Zixiao Palace, Heavenly Dao, Controllable?

In Purple Heaven Palace, Hongjun consulted with the Heavenly Dao, asking, "Heavenly Dao, how did Dijun suddenly Achieve Sainthood? Is the current situation controllable?"

The Heavenly Dao confidently replied, "It's controllable. Taiyi gave his Primordial Violet Qi to Dijun. It's fine. The Witch Clan still has hidden cards. Looking at it now, the two clans are perfectly balanced."

Hongjun nodded secretly, thinking, "This is good. As long as it's controllable, that's good." Then, Hongjun continued to ask the Heavenly Dao, "What should we do now?"

The Heavenly Dao pondered for a moment and said, "Since Tongtian has already Achieved Sainthood first, find a way to sow discord among the Three Pure Ones. Their relationship cannot be too good. After all, the three of them are manifestations of Pangu's Primordial Spirit, and their potential is not weak."

Hongjun nodded and began to scheme. What the Heavenly Dao sought was nothing more than balance. If only one sect had a Saint, it would be a monopoly, which the Heavenly Dao naturally wouldn't allow. Prosperity leads to decline. It seemed that after the Witch-Demon tribulation, the Intercepting Sect wouldn't fare well either.

On the other side, a System message echoed in Xuanxiao's mind: "Ding, Nuwa's creation of humans is imperative. A mission is issued: Mold earth to create humans and assist Nuwa. Mission reward: One Phoenix Supreme Sword."

Xuanxiao was speechless. "So busy? What kind of treasure is the Phoenix Sword? Can I wait until Zhen Yuanzi's wedding is over?"

"Yes, it's only a few days away. Recently, I think you can go find mounts for the Three Pure Ones. At least get acquainted," the System replied casually.

"Uh, do these small details really matter? I always feel like, whether I give them mounts or not, my eldest uncle and second uncle won't make a move against me. After all... they can't beat me now." Xuanxiao replied silently, then went to help his elders find mounts.

This time, finding mounts went exceptionally smoothly. Do you know why? Because the System provided the exact coordinates. Thus, Xuanxiao first arrived at Golden Dou Mountain and saw a Unicorn Rhinoceros. He went up and started talking to it, saying, "Divine Beast, Si, you're not an ordinary rhinoceros. You're powerful. I'll give you a chance for fortune, do you want it?"

The Si grunted, "Uh, no. I'm quite happy staying here by myself. I know you, Xuan Emperor of the Heavenly Court. Don't think about making me go to heaven to be a general. That stuff is too dangerous."

Xuanxiao said, "It's as if you're not in danger by hiding? Think about it, what if you're caught by the Witch Clan? You'll become a pot of beef stew. It's better to follow me."

The Si shook his head and said, "What's so good about following you?"

Xuanxiao asked, "Do you know about Saints? Follow me, and you can become a Saint's mount. Not bad, right?"

The Si looked disdainful. "If you want to be a mount, you be one. I won't. What are the benefits of being a Saint's mount?"

Xuanxiao was speechless and threw a punch. "I said you have to be one, so you have to be one. Otherwise, I'll kill you and stew you right now. Are you going or not?"

The Si looked helpless. "Fine, I'll listen to you. The treatment for a Saint's mount should be good. I'll go with you. However, Xuan Emperor, remember this. When I cultivate successfully in the future, I will return this punch."

Xuanxiao curled his lips, thinking, "You? Return a punch to me? Keep cultivating. You don't even know the gap between us right now. By the time you do, you won't have this idea anymore." With that thought, Xuanxiao nodded and headed to the next stop.

Not long after, at Liubo Mountain, East Sea, two oxen were butting heads. One of them had only one foot and was named Kui, belonging to the thunder beast clan. The other was named Kui Niu, a large water buffalo with an Eight Trigrams symbol carved on its head, exactly like the legendary mount of Master Tongtian.

Xuanxiao was overjoyed. While they were butting heads, he struck them both on the neck with a hand chop, knocking them unconscious. He put them directly into the Qian Kun Bag and headed back to Kunlun Mountain.

Not long after, on Kunlun Mountain, in Taiqing Palace, Xuanxiao said to Laozi, "Eldest Uncle, I've brought you a mount. Look at this Si, doesn't it suit your aesthetic?"

Laozi looked at the Unicorn Rhinoceros before him and grew fonder of it the more he looked. He casually fed it a Golden Elixir. The Si directly advanced from Taiyi Peak to Grand Unity, overjoyed. He thought, "So I'm meant to be Laozi's mount. Taiqing Saint, unparalleled in the Dao of Alchemy. Following Master from now on, my cultivation will surely advance by leaps and bounds. The day I fight Xuanxiao will come soon."

Seeing that Laozi was in a good mood, Xuanxiao bid farewell and left Taiqing Palace. On his way out, he casually took a gourd of Golden Elixirs and sped away.

Afterward, Xuanxiao went to Yuqing Palace and said, "Second Uncle, here's a mount for you. This guy wasn't easy to subdue, and I don't know if he'll listen to reason. However, he has one advantage: the Kui Ox has no fur, and you know how you hate furry things. When he wakes up, you can subdue him yourself. I haven't subdued him yet."

Yuanshi shook his head helplessly. "You just knocked him out and dragged him here, without even asking if he agreed?"

Xuanxiao nodded earnestly. "Don't worry, Second Uncle. If he doesn't become a mount later, tell me. I haven't eaten a Divine Beast yet. This Kui is a Divine Beast with the power of lightning, so it should be quite delicious."