The white jade, now imbued with True Spirit, instantly transformed into a three- or four-year-old Daoist boy, who was quite adorable.
Bai Yu is very grateful for your guidance, sir. I will definitely follow you and do my best in the future.
The tender little face spoke slowly in a childlike voice.
Qing Huan smiled and shook his head. This was really too small; he hadn't expected it at all.
Rise! From now on, you will stay by my side as my attendant and watch over Yingzhou Island. Your Daoist name from now on will be Yuan Yu.
He then instructed, "Yuan Yu, Yuan Lian, from now on, you will jointly be responsible for managing the creatures on these three immortal islands."
Qing Huan's kind brows relaxed slightly as he gently stroked Yuan Yu and Yuan Lian's tender cheeks with his fingertips, and said softly:
"Since you are my disciples, if you do not possess any magical powers, are you merely empty names?"
After he finished speaking, two beams of azure light shot out from his sleeves, as fine as silk threads, and quietly merged into the depths of the two children's primordial spirits—that was the imprint of their foundational Daoist methods, and from then on their path of cultivation became clear and bright.
Immediately, Qing Huan flipped his palm, and two spiritual treasures appeared out of thin air.
He handed a precious bow, imbued with the power of wind and thunder, to Yuan Yu: "This is the 'Wind-Thunder Bow,' Top-grade Acquired Spiritual Treasure. Although it is not an innate treasure, its power is no less than that of Innate Spiritual Treasure."
Take it and study it carefully; do not waste its spiritual essence.
Yuan Yu accepted it with both hands, her little face flushed, her eyes sparkling with sincerity:
Many thanks for your kindness, Master! Yuan Yu will certainly devote himself to cultivation and never forget to repay your kindness in this lifetime!
Those innocent words were resounding, revealing a pure and unwavering determination.
Qing Huan smiled and turned her gaze to Yuan Lian.
With a slight flutter of his sleeves, a delicate jade box slowly appeared, its surface shimmering with spiritual light, seemingly containing countless mysteries.
Yuan Lian, this treasure is called the "Myriad Treasure Box". It was transformed from the Treasure Distribution Cliff when I was listening to the Dao at the Purple Cloud Palace many years ago.
Aside from Innate Supreme Treasure and rare treasures of the Heavenly Dao, all other spiritual treasures, once revealed, will be collected into its box without any cost.
I'm giving this to you today for self-defense.
Yuan Lian respectfully accepted it. The moment her fingertips touched the jade box, an indescribable joy welled up in her heart—the power of this Supreme Acquired Spiritual Treasure was almost no different from that of Innate Supreme Treasure!
Beside him, Yuan Yu quietly pouted, and the Wind-Thunder Bow in his hand suddenly paled in comparison.
Her pitiful gaze fell upon her senior sister's treasure box, filled with envy.
Seeing this, Qing Huan could only shake his head and chuckle, thinking to himself: After all, he is a child he has nurtured; his childlike nature is hard to hide.
Then he took out a dark, gleaming chain-like magical Magic Treasure and handed it to Yuan Yu:
Fine, seeing your state, I will bestow upon you the 'Black Dragon Lock,' Top-grade Acquired Spiritual Treasure.
The Wind-Thunder Bow excels in offense but lacks defense; this lock can protect you completely.
Yuan Yu was both surprised and apprehensive:
Master, Yuan Yu dares not be greedy... One treasure is enough.
Qing Huan, however, refused to give an answer:
Take it if I give it to you; in the path of cultivation, one must be proficient in both offense and defense.
Yuan Yu then carefully put it away, afraid of displeasing the master.
Qing Huan flicked his sleeve and gave the instructions:
Alright, you two should go and explore the island, but remember not to disturb any living creatures. When you have free time, return to the Chuyuan Palace to cultivate in peace, and do not slack off.
The three celestial islands, vast and serene, have always been neglected. Now, with the arrival of these two intelligent children, they have gained a touch of vitality to this Blessed Land.
Watching the two little figures skip away joyfully, Qing Huan turned and stepped into the Chuyuan Palace. The palace doors closed silently— the Great Dao is profound and mysterious; it was time to go into seclusion and comprehend it.
