators still conduct business there.

Outside Jiao Gu Market, two figures wearing straw hats appeared, their eyes filled with confusion.

"Old Ox, is it just my illusion?" Chen Xun extended his spiritual sense, scanning the area. "This place is in ruins? Why are there so little cultivators?"

"Moo?" The big black ox sniffed the air, also puzzled. Something felt very wrong.

"Could it be the work of demonic cultivators?!" Chen Xun's eyes lit up, instinctively gripping his mountain-splitting axe. "We must take action."

"Moo!" The big black ox widened its eyes and nodded heavily, considering it a strong possibility.

At this moment, a Qi Refining stage cultivator emerged from the market, looking worried.

"Brother!" Chen Xun laughed heartily and quickly ran over to stop him, with the big black ox surrounding him from behind.

The cultivator was startled, his eyes filled with vigilance. He was a Qi Refining stage level ten expert with a spirit beast helping him.Now, he found himself surrounded. He secretly reached for his talisman, sensing that these newcomers were not friendly.

"Don't misunderstand, we're good people." Chen Xun smiled brightly, 'accidentally' dropping two low-grade spirit stones into his hand. "We just want to ask a few questions."

He no longer avoided people intentionally, starting to face everything with optimism, just like he did in the mortal world.

Ah, a cooperative fellow!

The cultivator's eyes brightened, and he discreetly put away the spirit stones, smiling with delight. "There's no need for such courtesy, fellow Daoist. Ask whatever you want to know."

"Why is Jiao Gu Market so desolate? Is it because of a demonic cultivator invasion?" Chen Xun was full of thoughts, and the mountain-opening axe at his waist was almost impossible to hold back. "I am a disciple of a sect, and it is my duty to uphold justice for cultivators."

"Moo~" The big black ox roared angrily from behind, indicating its agreement.

The cultivator was baffled and cupped his hands in explanation. "Does your sect not know that the Top Ten Sects of the Qian Nation issued a decree to explore the northern regions of Wu Nation?"

"Huh?" Chen Xun was greatly disappointed, and his eyes showed surprise. "Is that really true? They've all left?"

"Yes, indeed. "He shook his head and sighed. "I heard that many sects have sent large numbers of disciples, leaving the Qian Nation's cultivation world desolate. Many capable rogue cultivators have also gone. I heard that the three major forces outside the Qian Nation have also gone…Probably only us weaker vagabond cultivators are still here." He sighed and shook his head. This was indeed a grand event in the cultivation world. "I truly envy those seniors."

"I see. Thank you for clearing this up." Chen Xun cupped his hands, still looking surprised. "We won't disturb you any further."

"Farewell, fellow Daoist." The cultivator laughed, much less worried, having gained two low-grade spirit stones.

**_Damn._**

Chen Xun and the big black ox exchanged a meaningful glance. Their emergence seemed to coincide with a major change in the cultivation world.

"Heh heh." Chen Xun suddenly let out a strange laugh. "Old Ox, this makes our plan even more feasible."

"Moo?" The big black ox's eyes rolled as it pondered. "Moo moo!!"

**Swish.**

A map spread out in the air. Chen Xun and the big black ox passed the market and started heading east, gathering information along the way.

Six months later, at the eastern border of the Qian Nation.

The sky was filled with yellow, and the great wall stretched for miles with a majestic aura. Soldiers stood atop the city walls on patrol, their weapons gleaming coldly, and military flags fluttering in the wind.

Their eyes were sharp, constantly scanning the surroundings to fend off foreign invaders.

The eastern region had many small countries, and foreign invaders would occasionally come to plunder the border towns, only to be killed mercilessly, their corpses displayed on the city walls for three days.

Though the cultivation world was desolate, the mortal realm was thriving, with the two realms not interfering with each other. The border town was bustling with activity. The streets were filled with shouts from vendors, and from time to time, citizens carrying their wares would pass by, along with merchant caravans from distant places.

"Young man, come again next time."

"Definitely!"

An old man at a fruit stall smiled broadly as he bade farewell to a customer who had bought a large amount of fruit.

"Old Ox, is it tasty?" Chen Xun held two pieces of fruit, juice dripping from his mouth, while he fed the big black ox.

