Four Unlike

Chen Song rode Big White into Auspicious Valley, feeling more and more that the place was like an ordinary valley disguised as a "secret realm."

The spirit herbs were as sparse as a bald patch, not even a single spirit bird dared to chirp. Only a faint, elusive aura of peace floated in the air, barely maintaining the facade of a "Kirin Clan outer perimeter outpost."

"Boss, this place?" Big White drooped its ears, its nose still persistently sniffing for the scent of spirit fruits. "It's fine if there are no Ginseng Fruits, but I haven't even seen a wild peach. Did Four Unlike run away from hunger?"

"Can you think of anything other than eating?" Chen Song patted its dog head, about to say something else when his whole body stiffened.

A hidden yet extremely oppressive aura drifted from the depths of the valley, heavier than the pressure from that Demon Saint Feilian before. It was like a water-soaked cotton wad, seemingly soft but actually making one's Primordial Spirit tremble.

Before he could react, two grayish-green shadows darted out from behind a giant rock, holding polished stone spears and shouting, "Who goes there! Trespassing on Kirin Clan territory, are you looking for a fight?"

Chen Song focused his gaze. The two guards were young, half-grown Kirin boys. Their transformed forms still carried a childishness, their scales edged with a tender pink. Their hands, gripping the stone spears, were trembling, yet they forced their voices to be as loud as possible.

Big White was startled by the shout and instinctively tried to hide behind Chen Song. But then it remembered it was the "mount and bodyguard" and forcefully puffed out its chest, baring its teeth at the two youths. "Woof! We're looking for someone! We're not here to steal your measly spirit herbs!"

Hearing "steal spirit herbs," the two youths became even more vigilant. One of them thrust his stone spear forward. "Looking for someone? Who? Our Kirin Clan has been in seclusion for many years and no longer interacts with the outside world!"

"Looking for Four Unlike," Chen Song jumped off Big White's back and slowly took out a duplicate of the Earth Book, shaking it. Just as he was about to say something else, he heard the sound of a staff tapping on the ground from the depths of the valley.

Immediately, a group of figures walked over slowly. The old Kirin leading them wore a faded, earth-yellow Daoist robe. His beard and hair were all white, and he leaned on a staff made of Kirin bone that emanated an ancient spiritual light. He walked slowly, but as his eyes swept over Chen Song, Chen Song suddenly felt a tightening in the back of his neck.

This aura... it was a Quasi-Saint!

Chen Song instantly understood why Feilian had backed down earlier. So this Auspicious Valley, which looked unremarkable, hid a Quasi-Saint powerhouse in its depths! Feilian must have sensed this pressure when he reached the valley entrance and, fearing a beating, had just cursed a couple of times before fleeing. No wonder he had retreated so decisively!

"Little friend, are you from the Three Pure Ones' lineage?"

The old Kirin spoke, his voice hoarse with the passage of time. He tapped his staff again, and Chen Song clearly felt the earth veins beneath his feet tremble.

This was no ordinary staff; it was clearly proof of the Quasi-Saint's power!

"Junior Chen Song, greetings, Clan Leader," Chen Song quickly cupped his hands, inwardly thinking that this old clan leader looked low-key, but he was actually a fierce character who had survived the Three Clan Wars.

"Junior is here on behalf of my Second Martial Uncle Yuanshi to find a mount. I heard that Four Unlike is an anomaly of the Kirin Clan, with a unique origin, fitting my Second Martial Uncle's status perfectly."

This old Kirin was indeed Qiyuan, the current Clan Leader of the Kirin Clan. He had withstood attacks from a Dragon Clan Quasi-Saint during the Three Clan Wars. Although he was severely injured, his Quasi-Saint cultivation remained intact. Upon hearing the name "Yuanshi," his eyes brightened almost imperceptibly.

He tapped his staff on the ground again. "Little friend, you jest. After the Three Clan Wars, our Kirin Clan established a rule to live in seclusion and no longer get involved in the disputes of the Great Wilderness. Although Four Unlike is an anomaly, he is still a disciple of our clan. How can we let him be someone else's mount?"

While his words sounded like a refusal, Chen Song's sharp eyes noticed that several elders behind Qiyuan had quietly pricked up their ears. Even the two youths holding stone spears had forgotten to look fierce, their eyes full of anticipation, as if thinking, "Could this be someone bringing us a backer?"

Clearly, after living in seclusion for too long, they feared the dangers of the outside world while also craving the protection of a powerful figure.

Big White also caught on to something and whispered into Chen Song's ear, "Boss, this old clan leader talks like your Second Martial Uncle. He's putting up a tough front, but he seems to really want it! Why don't you mention the spirit fruits again?"

Chen Song ignored the glutton and turned to smile at Qiyuan. "I understand the Clan Leader's concerns. But think about it, the Kirin Clan is currently severely weakened. Even if you hide in this Auspicious Valley, what if a Demon Saint like Feilian comes knocking one day? With only the juniors in the clan, can you protect the people of Kirin Cliff?"