Qilin Cliff, the Ancestral Land of the Qilin Clan, where they have existed since ancient times.
At this moment, a chilling atmosphere permeated the cliff top, and the auspicious clouds that usually lingered around seemed to freeze.
The Fire Qilin Clan Chief's urgent summons of the entire clan was like a thunderclap, shattering the millennia-long tranquility of this place—such a large-scale gathering had been extinct since the Dragon-Han Calamity that shook the heavens and earth.
At the center of the cliff top, the supreme being of the Qilin Clan sat majestically:
The current patriarch, symbolizing the clan's destiny and bloodline, is the imposing and majestic Fire Qilin, along with the four elders who assist the clan's destiny and govern the Innate Five Elements Origin: the Golden Qilin, the Wood Qilin, the Water Qilin, and the Earth Qilin.
The five supreme beings had their eyes closed, their auras as deep and profound as the ocean, as if they were one with the Qilin Cliff beneath their feet, which bore the scars of the Primordial Wilderness.
An invisible pressure enveloped the entire area, causing the thousands of the Qilin Clan gathered below to hold their breath and concentrate. Even if they had countless questions and anxieties, they dared only keep them churning in their hearts and dared not utter a sound.
"Clan leader, elders, all members of our clan, those whose bloodline extends to us, have arrived."
The steward, who was standing by, bowed and reported, his voice unusually clear in the deathly silence.
The Fire Qilin was the first to open its crimson-gold eyes, its sharp gaze seemingly able to pierce through the void, sweeping over its clansmen below.
Immediately afterwards, the other four elders also slowly opened their eyes, and in an instant, the invisible aura surged like a tangible tide.
All the Qilin below, regardless of their cultivation level, lowered their heads and even breathed cautiously. The slight commotion from before had completely subsided, leaving only the whistling of the mountain wind passing through the ancient cliffs.
"Today, we summon all our bloodlines to Ancestral Land."
The Fire Qilin's voice was deep and resonant, like molten lava surging from the depths of the earth, each syllable striking the hearts of its people.
"For one momentous matter concerning the survival, rise and fall, honor and disgrace of our Qilin Clan!"
If this succeeds, it may shake the boundless Karma Shackles that have plagued our race for millennia, like a malignant tumor clinging to our bones!
"Wha... what? Reduce... karma?!"
A young voice, trembling with disbelief, suddenly broke the deathly silence.
"Clan leader... you... you're not joking, are you? That's a curse that even... even the Primordial Qilin Ancestor couldn't break! Without immeasurable Merit, how can karma be reduced so easily..."
This question, like a pebble thrown into a deep pool, instantly stirred similar ripples in the eyes of countless Qilin.
"Presumptuous!"
A chilling shout suddenly rang out, sweeping across the entire area like a polar icy current.
The elder, the Water Qilin, seated on the left, had a grim expression, his eyes flashing with cold light, and his terrifying pressure instantly locked onto the young Qilin who had spoken.
"How dare you juniors interfere with the clan chief's decree?"
"Go to the desolate, cold abyss and reflect on your mistakes for a Kalpa!"
A chilling killing intent filled the air, causing the young Qilin to tremble as if he had fallen into an ice cave. The surrounding clansmen were even more silent, their eyes filled with complicated emotions as they looked at the unfortunate scapegoat.
"Alright, third brother."
A gentle, mellow voice rang out, carrying a comforting power. The elder, Golden Qilin, spoke up, a helpless smile on his face.
"Today is an auspicious day for our people to seek liberation; why unleash such thunderous rage?"
Turn downwards.
"The clan chief's words carry immense weight; they are not child's play."
"Snort!"
The Water Qilin snorted coldly, glanced at the Golden Qilin, and ultimately suppressed its anger; today was indeed extraordinary.
The Fire Qilin's gaze swept over the terrified clansmen below, its tone softening slightly, yet still carrying an undeniable air of authority:
"Very well, I am quite pleased today. As for this child's doubts, let him be punished as the Third Elder has decreed. If it were any other day..."
The chilling undertones in his unfinished words sent a shiver down the spines of all the Qilin, realizing that their patriarch's state of mind was indeed different today.