Chapter 42: Gathering Winds and Accumulating Vitality to Nurture the Spirit

In less than a quarter of an hour, Cao Kong and the Spotted Leopard had traversed nearly a thousand miles and arrived before a mountain. It was truly a magnificent mountain, its hues variegated upon closer inspection. Clouds drifted atop its summit, and the shadows of trees chilled the cliffs below.

This was Hidden Mist Mountain.

The mountain was the birthplace of Cao Kong and the Spotted Leopard, their ancestral homeland, and held a unique significance for them. Upon returning, their hearts found peace. No matter how fine a foreign land, it is never home.

The Spotted Leopard, upon seeing the mountain, let out a howl and instantly transformed into its speckled feline form, riding the wind and mist as it dashed into the mountain’s depths.

Not only the leopard, even Cao Kong’s state of mind shifted, as if he had found a place to belong, tranquil and serene.

Cao Kong gazed upon the mountain’s beauty, watching the mist swirl and drift with the wind, clouds billowing and dispersing. His heart settled, and for a time he was transfixed.

Then a gentle breeze arose, lifting Cao Kong with it. Unconsciously, he ascended above Hidden Mist Mountain, surveying the entire range from above, his gaze falling upon the Spotted Leopard racing wildly through the forest.

Gradually, Cao Kong became absorbed in the scenery of Hidden Mist Mountain, observing the flow of clouds, wind, and mist. One quarter hour, two, three... until half an hour had passed.

All he had learned emerged mysteriously from his mind, as if a seed within his heart was sprouting.

"Man follows the earth, earth follows the heavens, heavens follow the Dao, the Dao follows nature..."

In that moment, the seed within his heart broke through its shell and sprouted.

Cao Kong regarded the flow of clouds and mist across the mountains as the meridians of the cosmos, then guided them with his mind, circulating them through himself.

At that instant, he sensed clearly that he could control the mountain’s clouds, wind, and mist.

"No, it’s more than that," Cao Kong murmured.

He inhaled a breath of cloud, and from Hidden Mist Mountain, wisps of cloud and mist accompanied by a clear breeze entered Cao Kong’s lungs.

The mingling of cloud, wind, and mist with the innate Dao energy within him tempered the sharpness of the golden marrow of the earth meridian in his lungs by three parts, hiding its edge within, sheathing it with the clouds and wind.

Cao Kong exhaled, and clouds emerged from his mouth, golden light shimmering and darting within.

The Daoist stood firm, then broke into a smile, saying, "So that’s how it is."

At this moment, Cao Kong understood the origins and workings. His cultivation followed the orthodox path of the Golden Elixir, emulating heaven and earth, imprinting the natural order deeply upon his heart.

This caused Cao Kong to see the “Dao” in all things.

But Hidden Mist Mountain was different. It was a mountain of spiritual beauty—otherwise, it would not have nurtured a creature as fortunate as the Spotted Leopard. Moreover, Hidden Mist Mountain had the power to gather wind and qi.

In other words, it collected celestial wind and spiritual energy to nourish all spirits, a rare immortal realm and a treasure of feng shui, its power evident.

Previously, Cao Kong had dwelled here so long he failed to perceive its true nature, taking it for granted. Now, after three years away, he returned with new eyes and deeper cultivation, and so reaped its benefits, gaining this art.

He could now command cloud, wind, and mist, and nurture his spirit within—just as inhaling would gather wind and qi to nourish the golden energy of the five elements, enriching the lungs and more.

If one cultivated within this mountain, aided by the art of gathering wind and qi to nourish the spirit, one could nurture the mountain through oneself and oneself through the mountain—a boon for both the mountain and one’s practice.

With his thoughts flowing smoothly, Cao Kong could not hide his delight, laughing heartily above the mist. Today’s gains astonished him, far surpassing the previous acquisition of the Tailfire Flame.

What he comprehended was not a Daoist spell or supernatural power, but an art born of heaven and earth. Thus, Cao Kong sensed that as his cultivation deepened, so too would this art grow more miraculous.

Cao Kong drew from the cloud before him, and a sword of dazzling golden light appeared—this was the condensed form of the five-element gold energy.

He tapped the cold jade gourd at his waist, and clear wine transformed into a roaming dragon, flowing into his mouth and belly. With the mountain’s beauty before him and the joy of new mastery in his heart, the wine intoxicated him not, but he was drunk upon his own delight.

"Today I have gained a new art. My heart is joyful and grateful, so I shall bestow a gentle rain upon this mountain."

Cao Kong danced upon the clouds, wielding the sword of the Eastern Seven Constellations, then invoked the words “Sweet Dew Anointing the Crown,” causing seven drops of innate sweet dew to gather before him.

He flicked the sword’s tip, and the seven drops fell upon the seven positions of the constellations. The Azure Dragon in the east commands rain, bestowing vitality upon all living things.

As the Daoist danced upon the clouds, sweet dew merged with sword technique, transforming into a gentle rain that nourished all life and landscape upon Hidden Mist Mountain.

Barren trees sprouted new buds, spirit monkeys reached out to catch the rain, tigers and wolves licked their tongues in response, and all life flourished.

The rain persisted for about an hour, and when it finally ceased, Cao Kong was satisfied, no longer dancing with his sword. He gazed upon the thriving mountain, gaining new insights into the twenty-eight constellations recorded in the Sword Classic.

‘Do the Four Symbols and Four Directions each have their own duties?’ Cao Kong mused, then turned and descended into the forest.

Following the mountain path for about thirty miles, he reached a cliff beneath which lay a cave dwelling. There, the Spotted Leopard was lounging comfortably in front of the cave.

"Brother, why did you take so long? Home is always the most comfortable! Why don’t we stay another day or two before we leave?" the Spotted Leopard said excitedly. Monsters have strong territorial instincts, and the Spotted Leopard was particularly attached to home. If he said a day or two, it would likely become several, repeating endlessly.

Cao Kong chuckled, "Well, if we gain something at the Wooden Tablet Star Map, it’s no problem to return and live here."

He truly considered it—Hidden Mist Mountain was his homeland. Coupled with the art of gathering wind and qi to nurture the spirit, if he found a powerful ally for the Spotted Leopard, returning would be a great blessing.

The Spotted Leopard was overjoyed. "Really?"

But then he grew gloomy, "Brother, didn’t you say that staying in this mountain would lead me to the path of death?"

Cao Kong pondered, "Don’t bring up the path of death again. When the time is right, we’ll be able to return, and you won’t face any danger."

The Spotted Leopard didn’t understand, but nodded anyway—he had always trusted Cao Kong’s words. Then he grew excited again:

"Brother, the Yellow Lion’s cave has a name—Tiger’s Mouth Cave. Why don’t we name ours too?"

A spark of inspiration flashed in Cao Kong’s mind. "Let’s call it the Linked Folds Cave."

To study the Southern Polar Elixir Scripture and practice the Longevity Guidance Art, the Spotted Leopard had read poetry and books over the past three years.

Cao Kong had spent silver to send both the Spotted Leopard and the Yellow Lion Spirit to a private school for three years, greatly improving their education.

So when the Spotted Leopard heard this, his eyes shone. "Good, good, good! It’s a great name, brother. Our cave’s complex terrain fits the ‘linked’ part. As for ‘folds’—I’ve heard there are five famous mountains in the world, revered beyond measure. ‘Folds’ means even the Five Sacred Mountains must bow before you, brother, claiming supremacy—what a grand spirit! It rivals my old title as the King of South Mountain!"

Cao Kong’s face darkened, his heart racing with alarm—was that what he meant?

He protested repeatedly, "No, that’s not it—don’t say such things!"