Chapter 337: An Old Acquaintance
The Tiger God of Mist-Hidden Mountain was such an example, but strangely, He seemed to have no desire for incense offerings.
As for the Fox God… according to the Village Elder, She had, in the last ten years, failed to advance to the Golden Core stage as a wild fox demon cultivator. Her residual soul then turned to the Divine Path.
She managed Her domain with great care. Judging by the number of Her worshippers, She was far stronger than the Tiger God.
If things continued on this path, the Tiger God might eventually be displaced. By then, the Fox God would become the principal Mountain God of Mist-Hidden Mountain, and the Tiger God would be the subordinate.
The focus of Ning Zhuo and Sun Lingtong’s conversation was estimating the power of these two Mountain Gods.
The Tiger God's strength, no matter how formidable, should not exceed the Nascent Soul level. If He truly had Nascent Soul-level strength, His sphere of influence should not be limited to just Mist-Hidden Mountain.
The Fox God's strength, on the other hand, could be estimated with precision. She had been a Foundation Establishment demon cultivator in life and had turned to the Divine Path after failing to reach Golden Core.
In the early stages of this transformation, Her combat power would have been that of a weaker Foundation Establishment cultivator.
But over the years, She had amassed incense offerings in large quantities. With Her own divine position and home ground advantage, Her power had likely risen a level.
By reasonable estimation, the Fox God should now possess Golden Core-level combat strength.
“No need to worry too much,” said Sun Lingtong. “I’m in the late Foundation Establishment stage, and I have the spells of the No-Void Sect at my side. Even against a Golden Core cultivator, I have the ability to escape.”
“Little Zhuo, your own combat power isn’t enough. If a fight breaks out, just release your puppets. Whether it’s the Heavy Armor Blood Ape, Dasheng, the Nether Messenger Qi Bai, or the Breast Butterfly Lady, all possess quasi-Golden Core strength.”
“Not to mention the Buddhist Doctor and Wanli Dragon.”
But Ning Zhuo remained cautious. “Boss, don’t be careless.”
“Don’t forget, we’re in the wild now, not inside a city. Within a city, there’s the suppression of the Puppet Immortal City’s grand formation, which drastically reduces the disparity between cultivation levels. There, we could even exchange a few moves head-on with a Golden Core cultivator.”
“But out here in the wild, without the suppression of a city grand formation, the difference between Golden Core and quasi-Golden Core becomes obvious. Not to mention we’re just Foundation Establishment cultivators.”
“We still need to be cautious.”
Sun Lingtong said carelessly, “You’re overthinking this, Little Zhuo. You’ve lived too cautiously these past ten years.”
“Seizing the Lava Immortal Palace—it’s too difficult for both of us.”
“Relax a bit.”
“For now, we don’t need to consider the Lava Immortal Palace. This is just Mist-Hidden Mountain.”
“Those two are true deities. How could they lash out at us without cause?”
“We’re just here to look for something. We’ve prepared offerings with great care; we’re not here to start a fight.”
“This is a whole different level from the Immortal City of Huoshi—one underground, the other in the heavens.”
“Little Zhuo, you’re too tense. It’s time to relax. Just treat this as a vacation.”
Ning Zhuo was silent for a moment. “A vacation, huh…”
He sighed. “Boss, I hope everything that follows turns out the way you anticipate.”
The next day.
The two, Sun and Ning, bid farewell to the Village Elder and left the mountain village to climb the mountain directly.
As the rising sun cast its light, gentle golden rays filtered through the treetops.
Mountain mist filled the air like milky-white silk, weaving through the verdant pines and cypresses, drifting with the wind—at times gathering, at times dispersing—unpredictable in every way.
The mountain’s green leaves, nourished by the morning dew, appeared especially lush and vibrant. Crystal-clear droplets clung to leaf tips, and as the breeze swept past, the droplets slipped gently off, glinting in the morning light.
Sun and Ning made no effort to conceal their auras. As Foundation Establishment cultivators, they had some presence, enough to drive off many wild beasts and monsters.
