Chapter 999: Weariness

Under the waterfall.

Chen Xun's eyes became much calmer. He had experienced many farewells, and as long as everyone was still alive... that was enough.

There were two other types of longevity-enhancing spiritual herbs that he had been having the Chen family secretly search for. In the Eastern Wilderness, there was one such herb called 'Zhongnan Zhi,' rumored to be nurtured by the residual spirit of a living being after death.

It contained the residual life essence of the dead, capable of reversing the lifespan of living beings, significantly extending their lives by a thousand years!

If one were to consume five of them, that would be a full five thousand years. For cultivators stuck at a bottleneck, it was the ultimate longevity-enhancing herb, as there was so much one could accomplish in five thousand years.

As for the Burial Heaven Mound and the Taiyi Ghost Gate, he had also inquired about them. The pills consumed there were all longevity pills, refined by dispersing the potency of these longevity-enhancing herbs.

Their effects were rather ordinary, mostly extending life by a few hundred years. Longevity-enhancing herbs were treasures of heaven and earth, not something to be consumed casually.

It was only because he and Bull possessed the World Soul that they could nurture the Taiwei Purple Immortal Trees to their fullest, producing an endless supply of good fruits.

Of course, it was still like what Bull said back then; now that the world was thriving, it was enough for them to nurture spiritual herbs to their fullest without fear of rapid decay. The World Soul wasn't omnipotent; they still had to act according to the heavens.

Regarding the matter of the Three Thousand Great Worlds ascending to the True Immortal Realm, Chen Xun was in complete agreement, even feeling a bit anxious in his heart. Fellow Daoists, hurry up!

He still wanted to see what the True Immortal Realm was like and whether he could turn all their possessions into true immortal items. By then, the good fruits would definitely not just extend life by three thousand years.

As for the decline of the vast world, he really hadn't thought about it. It was simply impossible. After the universal ascension, it would be even more impossible. Severing the cycle of heaven and earth would be beneficial to all living beings in the world.

Chen Xun was, of course, a selfish person, not so selfless and loving to talk about fairness to the reincarnating beings of future heavens and earth. They hadn't even opened their eyes yet!

What did it matter to him...

As Chen Xun was lost in thought, Youyuan turned her head, "Elder Xun, have you found your sister? I also want to see Sister Heling."

"Of course."

Chen Xun's eyes sparkled, and with a flick of his finger, he took out an Image Stone, proudly saying, "Little Youyuan, let me show you the extraordinary grace of my own sister, whom I personally raised."

Upon hearing this, Chu Zhen also became interested and watched together with Youyuan.

This woman...

Nangong Heling sat on the lookout of the Boundary-breaking Ship, her white clothes as pure as snow, gently swaying in the breeze, her demeanor exuding a noble and serene aura.

Her hand lightly caressed her chin, her movements calm and composed, as if the tranquility emanating from her could make everything around her peaceful and serene.

In front of Heling sat Chen Xun, Black Bull, and Little Chi.

Chen Xun was boastfully bragging, speaking grandly, while Black Bull had a smug look, its tail swinging wildly, fully believing in the future Chen Xun painted.

Little Chi was jumping and exclaiming in disbelief, unable to imagine the scenes of other great worlds, having never even been to Xuanwei Heaven!

Brother Xun actually said he wanted to invest in the Celestial Path Track; who could resist such a grand vision? The future's first major household in the True Immortal Realm!

Nangong Heling's expression was gentle, as if she embodied the presence of celestial beings, quietly listening to her elder brother's boasting without any perfunctory intent, her eyes filled with unconditional trust.

Her long hair, like a cascade of black feathers, draped over her shoulders, gently swaying in the breeze, her strands of hair dancing like a black waterfall slipping through her fingers.

Heling quietly poured tea for them, her sleeves fluttering inadvertently, like ethereal white clouds.

It was as if she naturally resided in the clouds, isolated from the mundane world, making everything around her pale in comparison, as if she were truly the favored child of this world.

Both Youyuan and Chu Zhen were somewhat mesmerized, not expecting such a human woman to exist in this world... captivating both men and women!

Youyuan secretly took a deep breath, having once thought her mother was the most beautiful woman in the world. But today, she realized there was someone who could rival her mother.

And she was actually Elder Xun's sister, though she didn't look like someone raised by Elder Xun himself.

Youyuan's eyes subtly shifted, secretly criticizing Chen Xun in her heart, humph, surely Elder Xun had someone else raise her, back in childhood, he only knew how to play with himself!

Meanwhile, Chu Zhen's eyes revealed a trace of envy. In this simple scene, she seemed to see the life of a cultivator, deeply moved inside.

At this moment, even Chen Xun found himself somewhat entranced, recalling the grand visions he once painted, yet to be realized...

For some reason, a trace of weariness suddenly appeared in his eyes.

What Dao Ancestor of the Five Elements, what immortals, what creators of the heavens, none of it compared to living a simple life hidden in the mundane world, exploring the various wonders of this world, even if he couldn't afford them.

Chen Xun suddenly thought of when he and Black Bull first entered the world of immortals, like country bumpkins, jumping with joy at every little spell.

Earning a low-grade spirit stone... they could be excited for years, even if living in caves with wild beasts, even if caught by soldiers, it was still quite carefree and without worries.

Chen Xun's brows gradually furrowed. In this Three Thousand Great Worlds, countless compete for immortality, and the realm of immortality is nothing but a shackle of heaven and earth, increasing obsessions. But without strength, where does freedom come from?

For the first time, he truly felt what it meant to be in the world, unable to act freely...

Chen Xun slowly took a deep breath, thinking to himself, "Bull, Third Sister, Little Chi, this is the last time. Eldest Brother will not paint grand visions anymore; the road is still long, wait for me to extricate myself."

"Elder Xun, is Sister Heling not in the Five Aggregates Sect now?" Youyuan suddenly asked, interrupting Chen Xun's thoughts.

"No." Chen Xun shook his head, not explaining much, "She will return in the future, and then you will meet her."

"Great, I must ask Elder Xun how you raised Sister Heling!" Youyuan smirked, "After all, you're the best at deceiving people and often forgetful."

"Nonsense!" Chen Xun snorted coldly, "When my sister returns, I'll have her teach you a lesson, to curb your temper."

"Hehe." Youyuan pretended to smile obediently, then started teasing Qian Wuhen, "Little Wuhen, look how fierce Elder Xun is~ When you grow up, don't learn from him."

Chen Xun shook his head with a sigh, letting the little girl be...

He started chatting with Chu Zhen again, not wanting to deal with the little girl, finding his little junior sister more to his liking.

But as they talked, he thought of Bull again. Without the Black Bull around, he felt uneasy, unable to comfortably pat things; patting it was much more satisfying.

Now he couldn't even find someone to boast to, feeling very uncomfortable. His own sister wasn't around either, making each day harder than the last. Why bother cultivating immortality!

The more Chen Xun thought about it, the angrier he got, venting his frustration on the Seven Treasures Spirit Turtle Stone beneath the waterfall, the booming sound unending.

And so, the days passed peacefully, one after another.