Start practicing from Mr. Fox

Chapter 174 Fate Can Be Changed Even in the Human World
"Paper effigy in the human world is fake, but burning it in the underworld makes it real. There's no need to be surprised."

Chen Ji replied.

"Are paper gold and silver offerings the same?"

"nature."

"I see. I thought those were just human comforts, but I didn't expect them to be true."

"The underworld also needs gold, silver and incense for its expenses. If it's fake, it will be difficult to live in the underworld after death."

"Such a thing is true?"

The headless ghost looked slightly surprised.

"You'll find out when you go to the underworld."

"What if I ask a friend to burn more paper money for me and send it over now?"

"The headless ghost said seriously."

Chen Ji looked at the headless ghost.

"It's like worshipping gods; it has nothing to do with the quantity, only with sincerity. If you're not sincere, you'll just burn a pile of ashes, which is useless."

"Only if you are sincere will money come into your hands."

He shook his head again as he spoke.

There are no relatives, only close friends, and no one knows how many more years this sincere offering of incense will last.

Now that the headless ghost has become a messenger of the underworld, there's no need to worry about these things; the incense offerings from the underworld are barely enough.

As he pondered these things, a few emotions flashed through Chen Ji's mind.

Two months ago, I chatted with Judge Lu and was curious about life in the underworld. Now I am actually working in the underworld and can talk about these things with new ghosts.

Cultivation is truly wondrous!

He shook his head and smiled.

Then he took the headless ghost to see Miss Bai and the others.

"what?"

"How did you become like this, fellow Daoist?"

The group looked at the headless ghost's new appearance with curiosity.

Chen Ji then explained it to them again.

The crowd nodded in understanding, glanced at the headless ghost a few times, and then bowed respectfully.

"I was unaware of your situation, fellow Daoist. I have been watching for too long and have offended you."

"It doesn't matter."

The headless ghost shook its head, then couldn't help but touch its head again.

"Even I am curious about the immortal's surgical method."

Everyone nodded in agreement and asked Chen Ji how he had learned the paper-crafting technique.

"It looks like the magic of the Meishan school."

"I haven't seen you use it before, fellow Daoist."

"Indeed."

Chen Ji nodded and explained that Mei Minglun had been murdered, and that capturing the paper craftsman and rescuing his remnant soul was a way of avenging him.

"I see!"

Everyone suddenly realized.

They assumed that Mei Minglun had given Chen Ji a paper-crafted gift as a token of his gratitude.

This is not unusual among spiritual practitioners.

They all exclaimed that Chen Ji was indeed exceptionally gifted in cultivation, possessing such exquisite skills so soon after acquiring the techniques.

Chen Ji could only explain the past by using the previously common technique of carving human figures using the wall-opening method.

"If you can do wood and stone carving well, paper crafting is just another way of doing it; it's a case of applying the same principles to different things."

"That's because you were very skilled before, fellow Daoist. We might not have been able to learn so quickly."

The monk Zhenru chanted the Buddha's name.

Master Xiyun laughed heartily.

"Fellow Daoist's head-changing technique reminds me of something I heard before."

"Oh?"

Everyone looked over, eager to hear what Master Xiyun had to say.

Bai Ba hurriedly pulled out a handful of snacks like peanut brittle, sesame candy, and so on, and distributed them to everyone.

Bai Qi and his companions didn't hold back at all, grabbing the food and putting it into their mouths.

The young Taoist priests and monks had all witnessed Bai Ba's domineering methods in the past few days, but they had accepted Bai Ba's kindness secretly before.

Now, in front of Master Xiyun and Monk Zhenru, it's not appropriate to accept it directly.

All eyes turned to look at that direction at the same time.

"You guys..."

Master Xiyun shook his head but did not stop him.

"This is Fellow Daoist Fox's kindness. If you eat it, remember to thank Fellow Daoist Fox. Also, remember to exchange it with Fellow Daoist Fox for the food you usually eat on the mountain."

"Don't be greedy and only eat these delicious foods, understand?"

