Food gives me an entry, I will be invincible if I stay alive

Chapter 213 Through Wind and Rain, Sending You to Transform into a Rainbow
What exactly is a demon?
Prior to this, Chen Xu held a universal concept that demons should be birds and beasts that had developed sentience, intelligence, and magical powers.

Just like the rat demon Ashi and Ninth Master, or the hedgehog demon Wei Yuan.

According to local legends, demons are untamed and often commit evil.

So far, the demons Chen Xu has encountered include the two affectionate and righteous rat demons, the self-disciplined and polite hedgehog demon Wei Yuan, and the eagle demon who is just beginning to develop intelligence...

None of them were evil.

Even the fox demon Hu Xi, whose righteousness and evil are hard to discern, is actually practicing cultivation seriously, seeking transcendence, and pursuing the Great Dao.

It is evident that demons who develop intelligence are not much different from humans.

Humans can be good or evil, and so can demons.

Evil demons certainly exist, but we cannot condemn all demons in one fell swoop.

But now, Chen Xu has heard of another kind of demon.

Inflammation!

It doesn't seem to be a beast that has become a demon, but rather something like a spirit or monster that naturally arises from the heavens and earth.

Feng Yuanbo explained: "People often think that birds, beasts, plants and trees that become spirits are demons, and that is not wrong."

However, in the minds of spiritual practitioners, demons are actually a general term for different kinds of beings.

If a coffin lid becomes a spirit, it's a coffin demon; if a ship becomes a spirit, it's a ship demon; if a painting becomes a spirit, it's a painting demon...

But this is not all that demons have to offer.

Sometimes, natural disasters can also turn into demons. Calamity can soar to the sky and cause droughts, floods, epidemics, etc.

Drought is the fire spirit, flood is the abyss, earthquake is the earth rumbling old man, and plague and miasma are known as the Nine Bones Goddess.

These are the great demons in the disaster, and besides these great demons, there are also various lesser demons.

For example, if the drought worsens, it will inevitably be accompanied by locust demons, such as the ominous Sui Xiong Tong, Kuroyukihime, and Yan Chi Shi.

Many of the monsters in natural disasters are irrational; they only destroy, devour, and invade.

The Taoist school's policy of exterminating demons and monsters is often based on the idea that such calamities arise from demons.

However, Confucius followed the example of Yao and Shun, where all things flourished together without harming one another;

Xunzi said, "Nourish the mountains and forests of the state, the marshes and vegetation, the fish and turtles, and all kinds of fish and turtles, and prohibit their release at the appropriate times..."

Feng Yuanbo extended the discussion, starting with the potential drought spreading to northern Xinjiang, then moving on to the types of demons, the necessity of exorcising demons, and finally the theoretical basis for coexisting with demons—

It turns out that all his eloquent, detailed, and meticulous explanations were just for the purpose of having Chen Xu give another talk on the "Demon-Slaying Strategy"!
This was not the first time Feng Yuanbai had discussed the strategy of pacifying the demons with Chen Xu, but the depth of their conversation today was unprecedented.

Chen Xu then truly realized just how profound the knowledge of a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) could be.

Even with his sharp hearing and photographic memory, he couldn't help but feel a sense of awe as he listened to the lecture.

Chen Xu demonstrated his extraordinary memory and comprehension, firmly remembering everything Feng Yuanbai said.

He not only memorized the information but also discussed it with Feng Yuanbo, and occasionally expressed his own opinions and views.

Compared to Feng Yuanbai's maturity and refinement, Chen Xu's ideas are much more unrestrained and imaginative.

But he wasn't just imaginative; he also expressed many viewpoints that made Feng Yuanbo's eyes light up repeatedly, exclaiming how brilliant they were and how delighted he was.

The two discussed this for a long time, from midday to dusk.

Feng Yuanbo draws on a wide range of sources to recount many secrets and cases related to demons, much of which is rarely accessible to those outside the circle.

In the end, this story is still Feng Yuanbai paving the way for Chen Xu's provincial examination.

