Chapter Sixteen: The Primal Eight-Sided Demon-Refining Cauldron

“Are you really going to Floating Jade Mountain?” Bai Mu asked in astonishment, “The Holy Temple of Guixu is such a grand immortal sect, and Brahma Immortal is a legendary ancient deity. Would he accept someone as mediocre as me?”

“Why not?”

Ling Yan pursed her lips in a proud manner. “If Guixu Temple dares to reject you, I'll make a scene at their gates. And if Uncle Brahma Immortal—” At this point, she seemed to realize she had spoken too recklessly and quickly changed her tone, her eyes flashing cunningly. “If Brahma Immortal dares to turn you away, I'll pull out every last hair of his beard!”

Ah!

Bai Mu was startled and quickly cautioned in fear, “Ling Yan, I’ll go with you to Floating Jade Mountain to seek a master, but you mustn't cause trouble. If we provoke Guixu Temple, disaster will surely befall us!”

“Are you really that afraid of them?” Ling Yan asked, her face full of curiosity.

Of course I am!

Bai Mu replied without hesitation, “Brahma Immortal was a renowned ancient deity. With the power of Guixu Temple alone, he sealed the Demon Emperor Ni Qin and all the demon clans in the Wilds of Cangwu. Moreover—”

Enough, enough.

Ling Yan cast an impatient glance at Bai Mu’s honest face and interrupted, “Don’t recite your list to me! That so-called god of war Brahma Immortal—I’ve heard about his deeds eighteen hundred times already. Can you stop vexing me?”

“And honestly, why are you so timid? You’re sixteen or seventeen now, a grown man. You have the ancient holy relic, the Azure Dragon Sword, and the mystical White Marsh Spirit Beast Picture for protection. Plus, White Marsh himself, a deity-level master, has your back. Even if Brahma Immortal is formidable, he’d have to show your master some respect. So, in the Wilds, you can charge ahead as you please—no one will dare cross you!”

Alright… I suppose…

Bai Mu nodded helplessly, a strange feeling passing through his heart. He thought Ling Yan’s approach to life was truly unconventional.

Their struggle with Old Ancestor Gray Crane had lasted late into the night. Coupled with the fact that they were deep in the mountains and forests, finding a way out in the dead of night was no easy task. So Ling Yan and Bai Mu could only spend the night in the cave where Gray Crane practiced his arts.

Though both of them deeply disliked the faint traces of demonic energy in the cave, the glowing cavern was far better than camping under the mountain cliffs.

The night passed without incident; everyone slept peacefully. Bai Mu, especially, was exhausted after his sword energy flared up twice that evening. Once inside the cave, he soon leaned against the wall and drifted into dreams.

When he woke the next morning, sunlight was already slanting across the cave entrance. Some snakes, insects, mice, and ants were out for their morning exercise, stirring the mountain birds to sing in the woods. The golden rays washed over the lush trees in the distance, reflecting the vibrant hues of life—a beautiful morning scene that reminded Bai Mu of his days in Eastward Mountain.

Sneaking away this time, his master and Qiong Qi must be worried sick. If not for being entangled by the Azure Dragon Sword’s energy, and having learned the Demon-transformation Bottle was lost in the Wilds, Bai Mu might have softened and returned to Eastward Mountain, living quietly with his master, never again setting foot in the mortal world.

But clever as he was, he knew just how difficult his current situation was, and how heavy the burden he carried. Since the Azure Dragon Sword had chosen him by fate, he must fulfill its mission and shoulder the duty of saving the Wilds.

Once his name was known across the Wilds, he would return in triumph to Eastward Mountain, drink and laugh with his master, and enjoy true happiness…

“Bai Mu, you’re up early?” Ling Yan’s voice drifted in from outside the cave. A fragrant breeze followed, and she appeared before him, holding several wild fruits still glistening with morning dew. They looked so fresh that Bai Mu, who hadn’t eaten all day, felt his mouth water.

“Want to try one?” Ling Yan picked a bright red fruit from her palm and handed it to him.

Bai Mu took the fruit obediently. Though his stomach was ravenous, he pretended to be calm, slowly putting the fruit in his mouth and savoring it.

At first glance, the fruit simply looked vibrant and appealing, nothing special. But as soon as he tasted it, a pure sweet flavor flooded his senses, its freshness clearing his mind. Bai Mu, who had woken with a bit of a mood, felt instantly invigorated, his gloom from last night swept away.

What a fruit!

Bai Mu couldn’t help but praise, “Ling Yan, where did you pick these? They taste as good as the delicacies from Eastward Mountain!”

“Tasty, aren’t they?”

Ling Yan replied with a gentle smile, “It’s my first time tasting such delicious fresh fruit. I never imagined the Wilds would have so many wonderful things—so much better than the cold, cheerless place I come from.”

“Where do you live?” Bai Mu asked, feigning ignorance. “Why is it so cold?”

My home!

Ling Yan replied hastily, then tossed the rest of the fruit to Bai Mu and quickly stepped outside to bask in the sun.

Heh.

Bai Mu smiled inwardly, “What a silly girl—her acting is terrible.”

He quickly tidied his clothes, wiped the oil from his face, and began to examine the glowing cave. The night before, he had been too tired to explore, but now, in the light, he couldn’t help but gasp, cold sweat breaking out on his back.

On one side of the uneven cave, piles of bones of all sizes were stacked, some even full skeletons. Under the cave’s glow, they appeared eerily strange. Judging by their number, it was clear Old Demon Gray Crane and the Dream Tapir had captured many humans together—truly despicable. There must have been over a hundred victims.

In the deepest part of the cave, there was a sinister soul-summoning banner and a bronze cauldron as tall as two people. Its eight-cornered shape gave it an ancient air, but now, wisps of demonic energy seeped from the cauldron, making the cave even more ominous.

Bai Mu quickly shouted toward the cave entrance, “Ling Yan, come in and take a look—what on earth is this?”

Whoosh—

A flash of green light, and Ling Yan appeared silently at his side, immediately responding, “I already examined it last night. This cauldron is called the Eight-Cornered Primordial Cauldron. It was forged from overseas black iron by the Demon Emperor Ni Qin. Its unique properties make it perfect for refining demonic pills to enhance one’s power.”