The legend begins with becoming a white deer.

The golden-green halo slowly faded from between the antlers, and the gnarled and intertwined pine and cypress trunks unfolded layer by layer like receding tides, the rough bark rubbing against the black eagle's feathers, making a soft rustling sound.

In just a few seconds, the two bent ancient pines returned to their original positions, leaving only deep marks on their trunks, proving that the strange binding they had just experienced was not an illusion.

"The ability to manipulate trees to defend against enemies is actually real!"

King Bilin stood not far away, taking in the whole scene, his fingertips unconsciously tightening slightly.

He had long learned from reports from various places that the auspicious white deer possessed the supernatural ability to control plants and trees.

But hearing about it is nothing compared to seeing it with your own eyes.

Watching the ancient pine tree, which required several people to encircle, move with ease in Qi Ji's hands, Bi Lin Wang's mind raced: With such ability, if he were in the mountains and forests, borrowing the power of all the trees, he could easily defeat a hundred men. No wonder so many martial arts masters and even regular soldiers who went into the mountains to hunt him all returned empty-handed. With this supernatural power, in the dense forest, unless they encountered an opponent with overwhelming strength, no matter how many people there were, they would be helpless against the white deer.

Thinking this, another idea uncontrollably popped into Bilin Wang's mind.

If these beasts could be kept in the royal family to protect the green forest, it would bring more than just national prosperity.

But King Bilin was, after all, a ruler of a nation, and was extremely shrewd and calculating.

He suppressed the thought of greed as soon as it arose.

Use force?

The lessons learned from the past by so many martial arts factions are right before our eyes, including national forces like the Bilin Kingdom, which all ultimately failed.

Using force is absolutely a barbaric and inferior strategy; it will only lead to trouble for oneself.

Taking things slowly and building good relationships is the best approach.

Just as King Bilin was pondering, the Xuan Diao, no longer restrained by the tree trunk, slowly and laboriously tried to stand up, supporting itself with its sharp claws.

However, if the wings move too much, the excruciating pain of broken wing bones will come. The black eagle lets out short cries of pain, and its wings can only hang limply on the ground, unable to even flap slightly.

King Bilin snapped out of his daze upon seeing this and sighed as he looked at the black eagle.

It seems that the black eagle's wings were indeed broken by the white deer.

King Bilin had some guards help Xuandiao stand up, and then he went up to Xuandiao and said slowly, "Old friend, it's all a misunderstanding. The white deer is not an enemy. I had previously bestowed upon it the title of a national auspicious beast. It's one of our own."

"唳~~唳~~"

Xuan Diao blinked its eagle eyes, then a gust of air seemed to spurt out from its nostrils. Xuan Diao cawed twice at Bi Lin Wang, its tone full of complaint, as if to say: Why didn't you say so earlier? You're such a know-it-all! Did I take this beating for nothing? Didn't you know to come sooner?

"..................."

King Bilin stood there awkwardly.

He naturally couldn't understand the language of the eagle, but based on his years of experience with the black eagle, he could tell that it was very dissatisfied.

That's right, you get beaten up by someone who isn't even an enemy.

King Bilin waved helplessly to the side and instructed, "You lot, carefully escort the Black Eagle back to the Black Bird Palace, and then send the best veterinarian to treat its wounds."

Upon hearing this, several guards bowed and then looked at the black eagle.

"Lord Xuan Diao"

The black eagle didn't throw a tantrum. It turned around and glanced at Qi Ji. There was still some resentment in its golden eyes, but most of its previous hostility and stubbornness had dissipated.

In the end, the black eagle stopped barking and made no further provocations. Instead, it stepped on the ground with its claws and walked step by step, its body wobbling, toward the Black Bird Palace.

Qi Ji didn't care about the gaze Xuan Diao gave before leaving; he just glanced at Xuan Diao and then ignored it.

He is the winner.

The victor never cares about the loser's petty emotions.

(￣へ￣).

"Speaking of which, those people seemed to have called this person 'Your Majesty' just now."

Qi Ji suddenly turned to look at King Bilin.

Looking at the royal robe embroidered with dragon patterns on the other person's body, Qi Ji was basically certain that the person in front of him should be Yuan Yao's father.

His reason for barging into the palace was simply to visit that little girl from back then.

