Ever Drifting, Leaving Again

It turned out there was a secret realm within Qian Kingdom called Southern Dipper Mountain. It opened once every twenty years and had been jointly sealed by hundreds of great cultivators from Qian Kingdom over ten thousand years ago, all so that the Qian Kingdom Cultivation World would have Successors.

Countless spiritual herbs grew within it, and among them, the herbs used to refine Foundation Establishment Pills were the most precious. However, they had already been divided up and guarded by the various immortal sects, with limited slots available.

Moreover, the secret realm imposed strict limits on cultivation; only Qi Condensation Stage cultivators could enter. Every twenty years, the competition was so brutal that not even one in ten survived.

Other than the Ten Great Immortal Sects, which possessed methods to cultivate the spiritual herbs for Foundation Establishment Pills, no other sect did. That was the most fundamental gap between the immortal sects. Relying on natural Foundation Establishment not only wasted time, but also easily led to Qi Deviation.

Qi Condensation Stage cultivators only had a lifespan of one hundred years. Reaching the tenth level of cultivation had already consumed a great deal of time. Even fighting for one extra year was enough to make people bloody their heads.

Meanwhile, the Foundation Establishment Spiritual Herbs outside Qian Kingdom had long since been harvested to extinction. There were simply too many Qi Condensation Stage cultivators, and the supply could not meet the demand.

"So that was it."

After hearing this, Chen Xun understood. They wanted them to serve as thugs—perhaps even cannon fodder.

"Of course, if you collect three main-ingredient spiritual herbs and the sect's Martial Uncle refines a batch of Foundation Establishment Pills, the collectors will naturally receive a share as well."

Yin Jun added another sentence, then changed the subject. "Our Five Elements Sect has never forced disciples to participate. Fellow Daoist, there is no need to worry."

Chen Xun chuckled without replying, but inwardly grumbled, What is there to force? Once those with poor aptitude realize Foundation Establishment is beyond their reach, they'll be begging to go.

"After entering the Five Elements Sect, you may choose your own duties. As long as you meet the annual contribution requirement, that will do."

Yin Jun stood with One Hand behind his back, speaking neither hurriedly nor slowly. "For example, I am an Outer Sect Elder. Contributions can also be exchanged for cultivation techniques, spells, and the like."

"Every year, there is also the Sect Competition. If some elder takes a liking to you and accepts you as a disciple, you will soar into the sky and become an Inner Sect Disciple."

"What if one fails to meet the contribution requirement?"

"Make it up the following year. If you fail to meet it for three consecutive years, you will be Expelled from the sect."

At this point, fear Flashed through Yin Jun's Eyes. Being Expelled from the sect meant having one's cultivation crippled. "Outer Sect Disciples can only live this way. Inner Sect Disciples need not worry about it. Naturally, neither do Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators."

"Many thanks, Fellow Daoist, for clearing up my confusion."

"But this cow of yours..." Yin Jun Turned Towards Big Black Ox, his brow Trembled Slightly into a frown. "The sect only accepts spirit beasts."

"That could not be better." Chen Xun patted Big Black Ox.

"Moo moo!"

Big Black Ox stepped forward, and a surge of spiritual power stirred within him. Yin Jun's expression changed drastically. Qi Condensation Stage, second level—He Actually had never noticed.

"Then there is no problem."

Yin Jun took a step back as he spoke. Spirit beasts were a major source of a cultivator's combat strength. The Beast Taming Sect, one of the Ten Great Immortal Sects, specialized in spirit beasts, and possessed formidable strength among low-level cultivators.

"Good. Then I, Chen Xun, am willing to join the Five Elements Sect." Chen Xun gave a solemn Cupped Fist Salute, meeting Yin Jun's gaze.

"Please accept this Dao Child Token, Fellow Daoist."

A Joyful Expression Flashed through Yin Jun's Eyes. Another contribution was secured. "You Had Not Yet formally entered the sect, so we cannot address one another as fellow senior and junior brothers."

"Thank you."

Chen Xun accepted a small azure token, smaller than the one from before, and felt a little excited inside.

"On the day the valley closes, Martial Uncle will activate the token. Fellow Daoist will naturally know where to meet then."

"Alright, Then It Means I shall not disturb you any longer." Chen Xun smiled and left with Big Black Ox.

Yin Jun nodded as well, then looked toward Purple Cloud Sect's trial grounds. He held a token similar to those held by the three women.

On the street.

Excitement filled Big Black Ox's Eyes as he occasionally nudged Chen Xun.

"Old Ox, we're leaving this place."

A smile hung on Chen Xun's lips. It all felt somewhat hurried, as though he had grasped many things, yet like quicksand in his palm, had lost many things without realizing it.

