Winter snow covered the entire Stone Mountain with a layer of silvery white. Each footstep sank into the snow-covered ground, leaving footprints a foot deep and making a "crunch" sound.
"It's a trap, all a trap."
"This red fox's tricks are deep! The white fox is just a bit naive..."
Xie An descended Stone Mountain and headed straight for the county town, a sense of alarm rising in his heart.
If the red fox was really dead, and a fire started outside the door, the white fox should have immediately tried to put it out. Only by doing so could it protect the red fox's body. At the very least, if the fire was too big, the white fox should have dragged the red fox's body away from the ancient temple. But the white fox chose to continue crying... That's just too fake.
It's all a trap set by the red fox.
Thinking about it, Xie An felt that the white fox's lack of stalking in the past two months was also the red fox's deliberate doing.
Combining the information from before and after, Xie An made a series of deductions about the red fox:
The red fox had the white fox stalk him every day for a period of time in order to understand his behavior and temperament. After getting a clear picture, it suddenly stopped the white fox from stalking and didn't come to the Xie residence. This made Xie An mistakenly believe that the red fox was dead, then he would go to snatch the treasure, and finally, it would rise up and capture him.
A trap that took more than two months to set.
This trap is quite something.
How did the red fox know that Xie An knew the white fox had an injured older brother behind her?
The answer immediately came to mind: The last time Xie An went to the Stone Temple, he was discovered by the red fox.
But at that time, Xie An had been lying on the courtyard wall watching for an entire night, and he hadn't seen the red fox turn its head to look at him.
What did the red fox rely on to discover him?
The five senses?
Isn't that a method only found in the Nourishing Life Skill?
A seventh-level martial artist's five senses are very keen, but they can't achieve external vision.
Xie An had asked Chen Tie, an eighth-level martial artist, and even an eighth-level martial artist couldn't do it. A ninth-level martial artist... Xie An didn't know.
But a Martial Dao Grandmaster should be able to do it?
In short, this red fox is not simple.
So, here's the question.
Why didn't the red fox attack him the last time it discovered him?
Why did it set a trap this time to lure him to steal the treasure?
What's the difference between the two?
Distance!
"I was on the courtyard wall twenty meters away, and the red fox couldn't do anything to me. If I enter the hall, it can capture me. It should be that it is indeed seriously injured, and it's inconvenient to move its body. After all, the two times I saw this red fox, its position hadn't changed."
Thinking about it this way, it makes sense.
Cunning old fox!
By the time he returned to the Xie residence, it was already early morning.
Everyone was asleep, but Xie An couldn't sleep when he returned to his room. He took out the Seven Treasures Exquisite Box and the Mirror. He carefully examined the mirror.
At first, Xie An was very cautious, but after fiddling with it, he discovered:
As long as you don't stare at the black spider lily on the back, you won't lose your mind.
The front is a polished mirror surface. Perhaps because it hasn't been used for a long time, the mirror surface is covered with a layer of metal dirt similar to copper rust, making it impossible to see people clearly.
Xie An wanted to clean the mirror surface and see the true appearance of this mirror.
However, he also knew that his skills were not good enough and that he could easily damage the mirror surface.
"I'll find a mirror polisher to polish it later."
Putting the mirror and the immortal treasure into his inner pocket, Xie An began to ponder whether the next transaction could be restarted.
The fox coveted his precious plants, and he coveted the fox's treasures.
Everyone pulling and tugging, it's really tiring.
It's better to be more direct.
That box looks quite big. If he could exchange it for a precious plant... Xie An felt it would be worth it.
But this red fox is really dangerous.
Let's see what it plans to do next.
...
The next day, Xie An got up early and sat cross-legged in the room to practice the Water Drop Inner Strength Method.
After two months of tempering, Xie An finally touched the threshold of the Water Drop Inner Strength Method. But to refine the inner strength into droplets of water, extremely precise control of the inner strength is required.
Xie An still couldn't do it.
But at least he could circulate his inner strength, mobilizing the inner strength of his whole body. The method was similar to the heat of the Nourishing Life Skill, but there were obvious differences between the two.
Inner strength comes from the gaseous dissipation of essence and blood, while the heat of the Nourishing Life Skill... does not come from essence and blood.
To this day, Xie An still doesn't know where the source of this heat is.
In addition, inner strength is a consumable. It is a kind of power extracted from the essence and blood after rushing the blood. Every time inner strength is used, it consumes essence and blood. If it is used excessively, it will lead to insufficient energy and blood.
The cold and hot energy of the Nourishing Life Skill, on the other hand, seems to nourish the energy, blood, muscles, and bones.
If compared with the concept of the industrial chain in his previous life, inner strength belongs to the midstream product in the industrial chain, while the cold and hot energy of the Nourishing Life Skill belongs to the upstream product.
