Chapter 68

Zhu Ganglie, now enlightened with the Three Recognitions and possessing the Four Buddhist Powers, along with the Ancient Qingyang Lamp, was unafraid of ordinary Golden Core experts.

Heading to the Central Plains of the Tang Dynasty, he felt safe and at ease. Over five years, he had traveled a hundred thousand miles, significantly slowing his journey. Therefore, Zhu Ganglie did not plan to walk step by step anymore and intended to travel quickly at dawn to reach the Central Plains of the Tang Dynasty.

While Zhu Ganglie was deep in thought, two scholars approached the dilapidated temple where he was staying, chatting along the way.

Zhu Ganglie glanced at the two men, his gaze sweeping over them lightly. His Daoist robe transformed into a long robe, and the Primordial Yang Ruler in his hand turned into a book.

When the two men entered, they saw Zhu Ganglie reading under a lamp, and they felt a slight joy. They stepped forward and said, "Greetings, sir. We are heading to the provincial capital for the imperial examination. May we stay here for the night?"

Zhu Ganglie looked at the two men and smiled slightly, "Greetings, gentlemen. I am also staying here. Having company will make it more lively!"

After saying this, Zhu Ganglie did not wish to converse further. The two men, seemingly tired from their journey, politely thanked him and took out two lamps from their bookcases, lit them, and began reading.

In the middle of the night, from the distant mountains, came several piercing howls, like those of wolves or foxes, mixed with the night wind, or perhaps like the cries of night owls.

The deep mountains, the ancient temple, the north wind, and the howls of wolves and foxes—all these created a terrifying scene.

The two scholars shuddered, seemingly frightened by the scene.

Zhu Ganglie paid no attention to their expressions, his gaze looking outside. He saw several fist-sized green flames floating in the wilderness, which was quite eerie.

Among these ghostly flames, a young woman dressed in a pink robe, graceful and elegant, slowly walked over and entered the dilapidated temple in the blink of an eye.

Zhu Ganglie glanced at her indifferently, recognizing her as a white fox. He scanned her with his gaze but found no trace of bloodlust on her, so he did not attack her, wanting to see what the fox girl intended to do.

With the arrival of the fox girl, the two scholars looked at her with surprise, their eyes filled with a hint of fascination.

"May the three gentlemen be well. I am Fox Mu. I would like to invite the three gentlemen to stay at my home to avoid the hardships of this desolate wilderness."

The fox girl spoke gently, her voice sweet and pleasant, evoking a sense of goodwill.

"I am Liu Sheng. Where is your master? Why do you invite us?"

The scholar in the green robe stepped forward and bowed, earning a slight nod of approval from Zhu Ganglie. It seemed this man had not been blinded by her beauty.

The fox girl smiled slightly and stepped forward, "My master is always hospitable. Moreover, there are children at home who need to study. We wish to hire the three gentlemen as teachers, with a monthly salary of ten gold pieces."

Hearing this, Liu Sheng and the other scholar breathed a sigh of relief and stepped forward, "Teaching is the duty of scholars. We are willing to go!"

After saying this, they looked at Zhu Ganglie.

Seeing their gazes, Zhu Ganglie smiled and nodded. With his greatly increased strength, he had a more playful attitude and wanted to see what these foxes intended to do.

After the three of them went out, they saw three sedan chairs outside the temple. When they entered the sedan chairs, they felt as if they were flying.

Zhu Ganglie was not surprised. The foxes carrying the sedan chairs flew quickly, covering hundreds of miles. Using his magical power to investigate, he found himself in a vast mountain range.

When they stopped, Zhu Ganglie saw a large manor in front of him. The three of them were invited into a schoolroom where seven or eight children were holding books, eagerly awaiting their arrival.

Zhu Ganglie glanced at them indifferently. These children were all little foxes, their eyes filled with a desire to learn.

This made Zhu Ganglie smile. He did not look down on these foxes, finding it interesting that they were similar to humans in their pursuit of knowledge.

When the three of them appeared, the little foxes greeted them respectfully, like schoolchildren, making Zhu Ganglie like them even more.