"Moo!" The big black ox responded perfunctorily, eating two pieces at a time. It was indeed delicious.

"I didn't expect it to be true. More than half of the sects have gone exploring." Chen Xun talked while eating, his cheeks puffed out. "I heard it's quite dangerous, with Nascent Soul elders overseeing it. We better not join the fray."

"Moo~" The big black ox, who was more interested in the fruit, was too preoccupied to talk.

They walked down the street, thoughts racing as their eyes wandered curiously at everything.

"Those three major powers also rose from the many small countries in the east. I heard it's quite chaotic there, with even cultivators becoming emperors." Chen Xun shook his head with a bitter smile and suddenly slapped the big black ox, which hadn't been paying attention to him. "Old Ox!"

"Moo!" The big black ox yelped, dropping half a fruit, which it quickly picked up with its tongue.

Chen Xun stopped feeding it, and the big black ox looked at him eagerly, ready to listen seriously.

"Such a chaotic place is our opportunity. It's much safer than staying in the Qian Nation."

"Moo?"

"The Top Ten Sects surely have Nascent Soul elders guarding them. We shouldn't go there and risk our lives; they've blocked all our paths." Chen Xun sneered at their ruthlessness. "There's no chance for us."

"Moo~~" The big black ox nodded thoughtfully.

"We've heard in Yuxu City that those three major powers are wealthier than any one of the Top Ten Sects."

"Moo~"

"So, the cultivation rules there are not as strict as here. Those three major powers don't have the strength to block all paths like the Top Ten Sects." Chen Xun spoke eloquently. Despite not having high cultural knowledge, his extensive travels had given him some insights. "Although the risks are higher, the rewards will be much greater."

"Moo~~~!" The big black ox snorted, knowing that with their current strength, escaping wouldn't be a problem.

Chen Xun acknowledged the risks, which primarily involved facing Nascent Soul cultivators, but how likely was that?

"We can't force our way into the Top Ten Sects; they are all in cahoots. The north is also not an option. The east is our only opportunity." Chen Xun chuckled, having formulated this plan back in Yuxu City. "With all the cultivators exploring the north, we should head east."

"Moo moo~" The big black ox looked delighted, happy to avoid fighting over resources with others.

Chen Xun leapt onto the big black ox's back, sat cross-legged, and slowly put on his straw hat. "Old Ox, let's set out and find our own path abroad."

"Moo!!" The big black ox roared, taking a gentle step forward, causing a slight whirlwind of dust, and instantly disappeared from the border town.

The surrounding citizens stared wide-eyed in disbelief. Where had the living black ox on the street just gone?!

The town buzzed with excitement. Some claimed to have seen an illusion, while others speculated it might have been a visit from immortals, eventually becoming a topic of casual conversation.

The border town remained lively, the mortal world continued to thrive, and the northern region of Wu Nation saw an increasing number of cultivators gathering. Every day, the sky echoed with the sounds of cultivators arriving.

Meanwhile, two immortals, forging their own path, ventured beyond the Qian Nation, heading east to the various countries.

Chapter 157: The black ox launched a surprise attack, inviting the immortal into the coffin

Half a year later, in Anyun Nation:

This Nation is quite powerful, covering an area nearly as big as Qian Nation, but slightly smaller. Anyun Nation is divided into seven major provinces.

It is a colossal existence among the surrounding countries because it is jointly governed by three major sects, each with Golden Core cultivators in residence. The mortal emperor is merely a puppet.

Zeping Province, bordering various countries, is the biggest province. Its capital is Yinyu City.

In a particularly dark corner, a person with a black cloth wrapped around their head and a black veil over their face was chuckling quietly.

Next to him, a big black ox was also squatting and chuckling with its mouth open. The faces of this person and ox were weathered and terrifying, clearly not good people.

Most of the common folk outside the corner had their heads wrapped in cloth due to the frequent sandstorms that ravaged the city. Only immortals could resist such storms.

However, their eyes were filled with fear, as the governor of every city in the nation was a cultivator. Offending them could result in crippling injuries at best or death at worst.

"Old Ox, only now do I realize how chaotic it is outside!" Chen Xun pulled down the half-covered veil and spat, "These cultivators would all be considered demonic cultivators in Qian Nation."

