Chapter 247: The Fox Recites the Scripture, Three Times Before Driving Away

"Oh?"

Shi Ancestor Tongxuan heard this with surprise, "Then open it and take a look?"

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan nodded.

"I specifically asked you to inspect it, Grandmaster."

Thus, Shi Ancestor Tongxuan reached out and opened the gourd's mouth, as if Cheng Cheng Xinzhan's talisman had never been placed upon it.

A wisp of white smoke spilled from the gourd, swirling in the air before taking the form of a woman—no longer the celestial beauty she had been at their first meeting; her hair was disheveled, her robes torn, clearly tormented by the fire crows confined within since being subdued by Cheng Cheng Xinzhan.

"I'll kill you!"

The woman screamed.

But as she glanced around, she immediately sensed something was wrong—wasn't this Xiangxi? Why was she in a Daoist temple, with an old and a young Daoist on the ground?

Hu Hu Baozhuang decided the best course was to flee—she instantly tried to soar out of the hall.

But Shi Ancestor Tongxuan merely extended one finger and tapped her; she was flung backward, landing before the two men, and simultaneously reverted to her true form: a fluffy white fox with three tails.

The fox's obsidian eyes were filled with terror.

Yet Shi Ancestor Tongxuan paid no further attention to the fox, turning instead to Cheng Cheng Xinzhan.

"Tell me first—what is your origin?"

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan nodded and began by describing the Lady Bao who guarded the Seal Sword at Longhu Mountain's Tian Shi shrine, then recounted the recurring phenomenon of lost souls in Xiangxi, the local water guilds, and his own theories.

As the fox listened, her fear deepened.

Had this man been to the Tian Shi Mansion?

How could he know of her ties to Longhu Mountain?

Most crucially—why did he speak of Longhu Mountain with no reverence whatsoever?

No— he had been to the Tian Shi Mansion, and also to the Lost Soul Ravine.

The fox suddenly realized, and spoke in human voice:

"You're Cheng Cheng Xinzhan! This is Sanqing Mountain!"

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan looked over and nodded.

"Then Shanshan Xingwei?!"

"That's me too."

"You destroyed the Lost Soul Ravine, and now you're targeting Mount Tianqiao Mountain—your Sanqing Mountain wants to seize Xiangxi!"

The fox cried out.

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan listened, shaking his head—he'd thought the fox was quick-witted, but hadn't expected her to blurt out such foolishness.

At that moment, Shi Ancestor Tongxuan spoke:

"The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox originated in Qingqiu. Later, ancestral splits occurred, giving rise not only to the main Qingqiu line, but also the Northern Frontier Snow Mountain branch, the Jingchu Yunmeng branch, and the Southern Sea's Traceless branch—which lineage are you from?"

The fox stared at the old Daoist, startled that he knew of the celestial foxes' ancestral schisms.

But she wouldn't answer.

Yet the next instant, the old man said:

"It's just idle chatter—if you won't speak, it's no matter. I'll simply pluck out your primordial spirit and examine it myself."

"Yunmeng—I'm from Yunmeng!"

The fox blurted out, astonished that this seemingly transcendent old Daoist spoke such terrifying words so casually.

Shi Ancestor Tongxuan nodded, unsurprised by the answer, wearing an expression of expected confirmation. He said:

"The Yunmeng celestial foxes' alliance with the Tian Shi Mansion began with the True Person Xu Jing. Back then, a celestial fox carried a cub and ascended, but during her Tribulation Crossing, her strength faltered—the child was about to perish. The passing True Person Xu Jing intervened and saved it."

The fox stared at Shi Ancestor Tongxuan in horror.

Seeing the little fox's expression, Shi Ancestor Tongxuan smiled and said:

"Living long enough naturally reveals old tales, but this story isn't a secret among the Yu Zhang Dao sects—it was once celebrated as a noble legend."

Shi Ancestor Tongxuan continued:

"The celestial foxes, grateful for this favor, sent many of their young to serve under True Person Xu Jing. During the Song and Yuan dynasties, whenever Yu Zhang suffered plague, drought, or rat infestations, celestial foxes were seen rushing to alleviate the disasters—truly immeasurable merit."

