Chapter 74: You Call This a Golden Core?

Chapter 74: You Call This a Golden Core?

Upon hearing this, the little silver serpent nearly burst into tears.

So, there are good people among the human race after all!

A handsome blue-haired Daoist approached, dust whisk in hand, treading lightly as if singing to the wind: “Riding the wind in high spirits, playing with the moon’s glow. Only the crane of the Three Mountains should return after a thousand years.”

He offered a Daoist salute and asked, “I was a bit rash just now. I am Tianyi, may I ask, venerable monks, why you shout for the death of this demon?”

Monk Zhongtong sneered, “It is everyone’s duty to slay demons and banish evil!”

Monk Yuantong echoed, “Indeed! There is a clear divide between man and demon. Why does the Daoist obstruct our righteous cause?”

Tianyi shook his head and sighed softly, “As the saying goes, among humans there are good and evil, and among demons as well. How can they all be judged alike?”

“From what I observe, its aura is pure, with only a faint trace of blood—barely enough to call it a spirit.”

“If it were truly a man-eating, wicked demon, its aura would be turbid and shrouded in resentment.”

“Why not ask this little serpent if it has done any evil before sentencing it?”

The silver serpent was stunned. Humans slay demons, demons eat humans—such has it always been. Who ever cared about good or evil?

Could it be that it had run into one of those legendary moral true immortals? In a panic, it cried out, “Great Immortal, save me! Please, have mercy!”

“I have never committed wicked deeds. I have always been well-behaved, cultivating quietly in the mountains and strictly following the rules of the Eastern Sea Dragon Clan. If I’ve ever eaten blood, it was only after being provoked. I only defended myself!”

Tianyi smiled and silently marked down “Eastern Sea Dragon Clan” in his mind, also labeling the serpent as a “silly one.”

He hadn’t even asked anything yet, and the serpent had already spilled all its roots and background without reservation.

Truly, how cunning can a beast be? It only adds to the amusement!

Good thing this wasn’t a trap within a trap, with monks seeking immortal medicine and Daoists capturing spirit pets.

Still, it was fortunate to have met him.

Feigning agreement, Tianyi nodded and addressed the monks, “From what I see, the serpent speaks truthfully. Would you not spare its life as a favor to me?”

Zhongtong seemed hesitant, but Yuantong sneered, “Daoist, do not meddle! We are cultivators of the Heart’s Delight Sect—a wandering hermit like you is not our equal!”

Tianyi’s face darkened. “I reason with you, yet you refuse to listen!”

“Let me subdue you, and then I’ll visit your sect to debate the Dao with your masters!”

He pointed into the air, and in an instant, the silver serpent’s mortal enemies were frozen in place, rendered puppets unable to speak or move.

With a sweep of his sleeve, as if the universe were hidden within, the two monks were sucked into the space at his cuff.

The silver serpent watched, eyes burning with awe.

Such divine power! Such incredible might!

“Mercy, mercy!” Tianyi intoned, then turned and said, “I have been in seclusion here for a thousand years. Today, upon emerging, I found these two villains wantonly slaughtering living beings. My heart could not bear it, so I saved you.”

“Cultivate well, gather immortal herbs, and after you take human form, do good deeds and follow the will of Heaven, so that my saving you today will not be in vain.”

With that, he was about to soar away on the wind.

The little serpent shivered in panic.

Seeing that Tianyi did not covet its immortal herb nor ask anything in return—coming and going with the wind—the crafty serpent finally let go of all its worries.

It was certain: Tianyi was a true immortal, virtuous and mighty!

This was the great fortune from its inherited memories!

“One, two, three!” Tianyi counted in his heart as he summoned a gentle breeze.

Suddenly, a cry rang out, “Great Immortal, your kindness is boundless! I have nothing with which to repay you. I am willing to offer my immortal herb, and serve as your attendant, pouring tea and serving water, to repay your grace!”

Luo Feng smiled faintly—the fish had bitten the hook.

At first, Luo Feng’s plan was to kill the little silver serpent, seize the mountain, and establish Tianyi’s cave abode. Then, he would collect materials, craft puppets, and gradually investigate the world.

Proceed with caution.

But discovering that the serpent could speak changed everything.

This was a talking serpent—a monster, yes, but also a sentient native!

It would be too troublesome to gather information on his own, and as a newcomer, he’d risk exposing his identity.

If he could subdue the little silver serpent, with a native as his guide, everything would be much easier.

No need to risk exposure for basic information.

With a knowing smile, Tianyi turned, put on an immortal’s gentle expression, and spoke in a serious yet warm tone.

Now came the familiar drama.

Three refusals, three pleadings—the little demon begged desperately, the Daoist refused politely, the little demon pleaded again, the Daoist seemed to waver but still declined.

In the end, the little demon prostrated itself, and the true immortal sighed helplessly and accepted it as his attendant.

……

Tianyi sighed, “Since you are to be my attendant, you ought to follow me.”

“But as a demon, it may be inconvenient. Why not wait until you take human form…”

The silver serpent panicked and quickly said, “Master, the immortal herb will mature in three years. After that, I can achieve human form and swear allegiance.”

Tianyi pondered for a moment, then nodded. “Very well. I shall accompany you here for three years.”

Though a demon, the silver serpent was not heartless. Its heart warmed, eyes brimming with gratitude. “Thank you, master!”

Tianyi smiled kindly, “There is no need for thanks between master and disciple.”

“Let us return to the mountain. In three years, I will use the immortal herb to lay your foundation.”

The silver serpent nodded vigorously, feeling that his master was exceedingly good to him.

Yet, somewhere in his heart, he sensed something was not quite right—but couldn’t say what.

Back at the mountain, having lived there for eight hundred years, the silver serpent easily found a cave near a spring.

If not for the immortal herb growing there, this would surely be the mountain’s spiritual core, where energy gathered.

Even now, though the immortal herb absorbed much of the fortune, the spiritual energy was still dense.

Tianyi smiled, “Disciple, what is this place called?”

The little silver serpent flicked his tongue and shook his head, “Master, not only does this cave have no name, even the mountain itself is nameless.”

“On this island alone, there are thousands of similar peaks—all ordinary and unremarkable.”

“That’s why a lowly demon like me, who has only formed a core, can claim it.”

“Are you planning to name it, master?”

Tianyi’s eyelids twitched as he glanced at the serpent.

Core formation? Inner core? Demon general?

You call this a Golden Core?

Such cultivation, and you call that forming a core?

Though the silver serpent had some cunning, his cultivation…

Well, this level reminded Luo Feng of the first freak he’d met in his youth—a Yellow Wind from the White Lotus Sect.

Tianyi coughed lightly, “Disciple, I’ve been secluded for a thousand years and know little of the present day.”

“Explain the current situation to me in detail.”

“And there’s no need to name the mountain. Remaining obscure is best—no one can calculate or find our location.”

[Second update complete. Please vote!]

[Finally, wishing everyone a Happy New Year!]

(End of chapter)