Becoming a Fox Spirit from Under One Person.

Lu Jin immediately chimed in, "Brother An, this is really going too far. Spoiling her too much isn't a good thing. What we're saying is, if Xia He gets struck by lightning by Ling Yu later, are you going to run to the Celestial Master to demand an explanation?"

“You are the least qualified to talk about me,” Chen Ruoan replied.

Why does Old Lu like to attribute his own behavior patterns to foxes?

"Alright, alright." Zhang Zhiwei waved his hand. "When it comes to protecting their own, you two should sit at the same table. The two young girls have both done quite well; why do you old folks need to worry about them?"

"Ah~"

Zhang Zhiwei rubbed his forehead. Sometimes, when he was with the human and the fox, he always felt out of place.

"Don't worry about it, let's focus on the upcoming match schedule."

As Zhang Zhiwei said, there was absolutely no need for Chen Ruoan and Lu Jin to worry about the elimination round of 32 players. There were only so many good young players, and all of them who could make it into the top 16 had already done so.

As the results gradually came out, Zang Long's betting platform became incredibly popular, with some people making a fortune and others wanting to perform aerial acrobatics on the spot.

Bai Shixue from the Lu Family Gang grabbed Zang Long by the collar and roared, "You fatso, didn't you say the information was absolutely correct?! Why did this happen so unexpectedly? You owe me my allowance, you owe me my living expenses!"

"Cough cough cough, I don't know what happened either, maybe the information is a bit outdated." Zang Long coughed as he grabbed Bai Shixue's arm, only to find that the girl was secretly consuming his Qi.

"Shixue, what's wrong?" Lu Linglong asked.

"Linglong, one of the biggest favorites to win this tournament has lost!" Bai Shixue cried until her eyes were swollen like fried eggs, and she buried her face in Lu Linglong's arms.

Which one is popular?

"Zhuge Qing."

"Zhuge Qing was defeated?"

"Yes, I watched that match. It was very strange. In the first half, no, I should say near the end, Zhuge Qing was in complete control. He showed off his skills for the whole match, but suddenly he was killed in one move by the opposing Little Fire God."

"Hong Bin of the Fire Virtue Sect... a sorcerer proficient in Qimen Dunjia, is he still inferior to the master of 'Qi Transformation into Fire' in terms of using fire?"

···

Outside the stadium, an old locust tree spreads its dense shade.

Zhuge Qing leaned against the rough tree trunk and slowly slid down, his clothes still covered in dust from the competition. He hung his head, silent, the frustration of losing the match stuck in his chest like a piece of burning coal.

Zhuge Bai sat down next to him and gently nudged him with his shoulder: "Brother, winning and losing are common occurrences in war. Even our ancestors lost. Just think about it more positively."

“If I lost normally, that would be one thing,” Zhuge Qing said bitterly. “But what if I said that I might lose because of my own family’s secret martial arts technique?”

Zhuge Bai was taken aback, his pupils shrinking slightly: "You mean... the other side used Samadhi True Fire?"

Zhuge Qing did not answer.

He looked up, gazing at the sparse light filtering through the gaps in the tree shade, his eyes unfocused. After a long while, he softly uttered a few words: "It's just like it, so much like it."

"It's exactly the same as what Grandpa Yunhui and Aunt Xiaodie described."

Zhuge Bai was a bit confused: "How could this happen? Could it be that when our ancestors moved away to escape, another branch of blood was left behind? But they shouldn't be surnamed Hong, and it's even more impossible for them to be involved with the Huode Sect."

Zhuge Qing shook his head, equally puzzled.

"After the Luo Tian Grand Ceremony is over, you and I will make a trip to Chengdu. It's time to visit the Huo De Sect. Since they actually have methods similar to True Fire, this Little Fire God will definitely make it to the end. Little Bai, if you encounter him, pay attention to the gaps in Grandpa Niu's piecing together, and don't give the other side any chance."

In the midst of my distraction, the list of upcoming matchups was revealed.

"Xiao Bai, you've run into the Lu family's precious darling."

"No problem. Sister Linglong is from the Quanzhen Dragon Gate and cultivates both body and mind, but the strength of a human body cannot surpass that of a machine. Flesh and blood will eventually decay, but only machines are eternal."

Zhuge Qing said speechlessly, "Take it easy, you're starting to look more and more like a member of a secret religion."

"loyalty!"

"Speaking of which, Little Fire God's next opponent is... Wang Ye? I've never heard of that Wudang Taoist priest. I guess Taoist priest Wang is going to be in trouble next match too."

Chapter 222 The Locked-Door Disciple

After two consecutive matches, the evening was left for the athletes to rest and recharge. A slight chill had already set in before nightfall on Longhu Mountain, and the group gathered around the campfire to chat.

Zhang Lingyu had no intention of joining in the fun, but Zhang Chulan still dragged her into the crowd.

"Master Lingyu has arrived." Lu Linglong waved and greeted him.

Good evening, everyone.

Having lost early on, Zhi Jinhua had no match tomorrow, so she drank some wine and, slightly tipsy, leaned close to Zhang Lingyu and said:

"Master Lingyu, it is said that the Taoist priests in Longhu Mountain are all in favor of Zhang Chulan on the matter of the successor to the Celestial Master. They say that Zhang Chulan does not represent the face of justice and is even less capable of becoming the leader of the Taoist Alliance."

"Hey, hey, hey!" Zhang Chulan raised his hand to indicate, "I'm still right here!"

