Start practicing from Mr. Fox

Chapter 209 Asking the Tribulation
Xue San disappeared into the ground and vanished in an instant; even Chen Ji, using underworld methods, could not find his whereabouts.

Before they could even marvel at Xue Sanhao's skill, a wisp of black energy surged from the ground and transformed into the likeness of Judge Lu.

Upon seeing Chen Ji, he made no attempt at politeness and immediately asked a question.

"What's this about the priests you mentioned?"

Chen Ji then briefly explained the situation to him.

When Lu Pan first heard that the priest belonged to Zhenwu, a look of worry appeared on his face. However, when he heard that the priest asked for incense and sacrificial offerings, his brows relaxed. But when he learned that the priest also wanted to kill Chen Ji and the others, he was furious.

"What an immoral official! It's fortunate he's dead. If he weren't, I would have made sure the Prefect impeached him."

After saying that, he looked at Chen Ji again.

"Fellow Daoist, there is no need to worry. I will have the Lord of the Prefecture handle this matter when I return. The Divine Official will not dare to bother you again."

"Thank you, Judge Lu."

"No need. Upon closer examination, this matter originated from us. If it weren't for your help in the mortal realm, we wouldn't have been able to find the Ghost King's whereabouts so quickly."

"As a wandering spirit of the underworld, one should..."

As Chen Ji was speaking, he suddenly remembered what the demon had said earlier, and froze in place, speechless.

"Why are you silent, fellow Daoist?"

Lu Pan asked.

Chen Ji remained silent for a few moments, then sighed before speaking to Judge Lu about the demon's earlier remarks.

Judge Lu was at a loss for words upon hearing this.

After a while, he sighed.

"It's really hard to understand this world nowadays. Humans, demons, ghosts, and gods all feel that they are not doing well. It's strange."

"what……"

Chen Ji suddenly thought of something and lowered his voice.

"Before he died, the priest thought I was of divine blood and told me a secret."

"what?"

He said that a great calamity is currently taking place...

"Be careful!"

Lu Pan's expression suddenly changed, and he interrupted Chen Ji.

He looked around and then shook his head with a wry smile.

"Well, since you already know, it doesn't matter. I might as well tell you."

"The Lord of the Prefecture said before that things are not peaceful now and that we may be facing a calamity. I didn't expect that these officials would know so clearly."

What is a calamity?

Chen Ji asked.

He had only been cultivating for a short time and had never heard of these secrets about cultivation before. He was quite curious when he heard them, but it was inconvenient for him to ask the priest. Since Judge Lu knew about them, he could ask him.

"Calamity..."

Judge Lu hesitated for a moment before slowly speaking.

"Fellow Daoist, do you know the saying? The way of Heaven is to take from those who have more than enough and give to those who have less than enough."

"know."

Chen Ji nodded.

This saying is recorded in the Tao Te Ching. He had read it many times when he was on the mountain, so it was not unfamiliar to him. However, he did not know what Lu Pan meant by saying this.

"A calamity is the process of taking away what is in excess."

"I understand."

Chen Ji was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized why even the high priests feared the calamity.

If it was the work of Heaven and Earth, then regardless of whether it was a deity or not, the deity might have faced an even greater calamity.

No wonder the priest valued it so much.

"What will happen if we can't survive this ordeal?"

"I've never encountered a calamity before, so I don't know what will happen."

Judge Lu shook his head, as if thinking of something else.

"However, if there really is the influence of a calamity, it does explain why all people suffer."

After saying this, he looked at Chen Ji, clicked his tongue, and couldn't help but sigh, somewhat wistfully. "Why is Judge Lu sighing?"

"Fellow Daoist's abilities are far superior to those of many people in the Underworld today... oh no, many ghosts. It's a pity you're still alive; otherwise, if your true form came to the Underworld as a colleague, we wouldn't have to work so hard."

Chen Ji remained silent for several breaths without responding.