Qi Ji was originally worried about where to find Yuan Yao in such a large palace, but now that the father of the main character was right in front of him, he could ask him to lead the way.

"Yo"

Qi Ji tilted his head slightly and let out a gentle deer call to King Bilin. His tone was mild, but his meaning was clear: I have come to find your daughter. Take me to Yuan Yao.

King Bilin stared at Qi Ji in surprise.

How could he understand deer language? He didn't understand what Qi Ji meant at all, but when King Bilin suddenly remembered that he had said he would apologize and make amends on behalf of Xuan Diao, he immediately misunderstood and thought that Qi Ji was reminding him to quickly fulfill his promise.

King Bilin felt that it should be about right, and quickly said with a smile: "Don't worry, Lord Bailu Lingjun, I will never go back on my word as compensation on behalf of Xuandiao. I will immediately order people to prepare the finest spiritual herbs and fresh fruits, as well as specially made bean cakes, as a way to appease Lord Bailu Lingjun and calm her nerves."

At this point, King Bilin paused again, then tentatively asked, "I wonder if Lord Bailu Lingjun... eats meat?"

Upon hearing this, Qi Ji realized that King Bilin had misunderstood him and wanted to call out again to correct him, but Qi Ji was quickly taken aback.

(・_・)ノ

"Why am I in such a hurry? That little girl is in the palace anyway, she can't run away. Her father has to apologize to me on behalf of that old black eagle by bringing me food. I can't refuse a benefit, and I can't waste food. Besides, I fought with that old black eagle, and I did use up some of my strength. It's right to eat something to fill my stomach and stay in top condition."

In short, Qi Ji felt that the matter of finding Yuan Yao could be put on hold for now, and they could talk about it after they finished eating.

"Yo"

Qi Ji nodded to King Bilin, indicating that he could eat.

Upon seeing this, King Bilin was overjoyed and quickly led the way, taking Qi Ji to a side hall of the inner palace.

A group of guards and eunuchs followed behind, watching the snow-white giant deer slowly follow the king. They looked at each other and whispered among themselves.

"This... does the auspicious white deer intend to stay in our palace?"

"It's not that easy. I heard that the late emperor spent three whole years persuading the Black Eagle to stay in the royal family. This white deer is more powerful than the Black Eagle, so it won't be so easy for it to stay."

"I think Your Majesty wants to forge a good relationship with the white deer. Whether it stays or not, it is already quite an achievement to have the auspicious white deer willing to follow you."

"That's true... but with the white deer entering the palace, our royal palace is likely to be quite lively for a while."

... ... ...

Meanwhile, deep within the inner palace, in Yuan Yao's bedchamber, the young girl was still fast asleep, wrapped in a brocade quilt.

The little girl was lying on her side, tightly hugging a sewn white deer doll in her arms, her cheek rubbing against the soft deer fur, fast asleep.

The little girl was overjoyed that she didn't have to go to the study to recite texts and practice calligraphy today, and immediately started sleeping in.

"Princess, little princess, wake up!"

Yuan Yao's personal maid rushed in, panting, her voice trembling.

Yuan Yao was woken up by the noise. She opened her eyes groggily, pouted, and muttered in dissatisfaction, "What are you doing... I haven't had enough sleep yet. I don't have class today, so don't rush me..."

"Little princess, something terrible has happened!"

A palace maid rushed to the bedside and said urgently, "The auspicious white deer has arrived in the capital! It's already inside the palace! Many people in the palace have gone to see it! Little princess, get up and don't sleep!"

"Auspicious beast, white deer... What white deer... Hmm, no, what did you say?!"

Yuan Yao was about to lie down and sleep when she suddenly realized something was wrong, instantly waking up with wide eyes.

The auspicious white deer, isn't that Little White?

Yuan Yao stared wide-eyed at the palace maid, indicating that she was not lying to her.

The palace maid nodded, even raising one hand to indicate that what she said was absolutely true.

The next second, Yuan Yao screamed and jumped out of bed. Without even putting on her shoes, she ran barefoot out of the hall.

"Little White came to the palace to see me?!"

"Oh, Princess! Wait, your shoes! You haven't put on your shoes yet!" A palace maid chased after her, panting, carrying embroidered shoes.

The little girl seemed not to hear, her bare feet treading on the cool stone path as she ran quickly towards the main hall, her two little braids swinging behind her, her mind filled only with that snow-white figure...