A group of wise ones...
Zhang Jian furrowed his brows. This move would undoubtedly leave the creatures surrounding Haojing with endless lingering harm. With the Dragon Vein Resentful Fiend flowing out, who knows how many living beings would mutate.
However, it does indeed alleviate the pressure of the Daqian Dragon Vein.
Zhang Jian’s gaze shifted towards the surroundings and he spoke calmly.
"Since you’ve invited me here, why don’t you dare to show yourselves?"
Upon hearing this, several strands of Demon Qi shot out from the undergrowth on the mountainside. Moments later, the Demon Qi appeared before Zhang Jian. There were two white and one red fox, the leading red fox transformed in an instant, turning into a voluptuous and fiery young woman clad in red.
"Hong Luan pays respects to the benefactor!"
"Bai Shi, Bai Shiyi pay respects to the benefactor!"
The two white foxes also raised their bodies like humans to bow, their voices soft and tender, seeming quite young.
"Hm!"
Zhang Jian nodded slightly, his gaze falling upon the leading fire fox.
These three Spiritual Foxes were the wild foxes he had casually saved at Princess Qingfeng’s Mansion back in the day.
He had noticed back then that these three Spiritual Foxes had been cultivating for some years and did not have the stench of human flesh on them, so he had given them a thread of vitality.
At this moment, Zhang Jian gestured towards the distant mountain range and said indifferently, "You’ve asked me here probably not for gratitude, but to give me something to do, right?"
Upon hearing this, a playful smile appeared on the face of the leading fire fox Hong Luan, she cupped her hands and spoke respectfully, "Nothing escapes the benefactor’s eyes!"
She sincerely pleaded, "I didn’t intend to disturb the benefactor, but I sent a message to you with the slim hope you might help. We heard that the benefactor possesses Vast Righteous Qi, and Danqing has the power to suppress all evils. Out of desperation, I thought to request the benefactor’s help to save the creatures of this mountain."
As she spoke, she immediately bowed down!
Zhang Jian looked somewhat peculiarly at this red fox.
He replied indifferently, "How can you be so certain that I will save the creatures of this mountain?"
Hong Luan, with her charming posture, bowed again solemnly, "With the benefactor’s Divine Techniques, I’m sure you’ve known about the South Mountain’s anomaly before arriving, and you’re willing to meet us here, which shows your compassion and willingness to save the mountain’s creatures!"
Hearing this, a faint smile appeared at the corner of Zhang Jian’s mouth.
"You sure know how to talk!"
Hearing this, Hong Luan was overjoyed and bowed again with elegance.
"Benefactor, my fox clan’s abode is not far from here. Would the benefactor kindly step into the abode with Hong Luan, where there are inks and brushes prepared, and allow Hong Luan to entertain the benefactor as a token of gratitude for the creatures of the mountain!"
Zhang Jian glanced at the fire fox before him, shaking his head lightly.
"No need to hurry, a mere Resentful Fiend, there’s no need for Treasured Ink, not even my intervention. You can resolve the mountain’s troubles yourself!"
"Me?"
Hearing this, the fox demon was greatly surprised.
Zhang Jian observed the red fox with a smile.
"Indeed, if you step forward and with my guidance, saving the mountain’s creatures might not be difficult!"
"Of course, if you’re unwilling, I won’t force you, just consider my visit in vain!"
He glanced at the red fox, smiling.
"After all, the mountain’s creatures are unrelated to me!"
"This..."
The red fox was momentarily stunned, feeling befuddled. She had invited Zhang Jian hoping the master before her would act and resolve the mountain’s crisis. How did it end up being her responsibility?
Yet Zhang Jian wasn’t wrong, this is her homeland, not his, and he indeed isn’t obligated to save the mountain’s creatures.
Seeing Zhang Jian preparing to leave, the red fox quickly stepped forward.
"Please grant the benefactor’s magic!"
Zhang Jian looked at the red fox, nodding, "I can guide you, but you must understand that entering the special Resentful Fiend with your Dao Practice risks being possessed and having your soul devoured. Are you still willing?"
The red fox knew this well, her eyes showing fear, but seeing Zhang Jian’s stern expression, a trace of difficulty flickered in her gaze.
She had cultivated for hundreds of years, finally achieving human form and Divination Foundation Establishment; naturally, she wouldn’t want to take risks. However, she’s born and raised here, attached to her homeland.
Moreover, once the Resentful Fiend expands, creatures and old friends throughout the mountain might become nothing but bones.
The elderly and young of the Fox Race can’t all leave smoothly!
Zhang Jian’s gaze rested on the red fox.
If the red fox were unwilling, honestly, he would still save them, but it would have nothing to do with this red fox.
Many are like this, asking others for help while overlooking the risks, morally coercing the benefactor, acting is fine, but not acting incurs slander.
Yet when it’s their turn, they behave hesitantly, cramped, ignoring moral condemnation for personal interests.
Zhang Jian disliked such people, or demons.
They lack courage.
The red fox struggled for a moment, then gracefully bowed down again, "Hong Luan is willing!"
Zhang Jian nodded slightly, saying, "Good!"
A faint smile emerged in his gaze!
He opened his palm, revealing a vibrant cyan lotus blooming in his hand, the cyan lotus platform green and dripping, circulating with a profound, sacred aura.
Its leaves shimmered with cyan light, as if possessing the power to pierce Yin and Yang, purify evils, and reincarnate souls!
This was the Soul-Cleansing Cyan Lotus he had perfected for a while.
It was derived from the Soul Purification Spell of the Celestial Venerable of Ten Directions Suffering Relief, capturing a portion of the celestial’s authority, in some ways considered stealing the celestial’s charm, turning public into personal property, but undeniably possessing extraordinary power.
The red fox subconsciously extended her hands to hold this Cyan Lotus.