Chapter 34: The Aspiration to Transform into a Flood Dragon, the Immortal Willow Bestows a Treasure

The leopard, having obtained the fortune left behind by the Southern Pole Star Immortal, was overjoyed at the prospect of hunting and eager to try out his new cultivation method. However, a problem soon arose. Such Daoist mystical arts could be both simple and complex. Some of the terminology was only half-understood by the leopard, so he sought out Cao Kong for clarification.

“Brother, what does it mean to harmonize the dragon and tiger, and to seize Kan and fill Li?”

“The so-called dragon and tiger refer to the two energies of yin and yang. To harmonize them is to blend these dual forces. As for seizing Kan and filling Li: Kan is water, representing the kidneys; Li is fire, representing the heart. You must balance water and fire, drawing upon the essence of the heart and kidneys…”

Cao Kong patiently explained, and perhaps this very technique was perfectly suited to the leopard's nature. After listening, it took the leopard less than an hour before he began to breathe in and out slowly, practicing the method. Cao Kong watched as his younger brother breathed methodically; a gentle breeze seemed to stir within the cave, and wisps of vital energy flowed into the leopard’s mouth and nose, like faint, drifting clouds.

Bathed in the swirling white mist, the leopard himself began to take on an air of immortality. Seeing his brother now, Cao Kong could not help but feel a moment of unreality, his thoughts wandering back to the leopard’s old nickname—the King of Southern Mountain.

Southern Mountain, Southern Mountain—there is a saying in the mortal world: “May your fortune be as boundless as the Eastern Sea, and your life as enduring as the Southern Mountain.” The word ‘longevity’ here alludes to the Southern Pole Star Immortal. The King of Southern Mountain of old had, in this life, truly obtained the blessing of one whose lifespan rivaled that very mountain.

“How marvelous are the affairs of this world,” Cao Kong mused. Because of his arrival in this life, the “King of Southern Mountain” walked out of Misty Mountain, and by his own destiny, inherited the legacy of the Star Immortal. Like a butterfly, Cao Kong was quietly changing the people and things around him.

His heart eased somewhat, and he did not resume his own cultivation. Instead, he drew out a geographical treatise to see whether it contained any mountains or rivers matching the star map’s markings.

The path of cultivation is fraught with dangers, both internal and external. Not to mention the impending calamity of Journey to the West—who could say if he might cross paths with it in the future? Now, having drawn the attention of the Great Compassionate Celestial Lord, if he could form a golden core and become a true disciple before the Monkey arrived, all would be well. But if not, there would be risk.

If he could find the place marked on the star map, then the leopard might become a disciple of the Southern Pole Star Immortal. In that case, even if he were later caught up in the events of Journey to the West, even if he provoked the Monkey King himself—

All it would take was for the Star Immortal to say, “Oh, Great Sage, please wait—spare this disciple of mine.”

How could the Monkey resist such a request?

Thus, the night passed. Dawn crept along the horizon, purple mist swirled, and the golden sun rose, bathing the mountains and forests in dazzling light. Insects chirped, birds fluttered, chilly dew dripped—all signs of life, even in deep autumn.

A cool autumn breeze blew in. Awakened by birdsong, Cao Kong turned over, having searched through the treatise for a long time but finding no landscape matching the star map. He had no choice but to give up.

Lifting his head, he found himself once more captivated by the vibrant scene of late autumn. What drew him most to this world was always its pure natural beauty and the immortal Dao of longevity.

Cao Kong gazed quietly, absorbing every detail of the autumn scenery into his heart, deepening his understanding of the world’s five phases and six energies. He took a breath of autumn air; an intangible killing spirit surged from the mountains and woods, transforming into the metal energy of the five elements, making up for all the cultivation he had forgone the previous night.

At that moment, the leopard awoke, exclaiming in delight, “Brother, this method is so comfortable to practice! Unlike my previous breathing exercises, which always felt sluggish, with this one, I feel myself improving every moment.”

“Then you must practice diligently from now on,” Cao Kong encouraged.

