Chapter 80: Returning the Supreme Treasure—Would the Celestial Master Not Offer a Reward or Two?

The mighty roar over the River of Heaven carried immense magical power, so much so that the old soft-shelled turtle beneath the water trembled all over.

“No, I have no precious treasures, not at all! I, Old Turtle, have always lived honestly as a turtle, never causing trouble.”

Hearing this roar, the old turtle hastened to protest, his body brimming with magical energy, clearly ready to flee at the slightest sign of danger.

Cao Kong watched the scene, amusement flickering in his heart. No wonder, in years to come, when the Spirit King descends upon this river, the old turtle emerges unscathed—he’s almost excessively cautious.

“That person isn’t here for you,” Cao Kong said with a smile.

The old turtle replied warily, “Then is he here for you, Master?”

Sensing the surging demon aura above the river, and thinking of the Supreme Daoist treasure tucked in his sleeve, Cao Kong laughed, “Yes and no. Never mind, I’ve already collected the Ren Water. I’ll go take a look. Old friend, do as you wish.”

Hearing this, the old turtle didn’t bother with any pleasantries about accompanying the master. He simply warned him to be careful, then darted back to his underwater palace, shutting every door and window tight.

Truly the most cautious of turtles.

Cao Kong performed a water escape technique, merging into the river, and in an instant surfaced atop the River of Heaven.

There, he beheld a man in Daoist robes, wielding a ritual sword, clutching talismans, glaring furiously at a demon.

As for the demon’s appearance—

Fierce and imposing, with a frame as massive as a mountain, eyes blazing like lightning, a mouth wide as a blood-drenched basin.

It was a bear demon, its aura more potent than the bat demon Cao Kong had previously encountered.

“Heh, a Supreme Daoist treasure… Oh, I remember now. You must mean that Daoist who came to Black Fiend Mountain decades ago. Tsk tsk—he was quite memorable. I almost regret not keeping him alive to savor slowly. As for what he carried, my descendants took that long ago.”

The Black Fiend King fixed his murderous gaze on the Daoist, revealing the truth of the past. As he spoke, he licked his lips, savoring the memory.

“Junior brother, I failed you. I should never have let you go alone back then.” Zhang Mingde’s eyes burned red with grief, his spirit wavering.

Seeing this, the Black Fiend King exploded into speed belying his mountainous form, swinging an iron club at the Daoist’s head. The club swept the air like thunder and lightning, threatening to shatter mountains.

Such was the demon’s strength and power.

Fortunately, the Daoist was no ordinary man. Even in his anguish, he reacted swiftly, glaring at the demon, determined to avenge his fellow disciple. With a toss, he sent forth a talisman and stabbed with his ritual sword.

“By order of the law—thunder god, aid me!”

At his words, thunder cracked in the sky, a hundred-foot-long lightning serpent crashing down upon the Black Fiend King.

Sizzling! A single thunder talisman made every hair on the demon’s body stand on end. Demons dread thunder and lightning most; this righteous, pure thunder rampaged through his form, wreaking havoc within.

Wounded and even more ferocious, the Black Fiend King nevertheless realized he was, in truth, slightly weaker than this Daoist. Failing to take him by surprise and suffering injury instead, he knew victory would be hard-won.

His savage eyes darted about and spotted, on the riverbanks, a cluster of mortals—hundreds in all.

Delighted, he saw his way out.

Daoists are always so easy to manipulate. The one who died at his hands years ago was the same—clearly stronger, but wasted his strength protecting a village, eventually falling as food to the demon.

A cruel gleam flashed in his eyes.

If he repeated his old trick, not only could he escape this disaster, he might even devour this powerful Daoist and use him to enhance his cultivation.

Humans, after all, are the lords of all living things—their flesh is a powerful tonic, strengthening cultivation!

With a whoosh, the Black Fiend King transformed into a streak of black light, shooting toward the distant village.

Zhang Mingde’s face changed dramatically, instantly grasping the demon’s intent. He hurled several talismans, some to boost his own speed, others to attack.

Thunder and fire roared toward the Black Fiend King, but the demon neither dodged nor retreated—he pressed on toward the village, enduring the attacks.

Seeing this, Zhang Mingde was frantic but always a step behind, his heart burning with anxiety.

“Out of my way!”

The Black Fiend King grinned with anticipation. At his speed, he would reach the village in seconds—then he could threaten as he pleased. But suddenly, a thunderous voice rang out, open and upright, shaking the heavens.

His body flinched involuntarily. Then, from the eight-hundred-li-wide River of Heaven, the waters spun skyward like a dragon, blocking his path.

The Black Fiend King’s face twisted in fury as he tried to force his way through.

But within the towering column of water, a sword appeared. Forged of pure water, its blade shimmered with rippling light and slashed toward him like flowing waves.

“With such paltry skill, you dare bar my way!”

With scorn in his eyes, the Black Fiend King charged forward, intent on shattering the watery blade with his own brute strength.

But as he drew closer, the gentle flow of water vanished, replaced by a tempestuous fury—like a raging sea in storm.

Boom!

In midair, boundless water surged forth, battering the Black Fiend King relentlessly. Furious currents forced themselves into his mouth, nose, and every orifice, sealing him tightly and devouring his life force.

In that brief instant, Zhang Mingde caught up, elation flashing across his face. Without hesitation, he brandished his sword and summoned the thunder from the heavens.

Lightning from above, river water from below—together they crashed down, resplendent and mighty. Before long, the Black Fiend King’s soul was sent straight to the underworld, his body destroyed utterly.

“I am Zhang Mingde of the Supreme Daoist Sect. My thanks for your assistance, fellow cultivator. Might I ask you to reveal yourself?”

“Cao Kong of Hidden Mist Mountain, greetings to Daoist Zhang.”

Cao Kong emerged from the water column, waving his hand to return the surging waters to the River of Heaven. He and Zhang Mingde exchanged courteous bows.

“Daoist Zhang, the village lies just ahead. With all the commotion we’ve caused, perhaps we should find a quieter place to talk?” Cao Kong suggested with a soft smile.

Zhang Mingde, not wishing to alarm the common people either, readily agreed, and together they made their way to the riverbank.

Zhang Mingde was a straightforward man. Once there, he poured out his story—how he had searched for his junior’s whereabouts, journeyed to the Western Ox Continent, hunted demons, and sought lost treasures.

With a sigh, he added, “If not for you, fellow Daoist, I could not have slain this demon. At last, I have avenged my junior and fulfilled my wish. Yet I still regret that our sect’s ancestral treasure has been lost for so many years. Who knows how long it will take to recover it?”

Cao Kong smiled. “That is precisely why I have come.”

···

High above, in the celestial palaces, the leader of the Four Great Celestial Masters, Zhang Daoling, was at leisure, playing chess with the Great Lord Taiyi, the Savior from Suffering.

Gazing at the board, Zhang Daoling gave a wry smile and conceded defeat. “Your chess is unmatched, Lord Taiyi. I am no match for you.”

But suddenly, he uttered a soft exclamation, a look of joy spreading across his face.

“Why do you rejoice, Celestial Master?” asked Lord Taiyi.

Zhang Daoling replied, “To answer your question, my lord, I once left a Daoist lineage in the mortal world. Some years ago, the sect’s treasure was lost. Now, my heart senses that it is about to return.”

“Was it recovered by one of your disciples?”

“It was obtained by a destined one, who happened to encounter one of my disciples and will return it to the sect.”

“Excellent. That will surely ease your worries. Why not reward them as well?”

“Indeed, your advice is most wise.”