Chapter 41: The Method of Forming the Seed Treasure of the Five Elements Primordial Essence

The Nine-Spirit Sage glanced over, and Cao Kong openly invited his scrutiny. The sage shook his head and said,

“It’s hard to say. You’ve cultivated your master’s path, and your essence, energy, and spirit are all muddled by the embryonic golden core. If you succeed in forming your Three Flowers, it will be far more difficult than for others. Yet this is not necessarily a bad thing. If your golden core fails, so be it; but if it forms, it will be astonishing.”

Cao Kong pondered deeply, but dismissed his worries—cultivation was his joy, after all.

At this moment, the Nine-Spirit Sage added, “Of course, I speak only of the progression in cultivation. If we judge purely by your essence and energy, you are the equal of a thousand-year demon. If it comes to a fight, even a three-thousand-year demon might not be your match.”

A glimmer of understanding dawned on Cao Kong. Suddenly, he took a map from his robes—the star chart he had acquired from the longevity talisman. This map was critical to the destiny of the Southern Polar Immortal. After returning to Leopard Head Mountain, he had asked the Seven Lions about it, but they knew nothing. Now, with the Nine-Spirit Sage before him, surely he would have some insight.

“Hmm? This map looks familiar. I believe I’ve been to this place before,” the sage mused for a moment, then said, “Yes, I remember now. I once saw these rivers and mountains in a place called the Kingdom of Bhikkhu. Why do you ask?”

The Kingdom of Bhikkhu?

Cao Kong was momentarily dazed. Wasn’t that the realm where, in the future, the White Deer Spirit under the Southern Polar Immortal would descend to become a demon? How coincidental!

In that case, he would have to take the Golden Leopard to visit the rivers and mountains of the Kingdom of Bhikkhu someday. He must not miss the Southern Polar Immortal’s destiny.

After hearing the sage’s question, Cao Kong did not hide the matter and explained how the Golden Leopard had acquired the longevity talisman. The Nine-Spirit Sage was utterly stunned.

That slumbering dreamer had gained immortal fortune?

The sage went to inspect the Golden Leopard, discovering that the once lazy creature was now diligently cultivating, his demonic aura completely transformed into Daoist energy. The sage was amazed.

These two brothers—one with talent beyond measure, the other blessed with outrageous fortune.

The Nine-Spirit Sage’s expression grew complicated. He admitted that he had misjudged them, and a wave of frustration welled up in his heart.

At that moment, the Yellow Lion Spirit approached with excitement, “Ancestor, what about the matter of forging with divine fire?”

The Nine-Spirit Sage recalled—indeed, as a disciple of the Supreme Savior, it would be embarrassing for Cao Kong to lack a worthy sword. If others saw, they would mock the Eastern Palace for having nothing of value.

He pondered, “What treasures do you have now?”

Cao Kong answered honestly, but the sage shook his head, “No, no, except for the earth-vein golden marrow, nothing else is suitable. They might suffice for mere mortals, but they are unworthy of you.

However, since your master has not gifted you a divine weapon, I cannot simply give you one myself. Instead, I will teach you a method: you can directly refine the earth-vein golden marrow into a sword.

If one day you gather the five elemental energies of the earth veins, or even the energies of the other five elements, you can forge a primal energy, condense it into a sword, and its power will be extraordinary.

Moreover, should you acquire a true divine weapon in the future, you can infuse this primal energy into it, making it perfectly attuned to your will.”

Without hesitation, the Nine-Spirit Sage recited a series of profound and arcane words, each syllable weaving its way into Cao Kong’s mind, eventually coalescing into a scripture.

The Method of Condensing Primal Five Elements to Forge Treasure

Cao Kong was overjoyed, immediately bowing deeply to the sage.

Such was the benefit of inheriting a proper tradition—were he just an ordinary demon, he would have nothing but an empty mountain of treasures.

The Nine-Spirit Sage smiled gently and, leaving a word of encouragement, departed.

The Yellow Lion Spirit, seeing Cao Kong's wish fulfilled, breathed a sigh of relief. Then he hurried off to find the sage again, eager to ask about the art of forging treasures—his passion for this craft was genuine.

Cao Kong, meanwhile, rushed back to his cave to study the method. The more he learned, the more wondrous it seemed.

The Method of Condensing Primal Five Elements to Forge Treasure had two effects. First, it allowed one to directly concentrate the five elemental energies within oneself, using various seals to shape and stabilize them.

Ordinarily, they could be hidden within the five organs—metal in the lungs, fire in the heart… Hence, the energy followed the mind; with a single breath, a divine weapon would appear in hand.

Even more wondrous, one’s own Daoist energy could nurture the five elemental energies, mutually enhancing each other, blending with other five-elemental treasures to form primal energy—ever-changing, all-encompassing.

The second effect was that the five elemental energies nurtured by one’s own Daoist energy could be used as supreme materials for forging treasures, intimately connected to the cultivator’s mind and spirit.

This was truly both practical and evolutionary.

Cao Kong’s eyes sparkled. He practiced according to the method for seven days.

After seven days, he emerged from his cave and sought out the Nine-Spirit Sage to inquire about the method’s subtleties.

The sage smiled, “This method is profound, and requires patient cultivation. There’s no need to rush. Even I, back then, spent three—”

Before he could finish, his calm gaze suddenly changed, for in Cao Kong’s hand a shining, golden sword embryo had already taken form, flowing with substance and flashing with energy.

“Senior Nine-Spirit, you were just saying—does this sword look too crude? Did I refine it incorrectly?”

The sage resumed his serene composure,

“Ahem, no, I meant that this method is mysterious. I, too, finished it in three days back then. You’ve already forged a sword body—it’s remarkable. Just keep refining it diligently.”

Cao Kong was filled with admiration for the sage. Truly, a venerable elder among demons—three days to master it! Clearly, he himself needed more practice.

The sage accepted Cao Kong’s reverence without a hint of disturbance, though he turned slightly away, as if feeling guilty.

Three days? Ha!

Three months!

“Is this leopard’s cultivation talent so outrageous? Supreme Savior, I resent you!”

The Nine-Spirit Sage inwardly railed against the deeds of the Supreme Savior, though he dared not voice it aloud.

The more he thought about it, the more unfair it seemed—he had come first, after all!

Suddenly, his eyes lit up—he could not speak out recklessly, but he could tell the ox from Old Lord’s household. That ox loved spreading gossip; when the time came, heh heh…

But just as the sage was about to indulge in his pleasure, a faint, ethereal voice sounded by his ear.

“Sage, didn’t I tell you to guard the house? Why have you gone down to the mortal realm without permission? Get back here at once!”

The sage was instantly startled, sweat breaking out all over. He hurriedly left Cao Kong with a brief word about urgent business, then soared away.

Cao Kong stared after the sage’s departing figure, utterly bewildered.

He now considered the clue he had gained from the Southern Polar Immortal’s star chart—perhaps it was time to take the Golden Leopard to search for it.

He had been at Leopard Head Mountain long enough; it was a good opportunity to revisit Hidden Mist Mountain as well.

With his resolve renewed, Cao Kong quickly summoned the Golden Leopard, bid farewell to the Yellow Lion Spirit, and set off toward Hidden Mist Mountain.

…