Primordial Era: From the Creation Lotus to the First Disciple of the Three Pure Ones

Leaving Wuyi Mountain, Qinglian was filled with the joy of reaping the treasure-dropping gold coins and the enlightenment tea tree, but the gloom of the beginning of the great calamity lingered.

Instead of returning directly to Kunlun, he decided to continue eastward and travel deeper into the East China Sea region.

Firstly, the East Sea is vast and boundless, with numerous rare treasures and hidden caves, where there might be other opportunities; secondly, he also harbored some thoughts, wanting to see if Ao Guang, the third prince of the Dragon Palace whom he had just rescued, had returned to the sea safely.

Stepping on auspicious clouds, the blue lotus leisurely moves forward on the vast expanse of blue waves.

The Taiji diagram was hidden deep within Qingyun. Although it was not fully activated, the power of its innate treasure flowed naturally, concealing its own energy and the cause and effect of heaven, as if it had merged into the boundless sea and sky, untouched by dust.

His divine senses spread out, sensing the vastness and profundity of the ocean, observing the rhythms of the creatures in the sea, and also being wary of potential dangers.

On this day, we sailed to the depths of the East China Sea, where a vast expanse of islands dotted with countless stars appeared.

The spiritual energy here is thin, and most of the islands are barren, not a place of spiritual beauty. However, when Qinglian flew over one of the inconspicuous islands that resembled a reclining ox, the violent energy fluctuations and deafening roars coming from below made him pause.

"Moo—!!!"

"roar--!!!"

Two distinctly different roars of bulls exploded like thunder, shaking the sea below and causing it to surge with waves!

The violent energy, like an invisible giant hammer, slammed heavily onto the island, causing rocks to crack and dust to rise everywhere!

Even more strangely, one of the roars triggered a change in the celestial phenomena. Instantly, dark clouds covered the sky above the island, lightning flashed and thunder roared, and a gale-force wind accompanied by torrential rain poured down!

Qinglian's gaze pierced through the smoke and rain, allowing her to see the scene on the island clearly, and a sense of surprise rose in her heart.

In the center of the deserted island, two enormous, strangely different ancient bulls were locked in a fierce battle!

Firstly, it is as large as a mountain, covered with thick, dark blue-black fur that is glossy and shimmers with a metallic sheen.

What is most striking is the enormous, thick, crescent-shaped horn on its head, the tip of which gleams with a cold, sharp light!

This ox, with its four hooves firmly planted on the ground, is as steady as a mountain. Each charge carries a tremendous force that shakes the heavens and the earth, plowing deep furrows into the ground.

Its aura was deep and powerful, carrying a sense of earth-like weight and strength—it was the legendary beast, the horned blue ox, also known as the horned rhinoceros!

Secondly, its shape is even more peculiar!

Slightly smaller than the blue ox, its body is bluish-black, and its most distinctive feature is that it has no horns!

And it has only one incredibly thick leg! This bull does not stand, but leaps and bounds on that single leg. Its movements seem strange, yet they are as swift as lightning and incredibly agile!

It is surrounded by dense water vapor and lightning. Every time it leaps and lands, its single foot strikes the ground, causing the earth to tremble. At the same time, thunder roars in the sky, followed by wind and rain!

Its roar was like thunder, and its eyes shone with the light of the sun and moon as they opened and closed! It was the Kui Niu, the ancient beast described in the Classic of Mountains and Seas, whose voice was like thunder, whose light was like the sun and moon, and whose appearance or disappearance from the water would bring wind and rain!

"A horned blue ox? A Kui ox?"

Qinglian's heart stirred, and the legends about the mounts of the Three Pure Ones from later generations instantly appeared in her mind.

The Grand Master Laozi rode a blue ox with flat horns, and the Third Master Tongtian Jiaozhu also rode a one-legged Kui ox!

But... why are they fighting so fiercely on this remote island in the East China Sea? Judging from their posture, this is definitely not just ordinary play.

The green ox's horns, like giant battering rams, hurtled towards the Kui ox with a sharp whistling sound that seemed to tear through space!

