Chapter 376 : Reunion with the Purple Fox
Chapter 376: Reunion with the Purple Fox
A month passed in the blink of an eye, drawing close to its end.
Han Zhongli’s divine sense stirred. Looking at Chen Beiwu, whose eyes were slightly closed, he shook his head faintly.
To take the heart as a mirror and reflect dual scenes; to take the spirit as a brush and, by borrowing beasts to cultivate the Path, create the form of Heaven and Earth and forge the Heaven-Bestowed Ultimate Scene of Companion Cultivation—how difficult it was!
Throughout his long years guarding the gate, he had witnessed far too many astonishing prodigies break their halberds and sink into the sand before the Supreme Scenic Stele of Primordial Chaos Yuanshi Uniting with the Dao, gaining nothing in return.
But this was only natural. The Great Dao of borrowing beasts to cultivate was inherently arduous. Comprehending the Marvelous Method of Companion Beast Landscape Immortal Art was by no means something that could be accomplished in a single day.
Without years of observation, verification, and insight, many prodigies—let alone achieving the Heaven-Bestowed Ultimate Scene—might not even succeed in forging the Heaven-Bestowed Middle Scene.
Of course, in this world there were always an extremely small number of prodigies who perfectly resonated with a Supreme Scenic Stele.
These prodigies shared one common trait: at their very first attempt to observe and comprehend the stele, they could cause it to resonate, receive its True Intent, and thus spare themselves decades—or even centuries—of arduous cultivation that others would require.
It was no exaggeration to say that once such a prodigy appeared, they might even alarm the great cultivation magnates who had left behind the Supreme Scenic Stele for the inheritance of later generations. Those magnates could personally emerge, accept the prodigy as a disciple, and regard them as a successor to their Dao lineage.
With that thought, Han Zhongli quickly withdrew his divine sense.
Since Chen Beiwu began observing, the Supreme Scenic Stele of Primordial Chaos Yuanshi Uniting with the Dao had remained utterly silent, without the slightest movement.
This indicated one thing: Chen Beiwu’s compatibility with the Supreme Scenic Landscape of Primordial Chaos Yuanshi Uniting with the Dao was not high enough. He would need to grind away at it over time, little by little, perhaps without ever gaining true insight.
Having reached this conclusion, Han Zhongli let out a sigh. Yet there was no disappointment in his eyes.
If the Supreme Scenic Landscape of Primordial Chaos Yuanshi Uniting with the Dao did not work, there was still the Supreme Scenic Stele of Bi’an Qiongqi Striving to Cross.
Given Chen Beiwu’s aptitude and foundation, spending several decades—or even over a century—to forge the Heaven-Bestowed Ultimate Scene was by no means difficult. His future remained promising.
‘It seems he has no affinity with the Primordial Chaos Yuanshi Uniting with the Dao Stele and is destined not to inherit the Yuanshi Great Dao.’
With that thought, Han Zhongli withdrew his divine sense completely and closed his eyes to cultivate, no longer paying attention to Chen Beiwu.
At the same time, as time passed, a flash of inspiration struck Chen Beiwu’s mind. He felt that merely using his divine sense to observe and capture the artistic conception of the Primordial Chaos Yuanshi Uniting with the Dao Stele was far too ineffective.
Thus, he calmed his mind. No longer focusing solely on comprehending the Scenic Stele, he began circulating the Three Pure Ones Marvelous Method of Companion Landscape Immortal Art personally imparted by the Scripture Transmission Elder.
With one thought guarding Yuqing, he obtained the purity of the beginning.
With one thought upholding Shangqing, he obtained the boundless transformations.
With one thought returning to Taiqing, he obtained the bearing of the Dao.
With three thoughts in companion resonance, Chen Beiwu guided his own divine sense together with that of Golden Egg, Iron Egg, and Five Qi Vine. He forged a mirror reflecting the Dao through the Three Pure Ones Companion Landscape, manifesting the Heaven-and-Earth Dao patterns and the original spiritual essence of the divine soul carried within the bloodlines of the Companion Beasts—instead of reflecting the Primordial Chaos Yuanshi Uniting with the Dao Stele.
