Eternal Tale

Chapter 256: Thunder Vein Divine Mountain

Chapter 256: Thunder Vein Divine Mountain

Half a year later.

Within the Forbidden Sea, the vast stretch of ocean waves appeared both magnificent and awe-inspiring.

In the gloomy sky, several lightning bolts streaked across, accompanied by thunderous roars. Occasionally, thick thunderstrikes would crash down onto the sea's surface, shattering the purple mist into pieces in midair.

At this moment, a colossal ship emerged on the horizon. The protective formation around it flickered with a faint light but did not emit any loud sonic booms.

Chen Xun, Brother Ox, and Xiao Chi stood atop the crane-headed prow, gazing into the distance with grim expressions. The oppressive atmosphere weighed heavily on them, and their faces showed signs of discomfort.

A surge of ancient will surrounded them from all directions, continuously penetrating their defensive gear and assaulting their minds, causing their cultivation to be increasingly suppressed.

Suddenly, a massive Crane Spirit Five Elements Tree extended its branches, covering the ship. Black and white divine light, resembling starlight, draped down.

"Brother Crane."

"Moo?!"

Their expressions instantly brightened, and they looked up in shock, their eyes filled with amazement.

Chen Xun stared at the dense foliage above, feeling a chill in his heart for reasons unknown. The Crane Spirit Five Elements Tree's nurturing was nearing a million years old...

He wasn't sure if the tree had developed spiritual intelligence, but based on the current situation, it seemed that Brother Crane was indeed awakening, gaining sentience.

Brother Ox and Xiao Chi gaped. This was the first time they had witnessed such a phenomenon in all these years, and it was clear that Brother Crane was protecting them.

Brother Ox’s eyes shifted from shock to joy. Big Brother had been right—Third Brother was about to appear!

It wasn’t as concerned as Chen Xun was. If Chen Xun said Brother Crane was their Third Brother, there would be no issues like betrayal or animosity.

Xiao Chi’s fur bristled with excitement as it growled softly. There was no way that Brother Crane was just an ordinary tree!

"Oh my heavens, Big Brother, Second Brother, Third Brother..." Xiao Chi muttered, his eyes wide. "This is one astonishing combination of beings in the cultivation world."

Chen Xun’s eyes deepened as he observed Brother Crane, feeling uncertain. He didn’t know if it was truly controllable and would need to keep monitoring it to eliminate any risks.

"Haha..." Chen Xun chuckled warmly, instinctively summoning his Mountain Splitting Axe. "Brother Crane, well done."

As soon as the Mountain Splitting Axe appeared, it emanated a dense aura of death, which was forcibly contained, unable to spread.

Xiao Chi took a few steps back, frightened. This wasn’t ordinary killing intent—this was something far more terrifying, carrying an aura of absolute annihilation!

Cold sweat dripped down Xiao Chi’s body. It remembered how the Abyss Carp had been cleaved in half by this very axe. That sense of utter despair still lingered in its memory.

"Moo~" Brother Ox nudged Xiao Chi onto its back, trying to comfort it.

"Brother Ox, I’m fine." Xiao Chi smiled awkwardly. It knew this was Brother Xun’s life-bound weapon, but it was still terrifying.

Even the Crane Spirit Five Elements Tree shuddered, its branches rustling as it emitted soft sounds, showing its goodwill.

Chen Xun continued to observe Brother Crane. The black and white leaves, which emerged from the Five Elements, seemed to contain a different meaning, perhaps a path missing from his Five Elements Dao.

He shook his head slightly, realizing his realm was insufficient, and without an item like a Five Elements Nascent Soul to help comprehend it, he would need more time to unravel the mysteries hidden within Brother Crane.

"Moo~" Brother Ox nudged Chen Xun with its head, gesturing toward the token in his hand.

"Old Bull, we’re almost there. We’ve reached the depths of the Forbidden Sea."

Chen Xun looked down, his gaze fixed ahead. "Is the teleportation array prepared? If anything unexpected happens, we’ll retreat together."

"Moo!"

