Eternal Tale

Chapter 333: A Sudden Strike on the Sea of Oblivion

Hum! Boom!

A thunderous roar tore through the sky above Da Li, echoing across the land like an explosive storm.

All three hundred and sixty prefectures of Da Li trembled as cultivators sprang to life, eyes flashing with renewed energy. Clouds shifted, and the heavens themselves seemed to vibrate with the vast, majestic energy radiating from every corner.

The eighteen major factions, including the three ancient cultivation families and various trading alliances, had suddenly joined forces. Thousands of ships filled the sky, accompanied by an endless wave of cultivators who surged forth from teleportation arrays and descended from the heavens.

It was a vast, boundless sea of cultivators—a seemingly infinite army, their banners filling the horizon, their aura sharp and ominous. Massive clouds of deadly intent covered the sky, striking fear into all who saw them.

These assembled cultivators formed an impenetrable net, a web that spanned the heavens and the earth, aimed at none other than the Sea of Oblivion.

As news spread, the entire realm erupted in disbelief, with countless smaller sects and individual cultivators left wondering. Why had the eighteen great forces suddenly launched an attack on the Sea of Oblivion?

Aside from the Buddhist regions outside Da Li’s territory, the Sea of Oblivion had long held a shroud of mystery. The deep sea was guarded by a maze of ancient islands, natural fortresses that created a formation like an impregnable wall—a place where even a single defender could hold against thousands.

And the region was riddled with natural disasters: firestorms, meteor showers, spatial tears, hurricanes, whirlpools, volcanic eruptions. Such phenomena were so frequent and widespread that no one thought twice about them.

It was known as a place of exile, Da Li’s darkest corner, where even demonic cultivators felt like ordinary mortals in comparison.

One side of the coast was endless land, with Da Li bathed in blue skies, white clouds, and sunshine. On the other side, waves rolled in like mountains, thunderclouds loomed, lightning flashed, and fire raged. Ferocious sea beasts and fearsome birds of prey soared through the skies.

It was as if two worlds clashed at the shore—a pristine land of immortals on one side, a boundless hell on the other. Heaven and hell separated by a single step.

If Da Li were to defend itself from external threats, it would first need to quell the unrest within its own borders.

The forces within the Sea of Oblivion harbored ambitions that stretched beyond their realm, even to the point of seeking Da Li’s conquest. Should a realm-wide conflict arise, these hidden powers wouldn’t hesitate to strike from behind. Da Li could no longer ignore them.

Massive warships filled the sky and set course for the Sea of Oblivion.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The sound of crashing waves thundered against the coastline, echoing like a heartbeat of the land. Fleet after fleet of warships, each radiating powerful auras, crossed Da Li’s eastern coastline and broke into the sea, stirring waves in their wake.

Deep in the heart of the Sea of Oblivion lay nine massive islands, arranged like stars surrounding a central point.

Nascent Soul cultivators on these islands opened their eyes, their immense auras stirring up towering waves, thick clouds, and thunderous natural disasters. Dark clouds, layered upon layers, blocked out the sun in an eternal gloom.

With shock and fury, they gazed toward the distant horizon, shouting, “Da Li cultivators, what is the meaning of this?!”

“We haven’t dealt with you yet, but don’t mistake that for fear. You were never even worth our notice.”

The cold, unyielding voice echoed across the sky as a white-robed woman radiating an aura of boundless power stood before them. “Fellow cultivators, charge!”

At her command, countless figures surged forward, radiant lights bursting from all directions like a celestial river. The nine islands thrummed, waves crashing around them.

Boom! Boom!

A sea of millions of cultivators filled the sky, their murderous aura darkening the heavens, pressing forward like a slow but unstoppable landslide. Suddenly, an ancient array—the Nine Stars Guard—rose over the islands, creating a shimmering barrier.

Hum!

The woman’s eyes narrowed as she took up a long, gleaming sword. With a graceful twirl, she unleashed a mesmerizing display, filling the sky with countless sword auras that coalesced into a massive blade…

“Cut!”

