Chapter 338: Old Friends

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The Tiger God of Misty Mountain is one such example, but strangely, He seems to have no desire for incense offerings.

As for the Fox God... according to the village elder, within the last decade, He, in His identity as a wild fox daemon cultivator, failed to advance to the Golden Core stage. His residual soul then cultivated the divine path.

He has been very diligent in His efforts. From the number of believers, He is far superior to the Tiger God.

If this trend continues, it is likely that the Tiger God will be displaced by Him. At that time, the Fox God will become the true mountain god of Misty Mountain, while the Tiger God will be the vice.

Ning Zhuo and Sun Lingtong's main discussion focused on estimating the strength of these two mountain gods.

The Tiger God's strength, no matter how powerful, should not exceed the Nascent Soul level. If He possessed Nascent Soul level strength, the Tiger God's sphere of influence should not be limited to this Misty Mountain.

The Fox God's strength can be precisely estimated. In His previous life, He was a Foundation Establishment stage daemon cultivator who failed to break through to Golden Core, thus He switched to cultivating the divine path.

In the early stages of cultivating the divine path, His combat strength should be among the weaker ones at the Foundation Establishment level.

However, in recent years, He has extensively gathered incense offerings and is also in His own domain. His combat strength should be estimated to be one level higher.

Based on conventional estimation, the Fox God should possess Golden Core level combat strength.

"Don't worry too much," Sun Lingtong said. "I am at the late Foundation Establishment stage and have the spells of the Boundless Gate to protect me. Even when facing Golden Core cultivators, I have the ability to escape."

"Little Zhuo, your main body's combat strength is insufficient. If a fight truly breaks out, release your constructs. Whether it's Heavy Armored Blood Ape · Grand Victory, Underworld Envoy · Qi Bai, or Milk Butterfly Mother, they all have quasi-Golden Core combat strength."

"Not to mention the Buddhist Physician and the Ten Thousand Miles Roaming Dragon."

Ning Zhuo, however, was very cautious: "Boss, don't be careless."

"Don't forget, we are in the wilderness, not within the city. Within the city, there is the suppression of the Immortal City Array, which significantly reduces the difference in cultivation levels. We can even directly confront Golden Core cultivators for a few moves solely by ourselves."

"But in the wilderness, without the suppression of the Immortal City Array, the gap between Golden Core and quasi-Golden Core will be very obvious. Not to mention Foundation Establishment cultivators like us."

"We still need to be cautious."

Sun Lingtong said nonchalantly: "You're thinking too much, Little Zhuo. For the past ten-odd years, you've had a very difficult time."

"Taking the Lava Immortal Palace is too difficult for both of us."

"Relax a bit."

"We don't need to consider the Lava Immortal Palace for now, this is just Misty Mountain."

"Those two are both true gods, how could they recklessly attack us?"

"We are just looking for something in Misty Mountain and have carefully prepared offerings. We are not here to start a fight."

"This is completely different in difficulty compared to Fire Persimmon Immortal City, one is underground, one is in the sky."

"Little Zhuo, your nerves are too tense, it's time to relax. Just treat it as a vacation."

Ning Zhuo was silent for a moment: "Vacation..."

He sighed: "Boss, I also hope that the subsequent events will unfold as you expect."

The next day.

Sun Ning bid farewell to the village elder, left the mountain village, and directly ascended the mountain.

The rising sun cast its light through the treetops, scattering into a soft golden glow.

Mountain mist filled the air, like milky white ribbons, intertwined among the verdant pine and cypress trees, drifting with the wind, sometimes gathering, sometimes dispersing, ever-changing.

The green leaves in the mountains, nourished by the morning dew, were even more lush and vibrant. Crystal clear dew drops condensed on the tips of the leaves, and as the breeze swept by, the dew drops gently slid down, shimmering with points of light in the morning sun.

Sun Ning did not conceal their aura. Their Foundation Establishment cultivation was considered somewhat respectable, at least enough to scare away many wild beasts and spirits.

By the time the two arrived in front of the Tiger God Temple on the north side of the mountain, the sun had already risen higher.

The mountain mist had thinned considerably, and the view was open.

Flocks of birds flew freely in the mountains, their calls echoing in their ears. Halfway up the mountain, there was a large patch of mountain flowers, colorful and vibrant.

