Volume One: The Journey of the Useless, Fiery Demon-Slaying Chapter Forty-Four: Chen San's Departed Soul, The Grand Array of Heaven and Earth

Yang Chengzi furrowed his brows, realizing that what the little fox said might indeed be true. Ancient texts had recorded the existence of the Three-Tailed Spirit Fox—a being born of the world's spiritual energy, requiring a century to be reborn and transformed into a true spirit body. Nourished by the essence of heaven and earth, much like mountain spirits, such a fox, if fortunate, could become an immortal of its own domain. The spirit body of the Three-Tailed Fox was a gift from the cosmos; thus, upon the death of any spirit body, it must remain whole. Should there be any damage or incompleteness, its soul would be barred from entering the cycle of reincarnation.

The little fox before them had long since lost its chance. When Yang Chengzi performed the rites to lay it to rest, there was only a fragment of its spirit bone left; reincarnation was thus impossible.

This truly left Yang Chengzi at a loss, unable to decide what should become of the Three-Tailed Spirit Fox.

Chang Yu, seeing Yang Chengzi lost in thought and not urging her to leave, said, “Since she’s a beautiful young lady, let her stay. My journey so far has been dreary enough—she could keep me company and chat along the way.”

Chen San turned his head toward Chang Yu and grinned. “She seems to be a fox spirit. Aren’t you afraid Yang Chengzi will be bewitched by her?”

“I’m not worried at all. He’s a cultivator, not like you, an ordinary mortal who loses all sense at the sight of a woman and even gets nosebleeds. Look at you—so lacking in composure. I was just wondering why you suddenly had a nosebleed.”

Chen San pouted. “It’s not that I couldn’t move; you just didn’t see—she wasn’t wearing any clothes. What man could walk away with a beautiful girl like that standing unclothed before him?”

“You have no self-control.” Chang Yu looked at him in utter disdain, gave a huff, then walked over to Yang Chengzi and took his arm. “Why not let her stay? You don’t know where to send her, do you? She could travel with us—though we can’t see her, at least she could talk to us and relieve the tedium.”

Yang Chengzi looked calmly at Chang Yu and asked, “Aren’t you afraid of her?”

Chang Yu smiled. “Didn’t Chen San say she’s a beautiful girl? What’s there to be scared of? I’m not even afraid of someone like Chen San, who goes ten days without changing clothes. Why would I fear a pretty girl?”

“She’s not a beautiful girl. She’s a Three-Tailed Spirit Fox,” Yang Chengzi said, watching as Chang Yu blinked in confusion, then continued, “The same fox who nearly took your life.”

At this, terror flashed in Chang Yu’s eyes. She retreated two steps behind the old master, her fear plain to see. “Don’t scare me! I only just survived—I really don’t want to be frightened again.” She looked like she was on the verge of tears.

“I was always trapped within the seal. How could I have harmed her?” the Spirit Fox replied, still bewildered by their words.

“When I performed the rites, the spirit bone I purified belonged to you. That bone had been made into an ornament and hung on this young lady. Over time, it became tainted, and the corruption gave rise to bloodstains and demonic energy. When I saved her, her life was hanging by a thread.”

The Spirit Fox finally understood. “I’m sorry, sister. I was harmed by evildoers and died long ago. My spirit body was beyond my control, and I caused you much suffering—not by my own will. Please forgive me.”

Chang Yu, still shaken, clung tightly to the old master’s reclining chair, casting anxious glances at Yang Chengzi.

Seeing Yang Chengzi still undecided, the old monk spoke up, “Why not let the little fox travel with us for now? Though it may bring trouble, we are cultivators and seekers of enlightenment. We cannot stand by and let its spirit body be lost and its soul seized by evil. If it were to fall into the hands of a powerful sorcerer, it could become a grave threat in the future.”

Yang Chengzi nodded. There was truly nowhere else to settle the fox, and with urgent matters at hand, this was the only option.

