The Nine Cauldrons

“Senior, Old Brother Mu, look.” Teng Qingshan walked to the corner and quickly removed two rocks on the surface, revealing the Dreamy Cloud Fruit Tree hidden below. The small fruit appeared to be made of emerald and jade, and the entire body of the tree shone with a faint green glow. The fruit hanging on the tree was exactly in the form of an infant.

When the Dreamy Cloud Martial Immortal and Mu Wang saw this, their eyes lit up instantly!

This fruit with azure skin was indeed one of the three greatest Spiritual Treasures of Duanmu Continent—the Dreamy Cloud White Fruit!

“It is really the Dreamy Cloud Fruit Tree!” The Dreamy Cloud Martial Immortal’s face had an expression of jubilation.

Mu Wang also exclaimed in admiration, “Dreamy Cloud White Fruit was said to have the form of an infant. I have lived for such a long time, but this is the first time I have seen the Dreamy Cloud White Fruit. It is truly magical!”

“Yes.” The Dreamy Cloud Martial Immortal smiled and said, “Looking at the size of this Dreamy Cloud White Fruit, I reckon that it will mature in a minimum of two to three months and a maximum of one to two years. Tsk, tsk...... Amazing. It thrived within the cracks of the mountain rocks. That Violet Coral Serpent even used rocks to hide it... It has hidden the Dreamy Cloud White Fruit well.”

The Dreamy Cloud Martial Immortal turned and stared at Teng Qingshan as he said, “Qingshan, you are indeed very lucky. This cave must be pitch-black at night. Also, the fruit was hidden completely. In such a situation, even I wouldn’t be able to find it.”

“Lucky indeed,” Teng Qingshan laughed.

“Haha,” The Dreamy Cloud Martial Immortal guffawed happily and then said, “Qingshan, I will keep my word. You helped me find this Dreamy Cloud White Fruit... Yes, when that young fellow, Yunyi, is healed, the remainder of the Dreamy Cloud White Fruit will be yours. You can heal your father’s legs with it. Now...... Mu Wang, you shall guard here for just a day. There will be no need for you to be here after that as I will be the one guarding here long-term.”

“Instructor, please let me stay here and guard it,” Mu Wang pleaded hastily.

“I still have something I need you to do in a few days.”

“The Dreamy Cloud Martial Immortal turned and looked at Teng Qingshan as he said, “Qingshan, let’s go back to the Dreamy Cloud Ancient City.”

Teng Qingshan couldn’t help but feel this great sense of joy. As he thought of the six stone inscriptions he would soon obtain, he felt so happy that he couldn’t suppress his jubilation. The six stone inscriptions...... were enough to allow him to make significant improvements in his ability and strength! He might even step into the Emptiness Realm! His parents and relatives dwelled in the distance Land of the Nine Prefectures, and Teng Qingshan himself greatly desired to reach the Emptiness Realm so that he could return there!

He could only return to the Nine Prefectures if he reached the Emptiness Realm.

Teng Qingshan and the Dreamy Cloud Martial Immortal rode the Whole Gale Eagle together and flew back to the Dreamy Cloud Ancient City.

In the Dreamy Cloud Ancient City, a tableful of delicious food and big bowls of roasted meat could be seen in a quiet living room.

“Qingshan, do stay here for a while. I’ll go get that stone inscription. When you’re almost done eating, I will have brought the item here,” The Dreamy Cloud Martial Immortal said with a smile. Carrying the huge blade on his back, he left the living room, leaving Teng Qingshan and the Whole Gale Eagle there.

Teng Qingshan and the Whole Gale Eagle had been in the Dreamy Cloud Swampland for 19 days, and during this period, they had subsisted on simple, roasted meat.

“Tsk, tsk.”

Teng Qingshan gulped the wine and ate the food. At the side, the Whole Gale Eagle swallowed piece after piece of meat. The roasted meat had been specially prepared by the chefs of the Rising Sun City, with flavors which tasted much better than the meat Teng Qingshan had roasted simply.

After almost one hour, Teng Qingshan finally heard the sounds of footsteps.

The Dreamy Cloud Martial Immortal appeared, carrying a large, black iron chest with one arm. He walked in and flicked a glance at the table. Almost half of the dishes were empty. The Dreamy Cloud Martial Immortal immediately burst out laughing, “Haha, Qingshan, you are really good at eating. Your bird-type demonic beast too; it ate a dozen bowls of roasted meat.”

