Relax.

“I’ll call you Little Cloud, then,” Li Miao decided, taking a middle ground.

He continued, “What’s your current cultivation level? How fast can you fly?”

Little Cloud had already accepted him as her master and dared not hide anything. She replied honestly, “I’m at the mid-stage of Returning Origin. At full speed, I can fly two thousand miles in an hour.”

Two thousand miles an hour—twenty-four thousand miles a day. All of Xin Prefecture was only ninety thousand miles across; with her as transportation, Li Miao could cross it in just four days. She was indeed a remarkable asset.

Although Li Miao had a flying device in his microcosmos, many times faster, he dared not use it lightly. First, its speed made it hard to control at low altitude. Second, in this world of cultivation, powerful beings abounded; he feared accidentally intruding upon the territory of a peerless master and being killed on the spot.

So Little Cloud’s submission was a stroke of luck for him.

“Why didn’t you run earlier?” he asked.

Now that the dust had settled, his mood was relaxed, no longer tense as before. He took out some pills, swallowed two, and circulated his primordial energy to heal his wounds.

“Run? What do you mean, run?”

Little Cloud looked puzzled, her amber eyes full of confusion.

After a long moment, she realized she had indeed had a chance to slip away earlier, without having to endure the humiliation of surrendering her soul. Her face stiffened, expression collapsing into grievance, almost bursting into tears.

Li Miao chuckled, “Enough, I won’t mistreat you. You can still cultivate by my side, do as you please most of the time. Just don’t stray too far—when I need you, I must be able to call on you.”

His main purpose in accepting Little Cloud was her flying ability, as a means of travel. He had no other unsavory intentions.

Little Cloud nodded, lips pursed. Though she was unhappy, Li Miao’s earlier ferocity cowed her; she dared not show it, swallowing her bitterness in silence.

After Li Miao took his medicine, most of his injuries healed quickly.

He checked on Liang Jun and Luo Erfu, lying on the water grass nearby, and found they were lucky enough not to have been hurt by the magical energies during the battle. Both were still alive, easing his heart.

At least he had saved two lives.

“Is there any treasure in this Cold Pool Demon Nest?” Li Miao asked.

Little Cloud was now his servant; the demon nest was no longer her home. Though reluctant, she answered obediently, “There’s a small treasury at the bottom of the pool, filled with treasures collected by the water demons. The immortal jade left by the previous master is among them.”

Li Miao nodded, walked to the pool’s edge, and sent his senses below. He immediately detected a faint wave of spiritual energy.

“How did you recognize the origin of the immortal jade?” he asked, jumping into the water and diving deep.

Little Cloud followed, replying, “The immortal herb I ate had unique divine properties, granting me the ability to discern and comprehend. Even though I had never seen immortal jade, just touching it revealed its function. Then, with some rumors, I easily knew what kind of treasure it was.”

“That’s a remarkable talent,” Li Miao praised.

He was still new to the cultivation world; even if treasures were placed before him, he often couldn’t name or use them.

With Little Cloud’s special ability, he’d never miss out on valuable finds again.

They reached the bottom of the pool.

There was a natural stone cave, about three feet square, cluttered with various items.

The most eye-catching was, of course, the cosmic crystal Li Miao had tossed to the King of Hengjiang.

There was also a pile of glowing spirit stones, two crystal-clear ice-blue pearls, and a soft armor of crystalline threads, dazzling in appearance, nearly as striking as the cosmic crystal.

“What are these?” Li Miao asked. He was unfamiliar with nine out of ten items.

Little Cloud picked up the two icy pearls and explained, “These are Sea Suppressing Pearls, naturally formed ice-element spiritual essences, effective in subduing water and fire. They can be refined into spiritual treasures and are extremely valuable.”

“These are superior spirit stones—seventy-two in all—gifts from Lady Night Queen. We never dared to use them…”

“This is the Exquisite Treasure Armor, a superior defensive magical item. Wearing it greatly reduces incoming attacks. We demons found it inconvenient to use, but master can wear it directly.”

