I was forced to cultivate immortality when I just wanted to lie down

Chapter 431 A Celestial Maiden's Fate, A Foolish Fox

In the bustling city streets, the emperor indulged in leisurely pursuits, ignoring state affairs.

In a hidden corner, the remnants of the former dynasty, who consider themselves of noble lineage, rouse themselves and take to the streets, dividing the noble and the lowly according to the bloodline of the old dynasty, attempting to restore the long-dead Great Yong dynasty.

Even if they fail to succeed, they will still have to sideline the Great Yan and turn it into a walking corpse that they can manipulate at will.

Outside the provincial examination hall, a young man, who had failed the imperial examinations twice and whose head was throbbing from studying so much, was looking up at the sky and lamenting.

"A true man should serve on the battlefield, bringing peace to the country and repelling foreign aggression. How can he waste his time in the mundane world of books and inkstones!"

But when the young man thought of Emperor Changming, Zhu Yi, who had the ambition to conquer the world but died young, he couldn't help but sigh at the poems that said, "You were born before I was born, and I was born after you were old."

Perhaps due to excessive melancholy, the boy's head seemed to swell even more in a daze.

Those troubles that linger in one's mind can perhaps only be released after one's ambitions are fulfilled.
Jingxia Street, coffin shop.

The abbot of Jingxu Temple is playing chess with Sister Tao.

Xu Qing stood across the street, not entering the shop, but just making faces at the female Taoist priest inside, clearly not a respectable person.

If it were an ordinary person, the Taoist Master Yizhen, who had renounced worldly life, would definitely not have paid any attention to him, and might even have punished him. But unfortunately, the other party was her nominal junior brother.
Just as Daoist Yizhen was about to speak, the young man outside immediately gestured for her to be quiet.

"."

Master Yizhen secretly glanced at her master, who was playing chess in the inner room. When she realized that her master's attention was not outside, she tiptoed out of the shop like a young lady from a wealthy family who was about to leave her marriage and secretly met her lover.

"Why did you summon me, junior brother?"

Xu Qing retorted, "What are you saying? Can't I just call my senior sister out if there's nothing wrong?"

"cannot!"

Master Yizhen replied coldly with a stern face.

Despite saying that, the female Taoist priest did not turn back.

Xu Qing ignored what Yi Zhen said. He looked the female Taoist priest up and down and became more and more satisfied with her!
This fox spirit from Tushan perfectly suited his needs.
Yi Zhen possesses the bloodline of a nine-tailed fox and cultivates the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Technique.

What is divinely bestowed? It is nothing more than the innate supernatural power of one's bloodline, born and nurtured by nature, requiring no external seeking.

However, although Yi Zhen possessed the divine power bestowed upon him by the Nine-Tailed Fox, he did not have any cultivation techniques that surpassed the Immortal level.

Xu Qing happens to possess a Heavenly Maiden Refining True Method, which is only suitable for women to cultivate, making it a perfect fit for Yi Zhen's practice.

As for Xuan Yu, he has the Mysterious Maiden Scripture as his main cultivation method, so he doesn't need to worry about her too much.

Xu Qing took out the Heavenly Maiden Jade Talisman that recorded the true method and handed it to Yi Zhen.

"This is a celestial maiden cultivation method, a divinely bestowed method. Senior sister can take it as her main cultivation method. As long as senior sister is willing to cultivate diligently, one day she may be able to refine the truth and attain the celestial maiden realm."

The woman who gifted Xu Qingxian the robe was a true celestial maiden. Celestial maidens are immortal and indestructible. Even if they couldn't escape the calamity of death, they could transform into a woman or return to the void to become a deity or a pure and ethereal immortal.

Master Yizhen's thoughts were immersed in the jade talisman. When he sensed the cultivation technique inside, the female Taoist priest's eyelids visibly trembled.

Xu Qing has already helped her a lot, and if she wanted to repay him now, she might still be able to pay him back. But if she cultivates this technique, she will truly have no chance of repaying him.

Why is my junior brother so kind to me?

The Taoist priest asked.

"What are you saying? You're my senior sister, if I don't treat you well, who else should I treat well? Besides, I promised Lao Hu I would take good care of you. If I don't do my best, won't he climb out of his coffin and come after me?"

Xu Qing's words were half true and half false; there was actually an even more important reason.

That means he can't use this technique either!

Rather than letting it gather dust in the warehouse, it's better to give it to my senior sister. Maybe she'll be happy and let him pet its tail, or at the very least, pet its ears.

Xu Qing seems to have some kind of obsession with the tail of the legendary nine-tailed fox, an obsession that is probably similar to someone who has never seen a tiger wanting to touch it when they do.

The feeling of unlocking new achievements in life is absolutely unique!
When Master Yizhen noticed Xu Qing's gaze lingering on his waist and hips, he panicked and instinctively tried to avoid her gaze.

But when she came to her senses, she found that Xu Qing had already looked away, as if what she had just seen was an illusion.

"This cultivation technique was originally intended as a gift for my senior sister, so there's no need for her to refuse it."