I thought that since I had become Lu Pan's colleague, he wouldn't have this idea, but I didn't expect that he still hadn't given up.

However, since Judge Lu had just done him a great favor, he couldn't refuse him, so he cupped his hands in a gesture of respect.

"If there is an opportunity in the future, I will definitely not refuse."

"Then you must make it clear, fellow cultivator, that if that day ever comes on your path of cultivation, you must come and be my colleague!"

Chen Ji was both amused and exasperated, and had no choice but to agree.

Then Judge Lu asked Chen Ji when he planned to deal with the Ghost King.

"The Stone Mill Demon has already gone with Lady Hongci to investigate the situation and find the array core of the Little Underworld. Once they find it, they can take action, but it will still take some time."

"That Ghost King has been entrenched here for a long time, and has even created a Lesser Underworld. It is truly as solid as an iron barrel. It is right for you to be cautious, Fellow Daoist."

As Lu Pan spoke, he looked at Chen Ji seriously again.

"The Lord has allocated two thousand Yin soldiers to you, fellow Daoist. You need not be stingy with them. Their life talismans are all with the Lord. After death, their souls will not return to the wilderness, but will instead be re-formed into new Yin soldiers within the military talisman."

"Can it still be like this?"

Chen Ji was somewhat surprised.

Even though he was already a person in the underworld, he was unaware of this matter.

He hesitated for a few moments before looking at Judge Lu.

"Wouldn't this violate the rules of the underworld?"

Judge Lu was taken aback, then realized what Chen Ji meant and shook his head with a smile.

"No, these are all wronged souls and vengeful ghosts that the underworld previously imprisoned from various places. They were meant to be imprisoned for hundreds of years. By obeying orders here, they can atone for their sins. They will only be released after their punishment has been completed."

"That's good."

Chen Ji gripped the token tightly, feeling much more relieved.

I was worried about how I would explain the loss of my ghost soldiers, but now that it's happened, I can rest assured.

Even if they cannot contend with the Ghost King, they can still hold off the Yin soldiers of the Lesser Underworld.

Judge Lu finished speaking about the important matter and did not linger.

"If you have nothing else to do here, I'll head back now. I still have matters to attend to with the Lord."

"Lu Pan, take care!"

Chen Ji bowed to see Judge Lu off, and after waiting a while, the others returned to ask Chen Ji what had just happened.

Chen Ji did not hide anything and told them the truth.

Miss Bai remained calm, but her brows twitched slightly upon hearing about the calamity. Daoist Xiyun and Monk Zhenru, on the other hand, widened their eyes and, after a long while, sighed that the path of cultivation was indeed much more complicated than they had imagined.

"Even our master never mentioned this."

"My master never mentioned it either."

The images of the old abbot and the rain monk flashed through Chen Ji's mind, and he shook his head slightly.

I'm afraid they'll just smile indifferently and show no emotion when they find out.

"Actually, there is no need to worry. My fox clan elders have experienced this before and have experience in dealing with it."

"Appreciate further details!"

The three looked at Miss Bai and earnestly asked for her advice.

Seeing their expressions, Miss Bai smiled and waved her hand.

"When Heaven loses more than it has, calamities arise. In reality, these have little to do with ordinary people. It is better to worry about oppressive governments, wild beasts, and demons, as these are far more dangerous than calamities."

"When the world faces calamity, one should strive to find a glimmer of hope. For ordinary people, being able to cultivate and extend their lifespan by several decades is an opportunity, and for cultivators, surviving death and the dissipation of their cultivation is also an opportunity, so there is no need to worry too much."

"understood."

The three spoke slowly.

Seeing this, Miss Bai nodded, about to say something, when Chen Ji suddenly frowned and took out the Underworld Seal.

Two light taps were made, and a sound came from the seal.

"Fellow Daoist, Lady Hongci and I have returned from the Lesser Underworld!"

(End of this chapter)