I was forced to cultivate immortality when I just wanted to lie down

Chapter 377 Mountain Breeze and Bright Moon, A Bond with a Fox

"Very well, I have two kinds of transformations here. One is the Heavenly Dipper Number, which has thirty-six transformations; the other is the Earthly Fiend Number, which has seventy-two transformations once mastered!"

Which one do you want to learn?

When the thin Taoist spoke of the Heavenly Dipper numbers, he only mentioned them briefly, but when he spoke of the Earthly Fiend numbers, he emphasized them, as if this was the only truly powerful change.

Xu Qing raised an eyebrow, thinking to himself, "Where did you get the Heavenly Dipper Transformation from?"
The changes in the Heavenly Dipper and Earthly Fiend Numbers are completely different from the Heavenly Dipper and Earthly Fiend Divine Powers. The latter are divine powers within the Dao, while the former are changes independent of divine powers.

At the same time, it is also an unorthodox method to avoid the three calamities and the disasters of the three realms. Not to mention ordinary people, even ordinary immortals and gods have nowhere to learn it!
Looking at the thin Taoist's serious expression, Xu Qing blinked and tentatively said, "There is a saying that heaven is yang and earth is yin; heaven is empty and earth is solid; heaven is venerable and earth is humble. Since I want to learn something powerful, I must choose a venerable one. Why don't I learn the Heavenly Dipper Transformation?"

"."

The thin Taoist frowned and couldn't help but ask, "The Heavenly Dipper has only thirty-six transformations, but my Earthly Fiends have seventy-two transformations. Why don't you explore the more?"

Xu Qing shook his head: "Things are valued for their rarity, but having a lot isn't necessarily good. Don't you think that makes sense, senior?"

"."

The skinny Taoist's face darkened, and the ruler in his hand itched to strike, wishing he could beat this brat out right now!
That's enough! Ignorance is no excuse, why should he get angry with a junior?
The skinny Taoist chuckled and said, "The Heavenly Dipper Transformation requires exceptional talent to master. Your comprehension is insufficient, so you can only learn the Earthly Fiend Transformation!"

Is that so?
Xu Qing hadn't intended to expose the other party anyway, so he nodded and said:

"The Earthly Fiends are alright, I don't mind."

What does it mean that the Earthly Fiends are also okay?
The thin Taoist priest tightened and loosened his grip on the ruler in his hand, then tightened it again.

He said through gritted teeth, "If that's the case, come forward and I will teach you the incantation!"

Xu Qing glanced at the ruler that was about to strike, then at the unpredictable changes in the thin Taoist's expression. In the end, he stepped forward and stood obediently by the side.

The thin Taoist priest held his breath and whispered something in Xu Qing's ear. No one knew what wonderful method he was talking about, but Xu Qing, who was used to eating fine grains, listened with his eyes shining.

However, this time it is:

A corpse-like monster encounters a celestial being in a dream, and through seventy-two transformations, attains enlightenment.

With a single thought, one can vanish without a trace, and remain untouched by countless calamities, embodying true freedom!

Three months later, at the Qingqiu Ruins.

Ever since learning the transformation techniques of the Little Water Curtain Cave, Xu Qing has immersed himself in cultivation day and night.

His aptitude wasn't particularly good; at most, he was only of above-average talent. Naturally, he couldn't be like the master of Little Monkey Mountain Blessed Land, who could master all seventy-two transformations in just two or three years.

After three months of traveling and cultivating, Xu Qing has only managed to change his appearance, altering his height and weight, nothing more.

However, this was already very convenient for him, at least no matter how time changed, he would no longer need to rely on makeup and burial to conceal his secret of not aging.

"Sect Leader, Qiu Yu has a request."

Before entering the Qingqiu Ruins, Bai Qiuyu suddenly came up to Xu Qing and said very seriously:

"I am a descendant of Qingqiu, a solitary descendant of the Nine-Tailed Fox. Now that my homeland is gone and the fox tombs are desolate, I truly cannot bear to disturb my ancestors."

"If you go to Qingqiu to pay respects later, please treat the remains of my ancestors with the utmost respect. This is my only request. If the sect leader agrees, I will henceforth serve the sect leader as my benefactor, and all matters concerning the sect leader will be my matters."

Xu Qing was taken aback. Could it be that this fox spirit from Qingqiu wanted to form a bond with him?
"You wish to form a spiritual bond with me?"

"Mmm." Bai Qiuyu nodded lightly, her voice barely audible.

No, if you're going to be a gold digger, then be a gold digger. What's with this shy look on your face?
Xu Qing frowned slightly and did not agree immediately.

