Start practicing from Mr. Fox

Chapter 135 Five-Three Fox Book
When Miss Bai recounted her experience of studying foxes, Chen Ji realized it was different from what he had imagined.

Except for the fact that the exam is the same for all foxes, and that a testing center is set up just like in the human world, with many foxes taking the exam together.

The other subjects were conducted individually by each fox.

The assessment content is not simply about mastery and proficiency, but also about on-the-spot reaction and performance.

For example, in the art of transformation, resembling a human is only the first step. The examiners will then assess the fox's behavior when drinking, making merry, and studying.

If you don't pass the test, even if your transformation performance is excellent, you can only get a medium to high rating.

The magic techniques are not solely determined by what the foxes know; one must also inquire whether the foxes are familiar with other magic techniques. In addition to being proficient in what one has learned, one must also be well-read and have a broad memory in order to succeed.

As for the subject of moral conduct, it is even more mysterious.

Miss Bai said that the Fox School has its own methods for inquiring about the character of the foxes who are studying the Fox School.

Chen Ji thought about it and understood.

After all, he was related to the Great Emperor of the Eastern Peak, so if he went to the Underworld to inquire, he should be able to access the list of virtuous deeds in the Book of Life and Death.

Although the power of the underworld may be unstable, these things should still be achievable.

Even if you can't do it yourself, you can have a ghost messenger bring you up to see for yourself, or ask the City God, or ask other demons and ghosts for their opinions. That will give you a clue.

Chen Ji was still somewhat curious.

There are more than twenty foxes on Mount Sendai that will be taking the fox studies exam this year. Can the instructors from the fox studies department really distinguish between these foxes?
"Fox studies naturally have their methods."

Miss Bai seemed to know something, but she just smiled and didn't say anything.

Chen Ji could only nod and stop asking.

This is an internal matter of the fox clan, and it is also related to such a secretive place as the Fox Academy. Although he is a teacher, he is not a fox after all, so it is not appropriate for him to ask too many questions.

After listening to what Miss Bai said, I gained a better understanding of the process of studying foxes.

"Sir, can you really prepare according to this?"

"It should be okay."

Chen Ji thought for a moment and nodded.

If we think about it from a mortal perspective, this is probably impossible, but now that I have magic, I do have a way to test the fox.

"But we can't reveal this to anyone. If we want to speed things up, we'll need Miss Bai and another little fox to work together."

"Who?"

"Bai Shijiu".

Chen Ji said slowly.

"In a dream?"

After a moment's thought, Miss Bai thought of Chen Ji's method and nodded slightly. It was feasible, but there was still a lot to prepare. The exam paper for the subject of knowledge was not easy to prepare.

Upon hearing this, Chen Ji realized that he had forgotten the most crucial point.

Having been here for so long, and still being a gentleman, I've never paid attention to how books are printed here.

"Sir, you've never seen woodblock printing before?"

Miss Bai was slightly surprised, but still answered.

"Woodblock printing?"

Chen Ji nodded, then shook his head.

"It is simply that I have come up with a simpler way to solve this problem, which ordinary people can also use. This should be considered a contribution to education."

"Oh?"

Miss Bai's eyes lit up, and she became interested.

"Is it the same blackboard that you used before, sir?"

"Different."

Chen Ji shook his head.

"A blackboard can only be used by one teacher for many students, but this is something that can truly benefit the whole world. Once I've finished making it, Miss Bai will know."

"Alright."

Miss Bai nodded slightly and asked no more questions. She went out to continue instructing the little fox on how to transform.

Chen Ji continued making his own things inside the house.

They even had to ask the Bronze Toad Demon and the Stone Mill Demon to come in and help, and it took them a whole night to finish everything.

When the next day dawned, the copper toad demon was completely exhausted and collapsed on the ground, while the stone mill demon was so tired that it had no energy to even absorb the incense.

Chen Ji helped by lighting a piece of thousand-year-old Solomon's Seal and then gave another piece to the Copper Toad Demon. Only after the two demons recovered did they bow and express their gratitude.

"No need for thanks, just tell us what this is."

"I've never seen this before, so it's quite novel."

The two demons stared at the table, which was covered with countless copper ingots, each thinner than a finger, their eyes filled with curiosity.

Although they cultivated in seclusion, they were not completely detached from the world. They had seen all sorts of ordinary things, but had never heard anyone mention such a thing.

"Let's talk about it together when Miss Bai arrives."

With a sudden thought, Chen Ji conjured up foxfire out of thin air.

Before long, Miss Bai appeared in the room.

"Sir, is there something you need from me?"

"nature."

Chen Ji smiled slightly and revealed the items on the table.

"Everything I told Miss Bai before is ready, and the assessment can begin at any time."

"So fast?"

Miss Bai blinked, clearly somewhat surprised.

