Chapter Seven: Encounter with the White Fox at the Market

Mei Die activated the Thousand-Mile Teleportation Talisman and secretly took out nine glazed lamps to protect her vital spots. Yet the strange force of the Thousand Mercies Hand transformed into a Buddhist radiance, forming a swastika that rampaged within her body.

Even her demon infant was surrounded by the swastika. Mei Die was filled with regret, recalling how her uncle, the Witch Demon, had forced her to practice the Mountain Shifting Technique, locking her in solitary confinement for a year until she thoroughly mastered every technique. She had been afraid of hardship, and as a young woman, worried that physical cultivation would ruin her figure—if she were to become ugly, she’d rather die than train.

The Witch Demon was the soul of Ten Thousand Demon Mountain, yet he was a human cultivator, sworn brother to the Demon King. Having practiced forbidden human techniques, he was hunted by his enemies and gravely wounded, only to be rescued by the Demon King. Since then, he served Ten Thousand Demon Mountain, reportedly possessing strength equal to the Demon King. Without the nine glazed lamps, the Demon King was certain to lose.

Through practicing the Witch tribe’s body cultivation, he was honored as the Witch Demon King. In truth, the Demon King was occupied with secluded cultivation and paid Mei Die little attention; she was raised entirely by the Witch Demon King, while the Demon King merely gave her two demon talismans.

Now, thinking back, the Witch Demon King had been right: any ambition, without great strength, was doomed to tragedy. To survive, she dispersed all her magical power, dissolved her demon infant, and expelled the palm force from her body.

When it was all over, she had transformed from a four-tailed demon fox into an ordinary wild fox. A common beast’s dantian cannot store treasures; after a bout of dry heaving, she spat out a pile of shattered magical artifacts.

Gazing at the fragments of the nine glazed lamps, destroyed by the palm force, Mei Die laughed at herself, thinking, “How could the Demon King be so careless? Turns out this was just a counterfeit. How ironic—what was meant as a trap for enemies nearly cost his own daughter her life.

This is all that damned Li Qing’s fault. I must kill him! And that bald monk—I’ll destroy the entire human race and make you pay a hundredfold, a thousandfold!”

Mei Die managed to stand, looking at her snow-white fur and frail body. Even a common crossbow bolt could pierce her; even a young tiger could easily sever her throat. How could she hope for revenge? The world spun before her eyes; stumbling, she ran off into the distance.

She didn’t know how far she’d gone, but thankfully, she encountered no large carnivores or demon beasts. Mei Die proceeded cautiously, not knowing where she was or how far she’d wandered from Ten Thousand Demon Mountain. Suddenly, her neck was seized, and she was lifted into the air by a strong hand.

“Damn unlucky! Not even a single herb found this time—looks like it’s a wasted trip. But me, Liu Hai, never returns empty-handed,” said a young man in his twenties, thin and wiry, at the fifth layer of Qi Absorption, wearing the standard attire of the Heavenly Star Sect.

He squinted at the little white fox in his hand, smacking his lips. “Hmph, just an ordinary fox, not a trace of demon aura—can’t be trained as a spirit beast. But a white one is rare; maybe some senior sisters will like it, maybe I can trade it for a Marrow Cleansing Pill. Not a wasted trip after all.

Little thing, let’s hope some sister takes a fancy to you, or else I’ll have to roast you.”

Mei Die was nearly furious to death, yet powerless. Now, she was like a tiger brought down by dogs on the open plain; aside from feeble struggling, she had no ability to resist. From a princess atop Ten Thousand Demon Mountain, she had fallen to a beast at others’ mercy.

Liu Hai took out a low-grade spirit beast pouch with his left hand, recited a spell, and stuffed Mei Die inside. Then, casting Wind Riding Technique, he sped toward the Heavenly Star Sect.

The weather was clear today, not a cloud in the sky. Ge Qian was in good spirits; his damaged meridians had fully healed. As soon as he bought a body cultivation technique, he could practice Foundation Strengthening and pursue the path of immortality. With these thoughts, he headed straight to the market behind the mountain.

The rear mountain market was crowded with fifty or sixty low-level cultivators. Cultivation is divided by the five spiritual roots: gold, wood, water, fire, earth; each root has its corresponding techniques and required treasures. If one possessed a wood-type treasure but had a water-type root, one could come to the market to sell or trade for the needed item.

Ge Qian searched among the crowd, when behind him came voices of disdain.

“Junior brother, isn’t that the waste who hasn’t broken through the first layer in three years? What’s he doing here?”

“Senior brother, you don’t know? That waste has no spiritual root, yet he dreams of cultivation—truly overestimating himself!”

