“Mountain Lord, you have lived in the depths of Qingmeng Mountain for a long time, focusing on your cultivation and remaining detached from the world. As such, you may not know the hardships our kind faces. Legend has it that since the world changed several hundred years ago, the spiritual pulses have withered, and the spiritual energy available for our cultivation has grown increasingly scarce.”
“By the end of the Ming Dynasty, demons and monsters were hard to find, and gods and Buddhas had vanished from the mortal realm. Our branch of the fox clan only survived thanks to the foresight of the Old Master. By relying on imperial qi and the Ma family disciples, he forcibly extended our lineage’s life for a century, allowing us to wait for the current Spiritual Resurgence.”
As he reached the emotional part of his tale, the old fox didn’t forget to reach out a paw and wipe the corner of his eye.
“Now, although there are signs of spiritual pulses replenishing everywhere, no one can guarantee how long this Spiritual Resurgence will last or how many beings it can support in their quest for the Dao.”
“My Hu family’s cooperation with the authorities was a move born of necessity. The Mountain Lord might not know this, but with the change of dynasties, we are now in the New Great Xia. Within the borders of Great Xia, all land, mountains, and mineral resources are state-owned. Even if a Living Buddha were reincarnated, they would still need approval via top-level directives before they could proceed...”
Nan Zhi understood.
She had once read in a book that the spiritual energy in the world does not recover in a periodic cycle; it is more like the irregular breathing of the Earth.
For instance, when the world first opened and the primordial chaos was yet to be settled, the world was filled with the purest spiritual energy. Because the accumulation was sufficient, Golden Core and deity transformation stages were everywhere, and even quite a few saints emerged.
However, due to the law of conservation of energy, there is a total limit to spiritual energy. Those with low cultivation absorb little, but those with high cultivation can overturn seas and shatter mountains with a single move, causing the world to consume more spiritual energy to repair itself.
Later, as the number of living beings on the earth increased, the output of spiritual energy from the spiritual pulses declined year by year until they could no longer sustain the world, at which point they fell into a deep slumber.
Without spiritual energy, the Five Decays of Heaven and Man occurred, cultivators fell, and even the great powers among gods and Buddhas would slowly dissipate in the endless exhaustion.
This was the origin of the Age of Dharma Decline.
Therefore, no one could guarantee how long this Spiritual Resurgence would last or how many beings it could sustain.
Although she knew Hu Ban'er was putting on a show of misery to secretly probe the secret behind how the white tiger woman could take human form, Nan Zhi did not expose him. She simply stood up lazily and glanced at the old fox.
“Follow me.”
It was working!
Hu Ban'er was overjoyed. He scrambled onto all fours and dashed forward, following her through the mist curtain that was so thick it had almost turned liquid.
Inside the cave, it was not the dark and damp place he had imagined. Two ventilation holes had been opened at the top on the north and south sides, allowing light from outside to fall on the ground like scattered gold.
Unknown climbing plants grew on the rock walls, their vines intertwining. Amidst the large patches of emerald green leaves grew tiny red flowers the size of red beans, emitting an elegant fragrance.
On the far right of the ground, several stalactites protruded. The mist that touched the cliff face turned into droplets of water rich in spiritual energy, falling one by one into a circular indentation carved into a large bluestone.
The facilities in the cave were simple to an appalling degree.
Two prayer mats were tossed haphazardly on the ground, alongside several banana leaves holding a handful of fresh mountain fruits of various sizes.
In a corner sat a three-legged round-bellied cauldron with a somewhat strange design. It looked like the large incense burners found in Taoist monasteries, used by pilgrims to plant their first sticks of incense.
The cave lacked the bloody and pungent scent of urine characteristic of a carnivore’s den—Hu Ban'er knew a family of Northeast tigers whose den was so foul he couldn't even enter.
In addition, there was a massive stone cabinet that seemed to have been specially excavated. Inside, arranged in layers, were various medicinal herbs sorted by type.
Old ginseng as thick as a thumb, He Shou Wu so plump they had almost grown limbs, large pieces of washed Sanqi and Huangjing, vibrant red and yellow Lingzhi that looked as if they were dripping with color, and translucent Tiepi Shihu leaves...
