Xiao Chen emerged from the depths of the coconut grove, his gaze fixed upon the boundless ocean. In his mind's eye, he could still see the colossal beast wreaking havoc in the sea—a true peerless monster.
After a night of rest, his body had recovered somewhat. So long as he avoided strenuous movement, he could move about without much trouble. Standing upon the beach, facing the rising sun, he began to gather the essence of heaven and earth, cultivating the mysterious diagrams from the ancient stone stele. His entire being stood as motionless as a pine.
Soft morning light fell upon Xiao Chen. His breathing was long and steady, and faint, barely visible rays of colored light seeped into his body through his skin, flowing joyfully within him.
Xiao Chen had always possessed great talent in the path of cultivation. From a young age, he had practiced the unfathomable Qi-Refining Diagram, and a grand, sacred hall had begun to slowly open its doors to him.
The rising sun scattered flecks of light. With each breath, Xiao Chen guided the golden sunlight into his body, letting it pass through flesh and blood, into his organs and bones, until every inch of him surged with golden radiance. When he exhaled, the impure energies within his organs, bones, and flesh were expelled through his skin.
His flesh and blood were continuously purified and improved by the purest energy. Day after day, year after year, his constitution transformed.
The essence of cultivation was to constantly break through the body's shackles, achieving continuous metamorphosis and transcendence. Xiao Chen firmly believed that one day, he too would be like those legendary figures whose names resounded through the ages—breaking the boundary between life and death and stepping into the legendary realm of deathless longevity.
After the morning tide receded, the beach was left covered with shells, shrimp, crabs, sea urchins, and lively fish—an abundant breakfast for Xiao Chen. A fire crackled at the edge of the coconut grove, and atop it sat a basin-sized shell filled with boiling coconut milk, from which the fragrance of seafood wafted enticingly.
After enjoying his hearty breakfast, Xiao Chen decided to scout the surrounding terrain and find a temporary shelter.
Beyond the coconut grove lay denser forests, lush and vibrant with life. The vegetation was incredibly rich: towering trees, white camphor, yellow桐, olives, palms, rubber trees—ancient trees that blotted out the sky.
This was a haven for seabirds. As Xiao Chen entered the area, countless birds startled into flight. Tens of thousands of seabirds circled and cried out among the trees and the sky, their feathers drifting down in a flurry.
The ground was thick with bird droppings. Nests filled the branches and ground; eggs could be seen everywhere. Many chicks cried out for food as countless adult seabirds flew about in panicked cries.
It was a long time before the area quieted down after he passed through the dense woods.
About another three or four li inward, Xiao Chen entered the primeval old forest. Millennia-old trees tangled their roots; century-old vines coiled around them. This was a wild, untamed forest where ferocious beasts roamed freely.
"Growl..."
A fierce saber-toothed tiger roared, baring its gleaming fangs as it lunged at Xiao Chen. He spun, swung his leg, and swept the tiger to the ground with one powerful kick.
But at that moment, another beast's roar erupted nearby. A five-meter-tall dual-headed violent ape charged over. Its massive demonic body, dark bristling fur, and savage twin heads made it a terrifying sight.
Unwilling to provoke strange primordial beasts, Xiao Chen quickly turned and dashed into the mountain forest. The saber-toothed tiger squared off against the dual-headed ape.
"Growl..."
The tiger's roar cut short. Xiao Chen glanced back and saw a bloody scene: the dual-headed ape had torn the saber-toothed tiger apart, its tall, dark-furred body now splattered with blood.
Xiao Chen fled like the wind, becoming much more cautious. He avoided all manner of strange primordial beasts, unwilling to confront them directly.
Before going far, he saw many fearsome beasts that existed only in legends, as well as numerous bloody scenes. He witnessed a winged divine leopard tear apart two giant elephants; a singular-horned giant serpent devour three tigers...
Walking through the endless primeval forest, Xiao Chen often came upon scattered bones—remains of tigers, lions, elephants, and many unknown giant skeletons. The shattered bones, seven or eight meters or even over ten meters long, lurked amid the grass and trees, a frightful sight.
"ROAR!"
A tremendous roar suddenly came from deep within the mountain range. It was ear-splitting, piercing through metal and splitting rock, soaring straight into the clouds! Thousands of beasts wailed in terror, and chaos erupted in the mountain depths.
Xiao Chen himself was shaken by the sound; his blood and qi surged, his body trembled, and his eardrums nearly burst.
Could the legendary dragon's roar be any more than this?!
This roar was in no way inferior to that of the Eight-Armed Evil Dragon, a primordial beast of ancient times. It was hard to imagine what kind of monster had made it.
Xiao Chen was secretly alarmed. In the outer reaches of the island alone, he had already encountered two great beasts. This sea island was truly mysterious and unpredictable. Now, with his injuries not yet healed, he dared not venture further and began to retrace his steps.
Eventually, Xiao Chen found a suitable place to recuperate on the island's periphery. It was only about two or three li from the beach, near the Eight-Armed Evil Dragon's territory. As a result, ordinary fierce beasts dared not approach easily.
A clear spring, like a belt of emerald, gurgled and flowed, gathering in the woods into a small lake as clear and bright as a sapphire. Tall, dense trees surrounded the lake, shielding it from the scorching sun and casting a wide patch of cool shade.
Around the lake, vines hung in layers, and unknown flowers of every color bloomed in great profusion—purple and red, a riot of color. The air was filled with floral fragrance and the melodious songs of birds. It was truly a fine dwelling place.
Nearby, there were also many fruit trees: not only tall coconut palms, but also shorter pineapple, lemon, and lychee trees. Their branches were heavy with ripe fruit, and the sweet scent of fruit permeated the woods, especially enticing.
Xiao Chen discovered a bamboo grove not far off. Taking care not to strain his injuries, he carefully channeled his primal qi and used a stone axe to fell rows of green bamboo, carrying them back. Then he gathered some flexible vines.
By the sapphire-blue lake, Xiao Chen built a bamboo house. Inside, he set up a bamboo bed. The verdant dwelling was filled with the fresh fragrance of grass and wood—elegant and comfortable.
It must be said that the weather at sea was capricious. By afternoon, the previously cloudless sky suddenly turned gray and gloomy, and vast dark clouds rolled in rapidly.
"Rumble..."
Black clouds churned, lightning flashed and thunder roared above the island, and a torrential rain poured down. Xiao Chen was glad he had built the bamboo house in time. Gazing at the rain curtain outside the window, his thoughts drifted.
Ever since entering the World of Immortality, he had constantly thought of those figures who had shattered the void and left their names eternal in the mortal world. Would he one day meet them?
Dugu Qiubai: one sword in hand, overlooking the world, sweeping across all directions, finding no worthy opponent...
Li Xunhuan: the Little Li Flying Dagger—never missing its mark, a dagger that shattered the void...
Shi Feixuan: autumn water for spirit, jade for bones—a celestial maiden of her generation...
Wan Wan: possessed of the world's spiritual intelligence, as nimble as an elf...
Pang Ban: the unparalleled demon lord, his Dao Heart and Demonic Seed intimidating the ages...
Lang Fanyun: extreme in emotion, extreme in the sword—using the sword through emotion, wielding the sword to enter the Dao...
...
Those names that had shaken the ages appeared one by one in Xiao Chen's heart. Since those people had already achieved eternal life within heaven and earth, he believed that if fate allowed, he might truly meet them one day. This was no empty dream or fleeting illusion!
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