A bland voice struck the Liao family like a heavy hammer, leaving them bewildered as to when this person and his cow had appeared, and why they felt nothing at all... "Kid, I didn't expect you to come right to us!" The round-faced man's eyes sparkled with excitement as he clutched a talisman in his hand. A faint glow flickered, and he shouted, "Bind..." Whoosh! Chen Xun moved, a fierce wind suddenly rising, pressing the grass flat beneath a tremendous force. His cultivation soared at that moment. Qi Refinement Level Five. Qi Refinement Level Six... Qi Refinement Level Ten! All the Liao family members felt their scalps tingle, their eyes nearly popping out of their heads. The round-faced man's pupils trembled violently, for Chen Xun was already before him, interrupting his spellcasting.
"Too slow." With one hand, Chen Xun lifted the round-faced man, who trembled all over, his lips quivering, the talisman slipping from his grasp and falling to the ground.
"Moo!!" The big black cow roared in fury, a fiery cyclone swirling around it. In an instant, boundless flames erupted, filling the sky with firelight, as towering walls of flame surrounded all the Liao family members. Countless waves of scorching heat rushed toward them, the flames crackling with intense magical fluctuations, concealing a visible, violent power.
"What... what's happening?!"
"A Foundation Establishment... a Foundation Establishment senior?..."
"It's over."
The remaining Liao family members felt their bodies weaken, their hair standing on end, their voices trembling, their eyes filled with firelight, their skin burning with heat. A middle-aged man stood in a daze, watching Chen Xun lift the round-faced man, stepping toward him with deliberate slowness. He instinctively manipulated his flying sword.
Crack, crack. The flying sword was crushed inch by inch in Chen Xun's grip, just like the middle-aged man's heart at that moment. His legs buckled, and he stammered, "Senior, we were blind to your greatness..."
"What about my half bag of spirit herb seeds?"
"They're here! Here!" The middle-aged man fumbled, hastily pulling out several bags of seeds from his storage pouch and offering them to Chen Xun. Chen Xun accepted only half a bag of spirit herb seeds, his gaze suddenly turning cold: "But I never let go of those who harbor murderous intent against us."
"You?!!"
"Dao brother!!!"
"Don't!!!"
... The walls of fire echoed with horrific screams as Chen Xun and the big black cow, their expressions grim, made their way toward Jiuxing Valley. They had learned that these Liao family members had been lurking for years.
The next day, the sun shone brightly. The token in Chen Xun's hand emitted a faint glow as he infused it with his magical energy, looking in a certain direction: "Old cow, let's go!"
"Moo moo~" The big black cow responded.
In a clearing within the valley, a flying boat stood still, surrounded by a dozen people, some dressed uniformly, respectfully gazing at a tall man. This man was one of the outer sect elders, Ao Gu, at the early stage of Foundation Establishment.
"Elder Ao, there are still a few more coming," Yin Jun said respectfully.
"No worries, this year's disciples are quite good," Ao Gu replied, stroking his beard. "I've heard there are a few scattered cultivators with remarkably young bone ages."
"One has a bone age of twenty and has already reached the seventh level of Qi Refinement, single-handedly defeating ten puppet beasts from the Ziyun Sect." Yin Jun's eyes flashed with admiration. "He even has a spirit beast at the second level of Qi Refinement, but his cultivation aptitude is mixed."
"Oh? There's such a person? If he goes to other sects for trials, it might not even come to our Wuyun Sect." Ao Gu nodded repeatedly, clearly pleased. Such a person would undoubtedly be a mainstay in the Nandou Mountain secret realm, and it was surprising that Yin Jun had discovered him.
At this moment, Chen Xun arrived, leading the big black cow, looking travel-worn, the clattering of pots and pans echoing.
"Dao friend Chen, let me introduce you," Yin Jun stepped forward with a smile. "This is Elder Ao of the Wuyun Sect." He then turned to Ao Gu: "Elder Ao, this is the person I just mentioned."
"I've met Elder Ao, I apologize for being late," Chen Xun cupped his hands and bowed, quickly removing his hood to reveal a handsome face, innocent and harmless.
