Chapter 14: Lushan Dharma Lord Method, Out-of-Body Messenger Military Official Technique

In fact, the stronger the soul, the more physical nutrition the soul will draw, and the easier it is for the physical body to decay; "extreme wisdom leads to injury" is the principle behind this.

That Li Dafu did not dare to prescribe tonics for Xu Jia, yet Xu Jia dared to prescribe them for himself.

He had already had the ginseng sent by the little fatty cut into slices, holding one slice under his tongue every day to draw out the saliva, swallowing it continuously, and spitting it out once the ginseng lost its flavor.

By continuously generating saliva in this way, digestion was accelerated.

As for the rice water and thin porridge, they were not filling to begin with, so Xu Jia had someone bring a bowl every half hour; eating more meant the body would recover faster, which could greatly reduce the time needed for recuperation.

It was just that doing this meant going to the latrine more often, which increased the burden on the kidneys.

However, eating small, frequent meals strengthens the spleen and stomach; once the spleen and stomach are strong, one can return to a normal diet.

After returning to a normal diet, one can then carefully refine the essence and Qi of food to nourish other internal organs. Eventually, as one gradually supplies what is needed to strengthen the soul, one will no longer fear this slight burden.

At the very least, Xu Jia's complexion now was much better than when he had just crawled out of the coffin, and his Life Fire was being cultivated quite well.

……

After finishing the rice water, Xu Jia scattered a handful of unhusked rice into the courtyard, and immediately many sparrows arrived to peck at it.

He then stood up from the chair, and the maid at his side immediately supported him.

This maid was named Xiao Hong; she was not particularly beautiful, but she was sensible, obedient, and worked with efficiency and care, having been personally trained by Xu Mu.

"Does the Young Master wish to return to his room?"

Xu Jia shook his head and said, "The rice water has tasted bland lately, and I want to eat meat. Tell the kitchen to start tomorrow by skinning fresh chicken, mincing it into fine bits, and adding it to the porridge while it cooks. The porridge should be neither too thin nor too thick, just right for eating. Prepare a bowl for me every two hours."

"If you are worried, ask Li Dafu to come and see how I am recovering and whether I can eat these things."

"Yes, Young Master." Xiao Hong carefully noted this down.

Xu Jia added, "Prepare for what comes after as well. After eating this meat porridge for three days, I want to drink lamb soup. It must be meat from a lamb less than three months old. It cannot be too old, or the flavor will be too strong, and it won't serve the purpose of nourishment."

"I will give you another list; go and get a few medicinal herbs to put in it. Simmer it all together over a low fire for at least four hours. You are only allowed to use firewood as thick as your arm; add more only when it is about to burn out. Watch the heat carefully, add enough water all at once, and do not open the lid in the middle."

As Xiao Hong listened to these steps, she recited them silently in her heart, though she did not know if she had remembered them all. She was simply astonished: since when had her Young Master become proficient in medicine and cooking? Over these past few days, Xu Jia had pointed out the kitchen's faults several times and personally demonstrated how to tend the fire and how to boil a pot of nourishing rice water.

He also forbade the use of gold utensils for his meals, insisting only on earthenware or sand pots, boiling slowly like decocting medicine, and watching the heat carefully.

Xu Mu, Xiao Hong, and the kitchen matron all took this very seriously, taking turns watching the heat, with each person in charge of one meal.

After giving these instructions to Xiao Hong, Xu Jia returned to his room and casually picked up a book to read; it was the very same classic text this body had been studying before.

Xu Jia was mainly checking what the writing in this world was like, and it turned out to be much the same as in his previous life.

The information contained in books was more substantial and better than going out to ask people for understanding.

For the past few days, Xu Jia had only been lying in bed, but whenever he had the chance, he would still look at the study materials of his predecessor, discerning the predecessor's character from the handwriting and analyzing his thoughts from the text.

He only hoped to better integrate into this world and into this family.

He had not been reading for long when Xiao Hong pushed the door open: "Young Master, Young Master Niu has come to see you again."

Xu Jia put down the book and smiled: "Let him in."

