Becoming a Fox Spirit from Under One Person

From within the belly came the voices of the five ghosts: "We would never dare to deceive our master, but you must keep your promise and take us back to our homeland in the future."

"Don't worry about that. A fox's word is as good as his bond."

Chen Ruoan subdued the five ghosts and rode the clouds to the towering and precipitous Fanzi Cliff. To the west of the cliff was Aolai Peak.

Aolai Peak is no more than half the height of the main peak of Mount Tai, but it is sharp and rugged, with an air of arrogance that refuses to bow down to Mount Tai. Hence the folk saying: "Aolai is high, Aolai is high, up close it is as high as Mount Tai, from a distance it is only halfway up the mountain."

When Wu Cheng'en of the Ming Dynasty went to the capital to take the imperial examination, he visited the cliffside and was greatly inspired, which gave him a lot of creative inspiration for "Journey to the West". He incorporated the magnificent scenery of this place into the story.

Standing atop the peak, Chen Ruoan gazed into the distance and saw a continuous range of peaks, dark green in color, with cliffs rising sharply like swords. Ancient pines leaned against the crevices of the rocks, and the sound of the pines swirling in the mountain wind created a magnificent and awe-inspiring scene.

However, as one's gaze swept across the entire mountain peak, whether among the trees or in the caves, not a trace of unusual energy could be detected.

The fox landed on Eagle's Beak Rock, opened its mouth and exhaled a bluish-green, demonic wind, and said loudly, "May I ask if there are any great spirits residing and cultivating on Aolai Peak?"

The sound of the wind lingers in the empty valley, leaving only a faint echo, without any response.

The five ghosts from the Yin-Yang realm were polishing the stone wall day and night, unable to escape, and naturally did not know the details of Aolai Peak. Chen Ruoan then took off again and circled the mountain three times.

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Peaks and ravines, forests and caves—it saw through every place that could shelter living beings, and ultimately found no trace of any spirit dwelling there.

Aolai Peak is an empty, unclaimed mountain.

With the turbulent times, animals have far fewer opportunities to obtain Qi than before. In particular, the sounds of cannons and gunfire have a natural deterrent effect on animals. It is not easy for humans to live, and it is also difficult for animals to cultivate themselves.

Chen Ruoan stood on the summit, relying on a bit of wild animal intuition to observe the mountain and its energy.

The peak's energy-gathering formation is quite good; it's a rare and promising location, making it an ideal place to raise foxes.

"There are no spirits on the mountain, and I have nowhere to go."

"Perfect, this is the place."

The ancestral veins of Mount Tai stretch for thousands of miles, brimming with dragon energy. It is a grand structure of heaven and earth, not something a little fox could covet. For Chen Ruoan, being able to suppress this corner of Aolai Peak and carve out a celestial abode of his own would already be a tremendous success.

So here's the problem: if we're talking about building a mansion, where am I supposed to find a bunch of civil engineers who can do plastering and drawing?

"Design, foundation, and future renovations—building a self-built house is such a hassle."

As Chen Ruoan pondered the difficult problem, the ghost in his stomach heard his murmurs and asked, "Master, did you come to Mount Tai to establish a celestial abode here?"

"Exactly."

The five ghosts had worked together for many years and had long since become sworn brothers. The leader said, "Master, if you want to build a mansion, the third brother can help!"

The third of the Five Ghosts was Yao Cheng, who had led several construction teams and knew a thing or two about civil engineering design and drawing.

Upon hearing this, Chen Ruoan opened his mouth and spat out a slightly thin ghost that materialized into form.

"You have this skill?"

Yao Cheng lowered his head and replied, his voice carrying the faintness unique to ghosts, yet his reply was clear and logical: "In my previous life, I worked in civil engineering and learned some ingenious techniques from many craftsmen. I have a basic understanding of the procedures for design and construction."

As he spoke, he introduced the other four ghosts: "My eldest brother loves plants and trees the most, my second brother is an excellent cook, my fourth brother is good at finding caves and veins, and my fifth brother's carving and painting skills are passable. All five of us brothers can be of help to our master."

