Becoming a Fox Spirit from Under One Person.

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

As Chen Ruoan pondered the problem, the ghost in his belly heard the murmur 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 still have this ability?"

Yao Cheng lowered his head and replied, his voice carrying the faintness unique to ghosts, but his reply was clear and logical: "When I was alive, I made a living in civil engineering and learned some ingenuity 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 help our master."

Chen Ruoan raised an eyebrow slightly upon hearing this.

So, you've given me an SSR card?

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

Yao Cheng continued to bow and said, "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 waved his 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. The scene of traveling and discussing the Dao with fellow elves that I had imagined is probably impossible to realize."

"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 coming down the mountain now?"

"Mount Tai has been quite unsettled lately. I'm afraid the seniors 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 much easier. 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 rolled 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 sincere: "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 adjust his Taoist robe, bowed deeply towards the mountain peak, and said, "Thank you, Fox. Until we meet again."

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.

Chapter 23 The Fox Invites the Bright Moon

After seeing the Taoist priest off, the fox only had one thing to worry about.

At night, Chen Ruoan rode the wind and flew into the clouds to admire the Aolai Peak, which was shrouded in clouds and mist during the day.

The moon is not visible today, so its radiance is lacking, but the yin energy is naturally abundant. Therefore, under the night sky, the colorful clouds part, creating a magnificent scene as beautiful as an ink painting.

"Indeed, when the moon is full, this place will surely be bathed in moonlight like a waterfall, making it a precious place for practicing the Moon Worship Method."

"Such a treasure land, yet it is unclaimed. I must have a great opportunity within the mountains."

Chen Ruoan summoned the Yin Ghost Yao Cheng, imagining the location of Bing Lun in his memory, and found a cliff that could receive the moonlight. He then planned to open a celestial abode on the cliff.

Yao Cheng had been polishing the stone wall for a long time, and he didn't use paper or pen; he carved directly on the stone wall.

Before long, a clear blueprint for a celestial abode emerged.

The six-story pavilion with upturned eaves is built against the mountain, with its eaves pointing in all directions, perfectly embodying the principle of gathering Qi and attracting spiritual energy. The building is inlaid with patterns that draw in the moonlight, sheltering it from the wind during the day and allowing it to receive the clear moonlight at night.

He stopped and bowed to Chen Ruoan, saying, "Master, please take a look. This building is built according to the terrain, six stories high, and worships from all directions. It is most suitable for your fox cultivation method of worshipping the moon. As for the plaque of the mansion, I think that since you cultivate the method of worshipping the moon, it would be better to inscribe the three characters 'Worshipping the Moon Tower'. This will not only clarify the origin but also show grandeur."

Moon Worship Ceremony, Moon Worship Pavilion, Moon Worship Cult Leader...

Wait a minute, how did this remind me of a Chinese version of Santa Claus with the nickname "Baiyue" (meaning "Moon Worshipper")?

"It still needs to be changed."

"What does Master think we should call him?"

"It is called the Moon-Inviting Pavilion. The black fox worships the moon, and also invites the bright moon to come."

With Chen Ruoan's decisive decision, the construction of Yaoyue Tower was officially put on the agenda.

Standing atop Aolai Peak, far removed from the hustle and bustle of the world below, Chen Ruoan truly realized how fulfilling and rich a fox's life could be.

Without the distractions of worldly affairs, and without the need for travel, I wake up each day to watch the mountain mists and flowing clouds, and when I'm tired, I lie in the shade of the pines and listen to the wind. The rest of my time is spent on the preparations for building the house.

This wait lasted for almost half a month before the Yaoyue Tower finally broke ground.

The preliminary preparations are tedious and complicated, but they cannot be rushed.

Chen Ruoan led the Five Ghosts, traversing the ravines and valleys of the peaks, finding some bamboo, and felling several ancient pines and cypresses that had weathered for hundreds of years from the cliff face.

