Becoming a fox fairy from Liaozhai

Chapter 850 Profound Yin Tonifying Pill

Can the demonic test be avoided? The answer is yes. If it weren't Gong Mengbi who came, but someone else, Zhang Daoren might have avoided the demonic test. The demonic test also has a time limit. If no one can be found, the demonic test envoy can only admit that he is not skilled enough and let him undergo the tribulation—this is a method allowed within the rules.

Demon gods and cultivators have always had a power imbalance, with the east wind prevailing over the west wind. In much earlier times, they were even mortal enemies. It was only after all the demon kings of the heavens were subdued that demon gods were integrated into the system of immortals and gods, becoming examiners and testers of cultivators.

Passing the demonic test grants one a recommendation for cultivation and even ascension to immortality, while failing the demonic test results in a loss of cultivation and even prevents one from ascending to immortality. Essentially, both involve plundering each other's destiny, only the original life-or-death struggle has been compressed into a healthy competitive space.

This is also one of the reasons why Gong Mengbi showed no mercy. Why should he, the Demon Examiner who was appointed because of the "recommendation of the Three Immortals", have his destiny taken away by a mysterious cultivator just because of so-called face?

Neither Qin nor the Taoist Zhang before them could.

Chun Jing Shu was afraid that he would do something surprising again, but she couldn't see anything while following behind him.

Gong Mengbi, who was used to being a teacher, had a bit of a tendency to be a know-it-all, so he pointed out: "Look from here, and you will see a dragon descending into the distance. This place is the dragon's head, which is breathing in and out the spiritual energy of the moon."

With his guidance, Chun Jing Shu indeed saw through the trick. She murmured to herself, "Truly exquisite. Such a sophisticated formation cannot be set up by an ordinary person."

Gong Mengbi said with delight, "They are not just ordinary people, they must be people of great importance. This Hidden Dragon Formation absorbs and exhales the Yin and Yang of the Xuan, and cultivates by absorbing this true Qi. It is a Taoist method, and it is the most orthodox and legitimate Xuanmen sect."

Chun Jingshu's expression gradually turned ugly.

Gong Mengbi admired her expression and further explained, "Not only that, this formation doesn't seem to be newly set up either. Judging from the momentum of the earth dragon's absorption, it's at least several hundred years old."

Zhang Daoren is a Daoist, not some kind of long-lived extraordinary being. He hasn't even achieved the middle rank, so how could he have a lifespan of several hundred years?

Chun Jing Shu's tone softened, almost pleading: "I'm afraid Zhang Daoren has a very powerful background. Why don't we investigate him thoroughly before making a decision? Besides, since he is a member of the orthodox Xuanmen sect, he must be practicing righteously and has no evil deeds or misdeeds. Let's just let him be."

Gong Mengbi did not answer, but instead asked, "Do you practice the Purple Immortal Technique?"

Chun Jing Shu had no idea what he was up to, so she replied, "It's the Purple Immortal Technique. The Su Clan has many Nine-Tailed Foxes, and the Chun Clan has many Purple Immortals. It's no secret."

"Then let me tell you, some things cannot be left to chance, and there is no room for negotiation. If you retreat one step, you will retreat one step further. You are the daughter of the Purple Immortal Cultivator, waiting to fill the vacancy of the Demon Examiner, and you are taking the test of demons. With your temperament, you will understand sooner or later."

“You shouldn’t stop me. Instead, you should keep a close eye on things. You might need it someday.” Gong Mengbi smiled meaningfully.

Chun Jing Shu's mind was in a complete mess; even if it weren't, she probably wouldn't be able to think that far ahead. But she both respected and feared Gong Meng Bi. Since Gong Meng Bi had said those words, she didn't have the courage to offer any more advice and could only stand aside and watch.

Gong Mengbi pointed to the Hidden Dragon Formation and said, "This formation hides a dragon below and gathers the sun and moon above. Since it can attract earth dragons to absorb yin and yang, wouldn't it be reasonable for it to attract wild foxes who are unaware of the situation to absorb the moon's essence?"