Xu Qing then told Daoist Yizhen about Baosheng Temple obtaining the power of the Goddess of Fertility. He also revealed that the Goddess of Fertility wanted to invite Yizhen to the temple to serve as the head of the Marriage Hall under the name of Tushan, and to oversee all matters related to marriage.

In Xu Qing's eyes, the nine-tailed fox cultivates by forming bonds, and the Tu Shan clan, who once managed human marriage affairs, is an expert in this field and is currently the most suitable candidate to manage the Marriage Hall for him.

Moreover, the fox-woman in front of him was his senior sister; they knew each other well, so he felt at ease using her.

However, Xu Qing did not expect that after hearing his words, Daoist Yizhen's first thought was not about the Marriage and Fate Department, but instead he raised his eyes and asked:
"Does Junior Brother know the Goddess of Life Protection?"

Xu Qing raised his eyebrows.

Could he claim to be the Goddess of Life Preservation? Of course not!

If he reveals his true colors, wouldn't the serious and composed image he has built up in front of his senior sister completely collapse?

Xu Qing immediately replied frankly, "Yes! I've known the Goddess Baosheng for decades. She is of the highest moral character and divine virtue. Senior Sister, please rest assured!"

"."

The female Taoist priest remained silent.

"Sister?"

Seeing that his senior sister remained silent, Xu Qing called her name several times before she finally said quietly, "Since you are so familiar with her, why don't you help her run the temple yourself? Why bother coming to find me?"

Ok?
Xu Qing blinked, then suddenly sniffed, pretending to look around, and said, "Where's that sour smell coming from? Did someone spill their vinegar jar? Senior Sister, can you smell it?"

"."

"If Junior Brother has nothing else, I'll head back now!"

Xu Qing reacted quickly and grabbed the Taoist priest's arm.

Yi Zhen was startled, but then heard Xu Qing ask, "Senior Sister, you haven't mentioned the new branch yet." Daoist Yi Zhen barely managed to pull his hand away, nodded and lowered his eyes, saying, "Since it was Junior Brother who invited me, how could I refuse?"

Xu Qing was taken aback upon hearing this, then laughed and said, "Although I am acquainted with the Goddess Baosheng, we are not close friends. If we were truly as close as Senior Sister claims, I would have already taken up my post!"

Master Yizhen's expression softened slightly, but in order to calm her inexplicably flustered emotions, she still forced a cool and aloof tone and said, "I have already agreed, why bring this up again? Even if my junior brother has a good relationship with Him, would I blame him?"

"That's different!"

Xu Qing didn't say anything about the difference. He took two quick steps to catch up with Yi Zhen and said, "Entering the temple is no small matter. Senior Sister agreed without asking why. Aren't you afraid that I lied to you?"

As they approached the coffin shop, Yi Zhen suddenly stopped. She raised her clear, cold eyes and looked earnestly at Xu Qing, who was smiling, and said, "You know in your heart that even if you lie to me, I will still listen to you."

These were Hu Baosong's dying words to Yizhen, but his original words were: 'You can listen to Xu Qing's words, but you must never believe them.'

It was just an ordinary warning, but when it came out of Yizhen's mouth, it just didn't feel right.

The female Taoist priest's gaze was so intense that Xu Qing didn't dare to respond.

That's the downside of forming a bond with a nine-tailed fox: it's easy to get confused about whether they're talking about cultivation or something else entirely.

Xu Qing changed the subject, saying, "It's nothing much. The reason I sent my senior sister to Baosheng Temple is because the owner of Baosheng Temple is a disciple of the goddess of Zhonghuang Temple. The goddess once granted the power of the goddess of fertility to the Tushan clan, ordering them to manage matters of marriage in the mortal world."

"Now the Tushan lineage is almost extinct, and the position of Gao Mei has long been nominal. Fortunately, the goddess has appeared today and restored the power of Gao Mei. Senior Sister has Tushan blood and usually cultivates through forming relationships. If she can enter the Baosheng Temple lineage and become the head of the Marriage Hall, wouldn't that be one step closer to completing the Tushan lineage?"

"Furthermore, Senior Sister possesses the Fox Light Mirror, the Twin Swords of Threading, and the Yu King's Zither, all of which are legitimate inheritances of the Tushan lineage. Apart from Senior Sister, I cannot think of a second person suitable to manage the Marriage Hall."

Xu Qing's words were not unfounded. The Tushan lineage has long influenced matters of marriage in the world; otherwise, the "Tushan Song," which existed as early as the time of the First Emperor, would not have been passed down.

"A white fox, with nine magnificent tails. My home, the Jia Yi, welcomes guests as kings. May they establish their homes and families, and may they prosper."
If my senior sister can enter the Baosheng Temple lineage and use the red thread as her foundation, then the path of predestined affinity will surely be achieved.

Xu Qing recited the lyrics of a folk song, while the female Taoist priest beside him had a shifty gaze.

"By managing the Marriage Hall, one can cultivate the Way of Marriage, help people find partners, and facilitate happy marriages?"

Xu Qing smiled and said, "That's exactly right!"

