Eternal Tale

Today, the weather was clear and sunny, and the mountains and rivers beneath the vast sky were faintly visible.

Chen Xun stood with one hand behind his back, overlooking the mortal world. The four seas and eight wildernesses were as bustling as ever, with endless streams of traffic and the flourishing art of talismans. Suspended cars shuttled back and forth on the wide roads.

”Wow...”

Chen Xun’s eyes lit up slightly as he exclaimed, ”Bull, look at how prosperous the martial arts of the mortal world have become. Some warriors have true qi like dragons... beyond the Grandmaster realm.”

”Moo~” Black Bull let out a soft call, not very interested in martial arts, and even less knowledgeable about the martial arts techniques of the mortal world.

However, Chen Xun was quite the expert, having practiced various martial arts and even read many mortal body technique manuals sent by Senior Brother Ji.

Their gaze swept across the clouds and landed on a small town—Qiongyang.

”Moo!” Black Bull’s eyes sparkled as he spotted the location of Double Tree Alley, but now it was a place of change, with the grand courtyards having been renovated countless times.

Even the courtyard they once bought had changed so much that it bore no trace of the past.

Only a lush Crane Spirit Tree still stood in the center of Double Tree Alley, swaying in the strong wind, its spiritual leaves rustling as they drifted in all directions.Chen Xun and Black Bull exchanged a glance, and their figures instantly vanished into the air.

...

In Qiongyang Town, two figures, a man and a bull, walked outside Double Tree Alley.

The alley was lively, with many children playing and laughing outside. Each grand courtyard had large trees extending beyond the walls, exuding a unique tranquility amidst the hustle and bustle.

Woof woof woof~!

Suddenly, several big yellow dogs barked at Chen Xun and Black Bull, their tails tucked tightly, eyes filled with vigilance, ready to pounce.

”Haha...” Chen Xun laughed heartily, ”Bull, these big yellows are just like before, even chased us for several streets.”

”Moo moo~~” Black Bull chuckled foolishly, remembering how Chen Xun had once taken a child to steal peaches.

Chen Xun and Black Bull gradually walked into the alley, but at the entrance, Chen Xun glanced at the empty land, smiled faintly, and then turned his head.

The passing neighbors looked at them in surprise, wondering how a young man brought a black bull into Double Tree Alley, where there was no such household.

”Young man, where are you headed?”

An old man stopped not far ahead, greeting them warmly, ”You don’t seem to be from around here, do you?”

Chen Xun looked around and smiled, ”We used to be. Are the Zhou family and the Nie family still here?”

Used to be here?

The old man frowned slightly, scrutinizing them. He had watched the young people here grow up, and they were too unfamiliar, definitely not from around here.

He pondered for a long time, racking his brain, ”The Zhou family and the Nie family... seem somewhat familiar. I heard they had some prominent figures in their ancestry and moved away long ago...”

After speaking, the old man mumbled to himself, a bit dazed by Chen Xun’s words.

”Do you know if the Pingtai Medical Hall is still managed by the Nie family?”

”Ah! Pingtai Medical Hall!”

The old man suddenly shouted, startling the passing neighbors, causing one to bump into the wall and curse angrily, ”Old Qi, speak normally, don’t scare people!”

Old Qi chuckled at the remark, ”Young man, your martial arts are still lacking if I can scare you like this.”

The neighbor waved his hand dismissively, not wanting to argue with the older generation. As he passed by Chen Xun and Black Bull, he took another look at them, seemingly ordinary, yet possessing an intriguing aura.

Bang~

As he turned his head to look, he bumped into the wall again, his eyes instantly filling with bloodshot veins—what bad luck!

”Hahaha...” Old Qi laughed heartily at the sight, ”Young Wang, I told you to practice martial arts diligently from a young age, seems like your senses are a bit dull, and your steps are unsteady.”

”Ah, not blessed with the talent.” The young man shook his head, waving, ”Old Qi, come over to my place for dinner tonight.”

”Alright.”

”You really coming?!”

”You cheeky brat!”

”Haha, I’m off.”

The young man laughed, suddenly sprinting away, disappearing at the alley’s entrance in an instant, leaving Old Qi a bit exasperated, pointing and cursing at the distance.

Only then did he remember that he hadn’t finished his conversation with the young man!

Chen Xun leaned gently against the wall, a peaceful and serene smile on his lips, quietly observing the scene without interruption.

”Ah, young man, my apologies.” Old Qi quickly clasped his hands, his voice a bit excited, ”The Pingtai Medical Hall is quite remarkable now.”

”Oh? Please tell me more, Old Qi.” Chen Xun nodded.

”This medical hall has inherited the legacy of divine doctors and sages, enduring for thousands of years. Its branches are widespread, with countless disciples. I heard the founder... seems to be named Nie...”

”Nie Yu.”

As Old Qi racked his brain, his face wrinkling with concentration, Chen Xun suddenly added.

”Yes! That’s the one, young man!” Old Qi’s eyes lit up, exclaiming, ”But the Nie family has long declined, only the Pingtai Medical Hall’s legacy remains.”

”Ah, what a pity...”

Old Qi sighed, his gaze growing more wistful, ”I heard the Nie family originated from our Qiongyang Town, a legendary history, though I’m not sure if it’s true.”

”The Nie family has declined...” Chen Xun’s eyes grew distant, sighing softly, ”That kid had high ambitions, seems like he took too big a step.”

”Moo.”

Black Bull also lowered his head with a sigh, remembering how Nie Yu was often beaten by him and Chen Xun, leaving in tears every day.

Old Qi felt a tightness in his heart, finding the young man’s words somewhat strange...

”Young man?”

”You may not know, but this alley has a long history.” Chen Xun’s voice was calm, his eyes reflecting a deep wisdom. Even though Old Qi was over seventy, he was but a child in Chen Xun’s eyes.

”Haha, young man, your words are quite bold.”

Old Qi stroked his beard, laughing, ”I’ve lived here for over fifty years. When it comes to the history of this alley, you might not be qualified to speak.”

”But I remember hearing from the elders when I was a child that this alley has withstood countless natural disasters, its foundation unyielding, a blessed land...”

As he spoke, he fell into contemplation, his words taking a turn, ”If that’s the case...”

”We’ve been living here for thousands of years.”

”What?!”

Old Qi trembled all over, his eyes widening, pulling out a chunk of his beard, his lips quivering, ”You... you... you...”

Chen Xun smiled warmly, ”Nie Yu is my disciple, and I passed down the art of medicine to him.”

”Moo!”

”What?!!”

Old Qi was so shocked that his legs nearly gave out, almost kneeling, but Black Bull used a bit of mana to hold him up. He was utterly astonished, realizing they were cultivators!

His face flushed, his blood circulation improved by the shock, leaving him speechless for a long time.