Becoming a Fox Spirit from Under One Person.

"Seeing you sitting there for so long, I flew down." An Fox found a rock by the stream and sat down. Just like when they first met, the two of them gazed at each other by the stream.

Zuo Ruotong remembered that Lu Jin had a fox pendant, so she said, "Since it is a fox with a fixed memorial tablet, can you listen to my troubles?"

It's strange how people sometimes prefer to confide in strangers rather than acquaintances. And compared to strangers, oddballs and confidants are more suitable as confidants.

"Remember to offer incense and place the roast chicken on the table."

Answering questions and resolving doubts is also one of the services offered by the fox. However, Chen Ruoan did not expect that, compared to traditional matchmaking and love counseling, the first order she received would come from the doubts of the Great Ying Immortal.

Zuo Ruotong smiled and said, "Okay."

"Please speak, Master Zuo."

“There are all sorts of magical techniques, but they are all placed within a framework, differing only in the ease of their construction. A young man once told me that ‘reverse life’ is very similar to their Golden Light Mantra, but Golden Light is a health-preserving technique, and no one relies on it to reach the heavens. Compared to Golden Light, Reverse Life is far too complicated and tedious.”

The fox bluntly stated, "That young man is Zhang Zhiwei from Longhu Mountain."

"Yes, I forgot you two knew each other."

The wind stopped and the water calmed. Zuo Ruotong stared at her reflection again: "After I was freed from the reversal of life, I looked old, old enough to be an elder to my peers. Whenever I think of this, I have to think about how some of my predecessors looked before they ascended to immortality. Isn't that ridiculous?"

Chen Ruoan blinked, knowing that Zuo Ruotong had doubts about the path of "reverse rebirth," but she had never witnessed the scene of the "reverse rebirth" state being torn apart, and there was still a trace of hope in her heart.

"Does the Left Sect Master maintain his reversed life form in order to achieve the immortal appearance that his fellow cultivators speak of?"

"Of course not. I had no choice but to use this method to explore the path to advancement in order to survive."

"What about the younger generation within the sect? If, and I mean if, the method of reversing life in the Sanyi Sect has a problem in the inheritance of the predecessors, as the current leader of the sect, should we completely deny the path ahead, or should we follow the path we came from and think forward to find the error and bring cultivation back to the right path?"

Zuo Ruotong frowned, deep in thought: "If one believes that 'reversing birth' cannot achieve enlightenment, then one cannot continue to mislead young people. One must trace back to the past and reflect..."

I hadn't thought about that question.

The fox continued, "Take Zhang Zhiwei, whom the Left Gate Master mentioned, for example. If he were born into the Trinity, and someone said that 'reversing the triple birth' would prevent one from reaching the heavens, how do you think he would respond?"

Zuo Ruotong shook her head.

Chen Ruoan imagined the Taoist priest's arrogant and haughty demeanor, and also adopted an arrogant posture: "That's what he would say."

"You think you can't reach the heavens just because you say so? What level are you at? You can't reach the heavens after three levels of reverse life, but then there are four, five... a hundred, ten thousand levels. It's just like the 'Tao'. People can know and understand the Tao, but they can never attain the 'Tao'. A cultivator can only walk on the path of seeking the Tao. But once they officially enter the path of the Tao, they have already reached a realm that ordinary cultivators can hardly reach."

"And ask again, how many people in this world understand 'reverse life' better than Master Zuo?"

Zhang Zhiwei's wildness was restrained, while the fox's pretentious wildness was extremely unrestrained and unruly. Zuo Ruotong looked at the fox with some surprise, and a rare sense of exhilaration welled up in her chest.

"But I had nowhere to retreat."

"There will always be successors. Doesn't the Left Sect Leader want to see how far these new talents in the sect can go? Besides, as the sect leader, you are indeed responsible for your disciples. Some of the disciples behind the mountain gate who are physically disabled but determined are still living tenaciously."

Zuo Ruotong then asked, "Maintaining the reverse life drains one's mental energy, and if it is lifted, there is a risk to one's life. What is the solution?"

The fox replied, "Mr. Niu, who is renowned in the medical field today, is a believer of mine. In addition, there is still a memorial tablet for me in Jishetang."

"Then, shall we give it a try?"

"Give it a try."

···

As night deepened with the moonlight, the sparse shadows of bamboo in the courtyard were cast obliquely on the bluestone slabs.