“You may travel with us for now,” he told the little fox. “But unless absolutely necessary, you must not appear in spirit form. Rest within my consciousness for now.”

The little fox nodded excitedly. “Thank you, sir! I won’t trouble you. And sister, don’t be afraid—I won’t harm you again.” With that, she transformed back into a fox and entered Yang Chengzi’s consciousness.

The moment she entered, a blood-red mark appeared on Yang Chengzi’s forehead. His spiritual blood surged and his soul trembled. He dropped to one knee, driving the Upper Clarity Sword deep into the earth.

Chen San rushed to help, but Yang Chengzi waved him off and sat cross-legged, chanting a soul-stabilizing incantation. After several cycles, the repulsion between souls faded, Yang Chengzi’s spirit gradually adapted to the fox’s presence, and the blood mark on his forehead slowly faded, though it remained faintly visible.

He rose, sheathed his sword, and turned to see Chang Yu still frightened. He walked over and reassured her, “Come on. With me here, she can’t harm you.”

Chang Yu regained her composure, nodded, and replied with a quiet hum.

Chen San wiped the blood from his forehead. With the ghostly eye’s seal removed, he looked around but saw nothing, shaking his head in disappointment. “Ah, let’s go. No more show to watch. Onward with our journey. And I must admit, the little fox really was beautiful, and her figure—tsk, tsk.”

Yang Chengzi shot Chen San a look. “Lust is a knife above your head. Sooner or later, you’ll pay for it.”

“Well, if I have to pay once in this life, I suppose it wouldn’t be a life wasted.” Chen San shrugged indifferently.

The old monk recited a Buddha’s name. “Amitabha. If my legs were in better shape, you’d think twice about such things.”

Chen San froze, recalling how the elder would knock his head for no reason, and gave the monk an awkward smile.

They had expected some monster to rush at them, but it turned out to be the little fox. When Yang Chengzi performed the rites for that bone, he hadn’t realized it was from a Three-Tailed Spirit Fox.

As a Daoist, Yang Chengzi believed deeply in karma and fate. That nearly demonized bone had come into his hands, so it was his duty to lay it to rest, which also saved Chang Yu’s life.

Because the little fox was laid to rest, her resentment faded and she escaped the seal. Cause and effect intertwined, each step following the last. The cause had been set, and now the consequences unfolded.

Both Chang Yu and the little fox had come seeking him, a result Yang Chengzi had hoped to avoid. But fate had its own will. Since the fox had come and had nowhere else to go, she would journey with them. Their errand to Chen Family Town could not be delayed for even a moment. Once there, his master might help guide the fox to a new path.

Now that the little fox was hiding in Yang Chengzi’s consciousness, he would occasionally respond to her questions, though Chen San and the others could not hear the fox’s voice.

This irked Chang Yu greatly. She had hoped the girl would ease the boredom of travel, but now, not only did she fail to exchange a single word, she felt distanced from Yang Chengzi as well.

Yang Chengzi walked ahead, never once looking back. The more Chang Yu thought about it, the angrier she became. Chen San had been right—a fox spirit! She pouted so much you could have hung a coat from her lips.

Seeing her fuming, Chen San wisely refrained from provoking her. The young lady’s temper was not to be trifled with—he couldn’t beat her, nor outargue her, and he’d always end up the unlucky one. He shook his head, a look of “serves you right, now it’s my turn to watch the show” spreading across his face.

He hadn’t smiled for long before Chang Yu suddenly turned her head toward him. Lost in his gloating, he was caught off guard by her abrupt movement and was immediately spotted. Chang Yu recognized his schadenfreude at a glance.

Sensing danger, Chen San stifled his laughter and turned away.

Chang Yu, already at her boiling point, saw Chen San mocking her and instantly snapped. She grabbed his collar and, leaping up, delivered a sharp knock to his head. With a dull thud, Chen San collapsed, clutching his head and cursing.

The old monk pressed his palms together and intoned, “Amitabha. I’ve long wanted to knock him myself. Thank you, young lady, for your trouble. A sin, a sin.”