“I will, I will.”

About an hour later, a snake demon muttered as it approached, “Hiss… It’s only autumn and already this cold. How will we survive the winter?”

Seeing Cao Kong and the leopard enjoying the autumn scenery at the cave entrance, the snake demon hurried over, saying, “Sirs, both of you, my elder has sent for you—wine and food are prepared. Please, do not refuse.”

As he spoke, the autumn wind gusted, scattering red leaves. The snake demon shivered uncontrollably—snakes are naturally averse to cold.

“Since Fellow Immortal Willow has invited us, let’s accept. Please, lead the way.”

The snake demon slithered ahead. Seeing how the little demon suffered from the cold, Cao Kong pinched a trace of summer warmth from his Mud Pill Palace and flicked it like a falling star onto the snake demon.

The snake felt a wave of warmth spread through his body, turning to see Cao Kong smiling at him.

“Thank you, my lord!” the snake demon said gratefully, his joy evident. He even thought of boasting later to the other little snakes about receiving the favor of such a master.

They arrived at Willow Immortal’s abode, where a thin, elderly man had been waiting. Upon seeing them, he greeted them with a smile.

“Come, my friends,” he beckoned.

Willow Immortal led them to a cold pool by a waterfall. Tables and chairs were set beside the pool, laden with delicacies, spiritual fruit, and wine, all brimming with energy—a testament to Willow Immortal’s hospitality.

“Please, try the unique spirit fruit of Mount Tengyou,” Willow Immortal said, presenting a plump, bright red fruit.

Cao Kong took a bite; a cool sensation filled his mouth, but as he swallowed, a warm current soothed his lungs and heart.

“This fruit is marvelous,” Cao Kong praised. The leopard’s eyes also lit up after tasting it.

Willow Immortal, pleased, explained, “Mount Tengyou is always tranquil, with many cold pools and hidden springs. Though the water is icy, these fruits grow nearby. Eating one keeps you warm for days. The little demons rely on them to get through winter. That’s why, though snakes fear the cold, we still dwell here.”

Cao Kong marveled, sipping some spirit wine from the table—it entered cold and left a wonderful aftertaste.

The three continued their meal, drinking wine and eating spirit fruit. Willow Immortal, cultivated for a thousand years and widely knowledgeable, found much in common with Cao Kong.

After the meal, Willow Immortal hesitated, his expression uncertain.

Cao Kong thought, as expected, there was a reason for this invitation.

After a moment, Willow Immortal gathered his courage. “Fellow Daoist Cao, may I ask—did you once spend time near a flood dragon?”

Cao Kong was surprised. “How did you know, Fellow Immortal Willow?”

In his heart, he thought, it was actually the flood dragon who spent time with him.

Willow Immortal relaxed upon seeing Cao Kong did not deny it. “There are five kinds of insects in the world; among the scaled, there are three hundred sixty, with the dragon as their chief, the flood dragon next. To tell you the truth, more than a thousand years ago, a master guided me in cultivation and good deeds, and I have felt faint stirrings of transformation into a flood dragon. Yet whenever I try to take that step, a great fear arises within me.

So I invited you here to ask, would you speak to the flood dragon on my behalf? Perhaps he could offer me guidance, or a drop of his blood to aid my enlightenment. If I succeed in my transformation, I will never forget this kindness and will surely repay you.”

Cao Kong was taken aback, but it made sense—Willow Immortal aspired to become a flood dragon. However, Ao You was born a flood dragon; would he truly know the process of transformation? Seeing Willow Immortal’s hopeful face, he simply replied:

“In the future, I can ask for you. But, Fellow Immortal Willow, do not set your hopes too high. You know the law is not easily passed on, and the path of cultivation is arduous.”

Willow Immortal was overjoyed. “That is enough—even a little hope satisfies me.”

Then, clapping his hands, he summoned a little demon to bring out a tray, covered with silk, from which cold mist drifted.

“This is a piece of jade crafted from the depths of my mountain’s cold pool. I offer it to you as a token, for no other reason than the friendship between us.”