Don't farm, cultivate immortality!

Chapter 311 Simple Happiness

The panda's transformation was so lifelike, every single hair was exquisitely detailed. If it weren't for the white tail, Zhuang Xing wouldn't have been able to tell the difference at all.

"Mr. Bai, you are truly skilled," Zhuang Xing couldn't help but praise.

This is not a trick, but a genuine transformation into a panda by shrinking his bones and fur.

Like a panda, although it can transform into a tiger, it is merely using magic to create an illusory scene, like a lion or dragon dance on the street, wearing a tiger skin.

The transformed tiger had many flaws. As long as one remained calm and bold, it was not difficult to see that it was fake and could not possibly have the strength to pounce on a person like a real tiger. It was merely a figment of imagination.

Most demons with shallow cultivation levels merely use similar illusions to transform. It's not that if they transform into birds, they can flap their wings and fly away, or if they transform into fish, they can swim freely in the water. What they were originally, they remain the same after the transformation.

Mr. Bai's method is much more profound. It seems that he has completely transformed into a panda, inside and out.

The panda leaped off the stool, its trajectory a streamlined arc before Zhuang Xing's eyes, and Mr. Bai gracefully jumped down.

"It's been a long time since I've looked like this." Bai rolled on the ground, then chased his own tail twice. "I need to get used to it before I can teach you the panda breathing technique."

Zhuang Xing had an urge to reach out and rub them hard, but he suppressed it and said, "I'll go call them now."

He turned and went to the yard to call for people. It was early summer afternoon, not yet so hot. Pandas like to sunbathe. After eating and washing the pots, they would go to the roof or the eaves of the yard to lie down for a while and take a nap.

In fact, wild red pandas are also nocturnal, spending most of their time sleeping in their dens during the day and only coming out to forage in the early morning and evening.

If they hadn't come to Qingxuan Mountain and lived among humans, the five brothers wouldn't have changed their lifestyle to be like humans.

When Zhuang Xing arrived in the courtyard, five pandas were neatly lying in a corner on the edge of the wooden plank. The shadow of the eaves perfectly covered their hindquarters, and their round heads rested in the sun, peacefully basking in the sunlight.

The panda squinted its eyes, drooped its ears, and purred softly, clearly enjoying itself.

Zhuang Xing went up and tapped each of them on the forehead.

The panda immediately opened its eyes and looked at him in confusion.

"Wake up, everyone, come inside with me."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The pandas weren't grumpy when they woke up. As little demons under the king's command, they were always loyal and dutiful. At Zhuang Xing's command, they followed behind him in a row.

But once inside, they were startled to see their kind chasing their tails in circles. They quickly approached their kind and sniffed them.

For a moment they were a little confused. It tasted white, but it looked just like them.

"Your Majesty, why did you choose another panda?"

"Your Majesty, don't you want us anymore?"

The panda looked up at Zhuang Xing.

Two others tried to talk to him.

"where u from?"

Why is your tail white?

"Your tail is so pretty, may I touch it?"

"Go ahead and pet it," Bai said casually, lowering its tail.

"Don't be rude," Zhuang Xing interjected. "This is Mr. Bai in disguise as a panda. He called you here because he wants to teach you the cultivation methods of the Red Panda Demon Clan."

"Such an opportunity is rare, so you must not be careless and listen carefully to Mr. Bai's teachings."

Upon hearing his shout, the pandas all retracted their claws.

Although they are usually lazy, they never disobey Zhuang Xing's words.

Seeing that they were standing in an orderly fashion, Zhuang Xingcai respectfully said, "Mr. Bai, please impart the Dharma."

Bai reluctantly tucked in its tail and stood up on its two legs.

"Follow my movements and do it together," Bai said, hands on his hips.

The pandas pricked up their ears and stood up.

Bai stretched out her limbs, which looked like some kind of calisthenics. The five pandas clumsily followed along with her movements. At first, they were a little awkward, but after a while, their movements became very smooth.