Finally, Feng Yuanbai said, "In conclusion, the drought in the northern frontier is ultimately not something that can be solved by one person or by one's own efforts in a short period of time."

Neither you nor I are far from the realm of commanding the wind and rain and changing the seasons.

Since we are powerless to change anything, we might as well think less and do less. We should just strive harder, quickly pass the imperial examinations, and wait for the day when our cultivation is perfected. What problem in the world can't we solve then?
I told you this not to worry you, but because... my potential is exhausted, and no matter how hard I try, it will be no more than this.

But you still have unlimited potential; ranking thirty-one on the Xuan List is just your starting point.

My foolish brother hopes even more that, through wind and rain, you will transform into a rainbow, and that the vast ocean will hold the mighty Kunpeng.

It turns out that Feng Yuanbai came here because there was a recent case involving demons in Yunjiang County that he needed to handle.

In the coming days, he will be busy with official duties and will not have time to see Chen Xu again.

Because he was worried that Chen Xu would soon leave Yunjiang for Pingyang City to take the imperial examination, Feng Yuanbai gave him a heads-up in advance, which also meant that he was saying goodbye in advance.

Chen Xu immediately asked with concern, "Brother Feng, since you have so many things to do, is there anything I can do to help you?"

If so, Brother Feng, please feel free to use them!

Feng Yuanbo shook his head and said, "The matter is not difficult, but it is a bit troublesome. And the specific details should not be disclosed to outsiders before it is resolved."

Then he changed the subject, saying, "Although my Yunjiang Prefecture is a bit remote, fortunately we have you, Xuzhi. Qinglin Prefecture has Tao Jibai, Linchuan Prefecture has Su Wangzhou, Pingyang Prefecture has Jiang Xing..."

He listed some of the most famous talented people in the seven prefectures of Tiannan.

Most of these people will be Chen Xu's opponents in this autumn's provincial examination. Feng Yuanbai said, "These people all have their own experiences and backgrounds, and they should not be underestimated. Xu, be cautious in dealing with your opponents, be bold in moving forward, and don't forget your foolish brother after you pass the examination."

Finally, he made a teasing remark to Chen Xu.

This Brother Feng has a mischievous streak; he's quite an interesting character.

At dusk, Feng Yuanbai left the villa, and indeed did not return for several days afterward.

Chen Xu, on the other hand, devoted himself to cultivation. He had a renewed sense of urgency, and his cultivation progressed extremely quickly.

[Cultivation Level: Late Stage of Meridian Opening Realm 41%]

[Late Stage of Meridian Opening Realm: 47%]

[51%]

……

A few days later, Chen Xu's cultivation level advanced to 51% of the late stage of the Meridian Opening Realm.

With the cultivation of the late stage of the Meridian Opening Realm more than halfway complete, everything seemed to be just waiting for time to accumulate, or for a natural opportunity to come to fruition.

In the past few days, although Feng Yuanbai did not come again, many other people came to visit the villa.

Chen Xu also received visits from Cui Yunqi, Ning Xing, Ning Yuzhai, and many other people, as well as invitations and visiting cards from many other people.

The influence of the number thirty-first on the Xuan List seems to have finally taken hold and is gradually gaining momentum.

However, Chen Xu generally declined invitations to banquets, preferring to focus on his cultivation rather than engaging in many meaningless social interactions.

The literary atmosphere is also rising daily, and the increase is quite encouraging.

This shows that the spread of "The Grand Chronicles of Dali" is in full swing, and this positive momentum should continue for some time to come.

In such situations, Chen Xu himself needs to remain calm and composed.

Half a month has passed in the blink of an eye, and May 15th has arrived as scheduled.

According to Chen Xu's new plan, he would set off from Yunjiang Prefecture on this day and go to Pingyang alone to take the exam!
Meanwhile, the ghost market will reopen on this day.

Early in the morning, Chen Xu did not disturb anyone; he simply left several letters in his room.

Then Chen Xu used his supernatural powers to leave the courtyard by passing through the Netherworld.

He wanted to first search for the little hedgehog Wei Yuan in the wild before embarking on his long journey.

(End of this chapter)