Eternal Tale

Chen Xun stood in place for a long time, his gaze lingering on the figure gradually disappearing into the distance, a self-mocking smile on his lips.

He shook his head slightly and walked in the opposite direction of the Chu family’s spirit beast convoy.

The twilight’s afterglow cast ripples of golden red across the earth, trailing behind Chen Xun. His shadow stretched longer and longer, as if reaching the end of time, out of place with the clamor of the world of immortals.

With his hands behind his back, he gazed at the sky, his eyes growing deeper, a slight curve forming at the corner of his mouth.

He recalled how terrified he used to be, unable to even acknowledge Junior Sister Liu when she stood before him, breaking the promise he made with Liu Yuan, Shi Jing, and Ji Kun back then.

In the blink of an eye, the light boat had crossed ten thousand mountains, and over the long years, he had changed so much.

He walked slowly on the ground, the contemplative look in his eyes growing heavier.

Step...

Chen Xun suddenly stopped, unexpectedly turning his head at that moment.

In the distance, the color of the spirit beast convoy.At the same time, Chu Zhen also turned her head, and the two figures, under the setting sun, turned simultaneously, their gazes meeting on the sunset avenue.

At this moment, the passage of time seemed to freeze, all noise and disturbance cast aside by this brief encounter.

Chen Xun nodded and smiled, as if he understood something in that gaze, something unspoken.

And in Chu Zhen’s eyes, there seemed to be a faint hint of a smile, perhaps due to Chen Xun’s reaction, or perhaps due to some resonance in her heart. In any case, there was a touch of emotion in her once-cold eyes.

In an instant, both resumed their movements, their respective paths intertwining once more, gradually moving further apart...

Under the moonlit night, at the Chu family.

Beside a secluded pond, Chu Zhen’s eyes were slightly lost, the words spoken by the man she met today lingering in her mind.

They weren’t profound words, just ordinary ones, almost trivial...

Yet, unknowingly, she listened intently from noon until dusk, inexplicably feeling a deep sense of peace.

”Chen Xun...”

Chu Zhen murmured softly to herself by the secluded pond, today’s events merely a small interlude.

But she had already noticed that her appearance and voice might resemble someone from that man’s past.

She was born into the Chu family, a genuine member of the Chu family, with little connection to outsiders, not someone from that man’s past.

Now, with the Chu family’s patriarch’s Tribulation Crossing ceremony approaching, the entire Chu family was on high alert. Many of the disciples who had been away had returned, and inviting many powerful figures to witness the ceremony was a gesture of goodwill.

”Young lady.” An old servant suddenly appeared, respectfully addressing Chu Zhen from behind.

”What is it?” Chu Zhen asked, her expression emotionless, instantly gathering her emotions.

”The third elder of the Illusory Moon Immortal Sect, Elder Yao, is having a pleasant conversation with the head of the family in the pavilion. The head of the family wishes to introduce you to Elder Yao.”

”The sect of the Yuehuang Clan?”

”Yes.”

”Our Chu family is a human clan cultivating immortality. Why should we have excessive dealings with the Yuehuang Clan?”

Chu Zhen spoke coldly, somewhat impatiently, ”There’s really no need.”

”Miss, the Illusory Moon Immortal Sect is quite suitable for female cultivators and is a good stepping stone into the Immortal Palace. The patriarch is taking a great risk to hold the Tribulation Crossing ceremony for the younger generation of the Chu family.”

The old servant advised earnestly, ”I hope you won’t go against the head of the family’s wishes. If you go to the human sacred land, it might be difficult to leave, and it’s just to make use of the Illusory Moon Immortal Sect.”

Chu Zhen stood up, speaking coldly, ”Lead the way.”

”Thank you for your understanding, Miss!” The old servant breathed a sigh of relief. Elder Yao was a rare guest for the Chu family, having reached the late stage of Great Ascension a thousand years ago.

On an ordinary day, such a great sect wouldn’t pay much attention to a cultivating family without a Tribulation Crossing Venerable. The Chu family’s patriarch also had to consider future generations.

In the pavilion.

A slightly exotic-looking man sat, his face handsome and well-defined, exuding the demeanor of a refined gentleman, with a noble aura.

He was conversing with a middle-aged man with a commanding presence, discussing the rules of heaven and earth, enjoying their conversation.

”Fellow Daoist Yao, I didn’t expect you to have reached such an unfathomable realm. It seems your Tribulation Crossing is within reach.”

The head of the Chu family spoke with a deep voice, laughing heartily, ”It seems I should congratulate the Illusory Moon Immortal Sect in advance for gaining another seat of a Venerable in the future.”

”Haha, Fellow Daoist Chu flatters me.”

Yao Fei’s voice was gentle and smooth, like a flowing stream, neither arrogant nor impatient, ”I was invited here recently, first to witness the Chu family’s patriarch’s enlightenment, and second to discuss the Dao with Fellow Daoist Chu, feeling much enlightened.”

The head of the Chu family laughed even louder, feeling pleased by the words that placed him on par with the patriarch. If anyone else had said this, he might have been displeased, but from this person’s mouth, he found it quite agreeable.

At this moment, two footsteps approached from outside the pavilion.

”Father.”

”Greetings, head of the family, Elder Yao.”

Chu Zhen and the old servant cupped their hands outside the pavilion. Without an invitation, they could not enter. The rules of a cultivating family were strict, and every word and action were taught from a young age, not to disrupt the family order.

”Come in.” The head of the Chu family spoke with authority.

Yao Fei also looked over, his gaze calm and indifferent, not knowing what this Fellow Daoist Chu was planning.

The old servant withdrew at this time, and Chu Zhen walked in slowly, her demeanor still cold and elegant, bowing gracefully before the two.

”Fellow Daoist Yao, this is my daughter, Chu Zhen.” The head of the Chu family introduced, ”She has recently advanced to the Unity stage, severing fifteen hundred Chains of the Great Dao, and possesses a supreme-grade metal Heavenly Spirit Root.”

”Oh?” Yao Fei seemed to realize, giving Chu Zhen only a brief glance, ”So this is Fellow Daoist Chu’s beloved daughter, truly gifted.”

He offered a casual compliment and said no more, seemingly not very interested, just exchanging pleasantries.

”To be honest, Fellow Daoist Yao, my daughter has long yearned for the Illusory Moon Immortal Sect...”

”Does Fellow Daoist Chu want me to take her as a disciple?”

”Haha, accepting disciples is about fate. If my daughter does not catch Fellow Daoist Yao’s eye, I will let her leave.”

”Fellow Daoist Chu knows that after my beloved son was killed by a fellow clan disciple, I have not taken any more disciples.”

Yao Fei shook his head slightly, speaking mildly, ”Moreover, Fellow Daoist Chu’s daughter is human, perhaps not very suitable for the Yuehuang Clan, and the trials of joining the sect would be greater.”

His words were watertight, causing the head of the Chu family to hesitate, but in truth, the Chu family had invited several elders from the Illusory Moon Immortal Sect, and only this one was willing to come.

Chu Zhen’s cold and elegant face was almost about to freeze over, feeling a strong resistance inside, but this was likely the patriarch’s intention, and she had no choice but to comply.

This was the helplessness of being in a cultivating family, especially one like theirs, a family in the Wild Heaven Region that was neither high nor low.

”I hope Fellow Daoist Yao will accept my daughter!”

The head of the Chu family, thinking of the family’s future plans, made up his mind, ”The Chu family has prepared a gift for her apprenticeship, including Moon Condensing Sand.”