Exposed After I became an Immortal

Chapter 36: Educating the Little Foxes in the Cave Study, Everyone’s Astonishment!

…

“Heaven and Earth were not yet formed, shrouded in darkness and obscurity … Merged into one, tranquil and clear … The heavy and murky formed the Earth, the pure and subtle formed the Heaven …”

Squeak squeak squeak!

Squeak squeak squeak squeak …

Amidst the sound of clear recitation, there were continuous “squeak squeak” sounds. At this moment, upon hearing the sound of clear recitation accompanied by the strange “squeak squeak” noises, the group showed a hint of puzzlement. Zhu Biao, confused, turned to Zhu Xuanji and asked, “Xuanji! When did a child come to Xiaomaoshan? And they’re reading in this cave?”

Liu Bowen and his disciple Shan Tianxie also looked at Zhu Xuanji with slight confusion. The clear sound of recitation deep within Xiaomaoshan felt a bit eerie, especially in this secluded mountain. Hearing a child’s voice reading was already unusual, but the accompanying “squeak squeak” sound made it even stranger. It was perplexing and abnormal.

Only Zhu Xuanji smiled faintly and said, “Gentlemen, please follow this poor Daoist!” He then led the group into the cave.

Soon, they reached the inside of the cave, where they saw a scene that left them astonished—little foxes were reading aloud!

Inside the cave, the white fox Tu Shan Rong’er sat at a table, holding a book in her two fox paws, teaching four red foxes to read. The clear voice they had heard was coming from Tu Shan Rong’er, while the “squeak squeak” sounds were coming from the mouths of the four red foxes.

This scene left Zhu Biao and the others extremely astonished. However, Zhu Xuanji simply laughed.

Zhu Biao exclaimed, “It’s one thing for a white fox to be literate, but teaching her kin to read? The fox tribe reading human books! Truly unheard of, unseen! A marvelous tale! This is truly one of the rarest wonders under heaven!”

Liu Bowen also expressed his amazement, “Indeed! Truly unexpected! Who would have thought that in these deep mountains, such a spectacular scene exists!”

Shan Tianxie was equally stunned. At this moment, Zhu Xuanji stepped forward and smiled at Tu Shan Rong’er, who was teaching the four red foxes. “Rong’er! This poor Daoist has arrived and brought a few friends!”

Upon seeing Zhu Xuanji, Tu Shan Rong’er immediately stood up, placed the book down, and bowed to him. “The Realized Being has arrived! Rong’er failed to greet you from afar!”

Zhu Biao, Liu Bowen, and Shan Tianxie were amazed at how human-like the white fox’s behavior was. For a moment, they were deeply impressed.

Liu Bowen said, “I once read in ancient books that in ancient times, the fox tribe understood human nature, learned literature, and comprehended principles. I always thought it was just a rural legend, not to be taken seriously. But today, seeing this white fox, I realize the ancients’ words were not false!”

Zhu Biao, having a flash of insight, exclaimed, “Could it be that this white fox was also enlightened by Xuanji?”

At this time, Zhu Xuanji addressed Tu Shan Rong’er, “Rong’er, my friends here are all scholars with vast knowledge! In the future, they may often come here! If you have any questions, feel free to ask them!”

Zhu Xuanji then introduced Zhu Biao, Liu Bowen, and Shan Tianxie to Tu Shan Rong’er. The white fox Tu Shan Rong’er quickly greeted the three of them one by one. Zhu Biao and the others found it incredibly novel, especially since Tu Shan Rong’er spoke with the grace and poise of a well-bred young lady. If not for her fox form, just by listening to her voice, one would never guess she was a fox! This was completely different from the way Da Huang and Xiao Liuzi talked, as they couldn’t escape their true animal natures when they spoke and moved. But Tu Shan Rong’er was human-like in every way.

“The Realized Being came today, is it to borrow books from this cave?” Tu Shan Rong’er asked Zhu Xuanji.

Zhu Xuanji nodded immediately. “That’s right! Today, I happened to have some free time, so I came to take a look at the books in the cave! My friends heard that there are thirty thousand volumes left by Realized Being Ziwei in the cave, and they all wanted to come and see!”

The white fox Tu Shan Rong’er immediately responded, “Then please, everyone! Feel free to browse the books in this cave, as long as they are not damaged.”

Zhu Xuanji nodded slightly and pointed to the bookshelf, saying to the three of them, “Everyone, these books were left by Realized Being Ziwei in the past. Some may be unique copies, so please be careful when browsing.”

The three were all book lovers and naturally did not object. The next period was a quiet reading time. Liu Bowen, looking at the thirty thousand volumes, randomly browsed through a few, his face showing excitement.

“This is ‘The Miscellaneous Records of Liu Han!’ It was written by Hermit Liu Han* nine hundred years ago! I thought it was lost! Unexpectedly, it was preserved here! And this ‘The Transformation of Dragons in the Void,’ it is said that it contains the technique of transforming into a dragon! Who knows if it’s true or not! Wonderful, truly wonderful! Who would have thought, in this mountain wilderness, there is such a paradise of books! Truly marvelous!”

[*”Shanren” literally translates to “mountain person,” and it often refers to someone who lives a secluded life in the mountains, away from society. This can imply a hermit or a recluse who has chosen to live in nature, often for spiritual or personal reasons.]

In the days that followed, almost every day, Zhu Xuanji and the others would come to the cave to read. As time went by, everyone became familiar with the little foxes, and the little foxes were no longer afraid of Zhu Xuanji and the others. Zhu Xuanji, as per his previous agreement with Tu Shan Rong’er, would occasionally explain some of the principles and great meanings in the books to the little foxes and Tu Shan Rong’er.

Later on, it wasn’t just Zhu Xuanji giving lectures—Liu Bowen would lecture as well! Zhu Biao would lecture too! Even Shan Tianxie would share his knowledge!

In the blink of an eye, three months passed! Liu Bowen unknowingly stayed on Zhongshan for three months, and these three months were some of the most memorable of his life. Since he started practicing in the world, he had never felt so happy! This place was truly joyful—a sanctuary where worldly wealth was forgotten!

But, as life always has surprises, on this day, while reading to the little foxes in the cave, Liu Bowen suddenly started trembling all over! His vision went black, and he fell backward!