Chapter 257: Chapter 250 Horsemanships

Mounts, for the common folk, are dispensable.

However, for a powerful being, a mount is an indispensable and important companion. Even when one ascends to the level of immortals, mounts are equally vital.

In ancient times, those mighty experts with profound magical powers each had their mounts.

Many, like Master He Shan, started to rear their mounts while their cultivation was still shallow, nurturing them over a long period.

“When one man gains Tao, even his chicken and dogs ascend to heaven.”

This phrase is often used to describe how the relatives and friends of a person who climbs up the ladder benefit as well.

The earliest source is actually referring to Liu An, who, after successfully concocting the Immortal Pill, not only became immortal himself but also fed the elixir to the chickens and dogs he raised, aiding their ascension.

This is merely a legend.

In the cultivation world, every Elixir is incredibly precious, making it highly unlikely to be used for feeding chickens and dogs.

When people rear pets, they opt for exotic beasts and birds with outstanding potential.

With the same Elixir, feeding an ordinary chicken might evolve it one or two levels. It may have been unable to beat a dog before, but following its transformation, it can.

But if you feed a Five-Colored Brocade Chicken, it might transform directly into a Demon Bird, possibly even awakening a Phoenix bloodline.

The ratio of investment to return can be quite impressive.

“Master He’s mount is extraordinary, majestic and dominating. Did you

directly subdue this exotic beast?”

Qin Niu asked with evident envy.

“Speaking of which, it was also a matter of fate. In my younger days, as I

wandered through the cultivation markets, I saw a small lion confined in a cage for sale. It looked pitiful, so I spent twenty Silver Money to buy it. Heh, little did I expect that after taking the little fellow home, it showed remarkable qualities, and with just a bit of nurturing, it underwent a transformation.”

Master He Shan spoke of his mount with considerable pride.

“To acquire an exotic beast for just twenty Silver Money, such profound fortune is enough to make others weep with envy. I see it bears a resemblance to the Double-Headed Lion, which is a rare species in the world.”

It goes without saying, everyone has their own destiny.

The calf that Qin Niu saved was equally extraordinary.

“Haha, young man, you have a good eye indeed! To recognize at a glance that it has the bloodline of a Double-Headed Lion many have seen my mount and called it ugly. Few really know their stuff.”

Master He Shan grew even more smug.

The Double-Headed Lion is indeed a rare variety among exotic beasts, but it’s certainly incomparable to the legendary Nine-Headed Lion.

You see, the Nine-Headed Lion was the mount of the Great Taiyi Rescue Sage, directly conferred with the title of Jiuling Yuansheng. Just like the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, it is one of the saintly beasts.

It’s at the pinnacle, so to speak.

“Let’s go, stick close to me!”

Seeing that the Insect Master’s camp had finished assembling, Master He Shan commanded and leapt forward on his majestic lion.

This beast, truly an extraordinary breed, could leap over seven meters with a casual bound, and while galloping forward, the overwhelming fierce majesty it radiated was enough to make many ordinary mounts tremble.

This was Qin Niu’s first time riding a horse.

Imitating others, he swung himself into the saddle.

“Neigh!”

The steed beneath him suddenly began behaving stubbornly, lifting its hooves and rebelling on the spot, attempting to throw him off its back.

Lucky for Qin Niu, his cultivation at the Innate Realm saved him from making a fool of himself.

Otherwise, if he were thrown off the horse and landed with a bruised and swollen face, it would have been a huge embarrassment.

“First time riding a horse? Squeeze with your legs, lower your body, and as long as you don’t get thrown off, it will settle down after struggling for a bit,” said a female officer clad in leather armor and draped in a white fox fur cape.

This female Insect Master was one of Master He Shan’s three adjutants.

She appeared to be in her thirties and was quite dashing.

The Insect Master’s camp had only three adjutants, named Yang JiangHe, Zhao Yu, and Tang Fangfang. Among the women, only Zhao Yu seemed to be a

possible name.

This female officer was most likely Zhao Yu.

“Thank you for the advice!”

Qin Niu, following the woman’s instructions, lowered his body, squeezed his legs against the horse’s sides, and firmly grasped the saddle with both hands. It worked like a charm, and after the horse’s brief frenzy to no avail, it had no choice but to start trotting forward.

When it galloped, the ride on its back was extremely bumpy.

It was clear that it had not fully submitted, but instead tried to shake Qin Niu

off its back by running fast.

Regrettably, it encountered a strong martial artist from the Innate Realm.

Qin Niu sat on its back as if he had taken root.

No matter how it struggled, he remained as steady as Mount Tai.

After stabilizing somewhat, Qin Niu sensed that someone had been following him all along, and subconsciously turned his head to check.

He saw a female general riding a Sweaty Precious Horse behind him.

She seemed ready to intervene at any moment to save Qin Niu.

“As it runs, you can try to get a feel for it, moving with the rise and fall of its body, so you won’t be thrown off the horseback. It will also be more comfortable,”

she said to Qin Niu.

“Okay! May I ask how to address you?”

Qin Niu wasn’t sure if she was Zhao Yu, so it was safer to ask her name first.

“Zhao Yu, not only a centurion but also an Insect Master.”

“A valiant female general, a woman warrior of note, truly admirable. It’s a pleasure to meet you. My name is Qin Niu; I hope for your guidance.”

Qin Niu was not fond of socializing ordinarily.

He was low-key in his actions, used to being alone.

However, he was always willing to interact with those whose character he trusted.

The goodwill shown by this female commander made a very good impression on him. After entering the military, there would certainly be much to learn, and having made her acquaintance would make it convenient to seek advice later on.

“Pleasure’s all mine!”

She agreed heartily.

“Now that you’ve learned to ride, I won’t follow you any longer. Just catch up with Master He Shan in front and follow him.”

After speaking, she gently pulled on the reins, and the Sweaty Precious Horse she was mounted on raised its hooves and stopped.

“Hurry up, everyone! Get ready for battle.”

“Understood!”

Her Insect Masters acknowledged with a roar and rushed towards her, whips in hand.

Qin Niu also whipped his mount, urging the warhorse beneath him to gallop forward. His high cultivation level gave him a solid foundation.

Despite never having learned to ride before, he soon became proficient at it.

The steed he was mounted on was a well-trained warhorse which, after being tamed by Qin Niu, gradually became docile and obedient.

For it realized that no matter how fast it ran or how high it jumped, it could never shake off the person on its back.

The sensation of riding a horse for the first time was novel, and it gave him an experience of freedom and gallantry he had never had before, stirring a heroic spirit in his heart.

Master He Shan led the way, rushing at the forefront.

Behind him, dozens of Insect Masters followed on their steeds, guarding and escorting.

After earning a position in the military, one can generally establish one’s own personal soldiers.

These dozens of Insect Masters were likely Master He Shan’s personal troops. Qin Niu followed behind them, galloping towards the direction of Luoshui Town.

They hadn’t gone far when they encountered large groups of refugees fleeing headlong towards them.

They were all in extreme panic.

Behind them, a great number of rabjak insects pursued and hunted them.

No one could have imagined that a tiny insect, usually so inconspicuous, could become terrifying when their numbers reached into the thousands upon thousands.

in front of them, humans became exceedingly vulnerable.

In an instant, someone could lose their life..