Chapter 652: Farewell

In the East Sea, groups of sea beasts roamed, such as mystic turtles thousands of feet long and ancient clams as vast as islands, stirring up waves hundreds of meters high. Sunlight fell upon the jewel-blue sea, where coral cities on the seabed were faintly visible, shimmering with resplendent colors, as if it were a mythical world.

Chu Feng, preoccupied, neared the sea where the Indestructible Mountain was located.

In the distance, groups of mermaids occasionally leaped from the clear, turquoise sea, tracing graceful arcs in the air before plunging back down with a splash, creating crystalline spray.

On any other day, Chu Feng would have certainly taken the time to admire such beauty. The mermaids, with their ivory-white skin and long hair that was either aquamarine or sun-kissed golden, were all exceptionally beautiful and a delight to behold.

The green bamboo boat landed on the island, which, as before, was covered in pebbles and largely devoid of vegetation. Any plants that did exist were sparse and nearly rotten, and a thick fog enveloped the island.

Fortunately, upon reaching the island's center and nearing the seven cloud-piercing mountains, a surge of vitality emanated from within the mountain gate. This was the inner region of the Indestructible Mountain, a world unto itself. Outside the mountain gate, however, a deathly stillness prevailed, with emaciated undead creatures scattered everywhere.

"Stop! Who are you? How dare you trespass on the Indestructible Mountain?!" The Northeast Tiger, on duty and highly alert, was the first to leap out, spotting Chu Feng at the mountain pass. It glared with wide, bell-like eyes, its striped tiger body majestic, truly an imposing sight.

Chu Feng was speechless. These were his acquaintances, yet they truly didn't recognize him!

"Hee-haw, hee-haw... Enemy invasion!" The old donkey, with its booming voice, let out a bray that instantly shattered the peace and serenity of the mountain gate area.

With a whoosh, a group of Kunlun great demons burst forth. The Horse King, ten feet tall, had a gleaming bald head and a bare, tattooed torso. The old lama sat atop a golden lion, as steady as Mount Tai, reciting scriptures. Yet, as his eyes opened and closed, wisps of golden light emanated, a sign of his astonishing talent and rapidly growing strength.

"Well, well, a girl dressed as a boy?"

The Great Black Ox poked its head out from the mountain pass. Although it had assumed human form, it still conspicuously sported a pair of enormous horns, which, in its words, represented the beauty of masculinity.

Hearing this, Chu Feng's face instantly darkened, and he was so furious he wanted to pounce on the ox and beat it senseless.

"Little lady, where are you from? Don't be scared; Brother Ox is the most chivalrous and will protect you. This is the sacred land of evolution for the demon race, and since you must share our origin, why don't you introduce yourself?" the Great Black Ox said, shamelessly trying to cozy up.

"Sister, don't listen to him. Come over here and tell Brother Donkey which race you belong to," the old donkey chimed in, baring its buck teeth and perking up its long ears, looking utterly enthusiastic.

"Demon sister, don't pay them any mind; they're all old rascals who've seen nothing of the world. Come, chat with Brother Tiger, and I'll give you a tour of the Indestructible Mountain," the Northeast Tiger added, joining in.

Veins popped on Chu Feng's forehead. This was simply unbearable; these fellows were truly outrageous, making him feel a visceral ache of anger he couldn't stand!

"Old Black, look closely, who do you think I am?!"

"And old donkey, are your soft bones itching again? You're asking for a beating!"

"Siberian Tiger, what's wrong with your eyes?!"

Chu Feng, enraged, unleashed a torrent of scolding as he strode towards the mountain gate. In truth, despite their flippant remarks, the group had been on guard the entire time. Someone had appeared unannounced, and they were secretly on high alert, treating the situation as if a formidable enemy had arrived.

"Oh no, this little one knows us all, but we don't know him at all!" the Horse King whispered.

"Damn it, look properly! Don't you recognize me?!" Chu Feng was beside himself with anger, feeling that these guys couldn't possibly be so unobservant. Surely, they were doing this on purpose?

"How is he so similar to Chu Feng?" Finally, the Northeast Tiger's eyes widened, staring blankly at him, before it managed to blurt out something that almost made Chu Feng explode with rage: "That Chu Feng kid is really no good; he's too much of a playboy. He already has such a big son! He's really prolific! Who did he have this big kid with?!"

