The Demon Lord and I: Frenemies - Chapter 28

After bidding farewell to Bone Elder, Fei Wanghuai packed up some Elixirs and left Lone Star Mountain, heading toward Tongtian Tower.

Dawn was breaking, the night fading away. The fragments of the Flower Mirror atop the tower emitted a faint reddish glow, merging with the dazzling rays of the rising sun, blending into the sky like colorful ink. The entrance to Tongtian Tower was still crowded, even more so than when he had left the tower last night.

Fei Wanghuai carried a bag of Osmanthus Buns, searching for the others. At last, he spotted Li Jingjie in the sea of people. He hurried over and asked, “Where are the others? I brought some Elixirs, let’s share them later.”

As he approached, he saw not only the busy Li Jingjie but also a neatly lined-up queue. A crowd gathered before a stall, so many heads of varying heights that those behind couldn’t see what they were waiting for.

Someone in the line noticed Fei Wanghuai moving forward from the back and complained, “Don’t push, get in line.”

“Sorry, sorry, he’s with the shop,” Li Jingjie quickly came over and led Fei Wanghuai inside. “Wanghuai, you came at the perfect time, come help out, we’re swamped!”

When they reached the front of the line, Fei Wanghuai finally saw the whole stall: a bamboo storefront set up from who knows where, with a bamboo awning for shade and a bamboo table below for goods. The table was covered with plain linen, holding a bamboo basket full of bright green Heart-Clearing Pills. Beside it was a sign listing detailed Elixir formulas and various matters regarding commissioned pill refining.

A brownish-yellow Heavenly Treasure Weasel stood by the basket, its tiny paws clutching Heart-Clearing Pills. Whenever someone approached, it would bow adorably, just like a mascot in a mortal shop attracting customers.

Su Hongli was at the back, busy refining Elixirs, while Chu Zaishuang was at the front collecting materials. Seeing Fei Wanghuai, she smiled and asked, “What would this esteemed customer like?”

“What are you all doing?”

They had agreed to cultivate at Tongtian Tower, yet after he left to handle some matters, the three of them had set up a shop at the entrance?

It felt like classmates from yesterday suddenly turning into breakfast stall owners in front of the Lecture Hall, enthusiastically greeting him as he passed by.

Chu Zaishuang tapped the sign: “Commissioned pill refining, quality goods at fair prices, honest business for all ages-care to learn more?”

Fei Wanghuai saw “Price negotiable” written on it and asked, “What are the prices?”

“Others charge based on the amount of medicinal materials you bring. For our commissioned refining, we take a cut. As for you, no need to bring materials-just sell yourself and work for us.”

“?”

Fei Wanghuai raised an eyebrow. “Sell myself and work?”

“That’s right. The shop even has a senior to guide you and help you get familiar with the job,” Chu Zaishuang nodded solemnly and extended her hand to introduce, “If you’re good at talking, follow Brother Li up front. If you’re diligent and hardworking, follow Brother Tian over here.”

Fei Wanghuai glanced down and realized that the “Brother Tian” she mentioned was actually the Heavenly Treasure Weasel, who was busy charming customers.

He had only been away for a short while, and now his rank was below that of a Spirit Beast.

Fei Wanghuai was both amused and annoyed. “I’ll just follow you. I feel like you’re even better at talking than Li Jingjie.”

Chu Zaishuang widened her eyes. “Young man, don’t be so ambitious. Take it step by step-already thinking of being the shopkeeper?”

Fei Wanghuai couldn’t be bothered to argue with her. He raised the bag of Osmanthus Buns in his hand and shook it in front of her, making a rustling sound.

Chu Zaishuang’s eyes lit up instantly when she saw the paper bag. She leapt up in delight, “So it’s our esteemed regular! Come, pick any Elixir you like-this time it’s on the house, since we’re old friends!”

He smiled faintly. “Old friends? Yet you still want me to sell myself and work?”

“Just joking, just joking! We’re a proper shop-even if you wanted to sell yourself, we wouldn’t dare buy!”

“…”

While he was silent, Chu Zaishuang snatched the Osmanthus Buns, gleefully opened the paper bag, and ran to the back to share them with Su Hongli, who was refining Elixirs.

Fei Wanghuai took her spot behind the stall, collecting materials, and asked, “How much longer are you all going to keep this stall open?”

Chu Zaishuang corrected him seriously, “It’s ‘we’-how much longer are ‘we’ going to keep the stall open? Little Fei, you just joined the shop, have a bit of pride, don’t act so out of place.”

