Yuanshi: Senior Disciple Nephew, You Can't Show Favoritism!

Chen Song stabilized his newly broken-through Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm. He felt refreshed, his magical power surging endlessly, and his perception of the laws of heaven and earth had become more than ten times clearer!

He reveled in this newfound power, feeling as if the tide of Qiantang River had arrived, and today he finally knew who he truly was!

Bah!

In short, it felt great!

He glanced at the Green Ox and Kui Niu, who were obediently lying in the corner of the courtyard, appearing unusually well-behaved due to the pressure from the several great figures. Oh, and there were still important matters to attend to!

His eyes darted around, and a fawning smile spread across his face as he bowed to the Three Pure Ones:

"Master, honored Martial Uncles, during my recent travels, besides a slight improvement in my cultivation, I also stumbled upon some... hmm... minor opportunities." He deliberately spoke vaguely.

Laozi didn't even lift his eyelids, as if he had already seen through everything. Tongtian, being impatient, asked curiously, "Oh? What good treasures has Senior Disciple Nephew obtained now? Hurry and show us! Are it these two oxen? They are quite good. Is that dog also one?"

Chen Song cleared his throat and first walked to Laozi's side, pointing at the indigo-colored, single-horned, pure white Sacred Water Green Ox.

He said solemnly, "Master, you are the head of the Three Pure Ones. This Primordial Wilderness exotic beast, the Green Ox, has steady footing, prefers tranquility, and can control all waters. It aligns perfectly with your Dao realm of non-action, supreme goodness like water. So, I'm letting it be your mount, what do you think?"

Upon hearing this, the Green Ox quickly stood up and nuzzled gently against Laozi's leg with its large head, lowering its massive head and touching the ground with its single horn, letting out a low and respectful "Moo." The pure water spiritual energy emanating from it indeed seemed to subtly resonate with Laozi's unfathomable aura.

Laozi's gaze swept over the Green Ox, then at Chen Song, who wore an expression of "Praise me quickly." His face remained as placid as a still pond, but he nodded slightly and uttered a single word: "Good." This was considered acceptance. He flicked his sleeve, and a beam of pure light enveloped the Green Ox, marking it as belonging to the Taiqing lineage.

A weight lifted from Chen Song's heart. Master was settled! He immediately turned to Tongtian, his smile becoming even more radiant: "Third Martial Uncle! Your temperament is bold and your sword qi pierces the heavens. Look at this Kui Niu, an exotic beast from the Thunder Marsh, accompanied by wind and thunder, incredibly fast, and possessing immense power! Disciple Nephew believes this ox is a perfect match for you, Third Martial Uncle! I specifically sought it out for you!"

When the Kui Niu heard itself being introduced, it immediately raised its head and chest proudly. Its single leg crackled with thunderous light, and it let out a thunderous bellow, appearing majestic and full of fighting spirit, truly complementing Tongtian's sharp and prominent demeanor.

Tongtian's eyes lit up, and he burst into laughter, "Good! Good! Senior Disciple Nephew, you truly understand me! This Kui Niu looks so spirited! Much more interesting than those flimsy auspicious clouds! From now on, when I go out to fight... er, discuss Dao, I'll ride it!" He happily patted the Kui Niu's neck, and a beam of Shangqing immortal light entered the Kui Niu's body, instantly completing the recognition of its master.

Chen Song's heart bloomed with joy. Two major tasks accomplished! He secretly glanced at Yuanshi, who stood beside them. This Second Martial Uncle was expressionless, merely watching him quietly. His gaze was calm, yet it inexplicably put Chen Song under pressure, as if saying, "Continue, I'm watching."

Silence fell upon the courtyard for a moment. Big White looked at the Green Ox beside Laozi, then at the Kui Niu beside Tongtian, and then at Yuanshi standing alone. The dog's brain whirred, as if it understood something. It covered its mouth with its paw and let out a muffled chuckle, "Pfft."

Wait! It seemed to think of another possibility. No way?

It didn't want to be a mount for Chen Song's fierce-looking Second Martial Uncle!

Tongtian also reacted, winking at Chen Song and then at Yuanshi, looking like he was enjoying a good show.

Chen Song's scalp tingled. Gritting his teeth, he rubbed his hands together and said to Yuanshi with a forced laugh, "Second Martial Uncle... this... Disciple... Disciple..."

