Dragons, phoenixes, and qilin had once been the three most powerful races in the Primordial World, ruling over it with incomparable pride. Why were they now willing to compete for the chance to serve as mounts?
It wasn't because Beichen was so powerful that they were scrambling to claim the position.
The root of it all was the Dragon-Phoenix Initial Tribulation!
During that great tribulation, the three races had incurred too much karmic burden from slaughter, and the Heavenly Dao had suppressed and spurned them.
After the tribulation, fewer than one in ten of their surviving descendants remained. They struggled to survive in the Primordial World. Though they had withdrawn from the world, they still faced many dangers.
Having incurred the Heavenly Dao's hatred and been burdened with karmic debt, they found cultivation extremely difficult, and advancing their realms was harder still.
The best way to escape this predicament was to rely on a powerful being with an exceptional bloodline and become their mount. In doing so, they could offset the karmic burden around them, live safely in the Primordial World, and gain the chance to seek a future for themselves.
If they couldn't find such a powerful patron, they could only struggle to survive on their own, never knowing when a stronger cultivator might slay them and leave them to a miserable end.
After the Dragon-Phoenix Initial Tribulation, the whereabouts of the Dragon Dao's progenitor, Ancestor Dragon, became unknown.
Yuanfeng, progenitor of the phoenixes, had willingly humbled herself to become Nuwa's mount. Shi Qilin, progenitor of the qilin, had been defeated by Fu Xi with the Taiji Diagram and willingly become his mount and guardian deity. Both had done so to eliminate their karmic burden from the slaughter and preserve a place for themselves in the Primordial World.
The three surviving clans had all followed Yuanfeng and Shi Qilin's example. For a time, this became the fastest and most effective way to resolve their karmic burden!
With their progenitors leading the way, the surviving beasts of the three races followed suit, vying to become Beichen's mounts so they could dispel their karmic burden and gain boundless benefits!
Beichen knew the history of the Primordial World well, so he naturally understood the three beasts' intentions.
He had already decided who would become his mount, but he pretended to ponder deeply, putting on an expression of great difficulty.
Ling Cair, Mo Yuan, and Yan Lie watched Beichen nervously, waiting for him to announce his decision!
"Good. All three of you are excellent!"
"You three are all outstanding survivors of the Dragon-Phoenix Initial Tribulation, and each of you holds an exceptionally high position among your respective races. Any one of you would be worthy of becoming my mount!"
"So?"
Mo Yuan's eyes blazed with longing, and he was brimming with confidence.
He thought the dragon race's mighty prestige would surely appeal to someone with a powerful bloodline like Beichen. Beichen would certainly choose him, Mo Yuan, as his mount!
Yan Lie was also somewhat confident. Qilin were auspicious beasts, renowned throughout the Primordial World. If Beichen didn't choose him, who else would he choose?
Ling Cair, on the other hand, looked rather tense. Compared with the dragons and qilin, the phoenixes seemed to lack a little in presence.
"So, I choose Ling Cair as my mount!" Beichen smiled slightly. "Cair, as my mount, you needn't call me benefactor anymore. Call me Master instead!"
"Huh?" Ling Cair froze.
Mo Yuan and Yan Lie both swallowed hard. "Th-this... Shouldn't you have chosen one of us? Why did you choose Ling Cair?"
"Master, could you tell us why you chose Ling Cair as your mount instead of one of us?"
Yan Lie asked, utterly confused.
"Oh, I don't like riding males. I prefer females!"
At those words, Ling Cair's cheeks immediately flushed, and she no longer looked so pale.
"Ah!" Mo Yuan and Yan Lie drew in sharp breaths. "So that's why! We never saw that coming!"
"What's the matter, Cair? Why haven't you accepted your role as my mount?" Beichen's gaze narrowed slightly.
"Oh, Master. I, Ling Cair, swear to the Heavenly Dao that I willingly become your mount and will serve you as you travel the world for all eternity!"
Ling Cair knelt on one knee, clasped her fist, and swore her oath.
