Start practicing from Mr. Fox

Chapter 120 Dragon Lord Ji Ming
Two days is neither long nor short.

Chen Ji did quite a lot.

He taught the little foxes magic at the medicine shop.

Well, saying they teach magic techniques isn't entirely accurate; most of the magic techniques used by the Earth and Wood Four Foxes are now quite proficient.

He merely offered guidance on the key points of their road construction based on his experience gleaned from books.

The effect...

Now that we're going back, the road construction should be even faster than before, and it's estimated that the road leading down the mountain will be completed in about a month.

However, there are demons and ghosts on the mountain, so it's hard to say how long it will take before anyone can pass through this road.

Perhaps after the mountain god temple was repaired, half of the people who went up the mountain to worship would leave, and the remaining half would be passed down in the village legends.

However, he was never ashamed of his good deeds.

In the assessment for entering the Fox School, the subject of Morality should be a sure thing.

Mr. Su was in charge of the academic aspects, and Chen Ji simply called on students randomly as usual.

Some of the little foxes remembered it, while others couldn't, so Chen Ji explained it to them a few more times.

With the help of copying techniques, he quickly memorized it.

They also chatted with the mudfish demon about the situation of the Hutuo River and Ziyun Mountain, which helped them understand the power distribution of the aquatic tribes.

It will be easier to get to know each other when we go to the Water Palace.

They had originally planned to send the Iron Pot Demon back to the mountain, but Li Pingyun came to visit once, which delayed things, so they had to postpone it.

Iron Pot Demon also said that he really liked the environment at the pharmacy.

The demon friends were all talented, spoke pleasantly, and even took classes with the fox demon. Some of their previous cultivation questions were answered, so they were even less willing to leave in a hurry.

As for the bronze toad that arrived last.

He then added that he hadn't sold any copper ingots yet and wasn't in a hurry to leave.

So they decided not to rush to send the Iron Pot Demon to Qingfeng Temple and would wait until they returned from Hutuo River.

The third day arrived at a leisurely pace.

After packing up, Chen Ji and his group headed to Hutuo River as agreed.

It was agreed beforehand that this visit to the Dragon King would not involve as many formalities as the last time we met the City God.

They rode the wind away from the courtyard, heading straight for the Hutuo River.

The loach demon couldn't stay out of water for long, so it specially prepared a basin to hold water.

After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, we saw the banks of the Hutuo River.

It's about some distance from Zhanshui Town, and the words the Dragon Lord spoke when he visited last time still carry some weight.

There was no sign of a water-riding hero on the river, only a few small sampans casting nets and fishing.

Chen Ji and his group did not disturb these people. They circled around to a distance and, seeing that there was no one on the river, slowly landed.

Looking at the riverbank, Chen Ji began to have doubts.

Previously, the message was delivered by the mudfish demon, and both the messenger and the messenger from the Water Palace were aquatic creatures, which allowed them to directly locate the Water Palace of the Hutuo River.

Neither he nor Bai Gu Niang were from the aquatic tribes, so it wasn't appropriate for them to go down from the shore.

"Does this mean I have to use a water-avoidance spell to descend and reach the water palace?"

Chen Ji looked at Miss Bai.

"Sir, you don't know how to use a visiting card?"

"Hmm? Is this visiting card still valid?"

Chen Ji looked at it curiously.

Miss Bai chuckled to herself.

"So you didn't know, sir. I thought you knew this, which is why you wrote the visiting card."

"In that case, I'll do it."

"Alright."

Chen Ji handed over the visiting card.

After receiving the invitation, Miss Bai unfolded it and placed it on the water.

Then a spark of foxfire appeared from his fingertip, instantly igniting the entire invitation card.

"The Sendai Fox Clan and Master Chen, a member of the clan, have come to keep their appointment. Please ask the Water Palace Guardian to welcome them into the Water Palace."

As soon as he finished speaking, the visiting card was burned to ashes.

A gray line disappeared into the water's surface in the blink of an eye.

"This is?"

"The correct way to use a visiting card."

The white girl smiled slightly.

"Most of those water palaces and cave dwellings are protected by formations to prevent mortals from accidentally entering."

"Even those who have some cultivation may not be able to enter quickly."