"Moo~~" The big black ox also spat. Along their journey, they saw either border wars or corpses of commoners lying in the wilderness.The cultivators of these countries didn't reason with mortals; offending them meant death, a wanton slaughter.

Having stayed in Qian Nation for so long under the management of the Top Ten Sects, they had never seen such arrogance.

"Damn it, now I understand why the Top Ten Sects haven't expanded here." Chen Xun snorted coldly, "Taking over would be a mess, with each nation having its own historical enmities and chaos."

"Moo~" The big black ox nodded in vague understanding, trusting that whatever his boss said was right.

"Let's start with that worthless Qingchi Sect." Chen Xun slowly drew a mountain-opening axe, a cold glint in his eyes, "Old Ox, let's stake out and show them what professionals are."

"Moo~" The big black ox's eyes flashed with anger as it snorted.

The two figures instantly disappeared, leaving behind a swirl of lingering anger.

Upon arriving in Anyun Nation, they had tracked five Foundation Establishment cultivators who were transporting dozens of weeping women, all commoners with spiritual roots.

They discovered it was human trafficking, using the women as cultivation furnaces. Without hesitation, Chen Xun, and the big black ox immediately "upheld justice," deeming them demonic cultivators!

The big black ox made a few hefty marks in their merit book, confiscated the storage bags, and left without a trace. The women wept in gratitude, as being used as cultivation furnaces was an unbearable torment, worse than death.

Because of the chaos in their nation, they were more aware of the harsh realities compared to the commoners of Qian Nation. Cultivation furnaces were not comparable to maidservants; no sane woman would willingly become one.

The women fled in all directions, not knowing who had saved them. In these turbulent times, they only sought to survive.

Chen Xun and the big black ox were very satisfied with their act of justice, gaining numerous maps, information, and twenty thousand low-grade spirit stones. They destroyed all useless items and learned that the cultivators they confronted were disciples of the Qingchi Sect.

Qingchi Sect was one of the three major sects in Anyun Nation. These sects were notorious for unethical behavior. As cultivators, many of their disciples engaged in disgraceful activities.

They trafficked people with spiritual roots to various families and sold women with spiritual roots as cultivation furnaces to certain cultivators, making substantial profits.

Such a cultivation world was beyond the imagination of Chen Xun and the big black ox, as if it was an entirely different world from Qian Nation.

This place was completely lawless, unregulated, and brutal—a land of the strong preying on the weak, no longer worthy of being called a cultivation world.

Has the cultivation world regressed?

Moyu Pavilion also publicly condemned these actions, although what happened behind the scenes was another matter.

These three major powers were also entangled in the affairs of various countries. The chaos in the numerous small countries couldn't be separated from their influence. Unlike the Top Ten Sects, they lacked stability and unity.

But the ones suffering the most were still the common people. After a few decades, they might have to change their allegiance again as a new dynasty rises.

Five months later.

In the far west of Zeping Province, the terrain was extremely complex, filled with numerous hills and dense forests, with frequent appearances of swamps and miasma.

Further away lay a vast range of towering mountains, shrouded in mist. No mortal who ventured in ever returned, reportedly all perishing insides. Yet, this place was rich in spiritual energy and home to many rare spiritual herbs and spirit beasts.

Such a treasure land was not left unclaimed; the Qingchi Sect took it over, conveniently wiping out several small sects, leaving no cultivators daring to approach.

Currently, with most of the major cultivators of various countries heading to the northern part of Wu Nation, the Qingchi Sect had also become quite desolate, lacking its former vitality.

Only the sect leader and two mid-stage Golden Core cultivators, who were nearing the end of their lives, remained to guard it.

Today, in Qingchi Sect, the sect leader Qin Xianqin was walking through the air. His face was pale, with a faint tinge of green, and his expressionless face showed indifference.

Qin Xianqin had just returned from a small gathering of the leaders of the three major sects. They met monthly to discuss the current situation in the north of Wu Nation since the exploration began.

But they were all quite uneasy, as news was slow to arrive.

