Becoming a Fox Spirit from Under One Person.

The memorial tablet was completely silent, and no figure of the master appeared in the smoke; everything was quiet.

But Zhang Huaiyi was able to vividly imagine his master standing before him:

If he had returned to the mountain back then, his master would have been so angry that his beard would have bristled, and he would have reprimanded him sternly with his hands behind his back. After the reprimand, he would have used his power to protect the wicked disciple who had caused such a disaster.

My master is that kind of person—tough on the outside but soft on the inside, and deeply protective of his children.

Zhang Zhiwei stood in front of the ancestral hall, his gaze falling on Zhang Huaiyi's kneeling, solitary figure. Then he turned to the fox-like figure beside him and laughed, "As expected of you, you've managed to entice Huaiyi out again in just a few months."

Chen Ruoan replied, "As someone who bears the 'Celestial Master's Degree,' you are bound by too many constraints, and there are many things you are powerless to do. In comparison, I am unrestrained and may be more likely to gain some trust."

"Speaking of which, is the current Heavenly Daoist truly a being who has achieved enlightenment through human means, or is his Daoist name derived from the meaning of 'severing the connection between heaven and earth'?"

Chen Ruoan thought of the monkeys in the Twenty-Four Heavenly Valley—

The monkeys outside the valley, unwilling to be shut out, tried their best to step into the valley where opportunities lay; the monkeys inside the valley, having seized the resources, blocked every outsider.

Monkeys from outside the valley wander in, and before long they become the new "gatekeeper monkeys," maintaining the old order. A cycle similar to "the dragon slayer becomes the dragon" plays out repeatedly in the valley, never ceasing.

Fox sometimes wonders whether the leaders of the various schools that have preserved orthodox traditions can be considered "gatekeeper monkeys" in Tongtian Valley.

Zhang Zhiwei fell silent, stroking his beard for a long time before finally speaking with a sigh: "Humanity is connected to Heaven, but I am just a mortal, and I dare not make such grand pronouncements. The connection between Heaven and Earth has been severed. How many of the legends of those who ascended to immortality throughout history are actually true? The separation of gods and humans may not necessarily be a bad thing. At the very least, things above cannot become the source of calamity in the lower realm."

"Fox, I think that looking at the past from this perspective, I'm afraid you were involved too much back then, and a battle between us would be inevitable."

After 1944, along with the news of the emergence of the "Eight Extraordinary Skills," a similar rumor circulated within the circle:

The Xuan Tian Emperor experienced a truly heart-wrenching tragedy. He once traveled alone to the Twenty-Four Solar Terms Valley in search of immortal traces. Some say he was trying to resurrect someone, but in the end he didn't understand anything. After three days of seclusion, he emerged from the valley exhausted and extremely weak.

With the fox's natural talent, it could naturally see the wonders of the mortal realm, which was what Zhang Zhiwei admired. The fox had accumulated countless blessings without a trace of blemish, and it would not easily do anything to disrupt the order of the mortal world.

"So what? Are you afraid of losing?" Chen Ruoan asked with a smile.

No, the fox should say something like, "Zhang Zhiwei, have you ever lost?"

"Ha, you want me to lose? Wait until you retrieve what you left in the valley."

"I'm really curious which 'insider' spread the rumors in the industry. How come all the big shots in the industry knew about what I did in private, just like what I published in popular books?"

Zhang Zhiwei gestured to Tian Jinzhong beside him: "I guessed it. You can resolve the hidden injuries caused by Master Zuo's cultivation of 'Reverse Life,' but you can't cleanly and efficiently heal Old Tian's injuries. That doesn't make sense. I can only guess that when you met Old Tian, ​​your strength was much weaker than before. To put it more conservatively, your healing methods have become weaker."

"Not weak at all!" Tian Jinzhong exclaimed, swinging his arm. "Although he has lost all his cultivation, his arms and legs are still nimble, just like an ordinary person. When his limbs were severed and his meridians were destroyed, I was really afraid that I would spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair."

Looking at the radiant Tian Jinzhong, Chen Ruoan had to admit that old Tian was truly pitiful.

