Chapter 119: Bodhisattva Lingji and the Vital Essence of Ding Fire

Cao Kong felt a wind gathering in his mouth. It was not yellow, but a chaotic, indescribable hue, swirling into a dense sphere of energy.

At this moment, it felt as though a cold, biting mass of air was trapped within his cheeks. He realized he could hold it there indefinitely, but there was no need to do so. Opening his mouth, he exhaled toward a nearby tree.

"Whoosh—"

As the wind stirred, the surrounding light dimmed. The next instant, the gale coiled around the great tree. To Cao Kong’s eyes, the tree appeared physically unscathed, yet its inherent spiritual essence could be seen visibly fading. Then, with a soft "poof," the tree withered rapidly, crumbled into ash, and dissipated into the void.

Cao Kong watched in astonishment. His Samadhi Divine Wind seemed different from the Yellow Wind; it appeared to be a force that reaped vitality to impose a divine penalty.

Suddenly, his expression shifted. His connection to Hidden Fog Mountain was profound; he could sense anyone who set foot upon it. However, this visitor had not been discovered by him—the individual had chosen to reveal himself.

Cao Kong looked up into the air and saw a figure clad in a kasaya, gazing down at him with a complex expression.

"Merciful Buddha, the donor has great insight."

Cao Kong’s heart skipped a beat. He had a vague suspicion. He had never been involved with the Buddhist faith, unless one counted the Yellow Wind Mouse currently residing on his mountain. Sure enough, he heard the figure continue, "This monk’s dharma name is Lingji. You are exceptionally gifted, donor. Would you be willing to enter my..."

"Bodhisattva, you have come for the Yellow Wind Mouse, haven't you?" Cao Kong interrupted. "Take him by all means. However, I am a disciple of the Daoist tradition and have no heart for the monastic life."

Bodhisattva Lingji looked regretful. He sensed that Cao Kong’s resolve was firm and perceived the "flawless" nature of his cultivation—a state that usually required the backing of a major tradition. He thought to himself, *I wonder whose disciple this is; what great fortune.*

Without further ado, he flicked a ray of Buddha-light, summoning the Yellow Wind Mouse, who was currently busy tilling the soil in a spirit field with a three-pronged steel fork. To the mouse, every bit of soil turned meant another drop of lamp oil, and the thought filled him with immense motivation.

Seeing the mouse in such a state, Bodhisattva Lingji was left speechless. This was the sable-mouse he had valued so highly and intended to groom as a guardian deity. He usually provided the creature with the finest heavenly treasures, yet here, in someone else’s mountain, the mouse had become a hardworking laborer, toiling away for a mere pittance of oil.

"I have caused you trouble. If you have any leisure, donor, you are welcome to visit my Little Sumeru Mountain." With that, before the Yellow Wind Mouse could even speak, the Bodhisattva vanished.

Faintly, however, Cao Kong heard a lingering, distant cry: "No! The True Monarch hasn't given me today's oil yet!"

Cao Kong chuckled to himself. It was good that he was gone; peace had returned. Still, he had gained much from the mouse, and if the opportunity arose in the future, he would pay a visit.

***

Some time later, Cao Kong sensed a familiar aura—it was the Yellow Lion Spirit. He smiled and descended the mountain to greet him.

Seeing Cao Kong, the Yellow Lion Spirit laughed heartily. "Brother Cao, good news! I have been trading in the south recently and have finally tracked down the Ding Fire Essence. I came specifically to tell you."

Cao Kong was delighted. He currently lacked only the Ding Fire and Gui Water essences. If he could find them, he could forge a blade of Primordial Essence, which would be infinitely more powerful than his current weapon.

"Many thanks for keeping an eye out for me all these years, Brother Yellow Lion," Cao Kong said, clasping his hands.

The Yellow Lion Spirit waved him off. "Don't tease me. We are brothers, and besides, it’s not as if I’m handing it to you directly—I’ve only found the trail. It’s nothing."

Cao Kong smiled and invited the Yellow Lion Spirit to sit on the mountain, producing a jar of strong spirits and pouring two large bowls. The Yellow Lion Spirit’s eyes lit up. He downed the liquor in one gulp, relishing the burn. "Satisfying! The stronger the spirits, the better when drunk in big gulps."

The Yellow Lion Spirit continued, "Recently, my Nine-Spirit Chamber of Commerce slowed its expansion eastward, so we headed south. I heard from a minor demon that there is a mountain in the south called Furnace Mountain. It looks just like a giant smelting furnace. Every thirty years, in the height of summer, the seven southern constellations shine with unusual brilliance, casting down starlight that ignites the mountain. The glow lasts for over three days. I reckoned this must be the manifestation of Ding Fire, so I came to tell you so you can try your luck."

Cao Kong was intrigued. It was highly likely that the mountain contained the Ding Fire Essence. In the heavens, Ding Fire was starlight; on earth, it was furnace fire. The description matched perfectly.

"When did the mountain last glow?"

"I asked that demon, but he has lived in the mountains so long he has lost track of time. He only said it was about twenty years ago."

Cao Kong made up his mind to set off in the near future. The Yellow Lion Spirit was pleased to see Cao Kong’s enthusiasm. To him, Cao Kong was a savior and a great benefactor to his business; being able to help him brought him genuine joy.

As they drank, Cao Xiang wandered over, drawn by the scent of the wine. The Yellow Lion Spirit spoke of the recent progress of the Nine-Spirit Chamber, mentioning that they had reached Mount Cuiyun. As he spoke, he pulled out a python-skin pouch and emptied a pile of spirit herbs and precious medicines of great value onto the table. It was nearly half the value of the haul Cao Kong had traded from the Myriad-Year Fox King at the Dragon Palace banquet.

"Brother Yellow Lion, what is this?"

The Yellow Lion Spirit laughed boisterously. "Brother Cao, don’t misunderstand. I brought these because I want to trade for more of your strong liquor—the stronger, the better!"

He continued with a mischievous glint in his eye, "You wouldn't believe it. Recently, while doing business near Mount Cuiyun, we encountered a female immortal in the Banana Cave. She saw that our caravan carried fine spirits and mentioned that her husband is fond of strong wine. She spent a fortune buying up all our stock. After drinking it, she couldn't stop praising it, and asked us to bring all we have in the future. She even said she wanted to meet you to learn your brewing techniques. So, I was hoping to get some more from you."

Cao Kong’s expression turned strange. The Yellow Lion Spirit was doing business with Princess Iron Fan.

He cleared his throat. "In that case, I will brew more in the future. But as for meeting her—forget it. Brother Yellow Lion, it would be best if you never mention my name or appearance to that lady."

The Yellow Lion Spirit was baffled for a moment, then his eyes twinkled with suggestive amusement. *So, there's a story here...*

Seeing the look on his friend's face, Cao Kong’s mouth twitched. "Don't get the wrong idea. I just had a disagreement with her in the past, and her husband is not someone to be trifled with. I’m afraid if you mention my appearance, your business there will be ruined."

The Yellow Lion Spirit’s expression changed instantly. "If she’s someone who has a grudge against you, Brother Cao, then I’d rather not do business with her at all."

Cao Kong laughed. "Why not? A bit of spirit wine in exchange for precious cultivation resources—that is the very definition of weakening the opponent while strengthening oneself."

The Yellow Lion Spirit realized the logic. He grinned. "In that case, that lady seems easy to fool. Next time I go, I’ll raise the prices and empty her coffers."

The two looked at each other and burst into laughter.

At the Banana Cave on Mount Cuiyun, the female immortal suddenly felt a chill for no apparent reason.

"Strange. I have long been immune to heat and cold; why would I feel a shiver?"