He picked up something from the table and looked at it.

"These things seem somewhat similar to the inscription on the carved board?"

"nature."

As Chen Ji spoke, he opened his hand and dropped a handful of copper letter templates.

This was something he suddenly thought of but hadn't released yet.

The type molds used in movable type printing.

Although there are immortals and cultivators in this world, they have plenty of ways to preserve content and would never think of solving this problem for mortals.

Perhaps after some time, ordinary people will also be able to think of this method, but the typefaces they produce will be much worse than those made by Chen Ji.

To make the production easier, Chen Ji would first use the Wall-Opening Technique to cut the stone, then use the spell to make these letter molds, and finally hand them over to the Copper Toad Demon to turn the stone into copper.

The typefaces made using this method are much clearer and easier to use than those made from clay or pottery.

Chen Ji smiled slightly and looked at Miss Bai.

"This is what I meant by something that has educational value. It's not complicated to use, and the test papers can be printed very quickly. Different foxes can even get different questions."

The copper toad demon and the stone mill demon had never seen a bookstore or printing factory in the human world, and did not know the purpose of these type molds. It is evident that Miss Bai valued them and understood that this was not a simple matter.

The two demons asked what it was for.

"Printed books".

Chen Ji didn't hide it from them, but seeing that they didn't know what it was for after watching it, he decided to demonstrate it.

After randomly picking up a few copper type molds and placing them on a plate, brushing them with ink, and gently rubbing them with a soft cloth, an exam paper actually appeared in less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

"Ok?"

"So magical?"

The two demons stared wide-eyed, unable to believe what Chen Ji was seeing.

After a few moments of silence, Miss Bai looked at the letter mold in Chen Ji's hand and suddenly bowed.

“What you say, fellow Daoist, is indeed true. This is indeed something that cultivates virtue, but…”

Miss Bai shook her head as she spoke.

"In the past, Cangjie's creation of characters was the first-rate merit of education in the world, followed by the teachings of sages. Your skill this time may also be among them."

"Giving such a thing to the little foxes just for the sake of virtue is absolutely unacceptable. If you were to take it to the academy, perhaps even the Sage would personally come to reward you."

Miss Bai said truthfully.

Chen Ji was somewhat tempted, but after thinking it over, he shook his head.

"If this matter can be spread from the Fox Demon of Sendai, it should be of some benefit. As for the Sage, he should also know about it."

"Is that so?"

Upon hearing this, Miss Bai realized something, nodded slightly, and bowed to express her gratitude.

"If these young foxes can enter the Fox Academy and their character is impeccable, I wonder how they should repay their teacher."

Chen Ji waved his hand. "There's no need to talk about repayment. It would be a blessing if they still remember my kindness after this mock exam."

Miss Bai glanced sideways, not understanding why Chen Ji said that.

But after seeing the book of questions Chen Ji took out in the afternoon, I understood what he meant.

I still don't understand even though I look at the name in the book.

"Why did you choose this name, 'Five-Three Fox Book'? It seems a bit hard to understand."

Naturally, it's five years of fox training and three years of simulation.

Chen Ji muttered a curse in his heart, but did not offer that explanation. After thinking for a moment, he slowly spoke.

"I remember reading a book that said, 'Five, three, eight, the principles of the Dao.' The name was meant to encourage the little foxes to cultivate and attain enlightenment after reading the book."

"That's right."

Miss Bai nodded slightly, her eyes revealing joy.

"It is indeed a good name, and I believe the little foxes will like it."

He put down the fox book and asked Chen Ji how he planned to begin.

"Let's try it with Bai Qi and the others first."

"Give them three days to read the books first, and then they can enter the dream to take the test. However, we still need Miss Bai and Bai Shijiu to make the arrangements."

"no problem."

Miss Bai agreed to the plan without the slightest hesitation.

"Then I'll have to trouble you to give these to them first, sir. I'll go up the mountain later to fetch Bai Shijiu."

"it is good."

The man and the fox agreed, while the two demons beside them just scratched their heads.

"I feel like I need to develop a brain. Why is fox cultivation so complicated?"

"I don't know either, but let's just do it our way. Let's continue studying our magic."

“Excellent!”

The bronze toad demon and the stone mill demon also took their leave and found a secluded corner to begin practicing their respective spells.

Chen Ji printed several more books before finally finding Bai Qi Si Hu.

They had previously done some herbal medicine gathering in the mountains, and now that they had practiced traditional Chinese medicine, they could coexist with the arts of qi cultivation and medicine, and were indeed considered renowned doctors.

But now, hearing Chen Ji talk about studying foxes, he still couldn't help but feel excited.

They all gathered around the well and asked questions.

"Does the master mean he has a good way to help us get into the Fox Academy?"

"What method is it? Please enlighten me, sir."

