Chapter 207: Befriending a Demon

“Roar!”

Trapped and lifted high into the air by the water prison, the Redtail Fish let out a deafening roar! Its cry, akin to a thunderclap and a dragon’s roar, shattered the young man’s water prison spell by sheer force alone!

Freed at last, the Redtail Fish plunged back into the river with a loud splash, sending waves surging in all directions!

Seeing that a mere fish demon, with neither profound cultivation nor advanced technique, had broken free of his spell, the young man felt his pride wounded. He immediately channeled more spiritual power, coldly chanting:

“The Great Dao is formless—Water Ensnaring Heaven and Earth!”

In an instant, the calm surface of the river erupted with swirling vortexes, each resembling a giant, soul-piercing eye!

Surrounded by the vortexes, the Redtail Fish struggled with all its might to swim away, but the powerful suction was overwhelming. No matter how desperately it thrashed, it couldn’t escape the immense pull!

“Bring me the Demon-Sealing Pot!” the young man commanded.

The young woman hesitated for a brief moment before flipping her palm over. A jade pot, glowing with a deep green luster, silently emerged into the air.

The young man formed a sword gesture with his fingers, just about to activate the jade pot and capture the Redtail Fish, when—

A soft yet clear voice echoed in his ears:

“Disperse.”

The very next moment, a gentle breeze swept across the river, and the rapidly spinning vortexes vanished in an instant!

It was as if a pair of invisible hands had smoothed out the river’s rippling surface.

The young man’s face turned cold as his sharp, spiritual-light-infused eyes scanned the surroundings. “Who goes there? Why do you obstruct me from subduing this demon?”

The young woman beside him suddenly pointed. “Senior Brother Shi, look—on the fish’s back!”

Following her gaze, the young man saw, atop the massive fish demon’s back, two figures stood side by side.

One was a tall man dressed in white robes, his hair tied back, with a few loose strands framing his face.

The other was a small child, appearing no older than five or six, with a round face and chubby features. The child had already climbed onto the Redtail Fish’s head, joyfully sprawled over it, his face beaming with excitement.

Who were they?

Using his spiritual sight, the young man found no trace of their presence.

Yet, with his naked eye, he could see them clearly!

After a brief moment of contemplation, the young man descended onto the water’s surface and walked across the river toward the Redtail Fish. He cupped his hands in greeting.

“I am Shi Xiao, a disciple of Heavenly Profound Mountain. May I ask for my fellow Daoist’s name?”

The young woman beside him also offered a polite introduction. “I am Song Ke, his junior sister.”

Gu Ning’an, who had been examining the two small horn-like protrusions on the Redtail Fish’s head, shifted his gaze. He returned the gesture and replied with a smile:

“Gu Ning’an, a wandering cultivator.”

A wandering cultivator?

In this age, could someone truly walk the path of immortality as a mere wandering cultivator?

Without guidance, even possessing a genuine cultivation manual wouldn’t guarantee initiation into the Dao, let alone significant progress.

Shi Xiao hesitated briefly before asking, “Is this fish demon yours?”

“Mine?” Gu Ning’an chuckled, shaking his head. “It is its own being. Why would you assume it belongs to me?”

Shi Xiao was momentarily stunned but quickly pressed on. “If it isn’t yours, then why did you stop me from capturing it?”

“Could it be that you think I intend to harm this demon, despite its body radiating with merit?”

Gu Ning’an shook his head. “Why can it not be my friend?”

“A friend?” Shi Xiao frowned. “You walk the path of immortality, yet befriend a demon?”

Gu Ning’an smiled and countered, “Why should a demon not be a friend?”

Shi Xiao found himself unable to agree with Gu Ning’an’s perspective, but instead of arguing, he changed the topic.

“Since you are not its master, why not let me speak with it?”

“Let’s see if it’s willing to come back with me.”

Gu Ning’an smiled. “Go ahead.”

Seeing his opponent being so accommodating, Shi Xiao stepped onto the river’s surface, quickly closing the distance to the Redtail Fish and speaking, “Earlier, I didn’t get a chance to explain anything before you ran, so I had to try and take you by force.”

“Now, let me tell you the benefits of coming with me.”

“First, let’s talk about my immortal sect—Heavenly Profound Mountain…”

According to Shi Xiao, Heavenly Profound Mountain housed True Immortals, and not just one. Even his own master was a True Immortal.

If the Redtail Fish followed him back, it would receive guidance from an immortal, providing it with a solid foundation—whether for transformation into a human form or for leaping through the Dragon Gate.

More importantly, once accepted into Heavenly Profound Mountain, its status would shift from a mere wild demon to an immortal spirit beast.

With this new identity, it would essentially receive a pass to walk freely in the mortal realm.

As long as it didn’t commit evil, the City Gods of various places wouldn’t target it just for being a demon. Some might even treat it with respect.

Splash~

The Redtail Fish seemed entirely uninterested, spitting out a mist of water. When the mist dispersed, a faint rainbow appeared.

Hu Shi, who was lying on the fish’s head, exclaimed in awe, “So pretty!”

“Demon fish, are you even listening to me?” Shi Xiao furrowed his brows, a hint of displeasure in his tone.

After all, he had only bothered to explain this much as a courtesy to Gu Ning’an.

Yet, the Redtail Fish wasn’t listening at all and was instead playing with a child.

“I heard you. I’m not going.” The Redtail Fish replied indifferently.

Earlier, it had run at first sight of them, its eyes full of fear. But now, why did it seem so confident?

Could it be that this white-robed cultivator really gave it such courage?

While Shi Xiao remained silent, the young girl beside him interjected, “Senior Brother Shi, if it doesn’t want to go, let’s just leave it. We should hurry and find our mysterious object.”

“It’s too late.” Shi Xiao turned to Gu Ning’an, cupping his hands. “Daoist Gu, this demon fish seems to lack worldly experience. Why don’t we exchange spells? Once it witnesses real power, I’m sure it will come to its senses.”

Gu Ning’an shook his head with a smile. “Forget it. I’m just a wandering cultivator—I don’t know any profound techniques.”

“Please, Daoist Gu, grant me this small favor.” Shi Xiao’s tone was polite, but there was an undeniable arrogance in his words.

Seeing that Shi Xiao wouldn’t easily give up, and curious to meet an immortal sect disciple for the first time, Gu Ning’an nodded. “Then please, enlighten me.”

Hearing this, a smirk appeared on Shi Xiao’s lips as he immediately formed a hand seal. “This technique is called Water Flowing Like Swords—be careful, Daoist Gu.”

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Mist rose from the river as countless sharp water swords materialized.

In an instant, behind Shi Xiao, tens of thousands of water swords took shape!

From afar, they looked like a majestic sword array—a tidal wave of blades.

“Go!” Shi Xiao commanded.

The tens of thousands of water swords shot into the sky before descending in unison toward Gu Ning’an!

Basic water manipulation, but with a flashy presentation.

Unfortunately, it was more style than substance.

Watching the raining swords calmly, Gu Ning’an flicked his fingers—sending a single water droplet, the size of a soybean, up toward the attack.

Seeing this, Shi Xiao couldn’t help but think to himself… Had he gone too far, using such an offensive spell right away?

But this thought suddenly vanished when the tiny water droplet let out a resonant “hum.”