Gong Mengbi's robes billowed, and a cloud-like tail emerged from them. The tail landed on the ground and transformed into a white-furred old fox that darted into the forest, dug a hole under an old pine tree on the eastern cliff, and disappeared inside.

Chun Jing Shu watched as the white-haired old fox set up a simple den under the old pine tree, then crawled out and disappeared into the tree's canopy, which resembled azure clouds. It bowed its head to the bright moon shining between the two mountains, spitting out a round, translucent inner core to absorb the moon's essence. It was like placing a bright pearl on a pine-green velvet cloth, making it appear round, lovely, and radiant.

Chun Jing Shu couldn't see the cave on the western cliff, so she didn't know that Gong Meng Bi's chosen location was ingenious; from the cave, one could see the gleaming inner elixir. Cultivators revere the east, and the cave, facing east, could absorb the purple aura of the rising sun.

The old fox only comes out to gather energy and cultivate when it is deep and quiet at night, and the rocky cliff of the eastern mountain facing west is the perfect spot. Moreover, the valley is home to dragons, which absorb and exhale the essence of the sun and moon, naturally making the moonlight here even richer, so it is only natural that it would attract a few monsters.

After watching for a while, Chun Jing Shu understood what he was trying to do: "Is the envoy planning to use the fox pill to lure Zhang Daoren? Isn't that a bit dishonorable?"

Gong Mengbi pointed to the gleaming inner core and said, "The test of demons is all about bewitching people with allure. Tell me, isn't this alluring?"

Chun Jingshu had to admit: "She is indeed stunning."

Although the white fox that Gong Mengbi transformed into was old, it possessed a certain Daoist aura. Its inner elixir was pure, containing nothing but moonlight. If one were to cultivate and attain Dao with such an inner elixir, one would undoubtedly have a bright future. However, at the same time, such an inner elixir was practically a powerful tonic for Yin, and if it were taken away, it would save one years of arduous spiritual cultivation.

If Chun Jing Shu hadn't known it was fake, she probably would have been tempted too. She had already achieved the ability to separate her spirit from her body, yet she was still moved by it; let alone Zhang Daoren, who was at the seventh rank of cultivation. If such an opportunity were to be presented to her, could she possibly maintain her righteous heart?
Zhang Daoren still had some perseverance, because the old fox lingered for three days, displaying the divine pill on the treetop every day, but he didn't make a move.

These past few days, the old fox has only come out to gather qi at night. Before each gathering, he must first summon the wind to scout ahead, making sure no one is watching before carefully spitting out his inner core to cultivate. As soon as the moon sets, he immediately sneaks back into his cave, but he doesn't easily show himself, appearing very vigilant.

This sense of alertness makes perfect sense; with such an inner core, it would be strange not to be alert.

With only two days left until the Demon Trial, Chun Jing Shu felt slightly relieved and smiled, "It seems that Taoist Zhang won't be coming out."

Gong Mengbi said, "Not necessarily."

As soon as it was light, Gong Mengbi transformed into a strong young man, took the two green dragons and led them away, turning them into two green-skinned hunting dogs. They searched the mountains, starting with the western mountains.

“Search carefully. This old fox is cunning and adept at creating illusions. It has escaped several times.” Gong Mengbi’s expression was stern. “If we can obtain the old fox’s inner core, we can save ourselves many years of arduous cultivation.”

Soon the hunting dogs searched from the west mountain to the east mountain, and without a doubt found the fox den under the old pine tree. The two hunting dogs stormed into the fox den and barked wildly a few times in the empty fox den.

Gong Mengbi, standing on the cliff, cursed angrily, "It escaped again! That damned fox!"

After the two hunting dogs emerged from the fox den under the old pine tree, Gong Mengbi, as if venting his anger, chopped the old pine tree in half with his sword, letting it fall into the valley.

Gong Mengbi, with his hunting dogs, pursued the suspect northward and soon disappeared into the mountains.