In the original storyline, Tian Jinzhong was captured, and a group of thugs tortured him severely in order to force him to reveal Zhang Huaiyi's whereabouts. However, in the current storyline, Chen Ruoan and Zhang Huaiyi traveled along the Huai River, and although Tian Jinzhong did not encounter the bandit leader, he was still captured and tortured.

In the original novel, Tian Jinzhong guarded his secrets with unwavering integrity; the current Tian Jinzhong, however, has no secrets and knows nothing, which is somewhat unfair.

Thanks to the fox's intervention, Lao Tian's fate took two positive turns: first, he didn't become a disabled person; second, he no longer had to keep a secret and could finally get a good night's sleep.

On the second point alone, Chen Ruoan truly felt that he had done a good deed.

"Half a lifetime of toil without a peaceful night's rest, a rare treat in this fleeting life." Those who work overtime and stay up late year after year understand this all too well; how luxurious it is to be able to get a good night's sleep.

Faced with Zhang Zhiwei's doubts, the fox had no need to play the "riddler."

“I did give away a little bit back then, but that’s not important. If Lao Tian wants to repair his meridians again, that’s fine now.” Chen Ruoan pinched a ball of shimmering white energy between two fingers.

"What is this?" Zhang Zhiwei asked.

"A photocopy of a pair of hands."

"Hmm..." Zhang Zhiwei looked troubled.

"Don't wear that sour face, Taoist," Chen Ruoan said. "After understanding the full cost, has Zhang Zhiwei, who bears the 'Celestial Master's Degree,' no longer had the courage to take on the responsibility of passing on the legacy and try to find a new way for it?"

Rather than intruding into the immortal realm and occupying and guarding the immortal relics, a more appropriate attitude would be to understand, inherit, and transcend, attempting to untangle the knots that bind them, rather than creating a point for the next cycle of reincarnation.

Those who are practicing within the circle tend to overemphasize the past and belittle the present.

Zhang Zhiwei pondered, "You mean, you want me to break through the thousand-year-old restriction?"

"I didn't say that. I just felt that people in the past definitely couldn't have made this." Chen Ruoan pulled out a Motorola phone. You can't expect people in the Republic of China era to imagine this latest smartphone, just like people today can't imagine a tri-fold folding phone in the future.

Standing on the shoulders of giants, even if we don't have a vision that surpasses theirs, we should at least see the same scenery.

"Oh dear, this fox really knows how to give me a hard time." Zhang Zhiwei covered his mouth, suppressing his thoughts. "You all guessed that the 'Celestial Master's Degree' is a major restriction, so why did you have to ask it openly? Isn't this just making things difficult for me?"

It's very difficult to deceive the "Celestial Master's Blessing".

When I'm nearing the end of my life, who says I won't want to fight for it?

Chapter 164 Fox, do I look like a fairy or a god to you?

Chen Ruoan just felt that with Zhang Zhiwei's cultivation level, it would be a bit of a pity if he didn't strive for further advancement after handing over the "Celestial Master's Degree" inheritance.

Zhang Zhiwei naturally knew Chen Ruoan's intentions. Now he just felt that this fox was speaking without considering the atmosphere. The leaders of the various sects were bound by restrictions in order to maintain the stability of the secular world. But before becoming "gatekeepers", they were first and foremost cultivators and seekers of the Dao. In the end, who wouldn't want to ascend to immortality and live a carefree life?

However, Zhang Zhiwei, who bears the title of "Celestial Master," still has a mission to fulfill and cannot discuss immortal traces or relics with the fox.

If the "Eight Extraordinary Skills" could be preserved in a more suitable form to benefit people, Zhang Zhiwei would be happy to see this happen, but he has no desire to participate in the whole process, and doesn't even want to have the right to know.

"Let's discuss metaphysics and Taoism again when my life is nearing its end," Zhang Zhiwei said, ending the conversation. Zhang Huaiyi, having finished paying respects to his master and the Celestial Masters of past generations, came out of the house.

The disciples outside the gate were curious about the uncle who had caused the trouble, and even more curious about the young man in black standing next to their master.

Master had been accompanied by a black fox during his early travels. I have heard countless rumors about this. Uncle Tian even said that the old Celestial Master once took Master to visit various schools in the field. After searching around, only this black fox could be considered Master's Daoist companion.