In this way, a thread of profound and ineffable True Intent of Primordial Chaos Yuanshi Uniting with the Dao slowly rose within Chen Beiwu’s heart, yet it remained separated by a thin veil that he could not pierce.
‘A pity. The progress is still somewhat slow.’
Chen Beiwu slowly opened his eyes.
After a month of comprehending the Scenic Stele, even with the assistance of the Three Pure Ones Marvelous Method of Companion Landscape Immortal Art, his progress had only advanced from Observing Form to Observing Nature. He had merely refined his Heaven-Bestowed Middle Scene somewhat. The opportunity to forge the Heaven-Bestowed Ultimate Scene remained out of reach.
At this rate, if he continued cultivating like this, forging the Heaven-Bestowed Ultimate Scene within the Golden Core realm would require at least fifty years—perhaps even a hundred.
“Ding!”
Near the meditation cushion, the Clear-Soul Bell swayed slightly, emitting a crisp and melodious chime.
The time for comprehension had ended.
Chen Beiwu rose without the slightest trace of reluctance.
He planned to try again at the Supreme Scenic Stele of Bi’an Qiongqi Striving to Cross to see whether he might gain new insights.
Seeing this, the cultivators waiting nearby remained calm and unsurprised.
Only a few Foundation Establishment cultivators failed to conceal the fluctuations in their emotions, revealing ambitious gazes.
Their thinking was simple: even the current Top of the Yuxu Rankings had failed to comprehend the Primordial Chaos Yuanshi Uniting with the Dao Stele. If they succeeded, would they not be able to step on Chen Beiwu’s reputation and soar into the sky, attracting the attention of the sect’s great cultivation magnates and being accepted as disciples?
Yet not long after Chen Beiwu left, every cultivator who took his seat turned pale. Not a single one succeeded—including several renowned Golden Core prodigies of the previous generation.
…
Elsewhere, before the Supreme Scenic Stele of Bi’an Qiongqi Striving to Cross.
Another month passed.
Chen Beiwu slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air. Thunderous sounds echoed from his sinews, bones, and flesh.
Although the Supreme Scenic Landscape of Primordial Chaos Yuanshi Uniting with the Dao ranked first among the fifty-four Scenic Steles, it provided him with no substantial improvement.
Comprehending the Supreme Scenic Stele of Bi’an Qiongqi Striving to Cross, however, was different. Through his own insight, he could pry open the power of the Void within the stele, tempering his sinews, flesh, viscera, and divine sense, continuously strengthening his physique.
From a certain perspective, Chen Beiwu had discovered another use for the Supreme Scenic Stele.
“Buzz!”
At that moment, the phone he carried vibrated, and a message popped up on the screen.
With a thought, Chen Beiwu answered the call.
“Senior Brother Jiang.”
“Junior Brother Chen, the application you submitted earlier has completed all procedures. You may enter the Yuqing Mountain Range at any time,” Jiang Chuan said with a smile.
“Many thanks, Senior Brother.” Chen Beiwu let out a breath of relief.
He had been too young before, assuming that after forging the Yuanshi Golden Core and being held in high regard by the sect, he could freely enter the Yuqing Mountain Range.
The reality was the exact opposite.
In the sect’s eyes, the Yuqing Mountain Range was far more important than even its prodigies.
If he had not led the team to claim first place at the Immortal Sect Exchange Conference, he likely still would not have obtained permission to enter freely.
“The outer region of the Yuqing Mountain Range is manageable. But deeper within, you must be cautious. Some Heavenly-Gang Mystic Beasts with special bloodlines can even reach the Heavenly Hearing.”
Jiang Chuan’s tone grew serious. “If in the future you intend to contract a Companion Beast deep within the mountain range, you’d best consider carefully. The rules there are not the same as in the sect.”
“I appreciate the reminder, Senior Brother.” Chen Beiwu nodded and ended the call.
