Swords emerge from the human world

Chapter 9.9: The Fox Spirit of Qingqiu, Facing Numerous Trials
Wang Fu was unwilling to settle for mediocrity.

Although he came from a wealthy family and had no worries about food and drink, his social status was not particularly high.

Therefore, the father placed high hopes on his son, hoping that he could study hard, pass the imperial examinations, and enter officialdom.

However, Wang Fuzhi was not here; he preferred to travel the world alone, seeking immortals and visiting Taoist masters.

He inquired everywhere to gather relevant information, and whenever he heard of a master, he would immediately go and sincerely seek to become their disciple...

Even though they were repeatedly deceived, their original intentions remained unchanged.

This time, the clouds have finally parted and the moon is shining.

Chen Jin couldn't help but pour cold water on the idea: "Is a chance to become an immortal so easy?"

"No!"

Wang Fu shook his head and said, "I have withstood many trials before I gained the favor of the immortals."

"Oh, what kind of test?"

Chen Jin immediately became interested.

"The first hurdle is to have a kind and righteous heart. Meiniang pretended to be a down-on-her-luck person and was wandering the streets. I took her in, settled her down, and took good care of her."

"The second hurdle is to maintain one's purity and not be swayed by beauty..."

Upon hearing this, Chen Jin asked, "What do you mean? You just said you couldn't control yourself."

Wang Fu coughed lightly: "That was the pleasure I could enjoy after passing the test, it was a reward. For the first two or three days, Meiniang and I were alone in the same room, a man and a woman alone, and I did not take advantage of her or have any improper thoughts."

Chen Jin nodded slightly: "It does sound like a typical plot from a ghost story."

Wang Fu said unhappily, "How can you call it a routine? Meiniang said that the path to immortality is long and arduous, requiring constant exploration and a profound understanding of one's mind and state of mind. The road ahead is fraught with trials, demanding unwavering resolve and careful progress at every step until one achieves immortality and transcends worldly limitations."

Chen Jin asked, "So, this trip to the mountains to live in seclusion is also one of your tests?"

Wang Fu honestly replied, "That's right. This practice can cultivate one's mind and character, thereby severing the ties between oneself and the mundane world."

Chen Jin joked, "If that's the case, why do you still need servants to wait on you around for everything, from food and clothing to shelter and transportation?"

Wang Fu had already prepared his words, and sighed, "When starting out on the great path, one is inherently lacking. How can one achieve it all at once? There must be a process."

Chen Jin nodded: "That makes sense... Since we're talking about worldly ties, what about wealth and status?"

"Of course it counts! We should regard wealth and honor as fleeting clouds and not let them cloud our vision."

Wang Fu's tone was resolute and unwavering.

"What about parents and children, and family ties?"

"It's also calculated..."

Chen Jin looked at him and said, "So you're going to abandon your wife and children and live happily ever after with Meiniang?"

Facing his gaze, Wang Fu felt inexplicably guilty and subconsciously turned his head away, looking at Feng Yuruhui: "I didn't."

Chen Jin chuckled and said, "Brother Wang, I think you are too attached to beauty, which is not good for your cultivation."

Wang Fu explained, “Being with Meiniang is itself a form of cultivation. You may not know this, but Meiniang comes from Qingqiu Grotto-heaven and entered the Dao in fox form. Her cultivation methods are profound, which is why she entered the mortal world to find a suitable Daoist partner. The four essential elements of cultivation are wealth, partner, method, and place, and the 'partner' in this context refers to this. In fact, she has already tested many people, and only I have passed. This is my destiny to become an immortal.”

Chen Jin remained noncommittal: "You came all this way to tell me this, is it to share this joy?"

Wang Fu laughed and said, "Not only that, I also have some fantastic news to tell you."

"What good news?"

"Haha! Brother Chen, congratulations! You've also caught the eye of the beautiful lady."

"Hmm?" Chen Jin looked puzzled. "Three's a night? That's allowed?"

"No, that's not what I meant. You've misunderstood."

