Becoming a Fox Spirit from Under One Person

A few days later, a spring rain completely extinguished the lingering chill of winter, and the mountains and fields turned into a pleasing warm green.

Chen Ruoan guided the growth of wild vines and thorns, and with his ability to observe the mountains and their surroundings, he planned the layout of the mountains for the people in the area.

This change took nearly five months.

Once the layout was complete, the entrance was a place where yin energy accumulated. The cave was extremely narrow at first, barely wide enough for one person to pass through. After walking several dozen steps, it suddenly opened up into a bright and spacious area.

Although there weren't many well-maintained houses, it could still be described as a secluded paradise with fertile fields, mulberry trees, and bamboo groves.

Gazing at the magnificent scene, Zhao Shanhai exclaimed, "This is truly a miraculous feat!"

Chen Ruoan smiled and said, "With favorable timing and fertile land, as long as people are willing to work hard, this land will eventually see the revival of all things. However, the transformation of thought and the awakening of people's hearts cannot be achieved overnight."

"You have a long road ahead and heavy responsibilities on your shoulders. When you have accomplished great things in the future, and look back at these few acres of land today, you will probably think that they were just an insignificant beginning on your journey."

Zhao Shanhai shook his head: "It's not insignificant. Mr. An, are you really not considering taking us another trip?"

"A leader will emerge from among you to guide you forward."

"What if one day we feel lost again?"

Chen Ruoan leaped lightly out, stepping on the green vines.

"Then, let's pray to the fox again."

···

Today marks the day the fox decides to leave the Liangshan area.

The Feng family father and son, along with a group of Liangshan shamans, bid farewell in the Feng family courtyard. The remaining four ghosts and Zhao Shanhai were talking about something. There was a memorial tablet enshrined in the mountains, so the farewell seemed to be a rather unsad matter.

For the Liangshan shamans, the fact that the fox had not made a contract with anyone was a great blessing.

Otherwise, if the fox really does end up with someone else, the remaining people will probably have to live with envy every day.

Chen Ruoan said to Tiansheng and Tianyang, "It is certainly a joyous occasion that the two little ones are gifted with extraordinary talents, but they should not be arrogant or look down on others. In the future, even if they cannot achieve sainthood through nine thoughts, they should at least think thrice before acting."

"Especially you, don't pry into your elders' privacy, and don't learn any strange things."

Feng Tianyang was singled out.

"That's because Auntie shouted too loudly..." Feng Tianyang muttered softly.

"Alright, farewell."

With a flick of its tail, Chen Ruoan soared into the sky, stepping on the clouds.

When the fox first came to Liangshan, it faced the northwest wind. Now, heading east, it faces the humid southwest airflow. Both times, it is in a situation of fighting against the wind.

After Zhao Shanhai stayed behind, the Five Ghosts lost their eldest brother, and Zhong Lao Er automatically rose in seniority.

Throughout the journey, Chen Ruoan listened to the four ghosts sigh and lament.

"Is the sorrow of parting really that heavy?" the fox asked.

"Sigh~"

The four ghosts sighed in unison. They were following Chen Ruoan, but they were still living under his roof. It seemed that they could not find a cause to which they were willing to dedicate their "ghostly lives" like their eldest brother.

Unwilling to return to heaven and earth, yet with no clear path forward, I drift aimlessly, lost in a daze...

"Speak plainly. You are vengeful ghosts, not resentful women."

"I just feel a bit empty inside."

Chen Ruoan became curious, never expecting the four ghosts to use such avant-garde language. As ghosts who no longer faced survival difficulties, they began to consider their spiritual needs.

Among the four ghosts, Yao Cheng is all alone and has no attachment to his homeland. In fact, the five ghosts have already completed their karmic connections, and the fox really has no time to help find the value of "ghost life".

"If you continue to follow me, you can stay wherever you want and shine wherever you wish."

Instead of heading towards Mount Tai in a straight line, Chen Ruoan went east, heading straight for Jinxi Village.