Every single medicinal herb shimmered with golden light, brimming with spiritual energy.
Yet, these spirit plants, which any sect would fight tooth and nail for if they were taken outside, were simply tossed carelessly into the stone wall.
Hu Ban'er’s mouth watered with envy.
However, he didn't dare look around randomly, fearing the white tiger would misunderstand and think he was coveting her possessions. He quickly averted his gaze.
But as he looked away, he froze again.
A golden rat was currently soaking in the small pit filled with spiritual water. Its two paws held an unremarkable pill, and it was munching on it while playing in the water, looking incredibly leisurely.
The spiritual energy accumulated in this cave was actually concentrated enough to liquefy into the water, and the cave's owner was generous enough to let a rat soak in it!
And what was it eating?!
The spiritual energy was restrained, and the medicinal fragrance was dense—
Holy crap, this golden rat was actually munching on a pill?!
Hu Ban'er prided himself on his keen eyesight and could guarantee that it was absolutely not some dreg left over from an old sect with barely any medicinal properties left!
“That is my pet. Pay it no mind.”
Nan Zhi lay gracefully on a prayer mat, her golden eyes landing on Hu Ban'er.
“Sit.”
This damn rat has such a good life!
With so many good things, do you even know how to appreciate what you're eating?
If it really didn't work out, he wouldn't mind taking its place in that pit!
Hu Ban'er’s teeth were almost grinding with jealousy, but he didn't dare show a hint of it. He nimbly sat down on the prayer mat indicated by the owner, spewing flattering words as if they cost nothing.
“Hehe, the Mountain Lord’s place of secluded cultivation is naturally elegant and peerless—a true paradise. Speaking of which, the fellow creatures in these Qingmeng Mountains are fortunate to be graced by the Mountain Lord’s blessings and share in a bit of this spiritual energy for their cultivation...”
With every word he spoke, his heart ached as if it were bleeding.
The level of spiritual energy near Huyue Gorge already far exceeded that of any famous mountain. Even outside this cave, the spiritual energy was so abundant it was unbelievable.
The ordinary, unintelligent wild beasts outside, soaking in this spiritual energy day after day, would develop intelligence in ten years—no, not even five.
If these were the cubs of the Hu family...
As soon as that thought arose, he suddenly shuddered.
Those golden eyes swept over him indifferently. There was no emotion in that gaze, which was as calm as an ancient well, but a mountain-toppling pressure descended. Hu Ban'er prostrated himself submissively on the ground.
The other party didn't even mean to warn him; it was just a most ordinary gaze, yet he almost couldn't bear it and wanted to curl into a ball.
Beads of sweat the size of beans fell. Hu Ban'er felt somewhat relieved that he hadn't brought his two granddaughters inside.
For the weak to covet the strong was a laughable thing in itself.
Ordinary people would feel dread and genuine fear when looking at the white tiger woman.
But only a cultivator like him would understand that the disparity in their strength was too vast, like a heavenly chasm. Just imagining it was enough to make one feel despair.
“I... was originally an ignorant white tiger in the mountains. By chance, I obtained the immortal legacy of a previous Mountain Lord. Fortunately, I attained enlightenment in a single day and awakened my innate wisdom and divine abilities. Now, I am the Mountain Lord, but the Mountain Lord of the past is not me.”
The white tiger woman flicked her tail, seemingly organizing her thoughts. After a long while, she frowned and spoke slowly.
“I am focused solely on my cultivation and have no intention of entangling myself with those from the government. My intervention with that monster catfish was due to the unique nature of my cultivation technique. You do not need to hide anything when you return; simply report the truth to the Demon Suppression Division.”
“As for Qingmeng Mountain... it has been my domain since ancient times. If anyone has the ability and wishes to seize it, they are welcome to try.”
Demon Suppression Division?
What sect was that?
“I will convey your words, Mountain Lord.”
Hu Ban'er didn't understand, but he committed it to memory nonetheless.
“I wonder if the Mountain Lord has any other instructions? Please, feel free to command me. I can also pass on any messages for you.”
...
Rate on N.U.
