Volume One: The Journey of the Worthless, Fiery Demon-Slaying Chapter Forty-Three: The True Immortal of Taiyuan, Threads of Fate and Opportunity

Meanwhile, back in Chen Family Town, the old priest had been in a dire state ever since Chen San called upon his spirit and soul, using the forbidden Phantom God Spell. The heavy blow to his soul had left him unconscious for two days, and it was only on the third day that he awakened. Though his soul was no longer in turmoil, the weakness from his injuries forced him to rest and recuperate for three full days.

The Eight Gates Golden Lock Formation set up in Chen Family Town was gradually being eroded and weakened by the constant overflow of demonic energy. The old priest could do nothing but instruct the village chief to lead the young men who had returned from outside the village up the mountain to fell large trees. He had them inscribe runes on the trunks, just in case, so these could be used again to reinforce the formation.

Chen San had already been gone for more than twenty days. The old priest had no idea where he was now. The time Chen San’s group spent on their journey far exceeded the old priest’s expectations, and therein lay the problem. While demons and ghosts roamed wild, an ordinary person should have been able to avoid encountering these creatures.

For ordinary humans, there was nothing to gain for the monsters. Humans possess innate yang energy, and for ghosts and spirits, not only is there no benefit, but getting too close can even harm them.

Yet Chen San was different. He seemed like a magnet, drawing the spirits to him. Ghosts and monsters constantly surrounded him, and every two days, there was a fight, after which he would be laid up for two days. This was something the old priest had not accounted for at all.

Had he known how unlucky Chen San could become, perhaps he would have sought out Master Chang and the Grand Master of Taiyuan by other means.

Fortunately, Chen San had Yang Chengzi’s protection along the way, surviving by the skin of his teeth. Moreover, slaying those powerful ghosts and monsters not only rid the world of evil but also accumulated merit.

The Grand Master of Taiyuan—Yang Chengzi’s teacher, the head priest of Maoshan—had set out alone, heading directly from Maoshan to Chen Family Town.

Earlier, during his star-gazing and divination, the Grand Master of Taiyuan had discerned a calamity coming from the southeast. The signs spoke of devastation, ruined bricks, and shattered tiles.

The omen was unusual: disaster would strike in the southeast, and if the star of calamity were to appear, living beings would suffer. Yet it gave no indication of the outcome—meaning there was still a chance for reversal, though when that turning point would come was unclear.

Thus, the Grand Master had already sensed the matter, but the time was not ripe, and he did not know the exact location. The southeast was guarded by the lineage of the Dragon and Tiger Sect, who protected the common folk of that region. Unless true catastrophe struck, the Maoshan sect would not extend its reach there.

Compared to Chen San’s journey, the Grand Master’s path was far smoother. Though he appeared like any regular man, eating ordinary food, in the eyes of spirits, his aura was overwhelming—a tidal wave ready to crush them. Even the most vicious ghosts and monsters dared not approach within three hundred miles.

Let alone any sinister plots; even evil sorcerers would skirt far around him. It was not that he could not be defeated, nor that they lacked the courage, but if all the evil sorcerers attacked at once, not even ten Grand Masters would prevail. Yet throughout history, no Grand Master ever achieved true immortality without dragging a horde of fierce spirits and monsters, even thousands of souls, into the afterlife with them.

Killing him would be simple, but the price was too steep. Thus, the Grand Master’s journey was as smooth as could be. While Chen San’s group fought for their lives in Fu Family Village, the Grand Master had already arrived in Chen Family Town, and after a quick divination, he walked toward Chen San’s house.

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As dawn broke, Chen San awoke, shivering from the cold, wiping his nose and sneezing.

Yang Chengzi, seeing Chen San about to fall ill, spoke softly, “Just recite the Calming Spirit Chant a few times; that should do it. Maybe you caught cold last night because you didn’t wear your clothes.”

Chen San nodded and picked up his clothes from the ground. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to wear them, but the burning sensation on his back made it impossible. The fiery pain had kept him awake all night, forcing him into a single position, hunched over until morning.

After a few rounds of the Calming Spirit Chant, his runny nose vanished, though the pain in his back remained.

Chang Yu rubbed her eyes and woke up, sleepy yet charming in her drowsiness.

She rose, looking around for water to wash her face and rinse her mouth, but found none.

Yang Chengzi, noticing her search, asked, “Are you looking for water to wash your face?”

Chang Yu nodded, “But I don’t see any.”

“Less than a mile ahead, there’s water. My Pathfinding Talisman detected the moisture. Let’s all go together to wash up.” Yang Chengzi pulled Chen San along, and a few young men carried the master toward the direction of the old city. Soon, a narrow stream appeared before them.

“Wow, your Pathfinding Talisman is amazing—not only does it find spirits and monsters, it even locates water?” Chen San looked at Yang Chengzi in surprise.

Yang Chengzi chuckled, “The Pathfinding Talisman is meant to find paths and water. I just attached a fragment of my divine consciousness to it, so it can sense spirits.”

