The people of Burning Incense Valley below were staring in despair at the completely vanished Profound Fire Altar. Both Shangguan Ce and Yun Yilan were ashen-faced, practically contemplating murder. But they couldn't even find the enemy.
The key issue is that the collapse of the Xuanhuo Altar resulted in losses far beyond just the Nine-Tailed Fox and a volcano. The previous volcanic eruption had swept away dozens of elite disciples. Under such immense power, even Yun Yilan and Shangguan Ce could only rescue a dozen or so disciples. The rest were reduced to ashes in the eruption.
...
After leaving Incense Valley, Lu Xuan and the white fox stopped on a hillside. Lu Xuan formed hand seals and cast a wood-based spell, causing the surrounding vegetation to grow rapidly. In just a few breaths, a small hut was built. Afterward, Lu Xuan took out a few pieces of clothing and threw them to the white fox, who had already transformed into human form.
"You're really thoughtful!"
The white fox was astonished by Lu Xuan's exquisite magic. His address was directly changed to "True Person." This wasn't a title one could easily obtain, especially since it came from the mouth of a nine-tailed celestial fox.
The white fox quickly changed its clothes and came out. Lu Xuan then turned around and faced the nine-tailed celestial fox in its human form for the first time.
Here we must use the description from the original work.
Her figure was graceful and slender, and even ill-fitting clothes couldn't conceal her beautiful curves. The clothes were a bit too big for her, draped over her shoulders and buttoned up, yet they still couldn't hide the glimpses of fair skin peeking out from the gaps. In the darkness of the night, they seemed to exude a subtle, alluring charm.
Her lips were soft, her eyes alluring, her nose delicate, and her eyebrows graceful. Her appearance was like gentle waves flowing to embrace you, captivating you; it was also like a timeless beauty, enduring wind and snow, yet growing ever more radiant and beautiful.
A hint of amazement flashed in Lu Xuan's eyes. But it was just amazement; he had seen plenty of beautiful women, many at home. He even had two vixens. Besides, with his cultivation level at this stage, he naturally wouldn't be easily swayed by external forces.
"Thank you for saving me, Master." The white fox bowed gently. Her soft, sweet voice was extremely pleasant to listen to.
"No need to thank me, I just pity you as the only nine-tailed fox spirit in this world."
"But is this genuine pity from a major sect like the Incense Valley, with whom they have a long-standing feud?"
"I was originally planning to settle scores with Burning Incense Valley. These guys are hiding deep in these mountains, but they just won't stay put. Do you know what they're plotting?"
Xiao Bai thought for a moment, then said with a hint of surprise.
"Could it be the power of the Beast God?"
"So you knew all along."
"The longer you live, the more you know. If Burning Incense Valley is really plotting to seize the power of the Beast God, then it wouldn't be an exaggeration to wipe them out completely. Few people in this world have witnessed the terror of the Beast God, but I have. Such a thing shouldn't exist in the human world."
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Chapter 448 Ancient Tales (Part 2)
Lu Xuan had previously assessed the combat strength of this world, and after several trials, he was basically certain. The Beast God was probably his only opponent in this world, although Linglong would also be considered an opponent if she were resurrected.
What's most dangerous is that the Beast God is an aggregate of the malevolent energy of heaven and earth. It's unknown what methods Linglong used to imbue it with intelligence. But this means that this creature is impossible to tame. Its very essence is inherently destructive. Lu Xuan can be indifferent to anything that happens in this world. But the Beast God is not among them.
Because once this thing appears, it will be a catastrophe of world-ending magnitude.
"What do you know about the Beast God?"
"Not many. Since Linglong's death, probably no one has known how it came to be. However, the Eight Fiends Profound Fire Formation should be able to restrain it. Not the one from Burning Incense Valley, but the complete version of the Eight Fiends Profound Fire Formation. Besides, the Immortal Execution Sword from Qingyun Sect should also be able to."
The information about the white fox was roughly the same as what Lu Xuan knew. He thought for a moment and then asked.
"Did the shrine maiden Linglong leave behind any legacy?"
"...I'm not sure about that, but I know that the Incense Valley's heritage is inextricably linked to its witchcraft. However, it doesn't seem to be complete. At least they haven't obtained the complete Eight Fiends Profound Fire Formation, and they can't even truly manipulate that formation."
“I sensed that too. They must have received a portion of the inheritance. No wonder they never mention the origin of their sect. It doesn’t feel like they obtained it through any honorable means.”
"Given the style of this sect, it is indeed possible."
"Alright, if you remember the Southern Frontier branch, take me on a tour. We'll try to find Linglong's legacy. Afterward, we'll return to my sect, where you should be able to see your son."
"I will obey your orders, Master." The white fox bowed slightly again.
In the vast mountains of southern Xinjiang, numerous small tribes live in the valleys. Almost every tribe's shaman possesses one or two unique magical arts.
Lu Xuan and Bai Hu were both at the pinnacle of cultivation in this world. Naturally, they were unafraid of the various dangers lurking in the Hundred Thousand Mountains. The two easily overcame numerous difficulties that were almost insurmountable for ordinary people and found the small tribes hidden in the mountains.
After a friendly exchange, Lu Xuan quickly obtained a large number of trivial witchcraft inheritances.
After synthesizing these witchcraft spells, Lu Xuan finally discovered a truth. These simple spells were all derived from more complex ones. He even found a spell for summoning spirits within them. However, this spell was merely a part of a larger, more complex spell.
Lu Xuan was basically certain that the witchcraft circulating in these small tribes was essentially the witchcraft inherited from Linglong. However, even though Lu Xuan had collected witchcraft from hundreds of small tribes, these things were still very incomplete. Finding the complete method for creating the beast god from them was almost impossible.
Lu Xuan guessed that the other part of the inheritance should have fallen into the hands of the Incense Valley. However, this was also incomplete, otherwise they should have already created their own Beast God, or resurrected the former Beast God.
Lu Xuan needed a complete world to deduce his various cultivation techniques and supernatural abilities, preparing for his breakthrough to the Golden Core stage. Therefore, the Beast God was either dead or under his control; letting it act on its own was impossible.
"To obtain the complete version of Linglong's witchcraft, we need to obtain the other half of Burning Incense Valley." After studying for a long time, Xiaobai could only come to the same conclusion as Lu Xuan.
"No, we have another option. Let's ask Linglong herself."
Linglong was certainly dead, but Lu Xuan knew that a cultivator of her level would inevitably have some backup plans.
There are hundreds of tribes of varying sizes in southern Xinjiang. However, there are five largest tribes: the Miao, Li, Zhuang, Tu, and Gaoshan ethnic groups.
Lu Xuan and his companion found the current high priest of the Miao tribe and inquired about the witch Linglong and the beast god.
The shrewd and experienced shaman had long ago discerned that neither of the two men before him was someone the Miao people could afford to offend. Therefore, he cooperated readily.
The story begins in a very ancient era.
"At that time, our five tribes were still of one lineage and were called the Witch Clan. According to legend, in ancient times, the ancient Witch Clan managed the southern border and was very powerful. The clan produced many extraordinary people with profound witchcraft, among whom the witch goddesses who served the witch god in each generation were the most powerful in witchcraft."
"The so-called Witch Queen is a virgin chosen from each generation of the ancient witch clan, possessing the highest innate spiritual power. She serves the witch god at the altar, studies witchcraft, and leads all the members of the witch clan. This continued for many, many years..."
The old wizard's tone was melancholic, carrying a strong sense of age.