By the time they arrived at the Tiger God Temple in the northern mountain, the sun was already high.
The mist had lightened significantly, and the view was much clearer.
Flocks of birds soared freely between the peaks, their calls echoing in the ears. Halfway up the mountain bloomed a field of wildflowers, dazzlingly colorful.
The Tiger God Temple stood with white walls and gray bricks—simple and clean.
The temple’s wooden door was unadorned. Above it hung a plaque bearing the five characters “Night Tiger Mountain God Temple,” the calligraphy forceful and vigorous.
Only after paying their respects did the two push open the doors and enter.
The inner courtyard was empty, save for a large copper incense burner, with traces of moss clinging to it.
They continued onward into the main hall and saw the statue of the Tiger God. With a tiger’s head and a human’s body, He was a muscular man over a zhang tall. His expression was solemn, and His gaze sharp and penetrating.
The wooden incense altar was spotless. A single incense burner rested atop it, along with offerings—fruits and vegetables from the mountain, natural and unadorned.
Murals lined the four walls, depicting the Tiger God protecting forests and expelling evil—vivid and lifelike.
After a brief inspection, Ning Zhuo and Sun Lingtong brought out the prepared deity-inviting incense, lit it, and inserted it into the burner.
They also laid out sacrificial offerings of the three animal kinds—meticulously prepared and of Foundation Establishment grade.
Ning Zhuo stood before the statue, retrieved the ritual text, and recited:
“In the jiachen year, ninth month of autumn, on the xin hai day, in the morning hour—Ning, of no particular talent, respectfully offers the three beasts, incense, candles, and paper money. Having bathed and changed robes, I solemnly bow before the Mountain God Temple.”
“May the Mountain God, with divine might, bless the land, protect the living, and bring favor to all things...”
“...Mountain God, all-knowing, perceiver of past and present, wise to all events of the mountain. Ning has a wish and humbly requests the Mountain God's guidance in recalling old matters of the mountain, and aid in seeking ancestral relics. Hence this offering, begging for divine grace—show us the way with divine power, and bless Ning with a swift discovery.”
“This humble offering, with utmost sincerity, I respectfully present.”
“Ning bows his head and kowtows again!”
As the ritual concluded, a sudden gust swept through the mountain.
Sun and Ning heard a tiger’s roar thunder in their ears.
Immediately after, a spectral form of a tiger-headed man stepped forth from the statue, looming over them. With a single breath, He inhaled the offerings—three beasts and all—into His belly.
The deity-inviting incense also burned to ash in an instant.
Having feasted, the Tiger God turned around slowly, merged back into the statue, and left behind one sentence:
“I’ve taken the offerings. Go find my assistant, the Fox God. Tell Her I said to help you look.”
The specter dissolved into the statue. No further anomaly appeared.
Ning Zhuo and Sun Lingtong looked at each other, speechless.
Helpless, they turned to leave. As they stepped out, the temple doors closed behind them on their own.
Ning Zhuo shook his head and sighed.
Only after they were some distance away did he send a voice transmission to Sun Lingtong. “Didn’t expect the Tiger God to be this lazy. From what I see, He probably hands off daily prayers to His deputy. No wonder the incense offerings are practically monopolized by the Fox God.”
Sun Lingtong placed both hands behind his head. “Hehe, naps when there’s nothing to do, eats when there is, and lets the deputy handle the rest. That lifestyle really is a bit enviable.”
Ning Zhuo said helplessly, “We can only head to the Fox God Temple now.”
The two headed south and soon arrived at their destination.
The temple was built in multiple layers, with grand specifications.
Its main gate stood tall, supported by red lacquered pillars, carved with cloud patterns and auspicious beasts. A massive plaque hung overhead, bearing the five characters “Cloud Fox Fox God Temple,” gleaming in gold and full of majestic presence.
As they entered the main gate, two Fox Guest Runners greeted them. Dressed in daoist robes and walking upright, they bowed politely and took the initiative to lead the two to the incense altar.
