Eternal Tale

Today, a fine mist of rain fell softly over a small mountain peak, dampening the earth, barren branches, and fallen leaves.

Chen Xun and Brother Ox carefully tended to the overgrown weeds, refraining from using even a trace of spiritual power. The whole peak felt serene and fresh, with a massive wooden monument erected at its summit: Old Sun’s Peak.

Xiao Chi stood motionless halfway up the mountain, eyes wide in awe as he looked toward the top.

The entire mountain was enveloped in a powerful formation, dense with the five elements, exuding an aura so heavy it felt like a forbidden land.

His breathing grew shallow, and he kept silent—he could tell this was not the place for idle chatter.

“Let’s hope no one here is foolish enough to disturb this place…” Xiao Chi murmured to himself, knowing well that if anyone dared desecrate this mountain, Brother Xun and Brother Ox would likely return from even the Three Thousand Great Worlds to exact their vengeance.

A shiver ran down his spine, and an instinctive fear sparked in his eyes. He recalled the look in Brother Xun’s eyes when he had slain the corrupted beings—like he had become a different person altogether.

The next day…

At the mountain’s foot, Chen Xun and Brother Ox stood in silence, solemnly paying their respects, while Xiao Chi, trembling with fear, dropped to his knees in reverence.

“Moo moo~~”

“Brother Xun… the Five Elements Sect?” Xiao Chi asked hesitantly.

“The first sect I joined on my cultivation path—and the only one,” Chen Xun said warmly, a gentle smile tugging at his lips. “There’s no sect better than the Five Elements Sect in this world. Many of our friends are still there.”

“Moo moo~~” Brother Ox nudged Chen Xun, his eyes glinting with nostalgia.

They left the peak, fading into the distance, as Xiao Chi’s voice echoed behind them:

“No wonder Brother Xun never joined any other sect in Da Li.”

“That’s right,” Chen Xun replied, his voice carrying a hint of humor. “Even in the Three Thousand Great Worlds, I have no interest in joining another sect. Do you think it’s that easy—switching from one to another like trying out different inns?”

“Moo moo~~!”

Their laughter filled the sky, dispelling any lingering gloom, and soon, they vanished from the mortal lands of Qian Country.

…

Within Qian Country’s cultivation world, ten immortal sects stood tall, overlooking the mortal realm and commanding the respect of thousands of cultivators.

Though weakened over time, they remained powerful in a realm where strength had declined across the board. Neighboring countries grew restless, chaos spread, and the Four Symbols Alliance claimed dominance in the region.

Yet, the Four Symbols Alliance harbored a deep fear—not of Qian Country’s ten great sects, but of the mighty Five Elements Sect that backed them.

The Five Elements Sect boasted four formidable Nascent Soul cultivators, including a mid-stage Nascent Soul powerhouse, and even the Moon Tower kept close ties with them.

Most common cultivators believed the ten great sects were the ultimate authorities, but those in the upper echelons knew that the Five Elements Sect was the true power behind the scenes, controlling the cultivation world like a hidden colossus.

In both cultivation worlds, the sect exerted absolute influence, keeping the Four Symbols Alliance in check. Those within the alliance had learned to speak softly, knowing any ill-intentioned Golden Core cultivators who ventured into Qian Country’s territory would end up dead, often in mere days.

The alliance dared not complain, nor even approach the Five Elements Sect’s gates.

Two statues—a man and an ox—stood guard before the sect’s mountain gates, like an unyielding presence that oppressed all who came near.

Despite occasional disputes, the cultivation world had avoided large-scale conflict, and even the atmosphere for wandering cultivators had grown more peaceful.

Each year, the ten great sects held the Ascension Conference to recruit disciples, but the time, place, and selection criteria now required approval from a single authority—the Five Elements Sect.

Even the territorial disputes on Southern Dipper Mountain had changed to benefit smaller sects, much to the frustration of the ten great sects, who could no longer scheme as freely as before.

Some sects, such as Purple Cloud Sect and Dan Ding Sect, openly aligned themselves with the Five Elements Sect, declaring their loyalty.

Once, Ancestor Ji Zhao of the Five Elements Sect had fought off two Nascent Soul cultivators single-handedly, nearly crippling them, forcing them to retreat to preserve their lives.

And there was still the legendary Ancestor Shi Wujun, the pinnacle of power in the cultivation world. Rarely seen, he was known to be relentless, eliminating entire lineages when he chose to act, sending tremors through even the most hardened Nascent Soul elders.

Rumor had it that behind the Five Elements Sect was an enigmatic woman who guided every major decision with unerring precision. Not once had they made a misstep under her counsel.

Yet, the most mysterious of the Four Ancestors remained unknown—no name, no face, only whispers of his existence.

Unbeknownst to most cultivators, this elusive Fourth Ancestor of the Five Elements Sect had secretly allied with the Moon Tower to explore Qian Country’s southern border—the Endless Mountains.

While ordinary cultivators thought the world unchanged, the structure of power had already shifted, and every major faction now stood in the shadow of the Five Elements Sect.

In Zhiyang Prefecture, Yuzhu Mountains lay shrouded in ancient formations, eerily tranquil. Disciples rarely ventured down the mountain, and incidents of arrogance were unheard of; humility was their creed.

Disciples of the Five Elements Sect traveled without ever revealing their affiliation.

Within the mountain range, in an ancient hall:

Shi Wujun, Liu Han, Ji Zhao, and Jiang Xuechen sat together, sipping tea. Each bore the marks of time, their eyes calm and seasoned.

Liu Han, dressed in a flowing green robe, held a serene yet slightly furrowed expression, a faint worry tracing her elegant features.

“The great beasts in the southern mountains have agreed to let us pass, but they wish to meet him,” she said softly.

Shi Wujun, with jet-black hair draped over his white robes, had a cold, sword-like presence. His hair was tied back with a simple white ribbon, his gaze piercing.

“The Endless Mountains were seized from us by these beasts’ ancestors long ago, after the departure of our own,” he replied, glancing at Liu Han. “They want to meet him to confirm if he’s still a threat.”

Ji Zhao’s eyes held inscrutable depths, his voice heavy. “These beasts are ambitious and cunning. We must remain cautious.”

Jiang Xuechen looked around at the three of them. “The last thing the cultivation world needs right now is a war. Holding them back at the Endless Mountains will suffice.”

Her words settled over them, casting a quiet stillness in the hall.

With the weakened state of the cultivation world, the beasts seemed to sense an opportunity, hoping to exploit the current vulnerability.

But they, too, were wary, testing the waters.

Liu Han’s eyes gleamed. “Regardless of now or the future, even after we’re gone or if that one never returns, we must have a plan.”

“Our sect’s legacy must not falter. We’ll hold on as long as possible.”

She drew a small book from her storage ring. “At this pace, the next generation may well surpass us.”

Jiang Xuechen cast a thoughtful look at Liu Han, noting that all of the sect’s decisions had come from her hand over the years. Her foresight extended beyond even her own lifetime, preparing for every possible outcome.

Shi Wujun and Ji Zhao nodded resolutely, knowing they’d done everything within their power.

If the heavens offered no path forward, they would carve one out themselves, determined not to rely solely on their legendary Fourth Ancestor.

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