Eternal Tale

Chapter 247: A Peerless Power Descends—Immediate Escape!

“Not bad,” Chen Xun’s tone softened. While there were risks, the benefits were astounding. The array diagrams for teleportation formations were treasures, closely guarded by the top factions in Da Li.

Without the Forbidden Sea as a natural shield, they likely wouldn’t have acquired such diagrams for who knew how long.

“Senior, do you have Boundless Ancient Tree Vine or Mountain-Shaking Demon Essence?” Yu Chen asked, his expression hopeful. “Our Yu family has a great demand for these Forbidden Sea treasures, and we’re willing to exchange anything for them.”

“I do.” Chen Xun nodded. The Forbidden Sea had been their hunting ground for over a century, and they’d gathered a plethora of rare resources, including the two items Yu Chen mentioned. “Let’s begin the trade.”

“Wonderful!”

Yu Chen bowed deeply, a series of rare physical cultivation techniques unfurling before him. “Senior, I hope these show my sincerity.”

“*West Sea Profound Technique*, *Jade Pulse Meridian Transformation Technique*, *Golden Jade Monument Breaking Technique*…” Chen Xun’s eyes widened as he scanned the list, murmuring, “Excellent. These are indeed what I’ve been looking for.”

Yu Chen presented another scroll with reverence. “Senior, here is the fourth level of the *Water Spirit Technique*. Unfortunately, I could not retrieve the fifth level. However, I’m sure my second uncle could negotiate that with you.”

Chen Xun smiled slightly. “I appreciate the thought.”

Over the years, they had encountered a few physical cultivation techniques through looted relics, but they paled in comparison to the techniques Yu Chen offered. Time passed as they haggled over prices, and Chen Xun was surprisingly fair, appraising items and assigning values with discernment.

Yu Chen was equally cooperative, refraining from overpricing his goods. He knew this wasn’t a one-time transaction; earning the goodwill of this powerful senior was far more valuable.

High above the Yu fleet and the giant ship, Long Guanzi refrained from probing further, opting instead to crush a jade pendant etched with intricate symbols.

Meanwhile, a few men in the fleet discreetly moved to the back, where the sea began to swirl ominously, an immense aura brewing in secret, as if awaiting something monumental.

No one else noticed the shift, though Elder Chu, the elderly man in green, furrowed his brow. He sensed a faint disturbance in the air—an ancient technique unique to the Yu family: *Divine Descent*.

An hour later, Yu Chen happily descended from the giant vessel, Chen Xun giving him a faint but meaningful look as he left.

Yu Chen cut through the mist, calling out, “Second Uncle, my trade with the seniors is complete, but for the Water Spirit Technique and Extinguishing Spirit artifacts, you’ll need to discuss with them directly.”

“Excellent.” Long Guanzi nodded approvingly, his gaze drifting up to the somber sky as he sensed his true body’s imminent descent. “You may go now.”

“Yes.” Yu Chen’s expression was now a mask of calm satisfaction. These new resources would save him a century’s worth of cultivation time compared to his peers. And this was only the first of what he hoped would be many trades.

Long Guanzi’s lips curled into a smile. These treasures were just the beginning. The true prize was in winning these three mysterious cultivators over. If the Yu family could secure their knowledge of the Forbidden Sea, it was worth any cost.

That brief confrontation earlier had confirmed one thing: these three were undoubtedly not on the level of a Deity Transformation Stage cultivator.

Long Guanzi’s intent was clear. He would subdue these enigmatic cultivators and extract every last secret of the Forbidden Sea from them!

“Daoist, may I speak with you now?” Long Guanzi’s expression softened, his tone friendly. “I come as a representative of the Yu family. Whatever you desire, the Yu family can provide.”

Squinting, he stared into the mist. The giant vessel remained in place, silent and still. It seemed as though they were waiting for something.

Maintaining his patient stance, Long Guanzi sneered inwardly. This stalling tactic was petty—something he had outgrown in his Golden Core days.

After an incense stick’s time passed with no response, Long Guanzi’s patience wore thin. The vessel remained obscured in the mist, devoid of any movement.

“If Daoist chooses not to respond, then I’ll have no choice but to intrude.”

Long Guanzi’s aura sharpened, his voice ringing out with imposing force as the sea around him churned, a violent energy coalescing in the heavens above.

*Rumble! Rumble!*

The sky cracked open, revealing a swirling vortex as a massive pillar of light shot down, enveloping Long Guanzi. His silhouette began to merge with a colossal shadow, exuding an aura of boundless dominance that made it clear he held all beneath him in disdain.

“Salutations to the Ancestor!”

“Salutations to the Ancestor!”

…

All aboard the fleet bent low, sweat dripping as they struggled under the crushing pressure, their foreheads nearly touching the decks.

Yu Chen stumbled, barely able to keep his footing. The betrayal struck him deeply—his family had used him as a pawn.

Long Guanzi stepped out from the light, his presence a turbulent force that caused the surrounding mist to dissipate. His gaze, frigid and focused, turned directly to the giant ship in the distance.

*Crackle! Crackle!*

The overwhelming Extinguishing Spirit energy filled the air, forming vortices in the mist, tearing it apart. As the haze lifted, the vessel they’d been staring at dissolved, vanishing like an illusion.

“A mirage formation? How could this be…”

Long Guanzi’s expression shifted to one of amusement. So, they had already fled. “This energy isn’t spiritual power but resembles elemental force. Whoever made this vessel must be a master of arrays.”

“Haha! Such audacity.”

He laughed as the sea trembled in response, waves crashing against the fleet with thunderous force, drenching the cultivators. None dared to resist, their Ancestor was furious.

They exchanged shocked glances. Had the giant vessel… silently escaped?

“Return to port.” Long Guanzi scanned the horizon, finding no trace. “Yu Chen, find them.”

“Ancestor, I…” Yu Chen began, but at that moment, the voice-transmitting jade slip in his sleeve crumbled into pure elemental energy and dissipated.

“Hmph.”

Long Guanzi’s expression darkened. Tricked! These three had taken extreme measures to ensure secrecy.

*Hum—* *Hum—*

The fleet turned back, and the vortex in the sky emitted another blinding pillar of light. Long Guanzi’s spectral form was recalled into the heavens.

As soon as the pressure lifted, the crew exhaled in relief. The Ancestor’s power was beyond ordinary endurance.

Yu Chen kept his head down, his face cast in shadow, chest heaving. In the Yu family, his interests meant little, and no one cared.

Elder Chu approached, sensing his master’s turmoil. He wanted to offer reassurance but dared not speak lightly of their Ancestor’s actions.