CHAPTER 38: CHAPTER 38: THE TEN-YEAR PROMISE (PLEASE FOLLOW!)

Mr. Fan said, "Do you still remember the first time we met, when I restrained you with my spiritual power, rendering you immobile?"

Nezha’s eyes shone, knowing Mr. Fan had another idea, and said, "Sir, do you mean?"

Mr. Fan gently stroked his graying goatee and said, "By combining my spiritual power with the Five Elements Command, I can form a prohibition to plant on him. From then on, should he ever defy us, a single thought would bring instant death."

Ao Bing’s face changed dramatically as he lay on the ground, thinking why he hadn’t seen it before. This scholar from Zhaoge seemed to be a righteous and loyal man, yet he was full of sinister schemes, learning unconventional Daoist skills even unknown to me, the Dragon Palace prince.

He hastily cried out, "Sir, there’s no need! I promise I shall not be Nezha’s enemy anymore, and I will do my utmost to mediate in the Dragon Palace’s sacrificial ritual!"

The only response Ao Bing received was a ruler to his forehead. Mr. Fan grabbed a piece of writing from the table and placed it before Ao Bing, asking, "How do you find this writing?"

Ao Bing stared at it, only to feel he was faced with an unrestrained wild cursive script. Upon closer inspection, he thought it was too careless, but being under another’s roof, he had to bow, and begrudgingly praised, "Bold and free-spirited, truly unique, a rare fine piece of work."

And another ruler strike followed.

Mr. Fan shook his head and sighed, "This is Nezha’s coursework. Even a chicken’s foot dipped in ink would write better. Yet, you could still compliment it, showing there’s not a word of truth from you. How can I trust you?"

Nezha coughed softly from the side, saying, "Sir, family shame should not be divulged."

The old and the young acted in harmony, forcing Ao Bing nearly to vomit blood. He glared, aware that without this prohibition, neither would trust him today.

Once the prohibition is placed, however, his life would forever be in others’ hands. The thought of a bleak future made him nearly blackout.

This prohibited spell was more complex than imagined. Mr. Fan and Nezha toiled all night, and when it was completed, the rooster in the courtyard began to crow, waking everyone.

Through the window, a hint of pale light already lit up the eastern sky.

Mr. Fan leaned back, and Nezha went to the alley to buy two bowls of salty tofu pudding. When he returned with chipped blue-and-white porcelain bowls, he found the Chaos Sky Silk had been unwound, and the once arrogant nobleman in green now trembled in a corner as if played with and discarded.

Nezha was amused. He could distinctly feel the connection between himself and Ao Bing. With a single thought, he could trigger the spell, destroying Ao Bing’s spiritual senses, turning him into a mindless shell.

He put away the Chaos Sky Silk, placed the tofu pudding on the counter, feeling a weight lift from his heart, his face relaxed and content, saying, "Sir, you’ve worn yourself out tonight. Have a bowl of hot soup and rest early."

Mr. Fan sighed, "The air at Chentang Pass is more humid than in Zhaoge. This lung ailment hasn’t flared up in a while, but I do miss the soaring eaves of Zhaoge. I wonder if I’ll see the majestic city again in this life."

This was the thing about Mr. Fan that Nezha found most bothersome. He said helplessly, "Sir, it’s fine if you speak your mind. Talking in riddles, I haven’t been to Zhaoge, how would I understand?"

He knew after saying this he would be punished again, and sure enough, the ruler soon landed on his shoulder.

Mr. Fan coughed lightly and said, "The good tea I brought from Zhaoge is almost finished."

So that was it. Since the teacher had a request, Nezha gladly agreed, thinking when traveling merchants from Zhaoge arrive in a few days, he’d have Hong Fei keep an eye out.

With this matter agreed upon, both the old and the young were pleased, finishing the tofu pudding cleanly, then escorted Mr. Fan to rest in the backyard.

Nezha turned again to the pale Ao Bing, who seemed soulless in the corner, and said, "Since you’re one who practices cultivation, do you become despondent at slight setbacks?"

Ao Bing lifted his head, glaring coldly. Nezha felt uncomfortable under his accusing eyes, knowing not to corner the desperate, lest they retaliate. Thus he said, "Ten years."

"What ten years?"

"If you truly honor your words and help mediate in the Dragon Palace, so the people of Chentang Pass need not offer living sacrifices to the Sea Dragon King in future, I will lift the prohibition in ten years."

"Do you mean it?"

"Upon my word."

Ao Bing thought for a moment, sneering coldly, "Quite the well-laid plan. If so, the Dragon Palace can’t harm you for ten years and must protect you."

Nezha jumped onto the counter, legs swinging nonchalantly, "You don’t have to agree either."

Of course, Ao Bing had no choice but to agree. The Dragon Clan already had longevity, and having cultivated a Golden Core, ten years wasn’t too long for him. He said, "How do I trust you?"

Nezha replied, "Why would I deceive you? If you doubt me, I swear upon the lives of everyone at Qianyuan Mountain Golden Light Cave. If I do not honor this pact, let all at Qianyuan Mountain Golden Light Cave perish!"

Ao Bing was startled, thinking such an oath was indeed harsh. With their agreement made, Ao Bing ascended the clouds and departed.

At the other end, Qianyuan Mountain Golden Light Cave.

Having just finished meditating and adjusting his breath, Taiyi Zhenren suddenly sneezed like thunder, causing dust in the cave to fall, frightening birds from the mountain’s peak.

Taiyi slightly furrowed his brows, sensing that something must have resonated with his realm. He picked up a copper coin and performed three divinations, yet couldn’t determine any fortune or disaster, which was unusual. He could only instruct a young disciple to summon the Spirit Pearl.

"Greetings, Master. What does Master summon this disciple for?"

Taiyi asked as usual, "How is your practice with the Fire-tipped Spear?"

"Reporting to Master, it has long been imprinted in my mind. I have now comprehended the Golden Core Technique and wonder when and where I may begin condensing my Golden Core?"

After answering, Spirit Pearl glanced secretly at Taiyi’s spirit platform, knowing such a divine platform gathered the Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi to accelerate cultivation.

Previously, Taiyi granted him a similar one, yet it was evidently not as effective as the one beneath Taiyi’s seat.

Taiyi noticed the greed in Spirit Pearl’s eyes, slightly frowned, then calmly said, "No rush. I observed celestial phenomena last night; an Outer Heaven Fallen Star descended upon Zhaoge, acquired by Chengtang’s King Wu Cheng Huang Feihu, which contains Star River Divine Sand. Using this divine material as a base can enhance your Golden Core Level."

Hearing this, Spirit Pearl was overjoyed, bowing in gratitude, "Thank you, Master. I will descend the mountain to Zhaoge at once and shall not fail to retrieve the Star River Divine Sand!"

Taiyi nodded. Though Spirit Pearl was rash and insatiable, he had ambition and desire. And as long as a person had ambition and desire, Taiyi believed he had means to control him.

He said, "I just divined for you. On this trip to Zhaoge, within a year, you may not obtain what you seek, and someone intentionally concealing the heavenly secrets will compete with you. Proceed with discretion; Nezha is alive, and it is not yet the time for your fame."

Nezha!

Nezha again!

Two more years!

Still, two more years!

Spirit Pearl lowered his head in worship, hiding his ferocious expression from Taiyi. He could only resent that the meteorite had fallen in Zhaoge and not Chentang Pass.

Otherwise, he truly wished to kill Nezha now and reclaim the body that rightfully belonged to him!