Becoming a Fox Spirit from Under One Person.

The fox couldn't explain why.

Guests are welcome, so we should treat them well.

Chen Ruoan had no separate courtyard or hall in Jinxi Village; the only quiet place to receive guests was the small temple at the entrance of the village.

He immediately asked Zhang Jingqing to come over, and then called a strong young man from the village to the kitchen to brew some tea as a small gift for the guest.

Zhang Jingqing walked into the temple with his hands behind his back. After a quick glance, he noticed something amiss.

This small temple was rebuilt after the local earth god was moved. The blue bricks are elegant, the beams and pillars have been freshly painted, and instead of a clay sculpture with gold decorations, there is only a simple memorial tablet in the center.

Recently, the fox has been eating a light diet, so no fishy or gamey food is placed before the altar. Instead, a few freshly picked spider flowers and lantana from the mountains are offered, with the flowers arranged in a small celadon vase, their fragrance lingering and refreshing.

Calling it an ordinary land shrine is no longer appropriate; this is a refined and ethereal fox spirit temple.

"It's a nice little temple, and there's plenty of incense offerings," Zhang Jingqing said.

"Did Zhang Tianshi come here on purpose?" Chen Ruoan asked softly, his fox paws tucked in.

He always felt that this Taoist elder knew of his existence before he descended the mountain.

It makes sense, given Zhang Zhiwei's outspoken nature; how could he not tell his master and fellow disciples everything he had seen and heard during his travels?

Zhang Jingqing explained, "That landlord paid a lot of money to ask me to go down the mountain to exorcise the demon, but a few minor mishaps occurred on the way. However, I had already heard about your fox-like nature from my wicked disciple, so seeing you today, I really feel a sense of kinship."

Perhaps thinking of something, Zhang Jingqing shook her head and chuckled, full of emotion: "Given that wretched nature, it would be a good thing if he didn't get kicked by the fox a few times. I never expected that you would be willing to be his mount."

"Ok?"

Upon hearing this, the fox froze, its golden fox eyes widening in shock.

Who is whose mount?

What nonsense about turning the world upside down and reversing the heavens and earth? Zhang Zhiwei made up such nonsense in front of his elders to ruin my reputation as a fox spirit.

Seeing Chen Ruoan's utterly speechless and strange expression, Zhang Jingqing looked puzzled and asked softly, "What's wrong?"

The fox pondered for a moment, then began to put on an act.

"Master, you are wise. I did not do it willingly, nor was it by choice." Chen Ruoan possessed the supernatural power of "demon wind," but even without it, he was still talented at blowing wind in people's ears.

"what happens?"

"Just because I don't speak of my own difficulties doesn't mean I don't have them," the fox sighed, opening its mouth.

Zhang Jingqing wondered if Zhang Zhiwei was hiding something.

Before descending the mountain, he made a three-point agreement with Zhang Zhiwei, especially instructing him not to use supernatural methods except to exorcise demons and protect the righteous path. Could it be that the wicked disciple was using the pretext of exorcising demons to force the fox to carry him on his journey?

A real problem was presented to the old master.

One is a disciple within the sect, the other is a fox you've just met. Whom should you believe?

Um--

"You wretched child!" Zhang Jingqing slapped her knees with both hands. "I'll deal with him when we get back."

"Thank you, Celestial Master, for upholding justice." Chen Ruoan looked suspiciously at the Taoist priest beside him.

Is it too hasty to make a decision on Zhang Zhiwei's "crime" without even asking about the details of the matter?

The fox was unaware of the dynamics between Master Jingqing and Zhang Zhiwei. In most cases, Zhang Jingqing simply wanted an excuse to reprimand Zhang Zhiwei.

The tea brewed by the villagers was handed over, its aroma mingling with the fragrance of flowers and herbs.

Zhang Jingqing took a sip of tea and suddenly asked, "The insights and reflections of my wicked disciple were written by you...you, right?"

"Yes, please forgive me, senior."

"I want to know, how much of what you said was sincere, and how much of it lived up to the word 'honesty' in your heart?"

"Aside from some casual remarks, it's probably eight or nine out of ten."

After a moment's thought, Zhang Jingqing asked a series of questions.

"Have you cultivated yourself to the point of human form yet?"

"There is a tiny, insignificant method of transformation."

"How's your strength now?"

A sense of foreboding swept through Chen Ruoan's heart, but he did not lie in the slightest and answered truthfully:

"He was able to use underhanded methods to poison a vicious and wicked person like Liang Ting of the Quanxing Sect; he was also able to defeat Lu Jin of the Sanyi Sect when discussing and competing with righteous people. However, the methods he used were not aboveboard and were often cunning and treacherous."

Mentioning the Sanyi Sect, Zhang Jingqing recalled Zuo Ruotong's sect reforms last year, and it seemed that the fox's shadow was everywhere in the rumors.

The Celestial Master slowly raised his hand, his fingertips stroking his upturned beard, as if he were secretly plotting something.

At the same time, Chen Ruoan seemed to have guessed what he wanted to say.

"After another year of cultivation and refinement, how confident are you in dealing with my unfilial disciple?"

Sure enough, it appeared!

I knew you were trying to trick the fox.

Zhang Jingqing is a rare teacher, that much is true. After all, she is a famous teacher who will cultivate the future "one person" and "second only one person" in the industry. However, this does not mean that a famous teacher can casually hire teaching assistants for his students.