There are several moves here that are impossible for humans to do because they involve using a tail.

In many places, the tail is required to function properly. The red panda's tail is thick and bushy. When fully extended, it is almost as long as its body. The tail is an important organ for them, allowing them to maintain balance while running and climbing, and it can also be used to shoo away mosquitoes.

The body-strengthening exercises that Bai performed could not have been refined by someone without a tail.

It was indeed a method developed by the Red Panda Demon Clan; in no time, the pandas were getting into the swing of things.

This method is quite simple and easy to understand, and there are no difficult or obscure formulas. It relies entirely on the coordination of the body and breathing to refine true qi, which is a natural skill for pandas.

Although the five little guys in the family are not as smart as humans, their coordination and motor skills are beyond the reach of many people.

They grasped the trick and practiced punching along with Bai for quite a while.

After about half an hour, they were panting heavily from exhaustion.

"You lot have good comprehension, no wonder you are born and raised as panda demons." Bai nodded with satisfaction. "Let's stop here for today. Go down and practice this method on your own. The spiritual energy on this mountain is very strong. With your comprehension, as long as you don't slack off, in another ten or eight years, you can also transform into human form and live to the same age as humans."

"Thank you very much, Mr. Bai," Zhuang Xing said.

"Thank you, Mr. Bai."

At Zhuang Xing's prompting, the pandas bowed with their little paws and thanked him in unison.

After practicing for a while, they all felt a warm current in their bodies, knowing that this method would bring them many benefits.

When others feed them dried fish, they roll around and act cute to express their gratitude. They should naturally thank others for being kind to them.

Having lived in the human world for more than three years, they have also learned some human etiquette by imitation.

"No problem, no problem," Bai said.

Having taught them the methods, the pandas were tired and went to get water from their own bowls.

Bai, without even breaking a sweat, looked at the bamboo wheels by the wall and seemed to suddenly become interested. In his panda form, he stepped into one of the bamboo wheels and strolled around for a couple of steps.

Seeing the bamboo wheel start spinning, his eyes lit up, and he started running around as if it were a toy, sometimes slowly and sometimes fast.

Zhuang Xing initially thought that he had only seen the thing temporarily and had a slight curiosity about it, but he didn't expect that he would play with the bamboo wheel until it was time to eat, having a great time.

Zhuang Xing remarked that happiness can sometimes be that simple.

Seeing this made him want to get a bigger wheel so he could run around on his own.

Chapter 312 People Know How to Enjoy Themselves the Most

Several days have passed since Mr. Bai taught the Panda Technique that day.

Zhuang Xing became increasingly interested in the matter of the demon race. He felt that there was much to be done about it. With years of heavy snow, even those who knew how to farm and herd livestock were in trouble. Those backward demon races probably wouldn't fare any better.

The reason why the demon race went into seclusion was to continue their lineage. If seclusion could not ensure the continuation of their species, then why bother with seclusion at all?

He felt it necessary to conduct a comprehensive investigation of these demon races. This was not a spur-of-the-moment decision; he had promised to convince the masters of Xuanqing Temple to let him go willingly, so he naturally had to produce some tangible results.

It was fine before he didn't know about the demon race, but now that he does, he wants to conduct a targeted investigation and take action against them.

The person who understands the demon race best among his companions is none other than Mr. Bai. In the mountains, Mr. Bai was very easy to talk to. After coming to this mountain, he has spent more than ten days with him. Every day, Zhuang Xing changes the dishes to cook for the guests, frying, stir-frying, stewing, making cakes, steamed buns, tea and pastries, and he puts a lot of effort into everything.

Although Senior Qing's relationship with him was lukewarm, Mr. Bai got along very well with him. Sometimes, when he was in the mood, he would go to the kitchen to help him start the fire, watch him cook, and lend a hand.

Zhuang Xing felt it was time to ask Mr. Bai about the demon race, so he borrowed two fine fishing rods from Master Wu and invited Mr. Bai to go fishing in a quiet lake in the mountains.

