Chapter 137: Wandering Carefree and the Chief Thief

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Master Cao Dashan intended to set out, but not a single minor spirit in the mountain was willing to accompany him. Helpless, Master Cao Dashan had no choice but to shoulder his own pack and leave the great mountain behind.

This time, he sought the overseas lands aligned with the positions of Zhen and Xun, belonging to the East.

On a sudden impulse, Cao Kong did not ride the wind as usual; instead, he manipulated the transformations of the Heavenly Gang and Earth Sha, transforming himself into a great roc and taking flight.

With a powerful flap of his wings, he soared on the breath of the wind through the azure skies. Though not daring to claim the legendary nine-thousand-mile ascent, he reveled in the boundless freedom and abandon.

Thus, bearing the blue heavens, surpassing the clouds, he beheld the vast azure expanse. The roc’s cry echoed wildly through the tempestuous currents, fierce and unyielding, tearing through the long sky, unrestrained by any bonds.

Yet, though he had spread his wings in the boundless heavens, he felt the sky growing ever larger, the sea of clouds ever wider, the world vast and vast as if infinite.

Clearly a great roc, yet seeming no more than a speck of dust.

A wild horse, a speck of dust—living beings breathe upon one another.

This speck of dust surged within the currents of the wind.

Unconsciously, spirit and roc became one, charging toward the endless firmament. Feeling its immense pressure, he pressed harder, ascending higher and higher, ever higher!

Though exhausted, the roc’s eyes gleamed with joy, sensing himself fearless of the heavens’ height, all things beneath his wings.

In a moment of reverie, the roc’s fierce gaze softened into clarity, realizing: “I am not the roc—I am Cao Kong.”

He then understood that the transformation into the roc had reached a minor mastery—just now he had entered a fine state, comprehending its form, understanding its nature, knowing its source, and bending it to his will.

“If I later face opponents in magical duels, this will be an extra advantage,” Cao Kong joked to himself.

Whoosh~

At this moment, the wind howled like an ancient ballad, a celestial melody unheard by mortals.

The boundless clouds all stirred with the wind, flowing together toward one place, as if a world of wind itself.

Cao Kong, having comprehended the roc transformation, now listened to this ancient ballad and fell deeply into it, relaxing his body, no longer flapping his wings, but plunging headlong into the sea of clouds.

His body felt weightless, the wind roared wildly, yet his spirit entered a wondrous realm, having touched the spiritual resonance of heaven and earth.

Listening to the wind’s celestial sound, feeling utterly at ease and carefree.

Sometimes gazing at the heavens, sometimes at the earth—mountains, seas, myriad spirits breathing life.

At this moment, he called it—the Carefree Journey.

Unconsciously, his thoughts transcended the mundane, unbound by any constraints. Within the Wood Mansion, a seed of divine ability sprouted, growing and growing until leaves emerged, followed by budding flowers, fresh and vibrant.

The Eight Wind Divine Abilities advanced another step.

At just this moment, his body fell beneath the clouds, hearing the crashing sound of waves—vast and profound. Before him lay an endless ocean rolling with a thousand waves.

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Cao Kong felt utterly comfortable, without a single thought to beat his wings, so he let himself fall into the sea.

Hearing the waves’ tumult, he couldn’t help but roar once more. Unexpectedly, this cry startled the fish and serpents beneath the sea, causing them to dive deeper in alarm.

Cao Kong laughed heartily, then with a splash, the roc dove into the sea, transforming into a fish.

The sea creatures looked on bewildered—just now a great roc?

But no one answered, only a swimming fish flicked its tail, blowing bubbles in apparent amusement.

...

Several days later, Cao Kong arrived at a sea island—a truly wondrous isle.

The island was lush and verdant, brimming with vitality, surpassing even Qinglong Mountain in beauty.

Cao Kong ascended the island and saw in the forest long-lived deer and celestial foxes, atop trees the spiritual birds and mysterious cranes sang. Rare grasses and exquisite flowers never withered, and evergreen pines and cypresses stood eternal.

He strolled leisurely, taking out the map given by the Nine Spirits Primordial Sage, heading toward a particular mountain on the island.