"I can't wait to try it out."

The four foxes chattered on and on, which made it a bit difficult for Chen Ji to listen. However, he had already arranged the steps, so he simply took out the Five-Three Fox Book and handed it to the four foxes.

"These are Miss Bai's notes from when she took the fox studies exam years ago. Mr. Su and I have also reorganized them according to the exam requirements. All the questions that should be asked in the knowledge subject should be in these notes. As long as you study hard, it will naturally not be a problem."

The little foxes' eyes lit up at the news, and they hugged the fox book tightly, not wanting outsiders to see it.

"Sir, you are so kind! You even managed to get your hands on something like this. If I get into Fox Academy this time, I really don't know how I can thank you enough."

"Yes! Sir, you are so kind to us."

The little foxes sighed, and Chen Ji smiled slightly, wondering if they would still be able to say those words a few days later.

He paused, then waved his hand to dismiss the four foxes, telling them to study the matter carefully over the next few days.

"must!"

The four foxes nodded quickly and left.

After they had all left, Miss Bai revealed herself and asked Chen Ji if his methods had been effective.

"Perhaps not yet, but we'll find out in our dreams. These next few days are a good time to set up the environment in our dreams."

"Alright."

Miss Bai nodded, then inquired about Chen Ji's requirements, and nodded again after only a few breaths.

"Sir, the examination room you requested is ready."

"So fast?"

Chen Ji didn't expect to say those words, but seeing Bai's expression, he knew it was true. So, following the previous method of entering the dream, he prepared to see what was going on.

"No need for such trouble, just follow me."

Bai Gu Niang couldn't wait for Chen Ji to prepare, so she raised her hand, grabbed Chen Ji's arm, and pulled hard.

Chen Ji was so surprised that his eyes widened.

When his own body came into view, he was actually pulled out of his soul by the White Girl.

This……

Chen Ji was at a loss for words.

Although he had just used the soul-binding technique to capture the sorceress's soul.

However, the soul itself was unstable, and his soul-binding technique was quite advanced, which is why he was able to achieve such an effect.

But as a cultivator with a soul strength far exceeding that of ordinary people, the fact that Miss Bai possessed such abilities... made it difficult to contemplate further.

No wonder it's capable of burning mountains with foxfire.

"Why are you standing there in a daze, sir? What do you think of this place?"

Bai Gu Niang's shout brought Chen Ji back to his senses.

Looking around, it was indeed just as he had told Miss Bai, a whole Fox Academy had been constructed in his dream.

Even the pedestrians in the streets and alleys are so lifelike, as if they were alive.

"They are indeed alive."

Miss Bai spoke slowly.

"Ok?"

Chen Ji was taken aback and subconsciously clenched his hands.

If all these people in Miss Bai's dream are alive, then it's not just a simple dream; it means that Miss Bai has imprisoned many living souls in her dream.

This was no less significant than the attack on the Ghost Gate back then.

After seeing Chen Ji's gaze, Miss Bai paused for a moment, then covered her mouth and burst into laughter.

"Sir, do you perhaps think that I have imprisoned a living soul in my own dream?"

"This……"

Chen Ji's expression froze, feeling embarrassed that his thoughts had been exposed.

Miss Bai then smiled and pointed to a passerby not far away.

"boom!"

With a soft sound, the passerby's figure vanished from sight, and a thread in the air broke and disappeared quickly.

Chen Ji frowned.

He clearly felt that something was missing from this dream.

Miss Bai spoke slowly.

"I didn't finish speaking with you before, so this dream is another function of the karmic connection."

"The fox's cultivation of the art of forming connections has reached a profound level. As long as it passes by and meets any human, demon, god, or Buddha, it can establish a connection with them."

"I can then use this connection to recreate their actions in my dreams."

"However, there is a downside to this: since I act in my dreams, they might also dream about what happened that day."

"If a sleepwalker or a dream-devourer were to enter these people's dreams at this moment, they might discover my location."

Chen Ji was taken aback, and after a long while, he slowly spoke.

"It is indeed a wonderful technique; the Bonding Technique is truly wondrous."

After saying that, he pointed to the figure that had just disappeared.

"What about just now?"

"What the gentleman just saw was me voluntarily giving up this relationship. He will have no impression of me anymore, nor will he remember ever having seen me..."

Chen Ji's mind raced, and he tried to find something in the crowd, but he couldn't.

However, it was not appropriate to ask at the moment, so he quickly glanced around to confirm that this was indeed a suitable place to study foxes before explaining to Miss Bai.

"That's good. We'll just have to wait for the teacher to come and preside over the exam in a few days."

The White Maiden smiled and led Chen Ji back to reality. The dream quietly disappeared, and the garden was once again filled with peace and ghostly atmosphere.

(End of this chapter)