Ji Xiang exited Xizhi Gate, then Xibian Gate, moving from the inner city to the outer city with swift steps.
Beyond the outer city, a range of mountains appeared not far away. This was Yuquan Mountain. People often came here to fetch water, which was then sent into Shuntian Prefecture through the two western gates.
Within the mountain stood two temples built by Emperor Yingzong of the Ming Dynasty. Yuquan Mountain was also a summer retreat for emperors. However, since Emperor Jiajing, no emperor had visited for fifty to sixty years.
The mountain forest was lush and serene, rumored to often display scenes of flying rainbows, filled with spiritual energy.
Ji Xiang plunged directly into the deep mountain wilderness of Yuquan Mountain.
There was an interesting legend associated with Yuquan Mountain. It was said that during Emperor Yingzong's reign, an old white fox lived at the foot of the mountain. When Yingzong traveled and entered Yuquan Mountain, he had to pass by the fox's den. The old fox, not daring to offend the imperial presence, fled to Mount Tai overnight and became a fox immortal under the command of Empress Bixia Yuanjun.
The deep mountains were home to many animals brimming with spiritual energy. Upon seeing Ji Xiang, they would observe him secretly rather than flee. However, no monsters or similar beings appeared. It seemed finding a demon that could speak human language was not simple.
So, he resorted to the simplest method!
"I summon the local Earth Deity of Yuquan Mountain, appear before me swiftly!"
He stomped his foot, and a pillar of bright smoke pierced the ground. The earth around him immediately shook. In just five or six breaths, a white smoke emerged from the soil, twirled twice, and transformed into the appearance of a small old man. Upon seeing Ji Xiang, though unaware of his origin, the Earth Deity sensed the profound imperial aura emanating from him and immediately bowed. After all, bowing would never be wrong.
It was a case of not hitting someone with a smiling face.
Of course, the Earth Deity was also alarmed. He had been resting with his eyes closed in his temple when he was suddenly summoned by a pillar of smoke. The sheer divine power was astonishing, leaving him no room for resistance!
This was different from a magical incantation that summoned him. A magical incantation was like knocking on a door or making a phone call; the Earth Deity could choose not to answer. However, the power Ji Xiang wielded filled the Earth Deity with dread. He wondered, could this be the great divine ability of "Spirit Seizing"?
"Are you an Earth Deity sent from the heavens, or a local mountain spirit who has achieved divinity?"
Ji Xiang asked casually. The Earth Deity respectfully replied, "This minor deity was originally an insect spirit in the mountain, named Jia Qu. Yuquan Mountain had other Earth Deities in the past, but they perished during the great chaos at the end of the Yuan Dynasty. This minor deity was enlightened by Celestial Master Zhang during Emperor Yingzong's reign and appointed as the Earth Deity of Yuquan Mountain."
Ji Xiang was somewhat surprised. Jia Qu, this kind of divine insect, only appeared within trees that were over a thousand years old.
However, since the other party was a local spirit, Ji Xiang was satisfied.
"Do you know if there are any fox spirits or chicken spirits skilled in transformation arts in Yuquan Mountain?"
The Earth Deity responded with a wry smile, "Beyond Shuntian, in Yuquan Mountain, where are there so many demons? If the esteemed one seeks a fox spirit, there are none. However, there is a fox immortal cultivating in the mountains."
"Excellent, take me to it!"
Ji Xiang's eyes gleamed with joy upon finding his target, feeling that time could be saved. However, the Earth Deity blocked his path.
"This, esteemed one, you do not intend to kill it, do you? That would be most unwise... That fox claims to be a minor immortal from the Celestial Master Hall of Longhu Mountain. It has been cultivating diligently here and will soon be going to Mount Tai to take an examination to become a Divine General of the Sun and Moon Palace. It is registered in the immortal registry of Longhu Mountain..."
Ji Xiang chuckled, "I do not intend to kill it. I merely wish to ask for its assistance. Do I look like someone who kills indiscriminately?"
Ji Xiang persuaded him kindly. Seeing that Ji Xiang did not appear to be an evil person and possessed a palace token from Wudang Mountain, and also intimidated by Ji Xiang's overwhelming power, the Earth Deity led Ji Xiang, using an earth-遁 technique, and they vanished in a flash towards a deep mountain spring pool.
Ji Xiang found the Earth Deity's earth-遁 technique to be quite good, as it allowed him to instantly become like light smoke and transfer between two locations. He himself did not know any遁术 at the moment.