Yang Chengzi glanced back at them, shook his head, and turned away once more.

Chang Yu dusted her hands, gave a huff, and said, “That’s what you get for laughing at me. Offending me comes at a steep price—let’s see if you dare again.” With that, she strode ahead, feeling much better after venting her anger, and even the sight of Yang Chengzi was less vexing.

But then, something was wrong with Chen San. At first, he was just rubbing his head, and though Chang Yu wasn’t particularly strong, soon he began to show signs of spiritual turbulence, his heart racing, breathing growing labored. He dropped to his knees, supporting himself with both hands, his whole body shaking, face turning deathly pale, and sweat pouring down in large drops.

Suddenly, Yang Chengzi spun around, leaped to Chen San’s side, and yanked him upright. Chen San was nearly unconscious, his gaze unfocused. Though Yang Chengzi held him up, he had no strength and slowly slumped to the ground.

The old monk observed, “This is bad—his soul is about to leave. The phantom demon inside him can’t be suppressed.”

Chang Yu, hearing this, panicked. “I—I only hit him once—he…”

Yang Chengzi laid Chen San flat, preparing to bite his own finger. But then a surge of powerful spiritual energy burst from Chen San’s forehead, enveloping him completely. Yang Chengzi closed his eyes and sensed carefully—this was Chen Wan’er’s aura. She was helping Chen San’s three souls suppress the phantom demon.

“Master, this demon is much stronger than I anticipated. The Great Beidou Mantra won’t be enough. Find a way to seal Chen San and me—don’t let the demon escape. I’ll find a way to destroy it.”

The monk replied, “That would be dangerous for you. Once sealed, you won’t be able to invoke the gods. Without that, you may not be able to kill it.”

Yang Chengzi glanced at Chen San. Though shielded by spiritual energy, Chen San’s soul was clearly beginning to leave his body—there was no time left.

“Master, do it now. His soul is already leaving—there’s no time.” With that, he raised his fingers and began chanting. Half of Chen San’s soul painfully broke free, but before it could leave, Yang Chengzi pressed it back into Chen San’s body.

The old master closed his eyes. “A sin, a sin,” he murmured, then summoned the Wrathful Vajra.

The Vajra’s third and fourth hands emerged instantly, forming seals in unison. A golden radiance spread from the old monk’s body, rippling outward.

Chang Yu was frozen in terror, watching Chen San lying unconscious, her mouth covered in tears streaming down her face.

With a resonant “dong,” a massive golden bell appeared, covering Yang Chengzi and Chen San like a house.

Another bell appeared, encasing the first, golden script winding around its surface until it was completely covered.

The Wrathful Vajra leaped atop the bell and sat cross-legged, four hands pressed together, eyes closed in meditation.

Inside, Yang Chengzi’s soul pressed Chen San’s soul firmly back into his body. The demon’s aura had begun to seep out of Chen San. Yang Chengzi tore open his clothes, bit his finger, and drew a soul-fusing charm on Chen San’s chest.

If Chen San’s soul could completely return, there’d be a chance to seal the demon. As the blood charm appeared on Chen San, Yang Chengzi chanted, and Chen San’s soul, heavy as lead, sank swiftly back into his body.

But Yang Chengzi soon realized that Chen San’s soul was so unstable that, without constant chanting, it would immediately slip free again.

A deadlock. Chen Wan’er spoke, “This won’t work. The demon has already corroded his three souls, leaving them weak. If this continues, he won’t survive. The demon can’t remain sealed in him any longer.”

When Yang Chengzi first grabbed Chen San’s soul, he realized it was already corrupted by the demon—far worse than he had expected. He’d thought they’d make it to Chen Family Town and deal with the demon there, but after only a few hours, Chen San’s soul was already in danger.

He knew the situation but had no other way to seal the demon. Staring at Chen San, he realized he might have to let the demon go. He couldn’t let Chen San die before his eyes, especially since it was his own doing.

As Chen Wan’er’s aura grew weaker, Yang Chengzi ceased resisting and let his soul return to his body.

