101: return

First Qilin waved his hand, and a flash of mysterious yellow light appeared. A small Qilin, pure white all over with golden light shimmering on its four hooves, came treading on clouds.

In its mouth, it carried a small apricot-yellow flag. The flag was embroidered with patterns of the Essence of Central Earth (Wutu). It was the Central Wutu Apricot Yellow Flag, one of the five Innate Five Directional Flags.

"Needless to say, this humble Daoist can guess the purpose of your visit. It is likely for this Wutu Apricot Yellow Flag."

"Today, I shall gift it to the two of you."

Under his instruction, the small Qilin obediently crouched between Qing Wu and the other, gently placing the Apricot Yellow Flag before him.

Qing Wu looked down closely; this small Qilin looked extraordinarily divine.

Its antlers were translucent like jade, its Dragon tail was entwined with auspicious clouds, its hooves trod on propitious Qi, and its ox-like ears hung with spiritual light.

It was the true form of the legendary "Sibuxiang," the manifestation of the Qilin Clan's purest Bloodline.

First Qilin's Incarnation stroked his long beard, his eyes revealing a complex mix of reluctance and expectation.

"Xuan Ling is the last pureblood of our clan, bearing the auspiciousness of the four spirits. Over these years, I have used the Qi of the earth veins to cleanse his marrow and the golden light of Karma to build his body."

"Fellow Daoist, do you know how difficult it is for my Qilin Clan to produce a descendant with such a pure Bloodline and such Aptitude..."

As he spoke, he suddenly began to cough, a wisp of golden blood seeping from the corner of his mouth. "Alas, these old bones of mine likely won't live to see the day he becomes a great talent."

The small Qilin heard this and hurried to support First Qilin, tears welling in its eyes: "Old Ancestor!"

Qing Wu calmly observed the pair.

Although First Qilin spoke euphemistically, his meaning was clear: he wanted to entrust the Qilin Clan's last hope at the cost of an Innate Spirit Treasure.

However, this old Qilin was truly a good actor, putting on such a performance; playing the victim wouldn't work on him.

Qing Wu remained silent, just watching to see how far they would take the act.

First Qilin then took the opportunity to nudge Xuan Ling forward. "Quickly, pay your respects to the two Seniors."

The small Qilin knelt on the ground and said respectfully, "Xuan Ling of the Qilin Clan pays respects to the two Seniors."

"I do not dare to hope for the Seniors to take me in; I only wish to serve by your side, even as a mountain-guarding Spirit Beast."

His words were so well-rehearsed; how could such a simple small Qilin know all this? It was clearly planned in advance.

This old Qilin was truly calculating at every moment.

However, he wasn't lying; the purity of this small Qilin's Bloodline was indeed very high, truly a pureblood Qilin without any mixed blood.

Its Aptitude was also excellent, having been nurtured and enhanced by the Qilin Clan.

But Qing Wu had already taken a Disciple and had no such intentions for now.

Yuan Feng on the other side felt the same; perhaps displeased by the Qilin's act of playing the victim, she didn't even spare a glance.

As for a mountain-guarding Spirit Beast, that dog was enough.

Actually, since First Qilin had produced such a treasure that suited his needs, there was no harm in Qing Wu taking him along.

But for Xuan Ling, a small Qilin shouldering the heavy responsibility of the Qilin Clan, it would be a loss for the clan if he were truly just used as a lowly mountain-guarding Spirit Beast.

Besides, Qing Wu knew this small Qilin had a good destination in the future: he would be favored by Yuanshi after he became a Saint and taken as a mount.

This was also a way for the Qilin Clan to connect with a Saint; it would be unfortunate to ruin this Karma.

Thinking of this, Qing Wu shook his head. "Rise. You and I have no fate."

"Fellow Daoist, you should suggest another condition."

First Qilin wanted to persuade him further, but seeing his firm attitude, he could only shake his head and signal Xuan Ling to withdraw.

For a moment, First Qilin couldn't think of a better way.

But it would be difficult to take back such a treasure now.

Since the other party had come here, they were clearly after this treasure.

Seeing his hesitation, Qing Wu took the initiative to speak. "How about this: in exchange for this treasure, my Immortal Volcano can accept over ten thousand members of the Qilin Clan."

"If Fellow Daoist can produce other suitable items, we can discuss increasing the number."

