Immortal Divine Tribulation

Chapter 175: Return to the Immortal Island of No Return

No matter where you were, autumn was always the season of harvest. 

Tian Fan walked alone along a country path. Only in such quiet places could he truly calm down.

Watching the people of the mortal world working hard under the blazing sun, harvesting crops in the fields with sweat dripping from their foreheads, he couldn’t help but smile sincerely. 

They were exhausted, but happy.

[The world of cultivators is too cruel. I’d much rather live the life of an ordinary person…]

[Pervert, actually, the mortal world’s life is beautiful too, isn’t it? Working at sunrise, resting at sunset…]

[Hey, Little Tian Tian, my biggest wish is to find someone who loves me. Then I’d stay in a quiet little place with him, watching the sunrise in the morning and counting the stars at night. That would be enough for me…]

Those familiar words felt as though they had been spoken just yesterday. Back then, he had teased her, saying she was far too young to be speaking so seriously. But now…

A sharp pain suddenly struck Tian Fan’s chest. His right hand pressed against his heart as his vision blurred.

“Brother, what’s wrong?”

The little dragon lying on his head sensed it immediately. It stretched its small head down, peering at him with worried eyes.

“It’s nothing. Let’s keep going.”

Tian Fan drew in a deep breath, then cast another glance toward the fields. A young wife was carefully wiping the sweat from her husband’s brow with such tenderness.

“When everything is over… I’ll be able to do the same for you.”

He whispered softly and walked toward the distance.

*****

At the farthest edge of the Northern Region lay a vast sea and a modest port. 

When Tian Fan arrived, he watched the bustle of travelers and busy young sailors. A faint sigh escaped his lips. He had once stood here with that young girl, stepping together onto the Immortal Island of No Return. But now, things had changed—only he remained.

“Sir, where are you heading? Our ships may not be large, but we can take you anywhere you need.”

A friendly sailor came forward to greet him, smiling warmly. He was younger than Tian Fan, his skin tanned dark from years under the sun.

“The Immortal Island of No Return. Just give me a boat.”

Tian Fan pulled out some silver from his robes and handed it over.

The young man’s expression changed instantly. “No, sir! Anywhere else is fine, but not there. It’s too dangerous! Please, don’t go!”

He flatly refused the money, no matter how much Tian Fan offered. Forcing him wasn’t an option either. He couldn’t very well let the little dragon carry him openly—that would draw too much attention.

“What’s wrong, Xiao Li?”

An elderly voice called from the distance. The young man turned and quickly showed a look of respect. “Old Zhu, this guest wants to hire a boat to the Immortal Island of No Return.”

“Old man, how have you been?”

Tian Fan smiled politely at the white-haired elder, who was as kind and amiable as ever—like a loving grandfather. He stepped forward to bow.

“It’s you!”

The old man was briefly surprised before breaking into a smile. “Young man, we meet again. Where’s the young lady who was with you before? Why isn’t she here?”

“She went home. She won’t be coming out for now.”

Tian Fan trembled slightly at the mention, but he forced a smile as he answered.

“Oh? Don’t tell me you made her upset? That girl was a good one. You’d better cherish her. If not, even this old man won’t forgive you.”

He patted Tian Fan’s shoulder firmly, his sharp eyes seeing through the subtle bond between the two. Neither of them had dared break that fragile veil.

“Thank you. I will.”

Tian Fan spoke softly. He explained that he needed to return to the Immortal Island of No Return to retrieve something precious—something she had left behind. 

Though the elder was worried, he understood that Tian Fan was no ordinary person. Since Tian Fan had survived that place once, he reluctantly agreed, arranging a boat and reminding him to be cautious.

Tian Fan thanked him and tried to pay, but the old man refused. In the end, Tian Fan secretly used his divine ability to slip the silver into the man’s pouch.

*****

Now aboard, he guided the boat across the boundless sea with his spiritual sense, heading toward the deadly forbidden zone in the ocean’s depths.

Suddenly, the calm waters surged as a massive sea monster burst from the waves. Its lantern-sized eyes glowed viciously, and it opened a gaping maw to swallow a nearby ship.

“Sea monster! Quick, steer the ship!”

Panic erupted as the sailors screamed in terror, staring at the colossal mouth about to consume them.

Just as Tian Fan was about to act, several massive tentacles rose from the water, wrapping around the beast. A mountain-sized octopus appeared, stalling the monster and buying the sailors enough time to escape.

But their reprieve was brief.

The stronger beast roared furiously, thrashing against the octopus. Waves towered high as the two kings of the sea clashed. Tian Fan sighed and soared into the air—his boat destroyed.

The battle didn’t last long. The octopus was gradually overwhelmed. Though both were beast kings, in human terms, the octopus was only at mid Cloud Heaven, while its opponent was already at the peak. Tentacles tore, blood dyed the sea red.

Then the stronger beast gathered a dark blue energy sphere in its maw, the terrifying power surging out as waves crashed violently.

The octopus’ giant eyes reflected despair. The gap in strength was too great.

But before the killing blow struck, the beast king was blasted backward. 

The octopus blinked in shock. In front of it stood a snow-white human figure—Tian Fan.

The enraged beast king rose again, glaring fiercely. But then its gaze shifted to the little dragon resting atop Tian Fan’s head. Its massive body trembled violently in terror before it collapsed flat on the sea, not daring to move.

Even without releasing a hint of dragon might, the little creature’s innate aura as a divine beast was undeniable, enough to make all beasts bow.

“Go. And never again harm the travelers of these waters.”

Tian Fan spoke calmly. The monster kowtowed repeatedly, retreating with fear. Behind him, the octopus was left dumbstruck. Who exactly was this man, to make a mighty beast king cower without even lifting a hand?

“Brother Octopus, are you alright?”

Tian Fan turned and asked gently. Looking at the massive creature, he even felt a trace of kinship.

The octopus hesitated, then lightly touched him with a tentacle, as though recognizing an old acquaintance.

“I need to reach the Immortal Island of No Return. Can you take me there?”

Tian Fan smiled. The octopus trembled nervously as he stepped onto its back, sending ripples across the sea.

“It’s alright, Brother Octopus. Don’t be afraid.”

Tian Fan reassured it, while the little dragon also sent out a calming thought. 

At once, the enormous body settled down, carrying Tian Fan across the ocean.

Before long, a vast island appeared in Tian Fan’s sight.

“The Immortal Island of No Return… I’ve come once more.”

He stood at the shore, staring ahead. The entire island was perpetually shrouded in thick white mist, as though concealing some earth-shattering secret.