Chapter 47: My Sword Has Never Been Dull! (Humbly asking for a monthly vote—if you don’t have one, that’s all right)

Gazing at the mystical sight of the spirit plants unfurling in the spiritual fields, the Golden Leopard could not help but sigh, "We have the spirit fields now—if only we had a spring of spiritual water, that would be perfection."

Cao Kong laughed, "Even with spirit fields, your desires are not sated? As for a spiritual spring, such a chance may yet come in the future. Besides, let us not forget the miraculous effects of my celestial dew."

That innate celestial dew possessed manifold wonders—not only could it be used for oneself and in the brewing of wine, but when mixed with clear water, it could serve the same function as a spiritual spring, greatly aiding the growth of spiritual plants.

Of course, if the dew were to be added to an actual spiritual spring, the effects would doubtless be even more extraordinary.

As for the origin of a spiritual spring, Cao Kong had not forgotten the art of Gathering Winds and Accumulating Qi he had comprehended in the Misty Mountain. According to the gazetteers, this was but the rudiment of the art of cultivating a blessed land.

One could nurture the mountain, and in turn be nurtured by it; with long cultivation, the Misty Mountain would surely become a mountain of spirit and a land of fortune. Then, its waters would have no trouble transforming into a spiritual spring.

Thinking thus, Cao Kong felt even more delighted.

He then joined the Golden Leopard in sorting the harvested spiritual plants and fruits, deciding which would be used for brewing, and which for alchemy.

Those easy to preserve were stored away; those that would not keep were used as soon as possible.

When all was done, the Golden Leopard, feeling some fatigue, retired to sleep. Cao Kong, as usual, drew on the essence of heaven and earth, refined a golden pellet, and then returned to his cave for rest as well.

That night, sleep was especially sweet. In their homeland, their hearts were at peace.

—

On this day, when Cao Kong awoke, the Golden Leopard had already paid his respects as a disciple, dispelling Cao Kong's lingering worries about the future. His mind, imperceptibly, grew clearer and brighter.

His ambitions now were simple: to cultivate the golden core, become a personal disciple, and oversee the Golden Leopard’s ascension to immortality in five hundred years, thus earning the status of true disciple himself.

‘I wonder if the Monkey has been born yet,’ Cao Kong pondered. Having resolved to reside in Misty Mountain—a place the Journey to the West must pass—he could not help but anticipate what sort of encounter he might have with the Monkey in years to come.

In that case, even if the Golden Leopard tried to trick the Monkey with the “Plum Blossom Ruse,” the Monkey would probably just grumble about giving the Old Immortal some face.

No, wait.

Cao Kong suddenly became alert. That Monkey was of a rather unruly disposition—giving face to immortals and gods, perhaps, but never missing a chance for a good fight first.

—

This thought brought Cao Kong a sense of urgency. He had no wish to be beaten for nothing, and as a disciple of the Great Lord Who Saves from Suffering, to be thrashed by the Monkey without resistance would bring shame to his master.

But the Monkey’s origins were profound; born of Heaven and Earth, gifted with innate wisdom, he was a natural-born sage. After only a few years of cultivation, he would attain celestial rank—hardly an easy opponent.

“Phew—” Cao Kong exhaled deeply, but did not lose heart. Though he did not know the exact year, the Golden Leopard had not cultivated for even a hundred years yet; by that reckoning, it would be centuries still before the Monkey arrived.

With such a long time ahead, he would train diligently. When the Monkey did appear, perhaps he could assert, “My sword is not to be trifled with!”

Cao Kong wasted no time. With himself and the Golden Leopard now possessing considerable skills, they could not simply devote themselves to breathing exercises and cultivation as before—they must manage the Misty Mountain well.

After three years away, the place had grown somewhat desolate; much work remained to be done.

The spiritual fields stretched for ten miles, but only one was planted, the crops scattered to avoid competing for spiritual energy.

Cao Kong sowed the remaining fields with seeds of spirit grain, performed a rain-summoning rite, and watered them with a few drops of celestial dew.

The spirit plants responded with greater vibrancy, but the spirit grain seeds took root and sprouted almost instantly. Still, Cao Kong did not push further, knowing the dangers of excess.

Before long, the Golden Leopard awoke and began tending flowers and grasses, attempting to arrange simple formations to stabilize the spiritual fields.

Together, they cleaned the Chain of Peaks Caves, split logs into planks, and fashioned rudimentary tools for daily use.

When all was finished, they took the more perishable spirit fruits—some to consume, some for alchemy.

The Golden Leopard brought forth his Changcheng Cauldron, a most extraordinary vessel, able to be stored in the body at will, generating its own spiritual fire, which could be controlled with mind and magic.

His inherited arts included the secret to refining this cauldron—the Old Immortal had truly provided for the Golden Leopard in every respect.

As long as he followed the tradition, cultivating within and without, five hundred years would suffice for immortality.

The Golden Leopard selected spirit herbs and fruits to refine pills. The cauldron’s spiritual fire arose at his command, extracting the essence of the ingredients and refining them.

In half a day, two batches emerged—each yielding more than ten pills. One kind replenished qi, the other essence.

By the Golden Leopard’s account, this success rate far exceeded his previous attempts, and the pills were of exceptional quality.

Cao Kong could not help but marvel—treasures blessed by the Lucky Star truly lived up to their name, justifying the title “Changcheng.”

—

While the Golden Leopard busied himself with alchemy, Cao Kong felt no rush to brew wine. The grains were not yet ripe.

But with celestial dew in hand, it would not be many months before new wine could be made. Cao Kong looked forward to it—this harvest of spiritual plants would yield four different new brews, each with unique effects.

Once completed, not only would they offer great aid to cultivation, their flavors alone would make Cao Kong’s mouth water.

—

Half a month later, Cao Kong sat atop the cliffs of Misty Mountain, breathing in the clouds and mists. With each inhalation and exhalation, the whole mountain seemed to breathe and grow with him.

Imperceptibly, spiritual energy gathered—Misty Mountain nurtured Cao Kong, and he in turn nourished the mountain. It was as if the entire range was subtly growing.

The mountain’s spiritual energy, though slow to accumulate, was truly increasing. Over years and decades, drops would become rivers.

Cao Kong took a deep breath; the clouds within his lungs spread outward, wisps flowing into his liver to nourish the wood energy there.

The mountain’s growth was proof of Cao Kong’s progress in the art of Gathering Winds and Accumulating Qi. The clouds not only nurtured the metallic essence of his lungs, but now also the wood energy of his liver.

Opening his eyes, Cao Kong stretched out a hand. In his right, a green spirit sword materialized, vibrant with life.

He opened his mouth and spat forth another sword—the blade of golden energy.

The two swords flew into the sky, intertwining, complementing each other—a true display of a sword immortal’s prowess.

Gold and wood met, myriad sparks flitting through the mists of Misty Mountain like swimming dragons—stunningly beautiful.

Yet only Cao Kong knew that beneath this beauty lurked a deadly peril.

If used against an enemy—if the bear demon of old stood before him—it would take but a single stroke to cleave its flesh and take its head.

The "Art of Five Elements Primordial Fusion and Treasure Formation" was truly boundless in its might.

As Cao Kong marveled, his brows suddenly knit. He spotted several furtive figures creeping toward his spiritual fields, moving stealthily and clearly intent on theft.