“And this,” she continued, “is called Amethyst Shell, a top-grade alchemical ingredient for refining ninth-grade ‘Bone-Easing Pill.’”

“And…” Little Cloud described each treasure in detail, from uses to origins, as if reciting a cherished catalog.

Li Miao deeply appreciated his servant’s strengths—her knowledge brought him more joy than the treasures themselves.

He couldn’t help but muse: this little female demon’s mind was all for identifying treasures; in front of valuables, she was as clever as a learned scholar, but otherwise, she was timid and naïve, like an ignorant girl.

“This is Azure Crystal Sand, containing water-element spiritual energy, used for array formations or refining magical items, worth about as much as a mid-grade magical artifact.”

As Little Cloud explained each item, Li Miao stored them in his microcosmos.

Azure Crystal Sand was the last.

The Cold Pool Demon Nest’s treasury was several times more precious than Sun He’s Sumeru Ring at the Sun Mansion. Just the seventy-two superior spirit stones could be exchanged for at least 7,200 inferior stones; with the Sea Suppressing Pearls, the King of Overturning Waters’ steel trident, and other treasures, the total value exceeded thirty thousand spirit stones!

After inventorying everything, Li Miao surfaced and donned the Exquisite Treasure Armor beneath his robe.

The armor was as light as a feather, barely noticeable when worn. Yet the spiritual power it emitted was impressive, forming an invisible protective array around him, enveloping his entire body in flawless defense.

With this armor, if he clashed head-on with the King of Hengjiang again, he’d at most suffer minor injuries.

“Let’s go.”

There was nothing more of value here. Li Miao beckoned to Little Cloud, instructing her to take demon form.

Little Cloud’s white egret form had a wingspan of nearly twenty feet. Her bamboo-like legs and slender neck made her appear taller than Li Miao, resembling an immortal crane more than a common egret.

Her back wasn’t particularly broad, but could easily carry two or three people.

Li Miao placed the unconscious Liang Jun and Luo Erfu on her back, then leaped up himself, riding the egret away.

His first time flying atop a demon beast was a subtle experience.

Though he’d piloted flying devices in space and at high altitudes before, riding a giant bird through the sky was a first.

The wind swept his robes, bringing a gentle autumn coolness like soft rainfall, calming his spirit.

Li Miao yearned even more for the realm of Sky Ascension.

To fly freely like birds was the dream of many.

Little Cloud flew high and fast; a beat of her wings carried them hundreds of yards, and in a few breaths, the Cold Pool Demon Nest was far behind.

From the heights, Li Miao looked down to see the land spread in shades of green and yellow, with the Cangyun River like a white dragon dividing the earth, winding westward beyond sight.

“Master, where should we go?” Little Cloud asked as she flew.

Li Miao considered, then replied, “To the county city, southward.”

The county city was their destination when they boarded the ship. Liang Jun owned the boat, Luo Erfu was a fellow passenger, and they all shared the same goal.

He wondered what mood the two would be in when they awoke, having lost friends and brothers.

Little Cloud responded, “Very well, master. Hold on tightly, Little Cloud will speed up.”

Her white wings beat several times, and the giant egret soared across the sky, racing south.

The wind whipped their faces; robes billowed.

Mountains and rivers unfolded like a scroll before their eyes, then swept past behind them.

Before long, a massive iron-colored mountain appeared at the horizon where earth and sky met. It stood in the center of the plains, one foot planted on the river, one back to the hills, with majestic architecture and imposing walls crowning it, resembling a giant beast forged from steel, or a massive furnace guarding the world, waiting for mortals to leap inside and be smelted into puppets of mediocrity.

This was the heart of Pangshan County—Pangshan City.

Its name came from the immense mountain, which was itself part of the city. The grand buildings atop were but the exposed citadel; deeper inside the mountain were layer upon layer of hidden worlds. The lowest connected to riverside docks, where common folk labored for powerful cultivators and wealthy nobles. The upper layers shone with splendor, hosting cultivators’ sects, temples, academies, marketplaces, and other luxurious havens.

This county city had stood for over five thousand years, longer even than the Xin Prefecture royal mansion.