Fei Wanghuai: “?”

A Demon Cultivator running a stall with a bunch of Immortal Cultivators-if he tried any harder to fit in, wouldn’t that be a bit much?

Su Hongli, with an Osmanthus Bun in her mouth, mumbled, “My storage pouch is about full. We can tell the front to stop taking customers-these materials should last us a long time.”

“Alright, I’ll go tell them to stop letting new people line up.” Chu Zaishuang, clutching the paper bag, ran to the front to hand out Osmanthus Buns and notify Li Jingjie to stop the queue.

A moment later, Li Jingjie, munching on an Osmanthus Bun, waved toward the stall, signaling, “No more new customers.”

There were still a few people in front of the shop. Once their materials were refined, they could officially close up for the day. Su Hongli mainly handled pill refining, while the other three bustled around the shop, dividing the work efficiently.

After sharing the Osmanthus Buns with Su Hongli and Li Jingjie, Chu Zaishuang returned to the stall with the last bun and handed it to Fei Wanghuai.

“You actually remembered me,” Fei Wanghuai scoffed. “I thought you’d already forgotten, and after handing them out, you might not even think of me.”

He had brought the Osmanthus Buns, yet she didn’t give him one first, instead sharing them with the other two.

“What are you talking about?” Chu Zaishuang was puzzled. “You only ever eat one each time-it doesn’t look like you even like them that much.”
She had always found him strange. He clearly didn’t like sweets, yet every time he insisted on having one, forcing himself to eat it even if he had to grit his teeth. Whether it was an Osmanthus Bun or a candied treat, even if his brows were tightly furrowed as he ate, he had to have one-otherwise, he’d become sarcastic and moody.

Later, she got used to it. Every time, she’d leave one for him. If he wanted to eat it, he could; if not, it didn’t matter.

“Ha, childish tastes.” Fei Wanghuai glanced at the last Osmanthus Bun, turned his head, and continued sorting materials. “I’m not eating it. You have it.”

“I knew it.”

Chu Zaishuang didn’t stand on ceremony and ate the Osmanthus Bun directly. She guessed he wasn’t interested in buns, but he always took the opportunity to act up, as if he had some illness that flared up from time to time.

It was just like how he no longer pretended to be a nice guy in private. Once they became familiar, he spoke frankly to her, but in front of others, he still held her in high regard. When others called her “Zaishuang,” he’d switch to “Shuang’er,” insisting on being different, for reasons she couldn’t fathom.

Well, it made sense. She was human, he was Mei-it was normal not to understand each other.

Before long, the vendor finally finished up, the queue of cultivators dispersed, and the four of them began tallying their gains.

With focused practice, Su Hongli’s fire control skills improved steadily, and she produced more and more elixirs, bringing considerable profit to the vendor. The herbs earned from running the stall could be refined into plenty of elixirs, likely enough for the four of them to use during their time in Tongtian Tower.

“As expected, you have to practice with elixirs. If I had to gather spiritual herbs myself to refine pills, who knows how long it would take to master fire control.” Su Hongli, noticing her own progress, said joyfully, “I made a lot of pills today, and I have some new ideas. I just refined a new batch.”

She brought out the basket of new elixirs. Each Heart-Clearing Pill carried a unique fragrance, and their lustrous appearance was clearly not that of ordinary elixirs.

Chu Zaishuang picked one up and examined it. “This is at least of high-grade quality.”

She might not have eaten pork, but she’d seen pigs run. Besides, she had taken plenty of elixirs to treat her Soul Separation Syndrome and had some discernment.

Even with the same recipe, the effects of the pills could differ greatly, all depending on the Alchemist’s skill. That was why the male cultivator had wanted to test the effects earlier. Back then, Su Hongli had produced only mid-grade Heart-Clearing Pills, but now these seemed to be high-grade.

“There are only a few like this in each batch, so I picked them out. After saving up, there’s quite a lot. Let’s use these.” Su Hongli said, “I’ll go back and work on a new recipe. Once we find-”

She suddenly remembered what Chu Zaishuang had said, glanced hesitantly at the two men, and swallowed the words “Twin Spirit Heart Flower,” changing her tone: “Once we find other rare spiritual herbs, I’ll improve the new recipe I thought of today. Maybe I can make something even better.”