"Hiccup~" Zhi Jinhua didn't care at all and gently nudged Zhang Lingyu's side with her elbow. "Lingyu Zhenren, it is said that Zhang Chulan even tricked you when he was a child."

"The cinnabar mark that guards one's virginity was originally meant for this kid, but it ended up falling on you."

"Cough cough cough!" Zhang Lingyu clenched her fist and covered her mouth, her face flushed with embarrassment. "Let's not talk about the past anymore. Facts have proven that harming others will ultimately harm oneself, so Chu Lan can only start cultivating thunder techniques from Yin Five Thunder."

"You have a boyfriend?" Zhi Jinhua asked Zhang Chulan.

"No."

"Then how did you break it... Oh!!!" Zhi Jinhua leaned back, her mouth forming an "O" shape in surprise, as if she had just realized something.

"Give up your filthy and disgusting imagination. I haven't done too many dirty things."

Zang Long ran over and put his arm around Zhang Chulan's shoulder: "Don't explain. Explaining is just covering up, and covering up is the truth. We grown men all understand. It's just the same old stuff."

Zang Long suddenly stood up straight, saluted, and said, "Salute to the legendary captain!"

"I'll go to you!"

Zhang Chulan kicked the fat man away.

The laughter around the campfire grew louder. Zhi Jinhua regained a little sober and appeared hesitant to speak in front of Zhang Lingyu.

"Does Little Flower have something to say to Lingyu?"

"Indeed, I have a request that I cannot refuse."

"Please speak."

"Master Lingyu, could you please show us the mark of virginity? Just one glance, please!" Zhi Jinhua is a calculating person and is also deeply interested in most restrictions.

She dreamed of seeing this powerful restrictive technique that locked away her vital essence, and then going back to study it carefully.

Swish!

Upon hearing this, the crowd surged forward to block their way.

Zhang Lingyu's cheeks flushed red with embarrassment, and she said angrily, "How could Lingyu... how could Lingyu do such a thing in public... such a thing..."

"ah!"

Zhang Lingyu screamed and ran away.

The members of the Lu Family Troupe huddled together, staring at the fleeing figure, and sighed in unison, "Our Master Lingyu is surprisingly innocent."

"Alright, those of you with matches tomorrow should drink less. The rest of us, let's toast!" Lu Linglong shouted happily, holding a teacup.

Zhi Jinhua and Er Gou, who were standing nearby, quickly stopped her.

"Of the rest of us, you're the only one left with a match tomorrow."

"Oh, I see." Lu Linglong glanced at Zhuge Bai under the tree in the distance. "Xiao Bai, go easy on him tomorrow."

"Oh...oh!" Zhuge Bai, not quite used to the scene, replied hastily.

"Then... we'll use a softer material tomorrow."

"Underestimating this young lady could lead to a great loss." Behind Zhuge Bai, a lazy, slovenly, and weary-looking Taoist priest appeared out of nowhere.

"Master Wang, thank you for the reminder."

"Ah—" Wang Ye yawned casually, "I'm so sleepy, I'd better go back to sleep early."

Wang had only taken a few steps when Zhuge Qing blocked his way.

"Master Wang, watching your previous matches, your positioning was very skillful. You're also a sorcerer, right? Always calculating and scheming isn't a good habit. Is it fun to exhaust yourself every day?"

Wang sighed, "Alas, I can't get along with you clever people; you simply can't keep secrets."

"Does Master Wang think there's a possibility of something changing in Xiaobai's match tomorrow?"

"You're a warlock too, go calculate it yourself."

"Heh, thank you for your kind reminder, Master Wang. I should also add that you should not try to fight the Little Fire God with fire tomorrow, even if you have the advantage of timing, location, and people."

Wang Ye tidied the messy hair around his forehead and smiled, "I know."

Hong Bin's last spark was eerie and bizarre, but it could still be dodged. Zhuge Qing didn't have to lose, but unfortunately, he was too arrogant.

Having mastered the principles of mutual generation and restraint, one is prone to excessive arrogance and overconfidence in one's actions, which is probably a common problem among diviners who claim to be able to glimpse the secrets of heaven.

"When will the two of you leave Longhu Mountain?" Wang Ye asked again. If possible, he really didn't want Zhuge Qing to see "Feng Hou Qi Men".

One defeat has already thrown him off balance; another "windfall" could have unpredictable consequences.

"Xiaobai still has a competition to finish. How can we leave Longhu Mountain before it ends?"

"Hey~" Wang Ye chuckled and dragged his exhausted body away.

Zhuge Qing opened his fox-like eyes, sensing something strange. He raised his hand to make a calculation, and then his gaze shifted to Lu Linglong in the crowd.

"Xiao Bai, things could really change tomorrow."

"But, but I can't imagine how Grandpa Niu could lose. With his flesh and blood, he simply can't move the machine."

"Perhaps this Miss Lu also has something she's hiding."

···

At the Celestial Master's Mansion on Longhu Mountain, Lu Jin was frantic with worry. He said to Chen Ruoan, "Doesn't the big guy you left behind have any weaknesses? Don't break Linglong tomorrow."

"It's alright. Xiaobai is gentle and will know when to stop. Besides, Linglong might have a way to deal with it."

"That thing is eight meters long, a lump of iron, how can a person fight it? Answer me!"

The fox, not wanting to continue arguing about this, covered its ears and ran away.

Standing on the cliff in front of the mountain, you can see the Luxi River shimmering like shattered silver, and the eaves of the Celestial Master's Mansion casting a cool, ethereal glow.