"Yes! I will follow the teachings of my master."

After bowing and expressing their gratitude, the young Taoist priests each picked up a piece of candy, slowly licking the outer shell, their eyes crinkling with delight.

Seeing this, the monk Zhenru also had his disciples take some to taste.

Even Chen Ji picked up a piece of sesame candy.

But upon entering, I was pleasantly surprised.

This was completely different from any sesame candy he had ever eaten before. The sweetness and fragrance were just right, and it even had a special honey aroma after tasting it.

So he quietly asked Bai Ba where he got this from.

"This is the honey we obtained by exchanging morning dew with the bee demons on the mountain, and then we asked the iron pot demon to boil it for us."

Bai Ba honestly said.

"No wonder it tastes so good."

“If you like it, sir, I have another ten or so dollars over there, and I can give you half of them.”

"Since you call me 'sir,' how can you just take half of me for nothing? Let me think of what I can give you in exchange."

After thinking for a moment, I still had no ideas.

So he patted Bai Ba's head.

"Listen to the story first, and I'll think about it slowly when I get back."

"Yes, sir."

Bai Ba obediently sat back down in his original spot.

The fox, the monk, and the Taoist all had snacks in hand as they listened to Master Xiyun tell a story.

Master Xiyun often goes down the mountain to exorcise demons. In addition to using magic to exorcise demons and catch ghosts, he is also very good at chatting.

Now, as he tells his story, he is just like an elder at the village entrance.

A smiling face is enough to captivate anyone who hears it.

There was once a scholar who, even as a child, displayed his talent and passed the imperial examination, earning him the title of a scholar who was considered a reincarnation of the God of Literature.

Unexpectedly, he failed the imperial examinations repeatedly for decades afterward. Even the new students who entered the academy later had already passed the county-level examinations, while he was still a student.

So he went to the Confucian Temple to pray for blessings, hoping to make further progress.

Unexpectedly, he dreamed in the middle of the night that Wenquxing said he was given this talent because he had offered incense to Wenquxing in his previous life.

Being able to pass the preliminary examination in this lifetime is already a miracle, thanks to the efforts of this one incense stick; there's no chance of going any further...

"Then?"

"It's quite different from the story you told me, sir."

"Is this the end?"

The little foxes loved listening to stories, and now that they heard these strange tales about gods and ghosts, they couldn't contain their curiosity and asked questions while Master Xiyun was drinking water.

"You all... don't say anything more, just listen carefully."

Miss Bai tapped Bai Ba's forehead with her finger.

"Oh……"

Bai Ba pouted, pretending to be wronged, but then obediently shut its mouth and waited.

Master Xiyun stroked his beard and continued speaking.

The scholar was naturally unconvinced. Since he couldn't get help from the gods, he decided to seek help from the earth gods. So he took offerings and went to the city god.

But the City God also said that this matter had already been predetermined by the underworld and there was no way to change it, saying that he would be a child for life.

When the scholar heard that even the gods and deities could not help him, he was filled with rage and went to seek a way to defy fate.

"How difficult this is..."

The monk Zhenru sighed.

“The Buddha’s teachings are profound, but they can only be applied to the next life. If this matter is due to the cause and effect of a previous life, it is naturally not easy to change.”

"If he possessed such great magical power, surely no one would help him."

"Fellow Taoist, this is wrong."

Taoist Xiyun shook his head.

"In fact, not only did someone help this scholar, but they actually changed his fate."

"how is this possible?"

Bai Ba cried out in surprise.

The monk's eyes widened in surprise.

Chen Ji also frowned, somewhat disbelieving.

"How did you do that?"

"Just as you did this time, you gave that scholar a new head."

Master Xiyun said slowly.

“Using the same method you used to replace the headless ghost’s head, I replaced the scholar’s ​​head as well.” “Although this scholar never became a scholar, the new head was full of talent. He wrote excellent articles and even passed the imperial examinations with top honors. He eventually entered the court as an official and rose to the highest position.”