For millennia, Pangshan City was the most prosperous place for ten thousand miles around, gathering countless cultivators and ordinary folk, dazzling with flowers and boiling with oil, containing all things, lacking nothing.

Yet this prosperity did not arise from nothing. Beneath its shining surface, countless people had been devoured by the merciless steel beast, their bones vanished, becoming fertilizer for the flowers and oil for the flames.

“Master, we’re almost there. Shall we land outside the city or keep farther away?” Little Cloud asked.

Her flying speed was astonishing—the journey that would have taken ten or twenty days by boat was completed in just two hours by her swift wings.

Li Miao watched the looming mountain-top city and answered, “Farther away.”

Pangshan City was not like Longling; cultivators abounded, including Returning Origin practitioners, and even those in the Profound Realm might be encountered.

Little Cloud was a demon; though she had submitted, approaching the city unawares could arouse suspicion and unnecessary trouble.

“Yes, master.”

Little Cloud obediently adjusted her posture, descending.

Pangshan City was not just a single metropolis; within a hundred miles were many smaller cities inhabited by ordinary folk, like satellite towns encircling the central beast-like main city.

These satellites served the main city, producing food, herbs, refining minerals and metals, and supplying cultivators and the wealthy.

Little Cloud landed at the edge of one such small city and immediately transformed into human form to avoid frightening the locals.

Li Miao led her and the unconscious Liang Jun and Luo Erfu into the satellite city, finding an inn.

The past days had seen him lose to the King of Hengjiang and flee into the river, discover the tomb of General Mohe and practice swordsmanship, then fight fiercely in the Cold Pool Demon Nest, suffering some injuries. Now, somewhat fatigued, he needed time to rest and recover his spirits.

Upon entering the inn, he booked two rooms for Liang Jun and Luo Erfu, then ordered a table brimming with food and drink to relax.

Cultivation was arduous; if one only practiced and never indulged in pleasure, it would be a waste of life.

Enjoying fine food was one of life’s great delights.

Li Miao sat grandly, while the innkeeper bustled about with enthusiasm, bringing excellent wine and dishes. The aroma of food and drink filled the hall, attracting envious glances from nearby patrons.

Little Cloud stood quietly by, especially cautious as her soul was in Li Miao’s hands. Without permission, she dared not even sit, merely watching the unfamiliar dishes and swallowing quietly.

Li Miao smiled, “Sit down and eat with me. Judging by your reaction, you rarely taste human cuisine.”

Little Cloud’s cheeks flushed. “Thank you, master. I… have only been in human form for six or seven years, and rarely interact with living people.” With permission, she took a seat beside him, clumsily picked up a piece of fish with chopsticks.

After a few tries, she mastered the use of chopsticks and, with growing joy, sampled the bounty on the table. With each dish, her face brightened a little more.

Seeing her carefree expression, Li Miao couldn’t help asking, “You don’t seem to hate me at all. I killed your brothers and subordinates; even if you were forced to submit, shouldn’t you be less cheerful?”

Just a few hours ago, they’d been mortal enemies, yet now she was so docile. This little demon girl was beyond conventional understanding.

Little Cloud chewed her shrimp, answering carelessly, “Big Brother and Second Brother are dead; they can’t protect me anymore. I have no reason to resent someone for their sake.”

“Your relationship with them was only for protection?” Li Miao was surprised; he’d thought the three great demons, calling each other brother, would have deep bonds.

Unexpectedly, the most innocent-looking, friendly Little Cloud was also the most detached. She nodded, “Whoever protects me and treats me well, I obey. That’s what the immortal herb taught me.”

Li Miao made no comment.

He knew Little Cloud had rapidly advanced after eating the immortal herb, quickly becoming a great demon.

Without long years of cultivation, her mind and wisdom were akin to a ten-year-old child.

Such views were not wrong, but from a human perspective, they were a bit cold.

But he didn’t mind.

For him, Little Cloud was merely a transport and a walking treasure catalog—not a close companion. No matter how cold or detached she was, as long as her soul was in his hands, she would obey.