After a night, Zhu Ganglie, Liu Sheng, and the other scholar, Wang Sheng, began teaching. The little foxes were no different from human children, equally mischievous and playful. However, their thirst for knowledge was greater, and they did not use their magical abilities to tease the three teachers, instead showing respect and politeness.

"Teacher, in ancient times, were humans and beasts really indistinguishable?"

After class, a little fox named Xiaoruan came to Zhu Ganglie, her eyes filled with curiosity.

Zhu Ganglie understood her meaning and smiled, "Yes, in ancient times, humans were also raw meat eaters, covered in fur, and indistinguishable from apes. Later, they gradually stood upright, ate cooked food, and created writing, becoming humans. As long as one understands reason and etiquette, they are not much different from humans."

As Zhu Ganglie finished speaking, Fox Mu entered, her face filled with joy, "Teacher's words are enlightening, and Mu has learned much!"

"Miss, you flatter me. These are the teachings of the sages. Since I am a teacher, I must uphold their teachings."

Zhu Ganglie smiled, like a true Confucian scholar.

"Teacher, you have been here for some time. You must know that we have long lived in the mountains, far from civilization. To outsiders, we are no different from beasts. I hope you do not fear us."

Fox Mu's expression suddenly changed, and she said, "Please forgive me, Teacher. I have urgent matters to attend to!"

Before she finished speaking, Fox Mu quickly left.

At this moment, Zhu Ganglie's ears twitched, and his Heavenly Ear Power activated. He heard the distant mountains filled with the barking of dogs.

"Tibetan Mastiffs?"

Zhu Ganglie frowned, his eyes narrowing. Through the void, he saw dozens of robust, fur-clad savages with longbows and mastiffs the size of lions slowly approaching from the mountain.

The little foxes in the manor were trembling with fear.

Fox Mu led a group of strong foxes to intercept the savages. Although the foxes tried to block them, they were trembling, making Zhu Ganglie take the savages seriously.

After all, although these foxes were weak in cultivation, they had the ability to transform, and ordinary hunters could not harm them.

Now it seemed that these savages were not ordinary. However, Zhu Ganglie did not sense any magical power from them.

However, after staying here for a few days, he had developed some affection for the foxes. Three magical powers shot out from him, directly attaching to the large mastiffs.

In an instant, the three mastiffs went berserk, biting and killing three of the savages' mastiffs.

With a loud thud, the three mastiffs possessed by Zhu Ganglie were shattered by the savages' fists.

In that moment, Zhu Ganglie felt a strange power surge into the mastiffs, countering his possessed magical power.

"Why does a Daoist master obstruct the Youqiong Clan's hunt for demon foxes?"

The leader of the savages roared, a massive wave of blood energy surging towards Zhu Ganglie's three magical powers.

"I have a connection with these little foxes. Could you show some mercy and spare them?"

One of Zhu Ganglie's magical powers attached to another mastiff, and he spoke.

"Impossible. Our Great Elder was injured by a demon beast and needs the blood of these demon beasts for treatment. We cannot comply. Please leave, Daoist master. We are descendants of an ancient tribe and do not fear you!"

As he spoke, the savage took down his longbow and shot a black arrow formed from the essence of heaven and earth directly at one of Zhu Ganglie's magical powers.

"An ancient tribe?"

Zhu Ganglie's heart stirred, and he took note of the ancient tribe. The ice soul magical power he used flickered, transforming into a smaller天河 (Heavenly River), freezing the black arrow in a massive wave.

Then, two large black skulls flew out of the void, transforming into the Taiyin Golden Centipede and the Flame Phoenix.

"Please leave. I do not wish to cause unnecessary harm. Your strength is insufficient. Tell your tribe that I have Daoist elixirs that can heal your elder, but only those of great worth can obtain them!"

Zhu Ganglie's calm words made the savages' expressions change, especially when they saw the two massive beasts, making them put away their contempt.

"Tomorrow, our tribe will come again!"

The savages coldly snorted and quickly retreated, making Fox Mu and the others overjoyed and relieved.

(Thank you, Star Pain, Qinglian on Dongpo, and Tao Tang Clan for your generous support. During the new book period, I am desperately seeking collections and recommendations. I humbly request your support.)

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