Eternal Tale

Back when the spirit beasts first arrived in the Northern Border, it was a harsh and barren land.

The barbarian cultivators here survived on meager resources, often hunted by Wu Country's cultivators. But when the spirit beasts from Da Li arrived, they began sharing their cultivation methods and brought along valuable resources, forging a deep bond of friendship with the Northern Border’s inhabitants.

The two sides became mutually dependent, and the massive Extinguishing Spirit Stone became a cornerstone of their defense, repelling multiple invasions from Wu Country's cultivators.

Over time, the migrating spirit beasts transformed the Northern Border, cultivating rare spiritual herbs and creating a peaceful haven. It wasn’t until the invasion from the distant cultivation world that they fought back, ambushing and eliminating many Nascent Soul cultivators using the Extinguishing Spirit Stone.

After listening to the tale, Chen Xun could only sigh softly. All of this had become part of cultivation history; countless stories had faded into legend, leaving only memories and laughter behind.

Every morning, the Beast King would come to pay respects to Chen Xun, updating him on the current state of the Northern Border.

Yet, despite Chen Xun’s presence, it was Xiao Chi that the spirit beasts revered most, bound to them by blood and offering a glimmer of hope for a future beyond the confines of the Northern Border.

Today, the air was once again filled with biting wind and falling snow.

Standing on an icy cliff, the Beast King followed respectfully behind Xiao Chi. “Ancestor, are you leaving...?”

“Hmm… take care of yourselves,” Xiao Chi replied, gazing into the distance with a look of melancholy. “Brother Ox will set up a large teleportation array for you all. With so many clan members by your side, make a good life for yourselves in Heaven’s End Plains.”

A wistful smile tugged at his lips. A thousand years of loneliness and hardship, nights spent surviving alone—Xiao Chi no longer felt a need for kin around him.

He let out a low growl, his face shifting to that of a true lion king—resolute, solitary, and fierce.

“Ancestor…”

“I’ll follow Brother Xun. You wouldn’t understand,” Xiao Chi said softly, his eyes filled with warmth. “He’s my true big brother, as is Brother Ox. Wherever they go, I’ll go too.”

The Beast King frowned, watching Xiao Chi’s retreating figure. “But Ancestor… he’s human.”

It stopped, hesitant to voice the thought fully. The wounds inflicted by humans upon the Flameglow Ancient Lions ran too deep, etched into their very blood. The old saying came to mind: “Those not of our kind cannot be trusted.”

Humans never had good intentions when it came to spirit beasts.

In battle, spirit beasts were often sent to die first; during secret realm exploration, spirit beasts were used as bait. They were hunted and used in cultivation. The list of grievances was endless.

The Beast King suspected that this human senior might be cultivating their ancestor, intending to use him for an undisclosed purpose.

Wham!

A massive paw struck the Beast King, flames erupting as the ice cracked beneath it. The Beast King gasped, finding itself pinned down.

A flash of ferocity appeared in Xiao Chi’s eyes as he struck a fellow spirit beast for the first time. His voice was cold. “Do not overstep your bounds. Take care of yourselves.”

With that, he turned and walked away, his lonely figure disappearing into the swirling snow.

The Beast King stared after Xiao Chi, feeling a chill of fear. The bond of blood… it no longer tied him down. His clan meant nothing to him now.

Sadness filled the Beast King’s face. For spirit beasts, bloodline was paramount, just as cultivators valued spiritual roots.

The Beast King’s deference had been an attempt to strengthen that bond, hoping to provide the Northern Border’s spirit beasts with a true leader, one who would break the chains of confinement and lead them out of their frozen prison. ꭆÅɴO͍ꞖĘṢ

Xiao Chi walked alone across the ice, his eyes sharp.

Big Brother had done all this for his sake, not for theirs. Xiao Chi understood that clearly and had no intention of getting further involved.

From afar, he heard laughter coming from an ice house.

His proud expression softened, and he shouted, “Brother Xun!”

“What the—Xiao Chi, stop yelling! Can’t you see I’m talking with the Grand Elder? Get in here already.”