"Alas, if our strength is greatly diminished, the countries will inevitably become unstable." A hint of worry appeared in Qin Xianqin's eyes. "The position of our Qingchi Sect is in jeopardy."

Unknowingly, he walked into a layer of fog, failing to notice anything amiss around him.

"Who?!" Qin Xianqin was startled, only reacting after a while. The surroundings were unfamiliar. "Who is playing tricks here?"

In an instant.

Two powerful pressures descended, causing the surrounding spiritual energy to scatter. The energy within Qin Xianqin's body suddenly stagnated, his face turning ashen with terror in his eyes.

This was a suppression due to a significant disparity in realm. He had seen a Nascent Soul ancestor in action; it felt just like this.

Two bandits stood within the fog array: their eyes cold. They had scouted this place for months, setting up an array and even preparing an underground cave—an ideal spot for uprooting evil.

The black ox attacked!

Without hesitation, the ox dropped a huge black coffin from the sky, inviting the immortal into it. It was easier to reason that way.

**Boom…**

A bewildered look flashed in Qin Xianqin's eyes as a black object suddenly enveloped his body, leaving him no time to react.

"Friend, I am the sect leader of Qingchi Sect. If I have offended you, please show mercy!"

Qin Xianqin's eyes widened. The surroundings were pitch black, even his divine sense couldn't extend. He was being enveloped by deathly energy!

A sense of suffocating despair eroded his heart. In that brief moment, he thought of all his enemies over the past eighteen generations.

In an instant, he felt himself sinking, his internal spiritual energy completely suppressed, his golden core dim, unable to even summon his magic weapon.

**Rumble…**

Beneath the ground, two dark shadows grinned. After three months of staking out, they had thoroughly understood this man's travel patterns and the surrounding array defenses.

Chapter 158: You, today, by traveling this path, have committed a great taboo against me

A large black coffin stood before them, shrouded in deathly aura, with no sound coming from within.

"Old Ox, control it well, don't kill him," Chen Xun transmitted his thoughts directly to the black ox's mind. The ox nodded and waved its hoof, causing the black coffin to glow with black light.

Finally, sounds could be heard from within, but they were only the screams and pleas for mercy. The unknown was the true source of fear.

"You ventured out today, which greatly offended me. What do you think your punishment should be?"

"Huh? So, I offended you, senior? I am willing to make amends!" Qin Xianqin, not knowing where he was, showed a terrified expression. "I hope you can spare me for the sake of Old Ancestor Yanghua."

"Of course, Yanghua and I go way back. Naturally, I won't make things difficult for you," Chen Xun said boastfully, leaving the black ox astonished at the extent of his elder brother's connections.

"It seems we had a misunderstanding, senior. If you need anything, I will do my utmost to fulfill it," Qin Xianqin said, calming down a bit, relieved that his life was not in immediate danger, though the situation was still terrifying.

"Since you have Yanghua backing you, I won't bully you. Just hand over a pill formula," Chen Xun demanded.

"What?" Qin Xianqin broke into a cold sweat. He didn't have any pill formulas used by Nascent Soul stage cultivators. "Senior..."

"No? Then ascend to immortality," Chen Xun threatened."Senior, wait!!!" Qin Xianqin screamed desperately, the death aura pausing its advance. "What kind of pill formula do you need? I will gather it for you!"

"You, a mere Golden Core cultivator, naturally have no use for advanced pill formulas. But you need to give an explanation for offending me," Chen Xun stated.

"Of course, of course!" Qin Xianqin agreed, drenched in sweat. "I will certainly give you an explanation, senior."

"The Nascent Soul Pill formula, you should have that. It's within the limits of a Golden Core stage cultivator. I'm not being unreasonable," Chen Xun said with a smirk. They had done their research before coming here.

The three major sects were the wealthiest in the area. With most major cultivators gone to the north, it was the perfect time to "eliminate the strong and help the weak."

Moreover, based on the three storage rings they had acquired, these sects' Golden Core cultivators hoarded good items, especially a sect leader.

"I have it! I have it!" Qin Xianqin shouted in relief. Pill formulas could be copied infinitely and were not as valuable as alchemical inheritance or spiritual herbs. "What else do you need, senior? I will offer it with both hands."

