Eternal Tale

Chapter 347: Brothers, Stay Hidden!

One hour later.

Deep within an ancient forest, silence reigned. The towering, primordial trees stood as monuments to the passage of time, their branches intertwined to form a canopy that blocked all but the faintest rays of sunlight. The dense foliage rustled softly in the breeze, whispering like the sighs of a sleeping dragon.

Suddenly, a fiery streak tore through the sky, descending like a meteor and crashing into the heart of the forest.

Boom!

The ground trembled violently. Smoke and dust erupted into the air as cracks spread across the earth, resembling shattered ice. The impact sent dirt and debris flying in all directions, leaving a deep crater in its wake.

Amid the swirling dust, a terrifying divine sense unfurled, scanning every corner of the forest. This was not an ordinary presence—it was the overwhelming power of a Void Refinement cultivator, capable of bending the natural world to its will.

Step…

Step…

Four figures emerged from the dust, their expressions curiously calm. They had made it—successfully descending into the vast Three Thousand Great Worlds. Victory painted their faces.

But as their feet touched the forest floor, a chilling sensation gripped their hearts. A wave of terror swept over them, as if the heavens themselves had turned their gaze upon them.

“Something’s pulling at my essence,” Chen Xun muttered, his brow furrowing as a faint green light began to emanate from his body. Turning to Brother Ox, he commanded, “Shield yourself with the primal essence. Quickly.”

“Moo~~” Brother Ox responded solemnly, his body also radiating green energy. The primal essence enveloped them, shielding their presence from the probing force.

“Big Brother… Second Brother… It’s the Great World’s essence recording our presence,” Xiao Crane said softly, her clear eyes filled with understanding. “Fourth Brother, hide here with me. Don’t be scared.”

Shivering, Xiao Chi scrambled to Xiao Crane’s side. A black-and-white tree’s shadow enveloped them, creating a protective domain. Within this space, it felt as if they were back in their small realm, safe from the invasive force of the Great World’s essence.

Chen Xun cast a thoughtful glance at Xiao Crane. She had grown more capable than he anticipated, though still not on par with his own abilities. The recording force seemed devoid of malice, but caution was necessary. They couldn’t afford to be exposed.

After one incense stick’s worth of time, the oppressive sensation dissipated. The Great World’s essence seemed to either accept their presence or lose interest. The group collectively sighed in relief.

“It’s safe now,” Chen Xun said with a grin, stretching as he took in their surroundings. The towering ancient trees, their sprawling branches, and the lush canopy reminded him of just how foreign this world was.

“Brothers, climb a tree. Stay hidden!”

“Moo~” Brother Ox nudged Chen Xun with a knowing smile, clearly on board with the plan.

In an instant, they ascended a massive tree trunk, perching themselves among its thick branches. Their eyes darted around, taking in the unfamiliar environment. These ancient trees, unlike anything they had ever seen, formed a dense forest that seemed to stretch endlessly.

Xiao Crane raised her hand, and their auras faded into nothingness. Her ability to suppress their presence surpassed even the finest concealment techniques.

“Incredible,” Chen Xun whispered, his eyes wide with admiration. The ability reminded him of her transformation back in the Forbidden Sea—a perfect blend of life and death energy. Now, it had evolved to encompass an entire domain.

Brother Ox activated a formation, wrapping the entire tree in a powerful illusionary array. Their forms vanished within its protective layers.

Meanwhile, Xiao Chi scanned the surrounding area with his flaming divine sense. “Even if a worm wriggles nearby, I’ll find it,” he muttered, determined not to be caught off guard.

Chen Xun leaned against the tree trunk, his eyes fixed on Xiao Crane. She sat cross-legged, her small hands folded neatly in her lap, her gaze cast downward like an obedient child.

“Xiao Crane.”

“Big Brother?” she replied softly, looking up at him with wide eyes.

“Moo?” Brother Ox tilted his head in curiosity.

“Brother Ox, keep watch. I need to talk to Xiao Crane,” Chen Xun said, waving him off.

“Moo,” Brother Ox nodded, gently nuzzling Xiao Crane’s head before stepping aside. Xiao Chi sat beside her, grinning foolishly for reasons unknown.

Clearing his throat, Chen Xun began firing questions in rapid succession:

“Xiao Crane, what’s your current cultivation level? How were you able to absorb the Domain’s essence?

“Why does your tree body, over a million years old, take the form of a ten-year-old girl? Can you still grow?

“Most importantly, can you cultivate now? Has the bottleneck been broken? What about your life force?”

His barrage of questions left Xiao Chi wide-eyed and silent, while Brother Ox froze mid-snort. Even Xiao Crane seemed overwhelmed, gripping the hem of her skirt nervously as her black hair fluttered in the breeze.

“Big Brother… I…” she stammered.

“Take your time. Answer one at a time. You’re family now, and family sticks together,” Chen Xun said reassuringly. “You’ll always have a place with us. Even Xiao Chi has his uses—like washing dishes.”

“What?! Big Brother!” Xiao Chi protested.

“Focus on your cultivation. Reach Deity Transformation,” Chen Xun snapped, waving him off. Turning back to Xiao Crane, he softened his tone. “Don’t worry. Just speak your mind.”

Xiao Crane took a deep breath. “Big Brother, I’m currently in the early Deity Transformation Stage. My true form is the Celestial Yin-Yang Tree of the Five Elements.

“The bottleneck has been broken, and I can continue cultivating. My life force remains intact because my true form supplies it. If I keep growing, my vitality will not diminish.”

As she explained, Chen Xun scribbled notes into a small booklet, his expression growing increasingly enlightened. Xiao Crane’s soft, melodious voice filled the air, her explanations clear and precise. Yet, when it came to absorbing the Domain’s essence, even she was unsure.

Her abilities were unprecedented. Created by Chen Xun and Brother Ox, she was a singular existence, born of their combined efforts and bound by no known rules. It was clear she would need time to explore her full potential.

“Xiao Crane, do you remember everything I’ve taught you?” Chen Xun asked, his voice tinged with pride.

“I do, Big Brother,” she replied with a nod, her bright eyes gleaming. “I won’t trust strangers. No one can deceive me.”

Chen Xun laughed heartily, slapping Brother Ox on the back. “See that? Our Xiao Crane is sharp.”

Xiao Crane’s smile widened, her tension melting away. For the first time, she felt truly accepted, her fears of being cast aside fading.

Quietly, she resolved to continue proving her worth. Even the smallest details, like remembering Chen Xun’s wish to bring a corrupted being to the Great World, had been seared into her mind. Her thoughtful nature was unmatched.