Without Yang Chengzi’s soul to hold it, Chen San’s soul drifted out like a leaf on the wind.

Yang Chengzi steeled himself. Once Chen San’s soul left, the phantom demon would escape. As soon as it did, he would fuse Chen San’s soul again and give him a Ninefold Rejuvenation Pill. They could not hope to subdue a millennium-old demon, so let it go—without a body and after being wounded by them, it would not linger.

He closed his eyes, focusing intently on Chen San’s soul and the demon’s aura. As the demon’s presence thickened and was about to break free, Yang Chengzi’s eyes snapped open. Three phantom fox tails appeared behind him, winding around Chen San like vines.

Chen San’s drifting soul was dragged back by the three tails. The little fox instantly entered Chen San’s consciousness. The three tails, like a seal, bound his celestial, terrestrial, and vital souls. Chen San’s body began to emit faint spiritual energy, his soul returned to its place, and the demon, poised to break free, was forcibly suppressed once more.

Seeing that Chen San’s soul was now stable, Yang Chengzi realized the little fox had temporarily sealed the demon. He quickly wiped away the soul-fusing charm and drew the Great Formation of Heaven and Earth on Chen San’s body.

The Great Formation, laid by the old Daoist, gathered spiritual energy but was only useful to spiritual beings, not humans. Humans, inherently the most spiritual creatures, had their nature buried under endless worldly distractions—greed, rage, obsession. For Chen San, the formation was useless, but for Chen Wan’er and the Three-Tailed Fox, it was invaluable.

Chen Wan’er, as a ghostly spirit, absorbed the essence of sun, moon, and earth. The Three-Tailed Fox was born of the world’s spiritual energy. With the formation on Chen San, the little fox’s seal might hold until they reached Chen Family Town.

As the formation was completed, Yang Chengzi took an ancient coin from his robe and placed it at the formation’s core—on Chen San’s left chest. The coin, like a magnet, adhered to his flesh, pressing so deep it seemed embedded in the skin. Yang Chengzi’s tense expression relaxed as spiritual energy poured rapidly through the coin into Chen San’s body.

The little fox and Chen Wan’er began absorbing the spiritual energy. The influx was so immense that the coin was pressed in as if set in stone, sinking into the flesh.

Seeing the crisis resolved, the old monk dismissed the Wrathful Vajra and the Great Golden Bell. He rose from his chair, limped to Chen San’s side, and, noticing the color returning to his face, patted Yang Chengzi on the shoulder.

“Don’t blame yourself. There was no other way but to seal the demon in him. Had it been me, we might all have died at its hands. Your decision was right.”

Yang Chengzi stood and nodded. “It’s Chen San who’s suffered. Luckily, Wan’er and the little fox can restrain the demon. Otherwise, it couldn’t have been sealed any longer.”

“Amitabha. Chen San’s fate is not yet ended. It seems Taixuan chose well—such fortune is rare. The little fox arrived just in time to save him. This boy must have done much good in his past life.”

Yang Chengzi smiled. “Yes, always on the brink of death, yet always escaping disaster. Call him unlucky, but his luck is better than anyone’s.”

The old monk nodded. “Let’s rest a bit before moving on. The sun is too fierce today.”

Beside the chair, Chang Yu was sobbing uncontrollably, clearly terrified. Yang Chengzi walked over and took her hand.

As soon as she saw him, Chang Yu threw herself into his arms, weeping even more pitifully.

Yang Chengzi patiently explained, “It’s not your fault. You didn’t do this to Chen San. The demon sealed in him broke loose—that’s what put him in danger. It has nothing to do with you.”

Chang Yu hiccuped through her tears, “Really? That was my first time hitting someone—I thought I’d killed him. I was so scared.”

Yang Chengzi shook his head and smiled. “How could that be? If Chen San could be killed with a single tap from you, then his fate would be too fragile. You, my lady, can’t even truss a chicken—how could you kill Chen San with your bare hands?”