In the face of life and death, everything else seemed trivial. He couldn't even use his spiritual senses and was utterly isolated.

He even felt Chen Xun was asking for too little. Pill formulas usually contained only the necessary ingredients and their ages, without crucial details like the order of adding ingredients or the technique of alchemy.

Even if one obtained all the ingredients, attempting to follow the formula without proper guidance would likely result in failure. Gathering another set of ingredients would be near impossible.

In the cultivation world, the real treasures were the detailed explanations by alchemists, not the pill formulas themselves.

"Hand it over, and I won't trouble you," Chen Xun's eyes gleamed as he transmitted to the black ox, "Old Ox, take action."

"Moo~" The black ox responded excitedly.

The pressure on Qin Xianqin lessened, allowing him to use his spiritual senses, but he still couldn't communicate outside. He struggled to retrieve a large stack of pill formulas from his storage ring, quickly selecting the Nascent Soul Pill formula without hesitation.

If this senior intended to kill and rob, he would already be dead. It must have been some taboo he had unknowingly violated.

The black ox waved its hoof, making the pill formula disappear, then used its power to inscribe it into a small booklet.

Chen Xun furrowed his brow. He didn't expect them to have it. They hadn't seen these formulas sold in Yuxu City, nor heard of any sect in Qian Nation possessing them.

Could it be that these Top Ten Sects have secretly manipulated these sects in their own countries...

The more he thought about it, the deeper he delved. Over the millennia, he had actually grown somewhat indifferent to the Top Ten Sects. Seemingly prosperous, the reality was that the major sects had always been oppressed, with their paths blocked.

It appeared to be chaotic, yet the cultivators here enjoyed relative freedom, with their paths unobstructed. However, the common people lived in dire straits.

Chen Xun's brow furrowed deeper as he pondered the overall situation. He simply couldn't understand the broader trends of the world, having been born a mere commoner.

"Forget it, my knowledge is limited," Chen Xun sighed inwardly. "I'll just go with the flow, maintain my own principles, and at least be free."

Everyone had their own rules. They were just immortal beings who wouldn't stay in one place for long, meddling in too many things could only lead to greater chaos in the world.

Chen Xun nodded silently, a faint smile appearing on his lips.

However, shortly after, the pill formula returned... Qin Xianqin panicked, thinking the senior was dissatisfied.

He immediately prostrated inside the black coffin and shouted loudly, "I hope Senior can forgive me!!!"

**Boom...**

**Rumble...**

He felt himself rising continuously, his spiritual energy suppressed fiercely again, and his heart nearly reaching his throat.

Qin Xianqin's chest heaved continuously, feeling a sudden heavy blow to his Golden Core. His eyes rolled back as he fainted.

Chen Xun and the big black ox drifted away, "Against people, not against sects," even for ruthless bandits, there were limits. They couldn't interfere in the affairs of evil cultivators, just a matter of fate; encountering them was fate, not something to force.

Half an hour later, under a large tree, Qin Xianqin lay there and suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood, slowly regaining consciousness. The moment he got up, the small illusion formation around him dispersed.

Qin Xianqin's eyes were filled with suspicion, his beard fluttering in the wind, gradually becoming calmer.

"This is wrong, he never wanted the pill formula!" Qin Xianqin scrutinized his surroundings, a sense of lingering fear rising. "There's not a trace..."

He felt uneasy; this was clearly a test, not just against himself but also against the Qingchi Sect.

"Damn it..." Qin Xianqin felt embarrassed. Although he hadn't lost anything, his earlier behavior would be a laughingstock if known.

He immediately calmed his mind, stabilized his heart, even regaining some color on his pale face. Qin Xianqin snorted coldly with his hands behind his back, soaring into the sky as if nothing had happened, returning to his sect.

From then on, Qin Xianqin developed a habit of checking the almanac before leaving. The elders of the sect were puzzled by this.

...

After May, in Anyun Nation, another domain of the three major sects, the Six Strings Sect.

On his way back, the sect master's mind was filled with a thunderous anger, "Who dared to take this road, violating my big taboo!"

Then the sect master screamed like a slaughtered pig, "Ah!!!"

Finally, he was dragged directly into the black coffin. Chen Xun and the big black ox began to reason again, obtaining another pill formula.

