Chapter 8: The Descent of the Nine-Spirit Primordial Sage

The mountain wind rustled through the woods, stirring Cao Kong’s robes and sweeping his loose hair back, revealing a face of unparalleled elegance. Rain accompanied the wind, falling to the earth and raising ripples with each drop, their sound crisp as pearls and jade, clear as metal and stone.

For a moment, Ao You was stunned. She felt that Cao Kong was not a monster at all, but rather a figure of the Dao, with natural beauty and an innate, ethereal bearing.

“In an instant, he’s mastered the art of summoning wind and rain?” Ao You quelled her astonishment, unsure what to say.

From what she knew, there were indeed beings in this world who could instantly learn such arts, but those were extraordinary spirits born with exceptional roots, all closely aligned with water affinity.

After all, among monsters, lineage and bloodline were paramount.

Yet looking at Cao Kong, no matter how Ao You examined him, he simply didn’t seem to possess such extraordinary origins.

“What is your true form?” she couldn’t help but ask.

“A black panther,” Cao Kong answered honestly.

Ao You fell into another bout of contemplation, eventually attributing it all to exceptional talent.

Then Cao Kong reached out, grasping at the air, gently saying, “Stop.”

The wind and rain that had filled the sky halted instantly and ceased altogether.

He looked at Ao You with anticipation. “Miss, is there anything else? I’d like to learn more.”

Generally, people have a penchant for teaching, and when faced with a clever student, they are naturally delighted. But encountering such a prodigy is different; it leaves one feeling defeated and speechless.

That was precisely how Ao You felt. She stared at Cao Kong in silence.

Yet ripples stirred in her heart. With such talent, and lacking a proper inheritance, perhaps she could find a way to recruit him. He could become a tremendous asset in the future.

She said, “Spellcraft is mere minor magic. The true essence of cultivation lies in spiritual power. Tell me, what is the name of the technique you practice? Does it have a continuation? If not, perhaps—”

A voice suddenly rang out, “Young lady, just enjoy the flowers and scenery at Panther Head Mountain. As for recruiting others, let that thought go.”

Cao Kong’s hair stood on end. Who was this? How had he not sensed anything?

He turned to see a middle-aged man of imposing stature, well over nine feet tall, whose face commanded respect with neither anger nor force. At a glance, it was clear he was a true spirit who had attained the Dao.

“You are one of the two monsters my grandson, the Yellow Lion, mentioned as visiting Panther Head Mountain,” the Nine-Spirit Sage said, though he already knew the answer. After intoxicating the lion servant, he had descended on clouds to the mortal realm, and with one sweep of his divine sense, he witnessed Cao Kong subduing the Black Jiao with the Golden Light Mantra.

At that moment, the Nine-Spirit Sage was astonished. He had thought it was either one of the Six Lions of Bamboo Mountain or the Yellow Lion who had mastered the Golden Light Mantra, but it turned out to be an outsider.

So he did not appear immediately, but instead sought out the Yellow Lion to inquire, learning the whole story.

In less than three months, Cao Kong had learned the Golden Light Mantra and completely transformed his demonic aura. Such talent was extraordinary!

Even the Nine-Spirit Sage himself could not have done so.

Now, seeing Cao Kong learn techniques from Ao You without the slightest obstacle, the sage was even more amazed.

When Ao You began to consider recruiting Cao Kong, the Nine-Spirit Sage could no longer sit still. Anyone who comes to Panther Head Mountain belongs to him—how could he let an outsider take them?

Young people are naturally impulsive, and with beauty and inheritance before him, he worried Cao Kong would be tempted.

Yellow Lion’s grandson, and his sudden appearance without my notice—that’s—

Cao Kong forced himself to remain calm, pretending to be puzzled. “You must be the illustrious ancestor of the Yellow Lion.”

The Nine-Spirit Sage smiled, producing a technique manual and tossing it to Cao Kong with casual grace. “Your talent is impressive. See if you can master this.”

After all, the Nine-Spirit Sage was a respected figure. Though he cherished Cao Kong’s gift, he would not lightly speak of accepting him as a disciple. Giving an inheritance first allowed him to further assess Cao Kong’s abilities, and also demonstrated his own status, encouraging Cao Kong to voluntarily request apprenticeship, making it easier for the sage to accept him.

Cao Kong took the precious tome, feeling its unusual weight and extraordinary material. On it was a line of golden script: “Nine Qi Returning to Origin, Sage’s Secret.”

The Nine-Spirit Sage watched as Cao Kong held the book, a gleam of satisfaction in his eyes.

The method he bestowed was no ordinary one—it was a true immortal technique, pointing directly to the Dao, of the highest order. If someone had committed grave sins, possessed evil intentions, or was unforgivable, they would not even be able to touch the tome.

Cao Kong could hold it, proving he was a fated one.

Joy welled up in Cao Kong’s heart. He clasped his fists respectfully. “Thank you, senior. May I know how I should address you?”

The Nine-Spirit Sage waved a hand. “Wait until you have begun to practice this technique, then I will tell you.”

Suddenly, the sage seemed to realize something. “Boy, after hearing the Golden Light Mantra, how long did it take for you to comprehend it?”

Cao Kong considered. “Two months.”

The Nine-Spirit Sage stomped his foot. Smoke billowed from the ground, and a local earth spirit emerged, fawning and saying,

“Great Immortal, I report that he arrived at Panther Head Mountain at noon, heard the mantra once, and by nightfall had mastered it through his own comprehension.”

Cao Kong: “…”

He looked at the earth spirit, both amazed and anxious. The world of Journey to the West was terrifying. Three feet above, there were gods; three feet below, there were spirits of the earth. There was truly no secret left untouched.

Luckily, he was naturally cautious and always careful with his words and actions, or he would have attracted endless trouble.

The Nine-Spirit Sage was even more astonished upon hearing this. He immediately felt the urge to take Cao Kong as a disciple, but as a true spirit who had attained the Dao, he restrained himself.

No, accepting a disciple must be done with care. Talent is not enough; I must further observe his character and temperament to ensure he fits the principles of the Taiyi lineage.

So he thought inwardly. Yet seeing such a rare talent and not being able to take him in immediately made his heart itch. As he pondered how best to test Cao Kong’s nature, a sudden inspiration struck him—he would wait…

Nodding steadily, he dismissed the earth spirit and departed.

He left behind Cao Kong, exhilarated with his new technique, and Ao You at his side.

At this moment, Ao You’s face was tense, trying to hide her recent attempt to poach talent. Yet her ears, somewhere along the way, had turned bright red, burning hot.

Cao Kong realized Ao You was still present and politely bid her farewell.

Only then did he notice her ears were crimson, like red jewels. He couldn’t help but ask, “Miss Ao You, what’s the matter?”

“It’s none of your concern.”

“Oh, then I’ll be going.”

With that, he sped back to his cave.

Ao You watched Cao Kong vanish in an instant, her brow twitching. “Where am I supposed to stay?”

Meanwhile, the Nine-Spirit Sage was preparing to return to Bamboo Mountain, but remembered that Cao Kong had a younger brother. He thought,

“Born of the same mother, their abilities should not differ greatly. Hmm, I’d best take a look, lest I miss another rare talent.”

He soon found, in a certain cave, a golden leopard soundly asleep, surrounded by fragments of gold and silver.