"Master was already recognized as the 'top master' in the circle decades ago. Logically speaking, our Uncle Fox's cultivation level should be no lower than that," Rong Shan asked his fourth senior brother Zhao Huanjin in a low voice.

The Taoist priest, with slightly squinted eyes, replied, "Rongshan, did your master teach you cultivation so that you would be competitive and ruthless? Don't always try to compete for others' superiority."

"Senior brother, aren't you curious?"

“I’m just curious,” Zhao Huanjin said matter-of-factly. “But there’s no answer to this question. It’s common knowledge in the community that beasts cultivate faster than humans. But Master said that our Uncle Fox is missing something.”

"Oh."

The senior disciple Zhang Qianhe stroked his long beard and nodded with a smile, "Leaving aside the differences in strength, I just think that the journey of the man and the fox back then is enough to make people yearn for it."

Taoist priests and foxes have been a classic pairing since ancient times. The Fox Fairy Hall in Longhu Mountain enshrines the Yellow and White Immortals, while the Babao Yunguang Cave in Tiesha Mountain in Northeast China enshrines the Black Mother, who is known as the "Guardian Holy Mother".

Even in his old age, Zhang Qianhe still remembers the legends of the Quanzhen Longmen School and the Black Fox faith in Northeast China:

Legend has it that during the late Ming Dynasty, Guo Shouzhen was traveling in the mountains when he encountered a black fox that had been injured by a hunter. The Taoist priest, with a compassionate heart, healed and cared for the fox, and released it back into the wild after it recovered.

Grateful for being saved, the black fox devoted himself to cultivation and attained spiritual powers.

Later, Guo Shouzhen traveled to Jiuding Tiesha Mountain in Liaodong to spread Taoism. The black fox followed him from afar and hid in the mountain to cultivate. It often transformed into a kind-faced old woman in black clothes, secretly protecting the Taoist temple. When the temple was short of offerings, it would bring believers to the temple. When people suffered from incurable diseases or encountered dangers, it would appear to help them and relieve their suffering.

The local villagers did not know her true identity and only respectfully called this kind-hearted old woman "Black Mother".

Seeing that he was kind-hearted and virtuous, Guo Shouzhen formally included him in the Taoist protector system and honored him as the chief protector of Taoism in Northeast China.

From then on, Black Mother, in the form of a black fox, cultivated herself into an immortal and resided permanently on Ironclad Mountain to protect the lineage and bless the region.

After telling the story, Zhang Qianhe said, "You see, this is what a good relationship of mutual progress looks like. Unlike you fellow disciples, who are always gossiping about each other behind each other's backs. Of the nine of you, only the youngest, Lingyu, seems to have the demeanor of a cultivator."

"Now that you mention it, Senior Brother, it seems that humans and foxes truly complement each other." Rong Shan nodded thoughtfully. "Then here's the question: in terms of the depth of their faith, our Master is far inferior to Uncle Fox. Shouldn't the story's development be reversed from here on out?"

Zhang Zhiwei's apprentices were whispering amongst themselves, but the fox's keen ears overheard their entire conversation.

Rongshan, Zhang Zhiwei's ninth disciple, is physically strong but simple-minded. He is a Taoist who relies on brute force and dislikes thinking. However, upon seeing the fox today, the stereotypical image of him from the original work is completely swept away.

I must say, this guy made a great suggestion.

In the Taoist pantheon and lineage, humans always hold a higher status than spirits and monsters. The power to confer titles belongs only to "human immortals" or "celestial immortals" such as Heavenly Venerables, Heavenly Masters, and high-ranking Taoist priests. Spirits and monsters such as fox spirits need to be enlightened, cultivate themselves, and perform good deeds before they can be incorporated into the Taoist system and become guardian deities.

But who is Chen Ruoan?

He has always acted unconventionally, so perhaps this rule can be changed.

"When one attains enlightenment, even his chickens and dogs ascend to heaven." Conversely, if one's chickens and dogs attain enlightenment, they can lead others to heaven.

Those who cultivate immortality first will influence those who cultivate immortality later; whoever has the lowest cultivation level will become the mount.