At these words, the fox's expression shifted again—she herself knew little of these events.

Shi Ancestor Tongxuan's face took on a nostalgic hue.

"True Person Xu Jing possessed immense magical power and vast knowledge. In Internal Alchemy, he proposed 'Clarifying the True, Breaking Illusion' and 'Sudden Awakening of Mind-Nature.' In Five Thunder Dao, he pioneered the 'Qingwei Thunder Art'—he was the preeminent master of his age."

"Moreover, True Person Xu Jing repeatedly emphasized in his teachings that Dao cultivators must follow the sages' path of stillness and non-action, rejecting luxury and indulgence. At the time, Longhu Mountain was rightly called the model of all Dao sects."

Here, Shi Ancestor Tongxuan sighed deeply.

"Alas, since True Person Xu Jing, each successive Tian Shi of Longhu Mountain has been worse than the last…"

"You lie!"

Before Shi Ancestor Tongxuan could finish, the fox erupted in anger, interrupting him.

But Shi Ancestor Tongxuan paid no mind, merely gazing at her and saying:

"Denial is useless. Just look—since True Person Xu Jing, has any Tian Shi of Longhu Mountain ever been honored by the Dao sects as a True Person?"

The fox had no reply.

Shi Ancestor Tongxuan continued:

"When True Person Xu Jing lived, what status did Longhu Mountain hold? Now, with Zhang Zhang Yuanji as Tian Shi, what status does Longhu Mountain hold? I suspect that if True Person Xu Jing returned to this world today, the first person he'd kill would be Zhang Zhang Yuanji!"

Since Zhang Zhang Yuanji inherited the sect, Longhu Mountain has made one blunder after another—the Seal Sword affair enraged the entire Yu Zhang Dao community; only the respect for the Ancestral Tian Shi and the accumulated virtue of past masters has kept them from openly condemning it. Now, they've created this Xiangxi demon cult—utterly foolish!

Shi Ancestor Tongxuan looked at the fox and added:

"When True Person Xu Jing lived, your celestial foxes worked to avert disasters. Now, under Zhang Zhang Yuanji's rule, what are you doing? Corrupting minds! Capturing souls! Did the fox who ascended ever imagine you'd do such things?!"

The little fox's face turned pale with fear, silent.

"I'd like to ask—have your celestial foxes all lost your minds? Can you really serve as a tiger's Chang? What did Zhang Zhang Yuanji promise you? Elixirs? Avoidance of Tribulation? Dao arts? Speak truthfully!"

Shi Ancestor Tongxuan roared.

This thunderous question struck straight into her heart—the fox, already unsettled, instantly trembled, her soul in chaos, and involuntarily revealed the truth:

"The Tian Shi promised that if we serve him, when he ascends, he will issue a divine decree to build temples and cast golden statues for our fox clan on Longhu Mountain."

Shi Ancestor Tongxuan nodded, his anger now gone, replaced by calm. After a few breaths, he let out a derisive chuckle:

"Him? Ascend?"

Shi Ancestor Tongxuan shook his head in contempt, then asked:

"What does Longhu Mountain hope to gain by having you support the demon cult in Xiangxi?"

The fox was now at their mercy—facing a fourth-rank great cultivator who could pluck her primordial spirit at will, concealment was pointless.

Moreover, Shi Ancestor Tongxuan's relentless rebukes had stripped away the last of her confidence—her celestial fox lineage and Longhu Mountain's backing no longer shielded her. Filled only with dread, she sought only to survive—and answered whatever she was asked.

Yet she truly did not know the true purpose behind supporting the demon cult, so she replied:

"I only know to deliver the wandering souls to the Young Tian Shi—I have no idea what they're used for."

"Not even a single phrase?"

The fox, shaken again by the shout, dredged up a hazy memory—some words surfaced. She said:

"I heard something about 'infant elixir'… and 'shortcut'…"

At this, both men's eyes flickered with shock and suspicion—shortcut? What shortcut?

But when pressed further, the little fox truly knew nothing else.

