Immortal Druid

The three before me were genuine spirit beasts.

Not merely intelligent animals that stumbled upon enlightenment by chance, but true cultivators possessing Core Formation cultivation. Spiritual pressure flowed naturally around their bodies, subtle yet unmistakable. The elderly monkey radiated the calm stability of age and experience. The buffalo resembled a mountain resting beside a river, sturdy and unmoving. The emu…

The emu looked ready to start a war.

I took a slow breath before deciding to approach this properly.

“Well,” I began, “since we are apparently all living together now, I’d like to understand your communities better. Please introduce yourselves properly and tell me about your tribes.”

The three beasts listened attentively.

“I also want to know what your expectations of me are,” I continued. “And what your people can offer in return. If we are going to build something together, I’d rather everyone understand one another clearly.”

The elderly monkey stepped forward first while leaning lightly upon his staff.

“I am Elder Monke,” he declared proudly.

The surrounding monkeys immediately began clapping enthusiastically.

“Wise Elder Monke!”

“The oldest!”

“The wrinkliest!”

Elder Monke ignored them with the patience of someone long accustomed to nonsense.

“There are many beast clans within the forest,” he explained calmly. “All of them have attained the spark and gained sapience. Some are newly awakened while others possess lineages older than many human kingdoms.”

The old monkey puffed his chest slightly.

“As for myself, I am currently the oldest sapient creature within the forest.”

A squirrel gasped dramatically.

“He remembers things before things happened!”

“That is not how memory works,” Elder Monke replied flatly.

The monkey continued speaking while gesturing around the forest.

“With age comes wisdom. I can offer knowledge, guidance, and historical records regarding the forest and its inhabitants. My tribe also possesses many skilled foragers and gatherers. Due to our diversity, we maintain relations with a wide variety of species.”

He then tapped his staff against the floor lightly.

“In general, the forest is divided into three primary tribes according to habitat.”

Elder Monke raised one finger.

“The Earth Tribe. Primarily land-dwelling species.”

A second finger rose.

“The River Tribe. Aquatic and water-affiliated species.”

Then the third.

“And the Sky Tribe. Flying species.”

The emu immediately raised her head proudly.

“The coolest tribe.”

Old Crow scoffed from above.

“Debatable.”

Mumu narrowed her eyes murderously.

Elder Monke sighed but continued.

“Of course, the divisions are not absolute. There exist smaller clans with semi-affiliations or dual affiliations depending upon habitat and temperament. Some creatures travel freely between territories. Others simply ignore the tribal distinctions entirely.”

Yeah, I could definitely see that already.

The water buffalo stepped forward next.

Unlike Elder Monke’s scholarly composure, the buffalo carried himself with a grounded sincerity that immediately felt reassuring.

“I am Buff,” he said deeply. “Representative of the River Tribe.”

I glanced at his hooves.

“…You are aware you are a buffalo, correct?”

“I am.”

“Yet you lead the River Tribe.”

Buff nodded solemnly.

“I love the river.”

His answer arrived with such straightforward honesty that I almost felt bad for questioning him.

“I have protected the rivers of the forest for as long as I can remember,” Buff continued. “Because I was the strongest spirit beast among the River Tribe, I was eventually made chieftain.”

The massive buffalo lowered his head slightly.

“I do not desire much change. I simply wish to continue protecting the waters and the creatures living within them.”

Buff was simple, earnest, and surprisingly respectable.

“Our tribe does not possess great power compared to the others,” Buff admitted honestly. “However, the rivers connect many places throughout the domain. The fish clans travel constantly through streams, lakes, and waterways.”

He suddenly looked much prouder.

“We hear many things.”

Several nearby fish poked their heads from floating water bubbles and nodded seriously.

“We are excellent at gossip.”

“The best.”

“We know which cultivators secretly cry at night.”

I decided not to ask.

Buff continued.

“Travelers often pass through the rivers. Information spreads quickly through water. The River Tribe can provide knowledge regarding movements throughout the domain.”

That was honestly extremely useful.

The buffalo then gestured toward several frogs resting nearby.

“And our poison frogs possess valuable toxins.”

The frogs puffed out proudly.

“Very poisonous.”

“Extremely poisonous.”

“One time Bip melted a tree.”

“It was an accident.”

Buff nodded.

“According to my understanding of cultivator remedies, many toxins can be refined into medicines, antidotes, or weapons.”

I stared at the buffalo with mild surprise. For such a straightforward spirit beast, he was remarkably practical.

Next came the emu. The large bird strutted forward aggressively while making loud emu noises that somehow radiated confidence.

“BWOOOM.”

The pavilion fell silent.