Such remarks made Chu Feng want to punch the Siberian Tiger to death.

Nearby, the Great Black Ox's eyes rolled strangely. "So alike," it said. "Are you Chu Feng's child?" It then let out a long sigh: "Alas, I, old Ox, have been a hero my entire life, lived for hundreds of years, yet still have no descendants. I've only cultivated the Pure Qi Child's Art to its highest realm!"

"I'll roast you two!" Chu Feng gritted his teeth, seriously suspecting that these two rascals were deliberately making fun of him.

"Hee-haw, hee-haw, are you Chu Feng's illegitimate child, or his sister?" the old donkey added, baring its buck teeth and joining the jest.

Then, with a whoosh, a group of figures surged out of the mountain gate and surrounded Chu Feng, all of them staring at him with peculiar expressions. Clearly, most of them were in on the joke, otherwise they wouldn't have rushed out so carelessly, underestimating the 'enemy'. The entire group was struggling to suppress their laughter as they watched Chu Feng.

"These are truly lotus-root arms, crystalline and fair!"

"Look how tender and moist this little face is; you could practically pinch water from it."

"A sight to behold, eclipsing the moon and shaming flowers, capable of toppling cities and nations—truly a peerless beauty!"

The Great Black Ox, Northeast Tiger, old donkey, and a group of Kunlun great demons incessantly paraded around, critiquing Chu Feng's appearance. Chu Feng knew perfectly well that this bunch was up to no good!

*Thump, thump, thump...*

All of them were sent flying, each with bruised and swollen faces, their mouths twisted and eyes askew, having been instantly thrashed by Chu Feng. Still not satisfied, he then grabbed the Great Black Ox and applied rouge and lipstick to it, as he had plenty of such items from having looted numerous saintesses.

"Brother, spare me! Old Ox gives up! I don't want to wear rouge, let go!"

"Hee-haw, hee-haw, ouch! Brother Chu Feng, please be lenient! I, old donkey, apologize. Please don't make me wear a cheongsam; that's not my style. I'm already so old; cross-dressing just isn't suitable for me!"

The area erupted in chaos and uproar. Even though Chu Feng had given them a thorough beating, smiles still tugged at the corners of their eyes and brows; they simply couldn't help themselves.

"Hey, brother, what happened to you? Why do you look a size smaller and so much younger?"

"Brother, your taste is really... bold! Your makeup skills are simply astonishing; you instantly look ten years younger. Teach an old brother like me; I want to stay youthful too!"

Chu Feng, his face dark, told them that anyone who dared to mock him again would first receive another beating, until they submitted.

Finally, even Grandmaster Wu Qifeng of Wudang Mountain was alerted, and Chu Feng's parents, having received the news, also hurried out from within the mountain gate. They too were dumbfounded.

"Child, what happened to you?" Chu Feng's mother, Wang Jing, asked in surprise, her eyes filled with a peculiar expression.

Chu Feng's father, ever calm, said, "Why even ask? He must have lost his mind and put on some bizarre makeup."

Chu Feng was on the verge of tears, finally saying indignantly, "What kind of eyes do you all have? This is supposed to be handsome, alright?!"

"It is quite handsome, but so handsome that even your parents can barely recognize you," Chu Zhiyuan said, pouring cold water on his son's enthusiasm.

Chu Feng immediately deflated. He then recounted the entire process in detail, explaining that he had simply consumed a potent medicinal herb, which had resulted in his rejuvenation and made his appearance even more handsome than before. Everyone listened, dumbfounded. Was that even possible?

Chu Feng's mother let out a long breath. "So it wasn't bizarre makeup after all, that's good. It actually looks quite pleasing. I thought you were just thick-skinned, trying to look young at your age."

"It's just... too pretty," Chu Zhiyuan added.

"Dad, can we please not use the word 'pretty'?" Chu Feng said indignantly, as he was allergic to that particular word.

Finally, Ouyang the Toad and the Yellow Ox were also alerted and forcefully emerged from their seclusion to meet Chu Feng. He was about to enter the starry sky, and if they didn't gather now, it was hard to say when they would meet again.

"Oh my god!" Ouyang Feng shrieked the moment it emerged from seclusion and saw Chu Feng. It then looked sideways at Chu Feng, and after a moment of silence, clutched its toad belly and burst into maniacal laughter, its saliva flying forward like pouring rain.