With a sudden stomp of its single leg, the Kui Niu transformed into a twisted bolt of lightning, instantly dodging the attack. At the same time, it opened its mouth and unleashed a massive bolt of Gui Water Divine Lightning, imbued with the power of wind and rain, which struck the Green Ox's back with a deafening roar, causing the Green Ox to stagger and its dark blue fur to become charred.

The two giant beasts fought fiercely, their demonic aura soaring to the sky; they were clearly enraged.

Their cultivation levels had all reached the peak of the Taiyi Golden Immortal realm! The aftershocks of their battle had brought the small island to the brink of collapse, and the surrounding seas were filled with towering waves, causing countless aquatic creatures to suffer.

Qinglian frowned slightly.

If these two oxen are truly the future master's mounts, it would be a pity to let them fight to the death here, damaging their essence, or being subdued or even killed by other powerful beings. Moreover, the commotion caused by their fight might attract other troubles.

With this in mind, Qinglian stopped standing by.

He moved swiftly, appearing above the battleground between the two colossal beasts. Instead of immediately attacking, he unleashed the immense pressure of his late-stage Grand Luo Golden Immortal realm, like an invisible curtain descending from the heavens!

"Moo?"

"roar?!"

The Green Ox and the Kui Ox, who were engrossed in their battle, were instantly frozen in ice!

The impact that could shake mountains and the leap that could tear apart lightning came to an abrupt halt under the suppression of the absolute power level!

Two enormous bull eyes were filled with horror and confusion as they stared at the green-robed figure in the air, radiating a terrifying aura.

"Fellow Daoists, why are you fighting to the death here? You've stirred up the sea and sky, causing harm to innocent people!"

Qinglian's voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable authority, clearly reaching Erniu's ears.

The horned ox seemed to be more composed. Although it was intimidated by the pressure, the fierce light in its eyes subsided. It spoke in a deep, muffled voice, like muffled thunder: "Reporting to the Immortal... I... my name is Si, and this is my good friend Kui."

We are not engaged in a fight to the death. Rather, we have been residing on this island for a long time and, having nothing better to do, have been exchanging sparring tips and verifying our understanding of the Dao. We did not intend to disturb you, Immortal, and we beg your forgiveness!

As it spoke, its enormous head lowered slightly, showing a hint of respect.

The one-legged Kui Niu also withdrew the lightning and wind around its body, stood firmly on its one leg, and its voice, like the clanging of metal, carried a hint of arrogance, yet it honestly replied: "That's right! Immortal, you are wise enough to know that we two are close friends, but our sparring went a little too far, it was by no means a life-or-death struggle!"

It pawed at the ground uneasily with its one foot, clearly extremely wary of the aura emanating from the Azure Lotus.

"A sparring match?" Qinglian paused slightly, her gaze sweeping over the ravaged island below, the surging waves, and the obvious wounds on the two giant beasts (the blue ox's back was charred, and the Kui ox had several cuts from its horns). Her lips twitched involuntarily. This "sparring match" was far too noisy! It was practically trying to tear a hole in the sky!

Realizing that she had misunderstood their intention to fight to the death and had even solemnly intervened to stop them, Qinglian's face showed a rare hint of embarrassment. She coughed lightly and softened her tone: "I see. It was I who was presumptuous and misunderstood you two fellow Daoists. I am truly sorry for spoiling your 'refined enjoyment'."

He paused, looking at the two powerful and extraordinary prehistoric creatures, and the thought of a mount resurfaced in his mind, becoming clearer and clearer.

Such talented individuals are being left to hone their skills on a deserted island, which is a terrible waste!

If they could be brought into Kunlun to serve under their master, it would be a great opportunity for them and an added bonus for Kunlun.

"I have disturbed your sparring session, so I should make amends."

Qinglian smiled and spoke, her gaze shifting between the Green Ox and the Kui Ox, "I wonder if you two fellow Daoists would be willing to cultivate with me? I can introduce you to my inner circle..."