Starting Immortal Cultivation from a White Dog

The courtyard gate is tall and wide, cast from black iron, with an ebony plaque hanging above it inscribed with the three ancient seal characters "Zhenyao Pavilion".

The view inside the gate suddenly opened up, revealing rows of tall and sturdy animal enclosures extending into the depths, with thick iron bars as thick as a child's arm as fences, and the gaps between the enclosures were quite large.

Outside each animal pen, flickering incantations float, forming a restrictive light that isolates most of the energy within, yet the powerful life force lurking within can still be sensed.

Demons of all shapes and sizes, some flying in the sky and some running on the ground, were imprisoned in different animal pens. Some had wings on their backs with feathers as sharp as knives; some had four hooves treading on fire and eyes gleaming with ferocity; some were coiled like small mountains, their scales and armor deep and dark.

Although they were bound by restrictions and suppressed by magic seals, the wildness and ferocity in their eyes had not diminished. They would occasionally ram against the fence, making dull, loud noises that caused the runes to flash.

A middle-aged woman dressed in dark green, with a serious expression, stood on a high platform in front of the animal enclosure, with several female disciples dressed in the same attire standing behind her.

As she saw the collateral descendants arriving one after another, her gaze swept over them like lightning, and her voice was clear and melodious: "I am Bai Yueting, the master of the Demon Suppression Pavilion. Today, your first test is to choose a mount to go to the hunting grounds."

"The rules are simple: rely on your own abilities to obtain the corresponding Beast Taming Seal from me, enter the enclosure, and ride on the back of a beast."

"The seal can help you activate the restriction and temporarily suppress some of the demon's ferocity, but the demon's inherent ferocity will directly attack your mind through the seal."

"Those with insufficient cultivation and weak will will be thrown into the air and injured, and their minds will be damaged. In severe cases, they will be devoured by demons and become their food."

She paused, then said coldly, "This trial is both a test and a reward. If you can successfully subdue this beast today, it will belong to you."

"If we wait until after today, we will have to spend a lot of family merits to enter the animal pen to make our selections."

"If you think you don't have the ability, then walk to the hunting grounds; but if you are ignorant of your own limitations and greedy beyond measure, and die in the mouth of demons, then you deserve it; you can decide for yourselves what to do."

As soon as the words were spoken, the women from the collateral branches of the Bai family, who had been unable to contain themselves any longer, stepped forward one after another.

Most of them were young, their expressions a mixture of excitement and trepidation. They took turns going to the front of the stage to name the demon they had chosen and receive a palm-sized bronze seal engraved with the corresponding image and text.

In an instant, various colors of light flashed, and delicate shouts and beastly roars mingled together.

A girl in a pale yellow dress chose a snow-white steed with a single horn on its forehead from the enclosure. Holding a magic seal, she stepped into the enclosure, and the steed's mane immediately flew up and its front hooves reared up. The girl gritted her teeth, and a blue magic light emanated from her body, connecting with the magic seal. She forcefully flipped herself onto the horse's back.

The steed neighed loudly, struggling and leaping. The girl's face turned pale as she clung tightly to the horse's neck, her body glowing with an unpredictable light. The stalemate lasted for the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea before the steed gradually calmed down, panting heavily, and no longer resisting violently.

The girl's forehead was covered in cold sweat, but she smiled and, at the deacon's signal, rode her Wind Chaser Steed out of the animal pen.

Seeing someone succeed, the others became even more excited, but trouble soon followed.

A woman who had chosen the Crimson-Striped Purple-Eyed Tiger had just mounted its back when the tiger let out a deafening roar. Even with the restrictions weakening it, the violent killing intent still surged through the magic seals and assaulted her soul like a tidal wave.

The woman in purple screamed as she was thrown off the tiger's back and crashed heavily to the ground, blood gushing from her mouth and nose. Before she could even react, the ferocious tiger bit down on both her legs.

puff!