“These are definitely high-grade.” Fei Wanghuai swallowed a Heart-Clearing Pill and immediately felt rich spiritual energy spreading through him. He wondered what level an even better elixir could reach.

Li Jingjie held his share of elixirs, the Heavenly Treasure Weasel on his shoulder bowing its little paws in thanks, and said with tears of gratitude, “Thank you, boss! Thank you, goddess! From now on, we’ll follow you wherever you go!”

“It’s nothing. Let’s hurry and climb the tower.”

*

Inside Tongtian Tower, the star river shone bright. With the help of high-grade Heart-Clearing Pills, the four of them climbed the tower as if aided by the gods, much faster than their first attempt. It had to be said, elixirs were essential for cultivators-even their problem-solving speed improved.

Unconsciously, the team split up again. Chu Zaishuang and Fei Wanghuai climbed quickly, while Su Hongli and Li Jingjie were slower. They agreed to meet at the entrance at midnight, then split into two groups to cultivate in the tower.

With her mind clear and refreshed, a faint herbal sweetness in her mouth, Chu Zaishuang hopped forward with a high-grade Heart-Clearing Pill in her mouth, feeling as light as a feather. Various techniques spun through her mind, helping her body with Gathering Qi and Condensing Essence.

She’d recently developed a new trick: she no longer needed to visibly cast spells. She would recite the Golden Lightning Technique and Rippling Water Technique in her heart, but without directly forming water or lightning. By using this method to mobilize spiritual energy inside and out, she could still achieve the effects of cultivation without actually releasing the spells.

Xiao Shi marveled: [At this rate, if you keep climbing the tower every day, reaching Three Leaves Late Stage isn’t impossible!]

Chu Zaishuang jogged forward, silently reciting her incantations, when she suddenly realized she hadn’t heard any sounds behind her for a while. She turned around in surprise and saw Fei Wanghuai feeling along the tower wall, searching for something.

“What’s wrong?” Chu Zaishuang asked, puzzled. “This is the ninety-fifth floor. You passed it yesterday. Why are you slower today?”

Yesterday, neither of them had taken elixirs, yet they’d both reached the hundredth floor. Now, with high-grade Heart-Clearing Pills, he was retracing his steps instead of forging ahead.

“It’s nothing. I’m just looking around.” Fei Wanghuai was preoccupied, trying to find clues inside Tongtian Tower. Suddenly, he asked, “Why did you stop at the one hundred seventy-fourth floor back then? Why didn’t you try reaching the two hundredth floor?”

She’d said before that they started racing from the 174th floor, which meant she was capable of going higher but had given up halfway years ago.

Chu Zaishuang was taken aback, as if stumped by the question. She scratched her head in confusion. “I forgot.”

“What?”

“I really forgot why I didn’t keep climbing. I think I got seriously ill in the middle, and after I recovered, I developed Soul Separation Syndrome. I was bedridden at Thousand-Gold Peak, drinking medicine all the time, and just forgot about Tongtian Tower.” Chu Zaishuang recalled.

Back then, she had just met Xiao Shi and was busy chatting with her new friend in her Sea of Consciousness, captivated by all sorts of strange and wonderful stories, so she naturally had no time for old toys.
“And that illness was severe-I was running a high fever the whole time. Many of my childhood memories are hazy and fragmented, burned away by the fever. To be honest, if you hadn’t come to Tongtian Tower, I would have already forgotten I’d ever been here before.

After I woke up, I went back to running all over the mountains with my elder brother as usual, only now Xiao Shi accompanied me. When my brother began his cultivation training, I started going alone to Mortal Dust Marsh, gathering with Aunt Sun and the others, and spent even less time wandering around Lotus Flower Sect.

Fei Wanghuai mused to himself; it seemed that even though she had climbed to such high levels of the tower, she still didn’t understand the principle behind Tongtian Tower.

This was the site where fragments of the Flower Mirror had fallen-not only did such places exist on Qionglian Twelve Islands, but similar locations could be found elsewhere. He had cultivated in places like this before. The Flower Mirror was the source of Chaos, and what flowed from it was far more than just Immortal Qi; there was bound to be a great amount of Demon Qi as well. But Lotus Flower Sect was a stronghold for Immortal Cultivators, so any Demon Qi that leaked out was hidden away, never allowed to come into contact with ordinary cultivators.

Where there are immortals, there must be demons; such energy doesn’t simply vanish. That Demon Qi should still be somewhere in the tower. If he could find a place where Demon Qi was concentrated, perhaps he could bypass the island’s formations and use Boundless Reach to move outside the island.

