The Useless Bird I Chose is a Divine Beast

When it was time for the clans selection of beast companions, before Blair could even begin her act, I snatched the dying bird from her hands.

Then I pushed the black snake with the growing horns in front of her.

My cousin, who was just about to start playing the victim, froze, and so did the surrounding clan members.

I smiled, saying nothing.

In my previous life, I had chosen this snake, who was on the verge of becoming a dragon-serpent. I spared no effort to help him safely complete his transformation. Yet, during my ascension trial, he and Blair conspired to kill me.

Afterward, he massacred the entire clan to assist his dragon-serpent transformation into a true dragon.

This time, Id like to see how he manages to transform without my help.

The day for the clan to choose beast companions and form contracts had arrived.

This year, among the chosen beasts was a serpent-man with bumps on his head, rumored to possess true dragon bloodline. He was powerful and rare. Capturing him had injured many clan members, and he was quite volatile, having bitten and injured a bird beast-person.

My cousin, Lily, who was with me, chirped excitedly.

Raina, that serpent-man is definitely yours. Youre so strong.

I just wonder who gets that bird. I certainly dont want a useless bird.

Bonding with a useless beast means your whole life is wasted. Its terrifying.

Yeah, a dragon is good. When the serpent-man transforms into a dragon, Raina, you have to let us all see it.

I said nothing, looking at Blair, my cousin, who had the worst aptitude in this round of matching.

Listening to the other clan members' disparagement, she twisted her fingers, her face filled with gloom.

If there were no surprises, that bird would undoubtedly be hers.

Indeed, when only the snake and the dying bird remained, the resentment on her face was impossible to hide.

The elder in charge of distribution liked to leave the best and the worst for last, enjoying the act of putting down the lowest-ranking.

I intended to speak before the elder, but Blair beat me to it.

She looked at me pitifully, Cousin, we choose beast companions to help us ascend to immortality later.

Cousin, youre so powerful. While a strong beast companion would be like adding wings to a tiger, you wouldnt really need a beasts help to ascend.

I know I dont deserve such a powerful beast companion, after all, Im so weak and my talent is poor. Even with his protection, I might not even succeed in my ascension.

She whined softly about a lot of things but stubbornly refused to directly state her intention.

But anyone with a brain could understand what she meant.

She wanted me to give her the dragon-serpent.

The eyes of the surrounding clan members almost rolled into the sky.

I said there were a lot of murals today, turns out someones cheek was enough to cover the city walls.

What she said isnt wrong. Raina is so strong, even if the dragon-serpent becomes a true dragon, it wont help Raina much.

Just because shes strong, she should just hand it over? Sacrificing others well-being for her own? Why dont you give her your three-tailed fox?

The seemingly objective ones hugged their foxes tightly, not daring to speak.

Everyone thought I would directly refuse; no one in their right mind would agree.

Thats what I did in my last life, only to hand her the perfect opportunity.

Cousin is right. The dragon-serpent is useless to me. Its better for someone who needs him more.

The sound of gasps immediately filled the air.

Its over, Rainas mind has been messed up from anger.

I ignored them, picked up the dying bird, and kicked the cage holding the dragon-serpent towards her.

Hes yours.

The dragon-serpent and my cousin looked at me in disbelief, but soon, a wide smile spread across my cousins face.

Seeing that both of us were serious, the elder frowned, wanting to object, but then saw that she had already quickly chanted a spell and formed a contract with the dragon-serpent.

It was too late to say anything then.

Watching Blairs triumphant gaze, I smiled. Did she really think this dragon-serpent was such a prize?

In my previous life, I naturally formed a contract with the dragon-serpent. Out of respect, I didnt choose the master-servant contract required by the clan, but an equal one.

Afterward, to help him successfully transform into a true dragon-serpent, I traveled all over the Nine Provinces, and even used all the resources I had accumulated over the years to earn him the right to bathe in the Dragon Spring.

The Dragon Spring was a spring where a true dragon once circled, rich in spiritual energy, even containing a wisp of dragon aura.

It was extremely precious, a treasure of the clan.

With that wisp of dragon aura, the horns on his head fully grew out, and he successfully transformed into a dragon-serpent, half a step away from a true dragon.

I devoted my whole heart to him, yet he remained indifferent, only coldly watching me rush about for him, righteously accepting the immortal herbs and spiritual treasures I found.

Let alone gratitude, he rarely spoke.

I didnt care, as beast-people have different personalities. It was normal for those with extraordinary bloodlines to be proud. All I needed was for him to help me during my ascension trial.

But who knew that on the day of my ascension, not only did he not help me withstand the heavenly lightning, he even risked backlash to attack me.

I failed my ascension and narrowly escaped death, but all my meridians were shattered, making cultivation impossible.

The power gap was too great. I watched him walk away with Blair, then dissolved our contract. At that time, I lay on the ground, disheveled and astonished.

The secret art of forming a beast contract was known only to our clan. His ability to dissolve it now meant a clan member was helping him behind the scenes.

Raina looks so pathetic.

Blair slowly walked out from behind him, ethereal and graceful, making me look even more like mud lying on the ground.

Its you! Why?

My eyes widened as I watched her embrace the black dragon-serpents arm, a scornful smile on her face.

Why, you ask? When our talents are so similar, why do you get to be high and mighty, having everything, while Im only fit for garbage, enduring others ridicule?

Youre just lucky to have a good father whos the clan leader!

Her face twisted with hatred. Since its so unfair, dont blame me for fighting for what I want!

I couldnt believe those words were coming from her. She felt the clans distribution was unfair, but all those resources were earned by my tireless cultivation.

She complained daily about the injustice yet refused to put in even a bit more effort into cultivation. How could the clan possibly waste resources on her?