Before he had even finished speaking, the little fatty Niu Congcong walked in. In three or four steps, he bent his knees and knelt by Xu Jia's bed, his eyes shining: "Big Brother, your divination was truly divine! Yesterday I really did find money, and an old woman came with her grandson to look for it. That grandson even kowtowed to thank me!"

Xu Jia laughed: "That is accumulating virtue." He then assumed a listening posture, waiting for Niu Congcong to say what followed.

Niu Congcong looked at Xiao Hong, and Xiao Hong, being very tactful, went out and closed the door behind her.

Only then did the little fatty say with a mysterious expression: "Good Big Brother, you know what that thing was last night, don't you?"

Xu Jia nodded: "I was just about to tell you the truth. When I returned to my soul, I received help from a nest of Fox Immortals and promised them a feast of ten chickens. It is inconvenient for me, so I entrusted you to act on my behalf. I was afraid you would be scared, so I didn't tell you beforehand."

The little fatty had a "no wonder" expression: "No wonder I saw their tails." He then added excitedly: "Is this the Immortal connection you spoke of, Big Brother?"

Xu Jia nodded in agreement: "Exactly. It was only after he ate your offering and a connection was formed that I could bring you two together. Are you afraid of these Immortals who cultivate as alien beings? Or, to put it less kindly, monsters."

"I am definitely afraid; who wouldn't be afraid of monsters? But I believe Big Brother won't harm me."

Xu Jia asked as if he were joking: "I won't lie to you either. I am destined to become an Immortal in this life, but there are many tribulations, so I need someone to protect my Dao. Are you willing to protect my Dao for me?"

The little fatty's eyes shone with excitement: "I am willing! I, Niu Congcong, swear that I am willing to protect Big Brother for my whole life! If I go back on this, may I be struck by the five thunders!"

Seeing him be so straightforward, Xu Jia felt a bit of regret, feeling that he had taken advantage of the person. He probed deeper: "Are you not afraid of the danger? After all, what you will encounter will be demons, monsters, ghosts, or perhaps others who are also cultivating. One careless move and you could lose your life."

"I am afraid, but I am not afraid if it is to protect Big Brother!"

"You blockhead!" Xu Jia scolded with a smile. Yet, he had accepted this little fatty.

He then said: "Since you already kowtowed to me yesterday, I will accept you. I trust your character, and now that you have sworn an oath, I will pass on a True Transmission mantra to you. Go back and practice it diligently. Originally, there were many rules and precepts, but there is no longer time to teach you to uphold them all."

"I have already calculated that there is a tribulation approaching. With my current abilities, I absolutely cannot overcome it; I can only ask for your help."

Niu Congcong said: "If there is anything, leave it to me. I guarantee I won't let Big Brother suffer even the slightest harm!"

Xu Jia smiled: "Don't leave tonight; I happen to want to introduce that nest of Fox Immortals to you."

"And I will tell you the method and ritual for establishing a Fox Immortal Hall at the same time."

"You can invite this nest of foxes into your home and form a karmic connection with them; it will help you cultivate rapidly."

What Xu Jia was passing on was the authentic Shamanism technique. This type of technique focuses mainly on sensing spirits and drawing close to nature; it is "Nature Cultivation," close to "Witchcraft."

Xu Jia also integrated the Lushan "Dharma Lord" method and the Northeast "Out-of-Body Messenger" technique based on what he had seen and heard in his previous life.

To practice this method, one does not need to circulate energy in the beginning, nor does one need to perform spirit-dancing; one only needs self-hypnosis and to insert an incense stick into one's hair to enter the mysterious "Dharma Realm."

In the Dharma Realm, one can communicate and interact with the Immortals, and even borrow their Divine Ability and Dharma Power.

And that Zamaohu had formed a karmic connection and a contract with Xu Jia, becoming a Protector Fox Immortal under Xu Jia's seat.

This little fatty could just happen to become the Dharma Lord under Zamaohu.

By cultivating this technique, he could draw upon the primordial Qi of the demon immortals to aid his own cultivation, while the demon immortals could also draw upon his primordial Qi to cultivate; it is a type of "Side-Door Dual Cultivation."

