Xiao Chen emerged from the depths of the coconut grove, gazing out at the boundless ocean. He could imagine the terrifying scene of that colossal being rampaging within the waves—truly a peerless monster.
After a night of recovery, Xiao Chen felt much improved. So long as he avoided strenuous movement, he could move about without significant difficulty. Standing on the beach, facing the rising sun, he began to gather the essence of heaven and earth, cultivating the mysterious diagram from the ancient stele. His entire body stood as still as a pine.
Soft morning light fell upon him. His breathing was long and steady, and countless tiny, nearly invisible rays of colored light seeped into his body through his skin, swimming joyfully within. Xiao Chen was gifted in the way of cultivation. Since childhood, he had practiced the unfathomable Qi-Refining Diagram, and a grand, sacred hall was slowly opening its gates to him.
As the sun rose, dots of radiance appeared. Xiao Chen matched his breathing to the rhythm, drawing golden sunlight into his body with each inhalation, letting it penetrate flesh, organs, and bones, so that every inch of him surged with golden light. With each exhalation, the impure qi within his organs, bones, and flesh was expelled through his skin.
His flesh was continuously purified and transformed by the purest energy. Day by day, year by year, his physique changed. The essence of cultivation was to constantly break the constraints of the human body, achieving continual transformation and transcendence. Xiao Chen firmly believed that one day, he too would shatter the barrier between life and death, just like those legendary figures whose names echoed through the ages, and step into the legendary realm of eternal immortality.
When the morning tide receded, it left behind a scattering of shells, shrimp, crabs, sea urchins, and leaping fish on the beach. This provided Xiao Chen with an extraordinarily abundant breakfast. A fire crackled beside the coconut grove, over which he had placed a basin-sized shell filled with coconut milk that was now boiling. The aroma of seafood wafted enticingly.
After enjoying his hearty breakfast, Xiao Chen decided to survey the surrounding terrain and find a temporary shelter.
Beyond the coconut grove, the forest grew denser, lush and vibrant. There were towering trees, white-agarwood, yellow桐 trees, olives, palms, rubber trees, and more—ancient trees that blotted out the sky. This was the habitat of seabirds. When Xiao Chen entered this area, countless birds burst from the forest in alarm. Thousands of seabirds wheeled and cried in the sky and among the trees, and feathers drifted down in a continuous flurry.
The ground was layered with thick guano. Nests dotted the branches and the earth, littered with eggs. Many chicks cried hungrily as adult seabirds flew about in startled screams. Only after he had passed through the dense forest did the commotion slowly subside.
Another three or four li deeper, Xiao Chen entered the primeval forest. Ancient trees with gnarled roots intertwined, and centuries-old vines coiled around them. This was a world of monstrous trees and ferocious beasts.
"Roar…"
A fierce Saber-Toothed Tiger charged, baring its deadly fangs. Xiao Chen spun, swung his leg, and swept the tiger to the ground with a powerful kick.
At that moment, another beast roar rang out nearby. A five-meter-tall Twin-Headed Rampage Ape charged over. Its towering demonic body, pitch-black fur, and two ferocious heads made it especially terrifying.
Xiao Chen had no desire to provoke the strange savage beasts. He quickly turned and dashed into the forest. The Saber-Toothed Tiger, meanwhile, faced the Twin-Headed Rampage Ape.
"Roar…"
The tiger's roar cut short. Xiao Chen cast a hurried glance back and saw a gory scene: the ape had torn the tiger apart with its bare hands. Its tall, dark-furred body was splattered with blood.
Xiao Chen fled like the wind, becoming more cautious. He avoided the various strange savage beasts, unwilling to confront them directly.
He had not gone far before he saw many mythical ferocious beasts that only appeared in legends, and witnessed countless bloody scenes. He saw a Winged Divine Leopard rip apart two giant elephants; a massive One-Horned Giant Serpent devour three tigers…
Walking through the endless primeval forest, Xiao Chen often spotted scattered bones—those of tigers, lions, elephants, and many unknown giant skeletons. Broken frames seven or eight meters or even over ten meters long loomed among the grass and trees, exceptionally gruesome.
"Roar…"
A tremendous roar suddenly erupted from deep within the mountain range. The sound was deafening, splitting metal and shattering stone, piercing straight to the heavens! It startled the myriad beasts into collective wailing, throwing the deep mountains into chaos.
Xiao Chen's blood surged from the shock. His body trembled, and his eardrums nearly burst.
Could the legendary dragon's roar be any more formidable than this? This roar was in no way inferior to the cry of the ancient Eight-Armed Malignant Dragon! It was hard to imagine what kind of beast it was.
Xiao Chen's heart tensed. On the fringes of this island, he had already discovered two great ferocious beasts. This sea island was truly mysterious. With his injuries not yet healed, he dared not venture further. He turned and retraced his steps.
Eventually, he found a suitable place to recuperate on the outer edge of the island. It was only two or three li from the beach, close to the territory of the Eight-Armed Malignant Dragon, which kept ordinary beasts from approaching recklessly.
A clear spring like a ribbon of jade gurgled through the forest, gathering into a small lake as pure and bright as a sapphire. Tall, dense trees surrounded the lake, shielding it from the blazing sun and casting broad, cool shadows.
Around the lake, vines intertwined, and countless unknown flowers bloomed in brilliant colors. The air was thick with fragrance. Accompanied by the melodious songs of birds, it was a truly fine place to stay. In addition, there were many fruit trees—not only tall coconut palms but also slightly shorter pineapple, lemon, and lychee trees. The branches were heavy with fruit, their sweet aroma drifting through the forest, irresistibly tempting.
Not far away, Xiao Chen found a patch of bamboo. Being careful not to strain his wounds, he cautiously channeled his qi, used a stone axe to fell a row of green bamboo, and hauled them back. Then he gathered supple vines.
By the sapphire lake, Xiao Chen built a bamboo hut, and inside he constructed a bamboo bed. The verdant dwelling exuded the fresh scent of grass and wood, feeling elegantly comfortable.
One could not deny the capriciousness of the weather at sea. By afternoon, the cloudless sky had darkened. Thick black clouds rolled in swiftly.
"Rumble…"
Dark clouds churned. Lightning and thunder rent the sky above the island, and a torrential downpour began. Xiao Chen was glad he had built the bamboo hut in time. He watched the rain through the window, his thoughts drifting.
Since entering the World of Immortality, he had been thinking about those who shattered the void and left eternal names in the Mortal World. Would he ever meet them one day?
Dugu Qiubai, with a sword in hand, looked down upon the world, sweeping across the six directions, finding no worthy foe…
Li Xunhuan, Little Li Flying Dagger, never missed its mark; a blade that shattered the void…
Shi Feixuan, with autumn water for spirit and jade for bones, a celestial maiden of her generation…
Wan Wan, gathering the intelligence of heaven and earth, as agile as a spirit…
Pang Ban, the world-covering demon lord, his demonic heart planting the devil seed, intimidating the ages…
Lang Fanyun, at the extreme of emotion and at the extreme of the sword, wielding his sword through feeling and entering the Dao…
…
Those names that had shaken the ages surfaced one by one in Xiao Chen's heart. Since those people had already attained immortality between heaven and earth, he believed that if fate allowed, he might truly meet them one day. This was no empty fantasy!
No comments:
Post a Comment