Foxes cultivate by forming bonds, but these bonds are not as simple as they seem, especially for ancestral fox lineages like Qingqiu and Tushan, which require even greater caution.

Hu Baosong once said that ten thousand years ago, the Qingqiu Fox Kingdom was a first-class blessed land with countless rare treasures, but no one dared to covet Qingqiu.

The reason for this is that Qingqiu people often formed connections with others, and the fox spirits of Qingqiu at that time had very unique insight and could see through people's hearts.

Ten thousand years ago, a princess of Qingqiu Kingdom humbled herself and formed a bond with a poor Taoist priest in a dilapidated temple. Less than a hundred years later, the Taoist priest ascended to heaven.

At that time, heaven and earth could still communicate. Not long after the Taoist ascended to the heavens, he passed down a heavenly book and gave it to the princess.

At that time, Princess Qingqiu was already the new ruler of the kingdom. After obtaining the Heavenly Book, she ascended to immortality in less than a hundred years.

The story of the Qingqiu Empress and the Taoist priest is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the relationship between the Qingqiu fox clan and humans.

Aside from empresses, there are also kings who received help from fox spirits when they founded their kingdoms; there are also top scholars who received food and clothing from an old fox when they were down on their luck; or there are courtesans who, under the guidance of fox scholars, embarked on cultivation, became the masters of immortal sects, and founded their own schools.
Whether it's driven by self-interest or personal feelings, no one can say for sure; perhaps it's a combination of both. If we judge actions without considering intentions, these things seem unimportant. However, the problem is that once a fox forms a destiny bond with its chosen person, it's equivalent to entering into a contract of 'shared prosperity and shared loss,' and this contract is unilaterally between the fox spirit and its chosen person.

Xu Qing looked at Bai Qiuyu, pondered for a long time, and then asked, "How can you be so sure that I can help you achieve immortality?"

Bai Qiuyu smiled, her eyes sparkling, and said, "If the Sect Leader completes the Qingqiu inheritance for me, I will have the possibility of becoming a fox immortal. If the Sect Leader achieves immortality first, I will naturally benefit from it. But if the Sect Leader makes some mistakes and fails to do so, I can still benefit from it."

"My fox clan has methods for praying for blessings and avoiding disasters, as well as secret techniques for replenishing lifespan. The sect leader has gained a great advantage by forming a bond with me!"

Xu Qing's heart skipped a beat.

Prayer is an innate supernatural power that a nine-tailed fox gains when it cultivates to have four tails. Its function is to pray to heaven and earth to improve one's fortune and enhance the blessings of oneself or others.

Avoiding disaster is an ability acquired when one cultivates to the Five-Tailed Fox. Its function is to offset one's own or others' calamities to a certain extent. It is a method of avoiding disaster and can eliminate calamities and resolve difficulties.

However, too much of a good thing can be bad. Once the nine-tailed fox's ability to pray for blessings and ward off disasters exceeds its own capacity, it will inevitably damage its own cultivation and bring about consequences such as dog calamities, human calamities, and killing calamities.

Xu Qing finally understood. It turned out that his connection with the spirit fox was to obtain a pendant that could provide him with positive buffs at any time.

Once he understood this, he felt relieved.

Talking about money hurts feelings, and talking about feelings hurts money, but if it's mutually beneficial and there are no other constraints, having multiple accessories doesn't seem like a bad thing.

Xu Qing readily agreed.

However, Xu Qing had no idea of ​​the additional terms that came with forming a bond with the fox spirit.

It should be noted that giving away foxes as gifts is a traditional art of Qingqiu Tushan.

Hu Baosong didn't tell him about this, nor did Master Yizhen.

According to general patterns, the character models of the nine-tailed fox clan are almost all meticulously crafted, each one exceptionally handsome. Coupled with their innate allure, whether it's a fox woman forming a bond with a human woman, or a fox prince forming a bond with a human boy, the relationship is very likely to develop into something uncontrollable.

Not to mention the attraction between yin and yang, and the pull between opposite sexes.

But Xu Qing's zombie form was an incredibly sinister creature. Not to mention Bai Qiuyu, who was wrapped up more tightly than a mummy in a divination robe, even if Senior Sister Yizhen came in a cheongsam for a contrasting effect, he would have to find a pair of long johns for her to wear.

Bai Qiuyu's attempt to forge a relationship with Xu Qing is like a blind man carrying a lantern—a complete waste of time!

A bright moon hangs high in the sky within the ruins of the Qingqiu Kingdom.

Xu Qing traveled by moonlight, with the fox spirit leading the way.

The place the two passed through was overgrown with weeds and broken walls hidden in the forest. When they arrived at a secluded valley, under the pale moonlight, they saw many graves and tombstones.

