Chapter 997: Compete for immortality, cultivating immortality

Three days later.

Madam Xi He, accompanied by the nine-tailed celestial fox, visited the various peak masters of the Five Aggregates Sect. Names of the younger generation like Liu Han and Ji Zhao were all committed to memory.

It was truly a worthwhile journey. The human race, a great clan never favored by the blessings of heaven and earth, has repeatedly risen from obscurity. Perhaps it is precisely such a group that makes the flourishing path of immortality so fascinating.

During the Era of Blood and Flesh among the myriad clans, the ancient records of the Star Palace Immortal Court briefly mentioned the human race's harrowing experiences...

An Ancient Immortal once remarked that during that era, he wouldn't be surprised if humans committed any malevolent acts, even raising a flag against the heavens. A race of great wisdom, yet their status was lower than that of livestock.

However, this piece of Ancient Immortal history has long been buried, and she didn't wish to dwell on it. It had already sunk along with the immortal history of the Taiyi Ancient Immortal Court, and even cultivators of various clans doubted the authenticity of human history.

Such a powerful human race, one of the strongest among the myriad clans in the Boundless Great World, how could they have been mere blood and flesh for others? It was just a facade; humans love to play the pig to eat the tiger.

Seeing the scenery of the Five Aggregates Sect and the Dao Ancestor of the Five Elements, she deeply doubted the human race's immortal history... How could it be?

After all, during the Era of Great Slaughter among the myriad clans, the Human Emperor emerged as the protagonist of the world, and there were no weaklings among humans. The myriad clans were more like the blood and flesh for humans; they dared to eat anything.

At this moment, her thoughts drifted lightly, and the immortal history was beyond examination, so she thought no more of it.

Madam Xi He solemnly bid farewell to Chen Xun and the others, and the ancient prince did not favor her, so she did not disturb anyone further.

Youyuan stayed behind with the seven-tailed celestial fox, saying she wanted to spend more time with Elder Xun and promised to attend the grand event of Ultimate Emperor Heaven without delay!

With the conversation reaching this point, Madam Xi He felt slightly relieved and left the Five Aggregates Sect through the Five Elements Teleportation Array.

Outside, Madam Xi He and the nine-tailed celestial fox looked back, as if waking from a great dream.

The desolate mountain gate stood there alone, an ancient beast idly tapping its fingers, occasionally absorbing the chaotic power of the Great Dao from the heavens for cultivation.

Behind was a barren hillside, with only some vague shadows standing between heaven and earth, making her wonder if she had entered an illusion during this half-month.

Madam Xi He smiled faintly. The outskirts of the Jade Bamboo Range were already deserted and silent. After this event, outside cultivators avoided it, never daring to come casually again.

"Qiu'er, let's return to the palace," Madam Xi He said calmly. "The Dao Ancestor will take good care of Youyuan, no need to worry."

"Yes," the nine-tailed celestial fox replied, seemingly regretful, having not seen the great demon of the Five Aggregates Sect and not daring to mention it.

The two vanished into the glow of the clouds, transforming into a stream of light and disappearing into the distance.

However, what they did not know was that the group of great demons and Barbarian Tribe cultivators were thriving within the ninety-nine ring-shaped mountains, dedicated to nurturing Ancestor Chen Xun's rare and precious herbs.

They didn't even show up at the fishing event, afraid that if they took their eyes off for a moment, something would happen to these precious herbs...

They had now become a mysterious group within the Five Aggregates Sect, focusing on nurturing spiritual herbs and contemplating grand world techniques, achieving true detachment from worldly affairs, which was the life they had desired within the boundary.

Every clan and individual has their own path of immortality they believe in, and Chen Xun did not impose anything. In cultivating immortality, everyone should do what makes them comfortable; competing for immortality is not the only true path.

Along his journey, he had encountered many extraordinary people and events, and his mindset had become incredibly calm and amiable. Meng Sheng, Immortal Absolute, and the Chen family members could venture out if they wished.

Disciples who wanted to cultivate peacefully within the sect could do so, and those who wished to descend the mountain could do so without many complicated rules. Learning some life-saving techniques was certainly useful.

This was the only rule Ancestor Chen Xun had for his disciples.

...

Within the Five Aggregates Sect.

Disciples traveled in small groups, some exploring life-saving techniques, talisman crafting, and refining, while others discussed the fishing event, laughing heartily.

Some were nurturing spiritual beasts, a group gathered around as an egg was laid, pointing and commenting.

They made the spiritual beast so anxious it almost spoke human words, cursing, "I'm laying eggs here!"

Many fierce beasts followed the disciples, constantly fleeing, their noses frantically sniffing the air, not knowing what they were escaping from, but it was lively. The Five Aggregates Sect was now vast beyond measure.

The territory it occupied was as vast as ten small boundaries, and each disciple was allocated large fields of spiritual herbs, more than they could ever plant!

Almost every disciple had a spiritual or fierce beast by their side, nurturing them as ancestral spiritual beasts. After all, Ancestor Bull was a spiritual beast passed down by the ancestors, known to all.

The Outer Disciples of the Soul-Nourishing Spirit Clan were the busiest, either transporting goods or on their way to transport goods, also repairing the mountain paths within the Five Aggregates Sect, the grand competition platforms, and more.

However, they enjoyed it, Qing Li and Qing Wan were as energetic as ever, personally attending to everything.

Rising from the ranks of the immortal slave races to their current status, no one could understand their journey or how much they cherished their current path of immortality.

The vast Five Aggregates Sect, even after thousands of years of repair, still appeared as a scene of desolation waiting to be revitalized.

To realize the blueprint of the ancestor's domain, it would take several generations...

But isn't cultivating immortality about fulfilling one's wishes? Longevity is too elusive, and within the sect, there wasn't a single being worthy of being called a prodigy of the grand world, except, of course, for the Chen family members.

At the peak of the ninety-nine ring-shaped mountains.

Youyuan held Qian Wuhen, teasing him, making him laugh with a sound like wind chimes, clear and crisp.

Chu Zhen was also there, having made a small instrument, gently soothing little Qian Wuhen, who was quite perceptive, always smiling at those who treated him well, never crying or fussing.

Except when Chen Xun personally fed him, he wore a bitter face, never smiling.

Chen Xun continued to strike the Seven Treasures Spirit Turtle Stone beneath the waterfall. Under the direct sunlight, the once seamless stone wall now had faint dents, quite remarkable.

"Elder Xun, little Wuhen is so well-behaved," Youyuan chuckled, gently poking Qian Wuhen's chubby cheek. "Was I like this when I was little?"

"Heh, you," Chen Xun didn't turn his head, just chuckled, "sat on that bench like a little radish, always pointing at passing fierce beasts. If the Dao Ancestor hadn't intervened secretly that time, you wouldn't be here."

Chen Xun's voice was filled with the weight of time and experience, like an old tree weathered by the storms of life.

Boom!

A thunderous sound echoed, and a mist of water surrounded Chen Xun, forming a faint glow. His eyes were deep as a pool, his fists never ceasing.

They seemed accustomed to such sounds, even little Wuhen showed no surprise.

Youyuan pursed her lips and whispered, "Little Wuhen, don't pick up Elder Xun's temperament, he never spares anyone with his words~"

"Yiya ya~~" Qian Wuhen stretched out his hands from the blanket, beaming brightly.

Youyuan noticed that little Wuhen seemed unable to understand their words, and he wasn't human, growing quite slowly, much like the You family, truly a fateful connection.

As for how Qian Wuhen came to be, she never asked. Elder Xun loved playing with children, she had known that for a long time.