Start practicing from Mr. Fox

Chapter 95: Fox Dao Performance (5k words)
"Why can't a fox discuss the Dao with you? All living creatures in the world, as long as they enter the Dao, can discuss the Dao. I once discussed the Dao with demons and ghosts."

"If you think Fellow Daoist Fox is not good enough, be careful that you may not be as good as them in the discussion of Dao later."

The old abbot shook his head slightly, gave a reminder, and then turned to look at the person on the talisman boat.

"Master, I'm back."

Taoist Xiyun came down from the talisman boat, his expression a little excited, but what he said was just a normal sentence.

It was as if he had not returned from the mountain to exorcise demons, but had gone out to fetch water and chop wood to do these trivial chores.

"It'll be good to come back, it'll be good to come back."

The old Taoist priest nodded and looked at Taoist priest Xiyun with a smile.

"Last time I came back, I heard that I still had work to do, so I didn't tell them in detail. After I finish my work today, I have to talk to them about catching ghosts."

"must!"

Taoist Xiyun nodded in agreement.

"The town supervisor has already sent a letter regarding the plague ghost. There's nothing to worry about for now. You don't need to guard it day and night. Once the discussion is over, I'll arrange for the disciples to take turns going down the mountain to guard it."

"Yes."

Although Taoist Xiyun had some doubts, he knew it was not a good time to ask in detail, so he agreed and stepped aside to let others get off the boat.

Next came Chen Ji.

The old master's eyes lit up and his smile softened a little.

"I hope you are doing well, Fellow Daoist Chen. It seems your cultivation has become more profound."

"It's just a lucky improvement."

"lucky?"

The old abbot glanced sideways slightly.

"After just over a month of cultivation, he's already able to catch ghosts and monsters, save people and do good deeds, and even suppress the Painted Skin Ghost that I, the Taoist priest, missed, and even seek ordination from the mountain god."

"These things are incredible even for ordinary great cultivators. Fellow Daoist, you are still too modest."

"If you call this a little bit, then what is the value of this old Taoist's life? A tiny bit?"

The old abbot shook his head, but just plucked his beard and jokingly said so.

Taoist Master Xiyun listened to the old abbot speak and silently added a sentence.

"Master, Fellow Daoist Chen has also received talent from a saint, and is now a Confucian cultivator."

"..."

"Xiyun."

The old abbot sighed with emotion.

"Master, what do you want to tell me?"

"It's been so long since I've been a receptionist. How come I've forgotten my manners? I have to make tea for guests."

"Grandmaster, Ziqing has already gone to take a bath..."

The young Taoist priest next to the old abbot started talking, but when he noticed the unfriendly look from the Grand Master, he fell silent.

"I think it's the tea from the guest room. I'm being disrespectful to our distinguished guests. Go get me the Mist Rain Tea I made myself."

The old abbot looked at Taoist Xiyun again.

"it is good."

After hearing this, Taoist Master Xiyun also understood what had happened.

I was too talkative!

But the tea does need to be brewed. This fog and rain tea is used to entertain distinguished guests, and the old master usually doesn't want to drink it himself.

Today seems really happy.

So he walked away to get some tea.

At the foot of the mountain, the Taoist priest and the fox ghost have already entered the temple, and the old abbot is introducing the tradition of worshipping the four seasons' winds in the temple.

Miss Bai looked at the palace layout and nodded slightly.

"Indeed, it's true. Being able to draw the winds of the four seasons here according to the weather, the original master of the temple was indeed extraordinary."

After saying this, he looked at the old abbot, seemingly casually.

"Of course, the current master of the temple is not simple either, he can be called a real person."

Chen Ji paused, then continued walking as if nothing had happened.

Zhenren is a respectful title given by ordinary people living at the foot of the mountain to Taoist priests with great attainments. It means nothing when heard at the foot of the mountain.

But in the mouths of practitioners, it means that one has truly attained the Great Dao, and one step further, he or she will become what is called an immortal in the world.

Chen Ji was previously wondering who the real person of the old abbot mentioned in the Strange Stories was.

Now, after listening to Miss Bai speak, I am sure that the old abbot is indeed a real person.

The old abbot was also a little surprised when he heard this, and after a moment he smiled and waved his hand.

"Senior Fox, you are joking. If we talk about cultivation, I am afraid I am not as good as you."

"It's always better to live longer. If the master of the temple can live this long, his strength will naturally be greater."

The old abbot shook his head.

"That Senior Fox really thinks too highly of me. Human life is finite, how can I compare to Senior Fox."

"Then if I take it one step further and become a human immortal, I'll be almost there."

"Human Immortal..."

The old abbot looked into the distance.

"It's not easy."

"There's always a chance."

