OP Sister Chapter 481: The Primordial Beasts

-----

“Yeah, yeah, aren’t you all nice and friendly?” Yu sighed, crossing her arms.

“Come on now, don’t be so jealous. You’re our friend too,” I said, patting her head. “You’ll have to work really hard for this world once we leave… or, well, not work hard at all and live your own life. I guess it’s your choice.”

“Yeah, I think I’ll work three days a week, six hours tops, with paid vacations,” Yu said with a smile. “But that’s about it! I’m definitely making my own life too. I might have been born as some sort of artificial spirit by the Heavenly Empress, but yeah, I’ve got my own life to live and stuff!”

“I’m looking forward to whatever you accomplish in the future, Yu,” I said, glancing at the sky. “Huh? Wait…”

Two beasts made of radiant crystals descended, striding into the plaza and astonishing the onlookers who gazed in awe at the scene. One resembled a massive wolf crafted from black and purple crystals, the other a lion formed of yellow and golden crystals, both radiating immense primordial power.

Oh, so they came too.

The Primordial Martial Beasts—or their reincarnations, I suppose. Technically, they were also my familiars.

“Wuyue Zhiye! Yaoyan Taiyang! Both of you look like you’ve been busy. Are you taking care of this world well?”

“Yes, Master,” they replied in unison.

“It wouldn’t have been possible without your help.”

I froze, stunned by their response.

“…HUH?!”

They could speak! I had no idea they’d gained this ability. When? How? I’d imagined they were like children, still learning how to move and such, but their voices carried a wisdom that belied that notion.

“Y-you guys can speak!” I stammered, glancing back at my friends.

“I heard them, yeah,” Wai Tian gasped.

“Interesting…” Yin Sheng murmured, amazed.

“Whoa! So that wasn’t just in my head? The primordial beasts talked!” Song exclaimed.

A crowd quickly formed around us, everyone marveling at the beasts’ ability to speak—an utterly uncommon phenomenon.

“Indeed, Master, we gained the ability to speak not long ago,” said Wuyue Zhiye, the Primordial Beast of Yin, resembling a black wolf. His voice was calm and charmingly masculine.

“After our ascension, we regained memories of our previous incarnations—the two primordial beasts who created this world through their battle,” added Yaoyan Taiyang, the Primordial Beast of Yang, resembling a majestic golden lion. Her voice was strong and distinctly feminine.

“B-but how did this even happen?” I asked.

“When we ascended by consuming the crystallized Primordial Ki, everything slowly came together,” Wuyue Zhiye explained. “The World Core of this realm had been damaged, which made it easier for us to access the Records of our previous incarnations and inherit their knowledge.”

“Indeed, it was no simple feat,” Yaoyan Taiyang continued. “Without your help, the aid of your friends, and that Ancient Dokkaebi, we could not have achieved this level of evolution.”

“Well, I’m really happy for you two and stuff… but weren’t you enemies? Are you good with each other now?”

“We were never enemies, but primordial rivals,” Wuyue Zhiye clarified. “We were the children of the Greatest God of Murim, the Heavenly Golden Dragon King.”

“We were born from the scales he shed long ago, and he raised us… partially,” Yaoyan Taiyang added. “But we ran away, driven by an intense impulse for battle. You could call it fate, but that’s how things came to be.”

“Wait, what?! I had no idea you were that old man’s kids!”

“That’s right,” Wuyue Zhiye said. “We briefly visited him, hence our absence. We told him about your great efforts, about this world, and how you triumphed against a Void Ruler.”

“And Father said he’ll extend his protection to Bestia, as long as we remain here as its guardians and… well, don’t fight anymore,” Yaoyan Taiyang concluded.

“That’s so great! I’m so happy! Well done!” I cheered.

I had to explain to the bewildered crowd what we were talking about. It didn’t take long, and they more or less grasped the situation.

“Thank you so much for your help, great primordial beasts,” the Heavenly Empress said with a calm smile. “I wonder, what will become of our world’s future now?”

“The Heavens are regenerating at a rapid pace,” Wuyue Zhiye replied. “A new Heaven’s Will is already being born, and the World’s Will is stabilizing. As this world’s deities, we’ll work together to ensure its regeneration continues.”

“Nature will take its course,” Yaoyan Taiyang added, “and with the machines’ help, we hope to restore the Central Continent and perhaps even expand the world, creating many more continents and fostering new life.”

“Truly?” the Heavenly Empress said, her eyes alight with wonder. “Only the work of gods could accomplish such feats. I will pray to you daily, hoping your plans come to fruition. I cannot wait to see our world restored to its great days of old—no, perhaps even greater.”

“As Venerables, you and your son must focus on protecting the people above all else,” Wuyue Zhiye advised. “That is your sole duty. Do not overexert yourself trying to fix more than you can.”

“Of course,” Yaoyan Taiyang said. “Without Anna’s help, we could never have had this conversation. We’re truly grateful you brought us back and gave us a second chance to protect the world we created.”

“Ah, well, that was more the System’s doing, but I’m glad it helped,” I said with a nod. “About this new Heavenly Will, though… um, who is it? It’s not the old one?”

I remembered hearing her voice one last time when I was granted the title of Venerable…

“Unfortunately, the previous Heavenly Will is dead,” Wuyue Zhiye said solemnly.

“She worked tirelessly to protect this world until her final moment, giving up the last of her essence to you, helping you ascend into an Immortal through her Heavenly Tribulation,” Yaoyan Taiyang explained.

“Within you lies her last essence,” Wuyue Zhiye added. “You carry a piece of heaven with you, forevermore.”

“But fear not,” Yaoyan Taiyang reassured. “She ensured her successor would be fit for the role. Don’t worry.”

“I-I see…” I murmured, touching my chest, feeling the essence within the core of my being.

So, when she spoke to me back then… it was truly her last time. Despite her harshness, the Heavenly Will of Bestia was a mother who cared deeply for her children. And she even made me one of her daughters. I’ll be forever honored to have ascended into an Immortal Cultivator through her Heavenly Tribulation.

-----