Rat in Yellow Wind Ridge, rising from plundering entries

Chapter 17 The Mountain God Sends a Pet! The Ancestors of Wanshou Mountain – Qingfeng and Mingyue!

The Mountain God finished speaking and threw the bamboo basket to Yellow Wind King. Yellow Wind King caught it and saw a small golden carp inside, wrapped in a bubble, swimming around.

A carp with true dragon bloodline?

Yellow Wind King was astonished.

He looked towards the water’s edge, but the Mountain God had already disappeared.

He gave me a pet and ran away?

Was there some ulterior motive?

Yellow Wind King scratched his head, tied the bamboo basket to his waist, and continued on his way. Amid the misty clouds in the mountains, a golden divine dragon peeked out its head.

“Fangcun, is this reliable?”

The Mountain God glanced sideways and said, “What do you mean by ‘reliable’? You don’t trust me?”

The golden dragon replied calmly, “It’s not that I don’t trust you, but I don’t trust him!”

The Mountain God said, “What’s there to be afraid of? That little rat is very clever.”

“Besides, I checked—there are no demon immortals on Yellow Wind Ridge. The only intelligent dragon vein was already killed.”

“Regathering the dragon vein on the 800-mile Yellow Wind Ridge is only a matter of time. If your daughter goes, she can speed up the process.”

“This is a merit-worthy deed!”

“If she gains merit, you can petition the Heavenly Court to grant her the title of Lake Dragon King. Also, Yellow Wind Ridge is right next to the 800-mile Flowing Sand River.”

“In the future, when she transforms into a dragon and masters water, she can lead the water into the river and ascend to the position of Flowing Sand River Dragon King, commanding an army of water demons.”

“The Flowing Sand River connects to the Western Sea. If you’re worried, you can check on her at any time.”

“Besides, as an old Dragon King, you have so many children. Losing one or two—what does it matter?”

The golden dragon glared at him and said, “Watch your words when speaking of life and death!”

It gazed southward and said, “This Flowing Sand River doesn’t just flow into the Western Sea. The other half belongs to the Eastern Sea!”

Where two seas meet, disputes are bound to arise.

The Mountain God chuckled and said, “That’s why she should first settle in Yellow Wind Ridge—then she belongs to the Southern Continent.”

“Born in the Western Sea but granted a title in the Southern Continent, she will be connected to both the Western and Eastern Seas. The Eastern Sea Dragon King won’t go to war over this.”

The golden dragon asked, “Why did you choose him?”

The Mountain God replied, “Nowadays, in every famous mountain and great river, every stream and brook, which one doesn’t have a master? The divine positions of the Heavenly Court are all taken—every spot accounted for. Everyone is watching for an opportunity. Yellow Wind Ridge is his homeland. Having him take charge is legitimate and justified.”

The golden dragon asked, “What about that monkey?”

The Mountain God squinted and chuckled, “Do you dare to interfere with his karma? Besides, Flower Fruit Mountain is in the Eastern Sea. Are you planning to cross territories?”

The golden dragon sighed.

“That’s true! Even though calamities limit the actions of heavenly immortals and gods, good locations are becoming scarce.”

_____

Outside Fangcun Mountain, Yellow Wind King turned back, but amidst the swirling clouds, the mountain range had completely vanished—Fangcun Mountain was nowhere to be seen.

“Blessed lands and caves—visible only to those with fate.”

Yellow Wind King took a deep breath, turned toward the setting sun, gripped his spear tightly, and felt a surge of heroism in his heart. A moment later, he took out Bai Huizi’s silk pouch. Inside was a small slip of paper with just eight words.

“If you wish to learn the Three Laws, ask Taiyin!”

“Huh? Ask Taiyin?”

Yellow Wind King was puzzled. Did it refer to Taiyin Xingjun, the Great Lunar Deity? That was indeed a mighty god, but he had no connection with them.

How was he supposed to ask?