"Then I'll take advantage of Senior Fox's good words."

……

The abbot in front is chatting with Miss Bai.

The little foxes and little Taoist priests behind were also looking at each other curiously.

Some Taoists have come down the mountain, while others have remained on the mountain.

But I have never seen so many monsters.

The foxes were all similar, even Bai Shijiu and the others who had come down the mountain were a little nervous at this moment.

Taoist priests... People in the world say that they are the ones who exorcise demons and catch ghosts. Now they have stepped into the Taoists' hometown, so there won't be any problems, right?

Bai Ba was quite brave. He took out two candied haws and went to chat with the Taoist priest who had just gone to make tea.

"Little Taoist priest, your name is Ziqing, right?"

"I'm not young. I'm already fourteen years old."

Ziqing was stunned when he heard this, and then responded to Bai Ba's words in a trembling voice.

"Fourteen?"

Bai Ba chuckled.

"Then do you know how old I am?"

"You... look like just a fox of a few years old."

Ziqing said seriously.

Bai Ba was so angry that he laughed when he heard this.

"What age? I was already in my teens when I first became intelligent, and now I'm already in my thirties!"

"Oh, in your human terms, I'm probably already a hundred years old. Is there anything wrong with me calling you a little Taoist priest?"

Bai Bahu rolled his eyes, quite disdainful.

Of course, there is also an inexplicable sense of satisfaction.

The foxes on the mountain are either your master, your peers, or those who are more powerful than you.

It's not good to lower yourself to bully an unintelligent fox.

Now that I see the little Taoist priest, I naturally have to have a good conversation with him.

"Now, let's eat it for you."

Bai Ba handed over a string of candied haws.

The young Taoist priest Ziqing was stunned, then took it and licked his lips.

This kind of snack is indeed not easy to find in the mountains.

But the food was given by the fox, so he didn't dare to eat it. He looked at the crowd eagerly, hoping that someone could give him some advice.

But the young Taoist priest who came with them didn't dare to get close to the foxes.

But the old abbot was still talking to Miss Bai, and he didn't know what to do for a moment.

Just as I was about to refuse, I heard a familiar voice.

"Since it was given by Fellow Daoist Fox, the next step is to thank Fellow Daoist Fox sincerely and then give him some special products from the mountain."

Taoist Master Xiyun has returned with the tea, holding a pot of boiling water in his hand.

Ziqing then happily took it and took a bite.

It tastes sour and sweet, and it is indeed delicious. The rock sugar when bitten is like broken glass, and a sweet and sour taste comes out.

The other young Taoist priests were also drooling, but they did not dare and were too embarrassed to ask Bai Ba.

However, Chen Ji noticed this scene and knew that Bai Ba was deliberately teasing these little Taoist priests, so he nodded Bai Ba's head.

"You have so many snacks, why don't you share some with your fellow Taoists?"

"Yes, sir!"

Upon hearing this, Bai Ba didn't dare tease the little Taoist priest anymore. He raised his head, opened his fox beak, and obediently stretched out his claws to take out more than ten candied haws.

"Come on, everyone has a share, one for each!"

But... the young Taoist priests looked at Bai Ba's actions, but for a moment they didn't dare to step forward to take it.

Even Ziqing, who had just eaten a candied haws, was stunned where he was.

He was very curious just now. Fellow Daoist Fox didn't seem to have anything on him, so how did he bring the candied haws up here?

Now I finally understand.

Looking at the candied haws in my hand that I had already taken a bite of, I didn’t know whether I should continue eating it.

This was taken out from Brother Fox's mouth, it's really hard to continue eating it.

"Don't worry, Fellow Daoist Fox's techniques are extraordinary and all of them are clean."

Taoist Xiyun explained with a smile, and took the initiative to greet Bai Ba and ask for one.

"I've long heard that one of my fellow fox daoists has mastered the art of pot-heating by practicing the method of taking medicine. Seeing him today, I find he is indeed extraordinary!"

"Are you talking about me?"

Bai Ba chuckled, feeling somewhat smug.

"I don't know how I cultivated to this level, but Miss Bai said this technique is most suitable for me and other foxes can't practice it. She told me to go to the Fox School and ask for advice."

"Fellow Daoist, your skills are profound and you are also so eager to learn. This is indeed not simple."

Taoist Xiyun's eyes fell on the young Taoist priest as he spoke.

The young Taoist priests immediately lowered their heads and remained silent, feeling a little guilty even holding the candied haws in their hands.

These words seemed completely different from what Taoist Xiyun usually said to them.

However, Taoist Xiyun only gave them a brief reminder. Seeing that they all knew they were guilty, he withdrew his gaze and walked forward to find the old abbot again.

"Master, it's time for tea." The old abbot had just finished his introduction and nodded after hearing this.