“Senior.” Teng Qingshan stood up hastily. Instead of looking at the Dreamy Cloud Martial Immortal, his eyes fell on the large, black iron chest.

Marks covered the surface of the iron chest. There was also a reddish brown lock. The faint dirty marks on the lock showed clearly that this iron chest had a long history.

“Here are the stone inscriptions of the 《Thirty-six Splitting Mountain Forms》 that you wanted. There are six of them inside this chest.” The Dreamy Cloud Martial Immortal said and threw the chest to the ground casually.

“Clang!”

The iron chest fell onto the living room floor and shook twice, with a clanging sound ringing out from within.

“Crack!” The Dreamy Cloud Martial Immortal grabbed the iron chest. With the use of some force, the iron lock cracked. He then opened the chest, revealing the items inside.

Teng Qingshan’s eyes lit up as he examined the contents.

The stone inscriptions were stacked in a pile inside the chest. Each stone inscription was rectangular, with the image of the Axe Art on the left, while the word ‘Dao’ was on the right. The stone inscriptions of the Thirty-six Splitting Mountain Forms sparkled, seeming like they were made of emerald and jade. As a green glow swirled around the stone inscriptions, the stone inscriptions truly did not seem like ordinary objects.

With these six stone inscriptions, I will be able to make significant progress again!” Teng Qingshan thought to himself with passion burning in the depths of his heart.

The Dreamy Cloud Martial Immortal stared at Teng Qingshan with a smile. At this moment, he was examining Teng Qingshan’s expression.

“Qingshan...... what you cultivate is spear art. So, why do you value the stone inscriptions of the 《Thirty-six Splitting Mountain Forms》 so much? Although the Godly Axe Deity, Yu the Great, carved these stone inscriptions personally, comprehending Dao through these stone inscriptions with the purpose of reaching the Emptiness Realm is still not a simple thing,” The Dreamy Cloud Martial Immortal said.

Since ancient times, many people had obtained the stone inscriptions, but the people who reached the Emptiness Realm through the stone inscriptions were rare.

In the past, the Godly Axe Mountain had possessed all thirty-six stone inscriptions. However, what had happened in the end? The Godly Axe Mountain had collapsed and crumbled, and the stone inscriptions had been taken by the people under the heavens.

“Senior, the 《Thirty-six Splitting Mountain Forms》 are of great benefit to me.” Teng Qingshan did not explain any further.

“Sure. Well, from today onwards, these six stone inscriptions are temporarily yours.” The Dreamy Cloud Martial Immortal stared at Teng Qingshan and said, “Qingshan, the preciousness of these six stone inscriptions is evident. It is fine to lend it to you for a few years, but you must return them to us in good condition. If any pieces were to be lost....”

“Senior, do not worry.”

Teng Qingshan stared at the Dreamy Cloud Martial Immortal and said resolutely, “As long as the stone inscriptions are in my hands, no harm will come to them.”

“Alright. I’ll hold you to your word.” The Dreamy Cloud Martial Immortal laughed while nodding. He then joked, “If any pieces were to be lost, I want you to slaughter the great clans and take their stone inscriptions. If you refuse to take their stone inscriptions forcefully, you will have to work to repay this debt. Haha...... This way, we, the Mu Clan, will earn lots.”

Teng Qingshan smiled as he closed the iron chest, then he pressed the lock latch, locking it firmly.

“Senior, since the task has been completed, I will not be staying,” Teng Qingshan said, with the iron chest in his arms.

“Okay. When the Dreamy Cloud White Fruit is ripe, I will order someone to summon you. At that time, I will let you watch me heal the young fellow, Yunyi,” The Dreamy Cloud Martial Immortal said.

Teng Qingshan couldn’t help but admire the Dreamy Cloud Martial Immortal.

By letting Teng Qingshan watch from the side...... it meant that the Dreamy Cloud Martial Immortal definitely wouldn’t take the Dreamy Cloud White Fruit for himself.

“I will be waiting for Senior’s message,” Teng Qingshan said with a smile.

After bidding the Dreamy Cloud Martial Immortal goodbye, Teng Qingshan rode on the Whole Gale Eagle and left the Dreamy Cloud Ancient City. He flew toward the Godly Axe Mountain of Nanshan City.