Wang Fu hurriedly said, "Didn't I tell you? Meiniang comes from the Qingqiu Fox Fairy Clan and has sisters from the same clan who have come out to train together. Meiniang sees your gentlemanly demeanor and wants to introduce a younger sister to you. Brother Chen, this is an opportunity that will not come again. This is a destiny for immortals, so you must seize it. From now on, you will be reborn and rise straight to the top."

Chen Jin muttered to himself, "This 'fate of immortality' seems to be done like a wholesale business..."

Wang Fu didn't hear clearly: "What did you say?"

"nothing."

"The matter of immortal destiny is something that can be encountered but not sought; it is all about fate and destiny, and the cause and effect are predetermined in the dark."

Wang Fu spoke eloquently: "First of all, we are classmates; secondly, you have passed Meiniang's test; Brother Chen, I sincerely hope to have a like-minded person like you, to walk hand in hand with you, and cultivate immortality together!"

If he hadn't learned swordsmanship and breathing techniques, Chen Jin might have actually been persuaded. But it was precisely because he crossed that threshold that he knew the world of cultivation was not as simple and wonderful as Wang Fu described.

However, Wang Fu was already deeply involved, making it difficult to reason with him.

Seeing that he remained silent, Wang Fu said, "You don't need to rush to make a decision. Think it over carefully first. In the next day or two, Sister Meiniang will come up to test you. You must be careful."

Chen Jin chuckled: "Brother Wang, please go back and tell Meiniang that there's no need to waste time and effort on any tests. We have different goals and cannot work together. I have no interest in the Qingqiu Taoist arts."

Wang Fu was taken aback and advised, "Do you really want to hide here forever, in this desolate mountain temple, wasting your life? You don't know how wonderful the Taoist arts are. Once you try them, you'll be hooked."

Chen Jin said seriously, "I do know a saying: 'Lust is a knife above one's head, and one's life is hard to keep under the influence of a pomegranate skirt.'"

This statement already clearly carries a warning or admonition.

Wang Fu's expression suddenly changed: "Brother Chen, your prejudices are too deep-rooted. You are unaware of the changing times. How are you any different from a frog in a well? What a pity."

Walk away.

Back at the thatched cottage, he entered the room and found the beauty already awake, dressing in front of the mirror. Her robes were half-undone, revealing glimpses of her skin, a sight to behold, full of alluring charm.

He immediately stepped forward and hugged her, only to see that her eyes were red and swollen, as if she had just been crying. He quickly asked, "Meiniang, what's wrong?"

Meiniang covered her face with her sleeve and sighed, "I have been devoted to my husband and have never hidden anything from him, but he went out behind my back and revealed the secret of our immortal destiny to others. It hurts me so much."

"You know it all?"

"I guessed it, and I was right on the first try, sob sob sob..."

Wang Fu quickly comforted her, "Meiniang, don't cry, it's all my fault. Sigh, Chen Jin and I have been classmates for many years and have a deep friendship. When I heard you say you had taken a liking to him, I was worried that he was a bookworm and too old-fashioned to pass the test, so I couldn't help but tell him and give him a heads-up."

Mei Niang complained, "If it's a test, it should be done unexpectedly to reveal true intentions. If I knew beforehand and prepared in advance, wouldn't that be cheating? If my sister finds out, she'll definitely blame me."

Wang Fu apologized repeatedly, saying that it would not happen again.

Mei Niang then asked, "What did Young Master Chen say?"

Wang Fu recounted what had happened, indignantly saying, "He's gone mad from reading too much; he doesn't know what's good for him and is suspicious of everything."

Mei Niang said with a charming smile, "I told you before, mortals have limited vision and knowledge, and they would be frightened if they heard such things."

Wang Fu asked, "In that case, will your sister still put on a test?"

"Maybe yes, maybe no. My sister is quirky and unpredictable."

As Mei Niang spoke, a glint of shrewdness flashed in her eyes.

With Wen Yu in his arms, Wang Fu's desires stirred, so he said no more. He wrapped his arms around the beauty's waist and began to do his good deeds right there on the dressing table.

(End of this chapter)