...

Another May, in Anyun Nation, one of the three major sects, the Unfixed Sect.

The sect master was still on his way back from a small gathering when he suddenly encountered a catastrophe from heaven, screaming in horror because he disturbed the senior's cultivation technique.

He was then dragged into the black coffin and buried underground.

He had a stubborn personality, and would rather die than submit, but in the end, he was still persuaded by the methods of the two ruthless bandits.

Crying and begging for mercy, he begged the senior to accept the pill formula.

Chen Xun and the big black ox left, leaving the three sect masters with a lifelong shadow. Being robbed on their own turf was beyond their imagination.

After that, the three sect masters developed an unspoken agreement. They arranged many disciples on the road for external reasons to maintain order.

When they met, the three men were cautious and suspicious, secretly speculating, "Could this humiliation have been orchestrated by you, wasting resources to hire a senior?"

Chapter 159: Walking through the histories of various nations, they passed by hurriedly like transient visitors

In a small town, sandstorms were rampant, with debris blowing around and creating a constant howling sound.

The two culprits were standing by a street vendor eating noodles, occasionally getting sand in their mouths as they communicated telepathically.

"Old ox, I've compared the three alchemy recipes. There's no problem." Chen Xun's eyes were filled with determination as he took a big bite of noodles. "The next step is to gather the spiritual herbs."

"Moo~~" The big black ox was also eating on the ground, drawing curious looks from the vendor behind them, but the young man was indeed generous.

"Moo?"

The big black ox slowly lifted its head to look at Chen Xun. Except for the Jade Source Fruit, it had never seen the other herbs, only heard of them.

When they robbed the two sect masters, they also subtly inquired about the herbs. They were widely distributed and required special environments, none of which were found in Anyun Nation.

Their sect didn't have anyone who had cultivated the Water Spirit Technique to the third level, and in the Eastern countries, there were even cultivators who established sects to guard these spiritual herbs.

"But what is this 'Five Qi Ink Spirit Flower'?" Chen Xun looked at the big black ox in confusion. He had never heard of it. "Old ox, do you know?"

"Moo~" The big black ox thought for a moment and shook its head. It had never heard of it either, probably some spiritual herb used during the Nascent Soul stage."Damn." Chen Xun suddenly lost his appetite for the noodles in his hand.

His expression was uncertain. Not only this flower, but he also had no idea how to obtain the other dozen spiritual herbs, which were quite rare.

Moreover, their understanding of the sects and environments in the Eastern countries was still limited. It wouldn't be figured out in a day or two.

"Moo?" The big black ox nudged Chen Xun, telling him not to worry.

"Old ox, I'm not in a hurry, just thinking of a way." Chen Xun chuckled and started eating again. "We'll probably have to start with the major sects, but to get information, we need to focus on the three major forces."

"Moo~~" The big black ox's eyes were filled with wisdom. It had an idea and wrote a few words on the ground: Spirit Herb Garden.

"Old ox, that's a bit smart, but not much."

"Moo?"

"How could such rare items be casually planted in a Spirit Herb Garden? They must be carried around or kept near their caves." Chen Xun pondered. "However, if spiritual herbs need to increase their age, they must be nurtured in their original environment. If not, they have to be nurtured with the Water Spirit Technique. Not all Nascent Soul elders have the third level of the Water Spirit Technique, right?"

"Moo!"

"But we don't completely understand the distribution and structure of these three major forces. We need to plan long-term." Chen Xun nodded slightly and exchanged a glance with the big black ox, both showing a look of wisdom. "Maybe they left a few Nascent Soul elders to guard them. We need to learn more."

"Moo~" The ox nodded. That was certain. No one was foolish.

"We're not in a hurry. Let's not act like we have Nascent Soul enemies chasing us." Chen Xun laughed heartily. "We have no attachments in Qian Nation. It's perfect to hang around here."

"Moo moo!" The big black ox laughed, recalling the days when he was chased by a big yellow dog.

"Let's go, Old ox." Chen Xun drank some soup and shouted to the back, "Boss, we're leaving."

"Moo~" The big black ox also licked its lips.