More than fifty years had passed since they last met. He wondered how the little fellow was doing—whether it had grown up somewhat.
…
Yuqing Mountain Range, North River.
Mist curled in the air as waves surged.
On a massive rock by the riverbank lay a fluffy snow-purple ball, motionless—a fixed scenery along the river.
‘The little ancestor is daydreaming again?’
A plump squirrel spirit chewed on a pine nut, eyes full of curiosity.
‘Daydreaming? How could anyone daydream for an entire day? It must be cultivating!’
A porcupine spirit that had gained intelligence mimicked the little ancestor’s posture, curling itself into a ball.
‘Is that so? I feel like it lost some treasure.’
A carp spirit blew a few bubbles.
“Ying.”
Ignoring the chatter of the surrounding spirits, the young beast lifted its head toward the distant sunset, revealing a pair of round, heterochromatic eyes.
‘Young Master, it’s time to eat.’
An older white fox leapt onto the rock, speaking respectfully.
The Seven-Tailed Purple Fox cub glanced at the white fox without speaking and slowly closed its eyes.
Seeing this, the white fox sighed inwardly.
In earlier years it had not been so bad. Ever since the Purple Jade Beast King had entered secluded cultivation, the little ancestor had grown increasingly withdrawn. It would lie on the rock for three days and nights at a time.
Suddenly, the Seven-Tailed Purple Fox cub’s nose twitched, and its body tensed sharply.
“Ying!” (He’s here!)
It let out a short cry.
The next instant, it kicked off with its hind legs. Its petite body shot forward like purple lightning, so fast that even the white fox could not see its afterimage.
‘He’s here? Who is he?’
The white fox froze for a moment, then an image surfaced in its mind—a transcendent figure of exiled-immortal bearing who could part the waters without using mana. Realization dawned instantly.
…
Outer region of the Yuqing Mountain Range.
“Na!”
The moment Chen Beiwu entered the mountain range, Five Qi Vine cried out excitedly.
‘Could it be that some Fourth-Tier Mysterious Herb has blossomed and borne fruit?’
Seeing Five Qi Vine’s reaction, Chen Beiwu grew interested and urged Golden Egg to speed up.
After crossing a mountain peak, his divine sense swept downward into a valley filled with rolling dust.
Dozens of Third-Realm Beast Generals of various forms were unleashing their innate Mystic Abilities, charging desperately in the direction Five Qi Vine indicated. Though not vast in scale, the beast tide was imposing.
“Golden Rhinoceros Ox!”
“Thunder-Wing Lion!”
“Mang Mountain Flood Dragon!”
As Chen Beiwu scanned them, his expression grew increasingly puzzled.
Unlike the Southern Wastes, each region of the Yuqing Mountain Range had an absolute ruler, at least a Fourth-Realm Beast King.
With a Fourth-Realm Beast King presiding, even if a Fourth-Tier Mysterious Herb emerged and attracted Third-Realm Beast Generals, it should not result in a beast tide. That would be tantamount to slapping the Beast King in the face.
With that thought, Chen Beiwu urged Golden Egg to accelerate.
He wanted to see what kind of Fourth-Tier Mysterious Herb could cause such recklessness.
“Na!” (It’s over there!)
Five Qi Vine’s eyes lit up, small hand raised, about to use the Five Qi Heaven-Stealing Hand.
‘Don’t act recklessly.’
Chen Beiwu stopped it and locked onto the target with his divine sense.
It was a vine whose leaves resembled dragon scales, dark gold with a blood hue.
Its thick leaves emitted a peculiar fragrance. Even Golden Egg and Iron Egg showed signs of restlessness.
‘Beast Blood Vine?’ Chen Beiwu thought.
Beast Blood Vine was an extremely rare Fourth-Tier Mysterious Herb. When it bloomed, it emitted a fragrance that lured nearby beasts into battle, devouring their essence blood to nurture fruit.
For each Beast General’s essence blood it absorbed, a dark red stripe would appear along the vine.