An irritated shout came from the ice house, spilling some of the tea in Chen Xun’s hand. The Grand Elder chuckled beside him, glancing curiously at Xiao Chi.

The Beast King had told him that their ancestor’s bloodline was exceptionally pure, entirely untainted. Even among the Flameglow Ancient Lions, Xiao Chi’s lineage would have been held in high esteem.

Xiao Chi burst into the room with a sheepish grin. “Brother Xun, I was just passing by. I need to help Brother Ox.”

“Hold on.”

Chen Xun took a slow sip of tea, his gaze calm as he looked at Xiao Chi. “These spirit beasts are genuinely loyal to you, you know. They look up to you like…”

“Brother Xun!” Xiao Chi interrupted, furrowing his brow for the first time. “Wherever you go, I go.”

“Understood. Go help Brother Ox.”

“Eheh.”

Xiao Chi’s excitement made the room feel warmer as he transformed into a streak of flame and vanished.

Chen Xun watched him go, a faint smile curling at his lips. Then he turned back to the Grand Elder with a hearty laugh. “Elder, more tea! Let’s keep talking.”

“Senior, please, have more tea,” the Grand Elder replied, bowing, feeling both honored and grateful. He quickly drained his cup in one gulp, prompting Chen Xun to shake his head with amusement as he refilled it—only for the Elder to drink it down immediately again.

Chen Xun’s eyebrows rose in surprise as he poured, the Grand Elder watching him intently as he continued drinking in silence.

…

Three days later, the Northern Border was abuzz.

The Beast King led a vast number of spirit beasts to bid farewell, while the Grand Elder, clutching a tea jug gifted by Chen Xun, led a procession of barbarian cultivators to see him off.

“Farewell, Senior! Safe travels, Ancestor!”

The Beast King roared, his eyes a mix of emotions. “Our deepest thanks to Brother Ox!”

“Thank you, Brother Ox!”

Roar!

Roar!

…

The spirit beasts let out thunderous roars, watching as Brother Ox waved his tail, having set up the large teleportation array that would allow them to leave the Northern Border whenever they chose.

“Senior Chen Xun! Come back for tea whenever you’re in the Northern Border!”

The Grand Elder clutched his tea jug tightly, treasuring it. “We will follow your guidance, Senior, and devote ourselves to reading more books!”

Chen Xun had gifted them many books from Da Li—not cultivation techniques, but texts that would broaden their minds and enhance their understanding.

“Safe journey, Senior!”

“Safe journey, Senior!”

…

The farewell shouts echoed through the wind and snow. The barbarian tribe had no plans to leave the Northern Border; this land was their home, unlike the migrating spirit beasts.

From afar, Chen Xun turned and raised his hand in a friendly wave, smiling. “No need to see us off so far. We’ll meet again if fate allows.”

“Moo moo~~!” Brother Ox gave a cheerful call.

Xiao Chi stood on Brother Ox’s back, gazing at the spirit beasts in the distance, offering a slight nod as the Beast King returned a respectful nod.

“Let’s go, brothers.”

“Moo!”

“Got it, Brother Xun!”

With their voices loud and spirited, they set off. The snow and wind seemed to quicken around them as the three figures faded into the vast white landscape, leaving only their silhouettes in the snow.

The creatures of the Northern Border watched them go, standing still for a long time as they gazed toward the horizon.

The Grand Elder sighed softly, a note of awe in his voice. “Perhaps… this is what a true master of the cultivation world is like, worthy of being called a mighty figure under heaven and earth.”

Beside him stood a young boy and girl, their eyes clear and innocent like the Northern Border glaciers, untouched by the world. They looked up at the Grand Elder with curious eyes.

“Grand Elder, what was that senior’s name… Chen Xun?”

“Yes. Our clan shall remember this name.”

The Grand Elder nodded solemnly, taking the children’s hands and leading them toward the heart of the glacier. “Man Zhidong, Man Luoyin, the future of our clan rests in your hands.”

The children said nothing, looking up at him with wide eyes as they walked farther into the depths of the icy landscape.

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