God of Pets

Cuiyun Peak is one of the most mysterious peaks of Beimang Mountain, and until now, no one has been able to thoroughly explore it.

Just setting foot on Cuiyun Peak is an extremely dangerous act; the most recent exploration was seven years ago when a team of over a dozen Third Awakening Cultivators embarked on a mission to ascend Cuiyun Peak. Since then, they've vanished without a trace.

Since that time, the Celestial Court Army has never again organized a group to explore Cuiyun Peak.

After Chen Guan and his companions dealt with the Blood Phoenix, there were less than two days left to submit their task.

To them, this naturally wasn't an issue. They weren't planning to submit the task anyhow; as long as they could enter Cuiyun Peak within the valid task period, time could pass without consequence.

Should there be an opportunity to hunt the Holy Horned White Deer, they wouldn't miss any chance.

Of course, the three didn't dare approach Cuiyun Mountain and instead waited outside for an opportunity. Perhaps the Holy Horned White Deer might come down from the mountain.

This time, even Chen Guan had no idea. Although the Holy Horned White Deer was a unique creature, killing it proved more difficult than defeating three World-Defying Secret Spirits; luck would be necessary.

The trio remained at the mountain's base, hoping to witness the white deer descend.

After waiting a day, there was no sign of the white deer, but they did hear strange noises emanating from Cuiyun Mountain, which startled the three.

"What is that sound? It sounds like the roaring of a gale through a mountain gorge, yet there's not a hint of wind on this sunny day—where would a gale come from?" An Yiqi craned his neck to peer towards Cuiyun Mountain, but unfortunately, he couldn't discern anything.

The sound had a steady rhythm, akin to a giant's breathing. It did indeed sound like airflow, yet there was not a whisper of wind around.

"It's said that those who have climbed Cuiyun Mountain are neither seen alive nor left any trace after death. Surely, there's something extremely horrifying in that mountain. No matter what happens, we should not climb it; let's just wait here," Men Duan quickly cautioned the two, advising them against any thoughts of adventuring up the mountain.

Chen Guan never intended such a venture. Listening for a while, when the sound persisted, he stopped paying it mind and focused on cultivating the Secret Technique of One on his own.

He discovered that the primordial energy near Cuiyun Peak was exceptionally abundant, far exceeding that around nearby Phoenix Mountain, and far surpassing the comparison to Holy Lamp Mountain Chen Guan had visited before.

However, this abundance was limited to the vicinity of Cuiyun Mountain; any further distance, and the primordial energy becomes remarkably thin.

Moreover, each time he cultivated, Chen Guan caught a fleeting fragrance hovering at the tip of his nose, which led him to wonder if Cuiyun Mountain harbored some extraordinary Heavenly and Earthly Treasures.

Chen Guan had heard of a Heavenly Treasure known as the Void Spirit Sword Orchid, whose blooms could disperse fragrance for ten miles and those who smelled it could enhance their talent in the Sword Dao, even directly comprehend Sword Intent.

It could enlighten those unfamiliar with Sword Dao principles and elevate those already gifted in the Sword Dao to unparalleled realms, making it a rare treasure in the Secret Realm acclaimed as the foremost orchid in the world.

Unfortunately, the Void Spirit Sword Orchid was only found inside the Grotto Heaven; the Blessed Secret Realm lacked such Heavenly Treasures.

Chen Guan pondered whether the scent he perceived was emanating from a treasure similar to the Void Spirit Sword Orchid, thereby intensifying the primordial energy around Cuiyun Peak.

Yet this suspicion remained unanswered, as neither Men Duan nor An Yiqi claimed to have sensed any fragrance, nor perceived the energy here as denser than outside.

"This is strange," Chen Guan mused quietly, for the primordial energy absorbed by the Secret Technique of One never deceived him; indeed it was denser here than outside. Why couldn't Men Duan and An Yiqi feel this?

Though perplexed, Chen Guan felt no urge to explore further.

Pursuing curiosity came second to safeguarding his own life.

"The task time is nearly gone, yet the mountain is teeming with wild creatures like pheasants and rabbits, but no white deer has been seen," An Yiqi grew anxious.

"Why are you so worried?" Chen Guan remained seated, showing no sign of urgency as he calmly regarded An Yiqi.

"Task time is almost up," An Yiqi replied.

"Time's up then; what's the matter?" Chen Guan smiled.

An Yiqi was momentarily speechless, trying to articulate something but suddenly realized.

They weren't intending to submit the task; what did task time have to do with them? After all, they had already swiped the task card to get here; they just needed to capture the Holy Horned White Deer and not leave, so time no longer constrained them.

Realizing this, An Yiqi slapped his forehead, chuckling, "My brain hadn't turned the corner until now, always thought we needed to kill the Holy Horned White Deer before task time ended. Now you made me realize we don't need to care about time at all."

"Exactly, whether two days, ten days, or a month, we just wait here until the Holy Horned White Deer descends. Task overtime only results in the loss of some points; are we really afraid of losing points?" Chen Guan smiled.

"Hearing you say that, I really feel no rush." An Yiqi sat down, truly free from anxiety.

The three cared not about time, simply hiding at the mountain's base, awaiting the Holy Horned White Deer's emergence.

Oddly enough, the strange sound resembling giant breaths echoed at intervals every hour.

Yet there was no gust or rustle; indeed, the plants on Cuiyun Mountain resembled objects in a landscape painting needing no motion without animal disturbance.

Every time the strange sound was heard, Chen Guan noticed the primordial energy turning even more abundant, the fragrance becoming more potent, rendering cultivation of the Secret Technique of One twice as effective.

Yet Men Duan and An Yiqi still felt nothing, increasing Chen Guan's puzzlement.

"Why bother with all that; cultivate swiftly–that's the real path." Chen Guan focused wholeheartedly on cultivation, hoping swiftly to reach level 10.

Having waited at the mountain's base for seven or eight days, one day while cultivating, Chen Guan suddenly felt someone tugging at his sleeve. Opening his eyes, he found An Yiqi excitedly pulling him, pointing towards Cuiyun Mountain.

Chen Guan squinted and indeed saw a pure white deer strolling leisurely in the forest, utterly untouched by dust or blemish.

Its robust form rivaled that of a Night-Watch Lion Horse, topped with coral-like antlers, crystal-clear within which countless gleams seemed to flicker.

If not for its eyes, the white deer truly seemed purely perfect, yet, it bore a pair of blood-red eyes, filling the sockets, which lent its holy presence an indescribable wickedness.