When it accumulated thirty-six stripes, it would bear a crimson fruit like jade.
Yet that fruit could usually only be consumed by the final victor of the struggle.
Thus Beast Blood Vine was also called Beast King Vine, and its fruit was known among Immortal Alliance cultivators as the Beast King Fruit.
For Heavenly-Gang Mystic Beast cubs, whose growth cycles were extraordinarily long, the Beast King Fruit was undoubtedly the best bloodline catalyst.
After consumption, it could purify and accelerate bloodline awakening, compressing centuries into mere years, allowing the cub to easily condense an inner core and step into the Third-Realm Beast General stage.
Its drawback, however, was obvious: the medicinal potency was extremely domineering. Companion Beasts with weak bloodlines could not consume it—it was exclusive to powerful Mystic Beasts.
Under Chen Beiwu’s gaze, one Third-Realm Beast General after another dispersed its escape light, spat out essence blood onto the vine, suppressed the greed in its eyes, and turned to leave.
‘As expected, this Beast Blood Vine has an owner,’ Chen Beiwu concluded.
Without a Fourth-Realm Beast King enforcing order, these Beast Generals would never waste their own essence blood nurturing a Mysterious Herb.
“Na?” (Not making a move?)
Five Qi Vine looked at Chen Beiwu eagerly.
They were only Third-Realm Beast Generals. If Chen Beiwu acted, he could easily crush them and take the Beast Blood Vine and Beast King Fruit.
“Have you forgotten the rules of the Yuqing Mountain Range?” Chen Beiwu said helplessly.
If it were an ownerless treasure, he could harvest it freely.
But to seize a clearly owned Mysterious Herb would be breaking the rules.
“Na.” (Humans have too many rules.)
Five Qi Vine pouted.
In the past, any precious herb it fancied in the Yuqing Mountain Range had never escaped its grasp.
‘The past was the past. The present is the present.’ Chen Beiwu soothed it and prepared to leave.
He had not entered the Yuqing Mountain Range for treasures, but to fulfill a promise.
“Roar!”
Suddenly, beast roars erupted in the valley—then ceased abruptly into suffocating silence.
One by one, the powerful Third-Realm Beast Generals prostrated themselves, as though worshipping a supreme monarch.
‘The owner has arrived? Ah, how coincidental.’
Chen Beiwu paused. Nostalgia flickered in his eyes.
Golden Egg, Iron Egg, and Five Qi Vine widened their eyes in surprise.
From the shadow of the valley emerged a small beast. Its fluffy tail flowed behind it like purple clouds.
“Ying!”
With a childish cry, the Seven-Tailed Purple Fox quickened its steps, tripped over its own tail, tumbled forward, then rose gracefully and continued running toward Chen Beiwu.
Chen Beiwu descended, slightly bent, and naturally opened his arms.
Perhaps too excited, the Seven-Tailed Purple Fox did not slow down and crashed straight into his embrace.
“Bang!”
The impact could easily crush a Second-Realm Lesser Beast—but to Chen Beiwu it was like a breeze. He caught it effortlessly.
“Long time no see.” He smiled.
“Ying.”
The Seven-Tailed Purple Fox flipped contentedly, four pink paw pads stepping lightly on his chest.
The surrounding Beast Generals, who had considered acting, restrained themselves and stared in astonishment.
Aside from the Purple Jade Beast King, this was the first time they had seen anyone tame the little ancestor so completely.
Chen Beiwu lowered his head and ruffled the fox’s fur. It had grown somewhat and had reached the peak of the Second-Realm Lesser Beast.
Yet more striking was the thick Fate surrounding it.
Whether illusion or not, the wisps of purple aura around it were a third thicker than when he first met it, its majesty no weaker than that of a Crimson Dragon Fortune.
This suggested a special bloodline and limitless potential—perhaps even the possibility of advancing to a Fifth-Tier Fortune-Origin Beast.
Of course, the future was the future.
For now, the little fellow was still just a weakling.