Amidst the steles and tombs, faint will-o'-the-wisps flicker and foxes murmur.

If an ordinary person were to encounter this, they might not be scared to death on the spot, but they would still be horrified.

But Xu Qing acted like an old man taking a stroll in the neighboring cemetery, walking leisurely without the slightest restraint.

Throughout the journey, Bai Qiuyu kept a straight face and became awkward when speaking. Anyone who didn't know better would think that a young lady was bringing her son-in-law back to meet her elders.
Xu Qing gazed at the ruins of the Qingqiu Kingdom. Although this place was called the Qingqiu Kingdom, it was actually a cemetery left behind by the Qingqiu Nine-Tailed Clan for ten thousand years. Bai Qiuyu led Xu Qing to the depths of the tomb. When they saw a crumbling stone tablet, she said with a sorrowful expression, "It is the nature of our clan to die returning to their ancestral home. Unless they die a violent death in a foreign land, they will surely try their best to return to Qingqiu to rest in peace before they die."

“This grave is the burial site of my maternal lineage.”

Standing alone before the monument, Bai Qiuyu continued, "When heaven and earth were connected, outsiders were still wary of the immortal ties that Qingqiu had forged with the Three Realms. But after the Heavenly Road was severed, Qingqiu, which possessed countless treasures, became a demon that everyone hated. My parents died because of this."

Xu Qing remained silent.

Whether it's Qingqiu or Tushan, all nine-tailed foxes have been auspicious beasts similar to Bai Ze since ancient times.

The rumors that the nine-tailed fox eats people, seduces them, and brings disaster to the country and its people all originated after the separation of heaven and earth.

The reason for this is simply that everyone is unable to find a way out, and Qingqiu Tushan has a long-standing legend of immortals.

In order to have a legitimate reason for their actions and to obtain that sliver of a chance to become immortal, the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan, even if they were not demons, became demons in the eyes of everyone.

If you want to add a crime, there is nothing wrong with it.

Xu Qing gazed at the desolate graves and tombstones. Who would have thought that this place was once a vibrant and prosperous paradise, a place of great prosperity?

Just as Xu Qing was lost in thought, the fortune teller beside him suddenly lit an incense stick for his ancestors and said:
"With the spirits of our ancestors above, as the last descendant of the Nine-Tailed Fox and the last bloodline of Qingqiu, I should rightfully shoulder the responsibility of continuing our clan's bloodline."

After saying that, Bai Qiuyu, her face flushed, glanced at Xu Qing subconsciously. The charm she exuded in that instant was truly captivating.

No, what are you looking at me doing?
Xu Qing finally realized something was wrong.

However, considering that Bai Qiuyu was performing ancestral rites, Xu Qing, with his absolute professionalism, managed to resist the urge to take out the Sacred Ruler and discipline the other party.

He had warned the fox long ago not to use her seductive arts unless necessary, as it was purely mystical and dangerous, and using it too much was unhealthy for both herself and others.

But the fox clearly ignored his words!

After Bai Qiuyu finally finished paying respects to her ancestors, Xu Qing asked, "When do you plan to let me go down to the underworld to meet your elders?"

Bai Qiuyu nodded, then took out a piece of green jade shaped like a fox's head from his bosom and said, "This jade is the symbol of my Qingqiu clan. The sect leader can take this jade to the main residence. Even if the ancestors are angry, they will surely show leniency because of this jade pendant."

Xu Qing took the jade pendant and casually tied it to his waist, but just as he was about to get to work, Bai Qiuyu spoke up again, "I haven't yet explained the whereabouts of the main residence."

"You mean that moving, living tomb down there?"

Before Bai Qiuyu could answer, Xu Qing had already led her to the entrance of a cemetery.

"Have you forgotten that I am a funeral director? There is no grave in this world that I cannot enter."

As they spoke, Xu Qing embraced Bai Qiuyu and lay down on the spot. The next moment, their bodies seemed to sink into the mud, and they instantly fell into the earth's veins, arriving at the true location of the 'Qingqiu Kingdom'.

The moment he saw the tomb, Xu Qing, who was holding his beloved, immediately let go and stood up.

He looked around and saw that the graves were arranged like shops and houses, with the roads and paths resembling those of a capital city.

At the center of the cemetery, Xu Qing also saw a towering mound, resembling an imperial city.

Even from a distance of five or six miles, Xu Qing could feel the ancient atmosphere emanating from inside.

It is clearly an ancient mausoleum that can be opened at a glance!
Xu Qing walked along the road, the jade pendant hanging from his waist emitting a lustrous sheen.

