Chapter 45: The Five-Hundred-Year Pact—Together to Penglai

The golden leopard, with the innocence of a child, revealed a look of delight upon hearing these words.

The God of Longevity, seeing the leopard’s demeanor, grew all the more pleased. This leopard truly was blessed; his fortune, as radiant as a canopy, was shaped by the heavens themselves.

In his memory, throughout the mortal realm and among the immortals, there was only one other person with such innate fortune. Yet that man was honest to a fault and lazy by nature; though he had ascended to the rank of celestial, a tribulation still awaited him in days to come.

And now, by a twist of fate, this golden leopard had unwittingly aided his own son—truly, fate had woven a bond between them.

“Why did you help me and not him?” The God of Longevity pointed to the cold-faced man in black.

The golden leopard shook his head with candor. “I don’t know. I just feel you’re very kind, and can’t help but want to be near you.”

Standing by, Cao Kong’s eyes brightened with satisfaction. As expected, letting the golden leopard act freely was the right choice. Before such immortals, any disguise would be seen through—only a heart as pure as a child’s could move them.

Just as he thought, the God of Longevity burst into hearty laughter. “Having entered this place and aided my game, it seems you and I are fated indeed.”

“How old are you this year?”

The golden leopard answered truthfully, “I have cultivated with my elder brother since childhood. There’s an apricot tree on the mountain, and I’ve watched it ripen more than fifty times through spring and autumn. Add another three years, and I am not yet sixty.”

The God of Longevity nodded with some satisfaction. “To take human form at sixty is no small feat. I see you have practiced my teachings—would you be willing to learn another art?”

The golden leopard nodded eagerly; after all, was this not the opportunity he had come seeking?

“Thank you, elder.”

“Hm?” The God of Longevity feigned contemplation.

Behind him, Cao Kong was growing anxious, nearly wanting to bend the leopard’s legs into a kneel himself. Here was a great immortal offering to teach you personally—not merely a chance encounter, but a true bestowal. That alone spoke volumes.

The golden leopard was first bewildered, then, as if a blessing entered his heart, he recalled a saying he’d heard while learning from mortals: “The true teachings are never imparted lightly.”

He also remembered how the Yellow Lion Spirit had once said that, in their youth, they’d suffered from having no path to cultivation. So, upon meeting the Holy Sage of Nine Spirits, they had kowtowed and acknowledged him as ancestor, thereby obtaining the true teachings.

At once, the golden leopard dropped to his knees. “Master! My true master!”

The God of Longevity laughed heartily and addressed the cold-faced man in black, “This boy isn’t foolish after all.”

A glimmer of a smile appeared in the eyes of the man in black, though he kept a stoic face.

“In that case, I am the God of Longevity in the heavens. Since fate has brought us together, I shall pass on a method to you and grant you a furnace. With these, you may cultivate both within and without. Today I accept you as a named disciple; should you ascend to immortality within five hundred years, then you and I shall truly be master and disciple.”

As he finished speaking, the God of Longevity picked up his long staff and tapped the golden leopard on the crown of his head. Instantly, starlight swirled and transformed into a scripture, which flowed into the leopard’s mind.

Then, the chessboard before them transformed into a furnace of ancient simplicity.

The cold-faced man in black spoke quietly, “If you do not achieve immortality, see to it I never cross paths with you again.”

The golden leopard shrank back at once, but the God of Longevity laughed again: “Do not fear. He may be stern, but his heart is warm—he is the Lord of the Northern Dipper, who presides over death. To avoid him is indeed a blessing.”

He turned to Cao Kong, about to speak, when suddenly his expression faltered, then shifted to a gentle smile. “Good deeds bring good fortune. This place is nurtured by the essence of wood among the five elements. Since you have come, fate has smiled upon you as well—let it be yours.”

With another tap of his staff, a surge of wood spirit energy rose from the ground like a luminous dragon, streaming endlessly into Cao Kong’s body and settling in his liver.

Cao Kong was stunned—he too was to receive a share. Yet he noticed that just before, the God of Longevity’s expression had changed, as if he’d heard something unexpected.

