Immortals of the End Times

Chapter 46: Beast Taming Talismans and the Theory of Grotto-Heavens
After a cup of tea, the grass rustled.

The white fox was the first to leap out.

Following closely behind was a hunched figure, his gray-brown Taoist robe wrinkled like tree bark.

An old fox lived with a crooked peach wood staff, but its amber fox eyes were surprisingly bright, as if burning with two inextinguishable soul flames. When it gazed at Zhao Wuji, it gave him a familiar smile.

"Fellow Daoist, it's good to meet you again. Let me introduce myself again. I am an old fox with the Daoist name Fox Mountain Master. I am a wild mountain demon cultivator, not a member of the orthodox lineage. I have met you, fellow Daoist of the Xuanmen."

Under the moonlight, the old fox raised its paw and bowed, its movements surprisingly refined, like an elderly scholar in his twilight years, still retaining its noble character.

Zhao Wuji said calmly, "Humans and demons are different, so I won't go into the origin of my Daoist name."

If you hadn't invited me several times, and hadn't helped me out last time, I wouldn't have come out of the city to see you.

Let's get straight to the point. Is your insistence on seeing me because of Consort Zhang? Do you know the risks you'll face if you try to save her?

The mountain night wind suddenly weakened.

The old fox's ears twitched slightly, and the light in its eyes dimmed abruptly. After a moment of silence, it plunged its peachwood staff deep into the frost-covered soil.

"Since you are aware of the risks, fellow Daoist, would you be willing to listen to this old fox explain the method and the reward?"

Zhao Wuji remained silent for a moment, then raised his hand to indicate that it was appropriate to proceed.

The moon shines coldly over the cold mountain, and frost and dew gather on the grass. The old fox abandons his staff, sits cross-legged, and sighs as he brushes his long beard with his withered claws: "My lifespan is coming to an end. Since you are willing to listen to what I have to say, I will tell you the story."

Lady Zhang once appeared in my dream and told me that you possess the unique skill of the Sword Pellet, which can break through the water-suppressing beast and the resentment-suppressing stele at the bottom of the Cloud Jade Pool.

Although I do not know which sect you belong to or which grotto-heaven you emerged from, such abilities are extraordinary.

"You only need to wield that sword pellet to shatter the water-suppressing beast and the resentment-suppressing stele at the bottom of the Cloud Jade Pool, and the goddess will be freed, her soul naturally dissipating."

“The soul will naturally dissipate.” Zhao Wuji’s eyes flickered slightly.

The old fox's eyes were deep and mysterious as he continued, "As for your concerns, fellow Daoist, they are nothing more than the Imperial Observatory and the current Empress of Xuan Kingdom. This is not difficult to resolve."

"I can act as bait, force my way into the palace, and use my remaining life to cover for you, fellow Daoist, causing a disturbance within the palace and creating the illusion that I destroyed Yun Yuchi, thus diverting your attention."

Zhao Wuji said calmly, "It sounds very good, but the risk is too great. Besides, why should I believe you are willing to risk your life like that?"

The old fox smiled bitterly, "Fellow Daoist, you are too cautious. I am a demon, and I will be discovered before I even reach Yunyu Pool. I can only rely on your help."

"If you are still worried, I have something that can put your mind at ease."

After he finished speaking, he took out a talisman from his sleeve, on which were written many Taoist characters in a strange and grotesque manner.

"This is the Beast Taming Talisman of the Myriad Beasts Cave, left behind by a Taoist priest who captured me in the past."

However, that Taoist priest committed many unrighteous acts and was pursued by his enemies on his journey. He barely escaped but still lost his life. It was only after I obtained his Taoist magic and immortal arts that I embarked on the path of immortality.”

The old fox bit its tongue, dripping blood onto the talisman, which immediately turned a deeper crimson.

"This talisman is stained with my life essence. Fellow Daoist, with this talisman, you can control me at any time and take my worthless life. You can also communicate with me telepathically within a hundred miles."

Furthermore, this talisman and the essence blood can also provide cover for you, fellow Daoist.

It suddenly tossed the talisman to Zhao Wuji.

Zhao Wuji's eyes flashed, and he unleashed a burst of energy with his palm, retrieving the talisman from a distance. After observing it for a moment and sensing no danger, he immediately accepted the talisman.

The moment he touched the talisman, he felt as if a fox's heart was beating in his palm.

It was as if he were holding a beating heart; with just a squeeze of the talisman, the old fox opposite him would perish.

"Squeak—woof—" At this moment, the little white fox whimpered and rubbed against the old man's clothes, looking at him with teary eyes and a hint of resentment.

"Their sincerity is acceptable." Zhao Wuji put the talisman into his sleeve. "Anything else?"

"I have already made plans regarding the compensation."

The old fox sat cross-legged, seemingly indifferent to life and death, displaying the demeanor of a highly accomplished Taoist master. "Even if the Empress is rescued, her soul will not remain for long."

However... my fox den is actually a small paradise.

Though small, it possesses a unique spiritual charm. In the center of that cave dwelling lies a spiritual spring, which, while not as potent as an ancient spiritual vein, can still nourish the soul. My current level of cultivation is entirely due to this.