After Master Xiyun finished speaking, there was a moment of silence in the City God Temple.

The crowd, ghosts, and demons blinked, hardly daring to believe the story.

Bai Ba clicked his tongue in amazement and asked directly.

"Is what you said true, senior?"

"These are just stories from everyday life; we must remember that human will can conquer nature!"

Master Xiyun laughed heartily, neither confirming nor denying the truth, only offering a few words of encouragement for them to cultivate diligently before saying nothing more.

Looking at the sky again, he hurriedly urged them to go back and rest.

The fox, monk, and Taoist priest glanced at the sky and realized they had missed their appointed time, so they hurriedly took their leave and went to their respective rooms to sleep.

Chen Ji and a few others, along with a fox, were left inside the City God Temple.

After they had all dispersed, Chen Ji looked at Daoist Xiyun thoughtfully.

"Is the person you mentioned truly real?"

"I heard it from the Salt Elder, and it must be true. The Salt Elder was a servant demon in that manor."

"Does that person possess any magical abilities?"

"No."

"Then how can we still subdue the salt merchant?"

"Fellow Daoist, have you forgotten that someone helped him defy fate? How could you not subdue the Salt Elder?"

"..."

Chen Ji remained silent for a moment, then sighed.

If what the salt merchant said is true, then this is not just a common scholar seeking fame, but rather a matter of trouble in the imperial court.

"Isn't there going to be consequences for doing this?"

Although Chen Ji didn't understand court affairs very well, his actions carried the consequences for more than just himself.

That's something that most people can't do.

Taoist Xiyun shook his head.

"The salt merchant didn't know much more. He only learned about this by chance and fled because he was afraid of being silenced."

"I mentioned it just now because I felt that this experience was somewhat similar to that of Fellow Daoist Wu Tou, and I'm afraid..."

Master Xiyun didn't say anything more, but Chen Ji already understood what he meant.

Only those who hold a position in the underworld, possess paper-crafting skills, and have the authority of the City God can exchange ghost heads.

This being, capable of giving someone a head transplant and bearing the consequences, is probably either in the underworld or in the City God's office.

Those in high positions of power have broader ambitions.

Seeing that Chen Ji understood, Daoist Xiyun cupped his hands in apology.

"This matter should not have been discussed with you, but since it involves countless people and even the foundation of the nation, I would like to ask you to inquire about it."

Even if we can't find out who did it, it would be great if it could make them behave themselves.

"Fellow Daoist, there's no need for further explanation. I understand your meaning and will naturally go and investigate."

Chen Ji nodded earnestly.

"Although I am not a Taoist who cultivates talismans and do not care about merits and divine positions, I do know the suffering of the people and will not stand idly by."

"Thank you, fellow Taoist."

Master Xiyun bowed slowly.

The monk Zhenru also chanted a Buddhist prayer, expressing his admiration for Chen Ji's chivalrous actions, which truly embodied the seeds of Buddhist compassion.

But then he thought of the debate between Chen Ji and the high monk from the underworld, and shook his head.

Humans possess Buddha-nature, but unfortunately, the content of this debate is too distorted.

Even someone who studies Buddhism like him didn't dare to think about it too much; he decided to just say Amitabha Buddha.

soon.

Master Xiyun and the others went back to rest, leaving only Chen Ji and Miss Bai in the room.

Chen Ji then slowly looked at her.

"What does Miss Bai think?"

"This must not have been done by an ordinary person."

"Why?"

Miss Bai looked at him and spoke softly, uttering two words through lips.

Chen Ji's thoughts suddenly stopped, and after a long while he finally exhaled, not daring to think about it any further.

Miss Bai smiled gently when she realized Chen Ji knew.

"After all, my fox clan has experienced this."

"It's just that back then it was a matter of obeying orders, but now that the Empress is in charge, I dare not do evil."

"But some other gods and ghosts may not be content with the status quo. If they want to go further, they can only seek to take over the human world."

"However, this is something that ordinary gods and ghosts cannot accomplish."

