Chapter Thirty-Seven: Azure Dragon Pool

Late that night, I summoned the Black Flood Dragon and soared toward Azure Cloud Mountain.

A few hours later, we arrived at the scenic area of Azure Cloud Mountain. The sky was just beginning to lighten, and mist curled around the distant peaks, creating a landscape reminiscent of the celestial realms described online—a true paradise on earth. I couldn’t help but marvel at how cleverly the Soul-Seizing Pearl had chosen its hiding place.

But then a thought struck me—the jade pendant only indicated that the Soul-Seizing Pearl was somewhere in Azure Cloud Mountain, without specifying its exact location. With the mountain being so vast, searching for a tiny pearl would be like looking for a needle in a haystack.

I took out the jade pendant again, hoping it might reveal a more precise clue. Unfortunately, it still only bore the three characters for Azure Cloud Mountain. Clearly, we would have to find a hotel and settle in before making any further plans.

We searched several hotels, but they were all fully booked. The only place with vacancies had just a single room left, and Feng Zimo suggested we could squeeze in together. Yet, considering the differences between men and women, I decided against it. It truly is a challenge to find a hotel in a tourist spot.

We wandered until morning, finally discovering a shabby, old hotel. Its name was rather peculiar: “Sleepless Night Inn.” Staring at the sign, I thought the owner must be quite eccentric. With a name like that, good business would be a miracle. If we had any other choice, I wouldn’t have stayed there.

Inside, a middle-aged man sat at the reception desk, cursing loudly as he played cards on the computer. “Damn, what an idiot, playing so badly.” He was clearly engrossed in a game of Dou Di Zhu. The man looked rough, with a stubbly face and a heavyset frame—his belly protruded as if he were seven or eight months pregnant.

He glanced at us and gruffly announced, “Single room, fifty. Double room, sixty.”

I patted my pocket. “Can I pay by card?”

“Sure. How many rooms?” he replied, still focused on his game.

“Two double rooms,” I said.

Just then, a young man about my age rushed in, dragging a large suitcase and looking as if someone were chasing him. “Boss, quick, give me a single room,” he demanded, tossing fifty yuan onto the desk.

Without a word, the owner handed him a key card, and the youth hurried upstairs.

After he left, we took our own key cards and climbed upstairs. The two rooms were adjacent. Though the conditions were far from ideal, at least it was quiet.

I lay on the bed for a while to rest, then asked Feng Zimo, “Brother Feng, have you ever heard of the Soul-Seizing Pearl?”

He frowned. “Soul-Seizing Pearl? Is it a magical artifact? Is it powerful?”

From his reaction, it was clear he knew nothing about it. So I explained, “The Soul-Seizing Pearl isn’t a magical artifact, but it can help me eliminate the Scarlet-Eyed Demon Pupil.”

Feng Zimo seemed skeptical and pursed his lips, “Who told you that? I’ve never heard of such a thing.”

“It doesn’t matter who told me, it just works,” I replied.

We rested a bit longer, and when I checked the time, it was nearly noon. I called Lin Weiyan and Xiaoling, and together we went out for some food.

In the afternoon, we wandered through Azure Cloud Mountain. Xiaoling was the happiest, wanting to try everything she saw. I, however, was distracted, wondering where the Soul-Seizing Pearl might be hidden.

Unconsciously, we found ourselves before a waterfall, listening to the melodious sound of water. How I wished all these troubles were just a dream, that waking up I’d still be a carefree worker. But reality reminded me this was no dream.

We continued climbing, and up ahead was a pavilion crowded with tourists. In the center stood an old man with a white beard, fanning himself as he told stories.

Seeing the lively scene, we joined the crowd. True to the nature of people, we always gravitate toward excitement.

After squeezing to the front, I realized the old man was a storyteller, spinning tales about Azure Cloud Mountain with great flair. The audience was enthralled, offering praise.

From his stories, I learned that Azure Cloud Mountain had its own legend: supposedly, dragons once dwelled in the Azure Dragon Pool. Of course, this was impossible to verify—no one could say if it was true.

As we continued our stroll, I noticed a familiar figure ahead. It dawned on me—it was the young man from the hotel. He seemed to be searching for something, holding a compass in his hand.

I asked Lin Weiyan and the others, “Look, isn’t that the youth from our hotel?”

They followed my gaze. Lin Weiyan responded, “Yes, that’s him.”

Feng Zimo nodded, “He looks like he’s searching for something.”

“Let’s go greet him,” I suggested.

“Hey, friend! What a coincidence,” I said, patting his shoulder.

He turned around, puzzled. “Who are you?”

I grinned, “Don’t be alarmed, you forgot we’re staying at the same hotel.”

His expression shifted as he remembered. “Oh, is there something you need?”

“No, just saying hello. You look like you’re searching for something—need any help?” I offered.

He eyed us warily, “Not really, just got some business to attend to.” With that, he hurried off.

Watching his retreating figure, I was convinced he was indeed searching for something. I asked Lin Weiyan to quietly follow him.

Meanwhile, Feng Zimo, Xiaoling, and I continued wandering the mountain. Soon, we arrived at Azure Dragon Pool. The area was packed with tourists, all focused on a single spot—a waterfall twenty-eight meters wide. Water thundered down with tremendous force, crashing into the pool and sending up spray.

If only my phone’s camera were better, I’d take a photo to remember this moment.

Xiaoling, with a lollipop in her mouth, gazed longingly at a nearby ice cream vendor. “Big brother, Xiaoling wants ice cream,” she pleaded.

Her eager eyes made it impossible for me to refuse. “Alright, I’ll get it for you.”

To my surprise, Feng Zimo also looked at me expectantly. “Brother Chu Yun, could you get one for me too? I’d like to try it.”

“Of course, no problem,” I replied.

Watching them enjoy their treats, I sighed—how wonderful it is to be human.

As they ate, Feng Zimo suddenly sniffed the air and exclaimed, “What a strong demonic aura!”

He scanned the surroundings, his gaze settling on Azure Dragon Pool.

I looked over as well, but perhaps my cultivation was too low—I sensed nothing unusual.

“Where’s the demon?” I asked.

Feng Zimo replied, “Brother Chu Yun, I am certain—there is a demon lurking at the bottom of the pool!”