: Awakening

"Why did you suddenly faint for no reason?"

A cacophony of noises buzzed around me as I strained to open my eyes.

The eager face of my Second Senior Brother came into view.

My whole body felt as though it was being burned by fierce flames, leaving me breathless.

I was back to the day of choosing my Mystical Beast.

The cultivators of the Astral Sect were all present; the founder had entered the path through Beast Taming, a technique highly revered within the sect.

With my Single Wood Spirit Root, the school's legacy cultivated Beast Taming techniques, making me the favorite of the master on Ferrowind Mountain.

Forming a contract with a Mystical Beast was key to advancing in our sect.

I was at the Peak of Foundation Establishment, and to successfully form my Core, I needed to choose a Mystical Beast to contract with.

In my past life, the master gathered us outstanding disciples together.

He personally spent over three years selecting Mystical Beasts about to take human form for us to choose from.

My senior sister was quick-eyed and chose a White Tiger that was already at the Golden Core Middle Stage, rumored to have a trace of Zephyron's ancient Mystical Beast bloodline.

In the End of Dharma Era, it was extremely rare for a Mystical Beast to have even a hint of such a bloodline.

Yet I ignored the Divine Ox with its Mystical Beast blood and chose instead a peculiar and unattractive Streamer Snake.

The master said he found him half-dead on the road and brought him back, telling me he was neither a snake nor just a snake; he was an Underscale.

Seeing his weak and helpless appearance, my heart moved with compassion.

The master's face turned very ugly.

"Lily, have you thought this through? This Underscale has no spiritual root. I saved him merely out of mercy for his life. He has no connection or destiny with you. The Divine Ox was specially sought for you by me; do you like it?"

I shook my head like a rattle, believing in the connection at first sight.

Even though the Underscale was extremely weak, neither dragon nor snake.

But I distinctly saw in his vertical pupil a plea and a sigh, and I was adamant that with my excellent talent, no matter which Mystical Beast I formed a contract with, I could take him to ascend together and stand at the peak of the mountain.

The master looked at my stubbornness and shook his head helplessly as he turned away.

I wrapped that Underscale around my arm and brought him back to my own cave residence.

Day and night for seven days without rest, the Underscale gradually showed a sign of vitality.

After washing the little creature clean, I discovered he actually had a pair of black horns on his forehead.

They were very similar to dragon horns.

It turned out he was more than just a dying Underscale; he had the bloodline of the Soarnis Dragon, one of the last in existence.

As long as I help him transform, he would break through the Lurindale Gates and become only second to the Pyrosian Dragon as the Dragon King of Heaven and Earth.

To help him break through the Lurindale top, I searched every corner of the eight desolations and six harmonies Secret Realms.

I even risked my life to seek the Kun's eye to become a half-human, half-demon Immortal Ganoderma. With my Lingzhi blood, the Underscale's cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds.

On that day, he successfully reached Divinity Transformation, about to become my official Dao partner. But on the day of the Divinity Transformation ceremony, he transformed into a Soarnis Dragon, soaring to the ninth heavens.

The earth trembled, and the protective sect formation shattered by the Dragon Power.

I reached out to him amidst the collapsing stones, but he tenderly lifted my senior sister, Olivia Lane, with his white-phosphored long tail.

A dragon trapped in the abyss must ascend to the heavens.

"Lily, all the waiting was worth it. I have finally transformed into the Dragon King of Heaven and Earth; no one can trap me. I have fulfilled all the promises made to you that day."

He looked at Olivia Lane, full of deep affection, and the Dragon King's presence made the four seas lose their color.

Could the Heavenly Dao really tolerate him?

But my Astral Sect and Skycrest had been flattened by the Dragon Power.

Seeing my master and blood kin reduced to a bloody pulp, I was filled with intense fury.

As soon as I close my eyes, the horrors of that day seem vividly clear.

Seeing Olivia Lane smiling and petting the White Tiger's fur, I could barely restrain myself from devouring her alive.

Clenching my teeth, I desperately suppressed the hatred surging in my heart.

That Underscale lying amid the rubble seemed to know I would surely choose him, slowly swimming towards me.

Without hesitation, I stepped over that length of snake and fixed my burning gaze on the White Deer in the nearby forest.

His snow-white fur was even more splendid compared to the White Tiger's, and the antlers on his head branched out robustly.

At that moment, he was proudly lifting his front hoof, as if looking down on all beings.

This White Deer was not a Mystical Beast sought by the master; he just happened to pass through this mountain forest.