Crimson blood splattered, white bones were exposed, and blood flowed all over the ground.

"Ouch...it hurts...it hurts so much!"

With a hysterical scream, the woman in purple fainted.

hum!
Suddenly, the restrictions in the animal pen shone brightly, and the dazzling light, mixed with lightning, exploded directly on the ferocious tiger, rendering it unable to move.

Soon, disciples from the Demon Suppression Pavilion arrived and carried the woman in purple away for treatment. However, both of her legs were completely broken, and she was seriously injured. It was clear that she had failed the test completely, and her subsequent cultivation would be severely affected.

This sudden change caused many people's expressions to change. It should be known that the demons in this animal pen are also divided into different ranks based on their bloodline, potential, strength, and so on.

The finest among them were two demons with different bloodlines.

Many people were initially eager to try, but after seeing what happened to the female disciple, many backed down.

If you were to get injured by accident, it would be embarrassing enough, but if it affected your subsequent assessments, then you would be penny-wise and pound-foolish.

The leader of the Demon Suppression Pavilion simply watched from the sidelines, without interfering with the disciples' choices.

This assessment is meant to test one's own strength and character. If one cannot recognize one's own strength and is blinded by greed, such a person will naturally be eliminated.

I'm not afraid of your greed, I'm afraid of your incompetence.

If you lack the ability to do something and still go to your death, then you might as well just die.

The Bai family doesn't need such fools.

Having learned from the lesson of the female disciple, the others, assessing their own strength, also began to enter the fray. Some succeeded, while others failed.

However, most of them succeeded, and only a few failed, and even then, they only suffered mental and emotional damage, without any serious consequences.

However, those who failed could not choose other demons again and could only walk to the hunting grounds.

When choosing their target, most people will glance at the two exceptionally large animal pens at the deepest part of the enclosure.

In the left column, there is a strange beast that resembles a Qilin but is more slender. It is covered in emerald scales with faint golden glints at the edges, and its four hooves are like pillars, treading on a faint mist.

What's most peculiar are its eyes. The pupils are vertical and pure gold, with a subtle shimmering light flowing between them. It is the Azure Scale Golden-Eyed Beast, which possesses a trace of the bloodline of the Water-Splitting Golden-Eyed Beast.

This beast can fly in the sky and go underground, and walk on water as if it were flat ground. Its bloodline is precious and extremely rare.

In the right column is a giant leopard with wings growing from its ribs. Its fur is silver-gray and covered with dark cloud-like patterns. When its wings are spread, there is a faint cloud-like mist swirling around it. It is the Winged Cloud Leopard, which is famous for its speed.

This leopard has incredibly fierce eyes. Even through the barrier, its gaze sends chills down one's spine. It is said that it is fast enough to save one's life and escape from a Dao Embryo Realm cultivator.

These two mounts are clearly the most outstanding choice this time, but few dare to try them.

Three disciples from the collateral lineage, each possessing considerable strength in the Refining Realm, attempted the challenge. One of them faced the Azure Scale Golden-Eyed Beast, barely managing to mount it before being overwhelmed by its icy, primordial ferocity, trembling all over. He only lasted for a dozen breaths before giving up.

The other person, facing the Winged Cloud Leopard, hadn't even been able to sit up properly before being blasted away by the leopard's sudden leap and violent will. He was struck by a claw and nearly cut in half at the waist, suffering severe injuries with his internal organs spilling out. He retreated in a sorry state.

Wu Tian stood at the back of the crowd, observing quietly.

His gaze fell on the azure-scaled, golden-eyed beast, and he pondered for a moment.

The Dragon Palace of the East Sea is about to send people to the Southern Frontier, and dealing with the Dragon Clan will likely be unavoidable in the future. This mount, possessing the bloodline of the Water-Splitting Golden-Eyed Beast and skilled in water travel, is just what he needs. Although this beast's current cultivation level is insufficient and it is far inferior to the true ancient Water-Splitting Golden-Eyed Beast, it is sufficient for its purpose of transportation and underwater exploration.

