Eternal Tale

Immaculate Immortal Ridge.

Chen Xun was alone in the mountains, chopping down Crane Spirit Trees, while Black Bull stood nearby, collecting the wood. It would surely come in handy someday.

”Bull, let’s subtly find out what happened to Old Yin in the future.”

With a calm smile, Chen Xun swung his axe at the Crane Spirit Tree. ”Six hundred years should be enough to gather some information, but you should also study talisman arrays diligently.”

”Moo~” Black Bull nudged the fallen Crane Spirit Tree, exhaling a breath through its nostrils, its eyes filled with contemplation.

Chen Xun sighed softly and resumed chopping. He glanced up at the sky; the sunlight was just right.

Boom~

The sound of Crane Spirit Trees falling echoed through the mountains, a pleasing sound that cleared one’s mind. Medicine cases began to take shape on the ground.

Four nights later, outside the thatched cottage.

The people had gradually dispersed, still discussing the Image Stone that Chen Xun and Black Bull had brought back, completely different from the world of cultivating immortality in the Mengmu Sea Region.Tonight, only Chen Xun’s family remained. They sat in various comfortable positions, quietly watching the moonlight reflected in the lake.

”Third Sister.” Chen Xun’s expression was somewhat serious as he looked at Little Crane. ”What about your insights from reading? Do I have to bring it up myself? In these years when your second brother and I weren’t around, you mustn’t slack off in your studies.”

”Eldest Brother, I have them!” Little Crane exclaimed, having forgotten while watching the Image Stone. She quickly retrieved a dozen small booklets from her storage ring. ”They’re all here.”

”Hmm...” Chen Xun took them with a solemn expression and began to read. Suddenly, his expression changed slightly, shocked. How could he not understand some of it?!

Little Crane smiled and leaned against Chen Xun, while Black Bull also moved closer, pretending to understand.

Little Chi, with a mischievous grin, fiddled with some strange stones. These were gifts from Black Bull, said to be picked up in the celestial realm.

Initially, it wanted to refuse, but upon hearing they were found, it was overjoyed, as if it had struck it rich, and quickly accepted them, often taking out a stone to examine with its claws.

These strange stones had absorbed its aura, and the patterns on them were peculiar. It liked them more and more, becoming part of its limited possessions.

The night breeze blew, bringing the sound of pages turning quietly.

Chen Xun’s eyes were filled with astonishment. He used to understand these reading insights, but now they seemed profound, beyond his previous experience...

He cleared his throat and said in a deep voice, ”Third Sister, your writing is quite good. From these insights, I can see your growth and increased wisdom. Very good, very good.”

As Chen Xun spoke, he smiled, glancing at Black Bull on his shoulder with satisfaction.

Little Crane was a bit excited to receive praise for her reading insights from her elder brother.

She used to read from a single perspective, too immersed, but now, viewing it from an outsider’s perspective, she saw many different angles, gaining even deeper insights.

Little Crane spoke softly, ”Eldest Brother, the teachers at the Dao Academy, though not strong in duels, have profound knowledge of the immortal path. I’ve finally understood what it means to be highly respected.”

”Oh? Which senior at the Dao Academy are you following now?”

”Eldest Brother, Baiyu True Lord and Senior Yuxuan occasionally come to teach. I truly feel I’ve benefited greatly.”

Little Crane beamed as she chatted with her elder brother. ”Teacher Baiyu has a heart for the world, broad-minded, and Senior Yuxuan is knowledgeable. She’s even been to the Great World of Taiyi.”

”Wow.” Chen Xun’s eyes brightened, and he smiled. ”That’s good. Sending you to the Dao Academy was for this reason. The world of cultivating immortality is vast, with a thousand faces. It’s always good to see more.”

”Mm-hmm.”

”These two seniors deserve a good fruit for taking care of my third sister. Naturally, we can’t treat them poorly.”

”Moo moo!”

”Haha, Eldest Brother, you’re so generous now, giving away treasures that extend life by three thousand years without a second thought. Aren’t you worried about the spirit stones?”

Little Crane tilted her head forward with a teasing smile, looking directly at Chen Xun. ”You’re such a big spender!”

”Heh, of course not.” Chen Xun sneered disdainfully. ”Third Sister, do you underestimate your elder brother?”

”Not worried about the spirit stones?” Little Crane looked at Chen Xun’s slightly pained expression and suddenly burst into laughter.

”You little girl, dare to tease your elder brother?!”

Chen Xun widened his eyes, gently patting her head. ”Bull, laugh at her!”

”Moo moo moo~~~” Black Bull chuckled, thankful that Third Sister was a little girl. Otherwise, she’d be in big trouble, as Chen Xun never held back when he acted. Little Chi was raised with a firm hand.

Little Crane’s laughter grew louder, hugging Chen Xun’s arm and pouting, ”Eldest Brother, I’ve grown up. Don’t hit me anymore.”

She still had shadows from being scolded to tears countless times when caught playing around as a child.

Chen Xun snorted, ”No matter how much you grow, you’re still the sister of your second brother and me. Is that how you talk to us?!”

”Woo, Eldest Brother~, big spender!”

”Hmph.”

”Super big spender~~”

”That’s it.”