Chen Ruoan raised an eyebrow slightly upon hearing this.

So, does that mean I got an SSR character?

They're all incredibly talented, five perfect scores in a row!

Yao Cheng continued to bow and say, "Master, please feel free to give any instructions. If you find a suitable location, I will immediately survey the terrain and design a magnificent abode for you, one that gathers energy and is of exceptional quality."

"No rush," Chen Ruoan said, waving her paw.

Fox cultivators have a set method for worshipping the moon, which requires them to draw in the moon's essence and absorb the primordial energy of the yin.

The specific location can only be decided after nightfall when the moon rises and the place with the strongest spiritual energy is identified.

After agreeing on the arrangements for the night, the fox left its scent around Aolai Peak as a marker before returning to the summit.

Zhang Zhiwei sat idly on the stone steps leading down the mountain. Only when he saw the fox did he stand up and say, "Have you figured out the surrounding situation?"

"After a quick look around, there weren't many elves. It seems that the scene of traveling and discussing the Dao with fellow elves, which I had imagined, will not be possible."

"A fox cultivating in seclusion, that's not bad either." Zhang Zhiwei said, picking up his bundle and intending to head down the mountain.

"Weren't you supposed to be discussing the Dao with the fellow Daoists from Mount Tai? Why are you leaving the mountain so soon?"

"Mount Tai has been quite unsettled lately. The seniors probably have no interest in discussing the Dao. Junior Brother Fang seems to dislike me, so I'd better leave as soon as possible."

Even famous mountain temples were not immune to being taxed and extorted by warlords. The warlords would demand five thousand silver dollars at a time, or else they would "destroy the mountain and destroy the temple".

The group of over fifty Taoists from Mount Tai, including more than a dozen Qi cultivators, were preoccupied with this matter and had no time to entertain Zhang Zhiwei, a junior.

"I see. Then farewell." Chen Ruoan stood up, supporting himself with his legs, and clasped his hands in a respectful gesture as he picked up Fox Paw.

"Hmm, when I travel in the future, is there anything I can do to help you make a name for yourself? Do you want to be a benevolent god who punishes evil and promotes good, or a matchmaker who brings people together?"

"All is well," Chen Ruoan replied.

For practitioners, punishing evil and eliminating wickedness is their duty. Because they can see the potential for good fortune, foxes are even more adept at guiding lovers in matters of love.

Whether it's being a matchmaker or not, people's feelings for each other are still pure and simple nowadays, and there's a sense of accomplishment in helping others find a match. However, Chen Ruoan would never want to get involved in the matchmaking profession in the future.

From now on, matchmakers won't be matchmakers; they'll be turtles in a wishing well.

"With such low requirements, things are easy. I'm off." Zhang Zhiwei waved, shouldered his bag, and headed down the mountain.

Chen Ruoan stood at the top of the stone steps, silently watching them go.

The sun was high in the sky, but the mountaintop was still shrouded in a thin haze. The fox opened its mouth and blew a breath, breaking through the clouds.

In an instant, soft, fragmented light pierced through the thin shadows and spread across the stone steps in front of Zhang Zhiwei. The rosy light swirled and stretched all the way, making the road ahead open and bright.

Chen Ruoan gazed at her from afar across the long stone steps, her voice low and tinged with a touch of sincerity: "The journey from Jiangxi to Shandong took nearly two months, neither long nor short. Thank you for accompanying me along the way."

Seeing that it was already bright daylight, Zhang Zhiwei chuckled softly and slowly turned around.

He raised his hand to straighten his Taoist robe, bowed deeply towards the mountain peak, and said, "Thank you, Fox. Farewell."

One was a fox, the other a path; one was on a mountaintop, the other on the road. And so they parted ways.

Chen Ruoan narrowed his eyes, gazing intently into the depths of his mind—

The Prayer Tree shone brightly, and the Destiny Certificate engraved with Zhang Zhiwei's name hung among its branches, its light becoming even more dazzling.

"Given this situation, I suppose we'll meet again someday."

Or perhaps, some unexpected stories will happen.

Anyway, until we meet again.