Chen Ruoan gathered his sleeves, his eyebrows curving into fox-like eyes, and said to Zhang Zhiwei, "Taoist, your disciple is right. If you don't succeed in the future and feel that your path is limited, then why not come to Mount Tai? I'll appoint you as a guardian deity of the fox."

The fox had almost figured out what title to bestow upon him: "True Lord Who Slaps All Evils and Protects the Way" or "Five-Finger Demon-Suppressing, Law-Mastering Venerable God".

"Go away!" Zhang Zhiwei waved his hand dismissively, as if he were chasing away something unclean. In the Zhengyi Ancestral Court, in front of the current Celestial Master, probably only a fox would dare to make such a joke.

"Hmm..." Zhang Zhiwei pondered for a moment, then followed Chen Ruoan's lead.

"Fox, do I look more like a fairy or a god to you?"

Since Chen Ruoan was the one who started the "reversal of the Heavenly Gang" tactic, Zhang Zhiwei didn't mind retaliating in kind.

Chen Ruoan replied, "I think you're the kind of host who has prepared roast goose, braised pork, sweet and sour fish, fried chicken legs, four-happiness meatballs, an eight-fruit platter, as well as braised pheasant with fresh bamboo shoots, braised wild rabbit, honey-glazed hazelnut pastry, candied berries, pine nuts and millet, mushroom and mountain delicacies stew, osmanthus steamed cake, and amber peach kernels."

“There’s white rice and stir-fried bok choy in the kitchen,” Zhang Zhiwei replied.

"You're really stingy."

For fellow disciples to reunite, eating only plain rice and vegetables seems rather meager.

"I just think you ordered too much. Do you think Longhu Mountain is a five-star hotel?"

Can't I order it?

Since Shaolin Temple can now teach cooking and auto repair, it seems Fox thought the Taoist priests would also put in the effort in the kitchen, but it looks like his expectations were dashed.

Zhang Zhiwei sent people to prepare the meal. The meal that was finally put on the table was not as lavish as the fox had imagined, but it was not bad either. There was braised pork knuckle, braised pork ribs with chestnuts, garlic baby bok choy, yam and pork rib soup, mixed grain rice and so on. Everything that needed to be served was served.

Halfway through the meal, Zhang Zhiwei asked about Huaiyi's family and learned that he had a grandson named Zhang Chulan, whom even foxes thought had good potential.

“Since Chu Lan has already attained Qi, why not send him to Longhu Mountain to cultivate? I heard from you that Chu Lan and Ling Yu are about the same age. If we send him up the mountain, they can keep each other company while cultivating and studying at school. With me watching over them, you won’t have to hide anymore.”

Zhang Huaiyi pondered for a moment, then shook his head: "That brat is a troublemaker. I'm afraid he won't be able to endure the seclusion in the mountains."

"Besides, Chu Lan can't stay on the mountain forever. The reputation of Longhu Mountain and the 'Qi Body Source Flow' is too great. If he goes out, he will inevitably attract attention. Senior Brother can protect him for a while, but he can't protect him forever. I still want to use my own methods to leave something for him, and also let that kid work hard on his own."

Upon hearing his junior brother's scheming, Zhang Zhiwei knew that Zhang Chulan's childhood wouldn't have been easy. Compared to Lingyu's naivety and honesty, Chulan probably had a mind far beyond his peers even at a young age.

“If there’s anything he can’t handle, remember to tell him to come to Longhu Mountain to find me,” Zhang Zhiwei said, glancing at the fox eating rice beside him. “Of course, Linzi is closer to Tai’an.”

"Yes, thank you in advance, senior brothers." Zhang Huaiyi held his rice bowl, gazing at the dishes on the table.

In any case, since Senior Brother Chen appeared, the pressure on Chu Lan will be greatly reduced, and he will have fewer things to worry about after his death. Now, the only thing he needs to worry about is his own fate.

Big-Eared Thief recalled the last words of several senior brothers who sacrificed themselves during the War of Resistance against Japan: "If we cannot succeed in this life, we will strive for the next." If there really is a next life, he cannot take the many karmic entanglements he has in this life with him. The sooner some things are resolved, the more at peace he will feel.

Chapter 165 Zhang Lingyu: Do I also need some virginity mark?