Therefore, he asked the Earth Deity for the essence of this special遁术. The Earth Deity said that even if Ji Xiang learned it, he wouldn't be able to master it, as it was a unique skill of earth deities.
But Ji Xiang had his own methods. With the Cloud Scroll Heavenly Book in hand, all he needed was to know the incantation for earth-遁, and then write it with incense and fire. Such a minor earth-遁 could be achieved with ease.
When遁术 is cultivated to a high level, it can reach the formidable state of "shadow touching and form escaping." In the Hongwu era, there was a Daoist named Leng Qian who could perform water-遁 with just a drop of water. Holding a handful of soil, he could instantly move to an extremely distant location; such a person was impossible to capture.
"Earth Traveling Technique, thank you for the guidance."
Having obtained the incantation for the Earth Traveling Technique, Ji Xiang thought that he had saved more time for "running away."
The water pool before him was not large, and there was a cave not far away. The Earth Deity informed Ji Xiang that the fox immortal was inside. Then, he bid farewell to Ji Xiang and vanished into the ground as white smoke.
Ji Xiang looked forward and suddenly noticed various small talismans pasted on the surrounding rocks. Ji Xiang reached out, and the talismans on the trees emitted a faint golden light, resisting his touch.
"Golden Light Spell! Is it truly a fox from Longhu Mountain?"
There was a Fox Immortal Hall on Longhu Mountain, where the foxes were all spiritual divine foxes. This Fox Immortal Hall was equivalent to a prestigious high school before university. After completing their studies, the young fox immortals would go to Mount Tai for the formal fox immortal examination. If they passed, they could become celestial officials.
Therefore, foxes were considered special existences among demon immortals. The ancients said that the spiritual essence of foxes lay between humans, spirits, and ghosts.
Although these talismans were densely pasted, most of them lacked power; they were the lowest of the low-grade products. Ji Xiang simply reached out, circulated his spiritual power, and shattered a Golden Light Spell with a flick of his finger.
It was then that Ji Xiang realized that the Golden Light talismans drawn by the other party were not standard; some parts were crooked, making their power very weak.
With swift movements, he dismantled the talismans here, holding a large handful of waste papers, Ji Xiang walked straight ahead.
From the fox cave by the water pool, a clear, childlike voice could be heard: "Heaven and Earth, Mysterious Sect, Myriad Qi's Root! This is the best Golden Light Talisman I've drawn!"
"Huh?!"
A gust of fragrant wind swept out, and a small red fox darted out, clutching a shining Golden Light Talisman and warily eyeing Ji Xiang.
"Stop, who are you? How did you break my formation!"
Ji Xiang looked at the pile of waste paper in his hand.
Formation?
The little fox's voice was clear and sharp. It bared its teeth, and then, seeing the large bunch of talismans Ji Xiang held, it immediately panicked.
"Ah! My Golden Light Talismans, you, you, you owe me my... talismans!"
"You, you, you, don't come any closer! I studied at Longhu Mountain. See this latest Golden Light Talisman in my hand? Even three to five wild boars can't get close to me!"
"I have no intention of harming anyone, don't force me!"
The little fox's eyes widened. Ji Xiang took two more steps forward. The little fox issued another warning with its talismans, raised its paw, and loudly chanted a talisman:
"Heaven and Earth, Mysterious Sect, Myriad Qi's Root! Go!"
The Golden Light Talisman flew out!
It was caught by Ji Xiang's palm and crumpled into waste paper.
The little fox was stunned on the spot.
Ji Xiang strode towards the little fox.
The little fox's voice instantly changed from high-pitched to a mumble. It whimpered in fear and, seeing that Ji Xiang had no intention of stopping, waved its paws repeatedly and prostrated itself on the ground.
"No, no, no, I don't want you to pay for the talismans anymore! Big brother, please don't do anything rash, let's talk this through."
Ji Xiang examined the little red fox. "Are you truly a fox from the Fox Immortal Hall of Longhu Mountain?"
The little fox earnestly confessed, "I used to be... I used to be a student at the Fox Immortal Hall."
"But because I couldn't learn the drawing method of the Golden Light Talisman after three years, they expelled me on the grounds of 'academic failure'."
Ji Xiang nodded. "I see. Can you perform transformation arts?"
The little fox bowed its paws. "A little."
Ji Xiang said, "Good, time is pressing, Fox Immortal. I need you to assist me in my cultivation!"