Chapter 48: Thunder Ancestor Ink Qilin!

Rumble...

As the mountain winds grew stronger, a chill began to permeate the air.

Dark clouds gradually blanketed the sky above Mount Minglu. Before the sun could even rise, it was tightly obscured behind the rapidly gathering storm clouds.

From the distance, the faint, drum-like rolling of thunder echoed.

All of this was an unmistakable sign that the Nine Heavens Primordial Spirit Rain-Praying Array was taking effect.

The original stifling heat in the air gradually dissipated; it wouldn't be long before the rain began to fall.

Lin Nan seemed to sense that the citizens within his line of sight were all cheering and jumping with joy because of the impending rain.

However, at this moment, Lin Nan had no interest in them.

His gaze was fixed intently on that withered, yellow forest, while he simultaneously tried his best to keep his breathing steady.

He was terrified that a single heavy breath might startle the creature that had just revealed itself from the woods.

But as it turned out, Lin Nan was still too cautious.

Several more dull cracks of thunder rolled across the horizon, loud enough to deafen a person.

If an ordinary creature heard such a massive sound, it would most likely flee in a panic.

Yet, this figure showed no sign of fear whatsoever.

In fact, the louder the thunder became, the more boldly it stepped out from the forest.

*Crack...*

As the creature's hooves stepped on withered branches and fallen leaves, the sound was exceptionally familiar.

Lin Nan could now confirm that the thing that had been following him from a short distance away... was it!

As the figure slowly emerged from the forest and stood steadily not far away, Lin Nan finally saw the creature in its entirety!

Its appearance was similar to a deer, but its build was significantly sturdier than an ordinary deer.

It was about two and a half meters long, standing over half a person tall, with massive and sharp horns on its head, shaped like grey lightning torn from the clouds.

The fur on its back was black, while the rest was dark brown, and the hollows of its eyes were as black as ink...

The combination of these features brought a surge of joy to Lin Nan's heart.

It was exactly the Black Deer he had been searching for!

Though Lin Nan was excited internally, he did not dare show any joy on his face.

He worried that any unnecessary movement would scare the Black Deer away.

Thus, Lin Nan stood his ground, watching those round eyes as they sized him up...

No, to be more accurate, it was merely looking in his direction.

And the position Lin Nan occupied was precisely the location of the Nine Heavens Primordial Spirit Rain-Praying Array!

Unsurprisingly, the array's eye was still surging with vast natural energy.

Witnessing this, Lin Nan couldn't help but marvel inwardly, "This Black Deer truly possesses spirituality... Could it have smelled the moisture drawn in by this Rain-Praying Array?"

Lin Nan speculated that the Rain-Praying Array he had cast had attracted a massive amount of water vapor.

The Black Deer was also known as the Water Deer, and it was naturally fond of water.

He hadn't expected that his intention to alleviate the drought in Nanjiao City would accidentally attract a Black Deer!

As Lin Nan locked eyes with the Black Deer, the latter seemed to gradually lower its guard.

As if drawn by something, it began to walk slowly toward Lin Nan.

Lin Nan stood there, waiting quietly until the Black Deer approached him.

First, he carefully attempted a few movements to confirm that his actions would not scare the creature away.

Even when it stood close, the Black Deer made no move to retreat.

Lin Nan gradually grew bolder and began to examine it from a close distance.

After a period of observation, Lin Nan made a new discovery.

Although the Black Deer looked large, its condition was actually quite poor.

It was likely due to the recent drought, which had caused its living environment to deteriorate sharply.

The water sources where the water-loving Black Deer usually foraged had gradually dried up, leaving it with nowhere to find food or drink.

Furthermore, to fill its stomach, the Black Deer had consumed many water-deficient plants, making it increasingly thirsty and weak.

Otherwise, it wouldn't have been drawn to the Nine Heavens Primordial Spirit Rain-Praying Array.

Seeing this, Lin Nan felt a pang of emotion.

He was also glad that he had acted in time.

Had he come even one day later, he might not have encountered this Black Deer at all.

Seeing the Black Deer drooping its head, Lin Nan feared that if he delayed any longer, it might not even be able to stand.

Lin Nan took a step forward and reached out to stroke the Black Deer's furry forehead.

The Black Deer indeed did not flinch.

Whether it was to save strength or because it was too weak to move, it remained still.

"Restore vitality..."

"Perhaps this Dharma Seal will work."

Lin Nan immediately thought of the spell he had just acquired. He muttered to himself, then, as if seeking permission, he locked eyes with the Black Deer.

The latter stared back with its round eyes, looking at Lin Nan with a gaze that was clear yet foolish.

In the gaze between man and deer, the Black Deer had to tilt its head up slightly; after enduring it for a moment, it actually lowered its head.

Seeing this, a smile played at the corners of Lin Nan's mouth, taking it as an agreement.

"Don't worry, I won't let you suffer."

Lin Nan comforted the highly spiritual Black Deer, then immediately began to form a hand seal.

As he performed a dizzying series of hand mudras, a gentle breeze began to swirl around Lin Nan.