Just as Si Chong, known as "Mr. Kuangya," was about to rest, he saw someone coming to the courtyard gate, so he raised his eyes and called out, "Senior brother, weren't you going into seclusion? Why are you out so soon?"

Before he could finish speaking, the moonlight just happened to shine over Zuo Ruotong's eyebrows and eyes, and Si Chong's voice suddenly stopped.

In the moonlight, Zuo Ruotong's once handsome face was now covered with deep wrinkles, and her five fingers hanging at her sides were as withered as old branches. Although her clothes were neat, they could not hide the sudden appearance of aging that had spread all over her body. Her once stunning beauty had completely vanished.

"Senior brother, what's wrong with you?!"

"Don't be afraid, it won't kill you. Sometimes I want to relax too. I've forgotten how long it's been since I've seen people looking like this."

Upon hearing this, Si Chong said urgently, "No, no! Please, Senior Brother, use your profound energy again!"

"It's getting late, you should go back and rest early."

"Senior brother! Have you gained new insights since your seclusion, or has someone said something to you?! Senior brother, what decision are you about to make? For the sake of Sanyi, please think it over carefully, please think it over carefully!"

Zuo Ruotong remained silent, went inside and closed the door, and the candlelight quickly disappeared into the night.

The atmosphere at Sanyi Gate seems to have changed quietly lately.

The disciples would occasionally see Zuo Ruotong huddled in a rattan chair, looking old and enjoying his leisure time like an ordinary old man. The newly initiated disciples always felt that his demeanor was far from the immortal they had imagined, and their idol image in their hearts began to crumble.

Zuo Ruotong continued to personally teach and impart knowledge, but he spent more time with Chen Ruoan and had more time to visit the disabled disciples behind the mountain gate.

As a result, rumors and gossip surrounding the fox spread like wildfire.

Some say that foxes are skilled in bewitching, and strange beasts like to absorb vital energy to cultivate. It is said that Master Zuo's long-term contact with foxes has affected his ability to reverse life.

It seems that Lu Jin was also deceived by the vixen.

“Someone is slandering me.” Chen Ruoan stood on the roof of the backyard. The disciples of the Third School in the courtyard were busy, and their smiles were even wider than before.

Ghost Second complained, "Why does my silly boy seem to want to recognize Master Zuo as his father more?"

The fox did not reply.

Sincerity and prudence are the rules of the San Yi Sect. Everyone likes to make friends with sincere people.

Swish!

As Chen Ruoan rested, a sharp palm wind flew by, and the shockwave caused the fox fur to ripple with bright waves.

Standing at the corner of the courtyard wall, as if channeling his inner energy into flesh and bones, he raised his hand but before it landed, he angrily said, "Senior Brother's strange behavior began after he returned from his travels. I inquired at Green Bamboo Garden, and nothing happened. So the problem lies with you, you fox!"

"Get out of here now, get out of the Sanyi Mountain gate, or I won't be polite!"

"Ah~" Chen Ruoan opened her long, pointed mouth and yawned casually.

"You!" As if gathering strength in his palm, ready to strike, he was suddenly grabbed by the wrist before he could even release his palm.

"Si Chong, is this how Sanyi treats its guests?" Zuo Ruotong gripped Si Chong's wrist tightly, rendering him unable to move.

"Senior brother, if I don't do something soon, our Sanyi sect will be completely ruined. Now, not only the sect, but the entire industry is spreading rumors that you've been bewitched by a vixen and that your unparalleled 'Triple Rebirth Technique' has been wasted!"

"So, the Mr. Kuangya that others talk about is also so concerned about gossip?"

"Senior brother... Oh dear!" Si Chong pulled his arm away and angrily flung his sleeves away.

After seeing everything, Chen Ruoan felt that Zuo Ruotong and Si Chong, these two fellow disciples, were somewhat similar to Zhang Zhiwei and Zhang Huaiyi. One was single-mindedly seeking the profound truth and the Dao, even to the point of being willing to die for it, while the other was shrewd and calculating, more suitable for managing the development of the sect.

However, it seems that Chong lacked a certain clarity and prudence in his actions, which was not ideal for Zhang Huaiyi.

Zuo Ruotong, standing under the eaves, bowed and apologized, saying, "It was our Sanyi Sect that was impolite."

Chen Ruoan gently shook her head.

At this moment, the fox's mind was clear and bright, and the wishing tree's precious tablet shone with a clear light. In just a few days, the color of the light changed from white to blue, then from blue to violet, and if it continued to spread, it would become a dazzling golden light.