After these words, the two figures began to fade, for these were but manifestations and not their true bodies. The Lord of the Northern Dipper was the first to dissipate, while the God of Longevity transformed into countless points of starlight, preparing to depart as well.

Cao Kong bowed deeply in gratitude for the blessing, while the golden leopard—never shy—fell to his knees and kowtowed, making the floor hum with the force.

Seeing this, the God of Longevity laughed all the more. Such a fortunate leopard, pure of heart! He struck the ground once more with his staff, and behind him, a glimpse of celestial scenery appeared, veiled yet radiant.

From within stepped another figure, indistinct but exuding warmth, dressed in official robes and holding a scepter of good fortune.

Both Cao Kong and the golden leopard couldn’t help but be drawn to this person.

At that moment, a faint voice could be heard, though the words were unclear: “You called me here… why…”

Just as the two wished to look and listen more closely, the celestial vision faded, leaving only a mulberry tree in its place.

Were it not for the wood energy now residing in Cao Kong’s liver, the scripture in the golden leopard’s mind, and the furnace before them, they might have believed the entire episode to be an illusion.

Beyond the seas, on the Island of Immortals, the Star of Fortune regarded the God of Longevity and the Lord of the Northern Dipper with curiosity.

The God of Longevity was all smiles, while the Lord of the Northern Dipper offered a salute to the Star of Fortune.

“Why have you summoned me here so suddenly? Let me be clear—I won’t play chess with you,” the Star of Fortune said, gesturing for courtesy to be set aside and addressing the God of Longevity with some perplexity.

The God of Longevity said nothing. How could he admit that he’d purposely called upon the Star of Fortune to invoke the auspicious omen of “Fortune Star Arrives,” bestowing yet more luck upon those two leopards?

Still, he hadn’t expected that even that one would begin to take disciples, passing on a most extraordinary path—bestowing the treatment of a true heir.

Tsk tsk, but even his named disciple was no less fortunate. So long as he did not commit evil, blessings would follow, and the path to immortality would open.

The Star of Fortune, seeing the God of Longevity so pleased, could not help but feel both amused and annoyed. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.”

“Go on, go on. There’s no further need for you.”

The Star of Fortune: [○･｀Д´･○]

Within the immortal cave, the golden leopard excitedly recounted his gains to Cao Kong. Though he called it a scripture, it contained not only methods of cultivation, but also arts for planting spirit herbs, tending flowers, and more.

There were even a few spirit arrays—mostly for nurturing plants and enhancing the mountain’s aura.

He then examined the ancient furnace. Its name was “The Furnace of Growth,” said to be blessed by the Star of Fortune, making alchemy easier and more successful.

Cao Kong looked on with a smile, a weight finally lifted from his heart. To be accepted as a named disciple was enough. Now, with diligent cultivation and avoiding misdeeds or great troubles, they need not fear for their lives.

After all, the God of Longevity among the Three Stars of Blessing, Wealth, and Longevity had deep and powerful connections. With the Stars of Blessing and Fortune as his kin, the three were revered as the ancestors of the immortals—their might could only be imagined.

“Brother, this furnace is incredible! I’ve tried alchemy before but failed so often. With this, I bet my success rate will soar. Heh, I’ll make loads of elixirs for you—enough to fill you up!”

Cao Kong couldn’t help but laugh, warmth blooming in his heart. “Now that you have taken the God of Longevity as your master, would you like to return with me to Misty Mountain? Leopard Head Mountain is fine, but it’s not truly our home.”

The golden leopard nodded eagerly. “I’d love that! I’ve wanted to stay home forever.”

“Good. But remember—don’t forget the God of Longevity’s five-hundred-year pledge. Once we return, you must cultivate diligently.”

The golden leopard agreed readily, knowing well he’d received a fortune beyond compare.

Cao Kong laughed heartily. “Very well. Then after we bid farewell to Brother Yellow Lion, let us return to Misty Mountain and make it a blessed paradise!”