He specifically mentioned Feilian. As expected, Qiyuan's brow twitched slightly, and the corner of his mouth curled into a faint smile. "That Demon Saint lingered at the valley entrance yesterday. He was quite sensible and didn't dare to take another step forward."

With this statement, Chen Song became even more certain: Feilian was afraid of Qiyuan, the Quasi-Saint, making a move, which was why he didn't dare to pursue them into the valley!

"My Second Martial Uncle Yuanshi is an orthodox descendant of Pangu, personally bestowed the Primordial Violet Qi by the Dao Ancestor. His future attainment of Sainthood is a certainty," Chen Song struck while the iron was hot. "If Four Unlike follows him, it will not only be an honor to the Kirin Clan's origin, but if Kirin Cliff ever faces difficulties in the future, can my Second Martial Uncle stand by and do nothing? You are a Quasi-Saint mighty being, you must know the principle of 'leaning against a big tree for shade.'"

Qiyuan tightened his grip on his staff. How could he not know? After the Three Clan Wars, the Kirin Clan, while seemingly in seclusion, was treading on thin ice. His Quasi-Saint cultivation could deter petty thieves, but it couldn't protect the future of the entire clan. The backing of the Three Pure Ones was more reliable than any secret realm barrier, but he also feared being drawn into conflict again, causing further harm to his clan.

He pondered for a moment and then turned to whisper a few words to the elders behind him, discussing matters such as "whether Yuanshi's potential is sufficient" and "whether it would put the clan members in danger."

Finally, a white-bearded elder nodded. "Clan Leader, the Three Pure Ones are the orthodox lineage of the Mystic Gate. Although Fellow Daoist Yuanshi has not yet proven himself a Saint, he is already a top-tier mighty being in the Great Wilderness. Following him is better than us guarding Kirin Cliff here."

Qiyuan finally relented, his hesitant eyes turning decisive. "Little friend, I have two conditions. First, after Fellow Daoist Yuanshi becomes a Saint, he must allow our Kirin Clan to follow him and relocate to the Kunlun territory. Second, I hope our true ancestral land, Kirin Cliff, can be placed under the protection of Fellow Daoist Yuanshi. However, our clan will retain the right to seclusion and will not participate in external disputes unless absolutely necessary."

Chen Song's heart bloomed with joy – these conditions were practically gifts! Not only did it solve Yuanshi's mount problem, but it also helped the Three Pure Ones win over a clan with a Quasi-Saint as its protector. He quickly patted his chest and guaranteed, "Clan Leader, rest assured! I will agree to these two conditions on behalf of my Second Martial Uncle! From now on, the Kirin Clan will be one of us. With me here, I guarantee no one will dare to bully you!"

Seeing his quick agreement, Qiyuan's face also broke into a smile. He shouted to those behind him, "Summon Four Unlike over!"

Soon, a sturdy young figure came running.

Its head was like a dragon, its body like a tiger, its claws like a lion, its tail like a Kirin, and its scales shimmered with a faint golden light. It was Four Unlike. He scratched his head, looking at Chen Song and Big White with curiosity, especially at Big White, and even took a step back. "This dog looks like it can eat a lot. It's not going to steal the spirit fruits I hid, is it?"

Big White's eyes lit up upon hearing "spirit fruits." "Woof! You have spirit fruits? Where did you hide them? Share some with me!"

Chen Song quickly pulled the two troublemakers aside and tempted Four Unlike. "Don't mind it, it's just a glutton. Come with me to Kunlun Mountain. My Second Martial Uncle Yuanshi has plenty of spirit fruits, you can have as much as you want, and he can teach you cultivation. It's much better than gnawing on wild fruits here in Auspicious Valley."

Four Unlike's eyes lit up. "Are there really endless spirit fruits? And can I learn powerful spells?"

"Of course!" Chen Song pointed to himself. "My Second Martial Uncle is one of the Three Pure Ones. The treasures he has can pile up into mountains. Even giving you one casually would be enough for you to roam the Great Wilderness."

Four Unlike looked back at Qiyuan. Seeing his clan leader nod, and thinking about the spirit fruits and spells, he finally agreed. "Alright! I'll go with you! But if there are no spirit fruits, I'll run back to Kirin Cliff!"

Qiyuan watched this scene and couldn't help but sigh.

In the end, he couldn't resist the temptation of a "powerful backer." But this was good too; the Kirin Clan finally had something to look forward to. He took out a cloth bag from his sleeve and handed it to Chen Song. "This contains spirit fruits, a specialty of Kirin Cliff. Take them back for Fellow Daoist Yuanshi to try. I'll entrust Four Unlike to you. If you have any instructions, feel free to send someone to Kirin Cliff to deliver a message at any time."

Chen Song took the bag and weighed it. It was quite heavy, and he felt even happier. He rode Big White, with Four Unlike following behind, preparing to leave Auspicious Valley. As Big White flew, it snatched a spirit fruit from Four Unlike. "Hey! This one is mine! You're going to Kunlun Mountain, why are you still fighting with me!"

Four Unlike was not to be outdone. "Why is it yours? The Clan Leader gave it, I have a share too!"