After most people had made their choices, either successfully mastering the vehicle or sadly giving up and preparing to hike, Wu Tiancai slowly stepped forward.

"I want that Azure-Scaled Golden-Eyed Beast," he said to Bai Yueting, the Pavilion Master on the high platform.

Bai Yueting glanced at him, said nothing, and tossed over a bronze magic seal with more complex runes than before.

This Azure-Scaled Golden-Eyed Beast possesses the bloodline of an ancient, exotic species, capable of fighting demon kings. Even when bound by restrictions, it is not something a cultivator at the Refinement Realm can subdue; it is even more terrifying than that Winged Cloud Leopard.

The reason they were here was simply to let these newly returned collateral disciples feel the power of the family.

She didn't believe anyone could subdue this alien species with the bloodline of the Water-Repelling Golden Crystal Beast.

Wu Tian took the seal and walked straight to the animal pen.

The disciple in charge activated the restriction and opened the gate.

Inside the enclosure, the Azure-Scaled Golden-Eyed Beast sensed someone approaching and immediately looked up alertly. Its golden vertical pupils stared coldly at the creature, and it let out a low growl. Its azure scales opened slightly, releasing a misty vapor.

Wu Tian stepped into the enclosure, his hand forming a magic seal, and a beam of azure light connected to the enclosure's restrictions. The Azure-Scaled Golden-Eyed Beast felt the restraints loosen slightly, its ferocity rising suddenly. With a low growl, it reared up abruptly, carrying a stench and moisture, and attempted to pounce on the slender woman before it.

Some of the women from collateral branches who had not yet left gasped softly.

Wu Tian remained unmoved, and did not even use the magic seal to further activate the restriction. He lightly touched the ground with his feet, his body as swift as the wind, and easily dodged the seemingly ferocious pounce. The next moment, he was already firmly sitting on the broad back of the Azure Scale Golden-Eyed Beast.

The Azure-Scaled Golden-Eyed Beast was enraged. As a beast with a trace of ancient bloodline, it had never been so easily humiliated. It suddenly swung its body, its four hooves pounding, and the azure light surged.

At the same time, a cold, vast, and domineering will originating from the depths of his bloodline surged into Wu Tian's sea of ​​consciousness like a flood bursting its banks, through the connection constructed by that Dharma seal.

This will is filled with the oppressive aura of a great demon and the arrogance of a wild beast. Even with the buffer of a magic seal, an ordinary cultivator in the Refining Realm would probably lose their composure in an instant.

However, Wu Tian's mind was only slightly moved.

Having lived through three lifetimes, he now possesses two bloodlines that have cultivated into primordial spirits, his mind as firm as a rock and as deep as an abyss. This shock was like a gentle breeze brushing against a mountain ridge to him.

He didn't even try to resist. The fierce will that crashed into him vanished without a trace, like a mud ox sinking into the sea. Instead, he was intimidated by the Mars destiny and Kuafu totem in Wu Tian's soul, which were not activated but still retained their astrological principles.

The Azure-Scaled Golden-Eyed Beast that was sitting down suddenly froze!

In its golden vertical pupils, rage and ferocity were instantly replaced by boundless fear. In its perception, what it carried on its back was not a weak girl, but a towering, unapproachable sacred mountain, a terrifying beast.

That wasn't some kind of aura or supernatural power, but rather the instinctive perception of the ancient bloodline of the Water-Splitting Golden-Eyed Beast.

Its scales were tightly closed, its limbs were weak, and it was almost about to crawl on the ground. The low growl in its throat turned into a fearful "whimpering" sound, and its tail was tucked between its legs. There was no longer any ferocity in it.

Wu Tian gently shook the reins, which were formed from wind and rosy clouds, and said calmly, "Let's go."