"Since Fellow Daoist Fox and our disciples want to discuss the Dao, why not start here and have a drink while we discuss the Dao?"

"Naturally."

Miss Bai nodded.

Mr. Su and Chen Ji are also fine.

So the old abbot waved his hand and a hundred or so cushions appeared on the ground, and he also brought a few low tables for everyone to sit on.

He looked around and bowed slightly to Miss Bai and Chen Ji.

"Ordinarily, you two should speak first, but since you have come from afar, I should entertain you. I would like to ask you to try the freshly picked and roasted Wuyu tea from the mountains."

"It is very beneficial for cultivation. If you are a Taoist who has already mastered the breathing method, you can use it to absorb the energy after drinking the tea."

Then he picked up the teapot.

There was no movement, just picking up the pot and pouring tea.

In front of the many people, foxes and ghosts present, a teacup appeared, which was exactly seven-tenths full of tea.

Chen Ji held the tea in his hand and finally understood why this tea was called Fog and Rain Tea.

The tea in the cup looks clear, but upon closer inspection, it is like rolling clouds and mist, which occasionally gather into clouds and raindrops fall.

After taking a sip, it was like mist spreading, and a warm breath permeated the body, as if I was in the mist and rain. Soon I felt a clear warm current spreading, and my whole body became transparent.

“It’s truly a wonderful tea!”

Miss Bai sighed.

"I've seen many fellow Taoists' spiritual teas over the years, but none can compare to this cup from the Master."

"That's natural!"

The old abbot laughed heartily with satisfaction.

"This is cultivated using spiritual methods, and it can purify magical power. Unfortunately, the output is quite low, only six or seven ounces a year."

"It's very good."

Chen Ji felt the effect of the Mist and Rain Tea and understood why even Miss Bai was amazed.

He practiced breathing techniques and was naturally sensitive to the five elements.

Previously, when breathing the five elements of the human world, even after learning Xuanshan Taoism, one still needed to introduce the five internal organs to temper and filter out those mixed breaths.

But when I drank the Wuyu Tea just now, I had the same feeling.

The five energies in the body that had not yet been tempered became more refined.

If you calculate carefully, the old master's cup of mist and rain tea is almost equivalent to two quarters of an hour of hard practice of Xuanshan Dream Method.

Who would have thought that the pure magic power that the old master talked about would be so pure.

Now Chen Ji finally realized the horror of the old abbot's entry into the Tao through cooking.

Tofu before, tea now.

If there really were enough time and materials, Chen Ji felt that the old abbot might even become a master of cooking.

When he looked up, he found that the old abbot was also looking at him.

After noticing Chen Ji's gaze, he smiled slightly, raised his glass to invite him, then drank the tea in the cup in one gulp and officially began to preside over the discussion.

"You may be curious as to why the fellow fox Taoists from Xiantai Mountain would come to discuss Taoism with you."

"Three months from now, the Yujing Palace will hold a grand prayer ceremony in Kyoto and invite us to participate."

"It's called a ceremony, but it's actually a competition. We have to kill demons and capture ghosts along the way in each palace and temple, leaving proof. When the grand ceremony comes, we'll have to petition the Emperor and the court to record our merits and award us with silver."

"For those of us who practice cultivation, it doesn't matter if we have government rewards or not, but merit is still important."

"It's a good opportunity to take you to meet other fellow disciples. It will also be a good opportunity. It will also protect the reputation of our Qingfeng Temple when you go out in the future."

"Today, I invited Fellow Daoist Fox to discuss the Dharma so that you can first know that demons and ghosts are not all bad. If you encounter any problems after you go down the mountain, ask for clear answers first. Don't make decisions based on slander."

"By the way, Fellow Daoist Fox has been practicing for about the same amount of time as you since he gained wisdom. It's a good opportunity to discuss the Dharma and see how far his own cultivation has progressed."

……

The old abbot spoke with great enthusiasm.

Chen Ji also found it interesting listening from the side.

After all, although he practiced cultivation, he had always been with demons and ghosts. He was not very familiar with the people of Taoism, and had never seen the grand ceremony.

Hearing that palaces, temples and shrines from all over the country would gather in Kyoto to participate in the grand ceremony, I was a little curious, but only a little curious.

What he wanted to do most now was to teach the foxes to enter the Fox School and then help the Xiantai Mountain God to be ordained.

The foxes also looked sideways, their eyes full of confusion, not knowing what the Dajiao meant.

But looking at the expressions of the little Taoist priests, they seemed to be looking forward to it.

So Bai Ba asked Ziqing what that thing was.

"It's a gathering of many practitioners chanting sutras and praying for blessings, followed by a banquet and exchanges."