Practicing both methods at the same time allowed Xie An to compare and verify them with each other. They could also complement each other.
For example, every time inner strength was excessively consumed, he could actually use the cold and hot energy to nourish the blood energy of his whole body, allowing the inner strength to be quickly replenished.
This discovery surprised Xie An.
If inner strength is a river, then the hot energy of the Nourishing Life Skill is like a mountain spring at the source of the river.
So, where do the hot and cold energy of the Nourishing Life Skill come from?
He recalled the first time the hot energy appeared... it seemed to be when he was practicing the Five Animal Frolics. While practicing, a small wisp of hot energy appeared in his body.
It's unknown where it came from...
Although practicing martial arts is not as rigorous and meticulous as science, Xie An felt that martial arts, as well as the Nourishing Life Skill, have a set of internal logical systems.
It's just that the Great Qian values martial arts, and countless martial arts predecessors and masters are at the forefront, summarizing experience, and slowly creating many principles and logics, making the system extremely complete.
But the people of the Great Qian look down on the Nourishing Life Skill, and there are few practitioners, resulting in very little experience and information in this area. The logic is fragmented, and no one has summarized it.
Having come all the way to the present, looking at the entire Qingwu County, it seems that only Xie An and Tang Zhengyang have cultivated the Nourishing Life Skill to a certain level. The other three older brothers have gone out to seek treasures and opportunities, trying to find immortal opportunities, and haven't been seen for many years.
"When Big Brother Tang comes out of seclusion, I have to ask him. Where does the Qi of the Nourishing Life Skill come from..."
Xie An gathered his thoughts and began to practice the Tiger Form Qi Skill.
Whoosh~
As Xie An circulated his energy slightly, a "whooshing" sound of air currents rang out in his body. The cold and hot energy constantly flowed, as easy as using his arms and fingers, extremely smooth and comfortable.
"It's still more comfortable to practice the Nourishing Life Skill... It's like returning to my home field."
After two months of hard practice, Xie An had already connected six nodes of the Tiger Form Qi Skill. The progress reached 6/100.
It can be called miraculous.
As the progress increased, Xie An vaguely felt the strength of the Tiger Form Qi Skill.
There were often roars of tigers echoing in his body.
Connecting the nodes of the Tiger Form Qi Skill is like drawing a picture. So far, Xie An has only drawn most of a tiger's leg. According to the structure of the Qi circulation nodes, it probably needs to connect ten nodes to form a complete tiger's leg.
At that time, there should be some transformation.
Xie An was very much looking forward to it.
After finishing his practice, Xie An ate breakfast with everyone as usual.
For the sake of convenience, Xie An had long ago cleaned up the room next to the small kitchen in the backyard and used it as a dining room. And next to the dining room, there was a solid wall that separated Su Yuqing's residence.
This way, Su Yuqing had privacy, and Xie An also had an independent space in the central courtyard.
It was convenient for everyone.
However, as He Chunli and Chunlan were about to get married, this three-courtyard house was obviously not enough.
Taking advantage of the gap during the meal, Xie An brought this up, "Little He, later you go find a house nearby and buy it. After the marriage, you will take Chunlan to live outside."
He Chunli was greatly shocked when he heard this, and immediately put down his bowl and chopsticks and knelt on the ground, "Disciple doesn't want to go outside, I want to stay by Master's side and be filial. Please Master, allow it."
Chunlan was also sensible and quickly knelt down, "Chunlan is also willing to stay and serve Master."
Han Li followed suit, "Master doesn't know, I have repeatedly suggested that Hezi go outside to buy a house, but he refused. He would rather live in the front row's inverted seat room than go out. He said that he must take care of Master and see him off in this life. He also said that if Master doesn't agree, he will let me ask Master too."
Seeing the three of them so stubborn and affectionate, Xie An couldn't bear it.
This is not his previous life.
In his previous life, when children got married, they couldn't wait to live outside, not wanting to stay with their parents, saying that it was inconvenient in various ways. The parents also understood.
But this world is different.
"I know your filial piety, get up." Xie An helped them up and began to consider the problem of the house, "Chunlan, go to my room later and take some silver notes from the compartment next to the long table. Go to the brokerage to find a big house and buy it."
Chunlan said, "Master doesn't need to spend so much, He Ge'er and I have discussed it, we can just live in the front inverted seat room. We'll just buy some furniture then."
He Chunli nodded repeatedly, "Yes, Chunlan and I have discussed it. This house is very good. Although it's not big, it's warm."
These words touched Xie An's heart.
He also liked this house.
But getting married and still living in the cramped inverted seat room is not appropriate.
If Xie An didn't have any extra money, that would be fine, but he had 50,000 taels of huge money in his pocket, and it wouldn't be appropriate not to improve his disciple's living conditions.