But the current Blair was convinced it was everyone elses fault, utterly unwilling to reflect.

Without the contract, Hades will no longer be restricted. Cousin, we wont kill you. Consider it repayment for all your efforts to help Hades transform into a dragon-serpent over the years.

My eyes burned with fury as I watched her and Hades fly towards the clan.

By the time I dragged my broken body back, there was not a trace of life left in the clan.

They hadnt spared anyone, not even newborn infants.

I last saw the two of them at the Dragon Spring. Blair was extracting the sealed dragon blood from my fathers shattered body.

I didnt know how Blair knew there was true dragon blood in the Dragon Spring.

But I knew that if Hades obtained the dragon blood and transformed into a true dragon, I would never have a chance for revenge in this lifetime.

I squeezed out the last bit of spiritual energy from my body and, following my fathers instructions from my memories, blew up the Dragon Spring.

This was the last safeguard to protect the dragon blood from falling into outsiders hands. Its power was immense; once it exploded, our entire clan would be leveled.

If it were any other time, with my clan safe, I might have watched them leave with the dragon blood.

But now, with all my kin dead, I had no reservations whatsoever.

The Dragon Spring exploded with a roar. In my last glance before everything shattered, I saw Hades finally lose his composure, fleeing in panic, only to be engulfed by the exploding spiritual flames.

Since Blair had already contracted with the black dragon-serpent, the elders couldnt force them to dissolve the contract.

Hes about to transform into a dragon-serpent, requiring many resources. Are you sure you can ensure his smooth evolution?

Blair lifted her head. Of course, since Ive contracted with him, Ill naturally take responsibility for him.

The elder was clearly unconvinced but didnt say much more, sighing as he looked at the dying, ugly bird in my arms.

He hesitated, Lil Willow, given your strength, this bird is truly a burden. If youre willing to wait a few more days, I can bring you a new beast companion.

Hearing that he wanted to give me another beast, the bird in my arms, unable to even take human form, stirred, seemingly afraid I would abandon him.

I soothingly stroked his head. Just as I was about to refuse, I felt an intense gaze of resentment from beside me.

It was Blair.

She didnt even care about her own beast and immediately began to whine.

If Cousin doesnt want that bird either, then no one will. A beast no one wants is doomed to die. Will Cousin just watch him die?

What she said wasnt wrong. For so many years, it had always been one person, one beastno more, no less. There had never been a situation where another was sought.

The elder was truly regretful for me to make an exception.

Before I could speak, the clan members watching couldnt hold back.

Who are you morally grandstanding? Whose fault is this? Dont you know what kind of pot suits what lid? If you hadnt snatched that dragon-serpent, would there be this useless beast left?

Even if he dies, its got nothing to do with Raina. Raina has no reason to take him. You, on the other hand, should go bathe, burn incense, and pray for a few years.

I realized then how eloquent these juniors were in their insults. Each biting remark left Blair speechless.

I watched long enough before I finally spoke.

No need, Third Elder. As you said, Im strong enough. How could I be dragged down by a beast? Hell do.

However, Id like to ask the Third Elder for one chance to enter the Dragon Spring.

Unlike my previous life, where I had to exchange vast resources for one chance, this time the Third Elder agreed without much hesitation.

I was strong, having brought much honor to the family. It was already enough of a compromise for me to be bound to a useless beast, so it was only fair to give me some resources.

The surrounding clan members also had no objections. I had beaten each and every one of them, so they wouldn't dare voice any objections in front of me.

Only Blair watched me, her face gloomy, clearly plotting something.

The Hades beside her, upon hearing the words "Dragon Spring," completely changed from his previous half-dead state in the cage, supporting himself and looking at me with complex eyes.

After forming a beast contract, theres still much to do, and compatibility is a big issue.

I declined other clan sisters invitations to head to the back mountains for combat training.

This birds aura was faint, feeling like it could die at any moment. Though the Third Elder agreed to let me keep him, his condition was really poor, not allowing me to immediately contract with him.

He wanted me to wait until his condition improved, fearing that if I contracted him immediately and he died, I would be affected.

I carefully examined the unconscious bird with its eyes closed.

He was half my size, entirely white, with wounds on his wings from Hades bite.

Fortunately, before Hades transformed into a dragon-serpent, he was a python, non-venomous. Otherwise, I wouldn't know where to find an antidote.

In my previous life, this bird died very early. At that time, I had just found the Transformation Herb that could help Hades shed his half-human, half-snake appearance.

Before I even entered the door, Blair came to me pitifully, saying her contracted beast had died and asking if I could help her find a new one.

At that time, I was exhausted from searching for resources to help Hades successfully transform, so where would I find the energy to catch a beast for her?

I told her to find one herself, and she ran off crying.

Then I turned around and saw Hades, who rarely left the house, standing at the door. I was overjoyed, thinking he was waiting to greet me.

Now that I think about it, they were probably secretly hooking up when I wasnt around, and he was standing at the door to prevent me from bullying Blair.

What an ungrateful wretch.

But it was strange, this bird was not in good shape, but there was still a trace of vitality. As long as it was well cared for, it shouldn't have died so quickly.

I wondered what happened to Blair in the previous life.

I fed him a precious elixir and placed him on a white jade bed.

With both measures, the white bird quickly opened its eyes.

Hello, I am your future master.

His beady eyes were full of confusion, looking a bit dazed.

Chirp!

I froze. He suddenly buried his head in his wings, the tips of his wings blushing with shyness.

Ahem, my name is Raina. Are you willing to form a contract with me?

He cautiously lifted his head a little, and seeing that my expression was serious and not mocking him, he fully revealed his head.

Chirp.

His white wingtip touched my fingertip, and the contract was formed.