Eternal Tale

Chapter 363: The Floating Island, Lichen

Two months passed, and radiant sunlight bathed the sea. Everywhere, crystalline water mist shimmered in the air, and rainbows arched like magical bridges across the horizon. The skies were filled with the resounding echoes of breaking winds.

The torch emitted a faint vibration.

At the edge of the Boundary-Breaking Ship, Mo Fuyang abruptly opened his eyes, pulling out a timing artifact from his storage ring. Two months had passed.

Two months?!

Mo Fuyang’s expression shifted to shock. Traveling from the garbage island to Lichen Island on a standard flying shuttle would take at least seventy to eighty years. He had prepared for an extended journey, meditating to conserve energy and time.

He never expected to arrive so quickly—the speed was terrifying.

The seniors were already standing at the head of the boat, silent and still, like statues carved from ice.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Mo Fuyang rose slowly, his gaze shifting toward the horizon. His expression trembled, and his body shivered as an overwhelming sight unfolded before him.

A colossal landmass hovered above the sea, its underside composed of jet-black rock. Under the piercing sunlight, the surface radiated an almost metallic sharpness.

The island’s underside absorbed massive amounts of seawater, cascading down in torrents. The water mist was so dense it obscured visibility, creating an oppressive black canopy that seemed to sever the ocean from the sky.

The edges of the floating landmass extended far beyond what the eye could see. It defied the traditional concept of an island, resembling a continent suspended in the air.

Beneath the landmass, bioluminescent marine life thrived in the shadowed, glowing blue waters. The surface of the sea mirrored a vast celestial expanse, alive with an array of aquatic creatures.

Hundreds of enormous water channels connected the sea to the island’s interior. These channels acted as aquatic highways, accelerating the ascent of countless ships. Each vessel burst upward like a shooting star, leaving trails of crystalline water droplets before vanishing into the mist.

Onboard these vessels were diverse beings, some humanoid and others marine, their array of forms dazzling the eye.

Roar! Roar!

Above the island’s edge, a wave of unparalleled pressure swept through the air. Hundreds of massive dragons soared into view, their bodies stretching over a hundred feet in length, exuding raw power. They crossed the island’s boundary, their colossal shadows rippling across the sea.

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From a bird’s-eye view:

The floating island’s size rivaled the entirety of the Eastern Cultivation Realm. Spiritual veins scattered across the land spewed rich spiritual energy into the air.

This was Lichen, one of the neutral floating islands of the Mengmu Sea Domain.

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Onboard the Break Boundary Boat:

Chen Xun and his companions exchanged astonished glances. Words seemed to fail them as their expressions froze in awe. Moments ago, they had witnessed the legendary flood dragons with their own eyes.

And now, before them was an entire floating island—an unimaginable wonder. Their minds struggled to process it.

“Incredible...”

“Moo?”

Brother Ox snapped out of his daze, nodding in agreement. “Moo!”

Sister Crane, seated on Xiao Chi’s back, gaped in wonder. Xiao Chi’s fiery mane bristled with excitement as he trembled. Flood dragons! Such creatures didn’t exist in their small realm.

“Comrades, onward,” Chen Xun finally said, his voice laced with excitement. “Let’s step onto this island. It’s time to truly broaden our horizons.”

The Boundary-Breaking Ship was modest in comparison to the other vessels crowding the water channels. Many of the larger ships, spanning hundreds of feet, were architectural marvels that doubled as mobile cultivation abodes.

In the small realm, their boat might have been remarkable. Here, it seemed plain.

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Buzz—

The Boundary-Breaking Ship revealed its form and glided toward one of the water channels.

The skies were filled with a swarm of flying treasure ships and massive fleets, their hums of motion blending into a symphony of activity. Against the backdrop of the floating island, they resembled a hive of bees.

As expected, none of the cultivators spared them a glance. Without a faction emblem on their boat, they were of no interest. However, the air was thick with the aura of many Nascent Soul and Deity Transformation Stage cultivators.

Chen Xun and his companions gazed around in excitement, soaking in every detail. Mo Fuyang, however, was drenched in cold sweat. The sheer number of powerful auras left him unnerved.

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Rumble—

The Boundary-Breaking Ship hit the waterway, and a formation activated, propelling it upward at astonishing speed. The vessel surged through veils of mist and refracted rainbows.

“Big Brother, look! It’s beautiful!” Sister Crane exclaimed, nearly leaning out to touch a shimmering rainbow arc.

“Moo!” Brother Ox dashed across the deck, his gaze fixed on the formations within the water channels. “Moo-moo!”

The intricate fusion of spiritual energy and formations captivated him. The waterways seemed alive, their flow orchestrated by powerful formation masters.

“Brother Xun... we need to stay low-key,” Xiao Chi whispered, pressing close. “I just spotted banners from several major factions. And did you see those sea folk with tridents? Are they going fishing?”

Chen Xun nodded seriously. “It’s possible. Perhaps they’re traders dealing in seafood. With such a vast sea domain, fisheries must be a thriving industry.”

“Brilliant insight, Brother Xun!” Xiao Chi exclaimed. “Those sea folk looked fierce, though. They must catch a lot of fish.”

The two continued their earnest discussion, oblivious to how their words might provoke outrage. If the sea folk overheard, they would likely seethe with fury at being reduced to mere fishermen.

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Half an hour later:

The boat reached Lichen Island. As they stepped onto the island, their view expanded dramatically. A fragrant breeze filled the air, and radiant light illuminated the surroundings.

The sea encircled the island, its surface dotted with hundreds of smaller isles. Each housed grand structures brimming with ancient elegance, exuding an aura of heritage and sophistication.

These smaller isles held the island’s transportation hubs, their towering teleportation halls marked with ethereal inscriptions. These characters, formed of pure energy, adapted to each viewer’s native language—a marvel of cultivation ingenuity.

Here, men and women stood outside the halls, distributing free maps of Lichen Island. Each map included detailed information, guiding newcomers through the island’s intricacies.

Above, massive circular arrays hung in the sky, glowing with a silver-blue hue. These arrays occasionally distorted, signaling the arrival or departure of massive transport ships. Meanwhile, two colossal gray pillars loomed in the distance, separated widely yet exuding a palpable sense of authority. Between them, another spatial array pulsed, swallowing fleets whole in an instant.

Even closer, rugged and towering spiritual mountains stretched endlessly, their peaks forming a natural barricade.

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Chen Xun and his companions stood in stunned silence. Their prior experiences paled in comparison to the grandeur of this new realm.

“Old Ox,” Chen Xun finally said.

“Moo?”

“Take us to the busiest area. Let’s head to Hunyuan Immortal City.”

“Moo~” Brother Ox’s nostrils flared with excitement. He activated the formations, and the Boundary-Breaking Ship rose smoothly, charting a course toward the island’s bustling core.

Sister Crane’s eyes sparkled as her black dress fluttered gently. Her lips curved into an exuberant smile, reflecting the day’s boundless beauty.

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