"That's why visiting cards are used. With a visiting card, the people inside know that a guest has arrived and will come to greet him."

"So the invitation card went in by itself just now?"

"Of course not, it's called the 'visiting letter technique,' but it's just a name and not even a real technique. As long as you can get a visiting letter to explain your purpose, that's fine."

"Using magic to ignite it is just a convenient way to destroy it."

"I see."

Chen Ji nodded, indicating his understanding, and silently memorized the technique of using visiting cards.

It might come in handy if I go somewhere else in the future.

The water was calm, and there was no other reaction for a long time. Then the mudfish demon flicked its tail and popped its head out of the basin.

"This Lord Hutuo is far too arrogant! You and Miss Bai have come here with visiting cards, yet you are treated with such disrespect. Please allow me to go and deliver a message to them..."

Before he finished speaking, the river suddenly began to boil, and a row of ceremonial guards appeared.

Clam maidens lit lanterns, golden carp scattered flowers, shrimp soldiers carried flags, crab generals wielded hammers, sea horses pulled chariots, and dragon-character flags fluttered on both sides of the procession—a magnificent spectacle of aquatic life.

"Hmm? What else do you want them to do, fellow Daoist?"

Chen Ji glanced sideways, staring at the mudfish demon in the basin.

"I...I'm going to cultivate!"

The mudfish demon flicked its tail and disappeared into the water without saying a word.

The turtle spirit who had previously delivered the visiting card appeared at the end of the procession and extended an invitation with clasped hands.

"His Majesty heard that our distinguished guest has arrived and specially ordered me to invite him. Please, distinguished guest, enter the underwater palace."

"This ceremonial guard is used by His Majesty on a daily basis and is not afraid of water damage."

"Thank you for your arrangements, Envoy Dragon."

Chen Ji smiled and thanked him, then stepped into the car with curiosity in his eyes.

He had ridden in a horse-drawn carriage before, but he had never seen a carriage pulled by a seahorse.

Moreover, how do seahorses live in river water?
Now is the perfect time to inquire about turtle essence.

"Master, you have excellent eyesight. You've even seen a water horse before and know it's a sea creature."

"Water horse?"

Chen Ji was taken aback, then realized that this was probably the Water Palace's name for the seahorse.

"I heard from people from Linhai that they had seen something like this in the sea, and it happens to be recorded in the Compendium of Materia Medica."

"Yes, that's it."

The turtle spirit nodded excitedly and explained the reason.

"Where the Dragon Lord is, aquatic creatures can survive regardless of whether it's in the sea or rivers. It's only because our Dragon Lord has restrained them; otherwise, we would capture them."

"Taoist Master, don't underestimate this thing just because it's small. Its strength in the water is no less than that of a horse on the shore. It can even create waves and ride the mist. It is His Majesty's favorite carriage."

"How could I possibly accept this?"

Chen Ji was stunned.

I had heard that Lord Hutuo was difficult to get along with.

Now, having merely sent a visiting card, they've come to pick me up in their own carriage.

The turtle spirit smiled slightly.

"Naturally, it was the Taoist priest's visiting card that pleased His Majesty, which is why he received such a courtesy."

Then he asked another question.

"Has the Taoist priest ever heard of the Dragon Girl's fondness for scholars in the human world?"

"I heard something."

"The Dragon King also has sisters."

The turtle spirit smiled.

Chen Ji was stunned for a moment, then looked at Miss Bai again, only to see a faint smile on her face.

I didn't know what to say for a moment.

Let's not talk about anything else, and just wait until we see the Dragon King.

However, I am also grateful for the information sent by the turtle spirit, and I took out a few bamboo grains and pine nuts to give away.

"Thank you for your guidance, Supervisor."

"Of course, of course! We've already been delayed for a while, so let's not keep His Majesty waiting any longer."

As they were talking, the turtle spirit pulled on the reins and gave the order.

"rise!"

Then, waves surged up on the water's surface again.

The ceremonial procession slowly sank into the water, and indeed, there was no water flow to disturb it from any direction.

"It's truly amazing!" Chen Ji exclaimed.

The turtle spirit simply smiled, closed its eyes to rest, and let Chen Ji observe the surrounding scenery.

Before long, the carriage seemed to pass through a film of water, and the scenery before Chen Ji suddenly opened up.