However, on the Blue Star of his previous life, because demon immortals were generally powerful and the Out-of-Body Messengers were of uneven quality, very few succeeded in internal cultivation. Thus, it was more like the demon immortals harvesting the essence of the Out-of-Body Messengers rather than dual cultivation.

Those disciples were often driven mad, and they would become slaves to the Immortals, sometimes even facing life-or-death moments.

This method causes severe damage to essence, Qi, and spirit, so Xu Jia would set rules for them, forbidding the foxes from possessing their bodies at will.

At the same time, he would teach the little fatty how to establish a hall. Once a "Family Temple Lineage" is formed in this way, it counts as "inviting the Ancestor," and one can borrow Dharma Power without the Fox Immortal needing to possess the body, which is much more convenient.

Once "Out-Horse Success" is achieved, the little fatty will be able to borrow a portion of Zamaohu's Daoist Practice.

This Daoist Practice has different effects when applied to the Miscellaneous Fur Fox versus when applied to a human.

As long as Xiaopangdun learns how to apply it, he doesn't need to cultivate much at all to be able to cast various spells.

He himself can also borrow the power of the Fox Immortal to slowly step into formal cultivation, becoming an authentic Shamanism shaman or a Lushan spirit-medium disciple.

Although he will ultimately stop at the "Ghost Immortal" stage.

But Xu Jia will definitely have him switch to other cultivation methods later.

This is the optimal solution Xu Jia can think of.

However, Xu Jia did not intend to deceive him; he explained the pros and cons directly to Xiaopangdun and asked again: "Given this, are you still willing?"

"To be able to borrow someone else's Dharma Power without spending my own effort is just too good. What does losing a bit of vital energy matter? I am fat, so if the Fox Immortal draws away some fat, that's just perfect—it's a win-win!"

Xu Jia:... Is he a genius? Then, Xu Jia carefully explained the essentials of the incantation and the materials needed for the various ritual arrangements.

"You need to clean out a separate, quiet room in the side wing of your house and, using cloth or paper, write 'Seat of Xu Shigong Fazhuye' at the very top."

"Below that, write the names of these Fox Immortals, set up an offering table covered with a red cloth, and place an Incense Burner; this will be the simplest form of an altar."

"This Incense Burner must also be consecrated; there is a Consecration Incense Burner Mantra. And because you are not worshipping a Ghost God, but living Fox Immortals, you need to offer chicken or fish to the Fox Immortals on the first and fifteenth of every month."

"This room must not be opened under normal circumstances, nor should you let anyone else enter it; only you may enter."

Xu Jia explained in detail: "These foxes won't eat your family's food for nothing. They are well-informed, so you can use them for business, but for every bit of extra money you earn, you must take out a portion to do good deeds and accumulate Merit; this is for your accumulation, and also for the accumulation of these Fox Immortals."

Everything Xu Jia said was the Right Dharma, leaving Xiaopangdun stunned and dazed, and it was unclear if he had remembered any of it.

Xu Jia said: "Of this nest of foxes, four have Daoist Practice, but only one resonates with you. It doesn't matter, though; that one will manage the other three. Foxes don't just want to eat; they also like to hear stories and principles. When you have time, teach them the knowledge from your elementary studies as well."

"Ah? I don't really know how to read myself." Niu Congcong was somewhat discouraged by this.

Xu Jia intimidated him, saying: "They don't understand human nature. What if one day their beastly nature flares up and they eat your whole family?"

"Once they understand human nature, they will consider themselves human. You cannot treat them as monsters; you must treat them as family or juniors, and care for them often. Only by raising them like children until they are tame will they be willing to do things for you. Otherwise, why would they lend you their Dharma Power?"

In truth, it was just that Xu Jia did not want to teach these basic principles and outsourced them to him.

After all, although Xu Jia does not know the "Detain Spirits and Dispatch Generals" of Longhu Mountain, the Great Dharma of Lushan has methods for driving Military Officials, including the spell "Search Mountain Seal Cave."

This spell is specifically used to deal with monsters, but cultivating this spell requires a certain level of Daoist Practice, and it is not suitable for this nest of foxes that have shown kindness to him.

(End of chapter)