"Okay, take care!" The boss came out with a smile. The man and ox duo both had a huge appetite, which made him a lot of money.

They covered their faces with scarves and gradually disappeared into the sandstorm, leaving Anyun Nation.

...

In the following days, Chen Xun and the big black ox wandered like travelers, gathering information across various countries. They witnessed small countries rise, flourish, and fall in the course of time, with large numbers of people displaced and constantly fleeing.

Chen Xun and the big black ox sometimes got caught in the chaos, just having noodles by the roadside. Then, shouts would come from the other end, saying that a large army had invaded the city, and they would run along with the fleeing people.

They also helped these people escape, killing many monsters or bandits to reduce casualties along the way. However, due to the sharp decline in the number of cultivators, many small countries have become more chaotic. The ambitions of mundane rulers were even greater than those of cultivators! An emperor's rage could result in millions of corpses and rivers of blood.

Sometimes, Chen Xun and the big black ox would sit atop a mountain, feeling a lump in their throats, and continually record their observations in a small booklet.

Having lived peacefully in the Qian Nation for so long, it wasn't until they ventured out that they realized how naive their thoughts had been.

Chen Xun no longer complained or blamed others. He realized that human nature was unpredictable, and the way of heaven was heartless, merely conforming to the changes in all things, and inherently fair.

The ox and him completely adhered to their principles, becoming fleeting figures in the histories of various countries.

Later, they joined one of the three major forces, the Four Elephants Alliance.

Arriving at a large city of cultivators, they donned new outfits and assumed new identities. They worked quietly in an inconspicuous shop, dealing in information and never involving themselves in fights.

In front of the shop, they planted two trees, both Crane Spirit Trees.

No one knew their origins, only that they were mid-Golden Core stage cultivators. The man was very kind, and even the black ox spirit beast had a gentle demeanor.

Other vagabond cultivators in the Four Elephants Alliance respectfully called him Elder Xun.

Their ordinary days were always so pleasant yet filled with a sense of helplessness. As time passed, the years flowed by, and a hundred years had gone by since they had been in the Eastern countries.

Major news came from the northern part of Wu Nation, announcing a significant breakthrough in exploration. It was said that many spiritual herbs beneficial for the Foundation Establishment and Golden Core stages had been found.

Cultivators from various countries were thrilled and set off one after another. That place was an entirely undeveloped land of opportunities, where the first to seize it would own it.

Even many hesitant cultivators, upon hearing about the merit points, convinced themselves to join their fellow Daoists on the journey.

The entire cultivation world seemed to empty out, with fewer and fewer cultivators seen on the streets. Chen Xun and the big black ox just sat in front of their shop, smiling foolishly, unaffected by the cultivators passing overhead.

They had bought many books on minor spells and formations and spent their idle time reading them. Unbeknownst to others, a large map was gradually taking shape in Chen Xun's hands, marked with bright red dots.

They watched the people coming and going from their shop, chatting, and drinking tea, and the days passed one by one.

Time went by, and the Crane Spirit Trees in front of their shop shed their leaves again, marking another hundred years.

It seemed that the hidden great cultivators of various countries could no longer hold back and set off for the northern border of Wu Nation.

Chen Xun's Fireball Technique finally saw a minor enhancement, now comparable to an ordinary Foundation Establishment spell, with significantly increased power.

However, the spell was still simple to cast, consumed very little spiritual energy, and had few restrictions.

He named the spell "Starfall."

The big black ox, on the other hand, was studying another branch of formations: restrictions.

They changed into matching outfits again, wearing gray hemp robes, and the sound of jingling bells echoed on the streets.

After reporting for duty, Chen Xun and the big black ox left the Four Elephants Alliance and departed from the city.

...

Tonight, the night sky was dim, with a hazy moon and sparse starlight.

In a mountain range where spiritual energy converged, dark clouds shrouded the mountains.

Just being in this place or even looking at it brought a chill.

This was the territory of the Juque Sect, guarded by a great Golden Core stage cultivator, where the 'Spirit Throwing Black Mushroom,' one of the auxiliary herbs for the Infant Formation Pill, grew. Due to its strict environmental requirements, the Juque Sect directly occupied this mountain range to provide spiritual herbs for the three major forces.