A hundred-meter-long sword, imbued with razor-sharp energy, tore through the sky like a divine strike.

With a single slash, the Nine Stars Guard shuddered, the barrier rippling violently before splitting apart, leaving a wide opening that made every cultivator watching feel a surge of exhilaration.

“Attack!”

“Attack!”

…

The sky turned blood-red as Sea of Oblivion cultivators’ faces twisted in fury. Both sides clashed, erupting in a battle so fierce that the heavens and earth trembled, with waves and torrents raging in all directions.

…

Meanwhile, in the Azure Bamboo Palace of the Spirit Pivot Commerce Association—

Today, the heads of two powerful families… a family of three, to be exact… were gathered.

A middle-aged man sat at the head of the hall, his black eyes gleaming like polished obsidian. Beneath his calm gaze lurked a steely, piercing sharpness.

Beside him stood a graceful, regal woman, her appearance dignified yet serene. Though she was no longer young, her features retained traces of an unparalleled beauty from days past.

“Wei Xihan, times have changed. You can’t just act recklessly with your mere Nascent Soul cultivation. Do you even understand what Corrupted Beings are, or what a true battleground looks like?”

“Child, we’ve given you support in securing the Ten Buddhist States of Da Li, but the War Realm cannot be swayed by personal ambition alone.”

The two spoke with stern resolve as they looked down at the young man kneeling before them—Wei Xihan, fourth disciple of Chan Yin Temple and a prodigy in commerce.

His eyes were bloodshot, his body restrained, unable to move a muscle as he hissed through gritted teeth, “I am no coward, Father! Even if I must wade through a sea of corpses, I’ll face death head-on!”

The middle-aged man’s gaze sharpened as he reproached him. “The forces of Da Li are mobilizing, but our path is still only a lead. If our opening fails, have you thought of the consequences?”

“Only the Bai Li Clan dares to stake everything. If we go and never return, with the path unpaved, your generation will have to carry the weight!”

His booming voice echoed through the hall like a hammer, striking deep into Wei Xihan’s heart. His eyes welled up, and blood seeped from his lips.

The woman placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. “Your father speaks true. Nearly every elder cultivator in Da Li has joined this battle. Only because your generation remains can we march forward without hesitation.”

“We may have had our differences, but know this, Xihan—you are the hope of both our legacies. I hope you’ll heed your father’s words this time.”

Her gaze softened, no longer bearing the pride of a sect leader. Now, she was simply a mother.

The man’s hand trembled slightly as he looked at his only son, his expression cold but unwavering. “Wei Xihan, if you are truly a cultivator—a man—bear the responsibility of both families on your shoulders!”

“Dying nobly… that’s not your role just yet. With countless cultivators depending on us, your life is no longer solely your own. Understand?”

Thud!

Wei Xihan bowed deeply, hot tears streaming silently down his face, his entire frame trembling.

The parents exchanged a silent look; the woman shot a cold glare at her husband, who, slightly embarrassed, dropped his facade of stoic authority—fortunately out of his son’s sight.

The middle-aged man took a deep breath, rose, and walked decisively toward the exit, his wife following without hesitation.

Outside the hall—

A force of hundreds of thousands of cultivators stood in perfect formation, men and women divided into ranks. Deadly auras filled the air, as grand warships hovered above, flags waving and clouds parting.

They looked up at their two leaders with fierce determination. “Greetings to the Family Head! Greetings to the Sect Master!”

“Greetings to the Family Head! Greetings to the Sect Master!”

…

The immense sound rolled far and wide, a show of unwavering power!

Wei Xihan turned to look at the sight outside, his fists clenched, his heart swelling with unspoken resolve.

“Comrades, onward!”

“Yes!!!”

Boom!

The wind roared as warships set sail, carrying cultivators of all ranks. Golden Core and Nascent Soul cultivators surged forth, and from all corners of Da Li, beams of light and columns of magical power shot up into the sky.