The wind caused the immortal armor on his body to flutter slightly, and it seemed to carry an infinite vitality.

"Three days to nurture the essence, Jingxiao's righteous punishment."

"Issue the command, responding to the stars above..."

Lin Nan recited loudly as he performed the hand seals.

As he moved, the breeze grew increasingly intense.

Wherever the wind blew, even the withered grass beneath Lin Nan's feet seemed to turn a shade greener!

*Crackle—*

Just as the wind reached its peak, a thunderous sound erupted from Lin Nan's hands.

If one looked closely, they would see that lightning seemed to be dancing at the tips of Lin Nan's fingers!

"Great Emperor Taiyi, I summon your true spirit."

"With thunder as the guide, reveal your true form!"

As Lin Nan recited the final line of the incantation, his right hand, which had been performing mudras, formed a specific Dharma Seal.

Finally, the seal struck the Black Deer's forehead!

The Returning Origin Spring Thunder Seal!

It was cast!

Thunder capable of stimulating a creature's physical potential and allowing ancient residual bloodlines to resurface began to race rapidly through the Black Deer's body!

This thunder, which governed growth and decay, did not harm; it only caused a sensation of tingling numbness.

The Black Deer's entire body trembled, its four hooves struggling to support its weight.

The Returning Origin Spring Thunder Seal injected into its body acted like spring thunder triggering wind and rain, continuously washing and reshaping the Black Deer's body, revitalizing every single cell!

At a speed almost visible to the naked eye, the Black Deer's aura underwent a world-shaking transformation.

Discarding its previously withered and weak appearance, its body gradually straightened!

Its long, narrow antlers seemed to grow even more robust.

Even the fur on its body became much glossier!

Starting from the black fur on its back, the previously dark brown fur showed a subtle trend toward turning black!

...

Soon, the Black Deer seemed to gradually adapt and began to shake off the dust from its body.

As the dust fell away, Lin Nan couldn't help but gasp when he looked closely at the Black Deer again!

It was completely different from the grey-furred, dusty deer he had seen just moments ago!

Its high, elegant head, topped with a pair of thunderous long horns, displayed an air of pride.

Its body was much sturdier, and its powerful limbs seemed to possess incredible explosive force!

"Yooo-err..."

With a highly ethereal deer cry, the Black Deer regained its vitality.

As if possessed by inexhaustible strength, it began to gallop wildly!

Despite its sturdy build, it was not clumsy at all when running.

It was as if wind were born beneath its hooves; the moment it struck the ground, it moved like a dark shadow flying past.

Its speed was almost comparable to a speeding car.

And as the Black Deer ran joyfully,

Lin Nan sensed that a mysterious connection had formed between him and the creature!

It was as if he could communicate with it through thought alone.

As the Black Deer frolicked, Lin Nan could faintly sense its excitement and joy.

"It must be because of the Returning Origin Spring Thunder Seal I cast!"

Just as Lin Nan was speculating, the Black Deer seemed to sense his thoughts.

After running fast for a while, it obediently returned to Lin Nan's side.

Looking at the Black Deer so close, its demeanor already possessed the ancient grace of a bygone era.

In a trance, it actually gave off the impression of a Dark Qilin!

Of course, in terms of bloodline, it was still far off, and it lacked the strength a divine beast should possess.

But if it could continue to evolve under Lin Nan's guidance—meaning he would have to manually stimulate its bloodline potential from time to time—it might not be impossible for it to become a divine beast in the future.

However, this would require Lin Lan to use Dharma Seals regularly, which would consume a lot of mana and require years of continuous effort, essentially making it the long-term cultivation of a pet beast.

"I wonder if this counts as achieving the suggestion?"

The suggestion to capture a Dark Qilin surfaced in Lin Nan's mind, and he began to ponder.

Reaching out to stroke the Black Deer's forehead, he realized his guesswork wouldn't yield a definitive answer, so he decided to simply take a photo to show his fans for verification.

"Consider it a souvenir."

As he spoke, Lin Nan began to set up his phone.

After all, being in Nanjiao City, this Black Deer was a rare wild animal; it wasn't like an ordinary pet that he could just take home.

Otherwise, it would look very "illegal."

Soon, Lin Nan had the phone set up.

After adjusting the angle, he used a thought to make the Black Deer lie down beside him.

He held a Dharma Whip in one hand and the Five Thunder Decree Tablet in the other, his expression commanding and majestic.

Combined with the backdrop of the dark clouds crackling with lightning in the sky behind him,

This scene was virtually identical to the divine statues of the Thunder Ancestor and the Dark Qilin!

"There should be a meme of this online!"

After finishing the shoot, even Lin Nan was stunned by the photo.

Without delay, Lin Lan posted the photo directly to the internet.

He even posted a photo-text update on his Douyin account used for live streaming.

[An accidental encounter in the mountains; a spontaneous shot.]

[The Thunder Ancestor's Dark Qilin, calling the rain down upon the world.]

[P.S.: No improper guidance intended, and no animals were harmed during filming.]

(End of Chapter)