Xiao Mei spoke excitedly.
The prediction of Xiao Mei's strength was already evident when she left.
It was normal for her cultivation to skyrocket after consuming the inner core of the corpse cat.
Now that Xiao Mei was guiding us, our journey had become much smoother and more straightforward.
Xiao Mei also asked us how we found our way.
She mentioned the dense poisonous miasma surrounding the outer areas of Fox Mountain and expressed surprise that we were unharmed.
Upon hearing this, the few of us exchanged glances.
When we arrived, we were guided by a yellow fox, and we never encountered any poisonous miasma.
So, we recounted our previous encounter to Xiao Mei.
Hearing this, Xiao Mei finally understood the reason.
With a fox clan member guiding them, avoiding the poisonous miasma and reaching Fox Mountain was not surprising.
We walked forward as we chatted.
At the same time, Xiao Mei told us:
"You've arrived at just the right time. Today is the day our Bashan Fox Clan and the Lianghu Mountain Fox Clan celebrate the birthday of Empress Daji. Many immortals are gathered, and it's very lively."
As soon as Xiao Mei finished speaking, the expressions of myself, Old Mo, and Martial Uncle subtly changed.
Especially mine and Old Mo's.
Lianghu Mountain Fox Clan?
We had killed a fox demon in Lijia Village outside Wudang Mountain.
At that time, the fox demon claimed to be from the Zhuo Yue Cave of Lianghu Mountain.
It also said that if we killed him, the foxes of Zhuo Yue Cave would haunt me and Old Mo for the rest of our lives.
After that incident, we told Martial Uncle the whole story.
We didn't think much of it afterward.
Unexpectedly, today we heard about the fox clan from Lianghu Mountain again.
So, I asked for more information:
"Xiao Mei, are they from the Zhuo Yue Cave of Lianghu Mountain?"
Xiao Mei was startled:
"Qin Ze, you know about them too? The Zhuo Yue Cave of Lianghu Mountain is the second largest fox clan in the south, after our Fox Mountain Fox Clan.
Moreover, we have been intermarrying for generations and have a deep relationship.
Every five years, representatives from Zhuo Yue Cave come to jointly worship Empress Daji."
It was unexpected that the fox clan from Zhuo Yue Cave and the fox clan from Fox Mountain had such a connection.
But it didn't matter; the fox demon had done evil, so killing it was justified.
As for the fox clan worshiping Empress Daji, this was the first time I had heard of it.
But I didn't ask. Old Mo asked beside me:
"Xiao Mei, the Empress Daji you're referring to, is she the consort of King Zhou of Shang, Daji?"
Xiao Mei nodded:
"Yes, Great-Grandmother said.
Empress Daji was the wife of Emperor Xin, the last Human Emperor of your human race, King Zhou of Shang.
She is also the ancestor and supreme deity worshiped by our fox clan."
Xiao Mei spoke earnestly.
Upon hearing this, Old Mo and I both adopted a more serious demeanor.
So, the fox clan also worshiped a supreme deity.
However, in various books and interpretations, Daji's reputation was not very good.
Some said she was a femme fatale who killed loyal ministers and caused chaos in the world.
But some also said that she was merely acting under orders, at the command of Empress Nuwa to bring about the downfall of the Shang Dynasty, thereby breaking Emperor Xin's Nine-Dragon Emperor's Qi.
It was also said that Daji, as a great demon, was willing to immolate herself with Emperor Xin on Lutai at the last moment.
Her refusal to be enshrined after death showed her true affection for Emperor Xin.
However, the victors attributed all the blame and negative reputations to her.
But these were all ancient myths, and no one could ascertain the truth.
It was unexpected that for thousands of years, the fox clan had been worshiping Daji.
I also wanted to see what the fox clan's worship ceremony was like.
How did the worship ceremonies of demons differ from those of humans.
Not long after, we emerged from the river valley.
Ahead lay a not-so-wide small river, with several towering trees spanning across it.
These were colossal trees, requiring six or seven people to encircle, slightly leaning towards the river.
The extended branches formed a natural wooden bridge.
We climbed the large trees and crossed the river along the trunks.
Upon reaching the other side of the river, we had truly arrived at the foot of Fox Mountain.
Fox Mountain towered, lush and green, with demon energy emanating to the heavens.
Yet, spiritual energy also surrounded it, incredibly dense.
It was comparable to a blessed Daoist land like Wudang Mountain.
At the foot of the mountain were foxes, large and small, running about.
Some foxes inhaled and exhaled, absorbing spiritual power.
Others played joyfully, constantly chasing each other.
Xiao Mei pointed to Fox Mountain:
"We've arrived, this is our Fox Mountain. We have lived here for generations. In two hundred years, you are the only humans to have visited."
The three of us were quite fortunate.
We nodded and smiled, then followed Xiao Mei up the mountain.
Within the mountain were various caves, all of which were dwellings for foxes.
The location that Mother Fox had mentioned was the Fox Immortal Cave on the mountainside.
After half an hour, we reached the mountainside.
We saw the Fox Immortal Cave.
In front of the Fox Immortal Cave, large and small foxes were already standing densely.
Although they had not manifested human forms, each one radiated demonic light, emitting a strong aura of demon energy.
They were not afraid of us and simply looked up at us.
Above the cave entrance, the words "Fox Immortal Cave" were inscribed in strange ancient characters.
Upon arriving here, Xiao Mei spoke to the three of us again:
"Qin Ze, wait for me here. I will go and report!"
"Thank you, Xiao Mei!"
Martial Uncle said with clasped fists.
"Yes, alright!"
"We'll wait for you!"
The three of us responded.
Xiao Mei did not hesitate, transforming once more into a four-tailed white fox, and quickly ran into the mountain cave.
We obediently waited at the entrance.
Among the dozens of foxes before us, several possessed very strong demonic energy.
Although they did not overtly display it,
We could clearly sense that those few foxes were absolutely top-tier demons in the mountain.
Therefore, we remained obedient and did not light any cigarettes.
Just then, several foxes cautiously approached us from the sides.
They twitched their noses and sniffed at us with soft "huff huff huff" sounds.
I and Old Mo were particularly focused on by their sniffing.
We hadn't paid much attention earlier.
We merely thought they were curiously sniffing a few times.
However, those few foxes then quickly ran away.
When they returned, from another direction, twenty to thirty foxes were running towards us in a dense group.
The leader was an even more striking fox with patchy white fur, exuding potent demon energy.
Even from afar, one could feel it.
Sensing the dense demon energy, we all looked over.
Seeing twenty to thirty foxes approaching, we didn't know what they intended.
We simply watched silently.
But as they drew closer, these twenty to thirty foxes all transformed, shifting into human forms.
Men and women, all quite handsome.
However, their gazes towards us were filled with ferocity and anger.
Martial Uncle frowned slightly at the sight:
"Be careful!"
Hearing Martial Uncle's reminder, Old Mo and I also became serious.
With that expression and posture, the approaching group meant no good.
The leader was an elder fox demon.
He appeared to be in his fifties, wearing white and yellow clothing.
As soon as he transformed, he spoke in a low, angry voice:
"What I sought with great effort and found unexpectedly, today I have finally found the killer of my son..."