First Qilin thought it over and decided to accept the proposal.

After all, he had no leverage to bargain; gaining more protection and better development for his clansmen was what the Qilin Clan sought right now.

As for what other suitable treasures Qing Wu mentioned, he couldn't think of anything that could compare to the Wutu Apricot Yellow Flag.

He couldn't possibly take out the mountain and river qilin seal that suppressed the clan's fortune.

"I wonder what other treasures Fellow Daoist favors? If my clan possesses them, I can give them to you, only asking that you protect more of my clansmen."

Qing Wu thought that since the Wutu Apricot Yellow Flag was with the Qilin Clan, then the earth spirit pearl of the Five Elements Spirit Pearls should also be in First Qilin's hands.

He had already obtained three of the Five Elements Spirit Pearls; only the earth spirit pearl and Water Spirit Pearl were missing to complete the set.

However, despite several hints, First Qilin did not grasp his meaning.

It seemed the earth spirit pearl was indeed not with the Qilin Clan.

The only other things that could interest him were those top-grade Spiritual Roots.

He had heard that the Qilin Clan possessed an Earth Origin Spirit Ginseng, formed by absorbing the essence of the earth.

But since the Qilin Clan currently needed Spiritual Roots to suppress and stabilize the earth veins, Qing Wu didn't set his sights on it.

However, there would be plenty of opportunities in the future; there was no need to rush.

Thus, he could only proceed as previously stated: protecting over ten thousand members of the Qilin Clan in exchange for the Wutu Apricot Yellow Flag.

He placed those members of the Qilin Clan into the Beast God Palace, leaving them to the temporary care of a certain artifact spirit, and took his leave from First Qilin.

Lu Shu was leeching Karma at Zhenyuanzi's place, so there was no need to worry about him for now.

By the time he returned, he would likely have raised his strength to the Daluo Realm.

The two then headed directly back to the Immortal Volcano.

Having been away for many years, returning now brought a sense of joy like coming home.

"Greetings, Revered Master, Daoist Venerable!"

"Greetings, Daoist Venerable!"

Upon their return, it was Qing Luan and Ling Ling who first came to welcome them, with many living beings following behind them.

The current Ling Ling had grown quite a bit, possessing an ethereal temperament, and her cultivation had reached the Middle Stage of the Taiyi Golden Immortal realm. It seemed she had been Cultivating diligently during this time.

Qing Wu raised an eyebrow, noticing that the members of the Feather Clan behind them seemed to be gravitating toward her as their center.

Turning to look at Yuan Feng, he noticed a sense of gratification in her eyes.

Just as he was wondering why that little sycophant Tiangu hadn't come out to greet them, he saw Jin Feng running over from afar, leading it.

While the two were away, Tiangu had been too rowdy, becoming somewhat lawless, so Jin Feng had tied it up and fed it two spiritual fruits each year.

At first, Tiangu was quite proud and refused to be tied up, choosing a hunger strike to show its resolve, but soon enough, it quickly found the food delicious.

Seeing its two Revered Masters now, Tiangu was overjoyed.

Breaking free from its restraints, it lunged toward Qing Wu.

"Freeze!"

At the command, Tiangu braked immediately and stood upright before him.

Then Qing Wu released the members of the Qilin Clan; the ten thousand or so Qilins looked around curiously.

"I appoint you as General Tiangou; from now on, you shall manage these Qilins."

"Now, take them to find a suitable place to live."

Tiangu immediately treated the small authority as a grand command, barking orders at the Qilin Clan members and herding them toward a certain direction.

But there was no need to worry; Tiangu ran through these mountains every day and knew exactly where would be suitable for the Qilin Clan to settle.

Yuan Feng gave some guidance to her Disciple as well as Jin Feng and Qing Luan.

She then checked the two eggs carrying Yin and Yang and the Five Elements, finding both to be in excellent condition.

The Yin and Yang and Five Elements Qi were blending with each other, but more of it was gathering on the Five Elements' side.

It seemed that between the two, the Five Elements one was a bit more clever; it took everything the Yin and Yang one gave.

And the Yin and Yang one was indeed quite straightforward; it was unaware that some of its dao rhyme was being absorbed and continued to pour it out.

Thus, the Five Elements egg was currently more mature.

Yuan Feng then placed the two separately and began her secluded meditation.

But after that, the two eggs stuck together again under the entanglement of their Qi...