Becoming a Fox Spirit from Under One Person.

When Master Chongyang founded the Quanzhen School, he clearly stated from the beginning that the fundamental principle was to cultivate internal alchemy and seek the dual cultivation of nature and life, completely abandoning the external alchemy that had been prevalent in Taoism since the Wei and Jin Dynasties. The fox living in Mount Tai would never use elixirs to cultivate immortality.

"Master Fang, there's no need to be so sensitive. A little bit of medicine to nourish the body is fine. However, the powder I ground is for filling the fox pendant."

"Brother Lu, here's one for you too. This pendant is a peace charm and can also purify your mind."

Chen Ruoan picked up the red string of the fox pendant, intending to hand it over, which only deepened her ill-fated relationship with Lu Jin.

"Wait, I won't see you off!"

"Huh?" Lu Jin awkwardly withdrew her hand.

The fox raised its paw, its mind racing, and sensed something strange.

If you give out a peace charm at this time, you can actually create a great positive connection.

Given the good fortune of this moment and the uncertain, shallow karmic ties of the future, even a fool would know which to choose.

There's an old saying among warlocks: the past cannot be undone, but the future can be changed.

Chen Ruoan's choice is to enjoy the present and reverse the future.

"Just kidding, but I'll still give it to you."

"Ah... thank you." Lu Jin smiled awkwardly but politely as she accepted the pendant. She picked it up and examined it, finding it to be a delicate and adorable little trinket.

It might not appeal to hot-blooded young men, but it will definitely be popular with children and girls.

Chapter 31 Yang Shen

Lu Jin carefully tucked the straw fox pendant into his clothes and bowed again to express his gratitude: "Thank you for your generous gift, Brother Chen. I will treasure it and perhaps pass it on to my descendants in the future."

Chen Ruoan chuckled softly upon hearing this, her fox-like eyes curving slightly as she said in a light tone, "It's just a trivial trinket, no need to treat it with such care."

Are you really going to keep this little fox-woven item as a family heirloom?

After laughing, Chen Ruoan raised his hand to indicate that he was introducing the mansion one by one.

The first floor of Yaoyuelou has a guest hall and tea room, where spring water is used to brew tea, and wild fruits from the mountains are often placed on the wooden table for guests.

The second floor is the medicine shed, where herbs are dried and stored.

Several quiet rooms have been set up on the third floor, with futons laid out, where one can meditate or discuss philosophy.

The fifth floor is where the fox usually climbs to enjoy the view and also has a desk for studying classics. The top floor is where the shrine of the Goddess of Mount Tai is enshrined.

As soon as he finished speaking, Chen Ruoan climbed the steps, leading the guests on a tour while going up to the top floor to offer incense to the Goddess of Mount Tai.

After offering incense and descending the stairs, Fang Dongtian looked up at the window on the fifth floor. The pages of paper spread out on the desk were clearly visible; they were the Taoist classics he had been punished to copy.

"Are you still looking at these?"

"Master Fang's punishment of copying contains many insightful observations, and reading it is quite beneficial," Chen Ruoan replied calmly.

Upon hearing this, Fang Dongtian sighed softly, a hint of melancholy creeping across his brow.

"Forget it, what's the use of just having these ideas? After all this time, I'm still stuck in the same place, unable to make any further progress."

Upon hearing this, Chen Ruoan felt a pang in her heart. She recalled how Fang Dongtian had guarded Baiyun Temple until his death, yet he had never truly cultivated the Yang Spirit. A sense of regret for not being able to attain the Dao lingered in her sigh.

“Your ability to let your soul wander outside is already astonishing enough,” Lu Jin said.

"It's different. A Yin spirit is still a Yin spirit. Its Yin soul is exposed and it will cause trouble sooner or later. It's better to give up this method, continue to hone your life, and be proper. You can't go wrong that way."

Fang Dongtian leaned against the vermilion wooden railing, gazing out of the building.

Under the inky sky, the layered mountains are shrouded in deep tranquility. The mountain breeze sweeps through the treetops, bringing a chill that can truly ease some of the stagnation in one's heart.

He sighed softly, a clarity and melancholy beyond his years:

"Only when one can cultivate the Yang Spirit can one be considered to have truly mastered the art of sexual cultivation. The remaining effort is simply to refine this physical body. Once the body is refined to a high level, the subsequent realms are beyond the comprehension of these extraordinary individuals."

