Chapter 35: The Cold Jade Gourd, Malicious Demonic Intentions

Liu Immortal lifted the silk, revealing a jade gourd resting atop it, emanating waves of cold and overflowing spiritual energy.

“That day, I noticed Fellow Daoist Cao’s porcelain bottle was rather mundane. If in the future you encounter celestial nectar or even spiritual spring water and cannot store or carry it away, wouldn’t it be a pity? This Cold Jade Gourd is crafted from cold jade found beside my cold pool’s water vein. It possesses the dual properties of water and ice, can seal spiritual energy, and nourish water-based substances. It is inscribed with spatial techniques and accommodates a hundred pounds of spiritual spring. I’ve kept it for many years, though never used it. I’d like to gift it to you.”

Cao Kong was moved; it was the first time he had seen a spiritual artifact imbued with spatial properties. He had inquired about such items back at Leopard Head Mountain. The Bamboo Seven Lions had all said these spatial containers were rare, usually crafted only by certain sects, and seldom found among monsters. Cao Kong felt tempted—if he brewed spiritual wine and stored it in this gourd, wouldn’t that be convenient?

Liu Immortal, who had lived for a thousand years and grown wise, smiled, “No need to decline, just accept it.”

Cao Kong took it, and upon holding it, felt a wave of coolness. He thanked Liu Immortal earnestly.

Liu Immortal laughed heartily, and not forgetting the Golden Leopard, gifted another small gourd—though its quality and effect weren’t as refined as Cao Kong’s, it was still a superior item.

He then invited Cao Kong to enjoy the scenery of Mount Tengyou. After several days of touring together, Cao Kong bid farewell.

On the day of parting, Liu Immortal suddenly said, “Fellow Daoist Cao, after your discourse that day, that bear demon came to my courtyard again seeking pills to restore his demon power. At the conference, I noticed he often looked your way. You must be careful.”

‘Bear demon—is it the burly man from that day?’ Cao Kong, upon hearing this, thanked Liu Immortal once more, recognizing him as a truly kind spirit.

With the Golden Leopard in tow, he departed Mount Tengyou, following the mountain path.

Gradually, Cao Kong’s figure faded from Liu Immortal’s sight. After a while, Liu Immortal summoned the little demon who had previously invited Cao Kong, and instructed simply, “Wu Qing, I’ll be leaving the mountain for a few days. In my absence, you all must diligently cultivate, do not be lazy.”

Wu Qing, whose body was serpentine with a human torso and snake head, nodded rapidly, flicking his tongue as he replied, “Ancestor, that esteemed Cao left something for you.”

Liu Immortal was surprised, “What is it?”

Wu Qing rummaged through his sleeve and produced a porcelain bottle—the very same Cao Kong had used to hold spiritual liquid at the treasure exchange conference. The bottle radiated spiritual energy, clearly sealed on purpose.

Liu Immortal’s heart stirred; upon opening it, he found ten drops of the spiritual liquid.

The thin-faced elder’s expression brightened with delight. The liquid was precious, but even more valuable was Cao Kong’s kindness. This gesture further convinced Liu Immortal that Cao Kong would deliver his message to the flood dragon.

“Hahaha, well done. Wu Qing, go back to your cultivation. There are a few pills in the mountain to strengthen your practice, take them as you wish.”

With that, Liu Immortal’s figure flashed as he descended the mountain, following the path Cao Kong had taken.

He was wise with age; though the bear demon was deeply concealed, he had still discerned a hint. He had initially planned to repay Cao Kong with news, then secretly follow him, intervening if trouble arose. As for making a wrong judgment? He had lived for over a thousand years; what did a few days matter?

Yet, after seeing the spiritual liquid left behind by Cao Kong, Liu Immortal resolved to befriend him sincerely and acted purely out of goodwill.

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A hundred miles from Mount Tengyou, two demons hid among the woods: the bear demon from the treasure exchange, and the wolf demon.

“Are you truly confident you can capture him, and willing to split it forty-sixty with me? And that tiger demon you said had an impressive inheritance—why did he die at his hands?”

“Hah, I used to share a mountain with the tiger demon, eating humans and drinking wine. His skills were far inferior to mine, but a year ago, a man claiming to be from the Tail Fire Tiger mansion, serving the Division of Hidden Stars of the Twenty-Eight Constellations, arrived. He said the tiger demon had good potential and bestowed him a boon, so the tiger got lucky.”

The wolf demon was uneasy. “If that’s so, won’t killing those two brothers and taking their goods offend the celestial above?”

The bear demon laughed, “The tiger died at his hands, not ours. Killing him would be restoring the honor of the Tail Fire Star Lord. Besides, opportunities are rare. Don’t hesitate now. At the conference, that thousand-year snake immortal gave you no face at all—don’t you want to cultivate your arts and take revenge? The formation is set; if you’re afraid, leave.”

The wolf demon fell silent. The bear demon thought inwardly, ‘Hah, you fool, dreaming of a forty-sixty split. Once we kill those two, you won’t escape either.’

The wolf demon, his back to the bear, harbored greed as well, scheming to hold back during the fight, let the bear demon exhaust himself, and reap the rewards.

Before long, Cao Kong and the Golden Leopard walked the mountain road, just thirty miles ahead lay Mount Funiu, where the mountain god awaited Cao Kong.

The bear and wolf demons’ eyes glinted with murderous intent. Their formation was laid, waiting for Cao Kong and the Golden Leopard to step in. It was a mist illusion array, capable of confusing sight and mind, throwing their targets into chaos.

Suddenly, they saw Cao Kong stop moving forward. Both demons grew uneasy—had he noticed something?

Cao Kong, practicing the Taiyi Golden Light Spell, opened his Niwan Palace, his spiritual senses acute, instinctively feeling something was amiss ahead.

The Golden Leopard was even more peculiar, stumbling over stones repeatedly, as if warning him not to proceed.

Cao Kong scanned his surroundings—nothing seemed amiss. Then, with a knowing look, he declared, “Come out, no need to hide any longer.”

He waited five breaths; nothing happened. He was about to take a detour when—

From behind a tree several hundred meters ahead, two demons emerged, faces fierce. The bear demon, wielding a saber with a ringed pommel, pointed it at Cao Kong and demanded, “How did you discover us?”

“I guessed.”

The two demons were instantly frustrated. The bear demon barked, “Hand over my Wood Spirit Pearl and my tiger brother’s belongings. Do that, and I’ll let you go. Otherwise, it’s a fight to the death.”

The Golden Leopard was furious, “Brother, isn’t this just daylight robbery? When he gave you the Wood Spirit Pearl, he was already planning to seize it back. And he traded for the saber, just to weaken your power—so scheming, infuriating!”

With righteous indignation, the Golden Leopard shielded Cao Kong, “Brother, let’s fight!”

Cao Kong found the Golden Leopard’s actions amusing—his little brother was becoming ever more lively. He turned to the bear and wolf demons, spiritual power surging within.

Fifty miles away, Liu Immortal watched from afar, wasting no time as he rushed forward to aid Cao Kong.

“Fellow Daoist Cao, be careful, I’m coming to help!” Liu Immortal’s voice echoed from afar—but faster than his voice was Cao Kong’s speed.

In an instant, golden light radiated from Cao Kong. The bear and wolf demons were stunned—Cao Kong moved with incredible speed, nearly reaching them in the blink of an eye.

The two demons were shocked. The bear demon gritted his teeth, pulling a talisman from his chest. Infusing it with demon power, a powerful aura spread as crimson light slowly bloomed.

“Back off, or you’ll regret it!”