The following month, Chen Xun took a rare mont of solitude, retreating to the giant ship anchored along the island's coast.
"Little Crane, Big Brother is here to see you again."
He patted the tree trunk affectionately and leaned against it, taking in the endless, enigmatic scenery of the Forbidden Sea.
The sea breeze whispered through the air, bringing with it a subtle energy that infused the dark ocean with a profound, ineffable life force, instilling in Chen Xun a rare tranquility. Old mories surfaced briefly, only to be washed away by the waves, leaving no trace.
Feeling a pang of nostalgia, he realized that Da Li would never feel like ho in the way that Qian Country once had. If Da Li were to face destruction, he wouldn’t hesitate to flee with his brothers, never looking back.
"Heaven's End Ravine... I’m still not equipped to face it," he muttered with a slight shake of his head. Solving this age-old dilemma that had plagued Da Li was not sothing he could hope to resolve single-handedly. "One step at a ti. I’ll do what I can."
Chen Xun looked up at the Five Elents Crane Tree. Thousands of storage rings dangled from its dense branches like wind chis, giving off a striking beauty. Having nurtured it for decades, the tree had matured into sothing exceptional, even showing faint signs of offensive abilities, although it had never acted aggressively.
"Little Crane, I know you’ll develop consciousness soday."
He spoke with a calm and steady gaze. "We’ve treated you as family all along, and I hope that, when you finally transform, we won’t find ourselves standing on opposite sides."
A chill swept through the air, and the spiritual energy around them seed to tremble. In response, the Crane Tree glowed softly, its branches swaying gently in a windless motion, exuding a rare warmth.
"Relax, I was just joking. You’re family," Chen Xun chuckled, his voice breaking the stillness. "If I can nurture a long-lived spirit companion, I would never betray that bond."
The Crane Tree settled, its leaves unmoving even as the wind picked up.
Unbeknownst to Brother Ox and Xiao Chi, Chen Xun spent hours every month talking to the tree, sharing thoughts he kept from everyone else.
With a sigh, Chen Xun caressed the sturdy wood of the ship. Thanks to the spiritual nourishnt of countless items, the vessel had grown stronger over the years, its hull nearly impervious and well-attuned to the elental energy of the world, gradually becoming faster. If they could one day nurture it for a full million years, he was confident it would withstand a head-on clash with the ancient battle ships, perhaps even leaving a few dents.
His fingers touched a mysterious jade token he had kept for years. Whenever he channeled spiritual energy into it, it would faintly glow, seemingly directing him toward a place deep within the Forbidden Sea, beyond the seven ancient secret realms.
"What’s hidden out there?" Chen Xun murmured. There were only fragnts of records about it in ancient relics, hinting at only one thing—certain death.
"Heaven's End Ravine, the Chan Yin Temple’s abbot, the Thousand-Year Hanging Heaven Gate, Baili Zhonghu, the Water Spirit Technique, Cursed Longevity, the Path to Ascension," he recited, his gaze deepening as he clutched the jade token. "Until I reach the level of Nascent Soul or above, it’s wise to tread carefully. I wonder if the Four Celestial Mountains across the seas have thods for covert passage."
They held startling secrets, and Da Li was ho to powerful Nascent Soul cultivators. They needed a low profile and a cautious approach.
"As for the Yu family," he muttered, jotting down notes in his ever-present booklet. "We’ll retreat once the objective is complete. Our four lives are on my shoulders, and a single misstep could spell the end."
Chen Xun’s presence emanated an intense energy as he ran through various scenarios. A series of plans began forming in his mind, grand in scope and ticulous in detail. If anyone else saw this notebook, it would undoubtedly beco a priceless treasure.
Nearby, the Five Elents Crane Tree emitted a protective glow, its aura growing sharper as if to shield the figure beneath it.
In the island's central mining pit:
"Brother Ox, this is a treasure trove! Imagine what this ore would fetch in Da Li!" Xiao Chi exclaid as he clawed at a large piece of the Starshifting Black Ore. Their recent activities in handling relics and performing rites had amassed over five million mid-grade spirit stones, securing their future supply of resources.
"Moo~~" Brother Ox replied absently, his gaze shifting toward the shore. He knew Chen Xun was keeping secrets from him. Although Chen Xun seed carefree, when it ca to scheming, there was no one better. Navigating the dangerous world of cultivation with Five Elents spiritual roots and escaping so many close calls was no small feat.
"Brother Ox, maybe Big Brother just needed a rest," Xiao Chi mused, blissfully unaware, as he admired their growing pile of minerals.
Brother Ox shook his head, letting out a long breath. Xiao Chi didn’t realize how unique Chen Xun truly was.
Noticing Brother Ox's serious expression, Xiao Chi paused, his gaze shifting toward the shore. For all the years he had spent with Chen Xun, he still couldn’t quite understand him.
"Moo!" Brother Ox patted Xiao Chi on the back, snapping him back to work.
With a roar, Xiao Chi leapt into the mining pit, his boundless energy sending him over multiple holes—each one a result of Chen Xun's ticulous excavations, which no one dared disturb.
The next morning, Chen Xun returned, his mind focused, and joined the others in the pit. Determined, they continued their mining efforts, scraping the earth for every last ounce of treasure, viewing it as a divine blessing not to be wasted.
---
**One Year Later**
On a misty morning, the giant ship departed once more, its three passengers gazing at the horizon from the prow.
Outside the Forbidden Sea, a massive fleet of ships cut through the waves, bearing flags emblazoned with a single character—Yu, marking one of the three great ancient clans of Da Li.
The ocean roared like an iron-clad general leading an army into battle, its waves crashing with an ominous power.
"That’s the Yu family. They’ve sent quite a force this ti."
"Those don’t look like Yu family mbers—more like guardians."
"Hmph, the ancient families wouldn’t dare ignore the seven ancient secret realms."
Voices echoed across the waves as various forces observed the approaching Yu family fleet with a mixture of curiosity and trepidation. The Forbidden Sea held an unspoken rule: the more cultivators gathered, the greater the concentration of spiritual remnants, and the more dangerous the journey would be.
Suddenly, a resounding voice reverberated from the fleet, silencing any further discussion.
"Don’t pay them any mind," Yu Chen said, his gaze never lingering on the surrounding vessels. "Proceed cautiously."
"Yes, Young Master!" ca the swift reply, and the fleet split into two lines, forming a dark barrier between the Forbidden Sea and the Western Seas as the sky darkened.
Holding a voice-transmitting jade slip, Yu Chen turned to Uncle Chu. "Sa direction as last ti?" Uncle Chu inquired. "Have you heard from those three?"
"No," Yu Chen replied calmly, showing no sign of impatience. This ti, an older man trailed behind him, appearing frail and sleepy-eyed, hands tucked within his sleeves. But his aura pulsed with an Extinguishing Spirit power, unnervingly natural and not from any artifact.
Three days into their voyage, they caught sight of a giant shadowy figure through the mist—a ship with an enormous crane-shaped tree towering above it.
"Slow down!"
"Slow down!"
Yu Chen and the old man shouted in unison, and the fleet responded in perfect unison, coming to an imdiate halt.
A hint of excitent flashed across Yu Chen’s face as he recognized the silhouette of the massive ship that could only belong to the three mysterious seniors.
The sleepy-eyed elder, however, appeared far less at ease. His eyes sharpened, and his stance shifted into one of defense. The colossal vessel radiated an intense, authentic Extinguishing Spirit aura, powerful enough to be worthy of any ancient warship.
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