A flurry of footsteps heralded the arrival of a large wild boar charging into the Liu family's backyard.
The fox spirit, unfamiliar with this boar, instantly entered a state of alert and intimidation, baring its fangs at the creature.
To everyone's surprise, Long Feicheng was seated astride the boar.
The boar, in a flustered manner, rushed to Yan Shouyi's front, knelt down with a thud, and shouted, "Master, I wish to become your immortal attendant!"
Long Feicheng said awkwardly, "Brother Yan, I encountered it in the mountains, and then it just barged in. Uhm... I was just hitching a ride. You guys chat, I'll be leaving now."
With that, Long Feicheng dismounted from the boar and walked out of the courtyard.
The scabby-headed fox spirit, snapping back to reality, asked Yan Shouyi, "Do you know this fellow??"
Yan Shouyi nodded with an embarrassed expression, "I do."
This wild boar that had barged in was, of course, Zhu Shanzao, the son of the Mountain God. Previously, Zhu Shanzao had assisted Yan Shouyi against the Bai family. Afterward, Yan Shouyi had arranged for the Liu family to build a temple and erect a statue for him in Guling, sending people to offer incense daily.
Under normal circumstances, Zhu Shanzao should have continued his cultivation in this manner and eventually become an immortal.
Now, why was this fellow so eager to become his immortal attendant?
Yan Shouyi asked Zhu Shanzao, "Why are you here instead of enjoying your life as a second-generation deity?"
Zhu Shanzao said with a grimace, "Ah, don't even mention it! I'm not a second-generation deity anymore."
"What happened?"
"I... I've offended someone."
"Huh?"
Zhu Shanzao gritted his teeth and said, "A while ago, while patrolling the mountains, I encountered a wolf from outside my territory bullying small animals. Naturally, I killed it. Later, I found out that the little wolf was the child of some immortal. That immortal has already issued a dire warning, planning to sweep through Guling. If they catch me, they'll make me wish I were dead..."
"Is the other party that powerful? Why didn't you put up any resistance, and wouldn't your godfather protect you?" Yan Shouyi asked, puzzled.
"Ah, it's a long story!" Zhu Shanzao said guiltily, "In any case, if you need an immortal attendant, I am willing to follow you!"
Zhu Shanzao had always been impressed by Yan Shouyi. He had previously been unwilling to give up his freedom, which was why he hadn't chosen to follow Yan Shouyi closely. But now, the situation was different. He needed a reliable protector. Upon hearing Yan Shouyi's conversation with the scabby-headed fox spirit, he couldn't wait any longer and jumped out.
Yan Shouyi looked at the scabby-headed fox spirit, "Uncle Pang, there's no problem on my end. It's just that aren't immortal attendants usually foxes, white weasels, hedgehogs, and weasels? I've never heard of a wild boar becoming one."
The scabby-headed fox spirit explained, "Foxes, white weasels, hedgehogs, and weasels are merely animals in the northeast that are more human-like and possess spiritual energy. They cultivate into immortals more easily than other animals. In reality, any animal can become an immortal, and your friend certainly can... However, observing your friend, I feel it's not that simple."
"You mean Zhu Shanzao?" Yan Shouyi asked, confused. Wasn't Zhu Shanzao just a wild boar demon? What was different?
The scabby-headed fox spirit circled Zhu Shanzao several times, scrutinizing it carefully. It said,
"It's simple. How many monsters have you seen that can speak human language?"
Yan Shouyi was stunned.
Come to think of it, it seemed to be true.
Even as powerful as the scabby-headed fox spirit couldn't speak, let alone Zhao Yiyao's Hu Si Pi or Fukada Ichiro's Shikigami.
They couldn't speak, so why could Zhu Shanzao?
Moreover, not only could Zhu Shanzao speak, but when Yan Shouyi first met him, he had also transformed into the appearance of a human male.
This fellow truly wasn't simple!
Zhu Shanzao was a bit bewildered, "What do you mean? Other monsters can't speak human language?"
Seeing everyone's silence, to confirm, Zhu Shanzao approached the fox spirit and asked, "Granny, can you speak human language?"
The fox spirit's response was a claw that raked Zhu Shanzao's face, drawing blood. Zhu Shanzao retreated, begging for mercy.
Yan Shouyi felt no sympathy for Zhu Shanzao. Calling the fox spirit "Granny," how could she not scratch him?
All females in the world were the same, including foxes.
The scabby-headed fox spirit stroked its chin, saying in a slightly uncertain tone,
"I feel like this fellow looks like an ancient monster, called... Huai?"
The Classic of Mountains and Seas records: "Three hundred and forty li east, there is a mountain called Yaoguang. Its southern slopes yield much jade, and its northern slopes yield much gold. There is a beast there, shaped like a human with a boar's mane. It dwells in caves and hibernates in winter. Its name is Huai. Its voice resembles the sound of chopping wood. When it appears, there are great disturbances in the land."
Zhu Shanzao sniffed, "I'm an ancient monster?"
"No, not quite!" The scabby-headed fox spirit negated its own statement and continued to analyze, "Although it is very similar to Huai, there are still certain differences. I suspect it is a crossbreed between Huai and a wild boar."
Zhu Shanzao was immediately furious, "You're the crossbreed, your whole family are crossbreeds!"
Calling an animal a crossbreed was akin to calling a human a mongrel, and it was no wonder Zhu Shanzao was so angry.
The fox spirit, seeing Zhu Shanzao dare to insult its "person," let out a warning cry. Zhu Shanzao immediately shut up and became obedient.
"Regardless, your friend should not be an ordinary monster. If it can become your immortal attendant, it would naturally be a good thing," the scabby-headed fox spirit said. "Moreover, with my help, you two will become even stronger."
Zhu Shanzao's eyes lit up, "If I can become stronger, I won't have to worry about those wolf cubs!"
Therefore, by becoming Yan Shouyi's immortal attendant, Zhu Shanzao had a chance to return to Guling and reclaim his territory!
Zhu Shanzao was more than willing!
Yan Shouyi asked, "Zhu Shanzao, do you agree to..."
"I agree!" Zhu Shanzao interrupted.
Yan Shouyi shot it a look, "Let me finish speaking, or it will sound like a marriage proposal."
Then Yan Shouyi asked the scabby-headed fox spirit, "Uncle Pang, what should we do?"
The scabby-headed fox spirit smiled slightly and began to explain how the two of them could sign a contract...
And so, Zhu Shanzao became Yan Shouyi's immortal attendant.
It directly abandoned its physical body and would henceforth reside entirely within Yan Shouyi's body. Whenever Yan Shouyi needed it, it could emerge to help.
Although it had abandoned its physical body, Zhu Shanzao did not regret it. As long as it could cultivate into an immortal, it could reshape its physical form. Therefore, ever since it decided to become a 'Chu Ma Xian' with Yan Shouyi, its physical body was no longer important.
Next was a week of closed-door training. The difference was that it was no longer Yan Shouyi training alone but him training together with Zhu Shanzao.
Under the guidance of the scabby-headed fox spirit, the two developed increasing rapport, and their strength steadily improved.
Until, a week later.
Yan Chou, uncharacteristically, called Yan Shouyi.
On the phone, Yan Chou, without any preamble, said, "Chu Liang has appeared. Do you still want to kill him?"