Everyone had already anticipated this and quickly moved out of the way.

Only Chu Feng, his face dark, stubbornly stood his ground this time, not dodging. His body glowed, shaking off the saliva, and then he lunged forward, giving Ouyang a furious beating without a word.

"Damn it, Chu Feng, you bastard! How dare you lay hands on me?! I'm not finished with you! Tell me, what's wrong with you? You're already so old, in your twenties, yet you're trying to act young. Are you perhaps resentful that I, little master, am only two or three years old but no weaker than you, which is why you're putting on all this makeup?"

"Ah, go to hell, Chu! I, Grandfather Ouyang, will fight you to the death! You dared to bruise my handsome and dashing face! Damn it, do you know, not even the Three-legged Golden Toad is as handsome as I am! You... you're still going? You dare hit me again?!"

"Damn it, croak, croak, croak! Chu Feng, Little Master Ouyang gives up, stop hitting me!"

Eventually, the toad, subdued by Chu Feng's ferocity, was beaten into submission. It lay there, limbs twitching and foaming at the mouth, completely convinced it was an innocent victim. How could it be blamed?!

Nearby, the Yellow Ox was also speechless, looking at Chu Feng with peculiar eyes. After understanding the situation, it could only lament that Chu Feng had finally achieved reverse growth, putting him on par with its own venerable age.

"Cherish this rare opportunity," it said. "Living a second life is like gaining an extra life. You will eventually discover how truly extraordinary this is. As the world transforms and human affairs ebb and flow, with an extra lifetime, your understanding will be much deeper." The Yellow Ox spoke, but it was so young that its words carried no persuasive power. In the end, it had to admit that this wisdom came from an ancient predecessor's notes.

When Chu Feng's mother heard he was going into the starry sky, she almost collapsed and cried incessantly. In the end, Chu Zhiyuan remained calm and told her that their son was grown. In this era, there was little difference between being on Earth and in the starry sky; perhaps the star sea was even safer, with many pure lands.

Chu Feng was also saddened, as he was finally leaving, and he didn't know for how long.

Finally, when discussing Chu Feng's destination, he sought everyone's opinions, and they all studied the optical computer together. He especially wanted to hear the Yellow Ox's advice, as it was from beyond their domain.

After much research and careful deliberation, Chu Feng eventually chose a star system known for its abundant resources, including Celestial God Pools, spiritual blood, mother gold mines, and sacred medicines. Many powerful cosmic races had established industries there.

"My name is Wu Lunhui. I rose from an ordinary life planet to become the youngest top expert in the starry sky. Major powerful races tried to win me over, even going so far as to have Yuan Yuan, the Buddhist Nun, Ying Zhexian, and others invite me. Hmm, they even hoped I'd marry into one of the top ten families."

Hearing Chu Feng muttering so narcissistically, Ouyang Feng immediately waved a toad palm in front of his eyes. "Wake up!" it croaked. "It's not dark yet!"

Chu Feng remained calm. "What do you know?" he said. "This is merely my short-term plan, to be realized immediately upon reaching the starry sky. I have a grand, long-term vision to unfold as well."

Just as Chu Feng was about to depart, in the deepest reaches of the universe, chaos boiled, and then terrifying surges of Yang energy pierced through, blooming like dazzling fireworks, exceptionally beautiful. However, they were also terrifying; some planets were directly melted and utterly annihilated within these horrific clusters of Yang energy.

That day, the entire universe trembled, and all races were shocked. For a time, many powerful races summoned their mightiest members for urgent discussions, sensing that a major event had transpired.

"What's going on? I'm about to enter the universe, and even the heavens are celebrating and sending me off by showering me with meteors?" Chu Feng muttered narcissistically, for as he looked up into the clear, bright sky, streaks of dazzling light were indeed streaking across the heavens, resembling a meteor shower. However, they weren't falling onto Earth but merely brushing past from beyond the domain, vanishing into the dark cosmos.

"A great demon has descended!" someone trembled, an ancient astrologer.

"A true immortal has arrived!" said another, a great prophet from the starry sky.

"Could the Yang Realm truly exist, and are we in the Underworld? Now beings from the Yang Realm have arrived—what do they intend to do?!" An elderly divine diviner's heart pounded, and his face turned ashen.