Protector (Please Keep Reading)

"Ah, so you're only friends?"

After hearing this, Qing Niao refused to give up and continued, "But you really are a perfect match—far more suited to each other than the Heavenly Emperor and Empress. One is the East King, the other the West King; one is the Head of Male Immortals, the other the Head of Female Immortals; one rules West Kunlun, the other the master of the Eastern Purple Mansion."

Hearing Qing Niao's words, the others began nodding one after another. Even Donghua couldn't help nodding along.

Only after Qing Niao finished speaking did he come to his senses. What was all this supposed to mean?

Donghua then stopped discussing the matter.

"I have something to discuss with you all."

They sat up straight and listened carefully.

Donghua said, "When we defeated King Pan last time, we acquired some spiritual treasures. You all contributed, so I want to give each of you a spiritual treasure."

Hearing this, they all shook their heads and refused. They had contributed so little; how could they accept an Innate Spiritual Treasure as a reward?

The three youngsters were especially quick to refuse. Seeing this, Donghua said no more.

"Very well, then. If any of you run into trouble in the future, you can come to the Purple Mansion and find me."

He had offered them a spiritual treasure to settle the karmic debt once and for all. He didn't want to be bothered with it again in the future. Since none of them wanted one, he would let the matter drop.

At this point, Qianyu hesitated for a long while before finally making up his mind. He said sincerely to Donghua, "His Majesty King Dong, my resolve to pursue the Dao is firm, but I have no way to transform into an Ying Long. I am willing to become Your Majesty's mount in exchange for the method of transforming into a dragon."

Hearing this, Donghua shook his head in refusal.

Qianyu had extraordinary potential and was already a Grand Unity Golden Immortal. He would indeed make a fine mount.

But Qianyu had once done him a kindness. The person with whom he truly wanted to settle his karmic debt was Qianyu, so he could not accept him as a mount.

Donghua said, "What your Hui Dragon Clan seeks—the method of transforming into an Ying Long—is really a way to break through to Quasi-Saint. I don't know that method, but I can search for it for you. As for becoming my mount, don't bring it up again. How does that sound?"

Qianyu replied without a moment's hesitation, "Your Majesty, my Hui Dragon Clan has humble origins. Since my birth, I have endured thousands of trials, great and small. Though I barely managed to break through to Grand Unity Golden Immortal, I don't know what lies ahead. Even if I obtained the true method, I might not understand it. I am willing to serve Your Majesty."

This time, Qianyu's offer of loyalty came from the heart. Ever since Donghua had taken a blade for him, Qianyu had felt that he would gladly die for someone who understood him.

And in the days he had spent with the Emperor Lord, he had finally witnessed what true wisdom and magnanimity looked like.

That was why he was willing to serve as a mount despite being a Grand Unity Golden Immortal.

Never think that Grand Unity Golden Immortals were a dime a dozen. In the Primordial Wilderness, at any time, they were undoubtedly experts. Only those who reached Grand Unity could be called emperors or lords.

It was true that some Great Powers in the Primordial Wilderness had mounts whose cultivation had reached Grand Unity Golden Immortal. But those mounts had all been raised by their masters from a weak state.

In other words, they had become Grand Unity Golden Immortals only after becoming mounts.

But if someone asked a Grand Unity expert to willingly become a mount from the outset, probably no one would agree—unless the person in question were a Saint or a Hun Yuan Grand Unity Golden Immortal.

Donghua considered it. Qianyu had risen from humble beginnings to reach Grand Unity, and had even mastered One Yuan Heavy Water. His talent and perseverance were indeed exceptional, and his character was beyond reproach.

So Donghua said, "I can't take you as my mount, but would you be willing to serve as my protector?"

Qianyu was overjoyed. Only a trusted confidant could serve as a protector. It was far better than being a mount, and he would be able to stay by His Majesty's side. This was a tremendous blessing—how could he refuse?

Qianyu bowed before Donghua and acknowledged him as his master.

After he had bowed three times, Donghua gestured for Qianyu to rise.

