Chapter 122: A Windfall Profit

Night Nine Demon gazed at the spot where the black bear had fallen, a smile creeping onto his lips. As his body gradually mastered the penetrating force and regained its strength, he swiftly approached the fallen beast.

The black bear’s eyes were bloodshot, a fiery red streak spreading down from its crown, giving it a ferocious appearance.

“Lucky strike — hit the fatal spot. If this bear hadn’t died, I’d be the one biting the dust,” Night Nine Demon muttered to himself, secretly grateful that his Star Staff Technique had accidentally pierced through the bear’s crown, ending its life instantly.

He began searching the black bear’s body thoroughly. After some time, his expression darkened.

“Damn it, seriously? There’s nothing here. Where’s the fortune in risk? Just some strange primal energy to restore my strength?!” Frustrated, he cursed at the bear, his displeasure evident. The more he thought about it, the angrier he became, and in a fit of rage, he delivered a fierce kick.

“Congratulations, Master, on breaking the fetters of the physical body and stepping into the Celestial Realm of Flesh. Reward: the second form of the Food-Sleep Technique, one Celestial Pill, one Sage Pill...”

“A broken sword... the Rivers and Mountains Sword!”

Suddenly, a voice as enchanting as Daji’s rang out. Night Nine Demon was startled at first, then his surprise turned to delight.

“Damn, so the key was to kick it! Now I get it,” he said, as if discovering a new world. He stepped forward, and the black bear’s body transformed into the item the enchanting voice had mentioned.

After collecting the reward, Night Nine Demon seemed to recall something and spoke into the void.

“Why do you call me Master? Who are you? Show yourself!”

“I... I am Cang Sang Sang, the spirit of the Canglang Talisman...”

Suddenly, a woman appeared, looking like a refined lady from the Jiangnan region, dressed in a sheer red robe that clung gently to her form. She exuded an aura of cultured elegance.

There was a delicate, almost ethereal charm to her beauty that caught the eye instantly. Combined with her pitiful demeanor at the moment, she evoked a compelling sense of sympathy.

Night Nine Demon was momentarily stunned. When he regained his composure, he hurriedly wiped away drool from the corner of his mouth and put on a serious expression.

“Why didn’t I see you before?”

“Because... Master’s strength was too low...”

Cang Sang Sang’s words left Night Nine Demon speechless.

“Alright, alright... From now on, don’t call me Master. Call me ‘Young Master’ — sounds nicer.”

To ease the awkwardness, Night Nine Demon waved his hand and spoke magnanimously.

“Yes, Ma—”

“Hm?”

“Yes, Young Master.”

Cang Sang Sang hurriedly corrected herself, and Night Nine Demon nodded in satisfaction. He then pulled out the Rivers and Mountains Sword, his face showing regret at its broken state.

“Young Master, this Rivers and Mountains Sword is a treasure — a primordial weapon. Though damaged, if you challenge the beings within the Canglang Talisman, there’s a chance to restore it fully.”

“I understand.”

Night Nine Demon put on a lofty demeanor, but upon seeing Cang Sang Sang’s face, he found it hard to maintain.

“Food-Sleep Technique? Is it incomplete?”

“Yes, Young Master.”

“The Food-Sleep Technique has many layers. You’re only practicing the first one.”

Night Nine Demon nodded and then left the cave, with Cang Sang Sang following. Under the light, the Rivers and Mountains Sword gleamed brilliantly.

With a gentle flick, the sword’s blade emitted a crisp metallic tone, and a slash of sword energy shot forth.

Night Nine Demon smiled. This sword utterly outclassed the Star Staff. He even felt that if he’d wielded it earlier, a single strike could have easily slain the black bear.

“Sang Sang, does this Canglang Talisman have any other functions?”

“Yes, like converting primal energy, refining weapons, concocting pills...”

Cang Sang Sang listed many uses, and Night Nine Demon made secret notes.

“But, Young Master, your cultivation is too low; many functions remain locked. When your strength is sufficient, I will guide you.”

“Uh...”

Night Nine Demon felt disheartened; twice now, the same person had reminded him of his weakness. He knew exactly how deep his embarrassment ran.

“Alright, I’ll study the Food-Sleep Technique first.”

“Youn—”

“What is it? Still something?”

“Young Master, I can... teach you the Food-Sleep Technique...”

Suddenly, Cang Sang Sang looked at Night Nine Demon.

“Ahem... You can do it too?”

“When I rewarded you earlier, I glanced at it and just... learned it.”

“...”

Night Nine Demon was speechless. Just one glance, and she mastered something even more formidable than his own speed reading? Such an astonishing spirit!

This spirit must have reached a sentient level. The key was a single glance — even he wouldn’t dare to boast so much, but this enchanting ‘demon girl’ did.

Night Nine Demon was filled with admiration and pretended to be profound.

“Sang Sang, Young Master is gifted; learning this is too easy. Young Master doesn’t like reading, so...”

“Then let Sang Sang teach Young Master, saving him reading time.”

“Ah, you truly understand me, Sang Sang.”

Night Nine Demon was delighted. He preferred dealing with clever people; things became so simple.

Thus, Cang Sang Sang, holding the Food-Sleep Technique with a serene expression, sat opposite Night Nine Demon. Her beautiful eyes fluttered, leaving him dumbfounded.

“Young Master, shall we begin?”

“Yes, let’s start.”

Pulled back to reality by Cang Sang Sang, Night Nine Demon silently scolded himself.

“Night Nine Demon, with Luo Qingyu already, why aren’t you satisfied yet...”

“Food is the root of life...”

Cang Sang Sang began to explain slowly and exquisitely. Her voice was like the warbling of orioles, a heavenly melody. Suddenly, a beam of light shone upon Night Nine Demon within the Canglang Talisman.

Enveloped in the light, Night Nine Demon entered a state of cultivation. Had it not been for his occasional twitching ears, one might have thought he had fallen asleep.

Cang Sang Sang’s explanation was extraordinarily profound, surpassing even Xuan Niang’s delivery of the first layer of the Food-Sleep Technique.

Each word felt carefully weighed, blending naturally and seamlessly, especially at the crucial points.

Joyful sounds echoed from within the Canglang Talisman, as if everything inside responded vividly to her teaching.

At this moment, Night Nine Demon was in a strange, wondrous state.

Everything before him was dark, but a beam of light shone beneath his feet. His gaze followed it, as if seeing the network of his internal meridians.

As he circulated the Food-Sleep Technique, the meridians suddenly surged with powerful energy, as if his entire being had awakened with excitement.

“The rivers and mountains are exquisite delicacies, the sun and moon are fine dishes, the blood of two demons is the perfect seasoning, and the name of the worthy lord will be known throughout the world!”

Suddenly, Night Nine Demon murmured these words.

A storm of energy erupted within him, his aura soaring rapidly, though he restrained it with effort.

Only when he could no longer suppress it did Night Nine Demon end his cultivation session. Now, his dantian brimmed with primal energy, each strand flowing like an endless stream.

This was the effect brought by the second layer of the Food-Sleep Technique.