The Tiger God Temple had white walls and gray bricks, simple and clean.

The temple gate was made of wood, plain and unadorned. A plaque hung on the lintel, inscribed with the five characters "Night Tiger Mountain God Temple". The calligraphy was strong and powerful.

After paying their respects, Sun Ning pushed open the door and entered.

Inside the temple courtyard, there was no one. Only a huge bronze incense burner, covered with a little moss.

The two continued forward, entering the temple hall, and saw the Tiger God statue. He had a tiger head and a human body, a burly man. The statue was over a丈 high, with a majestic demeanor and piercing eyes.

The wooden incense table was clean and dust-free. On the table was an incense burner, with several offerings, all fruits and vegetables produced in the mountains, simple and natural.

The four walls were adorned with paintings depicting the Tiger God protecting the forest and driving away evil spirits, the images vivid and lifelike.

After inspecting the place, Ning Zhuo and Sun Lingtong took out the already prepared deity-inviting incense, lit it, and placed it in the incense burner.

They also arranged offerings such as three sacrificial animals. The grade of the offerings reached the Foundation Establishment level, which was also carefully prepared.

Ning Zhuo stood before the divine statue, took out a sacrificial text, and read aloud: "In the year of Jia Chen, the ninth month, the day of Xin Hai, at the hour of Chen Qing. I, Ning Shi, unworthy as I am, have prepared three sacrificial animals, incense, candles, paper money, bathed and changed clothes, and respectfully bowed before the Mountain God Temple."

"We respectfully implore the Mountain God's divine power, who protects one side, safeguards living beings, and bestows favor upon all things..."

"...The Mountain God's divine power, which discerns the past and present, knows the old affairs of the mountain. Ning Shi has a wish, hoping the Mountain God will inform us of the old affairs in the mountain and help us search for ancestral belongings. Therefore, we offer this sacrifice to the Mountain God, humbly requesting compassion, and by divine power, reveal their whereabouts and bless Ning Shi to find them soon."

"We respectfully offer this, and humbly wish for acceptance."

"Ning Shi bows again!"

After reciting the sacrificial text, a sudden mountain wind arose.

Sun Ning heard a tiger's roar by their ears, like thunder exploding.

Immediately, a phantom of a large man with a tiger's head emerged from the statue. He looked down upon the two from above, then opened his mouth and inhaled with infinite suction, drawing the three sacrificial animals and other offerings presented by Ning Zhuo into His belly.

The deity-inviting incense also burned to ashes in an instant.

After a full meal, the Tiger God leisurely turned and merged back into the statue, leaving only one sentence: "I've received the things. Go find my deputy, the Fox God, and tell Him I sent you, and ask Him to help you search."

The phantom quickly merged back into the statue, with no further changes.

Ning Zhuo and Sun Lingtong looked at each other, speechless for a moment.

Unable to do anything else, the two set off to leave. As soon as they stepped out of the temple, the temple gate automatically closed behind them.

Ning Zhuo shook his head and sighed.

When they were far away, he sent a voice transmission to Sun Lingtong: "I didn't expect this Tiger God to be so lazy. In my opinion, it's likely that He has handed over daily prayers to the deputy mountain god. No wonder the Fox God almost exclusively enjoys the incense offerings."

Sun Lingtong put his hands behind his head: "Hehe, sleeping soundly when there's nothing, swallowing offerings when there's something, and letting the deputy do the work. That kind of life is indeed a little enviable."

Ning Zhuo was helpless: "We can only go to the Fox God Temple."

The two went to the south side of the mountain, and soon after, arrived at their destination.

The temple complex was multiple and of high specifications.

The main gate was tall, supported by vermilion columns, carved with cloud patterns and auspicious beasts. A huge plaque hung above it, inscribed with the five characters "Cloud Fox Fox God Temple" in golden light, radiating power and majesty.

As Sun Ning stepped through the main gate, two fox attendants, dressed in Daoist robes and walking upright, stepped forward to bow and proactively guided Sun Ning to enter and offer incense.

Entering the front hall, the two saw four clay statues of divine generals, who were the Centipede Swordsman, the Scorpion Spear General, the Pointy-nosed Pangolin, and the Beak-mouthed Weasel, respectively.