Mumu puffed her feathers dramatically.

“I am Mumu!” she declared proudly. “Strongest bird in the entire Sky Tribe!”

Several birds immediately protested.

“The crows—”

“Silence!” Mumu shouted. “I refuse to acknowledge those feathered hoodlums!”

Old Crow looked deeply offended.

“We are respectable scavengers.”

“You steal shiny rocks!”

“They were abandoned!”

Mumu stomped one claw onto the pavilion floor.

“I became chieftain because I am the strongest!”

She flexed somehow.

I still did not understand how an emu flexed, but she managed it.

“My tribe is the most awesome tribe in the forest,” Mumu declared confidently. “Fastest flyers, strongest hunters, best-looking feathers—”

“You cannot even fly,” Old Crow interrupted.

Mumu froze as dangerous silence descended.

Slowly, the emu turned toward him.

“…What did you say?”

Old Crow realized his mistake approximately three seconds too late.

Mumu pointed at him dramatically.

“I challenge the crows!”

The pavilion erupted instantly.

“Fight!”

“Sky Tribe battle!”

“Peck him!”

Old Crow flapped his wings irritably.

“Your tribe cannot keep causing trouble for ours!”

“The crows keep bullying my people!”

“We are building character!”

“You stole our eggs!”

“They were decorative!”

I rubbed my temples in exhaustion. Things escalated way too quickly. I just wanted to know them better. That was all. Why were we suddenly approaching inter-tribal warfare?

Meanwhile, completely unaffected by the chaos, Mab gently brought another fruit toward my mouth.

“Ah~”

I stared at her helplessly.

Around us, beasts screamed challenges while crows cawed insults and Mumu prepared for what appeared to be ritualized avian combat. Mab simply smiled patiently, holding the fruit near my lips. I opened my mouth and accepted the fruit.

At this point, being fed was the least strange part of my day.

The argument between Mumu and Old Crow escalated so quickly that I eventually gave up trying to calm them down and instead prepared an arena for them to settle things properly.

If spirit beasts wanted ritual combat, then I might as well make it presentable.

Using phytokinesis, I commanded the surrounding forest to shift and reshape itself. Massive trees groaned as they moved aside while roots curled beneath the earth like living serpents. Vines twisted together into layered barriers surrounding the battlefield, and the ground flattened into a circular clearing large enough for aerial combat.

The beasts watched with sparkling eyes as nature bent itself to my will.

I also constructed wide bleachers from interwoven wood and roots so the gathered animals could sit comfortably. Large creatures received reinforced platforms while smaller beasts climbed into elevated branches specifically designed for them.

The monkeys immediately claimed the highest seats.

Above the arena, Zhen Ai performed a graceful Dragon Dance through the sky. Golden spiritual ribbons spiraled around her body while clouds gathered overhead in response to her movements. Every turn and twist radiated auspicious energy throughout the clearing.

“This blessing shall guide the battle away from needless death,” she declared while descending elegantly. “Fight proudly, but not foolishly.”

The gathered beasts roared in approval.

By the time everything was complete, the clearing resembled some bizarre fusion between a gladiatorial arena and a sacred festival ground.

And somehow, despite being the one who built everything, I found myself sitting in the audience instead.

Mab sat comfortably beside me, still feeding me grapes.

At this point, I had accepted that this was simply my life now.

“Open.”

I sighed and accepted another grape.

Tao Wolong sat on my other side while staring curiously at the gathered beasts below.

“Why are there so many animals claiming wisdom?” he suddenly asked. “There’s Willow, Old Black, Old Crow, and Elder Monke. Why does everybody keep talking like they’re enlightened sages?”

I thought about it for several seconds.

“…Honestly, I don’t know.”

“That doesn’t feel reassuring.”

Before I could answer further, Jia Ping suddenly appeared beside Mab while carrying several jade slips and an enormous stack of notes.

“I do,” she announced while adjusting her glasses.

Mab looked slightly displeased that Jia Ping had interrupted grape-feeding time, though thankfully she restrained herself from glaring.

Jia Ping crossed one leg over the other thoughtfully.

“The concept of wisdom among spirit beasts differs greatly from human understanding,” she explained. “It varies depending on temperament, instinct, and the nature of their spark.”

Tao Wolong blinked curiously.

“What does that mean?”

“Well,” Jia Ping began, “Willow’s wisdom stems from curiosity. She desires understanding above all else, which naturally leads her toward knowledge. Old Black’s wisdom originates from cunning and cruelty. He understands fear, survival, and manipulation. Old Crow’s wisdom is social. Information networks, adaptability, communication, opportunism. He thrives through relationships. And Elder Monke’s wisdom clearly comes from experience.”