Another grotto-heaven!

Zhao Wuji's eyes flickered slightly.

In this degenerate age, spiritual energy is scarce. Among the four essentials of cultivation, "wealth, companions, methods, and land," "land" refers to blessed lands and grotto-heavens, which are the foundation of cultivators.

The old fox bowed and said, "If this matter is accomplished, then the small cave heaven will belong to you, fellow Daoist. In addition, there are also magical artifacts and spells left behind by the cultivator of the Beast Taming Cave Heaven in my cave heaven, which can also be given to you, fellow Daoist."

This old man only humbly requests that fellow Daoist allow the Lady's soul to return to the Lesser Heaven and find peace.

The old fox was very magnanimous, his tone calm and exuding open-mindedness.

You bring nothing into this world, and you take nothing out. A wild fox living under a tree to this extent has already reached the pinnacle of its life; why cling to external possessions?

Zhao Wuji pondered for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Do I need to take Consort Zhang's soul back to the Fox Den?"

But her remains still lie in the Purple Bamboo Grove of the Cold Palace; if the Demon Queen were to exhume her bones and perform magic, she would still find no peace.

"There is no need for you to drive the soul back, fellow Daoist."

The old fox shook his head. "Years ago, when I broke into the palace, I secretly brought back the Empress's skull. I listened to the sutras at Hanshan Temple for ten years to pray for her soul, and then buried it next to the spring."

After the soul is freed, it will naturally return to the skull and rest peacefully in the grotto.

"What a trick!"

Zhao Wuji secretly praised him.

This old fox was meticulous in his actions; he had even paved the way for his escape.

He did not immediately agree, but said, "This matter is very serious. Please allow me a few days to consider it and then find another opportunity."

He didn't immediately agree.

Rescuing Consort Zhang under pressure from the Imperial Observatory and the Empress Dowager was incredibly stressful.

However, since the old fox was willing to offer so many benefits and entrust his life to him, it was indeed worth taking a gamble.

Most importantly, there is still a lot of Yin energy in Yunyu Pool, and it may even contain Yin marrow, which is attractive to him.

Once he has accumulated the first Yin Pearl, he will not only be able to extend his life by a hundred years, but also unlock the second Yin Pearl, and thus continue to acquire new Earthly Fiend Techniques.

"My days are numbered..." the old fox sighed, "I hope you will make a decision within five days."

A night breeze blew by, and the two continued their conversation for a long time.

The old fox recounted the secrets of the cultivation world and the mysteries of the grotto-heavens, captivating Zhao Wuji.

Cultivating immortality is indeed not something you can do in isolation; you need to exchange ideas with fellow practitioners.

Unfortunately, the Xuan Kingdom's royal family was extremely protective of their possessions, so he could only exchange taboos with reclusive cultivators like the Old Fox in private.

After a stick of incense.

Zhao Wuji politely declined the old fox's invitation to visit the fox den and chose to return to his official residence in the city.

If you go into the fox den and have too much contact with it, you will inevitably be tainted by its demonic aura and cause trouble.

He'll wait until the old fox dies before he goes into the cave to take a look.

Before returning to the city, he deliberately performed a guiding technique to disperse the extremely faint demonic energy on his body, in order to avoid causing trouble.

Upon returning to his official residence, Zhao Wuji had already made up his mind.

I'll still lend a hand to that old fox and Consort Zhang.

Of course, he could also choose not to help, let the old fox die of old age, and then go and get the fox den.

But this kind of cleverness probably won't lead to anything great.

The old fox may seem incredibly sincere, but after all, he has cultivated for many years, is cunning and shrewd, and knows many secrets. He may have left a way out for Consort Zhang.

Sometimes, people's cleverness backfires.

In the candlelight of the study, Zhao Wuji stroked the talisman, feeling the old fox's heartbeat, and couldn't help but chuckle: "True sincerity for true sincerity? That's interesting."

That night, he calmed his mind, guided his breath, and practiced to consolidate his newly broken through immortal cultivation.

Over the next two days, besides going to the Imperial Hospital to see patients, he spent his time reading the "Lankavatara Sutra: The Manifestation of Mind" to decipher the art of marriage dreams.

At night, they would travel in spirits, observing the imperial palace and harem from afar, while simultaneously planning their escape route.

On the third day, news of a major battle suddenly arrived from the North.

The Grand Preceptor Fang and the Grand Preceptor of the Marquis of Nagan Kingdom got into a fierce fight.

It is said that other cultivators have joined the battle, and the two sides are engaged in fierce fighting, disturbing the starry sky above the imperial city.

Zhao Wuji felt that the time to make a move had come.

The sudden intensification of the war in the North will attract a lot of attention, which can provide cover for him, and he has made sufficient preparations accordingly.

Tonight, I can go to the Imperial Pharmacy for my shift, as arranged by the Imperial Medical Academy.

"It's time to inform the old fox."

Zhao Wuji took out a beast-taming talisman from his sleeve, and with a gentle squeeze, the talisman pulsed like a heartbeat, transmitting his thoughts through his mind.
(End of this chapter)