Chapter 118: Heavenly Fox Ancestor

A pure-white nine-tailed fox, when assuming human form, bares his chest and abdomen—a muscular male with a bare upper body.

His nine tails gather around him like a soul.

You think he's the most special of the thirteen True Gods because he lacks any old-era background.

The Fox Clan was obscure and weak in the old era.

Through interacting with the nine-tailed fox male, you learn he is the first fox in heaven and earth to evolve nine tails.

Before him, there were no nine-tailed foxes in the world.

His name is Nine Tail, and he calls himself the Heavenly Fox Ancestor.

The Heavenly Fox Ancestor gazes at you, eyes full of doubt: "Who are you? Why have I never seen you before?"

He says: "Someone as strong as you should already be famous, known to all beings of heaven and earth."

All beings in the world think you have passed away.

They are unaware of your past glory.

In their eyes, the holder of the Heavenly Dao Divine Office is merely part of the Heavenly Dao consciousness, not an independent entity.

Thus the thirteen True Gods never realized your identity.

You smile and say: "Soon all beings of heaven and earth will know my name."

"I look forward to it."

The Heavenly Fox Ancestor chuckles, not pressing further.

You discuss some cultivation matters.

Your unique understanding of realms shocks the Heavenly Fox Ancestor greatly.

The Heavenly Fox Ancestor brings you to the Fox Clan's territory; the Fox Clan is vast in number, yet their talent is ordinary.

The Fox Clan's aptitude seems determined by the number of tails.

Even the weakest one-tailed fox lacks intelligence, having only the instincts of ordinary animals.

The Heavenly Fox Ancestor's wish is to develop the entire Fox Clan into a strong race, making the Fox Clan one of the strongest in the Two Realms.

You say: "It will surely happen."

The Heavenly Fox Ancestor laughs heartily: "Upon first meeting, I felt we were destined; chatting lately, I find our interests align."

He says: "Among so many powerhouses, only you believe in my Fox Clan!"

The Heavenly Fox Ancestor decides to become sworn brothers with you.

You also agree, knowing that Nine Tail Ancestor has other motives, wanting to rely on you to let the Fox Clan develop swiftly.

And you are no different, having your own motives.

When holding the Heavenly Dao, you, overlooking all beings, often think: the myriad phenomena of the world are built on the foundation of mutual benefit; even emotions are a form of benefit.

You and the Heavenly Fox Ancestor complete the sworn brotherhood.

"Brother Lin, let me introduce you."

The Heavenly Fox Ancestor introduces his closest people to you—two women, both his wives.

Both women are eight-tailed foxes, residing in the Legendary Fourth Realm, just one step away from entering the Void God Realm.

"This is my mother."

The Heavenly Fox Ancestor also has a mother, a three-tailed fox showing clear signs of age, whose cultivation has barely touched the legendary threshold.

You can see that the Heavenly Fox Ancestor values clan bonds and familial affection greatly, and his soul is exceptionally pure, far beyond the other twelve True God Realm beings.

It is precisely because of his pure soul that his perception of the seven emotions and six desires is clearer, making the Heavenly Fox Ancestor exceptionally sentimental.

For the Heavenly Fox Ancestor, merging with the Heavenly Dao Divine Office would be unacceptable—too cruel.

Thinking of this, you bid him farewell and leave his clan's territory.

You then begin contacting other True God Realm beings.

Days pass one by one.

During this time, numerous powerhouses erupt in countless wars, big and small.

The fiercest warrior is none other than the sole True God of the Blood-Painted Star Domain—the Demon Ancestor.

The Demon Ancestor, by his own power, unified the original Twelve Heavenly Demon Noble Families, becoming the sole ruler of the Blood-Painted Star Domain.

If it were the former you, you would surely contend with the Demon Ancestor for supremacy.

But the present you no longer harbors such thoughts.

Not long after, Yang Zu's dharma form finds you again.

She tells you: "I have already found a successor."

You ask: "Who is it?"

Yang Zu replies: "The current founder of Daoism; I promised him that, upon my return to the Way of All Beings and taking charge of Daoism, I will make Daoism flourish."

You chuckle: "No wonder he's the founder of a teaching—his awakening is truly high."

Upon reflection, however, it's also normal.

Yang Zu is originally the founder of the Purple Star Emperor Sect, a prestigious Daoist lineage; returning to the Way of All Beings is beyond an ordinary True God Realm.

"You must hurry."

Yang Zu reminds: "The time left for you is not much."

You nod and smile: "If I truly cannot find a successor, I will still help you; worst case, I will forever hold the Heavenly Dao Divine Office."

Yang Zu teases: "That's unnecessary; as long as you wish, once I go out I will surely pull you out, though it may take longer."

You didn't take it to heart.

After Yang Zu leaves, you continue your search.

One day, you see a red light fall upon the Blood-Painted Star Domain.

Mo Zu has recently become increasingly restless.

He not only wants to devour the other eight great Star Domains, he also eyes the Mundane World tigerishly.

You, who were once a Heavenly Demon, are very clear about the demon's nature; the demon's seven emotions and six desires, compared to other living beings, are in a state of extreme imbalance.

If a demon wants to become stronger, it will spare no expense to become stronger.

If a demon wants desire, it will also think of every possible way to obtain it.

If a demon harbors killing intent, it will use any means to achieve it.

If a demon wants to protect a person, even if it opposes the whole Shi Jie, it will remain steadfast.

It seems that the seven emotions and six desires control the demon; actually, the demonic path is like this: indulging desire, allowing desire, using desire as motivation to drive oneself forward.

When you were young, the elders of the Heavenly Demon Clan have always taught you this way.

You and your peers in the Heavenly Demon Clan all regard it as the truth.

If it weren't for a simple-minded Xiao Ya Huan who regards you as her whole life, you would have always maintained the last trace of sobriety.

You too will become like that, turning into an unscrupulous great demon lord.

Now Mo Zu descends upon Mortal Dust.

You decide to stop him.

Nothing else, you promised Xiao Ya Huan to return him a complete Mortal Dust, so she no longer has to wait anxiously.

Anyone who disturbs Mortal Dust is your enemy.

Following the direction where the red light fell, you found the invading demon slaves, exterminated them one by one, and unintentionally stepped again into the Fox Clan's territory.

Struck by the red light, the Fox Clan suffered heavy losses.

On the Heavenly Dome, more red divine light came one after another, seemingly targeting the Fox Clan.

You saw a figure rushing toward the Horizon; Tianhu Shizu made a move, and engaged in a brief earth-shaking great battle with Mo Zu.

You cast a spell to protect the other Fox Clan members, shielding them from the aftermath.

Soon after, with bare upper body and blood-stained fists, Tianhu Shizu returned; his tall and burly figure appeared somewhat desolate.

A Fox Clan cultivator came running staggeringly: 'Report! Report! The old lady... something happened!'

Tianhu Shizu's eyes suddenly turned blood-red, he grabbed the reporting Fox Clan cultivator, and murderous intent surged.

"You say, how is my mother?"