Start practicing from Mr. Fox

Chapter 91 Acting and Living
"Big Sophora japonica"

"There is a tree on Xiantai called the Great Locust Tree. Its lifespan is unknown, with its spring and autumn periods being measured in jiazi years. It has weathered many storms. It began to awaken its wisdom and rescued the Arhat beneath the tree. It then acquired the Sumeru Technique from a mustard seed, mastering it after a hundred years. Later, it cultivated the Way of Nature and discussed the Dao with other demons, earning the reputation of a senior. It then enjoyed living with foxes. It met Chen Sheng, a renowned demon. He attended a lecture with a fox and realized the art of transformation. He then gifted Chen Sheng with the mustard seed technique."

In just a few sentences, he explained the process of Senior Huai's practice so far and also revealed the origin of the Mustard Seed Sumeru technique.

Arhat.

Chen Ji's eyes flickered.

This is a title given to a monk who has achieved success in his practice.

No wonder this technique was able to be passed down, it makes sense.

However, Senior Huai said that the monk was in meditation for thirty-six days at that time, saying that the conditions were not right yet, so he must have become an arhat later, right?

I'm afraid Senior Huai doesn't even know that the monk he once rescued was an Arhat.

Chen Ji was also impressed by the extraordinary nature of the Strange Stories, which could actually trace back the identity of this person who taught the Dharma.

However, it was not convenient to ask Senior Huai again, so he changed the subject and asked him why he transformed into the image of an old man.

Senior Huai laughed uncontrollably.

"Most seniors in the human world are elderly, so this is more appropriate. I just heard Mr. Su say that elderly people over 70 years old carry dove sticks. My age seems to fit this rule."

Chen Ji looked at the kingfisher jumping on the branch, and the comments in the Strange Stories Record emerged in his mind, and he couldn't help but look sideways.

It turns out that this is what Jiazi means for the Spring and Autumn Period.

Seventy years is the age of seventy, so according to human lifespan, Senior Huai must be at least four thousand years old.

It takes quite a long time for him to transform at such an age.

But if you think about the mountain god of Xiantai Mountain, it has been so many years, so it is considered fast.

Chen Ji looked at Senior Straw Clothes and Stick Huai and bowed.

"If we were to use human lifespan as an example, Senior Huai would be more than seventy years old. Even the longest-lived people in the world would only be one year older than Senior Huai."

"I won't mention the years before. We just held on to this place. Even our movements were extremely slow. It's nothing."

Senior Huai waved his hand, looked around, and walked forward, but he was not stained with any dirt, and not even a footprint was left on the ground.

"What a trick!"

Surprise flashed in Chen Ji's eyes.

He had also heard of the light body technique when he listened to Yan Chixia talk about mortal martial arts.

The best thing is to leave no trace on the sand, but I never thought that Senior Huai also has such ability.

"what is that?"

Senior Huai looked at Chen Ji and asked curiously.

Chen Ji then explained to him the martial arts practiced in the mortal world.

"I see, but my martial arts are not that light."

Senior Huai said slowly.

"It is because I have been connected to the earth for so long that I am familiar with its movements. Therefore, I do not disturb it when I walk."

"But I just know to do it this way. I can't tell you why."

“It’s really amazing.”

Chen Ji sighed, then remembered something and asked.

"I wonder what Senior Huai plans to do in the future?"

"In the future?"

Senior Huai shook his head.

"I haven't really thought about it yet. I've been in Xiantai Mountain for a long time, so I'm kind of used to it. Maybe I'll go see my friends first."

"They used to come to see me, but now it's my turn to go see them."

"It should be."

Chen Ji thought about Senior Huai's experience and felt that he should indeed travel around.

"But there's no rush. You should first get familiar with your transformed body."

"Do you still need to get familiar with it?"

Chen Ji was a little surprised.

When I saw Bai Shijiu master the transformation, he seemed to start acting naturally.

After asking the question, Senior Huai answered with a smile.

"After all, trees are different from foxes. They have never walked before, so they need to learn some techniques."

"Besides, I learned some new techniques that need to be practiced during this transformation."

Then he looked at Chen Ji.

"Mr. Chen, would you be interested in giving me some pointers?"

"I wouldn't dare to offer any guidance, but since it's a secret technique, wouldn't it be nice to practice it with me?"

"Of course, ordinary people can't see it, but Mr. Chen is different, so he can see it."

"That's right."

Chen Ji felt warm in his heart and bowed.

"I have never seen any magic tricks performed by Senior Huai. Please demonstrate them to me, Senior Huai!"

"it is good."

The old man in the straw raincoat turned and left, but a human face emerged from the locust tree to answer Chen Ji, and the branches waved more agilely than before.

"Is this possible?"

Chen Ji turned around again.

I saw the old man in the straw raincoat also raising his locust wood staff and the kingfisher flapping its wings.

The two Senior Huais, their original forms and their transformed forms, were actually acting at the same time.

Chen Ji used the art of observing qi to be unable to distinguish between the two and could not help but exclaim in amazement.