Deep in thought, Yellow Wind King recited a Cloud-Surfing Incantation, and a mist formed beneath his feet, lifting him into the air, slowly rising seven or eight yards.

“Merging!”

“Fun!”

Yellow Wind King practiced the technique, trying different flight maneuvers until he became more proficient. Then, he flew straight toward Yellow Wind Ridge.

His cloud was slow—nothing like Sun Wukong’s Somersault Cloud, which could travel 108,000 miles in a single flip. After flying over ten thousand miles overnight—As the golden sun rose, the towering Wanshou Mountain came into view. It touched the sky and connected to the earth, exuding a majestic presence. Just then, an immortal flew out on a crane.

The immortal spotted Yellow Wind King and shouted sternly, “What demon dares to ride clouds in the territory of Wanshou Mountain?”

He raised his hand and threw a flying sword. Sword energy streaked across the sky like a golden ray, piercing through the clouds.

Outside Wanshou Mountain, Yellow Wind King was just wondering when he’d get to taste a Ginseng Fruit when he suddenly heard the thunderous shout. Seeing the incoming sword light like a shooting star, he exclaimed, “Sh*t! Sword, come!”

The sword flashed like lightning, golden energy surging. Startled, Yellow Wind King instinctively pressed down on his cloud and leaped into the mountain forest. The sword light twisted, chasing him into the woods.

Boom!

Mountains crumbled, rocks rolled, and trees were severed, leaving a vast clearing. Frightened birds and beasts fled in all directions.

“Chirp!”

A celestial crane cried sharply from above. On its back sat a young boy who extended his hand, recalling the flying sword. He shielded his eyes with his hand, looking down.

“Qingfeng, what happened?”

Another celestial crane flew in, carrying another boy with a sword in hand.

Qingfeng said, “A demon was lurking near our mountain gate. I don’t know its intentions.”

Mingyue shook his head and laughed.

“Why would I bring the Demon-Illuminating Mirror? Since when have demons dared to be reckless here?”

“Even the Golden-Winged Great Peng Eagle passed by from afar, fearing to offend our master.”

Qingfeng replied, “Well, today one did!”

Mingyue grinned.

“Probably an ignorant little demon. After taking a sword strike, it should have learned its lesson. Let’s go back and listen to the lecture.”

Qingfeng snorted, “Lucky for it! If our master weren’t teaching today, I’d have dug three feet deep to catch it.”

The two boys rode their cranes back to the mountain.

____

A few miles away, Yellow Wind King poked his head out of the ground. Seeing no pursuers, he sighed in relief and cursed, “Wanshou Mountain is so unfair! Can’t I even take a look? Just thinking about it isn’t allowed?”

Burrowing was a rat’s natural talent. Sensing the terrifying power of that sword, Yellow Wind King had instinctively transformed into his original form and dug into the ground.

“That must have been at least a Mystic Immortal!”

Yellow Wind King muttered. His keen senses had always been sharp, and after cultivating, his ability to detect danger and calamity had only improved.

“If you have the guts, fight me one-on-one!”

He grumbled. But he had no choice—this was their territory. If a fight broke out, a whole bunch of immortals, young and old, would join in. Yellow Wind King was no fool—neither was Sun Wukong, who also knew how to avoid trouble.

Checking his belongings, nothing was lost. He glanced at the bamboo basket. The little carp was trembling in its water bubble, blowing bubbles in fear.

Yellow Wind King chuckled, “You have true dragon blood, yet you’re such a coward?”

The little carp rolled its eyes and suddenly grew alert—how did he know it had true dragon blood?

“Little one, you have potential. Train well, and when you transform into a divine dragon, you can be my mount. Heh heh!”

Mount!

The little carp scoffed—who would be whose mount? Riding a big rat? That would be disgraceful!

Yellow Wind King secured the bamboo basket. He had sensed a special spiritual aura underground nearby. Could it be a fortuitous encounter? A hidden treasure?