Chapter 283: Wherever He Goes, It Follows!

“Moo moo moo!!”

Black Ox roared, nudging Chen Xun forcefully. “Moo moo!!”

“Open your divine points. Stop holding back and face the tribulation.”

Chen Xun smiled and nodded before suddenly kicking Black Ox. The ox let out a surprised cry as it was sent flying toward the distant corrupted beings, all while hearing Chen Xun’s audacious laughter echoing in its ears.

Once Black Ox disappeared from sight, Chen Xun called out, “Xiao Chi.”

“Brother Xun!”

Xiao Chi’s eyes widened as he hurried over, feeling a mix of worry and anxiety. It had always felt that Brother Ox wasn’t as strong as Brother Xun.

“Take out the fabric we bought in the city; I need to make some clothes.”

“Oh, oh, right.”

Xiao Chi blinked in confusion, realizing that it was just about clothes. Brother Xun’s previous outfit had been destroyed by the tribulation, and since it wasn’t a magical garment, it hadn’t stood a chance.

“Don’t worry about your Brother Ox; his physical body is only three levels weaker than mine.”

Chen Xun began working on the fabric with practiced hands, boasting confidently, “This tribulation can’t cause him any harm.”

Xiao Chi blinked and nodded, edging closer to Chen Xun. It felt as if the weather was changing, and that terrifying heavenly aura was about to descend again.

It had never heard of cultivators needing to face tribulations when breaking through, but it didn’t dare ask further. It wasn’t particularly curious—just a little scared.

*Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!*

The wind picked up.

*Boom! Boom! Boom!*

A sea of lightning began to gather in the sky, identical to what Chen Xun had faced. From beneath the earth came the thunderous rumble once more, the force from below feeling even stronger than the one above.

Chen Xun and Xiao Chi both watched the ground, their eyelids twitching—this felt a bit too outrageous.

*Boom! Boom!*

A massive bolt of lightning, like a divine spear, pierced the sky, connecting heaven and earth. It surged down toward Black Ox, who hovered mid-air, its form illuminated by the blinding light.

On the ground, the corrupted beings shrieked in rage, their cries blending into a chorus of despair as the heavenly tribulation turned them to ashes. Even their lingering resentment seemed to curse: "That black ox—how dare it!"

As the thunderstorm continued to rage, the corrupted beings within a thousand-mile radius scattered in fear. The air was filled with violent shockwaves as they fled, the chaos growing.

Corrupted beings of all levels sprang up like mushrooms after a rainstorm, reacting to the terrifying heavenly might. Those who had once fled to this area now began their journey again, replaying the cycle of beginning and end.

They felt as if a thousand curses flooded their minds—would this heavenly wrath never end?!

Those who were too slow were immediately obliterated by the endless sea of lightning. They disintegrated before they could even scream, their spirits scattered like dust.

In the midst of it all, Black Ox’s eyes began to lose focus as it was drawn into the heart demon illusion.

…

A red sun hung high in the sky, its rays casting golden light that chased away the drifting clouds and mist.

In a courtroom, sunlight filtered through the windows, illuminating a man and a black ox kneeling, their voices echoing: “Injustice!”

“How dare you, Chen Xun, dig up someone’s ancestral grave with this ox! You’ve committed a crime beyond redemption—no pardon for you!”

The magistrate, stern and righteous, slammed his gavel on the table. “Exile to the frontier for ten years of hard labor!”

“Moo?”

Black Ox’s dazed eyes suddenly snapped open. “Moo moo moo!”

Chen Xun, feeling defeated, hung his head, his shoes worn and full of holes. He had lost; the magistrate’s judgment was final.

He was only twenty—how could his life have ended up like this so soon? He didn’t know if he would survive long enough to return.

The guards dragged them away, and the next day, they set off for the frontier—a cold and desolate place where survival was slim. People whispered that they had never heard of anyone returning from such a place.

Black Ox, still not fully aware, obediently followed Chen Xun, not thinking much.

They traveled through mountains and crossed seas, facing fierce beasts and bandits along the way. Chen Xun wielded his two Mountain Splitting Axes, protecting Black Ox as they fought alongside the guards.

“Old Ox, stay behind me. Don’t wander off!”

“Moo moo!”

Black Ox’s gaze was firm as it watched Chen Xun’s upright back. Wherever he went, it would follow.

In the days that followed, they worked together to build walls. Many people praised Black Ox’s intelligence, and some even tried to capture it.

But Chen Xun, with strength comparable to that of an ox and armed with three Mountain Splitting Axes, defended it fiercely. His great strength, combined with his understanding of people, made him a figure of respect.

Five years later, Chen Xun had even become the leader among the laborers. Everywhere he went, people respectfully called him “Brother Xun.”

At night.

Chen Xun stealthily brought out a stash of food, including some meat. Hiding in a corner, he handed a piece to Black Ox. “Old Ox, you eat first!”

“Moo moo!” Black Ox nudged Chen Xun, insisting they share.

“Heh heh.” Chen Xun grinned. “Don’t worry, I’ve already eaten with Brother Zhang and the others. You carry heavy things all day—you need more food.”

“Moo~” Black Ox felt reassured and quickly began to eat.

“There are immortals in this world, so we must be careful. Never provoke them.”

Chen Xun’s sharp gaze scanned the surroundings. “I’ve heard the two nations are about to go to war; otherwise, they wouldn’t have us build walls every day.”

“Moo moo~”

Black Ox remained unconcerned. As long as it was with Chen Xun, it didn’t matter if the sky fell.

“Old Ox, don’t worry. I was born with divine strength. In another five years, we’ll go back to the countryside!”

“Moo moo!”

Black Ox accidentally smeared some oil on Chen Xun’s back. Chen Xun, annoyed, quickly licked it clean. “We can’t waste anything.”

It yelped, surprised, as Chen Xun laughed.

“Haha, as long as we don’t lose out, we win. Meat always tastes better.”

Chen Xun licked his lips, savoring the flavor. “Old Ox, eat quickly, and don’t let anyone catch us.”

“Moo moo!” Black Ox sped up, finishing everything in one gulp.

On a dark, windy night.

Two figures sneaked back to their quarters, unnoticed by anyone.

Two years later.

War broke out between the two nations, and the laborers at the frontier were forcibly conscripted as cannon fodder—those who refused were executed!

Chen Xun and Black Ox were horrified. They were so close to returning home—just three more years! Why now?

They dared not desert, for there was no safe haven left for them. Even the immortals might hunt them down if they ran.

The battlefield between the two nations was vast and chaotic.

Chen Xun, wielding his dual Mountain Splitting Axes, stood in the ranks of the cannon fodder, with Black Ox anxiously by his side.

“To battle!!”

“To battle!!”

...

Outside the camp, dust rolled as warhorses neighed. Soldiers glared sharply at the cannon fodder—anyone who fled would disrupt morale, and entire villages would be punished!

Fear and pain filled the eyes of the conscripts. Wasn’t this just a march to death?

In an instant, the cannon fodder camp descended into chaos, as soldiers drove them forward onto the battlefield.

“Old Ox, attack!”

Chen Xun roared, crouching low on Black Ox’s back as they charged forward!

“Moo moo!”

Black Ox bellowed, charging fearlessly into the fray.

Arrows rained from above, darkening the sky. The shrill sounds of arrows filled the air as they flew down like locusts. One by one, the conscripts fell, pierced by the hail of arrows.