"These are the four guardian divine generals under our God's seat," the fox attendant, who spoke with a refined tone, proactively introduced.

Passing through the front hall and entering the courtyard, Sun Ning saw two ancient pines, one on the left and one on the right, their canopies like pavilions, full of vitality.

Looking straight ahead, they saw the main hall with double eaves and upturned corners, covered with golden tiles. Wind chimes hung, their sound pleasant, like immortal music.

Sun Ning entered the main hall. The incense table in the hall was vast, and the offerings and delicacies on the table, the incense burner and candle holders, were all made of pure gold, exquisitely carved. Red candles stood tall on both sides of the incense table, their light flickering, and incense smoke curling.

The walls of the hall were hung with embroidery and paintings, recounting the legendary stories of the Fox God's divine manifestations and protection.

Sun Lingtong transmitted a voice to Ning Zhuo, his tone filled with emotion: "There is no harm without comparison."

Ning Zhuo's eyes, however, were sparkling: "Knowing and acting are indeed one. This experience today, corresponding to what is recorded in books, makes me feel even more deeply. Cultivation of the divine path focuses on the ebb and flow of people's hearts. In the future, when I lead the Ning clan branch, I can also follow this example."

Ning Zhuo took out the deity-inviting incense and also the three sacrificial animals and other offerings.

This time, he had just lit the deity-inviting incense when the Fox God's clay statue moved and emitted a gentle voice: "Two incense patrons, what do you seek?"

Ning Zhuo then explained his request.

Finally, he also added the promise he had obtained from the true mountain god after offering sacrifices at the Night Tiger Mountain God Temple.

The Fox God smiled slightly: "Even if Lord Night Tiger didn't permit, I, this deity, seeing your sincerity, would still lend a hand. Please tell me what you need to search for."

Such a proactive and cooperative attitude was in stark contrast to the Tiger God.

Ning Zhuo then said: "I am not quite sure what the specific object looks like. I am from the Ning family. Sixteen years ago, when my Ning family migrated and passed through Misty Mountain, we were trapped by the mountain mist for many days."

"What I wish to find is the items that the Ning family's caravan left behind when passing through here. I ask for the Mountain God's fulfillment!"

The Fox God showed a look of recollection: "Sixteen years ago... I have a deep impression. At that time, I was still a Foundation Establishment stage daemon cultivator, honing my talent with the help of the mountain mist. I was fortunate to receive assistance from a Golden Core elder sister and drank some cloud tea, gaining enlightenment about the principles within the clouds, which greatly increased the power of my talent."

"Young man, I perceive your aura to be very similar to that elder sister of mine. May I ask what your relationship is with her?"

Ning Zhuo exclaimed, greatly surprised: "My mother's surname is Meng, and her name is Yao Yin. I fear she is the person the God mentioned. I didn't expect my mother to have had such interactions with the Fox God."

The Fox God immediately nodded, happily saying: "Since you are the child of an old friend, I, this deity, should lend a helping hand even more! How is your mother now..."

Ning Zhuo: "My mother has gone on a long journey. This time, this junior is carrying out my mother's task, which is to collect old items from the past along the way for deduction and calculation."

The Fox God nodded: "So that is the case."

"Elder sister's grace, little fox will never forget..."

"Since it is elder sister's command, I, this deity, will immediately cast a spell to search the entire Misty Mountain!"

"Young friend, please go to the side hall to rest for a while and wait for good news."

The Fox God kept His word and immediately performed the spell.

In an instant, the mountain mist visibly thickened, rapidly spreading, covering the sky and the sun, enveloping the entire Misty Mountain.

Sun Lingtong looked through the window and saw the vast white mist. His voice was solemn as he transmitted: "This Fox God definitely has Golden Core combat strength, and quite formidable at that!"

Ning Zhuo murmured: "I never expected the Fox God to have had interactions with my mother. This is too good. After this matter, I must ask her properly..."

Before he finished speaking, the dense mist, viscous and thick, seeped in through the cracks in the doors and windows, pressing towards Ning Zhuo and Sun Lingtong.

The Fox God's voice drifted faintly: "Young friend, your mother once gave me something in the shape of a petal, which caused my talent to surge. Since you have been ordered to come, you must have been instructed by your mother. Can you perhaps produce the petal again as a reward?"

(End of this chapter)