But right now, he couldn’t find the formation points, and even she, who had reached the 174th floor, didn’t know either. The clues ended here.

He could only think of another way.

*

For several weeks in a row, the four of them immersed themselves in the tower, climbing floor after floor.

Fei Wanghuai slowly ascended to the 150th floor. From this point on, Chu Zaishuang’s pace also slowed; she hadn’t visited the higher floors in a long time and had to reread the ancient texts on the tower walls, sometimes lingering for ages at the Meditation Slate in deep thought.

Use it or lose it-many memories faded with time, forcing her to start over and move forward step by step. Yet for some reason, her Qi Gathering became smoother, though she would occasionally feel headaches. Looking at the familiar surroundings, flashes of images would sometimes flicker through her mind.

Her companions heard about this but didn’t find it strange.

Li Jingjie was surprised. “You only started getting headaches now? When I first reached the 85th floor, my head felt like it was splitting apart-I had to take Elixirs to get through!”

“Me too. The first week climbing the tower, I lost so much hair,” Su Hongli smoothed her two long braids. “It only got better this month; at first, it was falling out like crazy.”

Fei Wanghuai said, “The Meditation Slate expands the Sea of Consciousness, which easily exhausts the mind-it’s like suddenly stretching your body. If your Dao Heart isn’t stable, the pain is actually less. After all, the harder something is, the more force it takes to break it.”

The Sea of Consciousness is tied to a cultivator’s mind; forcibly stretching it naturally causes pain.

“So that’s how it is. So headaches from climbing the tower are normal, right?” Chu Zaishuang realized. “Then we should sell some hair-loss treatment Elixirs at the entrance to Tongtian Tower-I think there’s a real market for it.”

“…Is this really where you want to use your cleverness?”

The group climbed faster and faster, reaching ever higher floors.

Inside the tower, after a long period of studying ancient texts, Chu Zaishuang and Fei Wanghuai finally reached the 174th floor again. This was where she had stopped before, and also the starting point of their true competition.

Fei Wanghuai unlocked the Meditation Slate on the 174th floor. Holding his Silver Fan, he strode upward, chuckling, “If you don’t catch up, you’ll have to watch me break your record.”

Chu Zaishuang pouted, “Stop rushing me. As if you could unlock the 175th floor-every time we play chess, you lose miserably when I go first.”

The two bantered as they continued upward, reaching the 175th floor, where the layout was slightly different. Facing the Red Light Star River not far away, the hall was no longer empty; instead, a patterned pillar stood in the center.

A massive mural wrapped around the pillar, displaying Five Elements Arts crisscrossing the world-patterns of gold, wood, water, fire, and earth spread out, and from them emerged ice, cloud, thunder, wind, and more.

The upper part of the pillar shone with dazzling golden light, while the lower part depicted mountains and rivers breaking apart. Vivid colors spread before their eyes, like the yin and yang energies of above and below. In the middle was a small figure stepping on a cracked jade disc. The bold brushstrokes made it impossible to discern the figure’s true appearance; all that could be seen was one hand facing up, the other down, each holding a ball of spiritual energy.

The little figure stomped on the fractured jade disc, poised to rush toward the golden light above-like a master ascending to immortality, or a deity splitting the heavens and seas. With just a few strokes, the heroic spirit was evident. If you looked only at the upper half of the mural, the figure was transforming and about to ascend; but if you looked at the lower half, the figure was casting arts and shattering the land.

Viewed together, the whole image swirled and flowed, making one’s head spin. The figure seemed both savior and destroyer, both righteous and evil, neither one nor the other, leaving the viewer even more perplexed.

Fei Wanghuai circled the pillar, quickly scanning the mural, then decided to check the Meditation Slate first. “Let’s go. Time to compete.”

But there was no response behind him; the usually talkative one was silent.

He turned back in confusion and saw her standing there, motionless. She stared at the mural, seemingly entranced by the scene, not coming back to herself for a long while.

“What’s wrong?” Fei Wanghuai glanced at the pillar. “Even if the answer’s up there, you should look at the question first, then come back to search for clues.”

She hadn’t even looked at the Meditation Slate; just staring at the mural wouldn’t help.

Hearing this, Chu Zaishuang finally snapped out of her daze and slowly walked toward him.

She took two steps, unable to resist glancing at the little figure again, but still couldn’t tell if it was male or female-only that it was a cultivator.