His heart stirred with anticipation. Even the Nine Spirits Primordial Sage had valued this place and set restrictions to prevent others from taking what lay there—what could it be?

Though nearing the place, Cao Kong was unhurried, enjoying the flowers and scenery. His bearing was nearly divine; anyone who saw him would praise his ethereal, Daoist aura.

Meanwhile, on the mountain stood a pool, beside which was a thatched hut.

There was also a man dressed in Daoist robes, shimmering like floating clouds, his waist bound with silk ribbons of shifting light, wearing a silk cap and cloth hat marked with stars, his feet shod in straw sandals as he wandered the immortal peaks.

At that moment, this man was fishing by the pool, though somewhat drowsy.

Suddenly, the fishing rod twitched, ripples spread across the lake, startling the Daoist awake.

He yawned and said, “No bait, no catch—you all still bite, disturbing my good dream for nothing.”

Then he raised an eyebrow, his handsome face bearing a playful, world-weary expression.

“Someone’s come. Also here for the treasure on the mountain?”

He looked toward the mountaintop, his face clouded with frustration. Having wandered the Eastern Sea, he’d discovered the island and its treasure, intending to take it for himself.

But after ten wasted years, he still couldn’t obtain the treasure, despite boasting himself as the most notorious thief in the Three Realms.

“Another three years’ wait. If after that I still have no method, I’ll return home immediately. Hopefully, the newcomer will be more interesting, to relieve my boredom.”

The Daoist smiled and patiently waited until the sunset dyed the leaves by the pool with golden light, then at last Cao Kong arrived.

“A visitor? Why not have a chat,” came the Daoist’s playful voice.

Cao Kong, sensing someone in the mountain, stepped forward and saw the Daoist fishing with his back turned. Smiling gently, he said, “This humble Daoist, Dongzhen, greets you, fellow cultivator.”

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Hearing Cao Kong’s Daoist name, the man turned and looked. Seeing Cao Kong but unable to see through him, he knew at once he was a genuine cultivator.

He rose and bowed, exclaiming, “What boldness, fellow cultivator! I am Manqian, pleased to meet you.”

Cao Kong’s expression remained unchanged, but his heart stirred. Manqian—disciple of the Eastern Emperor.

After bowing, Manqian resumed his carefree demeanor, lazily saying, “Fellow cultivator, care to fish together? There’s much leisure to be found here.”

“How long have you been fishing, Manqian?”

“From dawn till dusk.”

Seeing Manqian’s empty fish basket, Cao Kong jested, “Manqian, you show great elegance—clearly skilled in fishing, yet the basket is empty. Truly compassionate, indeed.”

Manqian laughed heartily upon hearing this, raising his rod again—an unbaited straight hook—and sighed:

“You see only my compassion, but not this hook. The unbaited hook is because I fear harming life. See how merciful I am?”

Cao Kong laughed, “Truly amusing.” He then took out a cold jade gourd and noticed a large leaf nearby, as big as a round plate. He plucked it and poured wine.

One leaf was sent by the wind into Manqian’s hand, the other remained in his.

“To Manqian’s mercy, a drink.”

They exchanged smiles and drank from the leaves.

Manqian then smiled, “You’ve come for the treasure on the mountain, haven’t you?”

“Exactly.”

“I advise you, if you fail to obtain it, better to give up early and not waste your time.”

“Why?”

Manqian stroked his chin thoughtfully:

“I do not wish to claim the treasure solely for myself, but I am known as the greatest thief in the Three Realms—rare in the past and unlikely to appear again. Yet even I have spent ten years without success.”

Cao Kong smiled, “The future is unpredictable. Fellow cultivator, your words may be exaggerated. I believe within a thousand years, a thief who can dominate the world will appear. No matter what you have done, before such a thief, you would be called a petty thief.”

Manqian laughed heartily, “I don’t believe it. You have no idea what I have done.”

Cao Kong smiled silently, then pointed to the mountain peak, “Let alone the future, even now I can retrieve that treasure. Fellow cultivator, do you believe me?”

By the way—if you have a moment—there’s a little thing called a monthly support ticket, with the character for moon on it.