Family Cultivation: I Become a Mirror

Chapter 285 261 Xu Country News

The fox snickered, clutching its belly and rolling around on the ground before answering,

"He's just a pig-headed fool. What kind of plan could he come up with? Dragging a bunch of demons to a three-day banquet, cursing his heart out. He'd get drunk and pass out, wake up soon after and start cursing again. After they devoured all the stuff in the cave, they all went back to their nests."

Li Tongya was taken aback, unsure whether to laugh or not. He chuckled twice, only to see the fox turn serious and speak earnestly,

"Your Li Family's roots are too righteous, too close to the common folk. It always fills me with doubt and disbelief. They're just insignificant peasants. What does it matter if these demons eat a few of them? Aren't the commoners raised just to be used? If you don't make use of them, their numbers will only grow. Eventually, they'll oppress each other, lacking land and livelihood, and they will curse and hate you... "

"I've stayed on the riverbank for hundreds of years; I've seen a lot. When a family first rises and its power is weak, they treat the commoners better. But once they finish Qi Cultivation and Foundation Establishment, do they care about these people's lives and deaths? Your family, however, has not changed its ways for quite a while... For someone as astute as you, this shouldn't be the case."

The fox babbled on for a while before looking up at Li Tongya, noticing his face growing ugly with a hint of anger, and then slowly shut its mouth, its head shaking hesitantly, as if it wanted to apologize but also felt wronged, merely looking at him.

"Huh..."

Li Tongya sighed, suppressing the discomfort in his heart, and said wearily,

"Taoist Fellow, you've said too much. My younger brother is one for human flesh, and Tongya himself comes from a farming background—I can't bear to hear such things. My family has its own uses for the people we raise; you needn't worry about them."

Although it was a fox demon, it considered Li Tongya a close friend, but in the end, it only really cared about him alone. Seeing Li Tongya not heed the advice, it simply flicked its tail and replied,

"That stupid pig should be coming to see you, asking about the situation here. You'll have to deal with it yourself!"

Li Tongya nodded his thanks, knowing that letting these demons devour his town was out of the question. He already despised the actions of the senior Golden Core cultivators of the Zifu. If he really let go of the town, how would he be any different from those cultivators?

Moreover, the Dharma Mirror required the enhancement of incense to condense Talisman Qi. The more subjects he had, the better. According to the standards stated in the "Sacrificial Method," the Talisman Pills condensed from the incense provided by his people were still too few for Li Tongya's liking, so he certainly wouldn't let go.

Seeing that Li Tongya was confident, the fox could only nod. Li Tongya asked,

"Do you know the state of Xu Country's demons?"

"Xu Country..."

A flicker of fear crossed the fox's eyes as it whispered,

"How could I not know! Buddhism is moving southward, and we demons fear them even more than you Immortal Cultivators!"

Li Tongya arched an eyebrow, and the fox flicked its tail and answered,

"Buddhism has spells. They use some Karma Magic or other, and as soon as they see you, they want to capture you! If they catch you, they'll make you eat vegetarian, and eating vegetarian is just the start. They'll also make you their henchman, calling you things like 'spiritual beasts'... Who wouldn't fear that? Who wouldn't be afraid?"

The fox shook its head, stood up, and continued,

"Don't think we demons of South River still look respectable. As long as we open our spiritual intelligence, refine our collarbone, and reach a certain cultivation level, we can call ourselves brothers with the Immortal Cultivators and address each other as Taoist Fellows and seniors. We can even establish the Sixteen Demon Caves and stand alongside the Three Sects and Seven Doors. Zifu Demon Cultivators can wander the Four Seas and make friends all over... "

The fox paused, then carried on,

"In this Northern region, there is no place for demons to reside. To be a demon is to either die or be enslaved by humans; there is no third path to take. They're all enchained by spells, commandeered as spiritual beasts, trampled underfoot all their lives! If any demon dares to fly through the sky, it matters not if you're good or evil; they will pull you down and convert you!"

Li Tongya, upon hearing these words, also had his eyes opened wide. His heart stirred, and he responded,

"If that is the case, then the demons of Xu Country now lack any backing or power to protect them. My family wishes to venture into Xu Country to capture a demon to bring back, fearing we might violate some taboo."

The fox laughed heartily and waved his hands repeatedly, saying,

"Nowadays, any demon with a bit of background or sense has fled Xu Country. Only those who transformed into demons without a clue have chosen to stay in that place. Buddhism has already swallowed up most of Xu Country, who would still wish to remain?"

"I see."

Li Tongya promptly contemplated a plan. Seeing that the sacrifice of a demon was within reach, his mood also brightened. He could not help but ask another question,

"How is it that as Buddhism pushes south, no great powers have emerged to stop them... It is, after all, a struggle for the Taoist lineage."

The fox shook his head, replying,

"How would I know about your Human Race? You've probably lost."

Li Tongya fell silent. He himself had not even ventured beyond Wangyue Lake and had no right to think so far ahead. He took out some Spirit Rice to express his gratitude. The fox joyfully clutched the big bag, settled down, and began to eat. Only then did Li Tongya bid farewell and rode the wind back to the north.

As for the fox, he sat there for a while, got up humming, and took out two Spirit Stones from within the tree hole. He dabbed them with saliva and mixed them with the Spirit Rice to eat.

————

Li Tongya hurriedly landed atop Lijing Mountain, wrestling with his thoughts. He mused internally,

"This mission must not be known by the Yu Family. Without a Foundation Establishment sitting in power, who knows what mischief Yu Mugao might stir up. A quick there-and-back trip will mean less danger."

"That Foundation Establishment wolf demon has claimed a mountain as king. Its strength must be considerable. If I were to slay this demon, I am confident I could manage. However, to capture it alive alone, I am not sure if I could..."

Li Tongya weighed his options inwardly. Capturing a demon alive was indeed a strange task, and he absolutely could not call upon any Foundation Establishment Cultivator for assistance. For the moment, he was uncertain of the best approach. After a brief consideration, he thought,

"Perhaps I should ask the Dharma Mirror to emerge from seclusion... to subdue the demon..."

Thus, he walked through the courtyard and entered the backyard, where a pure white barrier emerged. Li Tongya performed a spell, and the barrier revealed a narrow opening just wide enough for one person to pass through.

This internal formation was linked with the Xuan Guang Great Formation atop Lijing Mountain. Only a secret technique could unlock it, and scarcely a handful of the Li Family knew of it. Li Tongya stepped into the backyard, where the ground was covered with green stone tiles full of moss traces. The wind had been strong the previous night, and it being autumn, dry leaves were everywhere in the courtyard.

Li Tongya simply swept his sleeve, and the dry leaves instantly piled up neatly. He advanced a few steps, entered the ancestral hall, made sure the incense was well stocked, and then proceeded into the secret chamber of the backyard.

There he saw a grayish-green Mirror resting on a stone platform surrounded by flowing Dharma Light. The Mirror, palm-sized, was quietly suspended in the air. A pale white moonlight flowed down, illuminating the stone chamber with misty clouds, almost like an Immortal Realm.

Li Tongya gently waved his hand, and the Mana lamps in the chamber lit up. After performing a grand bow, he stood up, organized his words, and with a somewhat complex expression looked at the Dharma Mirror before him, respectfully saying,

"Li Clan's offspring Li Tongya, respectfully requests the Dharma Mirror to eliminate demons and vanquish evil, in exchange for the offering of blood..."