Does a fox act like a teaching assistant?

Chen Ruoan hesitated, "This..."

"Don't be afraid. Your wicked disciple is almost thirty. Everything is fine, except for one thing. I still believe that a defeat is a good thing for him. Why don't you do me the trouble to help him? If all else fails, I'll make some pills to help you."

The fox asked in confusion, "I am not bad at magic, could it be that Mount Longhu has some kind of elixir to help me stabilize my human form?"

"No, I won't give you the meatballs. Give them to that wretched child."

"What kind of pills?" Chen Ruoan caught another vague sense of déjà vu, but he had guessed the details of those pills correctly.

"A magic pill!" Zhang Jingqing exclaimed with a smile.

The "Immortal Pill" is a secret ancestral medicine from the Celestial Master's Mansion on Longhu Mountain. Taking it will disrupt the normal flow of Qi in the body.

"Um--"

Chen Ruoan pondered for a moment, thinking to himself: "Is it because the Taoist sects abandoned external alchemy that some of their pills have turned yin?"

But then I thought, if using the magic pill on myself would be treacherous and cunning, why does it seem so sacred when used on others?

“However, I refuse,” Chen Ruoan said righteously.

Chapter 76: Is it finally my turn to beat up Zhang Zhiwei?

Who is Zhang Zhiwei?

The ancient Greek god who controls the palm, the great master of causality, the greatest rule-based mystery among the extraordinary, even though he is still in his growth stage, he cannot be dealt with by ordinary magic methods.

To realize the wish of the Celestial Master Jingqing, the right time, the right place, and the right people are all indispensable. Perhaps it is also necessary to pretend to be Tang and secretly work with Zhang Zhiwei.

Chen Ruoan asked, "Why does the Celestial Master insist on Zhang Zhiwei's defeat? The Fox believes that he has already embarked on his own path."

Yes, why is that?

Zhang Jingqing's eyes were filled with deep thoughts, and she pondered to herself.

After returning to the mountains from his travels, Zhang Zhiwei's temperament became more restrained. His former unrestrained and flamboyant nature faded considerably, and his behavior became more composed. This is a remarkable improvement.

But why was I so determined to inflict a "defeat" on him? This thought had lingered in my heart for decades, taking deep root and continuing to this day.

Could it be that this is no longer a teacher's way of testing and training his students, but rather an obsession, or perhaps he simply doesn't like Zhang Zhiwei's "silly" appearance?

Zhang Jingqing stared at the teacup, watching the tea stems floating aimlessly in the cup, and after thinking for a while, she gave her answer.

"It's not about 'defeat,' but about finding a 'partner' who can inspire you to improve and move forward together."

Sometimes, when you're so angry you're blinded by it, you might really forget your original intention.

Chen Ruoan nodded.

Is it the same as in the original storyline where Zuo Ruotong meets Wugensheng?

But if the fox were to fight Zhang Zhiwei, could he truly make every move meaningful?

The fox could see Zhang Jingqing's sincerity and felt a sense of respect for her adherence to the principles of teaching.

Its fox ears drooped slightly, and it raised its furry front paws, gently pointing to the altar behind it.

“Master, this small temple is simple and not as grand and well-organized as the Fox Fairy Hall on Longhu Mountain, but it is sincerely worshipped by the villagers and is said to be very effective.”

Zhang Jingqing understood Chen Ruoan's unspoken meaning.

He walked slowly to the altar, his fingertips brushing against the clean incense holder on the table. He took three sticks of incense, and with a gentle flick of his fingertips, the incense spontaneously combusted, the smoke curling gently and slowly.

After the offering was completed, Zhang Jingqing turned around and looked at the fox: "Then I'll have to trouble you."

Having said that, he lingered his gaze on the fox's nimble figure for a moment, a hint of curiosity flashing in his eyes, and asked softly, "I wonder what your human form looks like?"

Chen Ruoan transformed into human form, and Zhang Jingqing then asked about the oil-paper umbrella.

"This umbrella?"

"It's just to cover up the slight fragrance on my body, so that the scent won't be too alluring to people."

"Oh?"

Chen Ruoan raised her eyes and carefully examined Zhang Jingqing for a moment.

"It was my rudeness."

Chen Ruoan raised his hand and gently closed the oil-paper umbrella. The moment the umbrella was closed, a clear and slightly enchanting fragrance quietly spread out. It was neither gaudy nor strong, like the mist in the mountains or the plum blossoms under the moon, slowly entering Zhang Jingqing's nostrils.

The Taoist priest remained calm and composed, his nostrils twitching slightly. He then nodded gently and said softly, "I see."

Upon seeing this, the fox, in human form, bowed and said, "Chen Ruoan from the Taishan Yaoyue Tower greets the Celestial Master."

···

Three days later, Chen Ruoan arrived at the gate of Longhu Mountain. The mountain was shrouded in mist, and ancient pines and cypresses stood on both sides of the road.

In front of the steps, a figure dressed in a light gray Taoist robe was sweeping fallen leaves with a bamboo broom. He had large ears and a wary look in his eyes.

Zhang Jingqing stepped forward slowly and called out, "Huaiyi, where is Zhang Zhiwei?"

Zhang Huaiyi casually pointed towards the back mountain: "It's inside the back mountain."