"Brother Xun, everything’s ready. The Five Elements Stones are set all around the ship!"

Brother Ox and Xiao Chi nodded vigorously. The latter felt increasingly uneasy, recalling the many battles they had fought with the purple mist along the way.

Moreover, Brother Xun and Brother Ox hadn’t relied on spirit stones to recover; they had used Extinguishing Spirit Stones to fend off the ancient will within the purple mist.

Xiao Chi couldn't help but think, Did Brother Xun and Brother Ox dig up Extinguishing Spirit Stones in the Heaven's End Ravine...?

They continued their voyage, dodging the terrifying lightning as they sped through the air.

Half a day later.

"Brother Xun, Brother Ox, there are so many cultivators on the sea!"

Xiao Chi stood on Brother Ox’s back, flames flashing in his eyes. His flame-powered divine sense had become much stronger since their initial entry into the Forbidden Sea.

Chen Xun and Brother Ox stepped forward, their eyes not on the sea but on the sky. Shock filled their expressions.

In the distant sky, a divine mountain pierced through the clouds, towering above the sea. Thunderous energy surged in the sky, rumbling and striking the mountain continuously.

It wasn’t an island but a genuine mountain, exuding an overwhelming aura that made all living beings feel insignificant.

The vast, awe-inspiring scene where the sky and sea met was breathtaking, shaking their hearts and captivating their spirits.

This was one of the seven ancient secret realms within the Forbidden Sea: the Thunder Vein Divine Mountain!

According to Da Li’s legends, this mountain harbored a true, world-shaking thunder technique. It was a sacred mountain where ancient cultivators connected with heaven and earth, also serving as a battleground for disciples from the five great ancient sects of Da Li.

“Whoa…”

“Moo~~~”

“Brother Xun, Brother Ox, there are so many cultivators on the sea!!”

Xiao Chi anxiously shouted, thinking they should be focusing on those cultivators. Why were the two of them admiring the secret realm instead?

Blood stained the area around the divine mountain, and shouts of battle echoed through the air. Floating corpses and massive sea beasts swam through the waters, occasionally revealing their enormous forms, striking fear into the hearts of those who saw them.

The raging winds howled, and towering waves crashed, as killing intent filled the sky and battles erupted everywhere.

*Buzz!*

The giant ship let out a low, rumbling sound as Brother Ox wielded the Five Elements Formation Flag, halting the ship midair.

“No problem.” Chen Xun, still awestruck, took out a painting board from his storage ring. “With such a magnificent scene, it’s time to showcase my extraordinary painting skills.”

“Moo!!” Brother Ox snorted, resting its head on Chen Xun’s shoulder, intending to offer guidance.

Xiao Chi was stunned, glancing at Chen Xun before looking back at the violent scene of battle on the sea. He surrendered… Brother Xun had quite the mood.

“Haha, Xiao Chi, don’t stare. We’re not entering any secret realm.”

Chen Xun focused on his painting, adding disordered lines to the board. “Stay calm and come appreciate this divine mountain.”

“Moo~” Brother Ox also turned to Xiao Chi, signaling to relax—they weren’t competing for resources.

“Haha... haha.” Xiao Chi scratched his head and took a deep breath. “I understand, Brother Xun.”

“There’s more to life than fighting. Enjoying the scenery is more important. We’ll talk about cultivation later.”

“Moo~~”

“Brother Xun, I feel the same way!”

Xiao Chi’s eyes lit up. Its goal was simply to live peacefully, aligning perfectly with Brother Xun’s philosophy. “But if we’re talking about scenery, there are only a few spots in the Forbidden Sea. But the Heaven’s End...”

“Damn it, Old Bull, give him a thrashing!”

“Moo!!”

“Ahh!!~~ Ahh!!”

Xiao Chi was grabbed by Brother Ox and pressed onto the crane’s head, letting out pig-like screams as it was beaten, rolling around and holding its head.

A moment later, Xiao Chi calmed down, staying obediently beside Chen Xun, watching him paint, never mentioning the Heaven’s End Plains again.