"Very good, very good." Ao Gu looked at Chen Xun and the big black cow, smiling slightly. He appreciated respectful juniors. "You may go to the back."
"Yes." Chen Xun hurriedly led the big black cow to stand with the other scattered cultivators, starting to greet them with smiles.
Half an hour later, everyone had arrived, standing in front of the flying boat. Chen Xun and the big black cow felt their hearts racing with excitement. The flying boat was enormous, over ten zhang long, without masts or sails, its entire structure made of wood, capable of accommodating over a hundred people. Though not as powerful as the ten great sects, it was still a formidable sect.
"Let's go." Ao Gu stepped onto the flying boat, clapping his hands together, sending a wave of magical energy toward a spot, causing a deep rumble from the boat. Yin Jun led the scattered cultivators aboard, while Chen Xun and the big black cow explored the materials, which were clearly not ordinary wood.
"This flying boat is huge!" Chen Xun exclaimed in wonder, having never been this close to one before. "Old cow, jump a couple of times."
"Moo moo~~" The big black cow actually jumped twice, making no sound at all—solid!
The other scattered cultivators were equally amazed, their eyes shining with delight, mirroring Chen Xun's excitement.
Buzz—another loud sound echoed as the flying boat slowly ascended, causing Chen Xun and the others to sway. They quickly leaned over the edge of the boat to look down at the ground.
"Old cow, we're taking off!"
"Moo moo!!" A strong cold wind blew, causing Chen Xun and the big black cow's lips to tremble as Jiuxing Valley became clearer.
Ao Gu sat cross-legged, arranging formation flags around him. With both hands pointing, a transparent magical barrier enveloped the entire flying boat, blocking the fierce winds.
"Awesome!" Chen Xun gazed at the light curtain, swallowing hard, one hand tightly clutching the big black cow.
"Moo~" The big black cow felt a pang of anxiety, realizing it had a slight fear of heights, and quickly nestled its head into Chen Xun's embrace.
The entire view of Jiuxing Valley unfolded before them, and Chen Xun was mesmerized, realizing how vast it was, with many exotic flowers and plants growing throughout the valley. The figures on the ground gradually shrank, the mountains, rivers, and valleys becoming clear as the flying boat ascended and began to speed forward!
"Old cow, we're really leaving!" Chen Xun exclaimed excitedly, gripping the edge of the boat, his eyes wide. "Ningyun Mountain Range!"
"Moo!" The big black cow also stretched its head out, gazing at the Ningyun Mountain Range, where they had spent so many years, realizing they were truly leaving for good.
"Old cow, look! Pan Ning City, it's so big!" Chen Xun pointed to another area, where the outline of a massive city appeared, and they could even see countless figures moving within—it was their first time looking down from above.
"Moo? Moo moo!" The big black cow seemed to be searching for something, looking down everywhere.
The flying boat pierced through clouds and mist, passing over towering mountains.
"Old Sun's peak!" Chen Xun shouted as he spotted it, and the big black cow saw it too. He suddenly yelled out, "Old Sun!!!"
"Moo!!" The big black cow became excited as well, even though some clouds drifted by, it could still see it.
Chen Xun felt tears welling up in his eyes for some reason; perhaps it was the strong wind or the sand that had blown into them, but he also saw the resting place of his master and mistress.
"We're leaving..."
Everything on the ground grew smaller and more blurred, the flying boat moving at an incredible speed, Pan Ning City gradually disappearing, the Ningyun Mountain Range fading from view until it was no longer visible.
A man and a cow continued to gaze in that direction, where so many beautiful memories were held.
Buzz—The flying boat sliced through the sky, scattering clouds and mist, their thoughts cast far away. Farewell to the little mountain village, farewell to Pan Ning City, farewell to the Ningyun Mountain Range...
The vastness of the world stretched before them, countless birds soaring in the sky, contrasting against the blue sky and white clouds, flying alongside the boat, then falling far behind. Chen Xun and the big black cow had stepped away from the edge of the boat, their gazes resolutely fixed ahead.
The winding mountains grew more distant as the flying boat adjusted its course several times, heading straight toward Qian Country's Zhiyang Prefecture. A grand journey was about to begin...