Chapter 21: How Could a Mortal Sword Befit a True Master?

The Monkey Lion inwardly lamented his misfortune, having now witnessed the prowess of Cao Kong. Yet in the next instant, myriad sword lights streamed past him, circling around without so much as grazing his fur. The Monkey Lion managed a bitter smile and was about to concede defeat, only to find that Cao Kong seemed unsatisfied, as if his full mastery of swordsmanship had not yet been displayed.

As he channeled wood-elemental power in accordance with the signs of the Eastern Seven Stars, he felt on the verge of grasping a certain spiritual resonance, but it slipped away like flowers seen through mist—always just out of reach. He needed greater pressure. Pointing his sword at the other lions, he called out, "All of you, come at me together."

The Yellow Lion and his fellows exchanged glances, their expressions colorful. They had already discerned that Cao Kong’s swordsmanship and agility were extraordinary, but for him to call them all at once seemed a touch arrogant. For a moment, the remaining six lions looked at one another, anger flickering in their eyes. They shouted, "Very well! Since Brother Cao wishes it, we shall accompany you to the end!"

Each brandished their weapons, the Monkey Lion joining in, all displaying their profound martial arts. Ao You watched with concern; Cao Kong’s swordsmanship was formidable, but could it truly surpass the combined assault of seven lions?

She glanced at the Money Leopard, who was still eating without a care, and scolded, "Your brother is surrounded, and you still have the appetite to eat." The Money Leopard looked up, grinning foolishly. "You don’t understand. My brother has always been peerless in intelligence. If he says so, he’s definitely confident."

Ao You’s eyelid twitched as she gazed at this carefree Money Leopard who seemed to believe his brother invincible. Were they truly born of the same mother? How could they be so different?

The seven lions, familiar and attuned to one another, combined forces. Cao Kong felt the pressure mounting, even his agile step techniques struggling to dodge fully in such a confined space. With nowhere left to evade, Cao Kong raised his sword to defend, channeling power onto it for protection, though it further eroded the blade.

Fortunately, his wood-elemental power drew upon the energy of the Eastern Seven Stars, possessing the effect of endless vitality, allowing him to barely withstand their attacks.

Staves, hammers, spears, axes, tridents—all manner of weapons flashed fiercely. Cao Kong blocked in front and behind, parried left and right, and with each collision, his sword wailed louder, teetering on the verge of shattering.

The seven lions marveled at Cao Kong’s skill, astonished that he could endure their combined assault for so long. No wonder the patriarch regarded him so highly. They even wondered if the old patriarch might adopt Cao Kong as another grandson.

The battle raged on. Cao Kong merged starlight with sword light; whenever starlight fell upon a plant, it seemed to grow subtly.

"Ha! Take this!" Suddenly, the Yellow Lion let out a roar, leaping high. Infusing his magical power into his Four-Mirror Mace, he struck downward with the force of splitting a mountain.

Cao Kong could not evade; he raised his sword to block, feeling a surge of immense power, followed by the sound of breaking. The mortal sword could withstand no more, shattering completely under the Yellow Lion’s force and the erosion of Cao Kong’s own power.

Even pouring his power into it, Cao Kong could not forcibly reassemble the blade. Instead, the attempt only intensified its fragmentation, the shattering resounding like sudden thunder.

Yet this sound flashed through Cao Kong’s mind like lightning, sparking inspiration.

The east, belonging to wood, governs vitality, commands rainfall, is the source of all life, and heralds the first thunder of spring—clouds rising, thunder calling out.

He had used wood as his foundation, but had overlooked the birth of spring thunder. No wonder his sword technique felt missing something, strong in defense but lacking in attack.

His earlier successes had relied on deep cultivation and skillful technique, but the sword, though rooted in life, also required thunderous means.

With this realization, Cao Kong felt the world open before him and laughed loudly, "The Horn Star is the head of the Azure Dragon, the place where heaven and earth’s energies converge."

The seven lions were perplexed—what was he shouting about in the midst of battle?

The Yellow Lion laughed, "Brother Cao, your defeat is certain! Shouting won’t help!"

He raised his Four-Mirror Mace to strike again, while the other six lions attacked from all directions, forming a net that surrounded Cao Kong like a lamb awaiting slaughter.

But Cao Kong’s eyes shone bright. In his Cinnabar Field, innate Dao energy split into yin and yang, then poured forth, recondensing the shattered fragments of his mortal sword into a strong, fixed form.

"What I mean is: when yin and yang collide, thunder is born, and electricity is stirred!"

"Be careful, all of you!"

In the next moment, yin and yang energies surged within Cao Kong. The fractured sword pointed to the Horn Star, drawing starlight. Suddenly, a flicker of violet-blue lightning crackled.

Using the sword as a fulcrum, Cao Kong traced an arc, the violet-blue lightning intensifying, racing like a thunder dragon.

It expanded fiercely—illuminating the night!

Boom!

Centered on Cao Kong within a radius of ten feet, thunder erupted, its force immense.

Seven figures staggered backward, while Cao Kong himself appeared slightly pale—the seven lions were no easy opponents, formidable even if not yet at their peak.

He had used thirty percent of his power in that strike, not aiming at their vital points, merely knocking them away.

"Shall we call this round a draw?" Cao Kong raised his sword and cupped his hands to the seven lions, whose bodies were scorched, their fur standing on end.

At that moment, the seven lions were utterly convinced by Cao Kong’s methods; any former dissatisfaction vanished completely.

"Brother Cao, your skill is unmatched. We are not your equal."

"The seven of you are extraordinary as well. Had I not broken through just now, I would surely have lost," Cao Kong replied, as the mortal sword in his hand crumbled to dust, drifting away on the wind.

The sword had already shattered in battle; Cao Kong had forcibly recondensed it with his power, and then unleashed that violent thunder, so how could it not turn to ash?

The Monkey Lion sighed, "How can a mortal sword suit a true master? Brother Cao, you must seek a treasured blade."

Cao Kong was helpless. "I have always trained in remote mountains, unfamiliar with weapon forging, nor do I know where to find a worthy weapon. Hmm, I see your weapons are remarkable—could you instruct me?"

The Yellow Lion burst out laughing, "Brother Cao, you should have said so earlier! I dabble in the forging arts. Years ago, when the patriarch drove off the evil demon, we acquired divine iron refined over many years. Then I begged the patriarch for the art of discerning and forging treasures. All my brothers’ weapons are my own handiwork. If you find rare divine iron, I can forge a weapon for you."

Cao Kong’s eyes lit with surprise; the Yellow Lion truly possessed such skill.

But he hesitated, "I know little of the outside world. Where might I find divine iron and rare treasures?"

The Monkey Lion pondered, "If it’s rare treasures, the Four Seas Dragon Palace is the foremost. It is said to be wealthier than any under heaven; not only divine iron and rare gems, but perhaps even true divine weapons abound."

Ao You, standing nearby, heard "Dragon Palace" and her eyes flashed with disgust and anger.

Cao Kong considered that he was still far from the strength of the Monkey King and asked if there were other sources.

The Snow Lion replied, "I’ve heard from passing birds that three hundred miles north stands a mountain, atop which lives a Willow Immortal. Lately, there’s to be a treasure exchange gathering. Brother Cao, why not try your luck there? If you find a treasured sword, seize it; if you find divine iron, bring it back."

Cao Kong’s heart was immediately stirred.