"Oh, I see. It sounds similar to the gathering of demons at Xiantai Mountain."

"A gathering of demons?"

Ziqing blinked, looking curious.

"It's just like what you said, a group of demons discussing cultivation, feasting, and communicating together."

"So demons can be like this too?"

"If humans can do this, then demons can do this too."

"I must go and see him if I get a chance."

"Okay, I'll take you to see them when you come. But demon gatherings require drinking, so you have to bring good wine."

“What kind of wine is considered good wine?”

"As Mr. Su prepared, it will be fine."

"Who is Mr. Su?"

"It's our master, and he's also a ghost."

"Mr. Ghost can also become a demon?"

"Why not? Ghosts are also transformed from humans. If humans can teach, then ghosts can too."

"Your mountain is truly amazing and powerful."

Ziqing said seriously.

Before he could say anything else, the old abbot had already finished speaking and looked down.

"Since we're discussing Dao and Dharma, there should be some rewards. When Fellow Daoist Chen came here, he selected a suitable weapon from the treasure house. Today's winner can also choose one."

"Ha!"

A fox raised its paw in the audience.

The old abbot looked over and saw that it was Bai Qi.

"Does Fellow Daoist Fox have anything to say?"

"I want to ask, if the fox wins and can't use human things, what should we do?"

"Then I can make something for you. Fellow Daoist Fox, do you have any questions?"

"No, that's good!"

Bai Qi nodded and sat back on the cushion.

After that, the old abbot said a few more words before explaining that the theme of today's discussion was performance.

"what?"

"Ha!"

Both the fox and the young Taoist priest were scratching their heads and were stunned.

Discussing the Dao and performing the Dharma are one thing, but how can one discuss it if one only performs the Dharma?

The old abbot stroked his beard and chuckled.

"Don't you know that we should discuss the Dharma and deeds, not words? If discussing the Dharma is only considered discussing the techniques and scriptures, then do we have to waste words when we encounter evil cultivators? Naturally, the bigger the fist, the more right it is."

"If we want to discuss it, there are many topics we can discuss, such as the law of nature, breathing the five energies, and the deployment of mana."

"But I've felt over the years that it's a little too early for you to be thinking about these things at your age. It's better to treat it as a communication and perform it."

"It just so happens that you can't think of the great principles right now, but you can tell the good from the bad in magic. So take a good look at the magic of fellow Taoists. It will be an eye-opener."

After saying that, he looked at Chen Ji and the others.

"What do you think, fellow Daoists?"

"Good."

Miss Bai nodded slightly.

"After all, Fox is not a Taoist practitioner and has not read many Taoist books. If he were to truly discuss Taoism, it would be better to perform a Dharma show. The temple master has made a very good consideration."

"Of course this is better. Fox still has some skills that he would like the old master to teach him."

Chen Ji also agreed.

Although Mr. Su didn't say anything, his eyes were full of pride, and he almost asked Fox to perform the magic show first.

However, Taoist Xiyun knew that at this time it would be better to let his own people go first.

"Ziqing, you should go first."

So he called out the name of the Taoist priest who was in charge of reception.

The young Taoist priest quickly stood up and saluted.

"I'm learning the water-drawing method, which can draw water from the sky. I welcome your feedback."

After saying that, he took a stance, chanted an incantation, made hand gestures, pointed his finger into the air, and recited the urgent order.

Almost in the blink of an eye, a stream of water appeared out of thin air, swirling around Ziqing's movements and turning into a water dragon.

Perhaps it was the effect of the fog and rain tea just now. At this moment, water vapor was surrounding the water dragon, and even the air was much more moist.

The water dragon circled around the foxes and the little Taoist priest. Many foxes quickly curled up for fear of getting their fur wet.

Bai Qi was playful, so he stretched out his claws, dipped a drop of ink and dotted it on the dragon's body.

The next moment, he opened his eyes wide in disbelief.

The whole dragon turned into a black dragon, which made it even more majestic and powerful. There was also a sense of murderousness when it soared into the sky.

"What do you think, Fellow Daoist Su?"

The old abbot looked at Mr. Su and spoke with a smile.

Unexpectedly, Mr. Su just smiled indifferently.

"Isn't it just a water dragon? It just so happens that my disciple can also summon a fire dragon. It's a good opportunity to see how powerful these two dragons are."

"Bai Er, you try it too."

"Yes, sir!"

Bai Er stood up and walked out of the fox group.

When she first walked out, she still looked like a fox, but after taking a few steps, she had become a human girl, with no signs of a fox demon at all.

Chen Ji nodded slightly.

This transformation technique is only weaker than Miss Bai's, and much better than many foxes.

I just don't know how much progress the fire control technique has made, so I might as well take a look today.

(End of this chapter)