Chapter 86: The Cave of Fiery Clouds and the Banana Leaf Fan

Upon seeing the chapter concerning Saturn, Cao Kong became even more convinced of the thoughts in his heart. The so-called Four Symbols forming a grand array—surely it could be done.

He sighed emotionally, thinking of the Sword Scripture in his hand. Though named the Sword Scripture, it encompassed all things, using the sword as a guide to ponder the four celestial spirits.

Once he comprehended the four celestial spirits, the five stars of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth appeared, each belonging to the great Dao of the five elements, for him to further understand.

Whenever he made progress, the Sword Scripture would present a new chapter, invisibly guiding his path, which made Cao Kong deeply grateful for the painstaking care of his master, Taiyi Salvation Heavenly Lord.

“To have entered my master’s tutelage is truly my fortune,” Cao Kong thought.

He gazed at the fire sword in his hand. After his recent use, the sword had dimmed considerably.

He could sense that this fire was bing fire, belonging to yang, with considerable power, though it was only superficial, like floating duckweed without roots.

“How strange—bing fire in the heavens is the blazing sun, yet I’ve not sensed the essence of solar fire here.”

Among Cao Kong’s fire element attainments, both bing and ding were lacking. Now, upon encountering bing fire, he naturally wished to trace its origin and claim it for himself.

He released the fire sword, which instantly reverted into a cloud of fire. Cao Kong followed the fire’s intent, seeking its source to connect with its qi.

He searched the entire sky but found nothing. Then, riding the wind downward, he noticed the closer he drew to the ground, the stronger the fire qi became. This fire emanated from a mountain range, stretching six hundred li.

Cao Kong employed the treasure-recognition method taught by the Yellow Lion Spirit in years past—the Spirit-Detecting Technique. This method could identify treasures and also probe spiritual machinery.

Within the six hundred li of mountains, he saw by a ravine where fire qi surged endlessly. Fully exerting his powers as he gazed, he saw what appeared to be a small sun, blazing fiercely, dazzling his eyes and causing a slight burning sensation.

Cao Kong was not alarmed but delighted. Such a ferocious fire fit the description of bing fire perfectly, stirring his desire to subdue it.

He proceeded toward that place and saw a cave with two characters written above: Fire Cloud.

At this, Cao Kong knew at once where he was—this was the future abode of the Sacred Infant King, Red Boy, the famed Drill-Head Mountain stretching six hundred li.

“No wonder, no wonder,” Cao Kong exclaimed.

It was known that in the original tale, Red Boy was the beloved son of the Bull Demon King and Princess Iron Fan. Yet the Bull Demon King had Red Boy guard this place, which was a stroke of fortune.

In the story, Red Boy cultivated for three hundred years in Flame Mountain, achieving the Samadhi True Fire, and had come here for the bing fire essence within this mountain.

Cao Kong smiled. Understanding the cause and effect, he continued forward. Since this fire was nurtured by the mountain, it was there for all to claim.

He entered the cave and was greeted by a burst of intense firelight.

Yet Cao Kong had already mastered the sword of the Seven Southern Constellations and possessed some skill in the way of fire. The escaping essence of bing fire could not harm him.

He walked several hundred steps deeper, the fire intent growing stronger and hotter. The ground beneath his feet began to glow red, showing signs of lava.

At last, deep within the Fire Cloud Cave, Cao Kong glimpsed a fire eye, molten in appearance, with fire element essence endlessly surging forth.

“Excellent, it is indeed bing fire. Since that is the case, I shall claim it for myself,” Cao Kong laughed loudly. Fixing his gaze on the blazing fire intent, he proceeded forward, employing the method of collecting bing fire from the Five Elements Condensing Treasure Technique to summon and consume the flames.

Whoosh!

Flames erupted, bing fire essence overflowed. This fire was the fiercest of the five yang, radiant and majestic, refusing to submit easily.

Previously, most of Cao Kong’s elemental qi had been gifted by others, so it was not difficult to acquire. The only self-obtained was the newly born ren water, which was not hard to subdue.

But now he faced a real challenge, and this stirred his spirit.

His Dao qi surged, swelling his robe, and golden light radiated from his body—the Taiyi Golden Light Spell—using gold light to suppress fire light, and the method for collecting bing fire to absorb its essence, slowly consuming it.

The two forces stalemated. Though the bing fire essence was fierce, it lacked spirit and could only be gradually worn down and absorbed by Cao Kong.

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the Drill-Head Mountain, a valiant woman cultivated by consuming wind and dew.

Suddenly, she opened her eyes, a cold gleam flashing within, gazing toward Fire Cloud Cave, sensing the riotous fire qi.

“The essence of bing fire is in turmoil—who is meddling with it? No matter who it is, anyone who interferes with my future child’s fortune is unacceptable!”

With that, Princess Iron Fan stood, transforming into a streak of rainbow light, flying toward Fire Cloud Cave.

She had discovered this bing fire half a month ago, knowing her unborn child was naturally close to fire, and thus set it aside as a destined opportunity.

Yet she could not take it herself, nor preserve its fire, so she sent word to the Bull Demon King, urging him to hurry and set up an array and leave a guard.

Unexpectedly, though he promised to arrive soon, the Bull Demon King had delayed, forcing Princess Iron Fan to remain here and cultivate.

The reason she stayed outside the cave was because the bing fire essence was so fierce. Whenever the yang qi surged, it would escape, and even with her cultivation, she dared not stay close within the cave for long.

Now someone had touched it, violating her taboo.

Soon, Princess Iron Fan arrived at Fire Cloud Cave, finding the fire qi much weaker than before, biting her silver teeth in silent anger.

She pressed deeper into the cave, witnessing a scene: a Daoist, before the fire eye, absorbing fire qi into his body. The once ferocious bing fire essence had become docile as a sheep, yielding to his actions.

Princess Iron Fan’s eyes widened in rage, her silver teeth grinding: “Ah! You little thief—how dare you steal my child’s fortune!”

Cao Kong had already absorbed the bing fire essence into his heart palace. Hearing the furious shout, he looked toward the newcomer.

A valiant woman stood before him.

She wore a floral headscarf, a brocade cloud robe, her waist cinched by tiger sinew ribbons, glimpses of an embroidered skirt peeking through. Her phoenix-beaked shoes were three inches long, dragon whisker trousers adorned with gold, and she wielded a treasured sword, her voice raised in anger.

Cao Kong frowned. “Future child? Is this mountain yours? The fire eye is naturally endowed—should it not belong to whoever is capable of claiming it?”

Princess Iron Fan’s eyes flashed cold. She was of noble birth, wife to the great Bull Demon King, and accustomed to having her way. Cao Kong's retort instantly ignited her anger.

“You’ve taken what belongs to my future child and dare to argue—spit out the fire, and I’ll spare your life!”

Seeing Princess Iron Fan’s demeanor, Cao Kong’s expression cooled as well. Though he avoided trouble, he would not retreat at the sight of it.

He spat out, and the fire sword appeared in his hand. He stated flatly, “I will not yield. What will you do about it?”

Princess Iron Fan immediately raised her treasured sword to attack, her speed surpassing any foe Cao Kong had ever faced.

Cao Kong met her with his sword, showing no mercy, pressing his attack relentlessly.

In terms of swordsmanship, Cao Kong had achieved proficiency in the sword of the Twenty-Eight Constellations. Princess Iron Fan was no match for him; after just over ten rounds, she was defeated.

She transformed into a streak of light and fled the cave, with Cao Kong in swift pursuit.

Outside the cave, the valiant woman stood, holding a plantain fan, and looked at him with a cold smile.