In my past life, he also settled here, but no one noticed his presence due to his extremely powerful cultivation, which was impenetrable to the eye.

Until people contracted their Mystical Beasts with blood, the cry of the deer was heard.

He soared on all fours, stepping on clouds.

No trace of him was found within the Three Worlds.

I heard about him again during idle chatter in Skylan.

The White Deer cultivated incredibly swiftly, reaching the brink of Divinity Transformation in just a few decades.

The Divinity Transformation Thunder Tribulation was supposed to help him ascend as the ancient Mystical Beast, Adrian Blake, but who knew he would be struck by the Purple Cloud Divine Thunder, annihilating him completely.

To know Adrian Blake is the emblem of peace—his bloodline more regal than that of ancient dragons and phoenixes.

At the time, I considered it idle gossip as I continued my quest for Heavenly and Earthly Treasures to aid the Underscale in ascending.

Looking back now, helping a mere impure-blooded half-breed Underscale turn into a dragon was within my capabilities, and aiding Adrian Blake in ascending shouldn't be such a difficult task.

Gathering energy in my dantian, I appeared beside Adrian Blake in a flash, directly grabbing hold of his antler-covered head.

"Master, disciple chooses this White Deer."

Everyone belatedly realized there was such a large White Deer hidden among them.

Upon seeing the White Deer, the master squinted his eyes.

Though the White Deer was not yet in human form, pride shone in his gaze, and as he gazed at me, hot breath exhaled from his nostrils.

Seeing no rejection, I felt slightly at ease.

The master, having seemingly discerned something, appeared joyous.

"Good, good..."

"Lily, forming a contract with this White Deer is your fate; your fortune lies ahead."

Hearing the master's words, my heart trembled as memories from my past life flashed through my mind.

Sneaking a glance at my senior sister Olivia Lane, I vowed that as long as I was there, the sect would remain secure.

At this moment, an ill-timed voice suddenly broke the harmony.

"No, you were meant to choose me."

The voice was filled with deep resentment, piercing everyone's hearts, leaving them wide-eyed in shock.

"Who's speaking?"

Several senior brothers anxiously searched around.

The master frowned, his long sleeves flaring, hitting the shield light on the Underscale entwined on the tree, causing it to tumble in front of them.

"Where did this big snake come from, unnoticed by us?"

The second senior brother, shocked, drew the long sword in his hand.

The Underscale, ignoring the pain, lifted its head with all its might.

"Lily, I am the one fated to contract with you. I have the Soarnis Dragon's bloodline. With you, I could break through the Lurindale top and become the Dragon King of Heaven and Earth."

"I am your true partner, destined to become your Dao companion, eternal and unyielding."

His words caused an uproar.

"Look at his disgusting appearance, utterly delusional, daring to covet our junior sister."

"Indeed, our junior sister is a treasure in the palm of our hands, never to be decided by an Underscale."

The second senior brother's sword was poised to strike the Underscale at its vulnerable spot, yet he neither dodged nor evaded but stared at me with his vertical pupils glinting dangerously.

An invisible pressure secretly surged as I squinted, wondering if Ethan Wells had also been reborn.

Truly, the Heavenly Dao hasn't treated me poorly. This is indeed well.

If he doesn't remember the past, how would I savor the delight of avenging when I strike?

: Blood Pact with the White Deer

At this moment, the Underscale has eyes and heart only for me.

Not yet noticing the many hostile glances beside him.

"How could a lowly bloodlined Underscale have the bloodline of the Soarnis Dragon?"

"I think he's boasting. The Lurindale Gates above the sky, how could he possibly cross it, being just a wingless grass snake?"

Master has been frowning, and hearing his words, a Shifting Form and Shadow has already arrived in front of the Underscale.

With a flick of his two fingers, the Underscale twists his massive form in pain.

"Indeed, it has a trace of the Soarnis Dragon bloodline. Lily, do you want to reconsider?"

I was about to step forward and speak clearly when the White Deer suddenly nudged me with its antlers.

A Divine Thought immediately entered my mind.

"You've chosen me as your master, yet you want to have ties with other trash, having touched, hugged, and snapped at this absurdity."

My foot froze in mid-air, somewhat surprised that he could transmit thoughts so intimately.

Seeing him looking adorable and sacred, not a violation allowed, who would have thought he was so petty?

"Master, I've already made up my mind. Since I've chosen the White Deer, I won't glance at anyone else."

Upon hearing my resolute rejection, the Underscale soared into the air, about to lash its long tail at my face, alas, Master was controlling him, making him powerless and causing him to fall heavily to the ground with a painful cry.

