Each of the Four Pillar Divine Beasts had its own dwelling.
Sheng Ya'er lived in a divine palace in the Sickness and Death Swamp. Not only was it damp and stiflingly hot, but insects also bred there in great numbers, making it a breeding ground for disease.
Sheng Tulun, who symbolized life, preferred the Flower Sea, where it was spring all year round. His body was made entirely of emerald-green vines, and he looked like a giant moose covered in blossoms.
Sheng Tulun lay among the flowers, letting animals frolic on his body. The little creatures even stole nectar from his blossoms, but he did not mind their tricks. He enjoyed being surrounded by so much life.
Then the animals on his body scattered. He opened his eyes and looked toward the distant sky.
"Sheng Tulun, I need your help!" Sheng Ya'er descended from the sky and got straight to the point.
Sheng Tulun said calmly, "I want one-tenth of your summers for a million years. Any objections?"
"Fine!" Sheng Ya'er gritted his teeth and nodded.
The four symbolized birth, aging, sickness, and death, and each corresponded to a season. During their respective seasons, their strength grew. In theory, as long as they lived long enough and experienced enough cycles of the seasons, their power would keep growing without limit.
Sheng Tulun represented life, and his season was spring. Sheng Ya'er represented sickness, yet his season was neither autumn nor winter. It was summer.
Trading one-tenth of his summers for Sheng Tulun's help was a reasonable price.
Once Sheng Ya'er agreed, Sheng Tulun rose from the ground and teased, "What enemy have you provoked out there this time? Why won't you just settle down and cultivate?"
"What do you know? Cultivating properly is exactly why I can't stay trapped in