“You Daoists are truly remarkable. When I was young, I thought Daoists only performed rituals for the dead. Outside Chen Family Town, I realized that the truly skilled Daoists are not even human—they’re half-immortal.”

Yang Chengzi shook his head with a smile, “You exaggerate. Daoists aren’t as powerful as you say. Catching spirits and slaying monsters is just a matter of understanding the yin and yang, learning the arts. It seems mystical, but it’s no different from a carpenter knowing his craft. Nothing special—anyone with enough insight can learn Daoist techniques.”

Chen San waved his hand, “That’s true, but it’s not as easy as you say. I know, the old man told me—powerful techniques take decades to master. People only live a few decades; I don’t have the patience to spend that much time learning arts. In my eyes, anyone with that perseverance is half-immortal. Don’t be modest.”

Chang Yu laughed, “Oh, Chen San, admit you don’t have patience. You praise others so much, but what job in this world doesn’t require years of experience to do well? You lack patience and don’t want to work hard—so how can good things come your way?”

“You little girl are clever—never thought a wealthy young lady like you would know how hard ordinary people have it. I underestimated you,” Chen San said with a smirk.

“Of course. Father hired tutors for me since I was young so I could read and study. All these principles are in the books. I love reading; many books are quite interesting.”

Chen San grinned mischievously, “Did any book teach you that a woman should be reserved, or else no one will want you?”

“Hmph! The books do say not to argue with fools. Whatever you say goes.”

Chen San turned to ask, “What is a fool? I haven’t heard of that—tell me.”

They reached the stream by then. Chang Yu, as if she hadn’t seen water in ages, ran over, calling back, “Figure it out for yourself. Over time, you’ll understand.”

Chen San, baffled, glanced at Yang Chengzi. Yang Chengzi looked at Chang Yu, then turned to see Chen San watching him.

“Figure it out yourself.”

Chen San frowned at the two, muttering, “Are these two getting close? This is strange. Is the young lady so charming that even Daoist Yang is ready to leave the priesthood?”

After washing up and eating dry rations, the group regained their vigor. That’s youth for you—even though Master Chang was older, twenty years spent in meditation, exposed to wind and sun, made him more accustomed to this rough life.

With preparations complete and plenty of water stored, they were ready to return to the main road and continue toward Jingyao Village. It was a stroke of ill luck—having walked so far south, now they had to go back. It was vexing, but at least everyone was safe; wasting time was the only cost.

They hurried toward the main road, but before they reached it, something happened.

As they walked, Yang Chengzi sensed something approaching them. It was odd, but he was sure it wasn’t human; his senses couldn’t detect people. It wasn’t demonic, nor ghostly—no trace of evil or resentment.

Yang Chengzi was puzzled, brows furrowed as he concentrated. Soon, he opened his eyes and looked at the master, who shook his head, indicating he had no idea.

Unsure if it was friend or foe, Yang Chengzi moved to the rear, quietly waiting for the swift presence to approach.

Since reaching the Great Accomplishment stage and gaining the ability to sense all living things, Yang Chengzi could detect everything except humans. Yet he could not discern what this swiftly approaching thing was—a bad sign.

It was clearly heading toward them. If it meant no harm, fine; but if it did, it could mean another fierce battle, with ordinary people nearby—a risk not to be taken lightly.

Yang Chengzi gripped his Shangqing Sword tightly. Master Chang prepared as well; the Wrathful Vajra is a Buddhist secret technique, akin to the Daoist Phantom God Spell, consuming soul energy and bolstered by Buddhist power, forming a potent soul state—able to slay gods and buddhas alike. However, if severely wounded, the body risks death, the soul scattering.

Since traveling with Chen San’s group toward Chen Family Town, in just a few days, the Wrathful Vajra had already been used twice. There were other techniques, but the spirits encountered were too powerful for anything else to withstand.

For nearly a thousand-year-old phantom demon and the millennium ghost of Fu Family Village, even the Wrathful Vajra barely held—let alone other spells. This time, Master Chang habitually prepared for its use, just waiting for the thing to charge in.

Chang Yu saw Yang Chengzi moving to the rear and wanted to ask, but seeing his grip on the Shangqing Sword and his furrowed brow, she sensed something was wrong and held her tongue.

Instead, she quietly asked Chen San, “Is there another monster? Why are you all so tense?”

Chen San smiled, “Don’t worry. Relax. If any monster comes, they’ll handle it. If it’s too much, we all die together.”

Chang Yu pouted, nervous as the presence drew closer, and Chen San sensed it too, rushing toward them.

He stopped looking at Chang Yu and turned toward the presence. Chang Yu sensibly stood by the master, gripping his chair, her heart pounding, everyone tense.

Suddenly, Yang Chengzi said, “It’s here. Be careful.”

Chen San looked up. Only he, with ghost eyes, could see the spirit—a mass of white fur charging forward.

Terrified, Chen San cried out, “Fur! Fur! A ball of fur is rushing over!”

Yang Chengzi heard his description and frowned deeply, thinking, “Fur?”