"Impossible, you will choose me."

I coldly frowned and glanced at his hideous true form.

Seeing his pathetic state, I felt refreshed as suddenly a charming silhouette dashed out from the crowd.

"Master, though this long worm is now just an Underscale, it is genuine and faithful. I am willing to form a contract with him, hoping to assist him in ascending someday."

It's Senior Sister Olivia Lane.

Master shook his head displeased upon hearing this.

"You've already chosen the White Tiger; how can you be fickle?"

The fierce tiger behind let out an angry growl yet was helpless.

Olivia Lane, full of compassion, walked to the Underscale still struggling on the ground.

"Master, I know you're most concerned about Junior Sister, wanting her to have the best Mystical Beast in the world, but if this Underscale truly has the Soarnis Dragon bloodline, why can she have it, but not I?"

Master's face looked somewhat unsightly.

For some reason, he simply felt this sudden appearance of the Underscale seemed dubious.

Many words he hadn't had the chance to speak when Olivia Lane had already taken matters into her own hands, merging with the Underscale in a Blood Covenant.

Watching her so urgently desire the long worm, I laughed inwardly.

Look at how anxious you are.

Since you like it, you can have it all.

In my past life, that Underscale ascended to become a dragon, to be the Dragon King of Heaven and Earth, all because I rescued him and helped him with all my might.

Senior Sister sits back and enjoys the fisherman's profit, eating from the bowl and then cursing the cook.

This time, everything nurtured will start anew. With Senior Sister's understanding and endurance, I really look forward to seeing the world's only Soarnis Dragon ascend.

On the way back, I always rode on the White Deer's back.

He was indeed very docile, tireless and selfless.

When we reached my mansion gate, he even refused to let me down. I slightly angrily patted his antlers.

"Won't let me go home? Do you want to elope with me?"

Upon hearing this, the White Deer raised his head and let out a melodious deer call.

"Now that I drop you, aren't you going back to find that worthless Underscale?"

"Your human race always breaks promises. Since you chose me, how can you covet others?"

"Why do you seem filled with hostility toward that Underscale?"

I smiled teasingly at the White Deer, who arrogantly tilted his head to the side.

"Don't think I don't know your thoughts. You really want to see him transform into a Soarnis Dragon, becoming the Dragon King of Heaven and Earth. But don't speak of his bad fate; even if he has, letting him pass the Dragon Pool, he would be a disgrace to the Dragon heir."

As I heard someone disparaging the former Dragon King of Heaven and Earth in front of me, I instantly beamed with joy.

"Rest assured, since I chose you, I won't look at anyone else. If you're unwilling to form a covenant with me, to be lifelong companions and become Dao partners, you can leave on your own, and I won't blame you, so that I can seek other Mystical Beasts."

Upon hearing my words, he actually poked me with his antlers, nearly knocking me to sit on the ground.

"Indeed, you are still coveting other species. Since you pinpointed me, you're determined to form a covenant with me, how could I be unwilling?"

I smiled sweetly; this White Deer couldn't bear any provocation, truly adorable.

"Then let us make a Blood Covenant."

I took a drop of blood from my brow, indicating for him to also use brow blood to form a covenant with me.

In my past life, there were no excess entanglements between me and the Underscale, even lacking the most fundamental soul bond, merely because he sweet-talked me, claiming his injuries were heavy and not wanting to drag my life down.

At the time, I thought he was sincere towards me and planned to make the covenant only after he ascended, never expecting him to die on the day he ascended.

In this life, I surely will plan ahead and never give anyone another chance to hurt me.

: The White Deer's Transformation

The White Deer is a true Primordial Mystical Beast of Adrian Blake's bloodline, a symbol of auspiciousness.

I thought he would refuse.

After all, someone like me with such a low level of cultivation is but a weakling. Wanting to live and die with him, with our souls perishing together, I'm not qualified yet.

But he didn't hesitate at all. After a long cry, a streak of golden-red blood appeared in the sky.

Quickly, his blood and mine merged together.

In just a moment of my dazedness, the covenant was complete.

Suddenly, the enormous White Deer approached me, extending its long tongue to lick the blood off my forehead. I was startled and hastily retreated.

"What are you doing?"

The White Deer seemed unaware of any impropriety in its actions.

"Helping you stop the bleeding, what else?"

A blush flashed across my face; this method of stopping the bleeding really was unique. Seeing my reluctance, the White Deer backed off two steps, maintaining a distance from me.

The situation in