Having figured out the reason, Chen Changsheng prepared to leave. But the fainted fox-eared girl began to stir awake. Discovering the green-furred corpse staring intently at her, she immediately curled up in fear.
"Wuuu! Don't eat me! My meat is sour!"
Amused by her reaction, Chen Changsheng said, "How would you know it's sour without having tasted it? And you look so fresh and tender; the texture must be excellent."
His words made the fox-eared girl even more frantic. "I'm not tender at all! It's just a bit of baby fat! Actually, I'm very skinny, just skin and bones everywhere. If you eat me, you'll definitely find me tough to chew!" As she spoke, she covered her face with her small hands, her fox ears drooping fearfully.
However, after a long wait, the expected pain didn't come. She parted her fingers slightly, peeking through the gaps with her large, round eyes. She saw the green-furred corpse had somehow put on clothes and cleaned some of the fur from its face.
"You... you're not an Immortal Bone?"
Hearing this, Chen Changsheng rolled his eyes. "A corpse that doesn't decay for a hundred years becomes a Jiang. One that remains un-destroyed for a thousand years becomes a Bu Hua Gu. Bu Hua Gu are born from gathering the world's death energy, impervious to water and fire, difficult to harm with blades or swords. They feed on resentment as their strength and consume flesh and blood. If such a legendary omen truly appeared, you probably wouldn't even have scraps left by now."
After confirming the person before her wasn't the legendary Bu Hua Gu, the fox-eared girl immediately performed a grand kowtow, speaking respectfully, "This junior disturbed Senior's secluded cultivation! I beg Senior for forgiveness!"
Looking at the prostrate fox-eared girl, Chen Changsheng initially planned to dismiss her with a few casual words before they went their separate ways. But on second thought, he decided to first extract some information from this simple-minded fox girl. Eighty years ago, he had been randomly teleported here and spent the remaining time building this tomb. He currently knew nothing about the general environment here. Wandering blindly could likely lead to many unnecessary troubles.
Thinking this, Chen Changsheng paused thoughtfully, then spoke, "Why have you come here alone? Where are your clansmen?"
Hearing Chen Changsheng's question, the fox-eared girl promptly replied respectfully, "Answering Senior, this junior drifted here and has no clansmen nearby."
"What year is it now, and what changes have occurred in this place?"
"Currently, it is the 380th year of the Great Qian Dynasty. This area is peaceful and hasn't undergone any major changes. However, this junior has heard that 300 li to the east, a mighty Transformation Spirit expert has appeared at the Shangqing Temple."
Hearing the name "Shangqing Temple," Chen Changsheng immediately searched his memory. Back then, to prevent getting lost after teleportation, he had exhaustively collected many maps. He couldn't claim to know the entire Great Qian Empire, but he knew at least over half of it. If I remember correctly, Shangqing Temple is roughly over a thousand li from Linglong Sect. I didn't expect to teleport this far.
Muttering inwardly, Chen Changsheng spoke, "Considering it was unintentional, I won't hold your unauthorized entry into my cave dwelling against you. You may leave."
"Ah? Senior, I... I can just leave like that?"
The naive fox-eared girl inadvertently voiced her thoughts aloud.
Seeing this, Chen Changsheng said coldly, "What else did you expect?"
"But... in these situations, shouldn't you bestow some opportunity upon me, Senior?"
"Who told you that?"
"The rumors all say so!"
Looking into the fox-eared girl's clear yet foolish eyes, Chen Changsheng felt inwardly amused. They say foxes are extremely cunning, but this is the first time I've seen such a simple-minded one.
"Very well," he conceded. "Since our meeting is fate, I shall grant you some opportunity." He then casually recounted some insights and realizations about the Foundation Building stage. These were insights the little monk Yixiu had discussed with him back in the day. That little monk used to chat with him frequently. Aside from not disclosing the Tianfo Temple's cultivation techniques, Chen Changsheng knew everything about Yixiu—including the fact that he still wet the bed at age five.
After finishing, Chen Changsheng waved his hand. "Our fate ends here. Go. If you appear before me again, your life will not be spared."
"Thank you for your guidance, Senior! Hu Meiniang will never forget your kindness!" After performing another grand kowtow to Chen Changsheng, the fox-eared girl immediately turned and left.
Watching her retreating figure, Chen Changsheng smiled, then chose the opposite direction to depart. Although my defense is high now, my offensive capabilities are practically zero. That means I probably can't even defeat this little fox. If she discovers my weakness, it would be very bad. As for those Foundation Building insights... Chen Changsheng didn't know if they were useful, as he had never reached the Foundation Building stage himself.
Leaving the cave where he had slumbered for eighty years, Chen Changsheng began wandering aimlessly once more. Niansheng was now living her own life and no longer needed his concern. The only thing Chen Changsheng needed to do was find his next objective to pass his long waking years.
...
"Chen Changsheng!"
A roar echoed through the Scripture Library. A formidable man wearing Taoist robes was looking around, seemingly searching for someone.
Hearing the shout, Chen Changsheng, also clad in Taoist robes and looking drowsy, abruptly lifted his head from a pile of books. Recognizing the newcomer, he grinned. "Senior Brother Qingfeng, what brings you here?"
Looking at Chen Changsheng's innocent expression, Qingfeng felt both exasperated and concerned. "Junior Brother Changsheng, you've been at Shangqing Temple for ten years now. In ten years, you're still lingering at the ninth level of Qi Refinement. Do you even want to build your Foundation anymore?"
Hearing this, Chen Changsheng waved his hand dismissively. "Ah, Foundation Building isn't something to rush. Taking it slow isn't necessarily a bad thing. The path of life is so long; it's good to go slowly."
Qingfeng's eye twitched upon hearing this. His Junior Brother Changsheng had arrived at Shangqing Temple ten years ago with a fairly good talent—a High-Grade Wood Spirit Root. Since his arrival, everyone in the temple had doted on this junior brother. He was always cheerful towards everyone, meticulous and patient in his work. He didn't engage in scheming or strive for fame and gain. Every day, he was either reciting Taoist scriptures or devoting himself to cultivation. Such a junior brother would be the beloved treasure of any sect.
However, as time passed, everyone gradually noticed a problem with Junior Brother Changsheng: he was too "patient." With a High-Grade Wood Spirit Root, one could normally build a Foundation within five years at most. Yet, Junior Brother Changsheng had taken a full ten years and still hadn't succeeded.