Chen Song tossed a handful of pine nuts to Big White. Big White leaped up excitedly, caught them with precision, and crunched them loudly. He spun in circles with delight, his mouth full as he flattered Chen Song, "Woo woo! Delicious! The pine nuts Elder Brother gives me are the best! They smell ten thousand times better than that stupid cow!"
Kui Ox: "I@#￥%...!"
"Alright, alright, Big White. Hurry up and grow bigger. I want to ride a dog!"
Kui Ox looked at Chen Song pitifully, as if saying, Young Master, isn't this old ox good enough to ride? You're abandoning me already?
Chen Song gave a dry cough. "Ahem, mainly because once you go back, you'll be Martial Uncle Tongtian's mount. It wouldn't be appropriate for me to ride you, right?"
Big White was all fluffy and looked incredibly soft. Then he looked at Kui Ox's bare back. Only an idiot would choose that!
"You got it, Elder Brother! I guarantee I'll be ten thousand times more comfortable than that hard cow back! Woof!" Big White shot Kui Ox a smug glance.
Then he drew in a deep breath. His already round body rapidly swelled like a balloon, soon becoming a full size larger than Kui Ox's battle form. He floated low in the air like an enormous, fluffy white cloud.
Chen Song gave a light hop and sank into the thick, soft, warm fur on Big White's back. It felt so good that he nearly moaned.
"Whoa-ho-ho! This feeling! Yes! This is the feel! So damn refreshing!" Chen Song rolled around on Big White's back, found the most comfortable position, and sprawled there. Then he grabbed another handful of pine nuts, cracking one for himself and tossing another into the air ahead.
Kui Ox instinctively opened his mouth and caught it. He chewed it. Mm, it really was delicious. The food immediately soothed much of his little grievance.
"Big White, open up!"
"Awoo~" Big White accurately caught the tossed pine nut and chewed even more happily, his tail spinning like a windmill. "Thank you, Elder Brother! Elder Brother is the best! Woof!"
A crimson auspicious cloud sped through the sky. Reclining on it was a Daoist in a bright red robe, with a kindly face and a somewhat lazy smile.
Daoist Hongyun spotted the strange combination of "black and white" plus "sprawled out on a cloud" from far away.
Leading the way was a pitch-black, one-legged Kui Ox, leaping through the air with wind and lightning around him while munching on snacks with his head down.
Behind him floated a gigantic, fluffy beast like a white cloud, with a green-robed Daoist leisurely cracking pine nuts on its back.
From time to time, pine nuts were tossed from the white cloud and landed precisely in the black ox's mouth ahead, forming a bizarre feeding line.
Chen Song lay on Big White's incomparably soft back, feeling the breeze on his face, eating snacks, admiring the scenery, listening to Big White's occasional flattery and Kui Ox crunching pine nuts. He felt that life in the primordial wilderness could not be any more pleasant.
Curiosity piqued, Hong Yun urged his auspicious cloud closer, wanting to see which fellow Daoist was so good at enjoying life.
Kui Ox was hurrying along with his head down while catching snacks when he suddenly noticed someone blocking the way ahead. His bovine eyes widened at once.
He had just been bullied by Big White and had nearly fallen out of favor, so he was still holding in a lot of frustration. Now that someone had approached, his urge to protect his master—and food—flared up. He wanted to show off in front of the Young Master!
"Moo! What fellow Daoist dares block my Young Master's path? Take a kick from your Grandpa Ox!"
With a roar, Kui Ox forgot all about the pine nut in his mouth. Wind and lightning surged around him once more, thunderlight gathering around his single leg as he prepared to kick at Hong Yun!
Daoist Hongyun was briefly stunned by the sudden attack, then chuckled. "Oh my, what a fiery-tempered little ox!"
He did not even rise. He merely flicked his sleeve casually. Though the gesture seemed light, an irresistible yet gentle force poured forth like a vast sea of clouds, effortlessly wrapping around Kui Ox's fierce wind-and-lightning strike and dissolving it into nothing.
What was more, the cloud energy continued onward, wrapping around Kui Ox's enormous body and lightly pushing him away like a ball. He spun through the air several times before stopping in a dizzy mess. He was unhurt, but he looked thoroughly pathetic.
"Moo???"
Kui Ox lay sprawled on the ground, his bovine brain a little muddled. What was going on today? First he had been bounced away by that fat white guy, and now he had been toyed with by a cloud? The primordial wilderness was far too dangerous!
"Tsk, old ox, old ox. Why did you have to provoke him?"
Chen Song propped himself up on Big White's back and helplessly rubbed his forehead.
He had recognized Hong Yun long ago. Hong Yun might have been known as a nice guy, but his strength was unquestionably that of a top-tier mighty expert. Wasn't Kui Ox just asking to be beaten?