Chen Ruoan strolled to his side and casually posed the question that had been on his mind: "If one were to use a divine position to draw down a trace of divine will, how would such a manifestation of the divine soul compare to that of a Yin spirit?"

Fang Dongtian withdrew his gaze and replied, "It is of secondary importance."

The divine will entrusted to a divine position is ultimately born from faith; it is a tiny wisp separated from the soul, supported by the power of the believers' thoughts. Compared to a fully condensed Yin spirit, it is naturally far inferior.

"So that's how it is."

Chen Ruoan also understands the method of "sexual cultivation", but in his previous life he was a college student and then a corporate slave. Even though he lived for twenty more years, he had only followed the rules and lived according to the worldly track for twenty years. Where was there any opportunity to ask himself questions?

Now a fox, I've enjoyed a carefree life for over a year, and I'm able to calmly reflect on what I want, but that's about it.

There's still something missing before I reach a state of complete mental fulfillment.

However, when it comes to the realm of Yang Shen, Chen Ruoan could guess a thing or two from some stories and classics, the most famous of which was probably "Zhang Ziyang Picking Qionghua from a Thousand Miles Away".

Legend has it that Zhang Boduan, a hermit of Ziyang Mountain, became close friends with a high-ranking monk who practiced Zen Buddhism. One day, when they talked about the blooming of the magnolia flowers in Yangzhou, the two agreed to travel to Yangzhou in spirit to enjoy the flowers together. They went into a clean room, sat facing each other with their eyes closed, and both of them entered a state of spiritual reverie.

When Zhang Ziyang arrived in Yangzhou, the monks had already arrived.

The two circled the flower three times, and Zhang Boduan suggested that they each pick a flower to take back as a souvenir.

After the spiritual journey ended, Zhang Ziyang took out a real Qionghua flower from his sleeve, while the monk's sleeve was empty.

The disciple was puzzled as to why, despite both being in a state of spiritual travel, the results differed in terms of existence and non-existence. Zhang Boduan replied:

"My Golden Elixir Path cultivates both nature and life. Therefore, when gathered, it takes form; when dispersed, it becomes Qi. Wherever it goes, the true spirit manifests, which is called the Yang Spirit. Those who cultivate want to see results quickly, so they no longer cultivate life but directly cultivate nature. Therefore, wherever they go, people can no longer see their form or shadow, which is called the Yin Spirit."

···

There were legendary extraordinary individuals at the "Yang Shen" realm, but in the future, only Liu Zhenguo, Senior Brother Liu, appeared.

Chen Ruoan thought to himself, if he could really cultivate a Yang spirit, travel thousands of miles in spirit, travel freely without hindrance, and even condense it into a physical form, he would save himself so much trouble.

For example, he could follow Zhang Zhiwei's travel route and thoroughly interrogate that old Taoist priest, asking why, after so long, not a single incense offering or memorial tablet had appeared.

Zhang Zhiwei is very good at complaining and being arrogant, but he is not even a fraction as good at lying and deceiving as Zhang Huaiyi.

The fox and Fang Dongtian were having such a good time that they seemed to have neglected Lu Jin.

Chen Ruoan changed the subject, asking, "May I ask which school Brother Lu studied under?"

"Trinity Gate".

A glint of light appeared in Lu Jin's eyes, and his tone was filled with undisguised pride, yet he maintained the humility and propriety befitting a scion of a noble family: "I am a disciple of the Great Ying Immortal, Zuo Ruotong."

Chen Ruoan's fox-like eyes curved slightly: "The Sanyi Sect is known as the number one Xuanmen in the world. Even I, a fox living in seclusion in the mountains, often hear strange people passing by mention it."

The Three-One Ultimate Technique, "Triple Rebirth," is unparalleled in the world. I wonder what level Brother Lu has cultivated it to?

"To my shame, it's only the first level."

The first level of Reverse Life allows true Qi to fill the entire body, transforming the skin and flesh into Qi. Those who master this level not only possess powerful physical attributes, but also exude the strength of a dragon and tiger in every movement, and their recovery ability is greatly enhanced.

Lu Jin said with embarrassment, "The senior brother Zhang who is traveling with you once sparred with me. He said that reversing the cycle of rebirth is too complicated and is destined to be less robust than simple things. I have been thinking about this issue recently."