Hum!
A tremendous force of karma descended. A subtle karmic bond formed between Ling Cair and Beichen.
At the same time, Ling Cair's aura surged. She was no longer subject to the Heavenly Dao's suppression!
"Ah?"
Mo Yuan and Yan Lie were astonished and envious at the sight.
Ling Cair had truly acknowledged Beichen as her master, and he would help her shoulder some of her karmic burden.
Beichen, in turn, would steadily expend his power until all that karmic burden had been dispelled!
"Very well. The matter is settled. You three will stay here on the Three Immortal Islands. You may cultivate using the islands' resources and improve your cultivation!"
As he spoke, Beichen withdrew the suppression he had imposed on Mo Yuan and Yan Lie. They immediately felt much lighter.
They also realized that the Heavenly Dao's suppression of them on the Three Immortal Islands was at least dozens of times weaker than it was outside.
The Heavenly Dao could still suppress them through their karmic burden, but that pressure had already diminished considerably.
"Yes. Please give us our specific duties, Master!"
Beichen thought for a moment. "There's one more thing I must make clear!"
"Since you three are all under my command, you must put aside your grudges and never turn against one another. Whether you're here on my islands or beyond the Three Immortal Islands, you're family. If one of you is in danger, the others must come to their aid."
"If anyone dares disobey, I will show no mercy. I'll kill them on the spot, cast their souls into the Nine Hells, and deny them rebirth for all eternity!"
"Yes, we'll heed your teachings, Master! We wouldn't dare disobey!" the three said in unison.
"Good!" Beichen turned to Ling Cair. "The phoenixes roost only in parasol trees and settle only in treasured places. You must be skilled at finding treasures, Ling Cair, right?"
"Yes, Master!"
"There are countless rare treasures on the Three Immortal Islands, including Innate Spirit Treasures and supreme treasures, all hidden away. I have no time to search for them. The treasure hunt is your responsibility, Cair. If you find anything valuable, notify me at once!"
Then Beichen turned to Yan Lie. "Qilin radiate auspiciousness, and the spiritual energy of heaven and earth's spiritual roots does the same. Can you sense them?"
Yan Lie nodded firmly. "I can!"
"There are countless spiritual roots and plants on the Three Immortal Islands, and even supreme immortal roots hidden away. I have no time to search for them, so this important task falls to you!"
"Understood!" Yan Lie replied happily.
"Master, what about me?"
Seeing that Beichen hadn't given him any instructions, Mo Yuan grew uneasy.
"If I remember correctly, the dragon race has come into contact with all kinds of treasures. Is that right?"
"That's right!"
"Then you must know a lot about the rare materials hidden away in heaven and earth?"
Mo Yuan thought for a moment, then nodded. "You could say that."
"There are countless materials on the Three Immortal Islands that can be used to craft artifacts and formations. That task falls to you."
"Also, you'll be in charge of patrolling the Three Immortal Islands. Make regular rounds, and notify me right away if any strange cultivators or unusual signs appear around the islands."
"Yes!"
Mo Yuan was happy too.
"All right, go on. Each of you should get to work. That will leave you plenty of time to cultivate properly!"
Beichen wouldn't treat his subordinates harshly!
Besides, all three were mighty figures who represented the foundations of their respective races. In time, they would become great generals under his command.
Only after the three beasts had left did Beichen let out a long breath. "Now they can look after the islands, and I'll have plenty of time to devote to cultivation!"
Beichen settled his mind and looked at the system reward: "A Glimpse of Opportunity!"
He immediately activated the ability to glimpse opportunities. A vast scene appeared in his mind.
"Lesser Sumeru Mountain!" Beichen's heart tightened. "What immense sword auras! This is the Immortal Slaying Sword Formation!"
"The final battle of the Dao-Devil War will begin in three years!"
Beichen immediately understood the purpose of the system's reward: "I must go and witness the final battle between the Dao and the Devil!"
Beichen was filled with anticipation.
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