"We've arrived at the Water Palace."

"It's a turtle spirit," the turtle spirit said slowly.

Hundreds of palaces and pavilions are arranged in a staggered pattern, dazzling with their jewels.

It's almost unbelievable that the Hutuo River Water Palace could look like this.

Seeing Chen Ji's surprised expression, the turtle spirit became extremely smug.

“Ordinary water palaces are naturally not this luxurious, but Your Majesty is the descendant of the Northern River Dragon God and has many treasures, so it is not difficult for you to build these palaces here.”

"So that's how it is. He truly is an extraordinary Dragon Lord."

"Please, all three of you, get out of the car."

Once the car had come to a complete stop, the turtle spirit got off first and then led the others off.

They then clapped hands to send off the entourage and invited Chen Ji and the others inside.

The interior is also designed to resemble a human garden, but it is even more luxurious.

Orchids and other precious plants are everywhere, mostly rare varieties from various regions, and they are decorated with pearls, gold, and silver, as if they were used as if they were free.

Turtle Essence traveled along the way, introducing the various aspects of the journey.

Chen Ji and his group nodded in agreement, marveling at the extravagance of the Dragon Palace.

After passing through the connecting corridor, with the turtle spirit leading the way, Chen Ji finally had a chance to ask the mudfish demon a question.

"Fellow Daoist, why don't you build a similar water palace in the well someday? That would be befit the status of a Dragon Lord."

The mudfish demon blushed and quickly shook its head.

"Fellow Daoist, please don't mention this matter again! It's too much of an insult to this demon!"

Chen Ji smiled slightly, about to say something more, when he saw a person already standing in front of the door.

He was handsome enough, but not as good-looking as I was.

With a pair of dragon horns protruding from his forehead and faint shimmering dragon scales on his face, one could easily recognize him as the Dragon Lord.

So the one person and the two demons stood still and bowed slightly.

"Greetings, Dragon Lord."

"You three don't need to be so polite!"

The Dragon King laughed heartily.

"I didn't know the visiting cards were from two fellow Daoists."

"Gao Hu of Mount Sendai, a renowned master among demons, it is indeed a rare honor for you two to visit my underwater palace!"

"I hope you will not find it impolite that I did not personally go to the river to greet you."

Chen Ji suddenly understood.

It turns out that the Dragon King had already consulted with the demons about their situation, which explains why he treated them this way.

However, there was another demon beside him, whom the Dragon Lord didn't mention, which was probably...

Just thinking about it.

Hu Tuo Long Jun looked at the mudfish demon and slowly spoke.

"Oh, and this young friend, with his clear golden eyes and faintly visible golden scales, does seem to possess some true dragon blood. How come I've never heard of him? Hmm, why does he have a somewhat familiar aura?"

"Here……"

Even without water flowing in the water palace, aquatic creatures can still walk normally. The mudfish demon was already floating in the air, as if swimming in the air.

Seeing the Dragon Lord looking at him, he was momentarily stunned and didn't know what to say.

His body stiffened, and he fell directly from the air.

Chen Ji raised an eyebrow, smiled as he caught the mudfish demon, and looked at the Dragon Lord to explain on his behalf.

"This fellow Daoist's good fortune is all thanks to the Dragon Lord's kind heart."

"Oh? What makes you say that!"

Dragon Lord raised an eyebrow, showing a hint of curiosity.

"So the Dragon Lord didn't tell anyone else."

Chen Ji asked in surprise.

"I heard that the Dragon Lord first fought a Taoist priest, and his dragon blood bathed the river, benefiting the river monsters for a hundred miles along the Hutuo River. Afterwards, he went to Zhanshui Town to warn the Water Transport Lord of the Canal Gang to protect the aquatic creatures. A few days ago, he also killed and drove away many monsters while patrolling the river."

"Such a good deed benefits the aquatic creatures, the people on both sides of the river, and the demons of the Water Palace. The fact that it was kept secret shows that only a person of great virtue would do such a thing."

"..."

As soon as he finished speaking, the turtle spirit beside the Dragon King stared wide-eyed at Chen Ji.

A ripple of emotion stirred within me.