During the day, the five ghosts each performed their duties, sawing bamboo, splitting wood, and polishing materials. At night, they followed Chen Ruoan to cultivate, hoping to absorb some yin energy to maintain their souls and bodies.

With all the building materials ready, the fox dug the soil to dig the foundation and then inserted wood to build the frame.

It took another half a month to build a terrace, which was barely enough to meet the standard of living.

The Inviting Moon Pavilion was finally completed.

With its green-tiled roof and ancient wooden beams, it stands quietly amidst the clouds and mist of Aolai Peak, exuding a refined and otherworldly charm.

The Ghost Boss found several cold-resistant spiritual herbs and plants, and carefully planted them in front of and behind the building, causing wildflowers to bloom in front of the steps and vines to climb under the eaves, creating a vibrant scene.

Xiao Wu's carvings and paintings were meticulous, with eight or nine out of ten of the exquisitely carved patterns depicting foxes, including scenes of a thousand foxes worshipping the moon and ten thousand foxes offering sacrifices to the heavens.

It's a pity that Chen Ruoan is not skilled in Qimen Dunjia; otherwise, he would definitely set up a special formation here, using magic to connect the carvings, making the Immortal Abode a true place of great power and a place for his own cultivation.

The farmhouses outside the building can also be transformed through array formations to suit the seasons, plant medicinal herbs, and build medicinal fields.

Once the idea takes hold, the construction of the immortal abode is not something that can be accomplished in a day, but rather a process of gradual improvement.

As Chen Ruoan kept thinking about it, time quietly slipped by.

In July, the scenery of the mountain peaks is even more beautiful and serene.

The fox stood before the celestial abode, overwhelmed with emotion.

In his previous life, he struggled to make a living, but ultimately, due to the pressure of loans, he did not take the risk of finding a place to settle down in the city.

I don't want to be a fox in this life, but I do have an elegant and extraordinary fairy abode.

As Chen Ruoan gazed at Yaoyue Tower, he realized with a profound understanding that he no longer needed to be a homeless fox wandering the mountains.

The fox has a home now.

······

July is the busiest time of year for pilgrimages to Mount Tai.

Before the morning mist had even dissipated, the stone steps leading to Bixia Temple were already crowded with pilgrims who came to worship the Goddess of Mount Tai.

Mountain villagers carrying incense poles moved steadily through the crowd, the yellow paper incense and candles on their poles swaying gently with each step. Women in coarse cloth led skipping children, clutching red ribbons of prayer in their hands…

Chen Ruoan stood outside the crowd, watching quietly.

I haven't seen such a lively scene in so long.

The Bixia Temple was filled with the curling smoke of incense. The offering table was laden with fresh fruit, pastries, and paper money. Pilgrims lined up in long queues, inserting their incense sticks and candles into the burner before kneeling down and kowtowing respectfully, praying to the Goddess of Mount Tai for the protection of their families and for a bountiful harvest.

Chen Ruoan would sometimes sneak into Bixia Temple to worship and make offerings.

Today is the first time I've sneaked out to the altar since the immortal palace was completed.

"It's lively, but with so many people around, it's not easy to perform the rituals."

"Huh?"

The fox had a flash of inspiration and came up with a brilliant plan: "Why don't I invite the Goddess of Mount Tai back to the Inviting Moon Pavilion for worship?"

Without hesitation, Chen Ruoan returned to the building and cleared an open space on the top floor. In the center, he set up an incense table, on which were placed flowers and herbs picked from the mountain stream and wild fruits picked from the cliff.

Since the fox had no money, it could only offer food that was naturally born and raised by nature.

There was an incense burner, which was taken from the room of the Taoist priests, and wisps of green smoke were rising upwards.

Holding a wooden statue of the Goddess of Mount Tai, which it had personally carved, it placed on an incense table and offered incense as a prayer:

"Chen Ruoan, the wild fox, has established a celestial abode on Aolai Peak of Mount Tai, named Yaoyue. Today, we respectfully invite the goddess of Mount Tai to sit here, and we wish to offer daily sacrifices and burn incense year after year."