Chapter 963: The Divine Bull's Favor

To become a guest elder of Wild Bull Ridge?

Li Qing pondered for a long time, concluding that it wasn't because they recognized his abilities or talent. At best, it was because this so-called Divine Bull showed him particular affection.

But why this Little Azure Bull was so fond of him, Li Qing couldn't figure out.

True, joining Wild Bull Ridge and becoming an outsider guest elder would mean no longer having to worry about the threat from the Flying Spirit Clan. His cultivation path would be more stable, allowing for steady growth.

Yet he couldn't guarantee that this Little Azure Bull would remain so affectionate in the future. Judging by the calf's current status within Wild Bull Ridge—it held exceptionally high status—if it ever stopped showing him favor, he would lose the ridge's protection.

Moreover, joining Wild Bull Ridge meant cultivating there, a place with more than one body integration realm old monster. If any of these ancient beings became interested in him and secretly observed him, even with his divine soul far surpassing that of cultivators at the same level, he would find it nearly impossible to detect them.

And he still had many secrets to keep, such as his ability to traverse between two realms—secrets that could never be exposed.

With this thought, Li Qing asked, "Senior, if I join Wild Bull Ridge, will I be able to obtain a cultivation technique?"

He was still practicing the Crimson Blaze Heaven-Burning Art, and his own created daoist arts had only reached the nascent soul realm. Therefore, he urgently needed a new cultivation technique.

The elder was slightly taken aback, then smiled bitterly. "The techniques of our Savage Bull Tribe are likely unsuitable for human cultivation. I'm afraid I can't fulfill your request, little friend."

One was an evolved Barbarian Bull Clan, the other human—it was only natural that their daoist arts differed.

Moreover, even if the techniques were suitable for Li Qing, Wild Bull Ridge would likely not easily allow him to examine their clan's inheritance, as it was the foundation of their existence.

At best, Li Qing was merely a human.

Hearing this, Li Qing smiled bitterly. "I'm not ready to abandon my own dao path yet. I appreciate your kindness, senior, but I'll refrain from joining Wild Bull Ridge."

Of course, there were other matters he needed to attend to—finding a way to remove the Saint Ancestor Curse Mark on his wrist and locating Fan Tong.

If he joined Wild Bull Ridge, he might not have the heart power to pursue these goals later.

"Very well, little friend. I understand your intentions and won't force you."

"You are welcome to stay with our clan for the time being. When the Heavenlight Secret Realm opens, I will personally escort you to the reception platform."

Li Qing bowed respectfully. "Many thanks for your hospitality, Senior!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he gently set down the Little Azure Bull sleeping in his arms. To his surprise, the calf stubbornly clung to his collar, refusing to let go.

Li Qing forced an awkward smile, unsure how to react.

"If it wouldn't bother you, little friend, would you mind caring for the Divine Bull Lord for a while? I would be most grateful!"

Li Qing couldn't easily refuse this request. He had no choice but to carry the little azure calf back to his cave abode.

This scene naturally startled many bull-headed men of Wild Bull Ridge, who watched with wide eyes, unable to comprehend the situation.

Hu Sheng and Fuya had been waiting long before Li Qing's cave abode. As soon as they saw him return, they rushed forward with concern.

"How was it, Fellow Daoist Li? Wild Bull Ridge didn't give you any trouble, did they?"

"Little Brother Li, why are you still carrying that Little Holy Bull from Wild Bull Ridge?"

Hearing their concerned inquiries, Li Qing shook his head. "The ancestor of Wild Bull Ridge didn't trouble me. He merely investigated why this Little Holy Bull is so close to me."

"But he couldn't find a specific reason. I think this little guy was just temporarily curious."

Truth be told, Li Qing didn't even know how this little blue calf had become the Barbarian Bull Clan's Divine Bull, and it was more than just a mascot. The clan leader's succession might even require the Little Holy Bull's approval.

Fuya narrowed her peach-blossom-like eyes and asked curiously, "This Little Holy Bull is no ordinary creature. Even my divine sense can't detect its presence."

"If I relied solely on divine sense and hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn't have realized it was right in your arms!"

With that, she boldly used her divine sense to probe the Little Holy Bull's sea of consciousness!

When Li Qing sensed this, he was so shocked he couldn't speak and wanted to stop her audacious act.

But in the next moment, Fuya staggered as if struck by lightning. Her delicate body trembled, and her face instantly drained of all color.

"How could this be... I feel like a lone boat on a vast ocean. This Little Holy Bull..."

Before she could finish speaking, Fuya fled back to her cave abode in a panic.

Hu Sheng's expression shifted slightly, his eyes revealing a deep wariness. After a moment, he said nothing further and returned to his own cave abode.

Li Qing naturally didn't dare to investigate further. After all, this was the Wild Bull Ridge's Divine Bull—it was bound to possess extraordinary qualities.

"It seems the Wild Bull Ridge has a certain confidence in entrusting you to my care," Li Qing murmured to himself before retreating to his cave abode.

The next day, perhaps due to the Little Holy Bull's close bond with Li Qing, the Wild Bull Ridge hosted a grand banquet in their honor—a level of courtesy even the City Lord Lingxu had never received. The reason? The favor of a seemingly ordinary little calf had prompted the Wild Bull Ridge to make such a public display.

The banquet itself was unremarkable, consisting of copious amounts of potent wine and the Wild Bull Ridge's unique spirit food.

The usually reclusive and taciturn Old Lord Hei You did not attend. Only Li Qing and his two companions endured the Wild Bull Ridge's enthusiastic hospitality.

Holding the Divine Bull in his arms, Li Qing naturally became the center of attention. Even while seated, he could feel the weight of countless gazes, as palpable as physical objects, pressing down on him.

At the banquet, Li Qing and his group also met the younger generation of Wild Bull Ridge, who were similarly preparing to enter the Heavenlight Secret Realm soon.

The Little Bull King left a particularly deep impression on him. At the perfected stage of the divine transformation realm, he was only half a step away from the void refinement realm.

Li Qing even suspected that the Little Bull King could break through to the next major realm at any moment, but had suppressed it because of their impending entry into the Heavenlight Secret Realm. His strength was likely comparable to that of a void refinement realm expert.

However, the Little Bull King showed no ill will toward him. Like the other Wild Bull Ridge clansmen, he shared a cup of strong liquor with Li Qing. But it was less a toast to Li Qing himself and more to the Little Azure Bull hanging around his neck. The respect Li Qing received from the Wild Bull Ridge clansmen was entirely due to the Little Azure Bull's presence.