The Azure-Scaled Golden-Eyed Beast, as if granted a pardon, obediently strode out of its enclosure, carrying Wu Tian steadily through the light mist. It lowered its head, not even daring to breathe loudly, a stark contrast to its previous ferocious appearance.

On the high platform, Pavilion Master Bai Yueting froze completely.

"This...she really succeeded?"

"This is how to do?"

"If the Palace Master lets a cultivator with azure scales and golden eyes get his hands on a magical beast, he'll skin me alive."

The remaining disciples from the collateral branches were even more dumbfounded. They had personally witnessed the difficulties faced by those who had tried to subdue this beast before, but they had never seen it subdue so easily and effortlessly, even making the ferocious beast show signs of fear.

Before the Demon Suppression Pavilion Master could recover, Wu Tian gently squeezed the beast's belly. The Azure Scale Golden Eyes Beast understood, let out a low growl, and water and clouds spontaneously formed beneath its four hooves, lifting it more than a foot off the ground. It transformed into a streak of azure light, swiftly and steadily heading towards the hunting grounds, disappearing at the end of the road in the blink of an eye.

"Wait..." Bai Yueting finally came to his senses and spoke, but it was too late. He could only say to the rest of them with a dark face, "Hurry up, I'll give you one more incense stick's time."

"If you still haven't succeeded, run to the hunting grounds."

Upon hearing this, chaos erupted at the scene. Those who had initially wanted to wait could no longer remain seated and began selecting demons to attempt to subdue them.

……

The Azure-Scaled, Golden-Eyed Beast, its hooves swirling with water and clouds, soared off the ground at incredible speed, yet with remarkable stability. The wind whistled past its ears, and the scenery on either side rushed past.

About fifteen minutes later, the view ahead suddenly opened up, leaving the bustling city behind and in its place a vast, rolling mountain range.

This is the Bai family's exclusive hunting ground outside the city.

Surrounded by mountains, ancient trees reach for the sky, and vines coil around like writhing dragons. Mist hangs in the air, and sunlight filters through the dense canopy, casting dappled shadows.

An atmosphere of primitiveness and wildness, mixed with a faint sense of bloodshed and demonic energy, permeated the air.

Around the hunting grounds, faint beams of light from the protective barrier could be seen rising into the sky, their shimmering glow sealing off the vast mountain forest area. These were the magic arrays set up by the Bai family, preventing the demons within from escaping and blocking outsiders from entering.

The barrier light rippled slightly from time to time, and one could vaguely hear the heart-stopping roars of ferocious beasts and the sharp cries of birds coming from the depths of the mountains and forests. The sounds penetrated the barrier, adding to the solemn atmosphere.

Although Wu Tian wasn't the first to set off, the speed of the Azure Scale Golden-Eyed Beast was astonishing. When he arrived, there were only a dozen or so people scattered around on the wide gathering ground paved with bluestone at the edge of the hunting ground.

They each led or rode their newly tamed mounts, conversing in hushed tones, their gazes occasionally sweeping toward the deep entrance to the hunting grounds, their expressions mostly tense.

As soon as Wu Tian appeared, riding his magnificent, gleaming, azure-scaled, golden-eyed beast, he instantly attracted everyone's attention.

This Azure-Scaled Golden-Eyed Beast possessed extraordinary bloodline, and many had coveted it before but dared not make a move. Unexpectedly, it was actually subdued. In particular, the way this demon behaved so obediently under Wu Tian's lap attracted the attention of the disciples from the collateral branches present, their eyes filled with undisguised astonishment and envy.

"Is this seemingly ferocious azure-scaled, golden-eyed beast actually so docile?"

"If I had been bolder just now, would this beast have been mine?"

"What a blunder! I should have gone up and tried it."

Many people couldn't help but discuss it, looking at the Azure-Scaled Golden-Eyed Beast and Wu Tian with envy and jealousy. (End of Chapter)