Daoist Hongyun smiled at Chen Song on Big White's back and was just about to speak when his gaze fixed on Chen Song's face. He examined him closely for a moment.
"I was wondering who had such amusing mounts and... uh... a pet ox. So it was you, Little Pine Tree! It's been a thousand years, and you've actually gathered such a crew? Interesting, interesting!"
Chen Song also smiled and cupped his hands. "Senior Hong Yun, have you been well? My foolish ox failed to recognize greatness and offended you. I hope you will be magnanimous."
"No matter, no matter. This ox has a straightforward temperament. He's rather interesting."
Hong Yun waved it off without caring in the slightest. His gaze shifted to Big White, especially when he saw Big White's incredibly comfortable fur and those curious black-bean eyes.
Hong Yun laughed. "This white dog is even more extraordinary. Fellow Daoist, you truly have great fortune!"
The moment Big White heard someone praising him—and a mighty expert at that—he immediately perked up. His sycophantic nature surfaced as he wagged his tail and scooted closer.
He looked eagerly at Hong Yun. "Woof woof! Senior, you truly have a keen eye! Little White doesn't have many talents, but I'm handsome and my fur is soft! Would Senior like to come up and have a seat? It's very comfortable! As long as... as long as you give me something tasty!" As he spoke, he slurped up some drool.
Anyone stronger than him was Little White's superior; anyone weaker was Lord White's inferior! As for Chen Song, it did not matter what he called him. Where there was milk, there was his mother!
Hong Yun burst into laughter at this living treasure, finding the whole group incredibly amusing.
He had always been free-spirited and uninhibited. Seeing this, he did not stand on ceremony. With a flash, he landed lightly on Big White's back beside Chen Song and comfortably stroked the fur beneath him.
"Mm! It really is soft! It's even more comfortable than my Cloud Bed!"
Big White sensed the unfathomable yet gentle aura around Hong Yun, as well as... the faint fragrance of some Spirit Fruit that made his mouth water. His tail wagged even faster.
Hong Yun looked at Chen Song and smiled. "Boy Pine Tree, where are you headed?"
Chen Song shrugged. "Just wandering around. No particular destination."
Hong Yun's eyes lit up. "Perfect! Why not come with me to Wuzhuang Temple for a visit? He has plenty of Ginseng Fruit there! His fruit is among the finest delicacies in the primordial wilderness!"
In truth, Hong Yun wanted to play with those little things Chen Song had played with alongside the ancestral shamans in Purple Cloud Palace! But he would never admit it. It would be beneath his dignity!
"Ginseng Fruit?!" Before Chen Song could speak, Big White abruptly raised his head. His black-bean eyes went round, and drool poured out with a splash, instantly soaking a patch of his fur.
"Is that the super fragrant fruit Elder Brother took out and ate before?! Woof woof woof! I want to go! Elder Brother, let's go! We have to go!"
He even ignored the fact that two Big Bosses were sitting on him. He twisted his huge body and started rolling about coquettishly. "Let's go, let's go! Elder Brother! Senior Hong Yun! Take me with you! I'll be your dog for the rest of my life! Woof!"
Chen Song was tempted as well. Ginseng Fruit! Although Hong Yun had given him a few before, who would ever complain about having too many? Besides, he could visit the legendary Wuzhuang Temple!
He forced himself to remain calm and smiled as he cupped his hands toward Hong Yun. "I am quite fond of Senior Zhenyuanzi's Ginseng Fruit as well. Since Senior has so graciously invited me, I would be rude to refuse. I'll gladly accept your hospitality."
Hong Yun was even happier when they agreed, pleased to have company on the road.
Looking at Big White drooling a river beneath him, Hong Yun found it amusing. He took another plump, pink, lifelike fruit shaped like an infant from his sleeve and casually tossed it to Big White. "Look at how greedy you are! Here, have one and taste it!"
Big White let out an excited howl and caught the Ginseng Fruit precisely. Without even looking at it, he swallowed it in one bite. After chewing twice, his fur seemed to become even more crystalline and lustrous. He narrowed his eyes in bliss, letting out happy whimpers.
"Woo woo woo! Delicious! So delicious! Thank you, Uncle Hong Yun! Uncle Hong Yun is even more generous than my Elder Brother! Woof woof!"
Chen Song: ???
Bro? You're a dog! Where's your loyalty?
After swallowing the fruit, Big White's motivation instantly exploded. Without needing any urging, he proactively changed direction and shouted, "Hold on tight, everyone! Destination: Wuzhuang Temple! Super Big White Express, setting off! Woof woof woof!"
Carrying Chen Song and Hong Yun, he eagerly raced toward Wuzhuang Temple under Hong Yun's guidance. He was astonishingly fast, transforming into a streak of white light.
Kui Ox, forgotten where he stood: "..."
(Anyone reading?)
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