"When did Longhu Mountain begin collecting souls? Besides Xiangxi, are there other places?"

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan asked from beside him.

The fox nearly wept—she'd only just left her clan, and now she'd stumbled into this. She no longer cared about secrets—it was useless anyway. Her priority was survival. She answered quickly:

"I don't know if there are others. I don't know when Xiangxi started. I've only been at Longhu Mountain for twenty years!"

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan and Shi Ancestor Tongxuan exchanged a glance—they'd thought they'd caught a small fish, only to find a shrimp.

"Then who is the woman at the Tian Shi's Seal Sword site, who looks exactly like you?"

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan asked again.

"That's my auntie. I came to Longhu Mountain only because she specifically requested me."

The fox replied.

"What's her name? What realm is she in? How long has she been at Longhu Mountain?"

"My auntie's name is Baoxiang. She has seven tails and is about to reach the fourth realm. She came to Longhu Mountain four hundred years ago."

"What is her connection to the Lost Soul Ravine? How are the souls collected there sent to Longhu Mountain?"

"The Lost Soul Ravine was established by my auntie. The soul-capturing technique was taught by her. Even the White No-Face bows and calls her 'Grandma.' In the past, she came to Xiangxi once a year to collect souls; for the past decade, she's sent me instead."

"Does the White No-Face know you're from Longhu Mountain?"

"He may suspect, but he dares not ask."

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan nodded, then asked:

"Since arriving at Longhu Mountain, how many souls have you handled? Have you ever personally killed anyone?"

The fox seized this like a lifeline, urgently saying:

"Never! Never! Every year, the White No-Face prepares the souls—I only come to collect them and return them to the Tian Shi Mansion. This time, since the Lost Soul Ravine is gone, my auntie sent me to rebuild the Illusion Cave."

As she spoke, the fox glanced at the two Daoists, then lowered her voice:

"Each year, about two to three thousand souls are sent to Longhu Mountain."

Seeing the Daoists' faces darken, the fox hurried to add:

"Of course, many of them are already wandering ghosts or those who died of old age—not all are taken from the living!"

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan let out a cold snort.

"But these souls were meant to be sent for reincarnation!"

The fox, hearing this, dared not speak again.

The two behind him asked several more questions, and the fox answered each one honestly; Cheng Cheng Xinzhan then turned to Shi Ancestor Tongxuan and asked,

"Grandmaster, how shall we deal with this fox?"

At once, the fox bowed its head, crying out,

"Master, spare my life! Master, spare my life!"

Shi Ancestor Tongxuan fell into thought, remaining silent for a long while.

The fox's eyes grew more desperate, yet as if remembering something, it quickly prostrated itself and wailed,

"Two Daoist Masters, though I am not human, I once studied the classics at Long Hu Mountain. The 'Laojun's Code of Laws' says: 'If an animal destroys crops, first rebuke it; if it persists after three warnings, then drive it away.'

'The Sage's compassion extends even to beasts—unenlightened, untaught, they are driven away after three warnings, yet never killed. After leaving Yunmeng, I came to Long Hu Mountain; before, I dwelled in a fox den, now I am trapped in a swamp—I was never taught! You must not kill me!'"

Hearing the beast suddenly quote scripture, Cheng Cheng Xinzhan and Shi Ancestor Tongxuan exchanged a glance—both surprised, both amused. Cheng Cheng Xinzhan pointed at the fox and said,

"The Sage pities beasts for their ignorance, but do you, of the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox lineage, truly consider yourselves beasts? And how can destroying crops be equated with taking human life?"

Yet to save its life, the fox seemed ready to say anything.

"Compared to the wisest of creatures, the Celestial Fox is indeed a beast! Master, I am but an accomplice—not the mastermind! Long Hu Mountain is corrupt; it led me astray!"

The fox crawled to Shi Ancestor Tongxuan's feet and pleaded,

"Your humble servant begs to be allowed to listen to the Sacred Teachings on the Three Pure Mountains—only spare my life!"

Shi Ancestor Tongxuan looked at the fox and sighed deeply.