"Following the natural order leads to mortal life, defying it leads to immortality; it's all about reversing the order in between. The path of defying the natural order isn't wrong, but perhaps the method is flawed?"

“If the path left by our predecessors is wrong, it is not easy to correct it.”

Lu Jin lowered his head in thought, but as he continued to think about what the fox had said, a chilling fear crept over him.

The method must be correct!

If the method is wrong, then the path of reversing life is a dead end, and the foundation of the sect's cultivation will be completely destroyed.

"Nothing is impossible," the fox declared.

Once they started talking, the two discussed cultivation at length.

Chen Ruoan suddenly felt that this atmosphere was not bad. Outside the building was the tranquility of Mount Tai at night, with the dark mountains lying in the moonlight. Inside the building, however, it was not deserted. The fox and the two people made up a room full of quiet joy.

But the peaceful and leisurely atmosphere didn't last long. Lu Jin suddenly said, "We've talked too much about theory. Let's do some practical exercises instead."

Upon hearing the suggestion, Fang Dongtian replied, "Very well. In the exchange of skills among cultivators, every move and technique should be meaningful."

"Brother Chen, what about you?" Lu Jin asked Chen Ruoan with great interest. "I have never seen the mysterious and wondrous techniques of fox cultivators before."

Chapter 32 It's so nice to be cute.

“Okay,” Chen Ruoan readily agreed.

For those who cultivate themselves, sparring and exchanging techniques is a common occurrence. As Fang Dongtian said, every move and stance must have substance.

In this way, both sides can identify their own shortcomings and make up for their deficiencies by exchanging moves.

Besides, witnessing the wonders of countless methods in the world is a rare and interesting thing in itself. Chen Ruoan also wanted to see Lu Jin's "Triple Rebirth" and Fang Dongtian's "Astral Projection".

The location of the Inviting Moon Pavilion is remote and dangerous, and there is a medicinal field in front of the courtyard. Fearing that the two people and the fox would not be able to use their skills, they agreed to meet at Zhenyi Ridge for their duel.

Zhenyi Post is located outside the west wall of Bixia Temple, adjacent to Yunu Pool, and is a natural rock platform.

This place is ancient and secluded, rarely visited by people. On ordinary days, some Taoist priests would also come here to exchange ideas and discuss Taoism.

On the day of the duel, a cool breeze rippled across the bluestone platform of the martial arts arena. Chen Ruoan sat upright by the platform, her fox-like eyes slightly narrowed, watching Lu Jin and Fang Dongtian each take their stances and face each other intently.

Cultivating oneself in the mountains is inherently quiet and monotonous. When the elders of Quanzhen heard that there were young people exchanging skills, they were all eager to watch the excitement. They took some cushions from the ancestral hall and sat down around the area.

For some reason, Chen Ruoan was surrounded by three female Taoist priests.

Unlike the Taoist priests opposite them who were focused on the martial arts demonstration, the three female Taoist priests were all preoccupied with the fox.

The reason is simple: the Goddess of Mount Tai rules over all foxes, so the Taoist priests naturally wouldn't discriminate against foxes in the slightest.

Furthermore, these three female Daoists had a deep affection for the clever and intelligent Xuanhu, but due to the propriety of their elders, they could not show their fondness. So, under the pretext of watching the martial arts, they got closer to take a good look.

"Little fox, I heard from the cave that you can understand human language and transform into human form. Is that true or false?"

Before anyone knew it, a female Taoist priest quietly moved closer.

"Yes."

"When you transformed, did you choose to be a man or a woman?" the female Taoist priest asked with a smile, her tone full of curiosity.

"I have heard that when those who cultivate other forms first take human form, they can choose their gender. Once the human body is solidified, their original gender from the beginning is no longer relevant."

Chen Ruoan lowered her eyes and replied softly, "I am male."

Defining one's own gender is just something from supernatural tales, so why do the female Taoist priests of Quanzhen Temple also love gossip so much?

The three female Daoists glanced across at the other side and saw that the eyes of all the junior disciples were fixed on the martial arts arena and no one was paying attention to this side. So they quietly moved their cushions closer to Xuanhu.

"Black fur is already a rare breed among foxes. Look how smooth and shiny your fur is. How do you take care of it? What do you eat on Aolai Peak?"