In the front hall, four clay statues stood—Centipede Blade and Axe Wielder, Scorpion Spear General, Sharp-Nosed Pangolin, and Snout-Nosed Weasel.
“These are the four guardian generals under our deity,” the Fox Guest Runner explained in a scholarly tone.
Passing through the front hall, they entered the courtyard. On either side stood ancient pine trees, their canopies like pavilions, brimming with vitality.
Looking straight ahead, they saw the main hall, with layered eaves and upturned corners, covered in golden tiles. Wind chimes hung from the rafters, producing music like that of immortals.
Entering the main hall, Sun and Ning saw a grand incense altar. Offerings were exquisite, and incense burners and candle stands were all made of pure gold, intricately crafted. Red candles stood tall on both sides of the altar, their flames flickering, incense curling in the air.
Embroidered paintings adorned the walls, illustrating the Fox God's miraculous interventions and blessings.
Sun Lingtong sent a voice transmission, his tone emotional: “No comparison, no harm, huh?”
Ning Zhuo’s eyes sparkled. “Unity of knowledge and action—truly not false. Today’s experience aligns with the texts. Divine Path cultivation hinges on the hearts of people. When I lead the Ning branch family in the future, I might model after this place.”
Ning Zhuo took out the deity-inviting incense again, along with the sacrificial offerings.
This time, just as he lit the incense, the Fox God’s clay statue stirred and spoke in a gentle voice:
“Two faithful guests, what is it you seek?”
Ning Zhuo laid out his request in full detail.
At the end, he also mentioned the blessing received at the Night Tiger Mountain God Temple.
The Fox God smiled slightly. “Even if Lord Night Tiger had not permitted it, seeing your sincerity, I would still lend my aid. Tell me, what do you wish to find?”
Such a proactive response stood in stark contrast to the Tiger God.
Ning Zhuo replied, “I’m not sure what the specific item looks like. I come from the Ning Family. Sixteen years ago, our family was migrating and got lost in the mountain mists of Mist-Hidden Mountain for several days.”
“What I wish to retrieve are any items the Ning Family might have lost here during that passage. I beg the great Mountain God to grant this favor!”
The Fox God showed a look of recollection. “Sixteen years ago… I remember it clearly. Back then, I was still a Foundation Establishment demon cultivator, training amidst the mountain mists. I was fortunate to receive the help of a Golden Core elder sister. After drinking some Cloud Tea, I comprehended the Dao of Clouds, and my innate power surged.”
“Young man, your aura is very similar to hers. Might you be related to her?”
Ning Zhuo uttered an “ah,” visibly surprised. “My mother’s name is Meng Yaoyin. She must be the person you speak of. I didn’t expect there to be a connection between my mother and the great Fox God.”
The Fox God immediately nodded with joy. “Since you are the child of an old acquaintance, I must help with all my strength! How fares your mother these days?”
Ning Zhuo replied, “She’s traveled afar. I, the junior, have taken on her mission, retracing past routes to collect lost belongings for divination purposes.”
The Fox God nodded. “So that’s how it is.”
“Elder Sister’s grace—Little Fox remembers it to this day…”
“Since it’s her command, I shall now cast a spell to search the entire Mist-Hidden Mountain!”
“Young friend, go to the side hall and rest a bit, and await the news.”
True to Her word, the Fox God began casting at once.
Instantly, the mountain mists thickened visibly, spreading rapidly to blanket the entire Mist-Hidden Mountain.
Sun Lingtong, looking through the window at the dense white fog, sent a heavy-voiced transmission: “This Fox God definitely possesses Golden Core-level power—and it’s quite formidable!”
Ning Zhuo muttered, “I didn’t expect my mother and the Fox God to have shared such a connection. This is great. Once this is over, I must ask her more…”
Before he could finish, the dense mist seeped in through the door and window cracks, pressing in on both Ning Zhuo and Sun Lingtong.
The Fox God’s voice drifted in softly:
“Young friend, your mother once gifted me an item—petal-shaped—that greatly boosted my talent. Since you were sent by her, surely she instructed you to bring it as payment. May I trouble you to offer that petal once more?”