Becoming a Fox Spirit from Under One Person

As the jade tree fully illuminated his mind, countless pieces of information about the wishing tree flowed into Chen Ruoan's mind.

The function of the tree is similar to that described in tales of the strange and supernatural. It is said that foxes rely on forming connections to cultivate themselves. If they can form good connections, the precious tablets on the wishing tree will shine brightly. Through "making a wish," they can manifest the connection into real power.

The depth of one's affinity with another determines the color of the imperial edict, ranging from white, blue, purple, to gold, from lowest to highest.

The threads that bind the precious deities are also divided into red and black; red represents a good karmic connection, while black represents a bad one.

For example, the precious document tied by the red thread in front of them means that Chen Ruoan and Zhang Zhiwei have formed a minimum level of good karma. By making a wish, they can define a certain range of rewards.

"It is fate that we met by chance. In the past six months, I have been forced to stay away from the world in order to make a living and protect myself. In doing so, I have lost the instinct of foxes to form bonds and cultivate themselves."

Chen Ruoan's fox paws clung tightly to the Fate Thread, praying for a method to advance his cultivation.

With his wish fulfilled, the little black fox looked up and saw Zhang Zhiwei's name appear at the top of the azure treasure scroll, while the words "Tongyu" were written on the back.

As Chen Ruoan thought, their chance encounter was merely a shallow connection, and the gift he received was a technique that allowed him to understand the language of all living beings.

It is fluent in human languages ​​and also in the languages ​​of birds from all over the world.

Legend has it that birds are messengers of the gods, and immortals, gods, and ghosts all like to use birds to convey messages. Among them, the most well-known is the bluebird—"The journey to Penglai is not far, and the bluebird diligently goes to inquire."

"Alright."

At least I won't have to be a "whiny baby" anymore.

Chen Ruoan bypassed the altar and went to the mountains behind the temple to spend time with his friends in the mountains.

Having acquired supernatural powers, one must first comprehend their profound mystery.

Chen Ruoan remembered a few quails that liked to lay their eggs in low bushes. Whenever he got close, they would flap their wings and chirp. He had never understood what they were saying, but now he could understand what they were saying.

Foxes have a keen sense of smell and hearing, and usually ambush their parents when they are out foraging. This time, they approached openly, but the quails were still calmly guarding their nest.

Upon noticing Chen Ruoan's presence, the quail immediately flapped its wings and circled around the bushes, both angry and frightened.

The method of "Tongyu" requires foxes to understand bird language. However, bird calls are an expression of emotions, and Chen Ruoan's supernatural powers allowed the meaning to be expressed in linguistic form.

"You...you stay away!"

"You damn fox, I'll fuck your mother!"

···

Chen Ruoan was stunned by these rude words.

Where did this bird come from? Why are you swearing so rudely?

But when Chen Ruoan thought about how she had been getting protein from bird eggs all these days, she felt she deserved to be scolded. So she stopped bothering the quails and walked gracefully and gently toward the top of the mountain.

Standing at the highest point of the mountain and looking south, you can see the Taoist-inspired Longhu Mountain. Looking north, you can see the outlines of the surrounding villages, including Baiyuan Village.

When I was reborn as a fox, this remote mountain wilderness was still a winter day with snowflakes falling; now it is the lush spring of the Awakening of Insects.

After obtaining the [Communicative Language], the mountains were always more lively than usual. Egrets, mandarin ducks, macaques, and civets—Chen Ruoan could understand what they were saying. Unfortunately, there were very few animals among them who had attained Qi, let alone the cultivation methods unique to animals.

After surveying his territory, Chen Ruoan bid farewell to his pack of wild foxes. Soon after, the sound of birds flapping their wings came from the small temple at the foot of the mountain.

Those who cultivate themselves believe in the principle of "being full of spirit and not thinking about sleep." After a short rest, Zhang Zhiwei was already full of energy and it was almost time to set off on his journey.

Chen Ruoan hurriedly followed.

With the wishing tree here, I can no longer stay in the mountains as a homebody fox. Socially awkward foxes can't do things like forming connections and cultivating spirituality.

The little black fox darted along the country mountain paths and caught up with Zhang Zhiwei: "Taoist!"