I only hope that this good karma will lead to a perfect outcome for both parties.

It can not only provide foxes with methods for self-cultivation, but also cure Zuo Ruotong's hidden ailments, and find some ways to make up for his shortcomings on the path of reversing the natural order.

In this way, perhaps the ill-fated relationship with Lu Jin can also be resolved.

Chapter 49: Can we glimpse the path to heaven?

Having finished persuading the Great Immortal, the fox now needs to consult medical experts.

Chen Ruoan descended with a wisp of divine will, landing on the altar of Jishetang. Amidst the wisps of green smoke, a fox head appeared.

There are three pharmacies on the main street of Luoyang's old city: the time-honored Jishetang, the Duanmu family, a family of doctors at the east end of the street, and Antifangzi, run by Mr. Niu.

It is said that "competitors are enemies," but this saying does not apply to the three schools. Each of the three schools has its own strengths in medicine, and they exchange ideas frequently. Disciples from each school can even study under two or even all three schools.

After the fox's mind calmed down, it saw a girl of about ten years old with loose, thick braids, standing on tiptoe and wiping the dust off the altar.

After wiping it clean, she took out melons, fruits, and green dates from the bamboo basket, arranged them neatly, and then brought over a bowl of sweet well water and placed it beside her.

Finally, she gave a slight curtsy, clasped her hands together in a gesture of respect, stood in front of the platform for a while, and then secretly ate a handful of dates.

"Little girl, you have stolen my offerings."

"Oh!" the girl exclaimed, noticing the fox's head gathering in the smoke. Blushing, she put the dates back on the plate.

"Shh!" She made a shushing gesture. "Fox Fairy, please don't tell Master."

The offerings from Jishetang were always simple, so Chen Ruoan wouldn't be stingy with a few dates. Seeing that the girl was unfamiliar, he asked, "I've never seen you before. What's your name?"

"Duanmu Ying, you can just call me Yingzi, that's what the elders call me."

"Forehead--"

Chen Ruoan pondered for a long time. He should have thought of this sooner. In this day and age, pharmacies have almost no ability to expand into chains. What kind of pharmacy could Jishetang be?

Zhang Zhiwei's only performance record was placed in the hometown of one of the future "Thirty-Six Thieves".

Chen Ruoan saw that Xiao Yingzi at this time was not yet the same as the unconventional and open-minded girl she would become in the future, let alone the person who was captured by the Lü family, went against the doctor's conscience, and eventually became a morbid and crazy person.

"Yingzi, where are your parents?"

"Master and Mr. Liu are out on a medical call. The prescription you requested is ready." Duanmu Ying ran outside and retrieved papers of various sizes.

"Fox Immortal, if I may be so bold, you wish to treat the three dantian. In our view, the dantian is the core area where the body's vital energy gathers and the flow of qi rises and falls. If you wish to reverse some of the depletion of vital energy and the disorder of qi flow, ordinary medicines will be of no use at all."

"I understand." Chen Ruoan naturally understood what Duanmu Ying meant.

Zuo Ruotong failed to break through the barrier. To survive, he had to maintain his reverse life. However, the longer he continued on the path of "reverse life," the more difficult it became to cure his hidden illness. It had become a vicious cycle, and ordinary methods were no longer effective.

The prescriptions that the fox entrusted to Jishetang and Antifang were actually prepared for the disabled disciples in the backyard of the mountain gate.

The fox was not an expert in saving lives, but fortunately, Mr. Ox was a kind-hearted healer and was also interested in the hidden injuries caused by the martial arts, so he put a lot of hard work into studying it.

Since there were no observed examples, Mr. Niu has already set off for Fujian.

"Yingzi, we will need to trouble Master Li and Mr. Liu more often in the future. Also, we can replace some of the oily items on the altar."

"I understand!" Duanmu Ying raised her arm and waved her hand, burning the prescription in front of the hall.

Chen Ruoan regained her composure and, based on the results given by the three doctors, prepared some nourishing pills for her body.

Some common minor ailments can be treated, but major physical disabilities are beyond cure.

Sometimes the fox thought, "The value of 'Double-Handed' is too high. It affects the soul and cognition, and can even heal the wounded and restore flesh to bones. It is truly a holy hand that saves lives and heals the wounded."

Unfortunately, this group of people, whose fortunes were shallow and whose lives were short, could not bear the consequences of stealing the immortal's treasure. The Eight Extraordinary Techniques, which were used to create chaos, disturbed people's hearts.