"What a wonderful technique! Even Miss Bai has transformed into a human form, yet I've never seen her move with two bodies."

"This is the Lianli technique."

Senior Huai said slowly.

"Perhaps it was acquired when I was controlling the roots and talking with fellow Taoists on the mountain. I didn't realize it at the time."

"Just now, after transforming, I discovered that I could control my transformed body and the tree trunk with two consciousnesses."

"Unfortunately, it only works within a certain range, about a hundred feet."

"It's very good."

Chen Ji said seriously.

"At least I have never heard of anyone having such a technique."

"Although I can't travel around the world, if someone comes within a hundred feet, I would never have thought that Senior Huai has such a method."

"If they attack from both sides simultaneously, I'm afraid some of their tactics won't be defendable."

"It's indeed a good self-defense method, but I don't have a good offensive method yet. I still need to learn from other Taoist friends."

Senior Huai thought about it and answered seriously.

"There is another technique, but it is much more common."

The old man in the straw raincoat took a few steps forward and bumped into a tree.

"Small……"

Chen Ji was about to remind him, but he saw the old man in the straw raincoat step into the locust tree without any hindrance, without revealing any part of his body.

Then he emerged from the tree in another direction, just like Bai Shiliu emerged from the stone, but it was more natural and did not even require any preparation.

"This is Wood Release, a natural ability that comes with transformation."

Senior Huai said slowly.

"As long as it's a plant or tree, I can hide my breath and my tracks."

"However, if attacked while in a host, one would be unable to resist in time."

"As expected of Senior Huai, these techniques are truly magical!"

Chen Ji sighed with admiration in his eyes, but he didn't have any other thoughts.

Everyone has his or her own destiny in practicing.

Senior Huai was able to wait quietly on the mountain for over four thousand years before he transformed, so it's only natural that he should be proficient in a few techniques after his transformation.

But when Chen Ji looked at the tree, he thought of something else.

"We've been performing for so long, why are there no signs of the Seven Friends of Xiantai?"

"Them?"

Senior Huai quickly apologized.

"I was so focused on talking about my cultivation after transforming that I forgot to tell the master about this."

"That day, Judge Lu sent a mysterious messenger to bring the squirrel demon's cultivation method. They received the method and started practicing."

"I see."

Chen Ji suddenly understood.

He did remember that Lu Pan said he would send him a method of cultivation, but when he didn't get it, he thought Lu Pan had forgotten about it.

I didn't expect that it had been sent to the mountain.

However, it is not surprising that Lu Pan knows their situation.

Then I asked them how they practiced.

After all, he had inquired in many places before finding this method, so he was really curious.

Senior Huai smiled and shook his head when he heard this.

"Do you remember what they did when you saw them that day?"

"On that day?"

Chen Ji thought about it.

"Looking for pine cones and pine nuts?"

“This is the practice method.”

"Huh?" Chen Ji frowned and looked over, suspecting that Senior Huai was joking with him.

"Can this be considered cultivation?"

"That's interesting."

Senior Huai said slowly.

"That squirrel demon from the underworld originally had no cultivation methods. He simply happened to encounter a rat demon. The two demons developed a very good relationship, so he followed the rat demon and learned the treasure-hunting cultivation methods."

"Is the rat demon looking for treasure?"

Chen Ji thought it was reasonable.

Most treasures in the world are the result of luck and opportunity. Among rats, there is a special species called treasure-hunting rat. It can search for treasures all over the world and use the opportunity of treasures to practice.

When your cultivation level is low, you can only look for treasures in the mountains. If your cultivation level is high, you can even find magical herbs and magic tools.

I've only heard of rat demons having such methods of cultivation, but I didn't expect squirrels could also practice in this way.

"It's a trick, not the right way. You need bloodline to do it."

"But the squirrel demon in the underworld made a deal with them. It seems that they had to find something and give it to him before they could practice cultivation. I didn't ask about it in detail."

"Those fellow squirrels learned the method and went to find their own path of cultivation. They also left something for you."

Senior Huai lowered a branch, inside of which was a leaf with words written on it.

Chen Ji picked up the book and read it. The words were indeed simple.

"Thank you, sir, for finding this method. Although it is a little difficult to practice, it is better than nothing."

"We're going to practice. I'll ask you and the fox to take care of the lightning-struck pine tree."

"If there are any pine nuts, please share some with Senior Yu Huai and Mr. Su. If we can meet again someday, I will definitely repay you for your kindness."

"Seven Friends of Sendai."

"That's right."

Chen Ji took the leaves and looked down the mountain.

I really didn't expect that there is such a method of cultivation, and I don't know whether they can succeed in cultivation.

I'm afraid I'll know next time I see you.

But life is so difficult in this world, and I don’t know if I can see you again in the future...

"Hey!"

Chen Ji sighed.

Although I have only been here for over a month and don't know many monsters and ghosts, I have dealt with many squirrel monsters and am relatively familiar with them.