Xie An chewed on the meat bun and pondered.
But it's not like there's no way.
In his previous life, there were some local tyrants and bullies who, in order to expand their own houses, demolished the houses of the surrounding people and then expanded.
Of course, Xie An wouldn't be this bully... but he could be a local tyrant for once.
"Then you guys go find the owner of the yard next door and find a way to buy it. Then open it up and renovate it. It just so happens that the house is short of a stable, and we need to hire a groom. This yard is not enough."
The three of them were dumbfounded, looking at Xie An in disbelief.
Is this even possible?
This is almost guaranteed to succeed.
If Xie An was an ordinary businessman, perhaps people would not be willing to sell. But Xie An has a fifth-rank General Manager title… who would dare not to sell?
After confirming the matter of expanding the house, Xie An left the kitchen, went to the courtyard to put on his official robe, took the Demon Suppressing Blade, and went to the Demon Suppression Division before going out.
Huang Silang was still unconscious.
Another uneventful day.
Drinking tea, chatting, reading books in the library, and going home when it was time.
When he returned home, it was already dusk, the twilight was closing in, and the snow was still falling.
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After eating, Xie An returned to the courtyard to continue practicing Tiger Form Qi Gong, but was shocked to see a little white fox perched on the wall.
The Red Fox really couldn't sit still, wanting a big deal!?
Xie An pretended to be calm, showing a nonchalant attitude towards the white fox, and went straight into the living room, put down the Demon Suppressing Blade, took off his official robe, and put on his usual brocade robe. Then he lay down on the Drunken Weng chair under the eaves, with a brazier, a low table, and tea sets beside him.
While boiling water to make tea, he leisurely admired the snow scene, simply ignoring the white fox.
Gaa gaa ~
The white fox jumped off the courtyard wall, stood on the tree stump, and bared its teeth at Xie An, making noises.
Xie An turned his head away, ignoring it. He leisurely picked up the boiling kettle and brewed tea. After the second brew, Xie An picked up the tea cup and took a sip contentedly.
The white fox became restless, continuing to bare its teeth.
After leaving the white fox out in the cold for about a quarter of an hour, Xie An gently said, "You guys are cunning, trying to set a trap for me, and you still have the nerve to come to me?"
The white fox was full of indignation, drew a square in the snow, and a cloud of fire, pointing its claws wildly at Xie An, then wildly pointing at the square and the cloud of fire. The meaning was: Aren't you also plotting for our box? And setting fire.
Xie An didn't avoid it, "That's true, then let's call it even."
The white fox nodded fiercely, indicating its agreement.
Xie An explained, "Actually, I was just trying to scare you. If your big brother really died, I would definitely save you, and wouldn't let you be burned alive."
Hiss.
The white fox suddenly turned its head to the side, obviously not believing it.
Xie An didn't dwell on this detail, "What did you come to me for?"
The white fox pointed to the square pattern, then ran to the tree stump, raising both hands as if embracing something.
Xie An knew what it meant, exchanging that wooden box for the whole tree stump.
Xie An agreed in his heart.
Completely no problem.
This broken tree stump cost me a full ten thousand taels of silver, and it's still half-dead. Keeping it is just a huge waste, and it's meaningless to me.
If I can exchange it for that box of treasures, then it would be too profitable.
The problem is… I don't know how much stuff is in the box.
What if the old fox takes most of it away, leaving a few broken pieces of junk inside… wouldn't that be a big loss?
Thinking of this, Xie An shook his head, "Your big brother is very cunning, what if he plays tricks?"
The white fox seemed to know Xie An's hesitation, and used its claws to fill the square with dots.
"That box is full?"
The white fox nodded constantly.
Xie An weighed it for a while and felt it was feasible.
I have been a appraiser for thirty years. I already know the common objects of Qingwu County. If the old fox uses ordinary junk to fool me, Xie An can distinguish it.
"But I need to appraise the items inside first, I will only exchange if there are no problems."
The white fox gestured, indicating no problem. But this tree stump is too big, the white fox can't carry it, and Xie An needs to pull it outside the ancient temple to make the transaction.
Xie An thought about it and agreed.
This tree stump is half-dead, and I feel that continuing to cultivate it will waste money, and if it dies…
Xie An asked the white fox to wait in the yard, and the white fox nodded in agreement.
Xie An went to the room to tidy up, then came out again, walked to the tree stump, squatted down, hugged the tree stump with both hands, and suddenly exerted force. With some vibration on the ground, the tree stump was uprooted.
Xie An carried the tree stump on his shoulder, "Let's go."
…
Taking advantage of the night, Xie An and the white fox rushed to the gate of the ancient temple on the top of Stone Mountain.
