The sea breeze gently blew as a figure suddenly appeared on the horizon.
Black Bull and the others focused their gaze, calling out into the distance, "It's Big Brother!"
"Moo moo!!"
"Big Brother!"
"Brother Xun!"
Their eyes were filled with worry. Why hadn't Big Brother returned all night? The strands of silver in his hair were striking under the morning sun.
His white clothes were somewhat stained, no longer giving off a peaceful aura, but rather one of awe and fear.
In the blink of an eye, the figure seemed to teleport, appearing directly in front of them.
Black Bull stared intently at Chen Xun, snorting heavily. "Chen Xun... what happened?"
"Moo?"
It hesitated, wanting to nuzzle Chen Xun but, for the first time, stopped its hoof in mid-air, unsure whether to approach. "Moo moo?"
"Hehe, Bull."
Chen Xun finally spoke, with a gentle smile, "I didn't return last night, and it worried you all. I'm fine."
Black Bull cautiously approached, gently nudging his clothes.
It looked up at Chen Xun, its tail no longer wagging, eyes filled with confusion, fear, terror, and hatred...
"The small boundary is fine."
Chen Xun glanced at Black Bull, Little Crane, and Little Chi, speaking calmly, "Even if something did happen, we are powerless. We've lived so many years, and experiencing unexpected events is normal."
"Moreover, as cultivators, who doesn't have a tragic past and memories? Even Little Chi faced disaster at birth. We're not special, nor is any other being."
"But, should we stop living? We've just arrived in this grand world, should we not live our days?"
"Brother Xun..."
Little Chi's eyes trembled, suddenly reminded of his past, "I..."
"Beiming Red Lion."
"Brother Xun!"
Little Chi's mane bristled, his words cut off by Chen Xun, who growled, "Speak."
"The Tian Duan Plains, don't dwell on it. When the opportunity arises, I'll take you back."
Chen Xun's expression was calm as he looked down at the crouching Little Chi. "Last night's Starfall, I've asked Yun Jin. It's just a phenomenon of the grand world, unrelated to our boundary."
"Brother Xun? Really?!" Little Chi's eyes showed a hint of excitement, realizing those speculations were indeed unfounded.
"Of course, I haven't even traveled the Tian Duan Plains."
Chen Xun snorted, pulling out a small booklet. "Even if a cultivator war erupts in Da Li and the Tian Duan Plains are destroyed, my immense mana can surely restore a mere severed path."
Roar!
Little Chi let out a loud roar, agreeing with Brother Xun's reasoning.
Little Crane clutched her skirt hem, her face full of sorrow, gazing deeply at the center of Chen Xun's brow. The faint black and white mana patterns filled her with fear. "Big Brother..."
"Nangong Heling, the small boundary matter has nothing to do with you. Who do you know? Who knows you?"
"Big Brother, I..."
"Why the mournful look? You're so young, how much have you experienced? Go read if you must, don't act all doom and gloom in front of me."
Chen Xun's face was stern as he began to scold Little Crane. "Even if the boundary is destroyed, it doesn't concern you, understand?"
Even if the boundary is destroyed...
These words made Black Bull and Little Chi's hearts clench, not daring to speak. Chen Xun seemed to have changed, but they couldn't pinpoint exactly how.
Little Crane lowered her head, scolded by Big Brother, not daring to look up. She indeed didn't know anyone from the small boundary.
But her sadness didn't stem from them, but from the destruction of the origin.
She forced a difficult smile, not wanting Big Brother to see her like this. He surely didn't want to see her like this either.
Little Chi's previously excited heart was doused with cold water, instinctively standing beside Sister Crane.
Black Bull gently nudged Chen Xun, understanding him better than anyone. Something must have happened to the small boundary.
"Little Crane, go read. Little Chi, the garbage recycling plant is important, you should prepare."
Chen Xun's gaze turned to Trash Island, one hand behind his back. "Last night's events are unrelated to the boundary or you. Don't let it affect your mindset and our days."
"Okay, Big Brother."
"Yes, Brother Xun!"
Little Crane and Little Chi nodded heavily, not wanting Chen Xun to worry about them, quickly stepping into the air, each attending to their duties.
They no longer thought much, nor dared to think much.
By the coast, the waves still rose and fell, the mountain-like garbage still behind them.
Yet at this moment, it became much quieter, leaving only Chen Xun and Black Bull.
"Moo~~"
Black Bull took out a tea barrel, holding it in its mouth to give to Chen Xun. "Moo moo~"
Chen Xun smiled slightly, taking it with his own hands, sitting on a chair, quietly sipping through a straw, his teacup empty.
Suddenly!
Black Bull's eyes turned cold and sharp, its fur unknowingly standing on end, spiritual pressure suddenly descending!
"Ximen Black Bull!"
At this moment, a cold voice suppressed everything, even the qi of the Five Elements paused, Black Bull feeling as if it were in an ice cave, looking at Chen Xun in confusion.
"The boundary is not destroyed, Little Crane holds part of the origin."
Chen Xun spoke calmly, having set down the tea barrel. "In the future, it can certainly be restored. Don't let hatred blind you."
"Moo??" Black Bull's voice carried some anger, its heart long suppressed. "Moo moo~~!!"
"Can we oppose someone who can destroy a boundary in an instant?"
Chen Xun shook his head with a smile, seemingly indifferent. "Regardless of anything else, just consider this Mengmu Sea Region. Even if you, Ximen Black Bull, can cover the sky with one hand, what then, kill all the cultivators?"
"After killing them, kill the people of Xuanwei Heaven? Can you suppress them all, is that why you cultivate immortality?"
He let out a low chuckle, speaking words that were astonishing. "The destruction of a boundary, what does it have to do with us? Isn't it just like the ants I crushed in the blacksmith's shop back then?"
"They are all part of the Heavenly dao, all beings are equal, and those people will also face the end of their lifespan eventually."
"We pursue longevity, and after ten thousand, tens of thousands of years, we will still exist in the world."
"When you look back, you'll find that such events are just a small part of our experience, unable to define our lives."
"Walking the path of revenge is the destiny of the chosen ones, what does it have to do with us immortals?"
"Their lives may end because of revenge, even if they achieve it, how much lifespan do they have left?"
"And even if we achieve revenge, don't we still have to continue on our path? Think about it, doesn't this matter become somewhat insignificant?"
Chen Xun's gaze was profound, looking at the sea. "We still have our third sister, fourth brother, and the people at the garbage recycling plant. Don't let them fall into danger, don't let hatred cloud your mind."
He looked incredibly relaxed, watching the stunned Black Bull, and laughed again. "Don't get stuck in a rut, Ximen Black Bull. It's fortunate we left early, we should be grateful."
Black Bull's eyes widened, its face struggling intensely, especially with Chen Xun's calm demeanor, making it feel even more uncomfortable inside.