Along the way, Xu Qing encountered various steles and tablets. Some were inscribed with the names of human races, and some even recorded the place of origin of his biological father or mother.

Some are simply surnames related to foxes.

Bai Qiuyu said, "Among fox demons, those with low cultivation levels are mostly surnamed Bai or Kang; those with high cultivation levels are mostly surnamed Zhao or Zhang. The surname Hu is the common surname for all foxes. In the future, if the sect leader encounters a fox, he can first hear its name to know its approximate cultivation level."

Xu Qing was somewhat surprised: "You now possess a thousand years of cultivation, and you're also surnamed Bai?"

Bai Qiuyu's eyes gleamed slyly as she said, "The world is a dangerous place, so I must naturally conceal my abilities. If I were to use another surname, wouldn't that be too conventional?"

"."

Xu Qing had already made up his mind that whenever he encountered a hostile fox demon, no matter what its surname was, he would have to use all his strength when fighting it!

The zombie and the fox continued their journey deeper into the area. During this time, Xu Qing opened the coffin to search for scattered treasures, and also took the opportunity of preparing the deceased's body for burial to perform a ritual for their souls.

The people of Qingqiu and Tushan are fond of forming bonds with humans, so nearly half of the remains in the tombs are descendants of those born from the bonds between humans and foxes.

As Xu Qing continued the ritual of deliverance, he discovered that the fox demons with half-demon bloodlines in the revolving lanterns did not look much different from humans in their previous lives.

At most, it might have one or more fluffy tails, or perhaps a pair of fox ears.

After learning these details, Xu Qing looked at the tombstones again. In addition to the words "So-and-so family" and "beloved wife Hu", there were also small notes such as "tail one", "tail three", "tail five" and "ear spirit".

For the next three days, in addition to performing rituals to help the deceased who could not be reborn due to the severing of the connection between heaven and earth, Xu Qing also set up an altar in the center of the cemetery and performed a ritual specifically for the evil spirits who had suffered misfortune and accumulated resentment.

On the altar, Xu Qing shook the ritual bell, performed the ritual steps, and chanted profound sutras.

The incantations he recited were not only those for guiding people to rebirth in the Pure Land; many of them were learned and applied on the spot, using ancient fox clan ritual secrets to conduct a deliverance ceremony that was closer to the local culture of Qingqiu.

Deep within the fox tomb, wisps of green smoke rose from incense and talismans, extending and coiling like serpents over both new and old graves. All those with grudges in front of the tombs were drawn out by the green smoke.

In a daze, faint phantoms seemed to rise from the numerous graves among the steles and tombs.

There were scholars in long gowns with disheveled tails peeking out from behind; there were women in simple clothes and hats, with fox ears; and there were also young children, laughing and joking as usual...

Amidst the shadows and chaos, all the vengeful spirits, unable to escape, were drawn by the blue smoke and drifted towards the altar.

When they saw Xu Qing, who was wearing his clan's token at his waist and performing his clan's fox sacrifice ritual, all the spirits nodded in greeting.

At this moment, the Qingqiu Ruins, though still chilly and windy, were devoid of any resentment, only filled with endless longing and peace.

When they arrived at the main tomb, Xu Qing lifted the last coffin lid, and the half-demon fox with seven tails inside suddenly sat up in fright!

The man had a large hole pierced through his chest by some kind of magical artifact. Now that he had risen from the dead, Xu Qing could even see the scene opposite him through the hole in his chest.

Bai Qiuyu was both shocked and frightened. She was shocked that her ancestor could still have such a powerful aura after death, and she was also afraid that her ancestor would blame her for bringing a wild man back to dig up the grave.

However, just when Bai Qiuyu thought he was about to be punished by his ancestors, he saw his sect leader suddenly reach out and touch the top of his ancestors' heads.

The sect leader stroked his ancestor's fox ears and whispered, "Birth and death are intertwined; life and death are shared in the same grave. A single thought can bind us, and even the netherworld can be crossed."

"New destinies are yet to come; it's time for you to embark on your journey, senior."

Bai Qiuyu looked at her ancestor, who had closed his eyes and was more obedient than a dog, and remained silent for a long time.

Seven days later, outside the Qingqiu Ruins.

On his way back, Xu Qing was telling the little girl who had been waiting for him on horseback about what he had seen and heard at the Qingqiu Ruins.

The red-tailed monkey, still carrying the Dragon-Binding Staff, led the way in a nonchalant manner.

Behind Xu Qing, Bai Qiuyu would occasionally turn back to look at her country.

At this moment, the solitary lamp in Qingqiu flickers like a bean, with only the mountain wind and bright moon accompanying this secluded haven beyond the mortal world.

(End of this chapter)