When the Whole Gale Eagle reached the region of the Godly Axe Mountain, the sun had already set in the west, flooding the western horizon completely with a red light.

Sitting on the Whole Gale Eagle, Teng Qingshan flew at a high altitude with the iron chest placed before him.

As Teng Qingshan held the iron chest, thoughts occupied his mind.

“Six stone inscriptions!

“With these six stone inscriptions, I will definitely reach the Emptiness Realm within a minimum of two to three years and a maximum of four to five years.” Teng Qingshan was very confident. As he continued cultivating and his understanding of Dao improved, Teng Qingshan could faintly sense that...... he wasn’t far from being able to communicate with the heavens and the earth, and possessing endless True Origin.

“Father and Mother, wait for me.”

Teng Qingshan’s heart was filled with joy.

The Whole Gale Eagle had already flown above the forest on the northern side of the Godly Axe Mountain. With a glance, Teng Qingshan could see a weak-looking figure sitting beside the Crescent Moon Lake.

......

“It’s been nineteen days. Big Brother Teng has been to the West Tang Region for nineteen days.” Li Jun was sitting beside the lake. There was a hole in the thick ice of the lake surface before her, and the water below the ice could be seen distinctly.

“I wonder when Big Brother Teng will return.”

Li Jun missed Teng Qingshan very much.

When they were at the Bright Moon Island, Teng Qingshan had cultivated in seclusion for several months, but at that time, Li Jun had been by his side.

However, currently...... Teng Qingshan had gone to the West Tang Region, and he hadn’t given an exact time as to when he would return. Therefore, Li Jun stayed by the lake everyday, occasionally gazing toward the sky. She was waiting...... for Teng Qingshan to fly back on the Whole Gale Eagle.

An exact time hadn’t been given, so she could only wait day by day......

And return home silently every day.

......

Teng Qingshan grabbed the Whole Gale Eagle’s neck softly. Then as he exerted some force, the Whole Gale Eagle immediately understood what Teng Qingshan meant, ‘Don’t dart down now.’ After staying with Teng Qingshan for days, the Whole Gale Eagle had learned to understand the meaning of some of Teng Qingshan’s moves.

“Little Jun......”

Looking down at the weak figure from the high altitude, Teng Qingshan could feel a wave surging in his heart.

“By being like this, am I being too cruel to her?” Teng Qingshan looked down silently.

Teng Qingshan wasn’t a fool who didn’t understand anything about relationships. Be it during the experiences in his previous life or current life, Teng Qingshan had always been able to figure out the thoughts of others easily...... When he first saved Li Jun, he could already sense the affection she had for him.

Especially this time... Li Jun had followed him. Without looking back, she had crossed the North Sea and come to Duanmu Continent with him. The reason for that was very obvious.

A human’s heart changed gradually.

During this time of over a year, Li Jun had accompanied him. While they were sailing on the sea, she had prepared food and taken good care of him. She had occasionally chatted and joked with him, allowing him to not feel that lonely during the voyage.

During this journey.....

The superior Goddess of the God of Heaven Mountain, who had been served by many maids, was now willing to cook for him and wash his clothes.

When Teng Qingshan cultivated in seclusion, Li Jun had never complained.

When he wanted to reside by the Crescent Moon Lake, Li Jun had also obeyed.

When he went to the West Tang Region, Li Jun had waited silently......

“Little Jun......” Teng Qingshan could feel Li Jun’s care for him. Actually, as Li Jun had the same appearance and aura as Cat, his wife in his previous life, Teng Qingshan would occasionally feel his heart race, as well as some special emotions, when he faced Li Jun. Teng Qingshan and Li Jun had been together for over a year; therefore, they were both were used to it.

“If I continue acting this way, it is too cruel to her.”

“The belief of ‘there are three forms of unfilial conduct, of which the worst is to have no descendants’ was deeply ingrained into my parents’ minds. In the past, they had already wanted me to get married.”

“After I’ve reached the Emptiness Realm and returned to the Land of the Nine Prefectures... If she hasn’t changed her mind, I will marry her.” Teng Qingshan made his decision.

Teng Qingshan then immediately patted the Whole Gale Eagle softly.

“Screech~~” The Whole Gale Eagle’s high-pitched voice rang out, and it swooped down.

Hearing the sound, Li Jun, who had been thinking foolishly by the lake, immediately lifted her head in joy and surprise.

“Big Brother Teng!”