Boom.
Xie An did not enter the door, but put the tree stump on the ground, "Let's trade here, you go and move the box out."
The white fox shook its head, indicating that the box was too heavy and it couldn't move it.
Xie An no longer expected the little white fox, but stood at the gate and looked at the red fox lying in the hall, "Old fox, we have been pulling and pulling for more than two months, there is no need to play any more tricks, right."
This time, the red fox also got straight to the point, "You are very cautious. This time, consider yourself lucky, you got a bargain."
I saw the red fox pat the box hard with its head, and the wooden box flew directly out of the hall door, and then slid along the snow to Xie An's feet.
Sure enough, this old fox can't move.
But its strength is not weak.
It is estimated that the spinal nerves were injured, leading to paralysis of the lower body…
Even so, Xie An still kept his five senses open, always preventing accidents. He opened the box and roughly looked at the things inside. They were indeed not ordinary objects from Qingwu County. Many of them were old objects from hundreds of years ago.
There were also more than ten white silkworm stones.
The fate pattern moved, and there was demon essence in the white silkworm stone.
Not to mention anything else, just these ten white silkworm stones are a big profit.
After roughly confirming that the other party had not deceived him, Xie An knew that this was not the place to look closely, immediately closed the box, and then kicked the tree stump to the red fox, "Old fox, you are really straightforward. Goodbye."
The red fox suddenly stopped Xie An, "Wait."
Xie An, who had been carrying the big box for a few steps, turned his head, "What else is there?"
The red fox said, "Don't blame me for not reminding you, although some of the items inside are good, if you sell them, it will easily lead to death."
"Thank you for the reminder."
Xie An didn't know whether what the old fox said was true or false, and carried the big box away.
This place is not good, it is better to leave early.
Seeing that the tree stump was in hand, the white fox happily ran into the hall, making gestures in front of the red fox, with a bit of eagerness to take credit.
Humph.
The red fox was speechless, "Okay, okay, you did a good job. You go and guard outside the mountain, I need an hour or so to retreat. If there are villains approaching, you run directly. Don't care about my life or death!"
Knowing that the matter was important, the white fox didn't flinch, and hopped out to stand guard.
Looking at the back of the white fox leaving, the red fox gritted its teeth, "Although this fool lost my clan's treasure, the Spirit Treasure Mirror, it was also out of good intentions. No wonder the little white fox. When I recover from my injuries, I will take the treasure mirror back. Mingyu 19th floor is just… I can destroy him with a snap of my fingers."
After saying that, the red fox turned to look at the tree stump, smelled it after approaching, and showed a look of intoxication, "It really is the essence blood of the Azure Dragon Martial Saint. Although it has been a hundred years, it is still so powerful, enough to restore five or six of my injuries."
"Hiss, Martial Saint's essence blood… is really fragrant."
After smelling it with intoxication, the red fox opened its mouth and exposed its cold fangs, and began to inhale. In an instant, a blood-colored vapor slowly flowed out from the tree stump and merged into the red fox's body.
The red fox's body suddenly became hot and steaming, forming a layer of heat visible to the naked eye, and the conspicuous wounds on the skin began to wriggle, with black liquid constantly flowing out, and black pieces of flesh falling off inch by inch, and finally the wounds slowly healed.
And the tree stump gradually became shriveled, and finally turned into a pile of sawdust, scattered on the ground.
As the last ray of blood-colored vapor was inhaled into the red fox's body, the red fox's whole body stood on end, all the wounds healed, and there was even a "crack" sound of bones connecting.
After a while, the red fox slowly stood up from the ground, as if reborn.
Following that, the huge red fox sat cross-legged on the ground, with its hands clasped together, "Four hundred years of hard work, it was only half a step away from transforming into a human, but I didn't expect this Martial Saint's essence blood to help me complete the last step."
I don't know what kind of technique this red fox was running, but a burst of rolling heat emerged from its body. After a while, it slowly turned into a little old man of half a century.
It just didn't wear any clothes… and the skin color was a little yellowish.
The red fox was very satisfied with this body, and couldn't help but smile, "Four old things, you ganged up to plot against me, thinking I was dead. But I didn't expect that I would get a blessing in disguise. Not only did my injuries recover by half, but I finally completed the step of transforming into a human."
After a burst of smugness, the red fox instinctively lay on the ground and crawled out of the hall door with its limbs.
After crawling two steps, it suddenly woke up.
"Damn, that's not how people walk. I'm still not used to it…"
The red fox stood up and tried to walk on two feet, but after walking two steps, it accidentally fell into the snow when going down the steps.
"What's so good about transforming into a human… Why do all demons want to cultivate into human form? Walking doesn't even give people peace."
"When I get the treasure mirror back, I'll still be a fox…"