"The Sage said: 'I do nothing, and the people transform themselves; I love stillness, and the people right themselves; I do nothing, and the people grow rich; I have no desires, and the people return to simplicity.' Now the Celestial Master's Mansion is consumed by greed and desire—how can its disciples return to simplicity? Today I see only one small fox, yet it is enough to glimpse the whole picture."

The fox faintly sensed Shi Ancestor Tongxuan's softening and immediately bowed her head in agreement.

"Cheng Xinzhan, what do you think?"

Shi Ancestor Tongxuan turned to Cheng Cheng Xinzhan.

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan considered a moment, then said,

"An orange south of the Huai River is an orange; north of it, it becomes a citron—due to differing soil and water. Then let us spare this fox's life. Confine it to the mountain, let it perform virtuous deeds to atone, and observe its future conduct. Moreover, should we one day denounce Long Hu Mountain, this fox's words today may serve as a powerful banner."

Shi Ancestor Tongxuan nodded.

"Then send it to Moyan Mountain. Teach it the Soul-Transcending Scripture. By day, it shall sit upon rocks and inscribe talismans; by night, it shall carve characters and copy scriptures. Its sentence shall be determined later."

The fox, knowing it had saved its life, bowed repeatedly.

With this matter settled, Cheng Cheng Xinzhan took his leave and returned to the mountain.

Not long after he departed, messengers from Moyan Mountain came to lead the fox away for punishment.

Shi Ancestor Tongxuan, after a moment's thought, rose and headed toward Mount Mount Pingding's Yuan Yin Hall. He mused:

Shou Ren is a master of the Elixir Dao. I shall ask him: what is this 'Infant Elixir'? What kind of elixir requires human souls as its ingredient?

————

Leaving Yujing Peak, he arrived at Bai Hu Mountain, descended into the Golden Refining Cave, and sought out Jiang Jiang Weishan, dumping all the demonic treasures seized from Dan Shan Xingwei, Li Xiahuai, and Xue Xue Linglong into a heap before him.

"Senior, distribute them. Let the disciples refine them into blood-evil demonic toxins. I've inspected them—all are still fine materials. Consider them compensation for your fellow disciples' hard labor in demonic refining."

Jiang Jiang Weishan looked at the pile of demonic treasures, many of which had been refined by Elixir Tribulation, and without asking their origin, chuckled,

"You give compensation like this? When they've purged the demonic taint, I'll call you back—you take seven-tenths."

"No, no—I'm leaving. I'll pay you a visit again when I have time."

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan waved his hand with a smile and turned to leave.

He naturally didn't want them—years ago, his Senior had worked day and night with many disciples to forge the Five Elements Sword for him. Now, to repay even a little, he was already overjoyed.

————

When he returned to Mount Mingzhi Mountain and saw several young disciples diligently cultivating, he finally felt some relief.

"Zhao Li, Bai Long, come with me to light the furnace."

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan called out.

"Yes, Master!"

The cat and dog replied happily and followed Cheng Cheng Xinzhan.

Cheng Cheng Xinzhan did not enter his cave dwelling, but went instead to the southern cliff, where he had newly carved a cave.

He chose a fengshui point known as "Qian Yang Tian Xin"—facing the sun, seated toward Xun and oriented toward Qian—ideal for setting furnace and cauldron, precisely where he refined Long Hu and forged golden essence. He named it "Xuan Yang Cave."

The cave was not deep, but wide—more like a stone grotto. It was still the hour of Si; sunlight poured entirely inside, illuminating the furnace and cauldron within.

The furnace was a three-legged, barrel-shaped vessel one zhang tall, wreathed in flickering flames, glowing crimson. Its surface bore bas-reliefs of fire clouds and fire birds—the "Fire-Refining Red Sky Furnace."

The cauldron was a six-legged, four-eared square vessel two zhang six chi tall, crimson-yellow, like amber, its surface shimmering as if water flowed beneath the sunlight. Carved upon it were images of the Su Ni beast—the "Poison-Swallowing Cauldron."

Beside this furnace and cauldron sat another Cheng Cheng Xinzhan.

(End of Chapter)