"From now on, you will serve as my protector, Donghua. You must not use my name to commit evil, nor bully the weak without cause. Can you do that?"

Qianyu replied respectfully, "This disciple can do so. I only ask that the Emperor Lord guide me."

Though a protector was not a disciple, he could call himself one. In a sense, he could even be considered half a disciple.

"Good. Good."

Donghua raised a hand and touched Qianyu's forehead, imparting the Purple Mansion Immortal Path to him.

Qianyu became immersed in the world of the Purple Mansion Immortal Path, oblivious to everything else.

When he came to a short while later, he mocked himself aloud. "This disciple was foolish before, actually imagining he could transform into an Ying Long. Truly, without the true scriptures, one cannot know the heights of the Great Dao."

"This disciple thanks the Emperor Lord for imparting the true scriptures."

Donghua said, "It's nothing. The myriad things and countless races of the Primordial Wilderness all have different origins. The Dragon Clan, too, has many branches."

"Above them are the likes of Ancestor Dragon, Azure Dragon, Ying Long, and Candle Dragon. Below, they established the Dragon Gate, where countless sea creatures can pass through and transform into dragons."

"The ancestor of your Hui Dragon Clan was once an ordinary water snake among the sea creatures. He cultivated with unwavering perseverance and eventually leaped through the Dragon Gate, becoming a Hui. He continued to cultivate with unshakable resolve and ultimately attained the Emperor Realm."

"Ancestor Dragon considered him wise in his unassuming way and admired his great perseverance in cultivation, so he welcomed Hui into the Dragon Clan. From then on, Hui was also called a Hui Dragon. He served under Ying Long and eventually died in the war between the Three Clans."

At this, Donghua paused, feeling a pang of regret for the Hui Dragon, who had been born as an ordinary water snake.

"The Hui Dragon had humble origins, yet he managed to attain the Emperor Realm in that era. That was truly remarkable."

"Now that Dao Ancestor Hongjun's teachings have spread throughout the world, you should cultivate even harder and witness the world of Hun Yuan. That is what I hope for you."

Qianyu said, "This disciple will remember the Emperor Lord's teachings and never forget them."

He then added, "Actually, the Hui Dragon ancestor was my father. When I was young, he found a seed of One Yuan Heavy Water for me to cultivate with. That is how I became who I am today."

Donghua nodded, not particularly concerned. It didn't matter what Qianyu's identity had been before. From now on, he had only one identity: Donghua Emperor Lord's chief protector.

Donghua then taught Qianyu the great divine abilities Dragon Subduing Tiger Taming and Size As One Wishes, as well as the Purple Mansion body-tempering method.

A protector's job was to fight.

"His Majesty King Dong, my clan's Great Elder would like to meet you. Would that be possible?"

One day, Jin Feng came to find Donghua and explain the reason for her visit.

Donghua thought it over and nodded. He had been in the Phoenix Clan's lands for many days. It would be discourteous not to meet his host.

Jin Feng then led Donghua to a mountain valley, where he met the Phoenix Clan's current Great Elder, who was also the chief of the Jin Feng Clan: Yuan Jin.

Donghua said, "Greetings, Daoist Yuan Jin. I have been recovering in your clan's lands for several years, and I have imposed on you greatly."

Yuan Jin replied, "Greetings, Daoist Tai Wei. You are the Head of Male Immortals and Wood Duke of the Purple Mansion. We are delighted to have you visit our clan; how could you possibly be imposing on us?"

After speaking, Yuan Jin affectionately stroked Jin Feng and said, "Besides, you saved my granddaughter. I am deeply grateful. That is why I disturbed your recovery and wished to thank you in person."

"Hahaha, you're too kind. This little Jin Feng is exceptionally talented and knows her manners. I'm quite fond of her, too."

The two exchanged pleasantries upon meeting, then proceeded to praise each other.

Even in the Primordial Wilderness, social niceties mattered.

Thanks to the following readers for their votes: Tengkong Rensheng, Kang Shubai, Deep Blue Moonlight, the poet Mercury, and What Else Can Be Done in the Future.