Yuanshi finally spoke, his voice flat, revealing no hint of emotion, but each word struck Chen Song's heart like a tiny hammer: "Senior Disciple Nephew, your filial piety this time is truly commendable. The mounts you found for your Master and my third brother are also quite good." He paused, his gaze sweeping over the Green Ox and Kui Niu, finally settling on Chen Song.

He slowly said, "However, Senior Disciple Nephew, with your arrangements, do you perhaps feel... that Second Martial Uncle and I are only suitable for riding a dog? Or perhaps, in your heart, Second Martial Uncle and I are only meant to walk?"

At these words, even Laozi slightly turned his head, while Tongtian was shaking with suppressed laughter. The air was filled with a faint awkwardness and... jealousy?

Chen Song felt like crying. He knew this would happen! He quickly explained, "Second Martial Uncle, you misunderstand! How could your disciple have such intentions! You are the legitimate descendant of Pangu, the Jade Pure Daoist Master, your virtue matches heaven and earth. Your disciple's admiration for you is as endless as Buzhou Mountain..."

"Get to the point," Yuanshi interrupted his flattery calmly.

Chen Song swallowed, his mind racing. He quickly said, "Second Martial Uncle, please let me explain! It's not that your disciple favors one over the other, it's just that... it's just that ordinary mounts simply wouldn't catch your eye!"

"Think about it, you value origin and foundation the most, and you emphasize rules and propriety. Look at that stupid dog. Setting aside everything else, it's covered in fur, has horns, and hatches from eggs – it possesses all of them! How could it be worthy of being your mount?"

Polite Big White: You talking about me?

As he spoke, he observed Yuanshi's expression. Seeing that he didn't seem displeased, but rather nodded slightly.

Feeling a little relieved, he continued, "Disciple thought long and hard and decided that only a spiritual being with a pure origin, born innately, and most compatible with your Jade Pure immortal arts, would barely be qualified to serve as your mount!"

"However, such spiritual beings are rare and can only be encountered by chance. Although your disciple searched far and wide during this journey, I have not yet found one that completely meets your requirements... Therefore, I was temporarily unable to prepare one for you."

"But your disciple guarantees! In the future, I will pay even more attention and be sure to find a unique mount worthy of your status!"

This speech was both flattering and highlighted Yuanshi's "high standards," while also attributing the failure to find a mount to "excessively high requirements," making it flawless.

Yuanshi listened and remained silent for a moment. He naturally knew that Chen Song's words contained some element of sophistry, but he found them pleasing to hear. Especially Chen Song's emphasis on his "valuing origin and foundation" and "emphasizing rules." This indeed struck a chord with him. Compared to a beast with a mixed aura, he indeed preferred to choose a spiritual being with a unique origin that aligned with the Jade Pure Dao Charm.

After a while, Yuanshi let out a soft hum, his expression considerably softened. "Hmph, at least you have some insight. In that case, this matter will be noted for now. If there is an opportunity in the future, we can discuss it further." Although he still held a slight grievance, he had clearly accepted this explanation.

Chen Song immediately breathed a sigh of relief and quickly assured him, "Second Martial Uncle, rest assured! Your nephew will definitely keep this in mind at all times!"

Tongtian watched from the side, amused. He leaned over and put an arm around Chen Song's shoulder. "Haha, Senior Disciple Nephew, your mouth! You can talk the dead into the living! But don't worry, my Second Brother is just cold on the outside and warm on the inside. He won't truly hold it against you!"

Laozi also spoke calmly, "Mounts are merely external things. Cultivation is fundamental; do not slacken."

Chen Song repeatedly agreed, but in his heart, he pondered: It seems finding a mount for Second Martial Uncle is indeed something I need to put some effort into... The Nine Dragon Agarwood Carriage? That seems to be the signature of Lord of the Beginning Yuanshi later on. Where would I find nine Dragon-King-level dragons to pull a carriage now? Alas, the road ahead is long!

Chen Song remembered that among the Twelve Golden Immortals, there was True Person Huang Long! If he made him pull a carriage for his Master in the future, he would probably be very willing, right?

However, Second Martial Uncle's standards seem to conflict with Third Martial Uncle's philosophy. Tongtian Martial Uncle's Intercepting Sect is a mixed bag, with all sorts of people from all walks of life. This is problematic, I need to find a way!