Becoming a Fox Spirit from Under One Person

A lone fox must always be careful when it comes to its own safety. Chen Ruoan knows that he is a treasure trove, and whether it is a hunter, a Fury, or a wizard, they will all be envious and covetous of him.

"We'll talk about it once you've prepared your tools," Chen Ruoan replied.

It's just having someone draw the image on paper; it's harmless.

"Thank you. Let me demonstrate a few sword moves for you to see."

Lin Zifeng drew his sword and unleashed the Flowing Cloud Sword Technique. In an instant, the sword light flowed lightly like a stream, the sword's momentum alternating between slow and fast, rising and falling without the slightest hesitation, each move swift and elegant.

Chen Ruoan stood to the side, not gesturing with his fox paws, but quietly observing, silently engraving those clearest starting stances and turning moves into his mind.

After resting, the fox and the human decided to travel together for the time being.

After rounding a bend in the mountain, Chen Ruoan saw two disheveled women supporting each other, stumbling and running wildly eastward.

The younger one had a vacant look in his eyes and seemed mentally confused. He kept muttering incoherently, repeatedly uttering words like "blood pill" and "dregs of medicine," which made people's hearts tighten.

Chen Ruoan and Lin Zifeng stopped in their tracks and looked back in confusion. They only slowly looked away when the two women's staggering figures gradually disappeared into the woods.

"Something happened?" Lin Zifeng asked.

"In today's world, there are no constraints on extraordinary people, and each region relies entirely on righteous people to maintain order, which inevitably leads to many evil practitioners slipping through the net."

"Kill them if you encounter them, and forge your sword heart."

"No problem."

The man and the fox continued along the mountain path until they reached a gentle slope surrounded by ancient pines.

There is a Taoist temple with green tiles hidden in the woods. The three characters "Qingfeng Temple" are written in clerical script on the lintel. The wooden couplets on both sides are engraved with "Qingfeng cleanses worldly thoughts, the Taoist temple contains a tranquil mind". The copper bells on the eaves sway gently, making a soft and clear sound, which is quite leisurely.

"The name of this Taoist temple is not good," Chen Ruoan said for no apparent reason.

"It is indeed a very common name for a temple."

As the fox was watching, two figures walked out of the temple gate.

They were a middle-aged couple.

The couple wore genuine smiles; the woman carried a cloth bag, and the man had a small cloth jacket draped over his shoulder. They walked with light and quick steps.

Chen Ruoan stepped forward and asked with a smile, "You two seem so happy; could it be that the deities in this temple are exceptionally efficacious?"

"Oh my, the fox has spoken! Fox spirit, fox spirit!" The two bowed, but waved their hands repeatedly.

"The fox spirit is mistaken. There is no benevolent deity like you in this temple." The man spoke with a slight accent, his tone honest and sincere, his eyes filled with gratitude.

"There are no immortals or gods here; it's just that the old Taoist priest in the temple is kind-hearted."

The woman chimed in, "These days there's been a great famine, and wars are raging everywhere. We're starving, and we can barely feed our two children. We were so worried when the Taoist priest at the temple heard about it and offered to take a few of us as his disciples. He'll provide food and lodging and even teach us to read. It's a huge relief for us."

The fox laughed and said, "Judging by such a kind heart, he must be a highly accomplished sage."

"The fox spirit is right." The two nodded in agreement and then took their leave.

Lin Zifeng raised his hand and touched his chapped lips, his Adam's apple bobbing dryly.

I've been chasing the fox using the "Jumping Bead" swinging sword technique of the Flowing Cloud Sword, and haven't had a proper drink of water. I'm really thirsty.

He glanced at the copper bells on the eaves of Qingfeng Temple, then turned to Chen Ruoan and said, "Since the abbot is kind-hearted, I suppose he would be willing to give us a few bowls of water."

After saying that, he walked towards the gate and knocked a few times.

The door creaked open a crack, and a boy with his hair in a topknot peeked out, his face beaming with a clean smile.

"What can I do for you, benefactor?"

"May I have a bowl of water?"

The boy blinked, not daring to let them pass easily, when a hoarse voice came from deep inside the temple.

"Who's outside?"

"Reporting to Master!" The boy immediately turned around, "They've come to ask for water, a young hero, and...and a fox!"

"A fox?" The hoarse voice paused abruptly. "Since they're asking for water, take a few bowls over. Don't be negligent."

The fox secretly glanced inside the temple.

The bluestone path was swept clean, and several pots of withered chrysanthemums were placed on both sides. The incense table in the central hall was empty, without even half a stick of incense, making it look particularly desolate.

Is the abbot in deep meditation?

"My master knows some divination skills. Some time ago, he predicted that a calamity was coming, so he has been hiding in the temple these past few days, trying to avoid the calamity and refusing to show his face easily."

"What nonsense are you spouting?" The old Taoist priest urged from inside the temple, "Go and return quickly!"

"Yes!" the boy hurriedly replied, then turned and darted into the temple.

Quite some time passed before he finally came running out, clutching two rough porcelain bowls filled with clear water.

Lin Zifeng reached out to take it, but when he saw the boy's action, a look of bewilderment appeared on his face.

The boy made no attempt to hide anything, boldly sticking his thumbs into the bowl with his fingertips, which he unconsciously stirred in the water.

"Local customs?" Lin Zifeng asked.

"Please have a drink, benefactor."

Lin Zifeng frowned. Although people in the martial arts world are known for their roughness and the saying "a little dirt won't hurt you," there was no reason to treat guests like this. It was far too sloppy.

"Are you going to drink it or not? If not, I'll take it all."

Chen Ruoan opened her fox-like mouth slightly, and the clear water in the bowl swirled into a thin stream, flowing gently into her stomach.

After saying "Thanks," the fox leaped away and headed towards the mountain path.

Seeing this, Lin Zifeng quickly chased after him.

"Brother Fox, that boy is acting strangely. He's handing us water so casually, it's like he's deliberately trying to keep it from us. Besides, what kind of disciple would so readily reveal their master's escape from calamity? That's highly unusual. Aren't you even slightly worried that something's been added to the water?"

The fox tilted its head. "Why are you talking so much this time?"

"I... cough cough." Lin Zifeng coughed a few times.

Chen Ruoan opened his mouth and spat out the water hidden in his belly onto the ground.

The fox's demon core can detoxify, and ordinary poisons cannot affect Chen Ruoan at all. But this time Lin Zifeng guessed wrong. They were indeed two bowls of ordinary water, and there was no poison in the water.

"Are you kidding me?"

"uncertain."

"What happened?"

"I'll take a look tonight," Chen Ruoan said.

The fox is cautious. Knowing the notorious villain Liang Ting's viciousness and methods makes him easier to deal with. What it fears is what hidden dragons and serpents might be lurking in this world.

"I'll go," Lin Zifeng volunteered.

Upholding justice is the duty of a sword cultivator. Moreover, if the black fox's glossy fur were to curl up for any reason, it would greatly affect the visual appeal when drawing it.

Seeing Lin Zifeng's eager look, the fox couldn't refuse. But just as it was about to respond, the fox smelled a strong stench of blood.