Another half a year passed. Outside the mountain gate of a small country, the ground shook and boulders rolled down.
“Moo??”
“Damn!! Just passing by, fellow cultivator!!”
“Thief, stop!!!”
An elder burst out, roaring furiously at the heavens. The damage to the mountain-protecting formation wasn't severe, but the insult was immense!
...
Another half a year later, a sect’s mountain-protecting formation completely failed!
The spiritual energy driving it seemed to be absorbed, making the formation as flimsy as a thin membrane, easily torn apart.
“Moo moo??!”
“Fellow cultivator, it was unintentional; the heavens can testify!!”
“This is the biggest joke in the world; leave something behind for us!!!”
Several Foundation Establishment elders were furiously angry, watching the crumbling formation with tears in their eyes.
However, upon discovering several bottles of elixirs left behind, their anger turned to joy. They even clasped their hands and called out, “Senior, come again next time!”
...
In the following days, if one looked down from the skies over the eastern countries, two dark figures could be seen scurrying around the small sects, looking rather disheveled, holding pancakes, and taking occasional bites.
They were weather-beaten, constantly cursed and chased by the sect cultivators, fleeing in haste yet thoroughly enjoying it.
Finally, in a memorable summer forty years later, the big black ox perfected its 'Five Elements Restriction-Breaking Technique,' ending their transient lifestyle.
In a forest, the afternoon sun blazed down, radiating heat waves.
“Moo moo~” The big black ox bathed in the river.
“Old ox, these years have been thrilling,” Chen Xun lay back on a makeshift chair by the river, eyes closed. “But the sects have indeed become more desolate.”
“Moo~” The big black ox splashed water around, laughing heartily, truly afraid of getting caught and thrown in prison.
“Although they weren’t strong, they hadn’t wronged us, nor did we find any evil practices. Compensation was necessary,” Chen Xun smiled. “The brothers from Chiling Sect were quite interesting, hahaha…”
“Moo moo moo~~” The big black ox wagged its tail, splashing more water, reminiscing.
The Foundation Establishment elders of Chiling Sect hadn’t scolded or cursed them. Instead, they clasped their hands, inviting them for a chat and offering many local specialties, spiritual herbs, and magical artifacts.
Chen Xun left with a promise to meet again and fled with the big black ox.
“Old ox, let's relax for a few days before heading back to Juque Sect. Forty years later, we return to break the formation!”
“Moo~~!”
The big black ox happily splashed water all over Chen Xun, drenching him completely. He was stunned, his hair soaked, and it took him a moment to react, even swallowing a mouthful of pure water.
“Damn it, Black Ox, how dare you act wild in front of me?!”
“Moo moo!”
Man and ox squared off, about to clash, with the river roaring and swirling violently beside them.
Half a day later, a furious roar came from the river: “With strength to lift mountains and unmatched bravery!”
“Moo!!”
The big black ox let out a dreadful cry as Chen Xun tossed it into the river, where it floated away, leaving only its horns visible above the water.
Three days later, they set off, following the red dots on the map.