He raised his fingers and chanted, opening his Celestial Eye. Sure enough, a ball of white fur was racing toward them, swift and direct.

Without hesitation, Yang Chengzi spun the Shangqing Sword in his hand and plunged it into the ground. With a metallic hiss, the sword was drawn.

As the thing drew near, Yang Chengzi gripped the sword, the blade glowing as if forged in fire, ready to strike.

The ball of white fur stamped its foot, leaving a long trail behind like a horse, still heading toward Yang Chengzi, but no longer at its initial speed. It seemed to want to stop, but was moving too fast to halt completely.

Seeing its attempt to stop, Yang Chengzi withdrew the sword from its swing, watching to see its intent. Sure enough, as it neared Yang Chengzi, it came to a halt.

Sensing no evil or resentment, Yang Chengzi stepped back two paces, keeping the sword ready, waiting for the strange ball of fur’s next move.

Suddenly, the fur scattered, revealing a white fox, its three fluffy tails hanging down from its head, a blood-red mark on its white forehead—a three-tailed white fox appeared before Chen San and Yang Chengzi.

Though the others couldn’t see it, as soon as the fox arrived before Yang Chengzi, a chill swept over the area.

Chen San was stunned, the cool air pleasant amidst his surprise. Before he could react, the white fox began to transform into human form.

Yang Chengzi saw the transformation, realizing the fox would be naked, quickly bit his finger and pressed a drop of blood to the fox’s forehead, temporarily sealing her transformation.

“Wait until I close my Celestial Eye, then you can transform.” He chanted, his vision clearing, and the fox vanished from sight, leaving only the drop of blood floating in the air, which he wiped away.

“All right, you can transform now. Do you have something to tell me?”

With the blood wiped away, the fox’s fur faded, gradually becoming human. In an instant, a graceful young woman stood before Chen San, unclothed, and blood began to trickle from his nose.

Chang Yu noticed and asked, “Chen San, what’s wrong? Are you hurt? There’s blood from your nose.”

Without turning, Chen San wiped his nose and pushed away her hand.

“I’m not hurt. Don’t bother me—I’m busy.”

Chang Yu huffed, turning away, muttering, “Who cares about you? Hmph. If I speak to you again, I’m a puppy.”

Chen San didn’t hear; the alluring sight before him was unparalleled—he had no time for Chang Yu.

The transformed fox girl spoke, “Sir, I am a three-tailed spirit fox from Feather Spirit Mountain, awakened to intelligence, who was harmed by evildoers. Thanks to your salvation, I escaped peril. I followed the aura and Daoist soul you left when you helped me, seeking tirelessly—today I finally found your trail. Let me remain by your side to repay you for saving my life.”

Yang Chengzi relaxed his frown, “Are you the little fox whose fate was stolen?”

The fox girl replied pitifully, “Yes, that villain not only stole my spirit body, but also imprisoned my soul. I don’t know what spell he used, but the stronger my resentment, the tighter the seal. I had a chance to become immortal, but harmed by a villain, how could I not bear resentment? So I couldn’t escape. Fortunately, you saved my spirit body, dissolving my resentment, and I escaped.”

Yang Chengzi nodded, “You needn’t repay me. It was a small effort. Go where you belong.”

“I won’t. I lost my spirit body—I can’t return to Feather Spirit Mountain. The world is vast, but nowhere can shelter my soul. I am a three-tailed fox; each tail is a life. If my soul is absorbed, as long as the body remains, I can resist death three times. If I wander, sooner or later evil-doers will capture me. You saved me; can you just let me be taken by bad men?” the fox protested stubbornly.

Chang Yu couldn’t see the human form of the fox, but a clear voice reached her. She stared at Yang Chengzi, tugging at Chen San, “Chen San, why do I hear a girl’s voice?”

Chen San didn’t turn, nodding dreamily, “Yes, a girl—prettier than you, and older.” He wiped his nose again.

Chang Yu, confused, asked, “Where’s she from? I don’t see her. What’s ‘older’?”

“She came from the north—a fox, now transformed into a beautiful girl, and the key thing is she’s not wearing any clothes.”

Yang Chengzi heard Chen San and Chang Yu, glanced at Chen San’s nosebleed, walked over, bit his finger, and pressed blood to Chen San’s forehead, sealing his ghost eyes.

The world brightened, but the unclothed girl vanished from view, and Chen San’s nosebleed stopped.

Chen San, resentful, muttered, “You really meddle. I was enjoying the view; you don’t want to see, but won’t let me. It’s not your wife—looking doesn’t hurt anyone.”

Yang Chengzi ignored him and returned to his place.

“No, since you’ve lost your spirit body and I’ve already transcended you, you should reincarnate. I don’t need your gratitude. Whether ghost or demon, when the time comes I’ll save them; you needn’t worry.”

The fox girl replied, “I wish I could reincarnate, but as a three-tailed fox, my spirit body is incomplete—I can’t. Don’t mention completeness—I don’t even know where my spirit body is.”