Becoming a Fox Spirit from Under One Person

The tree's prayer scroll shimmered with a vibrant, intense purple hue.

It was just a casual matter, with a little planning. Chen Ruoan really didn't expect that the precious document would shine so brightly. It was truly an unexpected delight.

It wagged its tail on its own.

In fact, Chen Ruoan did not know that in the future, when Wanzhen and Xizi reminisced about the past under the bright moon under the eaves, they would always unconsciously think of the shadow of a black fox.

What should I wish for this time?

The path to transformation and advancement already exists. Praying to this precious document now would only be adding bricks and tiles to the existing spiritual and physical foundation. It would be more prudent to seek some practical methods for self-preservation.

Chen Ruoan blinked, recalling the female ghost Zhilan he had met not long ago.

That pretty girl didn't even have time to say a few more words to her father before she vanished into the breeze.

The fact that the dead cannot be brought back to life is perhaps the most tragic reality inherent to mortals.

But Chen Ruoan then thought that while these words were an ironclad rule for ordinary extraordinary people, they held a deeper meaning for shamans—

In the eyes of a shaman, death is merely the decay of the physical body; only when the spirit completely perishes and the soul is scattered can it be considered "death" in the true sense.

Foxes are born witches.

A clear light flashed in Chen Ruoan's eyes; his mind was made up.

If that's the case, then let's seek a method to control souls.

"Tree, let's talk this over. I mean, could you give me a copy of 'Spirit Binding and Commanding Techniques'?"

Chen Ruoan blushed, fidgeted, and made the request with embarrassment.

If an elf has the "Spirit Binding and Commanding" ability, does that mean they will instantly become the Elf King?

If we use the Pokémon Tournament as an analogy for a battle between wizards who command spirits, does it mean that my Pokémon has pulled out a new Pokémon?

···

The wishing tree suddenly lost its brilliance, fading from dazzling radiance to a grayish-white, until even its last bit of warmth dissipated.

Deep within my mind, there was no wind or ripple, not even a trace of spiritual energy; only boundless, cold, and deathly silence remained.

Chen Ruoan stood frozen in place, clearly taken aback by the sudden silence.

It hurriedly waved its paws, its voice tinged with embarrassment, and quickly tried to lighten the mood: "I was just kidding, how come you're so easily teased? Just give it to me as I see fit."

As it spoke, the fox's paw tip gently hooked the thread binding the treasure certificate.

The purple treasure tablet floated down in front of them, its light shimmering slightly. Below the names of Li Wanzhen and Hu Erxi, three more words appeared: "Soul Control Technique".

The term "yihun" (役魂) literally means "to command the soul."

This is one of the supernatural abilities that foxes can cultivate, as recorded in ancient books. Once mastered, a fox can control ordinary ghosts and command them to serve it.

Although not as tyrannical as "Spirit Binding and Commanding Generals," it is more than enough to command some minor demons.

Not bad.

The pastries tasted good too.

I hope we'll have the chance to meet again in the future.

···

Chen Ruoan left under the watchful eyes of Wanzhen and Xizi. When she reached the archway at the street corner, she saw Zhang Zhiwei leaning against the stone wall, holding a half-eaten sesame seed cake in his hand, with a smile on his face.

"Three days ago, you said you were going to go through a love tribulation. I thought you were going to cling to her, like some kind of spirit from Northeast China, and try to bind her with some kind of magical spell."

In Northeast China, there is a saying about being "entangled" by spirits. Being entangled by spirits means that you have a connection with them. During the process of forming this connection, you may experience a series of symptoms such as headaches and mental confusion.

These symptoms are sometimes seen by shamans as signs of the spirits "testing" and "reforming" their disciples.

Chen Ruoan felt that Zhang Zhiwei must have misunderstood her.

When he prayed to the moon at night to ask for a title, he called himself a "lustful fox," and that label stuck to him ever since.

He was neither human nor god; he was solely driven by lust.

"Binding technique?" Chen Ruoan scoffed.

What's the difference between forcibly establishing a relationship and forcibly taking it?

Thinking back to the battle at the Sky-Piercing Cave, the Northeast Serpent Spirit Liu Huajiao helped the Tang Clan, and the reward he demanded afterwards was actually Lu Huigu from the Tang Clan.

The single word "love" kept her in Northeast China, severing her ties with her homeland and family.

It's perfectly reasonable to offer help and then ask for payment afterwards, but Chen Ruoan felt a little strange when the payment came from a woman.

Perhaps he really wasn't a lecherous fox, nor did he understand the meaning of "love".

"For foxes, forming bonds for cultivation is instinctive. But those intertwined bonds of affection are something that can only be encountered by chance, not sought."

"I am but a black fox born in the mountains and fields. What kind of fate could I possibly have that would make a woman willing to hold my hand and spend the rest of her life with me, day after day?"

Zhang Zhiwei ruthlessly exposed: "The lifespan of a Xuanhu is only about ten years. Even if you obtain Qi, the rest of your life will not be long."

"You're so foul-mouthed, why doesn't anyone teach you a lesson?"

"There's no other way."

Chen Ruoan kept quiet. The two had been bickering all the way, with each side winning and losing. This time, the Taoist priest won.

An Fox felt that Zhang Zhiwei's most urgent task was to return to Longhu Mountain and take over the position of Celestial Master as soon as possible, so that "Celestial Master's Degree" could be given a ban debuff.

"Fox." Zhang Zhiwei tucked his Taoist robe into his sleeve, looked up at the northern horizon, and said, "At our pace, we should reach Mount Tai in less than two days. At that time, you will establish your immortal abode, and I will continue my travels. That will be the only way we can go."

"What's wrong? Feeling sad?"

It must be admitted that Chen Ruoan has been steady and reliable along the way, and Zhang Zhiwei is a good cultivation partner, but unfortunately he has a big mouth.

"I was just thinking that when I'm all alone in the future, I'll see a different kind of scenery."

"Can you now accept 'people' in your eyes?"

"I'm not sure, but it's probably big enough to fit a fox."

With the atmosphere so intense, Chen Ruoan felt a rare pang of melancholy, but that insignificant feeling of parting quickly morphed into a twisted idea.

"Actually, it won't be difficult for us to meet again in the future. After you return to Longhu Mountain, erase the writing on the ancestral tablet in the Fox Fairy Hall and carve my name on it. I... no, I can then send a wisp of divine will over and descend at any time."

"Do you want your master to slap me to death?"

Master Jingqing wouldn't bear to kill such a precious brat like you...

Chen Ruoan thought to herself without saying a word.

"Taoist, there are no convenient ways to send messages in this world. Most of the concerns of ordinary people are trapped in letters that can never be sent. How many people set out with their bags, and as they travel, they lose all contact with each other, becoming a source of endless regret in their hometowns."

"But you and I are different. In the future, I may guard the cloud-covered cliffs and stone paths of Mount Tai, while you will guard the Taoist temple and the green lamp of Mount Longhu. We both know clearly where the other will find peace."

"As long as the mountain stands, so do we. With this certainty, my heart finds peace."

"Hmm..." Zhang Zhiwei crossed his arms and pondered, remembering a question he had wanted to ask for a long time, "Have you read a lot of books?"

"When I lived in Baiyuan Village, Yingtan, I would hear the chanting of sutras and the voices of pilgrims coming from the southern mountains every morning and evening. Over time, I became accustomed to it."

"Hmm, isn't that Longhu Mountain? Perhaps I'm just not well-educated; how come I can't come up with such a pretentious remark?"

"When you are reborn, you will be a refined scholar, perhaps with a touch of pedantry."

"Oh, thank you."