No wonder people say that humans are the most cunning and treacherous beings in the world. This was clearly something the Dragon King did to vent his anger after fighting with someone.

How come this Taoist priest speaks of doing good deeds?
Judging from the Dragon King's expression, he clearly liked these words very much, so it seems I still have a lot to learn.

The mudfish demon was also dumbfounded.

According to Chen Ji's statement, he did not even steal the dragon's blood, but rather enjoyed the blessings of the Dragon King.

Only Miss Bai raised her eyes, still carrying a faint smile.

He spoke in a low voice, a voice only Chen Ji could hear.

"Sir, did you say the same thing to the fox before?"

"That's...of course not."

Chen Ji shook his head slightly and looked at Long Jun with a smile.

"My fellow Daoist just happened to enjoy the blessing of the Dragon Lord's blood and was fortunate enough to have such good fortune."

"a ha ha ha!"

Upon hearing this, Long Jun burst into laughter and even tried to pat Chen Ji on the shoulder.

"Well said! Excellent!"

"I hadn't considered the demons of Xuanzhi Water Palace before I acted, but you, Mr. Demon, saw through it. This is exactly what I wanted!"

"I've heard that there's a term for confidant in the human world. Mr. Demon, you could be my confidant."

"Since this fellow aquatic cultivator is also blessed by me, it's normal that he has a familiar aura. If he transforms into a dragon in the future, don't forget to come and offer him a cup of Dragon Transformation Wine!"

"sure!"

The mudfish demon readily agreed.

Hu Tuo Longjun then waved his hand, generously inviting Chen Ji into the courtyard, and then ordered the people of the Water Mansion to serve wine and dishes.

A moment later, the jade pendants jingled.

The clam-woman and fish spirit reappeared, presenting exquisite dishes and wine on delicate plates.

Most of them were delicacies that Chen Ji had never seen before, and he only recognized them after the Dragon Lord introduced them.

"These are water grapes, a common fruit in the Water Palace. They are somewhat similar to human grapes, but the taste is even better."

"This is Baiyu Kuai (Hundred Fish Slices), made with the best live fish from the river, and cut by a water spirit skilled in ice magic. It is extremely fresh to the taste."

……

"This is River Pearl Tea, made by brewing the essence of pearls from river clams with the essence of river water. It has anti-aging effects, but the effects only last for five years."

"very good already."

Chen Ji said slowly.

If this effect could be applied to the mortal realm, countless people would be tempted and willing to pay a fortune for a cup.

However, in the Water Palace, it was just ordinary tea.

After that, the dishes and wine became more and more precious, and several of them were things that even Miss Bai had never seen before.

After a full sixteen dishes and fruits were laid out, Long Jun raised his glass to invite Chen Ji and his party to drink together.

"The Hutuo River is not rich in aquatic products. This meal and wine are just a small token of our respect. I hope you will not find it offensive, fellow Daoist."

"That's excellent!"

Chen Ji said seriously.

"This banquet is even better than what an ordinary Taoist priest who has become a Taoist through cooking would do."

"Oh? There's such a master here?"

"That's right. The old abbot of Qingfeng Temple on Qingliang Mountain is like that, and there's another demon by my side who also has such abilities."

"If I have the chance, I will definitely go and visit you."

Dragon King's eyes lit up, then he suddenly remembered something and apologized.

"We were so focused on the banquet that we didn't exchange names. I, Ji Ming, am unaware of your names. How should I address you?"

"Chen Ji".

"She's just a fox spirit. It's not appropriate to use her name in front of the Dragon Lord. Just call her Miss Bai."

"This little demon doesn't have a name. Dragon Lord, just call me Mud Loach Demon."

Chen Ji listened, slightly disappointed.

I thought I would hear Miss Bai's name at this moment, but I didn't expect it to be like this.

However, this Hutuo Dragon Lord didn't care about these things. After hearing this, he just smiled and looked at the mudfish demon.

"Both Miss Bai and Mr. Chen are good people, but you, the mudfish demon, are hard to distinguish. You should come up with a name as soon as possible."

"Definitely, I'll think of one as soon as I get back."

Long Jun nodded, chatted for a few more minutes, and only after everyone had cleared away their empty plates did he ask about the purpose of Chen Ji and his group's visit.

(End of this chapter)