On a small island somewhere.
Today, the weather was beautiful, and the sky was still adorned with colorful clouds.
The sea breeze gently brushed the shore, and a hundred birds sang in unison, as if returning to a carefree past.
Chen Xun and his group traversed through over a dozen teleportation arrays to arrive on this small island, chosen by Little Crane, which was home to many exotic flowers and plants.
Although there were no spiritual herbs here, the beauty of the place could elevate one's state of mind, perhaps even more effectively than those so-called thousand-year-old spiritual herbs.
These teleportation arrays were all set up by Black Bull. Over the years, the reason for scouting locations and choosing the sites for duels was to prepare for unexpected events, like Mo Ye Han breaking through defenses in anger or someone using a communication disk to call for help.
However, none of these incidents occurred, but the teleportation arrays were still used, making one marvel at the wonders of fate.
Meng Sheng and his group followed the white-robed man ahead with nervous expressions, feeling a sense of unfamiliarity as their emotions settled.
Chen Xun and Black Bull walked silently at the front, their expressions unseen by others.
Little Crane and Little Chi walked at the back, heads slightly lowered, their eyes filled with complex emotions.
The boundary had indeed been destroyed; they had never guessed wrong. That night, the Starfall was indeed fragments of the small boundary.
They had also received news of the incident on Trash Island, but according to Mo Fuyang and second brother, everything was fine there.
Finally, they let go of their worries and stopped overthinking.
On an open space, a few wisps of dust rose as Chen Xun halted, Black Bull's eyes trembled, slowly raising its head to look at Chen Xun's expressionless face.
The others also stopped, bowing their heads in silence, their eyes filled with sadness and reluctance.
Chen Xun turned around, his expressionless face suddenly breaking into a warm smile like a spring breeze.
Even the beams of light filtering through the leaves seemed to dim, adding a unique charm to this grand world.
The slight tremor in everyone's hands was inexplicable, as a long-lost warmth seeped into their hearts, giving solace to souls adrift for centuries.
Cultivating immortality wasn't as wonderful as it seemed, but meeting this senior, the fatigue of hundreds of years was unknowingly swept away.
"Everyone, it hasn't been easy all these years, has it?"
Chen Xun's face carried a faint smile as he glanced over each of them, some familiar, some unfamiliar, but all remembered in his heart.
Upon hearing this, many people's dao hearts wavered, but they dared not respond, lowering their heads even further, eyes filled with humility, not daring to forge connections recklessly.
This person was merely a pioneer of the boundary, their senior, but not an elder.
Having struggled in this grand world for centuries, the youthful vigor had long been worn away by the years.
"Senior, it was our rash actions that caused you such trouble."
Yu Chen stepped forward, speaking first. He didn't know Chen Xun, only having seen him with a hood on, "They seem to have tracking artifacts, senior, it's not safe to stay here long."
As soon as he finished speaking, his face remained tense, a shadow cast over him for years, even meeting a boundary pioneer couldn't dispel it.
It was evident what terrifying situations they had endured, with no place in the vast world to call home.
"Don't worry, third sister has already set up a barrier, your presence won't be detected, they can't track us here."
"Moo moo~~"
After Chen Xun spoke, Black Bull echoed in agreement beside him.
The arrays used to reach here had all been destroyed, leaving no trace, as they had been decomposed into the qi of the Five Elements and returned to the earth.
Its current mastery of arrays was incomparable to before.
Most importantly, the arrays had always been supported by mana longevity points, and it had yet to seriously set up a super array.
Moreover, the materials for these arrays couldn't withstand the arrays it set up, essentially being simplified versions.
Thus, its foundation in arrays was quite solid, always able to learn from experience.
Eldest brother planned to use many Five Element materials for arrays in the future, practicing now to surely encounter many treasures later.
Especially those spiritual plants, which were enduring and renewable.
Because of Chen Xun's words, Black Bull believed wholeheartedly, studying arrays day and night.
Others used various rare materials for arrays, but it wanted to use spiritual plants.
However, there was still a long way to go, a long-standing habit of Chen Xun's since leaving the small village, painting grand visions that left Black Bull in awe.
The key was that Black Bull genuinely enjoyed it, loving to hear Chen Xun talk about their future, never doubting.
At this moment, the surrounding atmosphere suddenly changed, and everyone felt a suffocating sensation.
They looked towards the sky, where faint green light flickered, Little Crane standing at the back, eyes shimmering, having completely set up the barrier.
Yu Chen exhaled deeply, his tension finally easing, bowing deeply, "Yes, senior."
"Yu Chen."
"Ah?"
Yu Chen suddenly looked up at Chen Xun, eyes filled with surprise. He had never told the senior his name, nor did he know him.
Standing beside him, Uncle Chu's expression paused, as if remembering something.
The senior's voice and demeanor seemed familiar, proving that once one reached the Nascent Soul stage, nothing was easily forgotten.
Chen Xun's eyes were complex, Yu Chen's appearance had changed significantly, no longer young.
Instead, he looked middle-aged, as if his heart had aged, and his face followed suit.
He no longer had the vitality of the past, but rather an air of caution, lacking the bold spirit he once had in the Forbidden Sea demon nest, willing to sever ties for a deal.
"I have a past with your Yu family ancestor, I've heard of you."
Chen Xun suddenly spoke, his tone unhurried and extremely gentle, "Don't overthink it, seeing you all alive is the greatest comfort to me over the years."
Yu Chen's eyes cleared, yet carried a hint of sadness. The ancestors of various clans had long rested in the boundary, securing a path for their descendants.
The disappointment and resentment towards the family had long faded, everything becoming insignificant like passing smoke.
Those who followed them from the small boundary had become family, supporting and trusting each other, a bond not easily formed.
Chen Xun sighed softly, looking at Black Bull, "Bull, help them heal first, there are too many hidden injuries, which are detrimental to the path ahead."
"Moo moo~" Black Bull nudged Chen Xun, then snorted at everyone, "Follow me!"
"Brother Bull!"
Little Chi hurriedly ran over from behind, knowing the humans couldn't understand Brother Bull, he shouted, "Come with us, we have plenty of healing herbs."
Everyone finally let go of the last barrier in their hearts, solemnly bowing towards Chen Xun and his group.
Countless words were encapsulated in this bow, even the emotions couldn't express a fraction of it.
Over the years, their lives were precarious, with no time for cultivation, and many battles, constantly on the run.
If not for Meng Sheng leading them, they might have ascended in the first year of the incident.
As Meng Sheng was about to follow the others to heal, Chen Xun suddenly spoke from behind him, "Young man."
