Becoming a Fox Spirit from Under One Person

"It's not easy for animals to obtain Qi. They finally awaken their intelligence. Why don't you stay put and cultivate? Why go and harm people? At the very least, you might as well come and force me."

Chen Ruoan jumped off the altar and sniffed the fox corpse. It was the familiar scent, the only difference being the absence of the alluring sex pheromones that drove the fox mad. It must have long passed its mating season.

Zhang Zhiwei picked up the red fox, shook his head and said, "Birds of a feather flock together, and autumn cries are also sad. There are some things I won't say in front of the little black fox. Old man, please come with me first."

"Oh, please feel free to ask if you need anything, Daoist Master."

After leaving the temple, Zhang Zhiwei gave the fox to the old man: "This red fox has excellent fur and color. It can fetch a good price in the city. I have no intention of killing it, but it is still a harmful animal. Please give the money from the sale to the poor family who suffered."

"Don't worry, Master, leave it to me. We neighbors will try our best to help out the little kid."

"Thank you for your trouble."

"Thank you, Master Zhang."

···

At the feet of the exposed clay statue, Chen Ruoan stared blankly at the emerging spring colors outside the door.

There's no time to lament the death of the Red Fox; the most urgent task is to figure out the path forward.

There exists something called Primordial Qi in this world, and all living beings in the world possess Qi within their bodies.

Those who obtain and cultivate Qi are called "extraordinary people," while animals that obtain and cultivate Qi are called "spirits."

Spiritual practice requires a certain level of understanding and mental fortitude. Animals are not born with the mental capacity that humans have developed, and they need to encounter a great opportunity to cross the threshold of spiritual practice.

Once animals successfully attain Qi, because of their pure nature and undiminished spirituality, their progress may be faster than that of humans.

Chen Ruoan's situation is very awkward.

Most spiritual practices have the methods of patriarchs to follow, such as the "dual cultivation of mind and body" of the Quanzhen School, the Golden Light Mantra and Thunder Magic of Longhu Mountain, the Qi and Fire of the Huode School, and the Buddhist practices of taking refuge and awakening to one's true nature...

But foxes are different; there are no ready-made templates for fox cultivation to refer to.

As far as Chen Ruoan knew, there were no noble families of foxes in the world, such as Tushan, Qingqiu, Yousu, or Chunhu, nor was there a Taishan Goddess who was in charge of evaluating all foxes in the world. The only fox cultivation force he could think of was Changbai Mountain in the Northeast.

"Going to Changbai Mountain would be a good idea."

In Northeast China, the belief in the Five Immortals is strong among shamans, and those who perform the ritual of "walking on the spirits" are the group that respects "spirits" the most among shamans.

If one could find a celestial abode in Changbai Mountain, their status would be worlds apart.

Outside, if you call me a wild fox or a fox spirit, I won't argue with you. But here in Northeast China, what should you call me?

Immortals!

The immortals who can eat incense offerings!

Hehe~

Chen Ruoan's mind wandered, but the harsh reality of his predicament was also before him—

The journey from Longhu Mountain to Changbai Mountain is a full five thousand miles. How can a frail little black fox, who is nothing but cute, avoid disaster and cross this distant mountain and sea?

Is it all about acting cute?

As Chen Ruoan hesitated, the young Taoist priest returned, tossed the bundle he was carrying on a bamboo pole onto a pile of straw in the corner, stretched out his arms, yawned, and lay down comfortably.

Zhang Zhiwei turned his head and glanced at the fox on the altar: "You haven't left yet? Is this your den? I'm truly sorry to bother you. Perhaps I should rest here for a while and continue my journey when the sun is high in the sky. Lack of sleep is a major taboo in cultivation. I was just woken up too early."

"Was that red fox your mate? Do foxes even have any romantic love? It seems that male foxes only stay with female foxes for one breeding season, and then they will choose another mate... Hmm... saying 'a good mate' doesn't seem quite right."

"You live in the mountains and have a small temple to shelter you from the wind and rain, but I will be wandering from now on, without even a place to sleep. My master sent me out to travel for a year to experience the coldness and warmth of the world and temper my heart. But what kind of world is this? My master is really willing to give me up."

「···」

"My fellow disciples are quite pleased. These guys always say I talk too much and can't keep my mouth shut. Little fox, tell me, am I talkative?"

······

Zhang Zhiwei spoke eloquently, recounting the events of nearly three years in just five or six minutes. Chen Ruoan, listening intently, raised her paw and pressed down on a pair of ears that were standing up high.

Everyone says that Zhang Zhiwei in Longhu Mountain has the loosest mouth and speaks without restraint, but I didn't expect that in addition to being a "big mouth", he also talks so much.

Despite the argument, after Zhang Zhiwei's incessant rambling, Chen Ruoan managed to piece together the timeline, which was around 1924.

Three years ago, in order to suppress Zhang Zhiwei's arrogance, Celestial Master Zhang Jingqing took him around to spar and seek a Daoist partner. As a result, Zhang Zhiwei defeated all the masters of his generation from various sects without ever being defeated.

In the same year, at the Lu family's birthday banquet, Zhang Zhiwei slapped the once-famous Lu Jin until he cried, thus gaining widespread fame.

Two years ago, Zhang Jingqing sensed that Huaiyi harbored treacherous intentions. After some investigation, she bestowed upon him the surname "Zhang," confirmed his status as the successor to the Celestial Master, and passed on her thunder magic.

This year, Zhang Huaiyi and Zhang Zhiwei had a nighttime martial arts sparring match, and Zhang Huaiyi was easily defeated. Zhang Jingqing knew that Zhang Zhiwei was already invincible among his peers, so she asked him to go down the mountain and travel for a year to experience the vicissitudes of life and cultivate his mind.

Today is the second day of Zhang Zhiwei's training after descending the mountain.

"Fox, given time, if you understand the Qi sensation and formally embark on cultivation, do not act like the red fox of today, committing all sorts of evil deeds. Drinking blood and eating flesh, absorbing vital energy and stealing life force—these methods are quick to take effect, but they are the easiest to accumulate karmic obstacles, and in the end, you will not escape divine retribution."

"That being said, animals find it hardest to suppress their instincts. If you're willing to leave this little place, why don't you travel with me? With me by your side, I can keep an eye on you."

Zhang Zhiwei put his arms under his head and looked to the side. The black fox actually covered its drooping fox ears with its paws.

"Even the foxes think I talk too much? It's only the second day, who knows how many more boring days I'll have to endure. If we're meant to be..."

That's it.

What does a fox know?

Zhang Zhiwei closed his eyes and went back to sleep.

缘？

Upon hearing the word "fate" drift into Chen Ruoan's ears, he opened his narrow eyes. A faint, elegant red spiritual light condensed into a line, drifting from Zhang Zhiwei's body and landing in his mind.

The little black fox's soul was illuminated by a ray of spiritual light, and before its eyes appeared a precious tree with lush green leaves, its branches and leaves as abundant as a canopy, covered with precious prayer slips, and fluttering red silks blooming like flowers on the canopy.

Most of the treasure scrolls were white, except for one on the eastern branch, which emitted a faint, ethereal blue glow.

The thread that originated from Zhang Zhiwei was tied to the Azure Treasure Tablet in the tree; gently pulling the thread seemed to be enough to yank it off.

"My innate divine power! Holy crap, Su Daji! Could this be my cheat code?"