Mr. Bai readily agreed, and that morning, Zhuang Xing took him to the back mountain.

It was already the seventh day of the sixth lunar month. The sky was clear and blue, with only a few white clouds drifting in the wind.

There was a thunderstorm yesterday, and the ground is a bit muddy.

The lake is not large; it is located halfway up the mountain and is formed by the convergence of spring water from the mountain.

It is surrounded by a pine forest, where squirrels leap among the branches.

The lake water was crystal clear, nestled in the shade of the trees, with moist and cool air. It was also a water source for wild animals in the mountains, and on the other side of the lake, a deer was drinking water.

Several tits landed among the decaying leaves, used their beaks to lift the leaves, pecked out the insects hidden beneath, and swallowed them.

Zhuang Xing and Bai walked by, carrying fishing rods and bamboo baskets for fishing. This place was rarely visited by people. Pilgrims who only took the long path of bluestone steps would never come to such a place.

The mountain sparrows rarely see people, and if disturbed, they should fly away immediately. However, even when two people walked by, the sparrows seemed completely unaware.

When the two arrived at the lakeside, the fawn had finished drinking and looked up. Only then did it notice two people running up beside it. Immediately, it lifted its slender legs and hopped away in a flustered manner.

Zhuang Xing smiled and put down the two small stools, handing a fishing rod to Mr. Bai.

These days, fishing rods are rarely made of iron; most are simple fishing rods made of thin bamboo. Iron is not cheap to begin with, and only professional swordsmiths like Master Wu have the leisure to use iron to make fishing rods.

This fishing rod is even telescopic, with a total of six sections. When it's shortened to its shortest length, it's still long enough for your arm. When it's extended to its longest length, it's about the length of two zhuangxing (a traditional Chinese fishing rod), almost four meters long. It's quite ingeniously made.

The fishing line is also made of strong silk and cotton linen, thin yet resilient. This fishing rod is a real gem; you can't buy it anywhere else.

Zhuang Xing hung bait on his fishing rod, but instead of meat bait, he used small dough balls with shredded chicken.

The two sat down, cast their long fishing rods, and waited patiently for the small fish to bite.

This waiting time is perfect for casual conversation.

Zhuang Xing had been preparing for this opportunity for several days. He had considered everything in detail. In addition to the fishing gear, he had also baked shortbread, bought candied fruit, and braised five catties of beef in advance.

He had a small stove hanging from his waist. He put down the bronze stove, poured out a few pieces of coal from his bag, and lit the fire using a fire-starting technique.

He then placed a porcelain vessel containing wine on the stove, untied the gourd from his waist, and poured out the pale yellow, translucent wine.

This wine is a fruit wine brewed by Yunling. The monkey wine they tasted in Hundred Flowers Valley still lingers in their minds. After leaving Hundred Flowers Valley, they never tasted such good spiritual wine again. The wine and food sold down the mountain were mostly coarse wines made with rough techniques. After tasting the fine wine, they always felt that the bland rice wine with its heavy taste was not quite right. So Yunling tried to brew wine herself.

This fruit wine is a preliminary product. During the blending process, some spiritual fruits were used. Although it cannot compare to the monkey wine of Hundred Flowers Valley, it is still mellow and sweet, and has the effect of strengthening the body and heart. For ordinary people, it can be considered a "divine brew".

Zhuang Xing used the stove to heat the wine, and then placed a small dish on it, putting the sliced ​​braised beef into the dish. After the wine was heated, the aroma of the wine filled the air.

Zhuang Xing poured the slightly warm wine into two bowls and said, "Mr. Bai, please."

Bai was happily drinking and eating meat, thoroughly enjoying himself.

"Our ancestors said that people know how to enjoy life, and today I've truly experienced that."

"Since Mr. Bai is a guest, we should naturally treat him well."

"This meat is delicious, much better than the beef I've had before." Bai reached out and grabbed the meat.