"Does Miss Bai think it's the Underworld or the City God?"

"Hard to say."

The white girl shook her head.

"Human power is too tempting, the underworld is in turmoil, the City God is corrupt, it is possible that both sides are involved, or even that they are working together, or of course, it could be the work of other demons and ghosts."

"Should this matter be reported to the underworld?"

“Judge Lu is a reliable person. You may choose to tell him some things, but as for the Prefect… that depends on whether you trust Judge Lu.”

"understood."

Chen Ji nodded, deciding to leave the matter aside for now and discuss it next time they met.

There have been many things happening in the underworld lately, so it's a good time to ask the Lord of the Underworld about his actions before making a decision.

"Sir, you've been busy all day, please take a rest."

"it is good."

After seeing Miss Bai off, there was finally no one left in the room.

Chen Ji pondered the events of the past few days, and finally couldn't help but close his eyes and fall asleep.

However, in his dream, his mind was immersed in a different place.

The surrounding area was filled with a light white mist, the atmosphere was balanced and peaceful, and there was no sense of anything unusual.

Looking up, one can vaguely see that this place subtly embodies the concept of a round heaven and a square earth.

But apart from that, there was no sound or words, as if he were the only person in this world.

"Xuanshan?"

Chen Ji's thoughts flickered, but he felt it wasn't true.

While the Taoist Master Xuanshan is indeed mysterious, his previous preaching sessions have already shown that he wouldn't do such a trivial thing.

There is another space here.

What else could it be?
Chen Ji's thoughts were racing, and the next moment, a gust of wind seemed to be generated in the space.

White vapor surged, forming the course of mountains and rivers.

Chen Ji also let his aura lift him into the air, overlooking the mountains and rivers from a high vantage point.

Chen Ji looked down and felt that the terrain was extremely familiar.

After a few moments of thought, he suddenly realized that this was the terrain around Fenshan Town, only the direction had changed, so he hadn't recognized it.

He quickly turned around and looked at the directions again.

They then discovered that a tortoise shell pattern was slowly floating in the air where they were, and outside the town of Fenshan, another tortoise shell pattern was also floating in the air.

At a glance, Chen Ji realized what it was.

Previously, the Taoist Xuanshan had given him a piece of tortoise shell, saying it could be used to find the method of the Golden Elixir.

He tried using the Qi-seeking technique and also tried stimulating his magic, but there was no response.

If he weren't worried about damaging the mysterious tortoise shell, he would have liked to try using the Netherfire.

Unexpectedly, the tortoise shell, which had been impossible to activate before, now reacted and seemed to be indicating the location of the second tortoise shell.

but……

Chen Ji looked at the location of the tortoise shell, frowned, and sighed.

He didn't intend to touch this ghost king anytime soon, but unfortunately, the tortoise shell fragments were located in the chaotic graveyard of the cemetery.

There must be a reason for us to go in and investigate.

As soon as he finished observing the terrain, the white mist in front of him slowly dissipated.

Chen Ji knew that this should be the end of the reminder from the tortoise shell, so he firmly remembered the aura and location indicated by the tortoise shell.

When the white mist dissipated, Chen Ji opened his eyes and woke up.

"Oh oh oh!"

Three rooster crows signaled the approach of dawn.

Chen Ji was stunned for a moment, not expecting time to pass so quickly.

Upon closer examination, he discovered that his cultivation level had improved significantly compared to before he went to sleep the previous night.

Only then did I realize that it was the effect of the white mist in my dream.

So Yu Jia wanted to find a second piece of tortoise shell.

But before that, there are other things to do.

Chen Ji leaned over the table and summoned the stone mill demon again. After thinking for a moment, he also summoned Madam Hongci and handed her two writing brushes.

"I would like to ask you two fellow Daoists to help me copy the book!"

"what?"

The two ghosts were taken aback, somewhat bewildered.

This was the first time they had ever heard of a requirement for ghost messengers and earth spirits to copy books...

(End of this chapter)