Since their bond was formed, the villagers of Jinxi have been hardworking and diligent, and their offerings to the fox have never ceased. With autumn approaching, the fox, who has just acquired the power of the wood element, is ready to bestow upon Jinxi Village a bountiful harvest.

On the way, we passed by Longhu Mountain, where we could catch up with Zhang Zhiwei and take a look at the Fox Fairy Hall in the mountains.

The fox traveled at a leisurely pace, covering more than three thousand miles. August had passed, and the tail end of September was approaching. He entered the border region of Jiangxi and soon saw a mountainous area.

The entire mountain forest was shrouded in a thick layer of mist.

"What a strange place."

At this moment, the autumn sun is shining brightly and the mountains should be covered with a clear autumn scene, so why is there an inescapable fog?

Chen Ruoan's golden eyes flashed as he used his "Observation Method" to perceive the mountains and fields, only to see blurry blue lines forming perfect circles in the mountains.

The inner layer of the circle is a perfectly formed seven-pointed star, with the tips pointing to the east, south, west, north, and four corners. Between the rings, runes are densely engraved.

It looks like something from Western alchemy.

Chen Ruoan lowered his altitude, and as soon as he entered the mountain, he opened his mouth and exhaled a demonic wind.

Strangely, the fog seemed unaffected by the wind, its trajectory remaining unchanged.

Swish!

In an instant, three crescent-shaped sword energies slashed out from the depths of the dense forest.

With a thought, Chen Ruoan guided the growth of the plants in the mountain with her Qi. Several thick tree trunks crossed and intercepted the sword energy, annihilating it along with the sword energy.

With another attempt, the roots in the soil surged and tried to entangle the figure in the forest, but the creature instantly vanished, approaching Chen Ruoan with unpredictable traces like flowing clouds.

The fox and the human were both stunned the moment they met.

"Brother Fox?"

"Is it Lin Zifeng...?"

The fox was a little uncertain. The person in front of him had almost no youthful vigor. Beneath his white hair were a pair of incredibly resolute eyes, and his face showed the maturity of someone who had experienced many hardships.

If it really is Lin Zifeng, it's hard to imagine what he went through.

Clang!

Lin Zifeng sheathed his sword and stood not far away.

"Brother Fox, what brings you to Nine Dragons Mountain?"

"Is it really you? I'd like to ask you, what happened to you?"

Chen Ruoan then realized that the phrase "aged overnight" was probably not an exaggeration at all.

Lin Zifeng smiled, a hint of sadness lingering in his eyes, and replied, "Brother Fox told me to go northeast, so I went to Xingguo and met many like-minded friends. After March of this year, the situation changed, and I lost many more friends."

Chen Ruoan then asked, "So, how has this year been for you?"

"To protect, and to kill. Having found a reason to wield the sword, I stopped painting."

Chen Ruoan scrutinized Lin Zifeng, and this time the boy's smile was completely genuine.

His demeanor exuded unwavering determination and fearless courage. Even the fox was intrigued; what kind of swordsmanship lay hidden beneath such an air of integrity?

Chen Ruoan looked around and continued to press, "What are you doing here?"

"kill."

"Who to kill?"

"Damn it." Lin Zifeng's answer was as simple and straightforward as ever.

The fox twisted its body and darted through the forest. Visibility was already very low in the vicinity, and with the towering peaks and ancient trees of Jiulong Mountain, as well as its sheer cliffs and deep ravines, the difficulty of traversing this area was unimaginable.

Chen Ruoan checked around and then circled back to Lin Zifeng's side.

"Just asking, the use of alchemical arrays to create a fog is probably intended to obstruct vision and disrupt the journey. Since it's a Western invention, with foreign support, there's only one thing I can think of."

"Mm." Lin Zifeng nodded.

A group of troops was passing through the mountains. Due to the arrogance and carelessness of the enemy forces, by the time they realized the destination of the troops, it was too late to catch up. Therefore, they sent several alchemists to set up a trap to slow down the troops' march.

Of course, information about this group of people was top secret, and Lin Zifeng could not reveal even the slightest detail.

Even if it's a fox in front of you, that won't do.