However, joining the Five Elements Sect had long been part of Chen Xun's plans. He had inquired about the sect's strength in the valley before. It was not enough to rank among the best, but more than enough to surpass the rest—perfectly matching their expectations.

Moreover, Five Elements Sect Disciples lingered beside Purple Cloud Sect's raised platform every year. Though he did not know what relationship they had, it was enough as long as they could draw attention.

He had displayed strength far beyond that of an Ordinary Person in Purple Cloud Sect's first trial, then suffered defeat in the second. The people of Five Elements Sect would naturally come looking for them. This time, they had brought out their entire Family Fortune.

Jingle.

A crisp sound rang out as Big Black Ox twisted his body a few times. He looked at Chen Xun.

Chen Xun stopped and walked to Big Black Ox's side, looking at their pots, bowls, ladles, and basins. They had all yellowed with use and were covered in rust.

"When the time comes, we'll give them a proper polish. These are treasures."

"Moo moo~~"

Chen Xun and Big Black Ox strolled through Nine Stars Valley, their steps no longer so hurried for the first time. They gradually left the valley entrance, and their bodies suddenly accelerated.

Halfway up a great mountain, a lonely grave stood Standing Tall. They arrived before Sun Kaile's grave, cleared away the Weeds, and lit several sticks of incense.

"Sun Lao, we're leaving. It's a very distant place, and we don't know what year or month we'll be able to return."

Chen Xun spoke softly, One Hand still plucking at the Weeds. "Heh, we've never been anywhere so far away before."

"Moo~~" Big Black Ox Murmured from the side as well, voicing some of the thoughts in his heart.

The Mountain Wind swept past, and jingling sounds came from Big Black Ox's body. The two figures had already departed, while a faint Sighed drifted into the distance with the Mountain Wind.

After another Half a Day, Chen Xun arrived before Ning Si's grave. Ning Si's wife's gravestone stood beside it.

"Master, Shimu."

Chen Xun's voice Trembled Slightly as he bent and cupped his hands. Their faces and voices seemed as though they had been there only yesterday.

"Though you are not the most gifted among them, your master believes that you will certainly become the one with the finest Medical Skills."

"This child truly is not bad. His character is upright, and his temperament is excellent."

The two seemed to be seated before the graves, still smiling at Chen Xun, their Eyes filled with comfort.

"We are leaving. We came to bid farewell to Master and Shimu."

Chen Xun looked solemn as he gave a Deep Bow. Big Black Ox bowed as well, his movements cautious and careful.

Chen Xun patted Big Black Ox and turned to leave, but his foot suddenly slipped, as though someone had pushed him. His pupils contracted violently, and his Eyes trembled.

"Moo?"

"Old Ox, it's nothing. Let's go."

A faint smile appeared on Chen Xun's lips. He did not look back, instead leading Big Black Ox away.

At that moment, a gentle breeze drifted over, and countless drifting catkins suddenly rose into the sky. There was no confusion, no hesitation. The two figures walked farther and farther away.

A huge full moon hung high in the heavens. The early winter moon was clear and cold, pouring icy silver radiance down from the west.

Outside Nine Stars Valley, quite a few rogue cultivators had already begun to leave. The valley would close tomorrow, and they had no hope left.

Several Roared cries of agony came from a distant patch of grass. Blood dripped onto the blades, while seven or eight figures stood scattered about, cold smiles on their lips.

The frigid wind howled, blowing the grass left and right like waves rising in the sea, one wave pushing another, surging and falling in an impressive spectacle.

"Dare provoke our Liao Family? This is the end you deserve."

The Middle-Aged Man who had once sold Chen Xun spiritual herb seeds crushed a rogue cultivator's head beneath his foot. His Eyes were full of icy malice, flying swords circling around him.

"Fellow Daoist, that hooded fool has appeared."

The round-faced brute grinned viciously. He had never forgotten the grudge from that punch. "Never thought he would come again."

Their Liao Family had done business in Nine Stars Valley for years, and there were quite a few cultivators in the family. Though they had no Foundation Establishment cultivator overseeing them, they were not people rogue cultivators could provoke at will.

"Hmph. He hid for so long, but this time, we won't let him escape." The Middle-Aged Man said darkly, the flying swords around him becoming Even More sharp and fierce.

Suddenly, a heart-palpitating sensation struck. The Liao Family members stiffened and looked toward the high ground above the grass, Horror in their Eyes.

Beneath the full moon, a hooded man and a Big Black Ox stood on the high ground, their robes snapping in the wind. Three Mountain-Splitting Axes and the Black Ox's horns were dyed by the silver radiance, becoming Even More chilling.

"People of the Liao Family, it has been a long time."

The hooded man raised his head slightly, a cold smile curling across his lips as he looked down at the crowd. "I heard you were looking for me."