“No spiritual root, yet he hopes for cultivation? Doesn’t he know that without spiritual roots, spiritual energy can't be transformed into magic power? How ignorant and foolish!”

All sorts of humiliating voices reached Ge Qian’s ears. He sneered inwardly, thinking, “How can sparrows understand the ambition of a swan? Just wait—one day I’ll prove that even without spiritual roots, one can cultivate.”

He glanced around casually and spotted a burly man at the fourth layer of Qi Absorption, sitting before a white cloth with several jade slips displayed. No need to ask—they were surely techniques; he wondered if any were for body cultivation.

Ge Qian approached the stall. The burly man looked down his nose, exuding an air of superiority. Ge Qian scanned with his spiritual sense and indeed found a body cultivation technique, the Vajra Technique. He smiled and asked, “Senior brother, how much for your Vajra Technique body cultivation method?”

The burly man didn’t even look at Ge Qian, replying, “One Marrow Cleansing Pill and it’s yours.”

Ge Qian quickly took out a pill and handed it over, but before the burly man could take it, another hand snatched it away.

The burly man’s face changed; seeing the newcomer was Liu Hai, at the fifth layer of Qi Absorption, he dared not protest, and instead looked on with schadenfreude.

Ge Qian was furious, but his face remained expressionless.

Liu Hai pocketed the pill, then shoved a snow-white fox into Ge Qian’s arms, saying, “Junior brother Ge, this Ice Snow Spirit Fox is yours for one Marrow Cleansing Pill. I pity your circumstances, so I’m specially selling you this rare Ice Snow Spirit Fox. You can treat it as your spirit beast.

Don’t be fooled by its weakness now; once it grows, it’ll rival a Nascent Soul powerhouse. By then, no one will be your match. Its innate ability is frost—one breath of cold will freeze a thousand miles.”

Ge Qian knew he’d been tricked today. He didn’t believe Liu Hai would be so kind; such an extraordinary beast would never be sold to him. He sensed no demon aura from the fox.

It was just an ordinary animal, worthless to cultivators.

But with only first-layer strength, resistance would be futile, like striking a stone with an egg. If he were injured, he’d need another ten days to recover before he could practice Foundation Strengthening. If his foundation were harmed, he’d have no hope of cultivation. Small patience is required for greater plans.

Thinking thus, Ge Qian feigned delight, stroking the little white fox affectionately and said, “Thank you, Senior Brother Liu, for bestowing such a spirit beast upon me. I am truly grateful.

This beast is exceptional—pure white throughout. I’m a bit embarrassed; I don’t know how to thank you enough!”

Liu Hai thought to himself, “Not only is he a waste, he’s a fool. This useless fox, aside from its white fur, is no different from any other. I asked a dozen senior sisters if they wanted it—none did, not even for free. They said it was nothing special; women these days are so practical.

Unexpectedly, Ge Qian, swayed by my glib tongue, bought it for a Marrow Cleansing Pill. I’ve profited greatly.”

“Take it, brother. No need to be embarrassed. We’re sect brothers, we should look out for each other. I feel a real connection with you. If you ever run into trouble, come find me! I have matters to attend to, so I’ll be off. You continue your trading.” With a smile, Liu Hai hurried away.

The burly man was furious. His deal had been snatched away by Liu Hai. Facing the fifth-layer Liu Hai, he knew he wasn’t a match and could only swallow his anger. What made him even angrier was how Liu Hai, with a few words, had tricked this fool into buying a useless fox for a Marrow Cleansing Pill.

Such a sucker must be exploited further, so he said, “Junior brother, this technique suits you perfectly. Once mastered, you can shatter a ten-thousand-foot mountain with one punch. Seeing our affinity, I’ll let you have it for just two Marrow Cleansing Pills.”

Ge Qian, holding the fox, quickly considered. He couldn’t offer another pill; in this crowded market, if someone noticed, he might be murdered for it. With his current strength, he couldn’t protect himself. As the saying goes, don’t flaunt wealth. For now, he’d let it go—there would be other opportunities to exchange for a body cultivation technique.

He smiled honestly and said, “Senior brother, you’re truly kind, but I only had one Marrow Cleansing Pill, which I’ve already spent on this spirit beast. I can’t offer any more now. How about I save next month’s pill to exchange for the Vajra Technique?”

The burly man’s eyes widened, flashing with hostility. “Don’t try to fool me. I don't believe you. Hand over your storage pouch for inspection. If you’re lying, I’ll confiscate everything as punishment. Hand it over.”

The Path of Mortal Immortality, Chapter 7—Market Encounter with the White Fox, complete!