"Hmm?" The lion-like young Taoist priest turned around, smiled in surprise, "Fox, I guessed long ago that you possessed spiritual intelligence. Now you're willing to speak?"

"Many people who cultivate themselves also kill indiscriminately without distinguishing right from wrong. As a helpless fox, I have to be careful before I can understand people's character."

"Now you understand what kind of person I am?" Zhang Zhiwei pointed to himself.

"I've figured it out a bit," Chen Ruoan replied. "Taoist, which way are you going?"

"Traveling and practicing spirituality, going wherever fate dictates, sometimes heading north, sometimes east."

"Then why don't we travel together?"

Zhang Zhiwei examined the black fox and smiled helplessly.

The fox didn't listen to a word of the temple's invitation.

"Alright, Master said I'm arrogant, disdainful of others, and even indifferent to the schemes and plots in people's hearts, so he wants me to go down the mountain and travel. I'm thinking, before I can 'fill' my eyes with people, I might as well 'fill' a fox first."

Chen Ruoan took a step forward, walking briskly ahead, while Zhang Zhiwei tucked his Taoist robe into his hands and walked slowly towards the outside of the mountain.

A fox and a Taoist priest—this combination is sure to evoke a sense of wonder and whimsy in anyone who sees it.

Zhang Zhiwei walked through Baiyuan Village without stopping, completely disregarding the villagers' gifts of thanks for subduing the demon. He bowed his head, gave his name, and then asked, "Fox, do you have a name?"

"If not, I can call you Xiao Hei."

What a straightforward and unpretentious name! Chen Ruoan felt that Zhang Zhiwei's brain must have been broken when he came up with the name.

"Chen Ruoan".

"Chen?" Zhang Zhiwei asked in confusion, "Foxes have the Tushan clan, the Chunhu clan, and surnames like Hu and Su. Why are you surnamed Chen?"

Why else? The father's surname is Sui, and the mother chose the given name!

When the two elders got married and had children, they still had a bit of an artsy vibe. They insisted on taking two words from the phrase "If you are well, then it is a sunny day," which is how Chen Ruoan came to be, and his unfortunate younger sister was named Chen Yiqing.

However, there was no reason to tell Zhang Zhiwei about the secrets of his past life behind his name, so Chen Ruoan just made up an excuse to get rid of it.

The man and the fox continued north, leaving the village and stepping onto the official road.

The official road at that time was far inferior to the highways and national roads of later generations. It was a dilapidated dirt road full of potholes, with wildflowers and weeds growing on both sides.

"An Fox, do you want me to hold you?" Zhang Zhiwei suddenly asked.

"what?"

"We've come a long way."

In terms of endurance alone, foxes are indeed inferior to humans, especially to extraordinary individuals who have attained Qi cultivation.

Chen Ruoan was indeed tired from the journey, but the thought of himself, a fox, being held in the arms of another man made him feel strange.

"I am male."

"Is it related?"

"That's true."

Whether it's a foxhound or a humpback, when people pet these furry creatures, they don't distinguish between male and female.

It's still strange.

Chen Ruoan chose to stand on Zhang Zhiwei's shoulders.

"It's a bit unbalanced, with one side being heavier than the other," Zhang Zhiwei said.

Would it feel better if someone stood on top of him?

Chen Ruoan nimbly leaped and landed on Zhang Zhiwei's head.

"You little fox..."

"Good view."

Chen Ruoan had a strange feeling. Even though he hadn't reached a high level in cultivation, it didn't stop him from crushing the future "top expert" in the industry under his claws.

What's that saying again? — If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.

What's more, it's right above my head now.

In this moment, Chen Ruoan couldn't help but want to compose a poem: "I will climb to the summit and look down on all the mountains below."

Zhang Zhiwei's head was being weighed down by something heavy, and he uttered another helpless remark: "You little fox!"

Chen Ruoan sat high up, his body steady and unwavering. He could see that the precious tablet, drawn by the threads of fate at the center of his mind, was becoming increasingly brilliant and bright. Its deep blue luster deepened and gradually transitioned into a radiant purple light.

"I've made a good friend."

As Chen Ruoan thought this, his surprise was far more than just a wishing tree. Even years later, when he recalled his first encounter with Zhang Zhiwei, Chen Ruoan was grateful for his decision to travel with him.

The reason is simple—

Zhang Zhiwei is too strong.