I nodded sagely, pretending to know this stuff in front of Tao Wolong.

Of course, the only thing I gained from Tao Wolong was his glare.

Jia Ping continued.

“Spirit beasts possess an advantage humans lack. Their hearts are naturally purer and more straightforward. The spark itself is essentially crystallized wisdom manifested from the soul. That is why spirit beasts are often portrayed as wise in folklore and sect records. Their understanding emerges naturally alongside spiritual awakening.”

Tao Wolong nodded slowly.

“And humans?”

Jia Ping snorted softly.

“For humans, wisdom is far more troublesome. A scholar may spend decades studying, debating, writing, and cultivating their understanding before society recognizes them as a sage. The pursuit of wisdom for humanity is practically an entire cultivation path by itself. Long years. Endless effort. Recognition from peers and the masses alike.”

I glanced toward Elder Monke, who was currently smacking monkeys with his staff for throwing peanuts at one another.

Then I looked back toward Jia Ping.

“…Interesting standards.”

She shrugged.

“Wisdom is subjective.”

Below, Elder Monke stepped into the center of the arena while leaning upon his wooden staff.

The clearing gradually quieted.

“As per ancient custom,” Elder Monke declared loudly, “Mumu of the Sky Tribe has challenged Old Crow for leadership! Usually, this things happen the other way around, but Mumu insisted, so a fight she shall have.”

The gathered beasts erupted into cheers.

“This duel shall determine who becomes chieftain of the Sky Tribe!”

Mumu strutted proudly into the arena while puffing her feathers dramatically.

“My cultivation alone will crush this feather thief effortlessly!”

Old Crow descended lazily from above and landed opposite her with complete indifference.

Tao Wolong leaned toward me.

“Who do you think is going to win?”

Before I could answer, Jia Ping spoke immediately.

“The crow is obviously going to lose.”

Old Crow glanced upward irritably.

“How rude.”

Jia Ping ignored him entirely.

“He barely has any cultivation whatsoever. Mumu’s spiritual pressure is significantly stronger.”

Then she suddenly narrowed her eyes at me suspiciously.

“…Why do you look unconvinced?”

Before I could answer, Zhen Ai spoke softly from nearby. “The strange thing is that Old Crow carries a presence similar to yours, Sage Wo Li. Do you have an explanation for that?”

Everyone looked at me.

I shrugged casually.

“No idea.”

It was a complete lie. My Druidic Insight was practically screaming at me that Old Crow was somehow stronger than Mumu, which honestly made absolutely no sense by xianxia standards. Old Crow was a crow. A weird crow, certainly, but still a crow.

Elder Monke raised his staff high.

“Begin!”

Roo immediately sprang upright from the bleachers.

“THIS IS BULLSHIT!” the kangaroo shouted. “WHY ISN’T IT ME FIGHTING!?”

Nobody acknowledged him.

Mumu exploded into motion.

The emu blurred across the battlefield with astonishing speed, claws tearing through the earth as she accelerated directly toward Old Crow. The sheer force behind her charge shattered stone beneath her feet.

Old Crow calmly took flight.

“Eldritch Blast!”

A beam of dark energy erupted from the crow.

I nearly fell out of my seat.

“…Did that crow just cast a warlock spell?”

The blast streaked toward Mumu, who twisted violently mid-charge before kicking off the ground and launching herself skyward with terrifying momentum.

“It’s over!” Mumu cried proudly.

However, Old Crow suddenly vanished.

“Nature’s Stride.”

The crow suddenly appeared far below her, showing off a Druid ability of all things. My eyes widened at the sight of Old Crow breaking my common sense.

Old Crow cackled smugly while circling through the air.

“With Sage Wo Li as my Patron, I am invincible!”

He actually said it with swagger.

I stared at him in disbelief. Since when did I become a patron to a warlock crow? How did that even happen? What series of catastrophic life decisions led me here?

“SUNLIGHT ORB!”

Golden spheres of blazing light suddenly manifested around Old Crow as he started spamming them relentlessly.

It looked less like a duel and more like Mumu owed him years of unpaid rent.

Explosions rained throughout the battlefield as blazing orbs descended from the sky one after another. Mumu barely managed to dodge through the barrage while screaming furious emu noises.

The spectators lost their minds.

“HE’S A SPELLCASTER!”

“THE CROW IS CHEATING!”

“THAT’S SO COOL!”

Old Crow spun dramatically through the air while aura farming harder than any creature I had ever seen.

“Witness true elegance!” he declared proudly while sunlight exploded behind him like a divine omen. “For I am the shadow beneath heaven’s brilliance!”