"Senior Sister possesses the bloodline of Tushan. If she is fortunate enough to find the Tushan treasure, the Marriage Stone, in the future, she might be able to advance even further and cultivate the Nine-Tailed Fox Heavenly Technique to its peak or even perfection!"

"Furthermore, if Senior Sister wishes to fulfill her father's last wish, trace the origins of the Hu Yang clan, and rebuild the past lineage of Tushan Village, she can follow this path. In this way, when Senior Sister discusses her lineage with others in the future, she will have the Goddess of Life Preservation and the Goddess of Mending the Sky as her backers, and others will naturally give her some respect."

Xu Qing always believed in mutual benefit when recruiting employees for Xiantang. If an employee did something for him, he would also try his best to help the employee achieve their own dreams.

If he treats the employees of the Immortal Hall this way, he certainly won't treat his own senior sister any worse.

"Um"

Master Yizhen seemed lost in thought, and it was unclear what he was thinking.

Xu Qing continued, "Senior Sister, you don't need to worry about your abilities. Nine-tailed foxes rely on the concept of fate to cultivate, so connecting people and resolving their problems is a piece of cake for them."

"Of course, if it's your first time matchmaking and you feel inexperienced, you can ask the owner of Baosheng Temple for advice. That 'lady' has some experience."

Master Yizhen stared blankly at Xu Qing, who was patiently guiding her, and was momentarily lost in thought.

After speaking for a while, seeing that no one responded, Xu Qing turned her head and asked, "Why isn't Senior Sister saying anything?"

"Yes, junior brother, please continue. I'm listening."

Master Yizhen raised her delicate hand, twirling a strand of hair behind her ear, her eyes sparkling with an indescribable charm.

"."

Xu Qing finally understood where the fox-like eyes came from!
It's a good thing he's a zombie; if he were a living being, who could withstand him?
Xu Qing shook his head and said, "I won't say anymore. If you have any difficult questions another day, but you don't want to talk to the Goddess of Life Protection, you can come and ask me then."

His senior sister didn't know the true identity of Baosheng Niangniang, so when they met again, they would probably be very distant!
However, with him acting as a mouthpiece, the situation is different now.

At that time, whether his senior sister seeks out Baosheng Niangniang or him, he will be the first to know about the new temple at Baosheng Temple.

Of course, it may also include some things that the senior sisters would say to the Goddess of Life Preservation, but not to him.

Xu Qing had experienced similar things many times when he was at Baosheng Temple.

For example, the red-tailed monkey guarding the temple secretly ran to the Baosheng Temple to bow and worship the Baosheng Goddess, hoping that the monkeys on Monkey Mountain would multiply and help it become the king of all monkeys; another example is that Sister Liu from the temple once privately approached him to ask whether it was better to use the incense money to make a golden statue of the goddess or to use the incense money to do good deeds.
The disciples of the Immortal Clan always have secrets they don't want to tell the sect leader, and there are also things at the Baosheng Temple that are not suitable to ask the 'Goddess' directly.

However, having multiple religious sects acting as a buffer makes communication much easier.

At least among the three religions, Xu Qing knew everything that the Goddess of Life Protection didn't know, he also knew what the leader of the Cat Immortal Hall didn't know, and he could also learn some information from the other two religions about what the leader of the Great Luo Sect was kept in the dark.

In short, Xu Qing is the biggest gossip master among the three largest sects in the world. No one knows more about the affairs of the three major sects than him!

"Where is Bai Qiuyu?"

Inside the coffin shop, Xu Qing scanned the area but found no trace of the other nine-tailed fox.

"That stupid fox has gone to the bridge to tell fortunes again!"

Abbot Jingxu couldn't understand it at all: "Everyone says foxes are clever, but in my opinion, none of the foxes in this shop are smart. Some foxes owe hundreds of taels of silver, but they go to have their fortunes told for a few coins every day. The fortune-telling fees they save in a year are not even enough to cover their food, clothing and other expenses. Over the decades, they have managed to go from owing hundreds of taels to more than a thousand taels. How can there be such stupid foxes in the world?"

After speaking of the fox who had no hope of redemption, Abbot Jingxu changed the subject and said sarcastically, "That's nothing. Unlike some foxes, who are practically offering themselves up to others, just like their mothers, they are taken advantage of and then still remember the kindness of that person."

"How can there be such a stupid fox in this world!"

Having just lost several games of chess, Tao Sanmei was seething with anger. She almost blurted out, "Like master, like apprentice! How can you blame the fox for being stupid? It must be the old fox who doesn't know how to teach!"

"."

The abbot of Jingxu Temple silently put down the chess piece, then immediately drew his magic sword and headed towards the backyard!

Tao Sanmei had long since figured out the old female Taoist's temperament, so she didn't stop her. Instead, she picked up an axe used for repairing coffins and turned to the treasure box where the abbot of Jingxu Temple usually lived.

The master of Jingxu Temple attained enlightenment through his primordial spirit, and having no physical body, he relied on the treasure box to isolate himself from the pollution of turbid air.

Now that neither of them could coerce the other, they simply pretended nothing had happened and returned to their respective chessboards, intending to continue their life-or-death struggle on the small chessboard.

(End of this chapter)