”Dao Ancestor Brother!”

”Fine, I won’t argue with you.”

Chen Xun waved his hand, a smile breaking through his serious face. ”Your elder brother and second brother have worked hard to earn spirit stones. It’s not about being stingy; you don’t understand.”

”Moo~” Black Bull nudged Chen Xun’s face, and he reached out to pat it.

Little Crane moved closer, almost snuggling together, and whispered, ”Eldest Brother, I understand. Fourth Brother told me. I won’t joke about it anymore. I’m sorry, don’t be mad at me.”

”Hehe, it’s fine.” Chen Xun chuckled softly, gazing into the distance. ”Family can chat freely; there’s no need to be so formal.”

”Your elder brother, second brother, and fourth brother all want to give you the status of an immortal second generation.”

Chen Xun’s gaze softened as he spoke gently, ”In this world of immortals, connections and background matter everywhere. It’s good if you can avoid some hardships. For example, if you write some insights from the Dao Academy, you can title them ’My Factory Owner Brother,’ ’My Dao Ancestor Brother,’ and so on... hahaha.”

As he spoke, he burst into laughter. Little Crane’s smile deepened as she leaned against him, feeling a sense of reliance, nodding earnestly.

Chen Xun’s laughter gradually subsided, and he suddenly looked at Little Crane with a mysterious expression. The little girl who once resembled a porcelain doll had grown into a young woman of sixteen or seventeen. Time was truly wondrous.

Though he and Bull had never raised a child, the outcome was good. At least she didn’t inherit their wildness.

Now, Little Crane was gentle and charming, like a lady from a noble family. You couldn’t tell they were related when she went out. If she were like him, she’d surely be ruined.

Little Crane still wore a smiling expression. She preferred being with her family. The Dao Academy was nice, but there was an indescribable loneliness, a feeling of not fully fitting in.

Her personality was similar to her elder brother and second brother. She didn’t like competing for rankings or getting involved in disputes. She only wanted to enhance her strength to protect herself and not be a burden to them.

”Third Sister, have you made any new friends at the Dao Academy? Now that no one dares to plot against you, there’s no need to worry.”

”Well... there are dozens to hundreds of people, but I find them a bit too superficial.”

As Little Crane spoke, her eyes dimmed slightly, even showing a hint of displeasure. ”Eldest Brother, some male Daoists often come to find me. I don’t want to talk to them, but I have to be polite as you taught me.”

”What?!”

”Moo moo?!”

Chen Xun and Black Bull’s eyes sharpened, and the surface of the great lake surged instantly. The night wind cut like a knife, and their aura alone began to affect the surrounding environment.

Little Chi was shocked, quickly putting away the strange stones and rushing over, shouting, ”Brother Xun, Brother Bull, Sister Crane, what’s wrong?!”

Little Crane felt a bit wronged, her hair gently swaying in the night breeze. ”Eldest Brother, I don’t want to deal with those fellow Daoists, nor do I want to interact with them. No matter how talented they are, they have nothing to do with me.”

”Damn it...” Chen Xun was slightly angry, cursing under his breath. ”Third Sister, have any of them done anything excessive? Let your Brother Ji Yan have a good talk with their backing forces.”

”No, Eldest Brother!”

Little Crane was startled, her expression turning tense. Those people’s backgrounds weren’t on the same level as Brother Ye Han’s. How could they withstand her elder brother’s trouble? ”They are very polite; I’m just not used to it.”

”Hmph, all men. How could your elder brother not know what they’re thinking?!”

Chen Xun snorted coldly. If they had the guts, they should come to him first. If they brought a Domain Crossing Space Boat, he might at least give them a second look. ”Third Sister, since it’s normal interaction, just keep your distance.”

”If you have someone you’re interested in, bring them back for your elder brother to see. Family background and such, we should consider compatibility. Our family owns the Immaculate Immortal Ridge, Nine Heavens Peak, and a vast garbage recycling plant industry...”

”Eldest Brother!”

”What?”

”What are you thinking?! I don’t have anyone!”

Little Crane was dumbfounded, her face flushed with embarrassment. ”That’s not what I meant at all!”

Chen Xun was taken aback, nodding seriously. ”Oh...”

Black Bull and Little Chi were also bewildered. After all, Little Crane’s appearance and temperament were outstanding among humans. Why didn’t anyone come for them?

”Eldest Brother, I don’t want to talk to you anymore.” Little Crane pouted, letting go of Chen Xun’s arm and tossing a newly sewn robe to him. ”Here, for you.”

With that, she turned her head, sulking and ignoring Chen Xun.

Damn...

Chen Xun frowned. This little girl could get angry too. He felt he hadn’t said anything wrong. It was just human nature, and he would never control Third Sister’s future path.

”Moo!” Suddenly, a roar came from behind Chen Xun. Black Bull charged, launching a surprise attack!

”Bull!! Ah!! Sneak attack?!”

Chen Xun leaped into the air, shouting in surprise, and with a splash, he fell into the great lake.

On the shore, Black Bull flicked its hind legs and snorted heavily.

It and Little Chi quickly comforted Little Crane. Over the years, Chen Xun had always felt like sending Third Sister away, but he had never asked for her opinion. What kind of elder brother was that?