It's indeed a bit hard to get used to seeing you suddenly leave and entrusting me with things.

"Sir, are you feeling sad about the farewell?"

Senior Huai asked.

"indeed."

Senior Huai laughed loudly, the branches and leaves on his body swaying, but he was full of joy.

"Sir, you are indeed just like an ordinary person now."

"Why do you say that?"

"I had previously seen your cultivation progress so rapidly that I thought you were completely absorbed in your practice, with no distractions. This was unlike the ordinary people who feel melancholy about autumn."

"Seeing you now, I feel a sense of separation, and I feel that you have a more alive feeling."

"Is that so?"

Chen Ji was speechless.

Even he himself did not notice this change.

Thinking about it carefully, it seems that this is indeed the case.

When I came here before, even life and death were unpredictable, so naturally I wanted to practice as soon as possible to the point where I could save my life.

Now that he had gone down the mountain several times, he found that he was stronger than many practitioners and demons, so he finally relaxed a little.

Unexpectedly, Miss Bai didn't notice it, but Senior Huai pointed it out.

Suddenly, I felt some thoughts in my mind, but I couldn't explain them clearly.

After thinking for a moment, I finally understood.

I think I have finally accepted this world and have a feeling of living here.

So he bowed and thanked him.

"You're too polite, sir. It was just a casual remark. Please don't take it too seriously."

"I am always a tree demon. If you still want to talk about this, you should talk to Mr. Su."

"Indeed, I have something to ask Mr. Su, so I'll go take a look first."

"Okay, Mr. Su is in the library. I've already told him. You can go there yourself."

"Thank you, Senior Huai!"

Chen Ji bowed and entered the library, where he saw Mr. Su flipping through books.

Seeing Chen Ji coming in, he stood up and saluted.

"Mr. Chen, I've heard what Senior Huai said. Are you asking how to deal with the sadness of separation?"

"It's no longer needed."

Chen Ji replied.

"Ok?"

Mr. Su glanced sideways and looked at Chen Ji again, with surprise flashing in his eyes.

"Weird!"

"I felt before that the gentleman didn't seem to be from this place. Even yesterday, I thought he was a little out of this world. But now, I see him with much more charm."

"I am originally a human, so it is normal for me to have some popularity. Perhaps my soul was unstable after I created the beast, and now I have finally recovered after practicing."

Chen Ji explained with a smile.

Mr. Su thought about it and couldn't come up with any other reason, so he bowed and congratulated Chen Ji.

"I should be the one thanking Mr. Su."

Chen Ji smiled and took out a piece of Peach Fairy Ghost Body from his arms and placed it on the table.

"Sir, you are a ghost, your soul is unstable, and you are practicing Confucianism and swordsmanship. I don't know how your progress is. This item should be useful."

Mr. Su stood there in a daze, speechless for a long time.

"Mr. Chen, do you know how valuable this is?"

"Both Miss Bai and Lu Pan have mentioned it, so naturally they know."

"Then you still want to give it to me? I don't have a gift of such value to give in return."

"Mr. Su, you're joking. You've already given me a lot, the value of which far exceeds this."

"How could I not remember?"

Mr. Su frowned, but had no impression at all.

Chen Ji laughed heartily.

"Perhaps you forgot it, sir, and you will remember it after using it."

"..."

Mr. Su was silent for a while, but still bowed.

"This item is indeed useful to me, so I won't say anything else. If Mr. Chen needs to call me in the future, I will definitely agree."

"Mr. Su, you're welcome."

Chen Ji said seriously.

"Besides, this action is not entirely for the sir, it is also for the fox."

"how you said that?"

"The Fox School exam is less than three months away. If the teacher collapses from exhaustion from training, I don't know who to find to teach the academic subjects."

"Besides, I have an agreement with Taoist Xiyun."

"Is it the Taoist priest who receives guests at Qingfeng Temple?"

"Exactly."

"What's the agreement?"

Chen Ji then explained that he wanted to teach the fox on the mountain, and after some progress was made, he would take the fox to Qingfeng Temple to discuss Taoism.

"Such good news, why didn't you tell me earlier!"

"I was busy giving lectures when I got back, and before I could even say anything, the teacher disappeared."

"You! You should have said it earlier!"

Mr. Su laughed excitedly.

"Back then, that old Taoist priest said I had brought shame upon the Confucianists. This time, I want to see if his disciples can be more capable than my students!"

"I'm afraid it's an unfair victory."

Chen Ji thought about it and said in a low voice.

"Why?"

Chen Ji then told the story of the middle-aged Taoist priests of Qingfeng Temple who died in a battle with demons and ghosts.

“Is that so…”

Mr. Su sighed.

"Then give them some face when the time comes and don't let them lose too badly."

"Also... can I also cut off a little bit of this piece and give it to them as my offering to them?"

"Mr. Su doesn't need it?"

"I can't use all of this, so I gave them some as a thank you gift for the ten taels of silver."

A moment later, another tea line appeared in the library.

(End of this chapter)