Chapter 971: He is not being hunted; who is being hunted?

"Even if I, the Dao Ancestor, have fallen on hard times, I am still a dignified Venerable, with countless experiences in commanding great battles. Wherever I go, I can make a name for myself. And yet, you suspect me of wanting to take a cut from the sect's funds?!"

"The Five Aggregates Sect hasn't really developed much these days!"

His voice grew louder, almost jumping with indignation, as Chen Xun's words broke through his defenses, nearly making him blurt out, "This small sect of yours, do you even look down on a Tribulation Crossing Venerable?!"

Chen Xun pondered for a long time. "Are there no substitutes for these spiritual herbs? At the very least, they should be found in the Wild Heaven Region. For now, it's best if you don't leave the sect."

"I'm not very familiar with the spiritual herbs here," Frog Daoist said irritably. "You must have realized that if this matter succeeds, it will greatly benefit the future of our Five Aggregates Sect."

"Alright, I'll keep this in mind and have someone investigate at the Star Pivot."

Chen Xun hesitated in his words. He loved getting spiritual herbs for free and had never bought any rare ones. "Once Bull comes out of seclusion, these will all be minor issues, no rush."

"Ribbit."

"But you all have shown your dedication, and naturally, there will be rewards."

At this moment, the mist gradually cleared, revealing a crystal-clear lake filled with Taiwei Purple Immortal Fruits that emitted a precious glow...

These fine fruits were Chen Xun's chilled snacks for refreshment. After exhausting his energy, eating one would restore him quickly, making them his indispensable treasure for self-cultivation.

"Ribbit?!!"

Frog Daoist leaped up, his excitement overflowing. Another three thousand years of life, endless life, truly endless!

He looked at the hundreds of Taiwei Purple Immortal Fruits at the bottom of the pond and knelt before Chen Xun. In the face of limited lifespan, what was dignity worth? He knelt!

This was the true demeanor of an immortal, the handiwork of an immortal!

"Thank you, Dao Ancestor Chen Xun! Many thanks to Dao Ancestor Chen Xun!!"

"Hahaha..."

Chen Xun laughed heartily, quite pleased with the flattery from this ancient being. "Take them quickly. Since you've joined the Five Aggregates, speak up if you need anything in the future. How could this Dao Ancestor neglect his own people?"

"Ribbit ribbit~~"

Frog Daoist gave Chen Xun a deep look, cautiously approached the pond, and picked up two Taiwei Purple Immortal Fruits, without a trace of greed in his eyes or heart.

Chen Xun's words had sunk in. He spoke beside him, "Dao Ancestor, I have a request."

"Speak."

"It's about the mountain guardian offerings..."

"Oh, it seems this is your last wish, Frog. Go in peace."

"Ribbit! I'm leaving right now!"

Frog Daoist's hair stood on end, a chill spreading through his body, and he fled without looking back.

However, in the little booklet, he still informed Chen Xun about the spiritual soil, without any concealment, even more detailed than what he told Little White Spirit.

Chen Xun was quite satisfied, gaining some strange knowledge, and he wholeheartedly agreed with the saying that having an elder at home is like having a treasure.

With Frog Daoist around, the Five Aggregates Sect would likely avoid many detours.

Chen Xun stood up, chuckling to himself. This little Frog Daoist even knew to come and admit his mistake. It seemed it was worth taking them in back then.

He felt an unusual sense of comfort. After five hundred years, he finally felt at ease.

But Chen Xun's joy was always so simple. He never had the grand ambitions of other immortals, worrying about the world or the future of the immortal path.

His satisfaction was always small, even now, with no grand ambitions, he would be secretly pleased by an apology, or overjoyed at finding a peculiar stone...

He would even laugh wildly at cutting down the innocent Crane Spirit Tree. His path of sacrifice was always taken for granted. What did it matter if he didn't have immortal cultivation? As long as he could live well into old age.

Dao Ancestor Chen Xun hummed a little tune to himself and began practicing his punches on the peculiar stone beneath the waterfall, finding no boredom in it.

Longevity, for him, never brought loneliness, but a profound patience that no other being, not even the powerful immortals of today, could possess.

The sun rose and set, spring passed and autumn came.

In the blink of an eye, three months had passed.

Black Bull seemed to be in a deathly seclusion, with no movement or aura, and every time Chen Xun passed by the hut, he would glance over.

And mutter under his breath, "Damn it, why hasn't that Bull come out yet? How are we supposed to live like this?!"

Today.

Within the Five Aggregates Sect, several main peaks trembled, and Liu Han, Ji Zhao, and Shi Wujun arrived together.

Though their expressions were quite calm, their eyes revealed a hint of urgency as they headed straight to the peak of the ninety-nine mountains to meet the ancestor.

Beneath the waterfall.

Chen Xun sensed the disturbance in the formation and quickly dressed, donning a white robe that made him appear quite ethereal.

"Ancestor!"

Before the people arrived, the voice came first. This resolute and steady voice could only belong to Shi Wujun.

"What is it?" Chen Xun asked lightly, waving his sleeve. "Don't panic when something happens, speak slowly."

Before he finished speaking, three figures of mana appeared not far in front of him.

The three respectfully bowed and saluted, "Ancestor, Senior Chen Yanshu has sent a message. That Senior Qian Shan of the Nine Heavens Immortal Alliance has leveled half a holy land and is now traveling millions of miles... escorting a male infant to the Five Aggregates Sect!"

Their words carried an indescribable shock, and their pupils held a trace of disbelief.

"Hmm?"

A flash of astonishment crossed Chen Xun's eyes as he asked, "He went alone?"

The three exchanged glances and nodded heavily, "Yes!"

"Ridiculous!"

A hint of anger flashed in Chen Xun's eyes, cold light flickering in his pupils, as he said in a deep voice, "That Ji Yan still hasn't taken my words to heart. How could they let him fight alone?!"

The atmosphere suddenly became extremely tense, and the three dared not breathe, witnessing the ancestor's anger for only the second time, the first being over the Ji family matter.

Chen Xun turned, hands behind his back, gazing at the boundless sea of clouds, speaking coldly, "I know Qian Shan's past. This matter is very complicated, and his current cultivation is far from sufficient."

"Ancestor, but the Nine Heavens Immortal Alliance is different from our Five Aggregates Sect," Liu Han cautiously spoke, not daring to jest, "These seniors were once the prodigies of the heavenly domain..."

"We hope the ancestor will calm his anger."

"In this grand era of the immortal path, they're still playing the same game. If he's not being hunted, who is?!"

Chen Xun snorted coldly, his expression quite unpleasant, "Do they really think they're invincible in this vast Wild Heaven Region, that no one can deal with them? And Ji Yan is also letting it happen, utterly foolish! How did Qian Shan not die in that holy land?!"

Before leaving, he had repeatedly warned them, you are the Nine Heavens Immortal Alliance, recognized leaders of the immortal path in the Nine Great Worlds.