Exposed After I became an Immortal

Chapter 40: Xiao Liuzi and Tu Shan Rong’er Advance! Tu Shan Rong’er’s Request!

Old Zhu had exhausted himself for the Ming Dynasty his entire life. He deserved some peace and happiness now. He had chosen his half-brother, Zhu Yunwen, as the Crown Prince, likely unaware that after his death, Zhu Yunwen’s hasty attempts to diminish the power of the vassal kings would plunge the Ming Dynasty into chaos and ultimately cost him the throne.

Zhu Xuanji resolved to make old Zhu understand that human strength alone couldn’t contend with heaven. To truly challenge the heavens, one must cultivate, continuously improve, and survive to create a greater legacy. Otherwise, no matter how well things were arranged, it would all be in vain.

Zhu Xuanji sat on the mountaintop of North Peak throughout the night amidst the wind and snow. He wasn’t just sitting idly; he was cultivating. For Zhu Xuanji, cultivation had become as natural as breathing. He went with the flow, knowing that success would come naturally. In this supreme blessed land, cultivating for three hundred years, he knew that when the system’s protection period ended, he would have to rely entirely on himself to face all the dangers in this world. This sense of urgency drove him to work hard in his cultivation.

The New Year’s wind and snow blew into Zhu Xuanji’s mouth and nose, instantly waking him fully. At that moment, he heard the system’s prompt in his ear:

[Ding! Congratulations, host! The monkey Xiao Liuzi you enlightened has successfully advanced to the lower grade of the Body Transformation Stage! You have successfully obtained the enlightenment reward – Sun Shooting Bow, Moon Chasing Arrow, Star Pattern Steel, Demon Companion Grass Seeds, Ten Directions Elephant Armor Technique!]

[Sun Shooting Bow: legend says, was transformed from the body of Pangu’s ninth generation ancestor, possessing the marvelous skill of nine consecutive shots, its power is extraordinary, even without arrows, it can injure people.]

[Moon Chasing Arrow: this arrow has the effect of tracking and locking onto living beings. Once it is shot, it will not return without drawing blood. Paired with the Sun Shooting Bow, its power is unrivaled, capable of killing celestial beings!]

[Star Pattern Steel: an essential material for forging divine weapons.]

[Demon Companion Grass Seeds: an ordinary spiritual grass without any special effects.]

[Ten Directions Elephant Armor Technique: a defensive technique. When cultivated to perfection, the body becomes tough and thick-skinned, able to withstand attacks from ten directions.]

Hmm? Xiao Liuzi has advanced? Good fellow! Finally! Xiao Liuzi is one I have carefully nurtured, and this little guy is very perceptive. Now, he has finally advanced! Zhu Xuanji thought to himself with satisfaction.

Huh? This time I’ve gotten quite a few treasures. Sun Shooting Bow! Moon Chasing Arrow! These are great items! New year, new fortune! On the first day of the new year, there’s an advancement reward. This is a good omen.

While Zhu Xuanji was in high spirits, he heard another series of system prompts:

[Ding! Congratulations, host, the white fox Tu Shan Rong’er you enlightened has successfully advanced to the lower grade of the Bod y Transformation stage! You have successfully obtained the reward – Artifact Refining Manual, Enlightenment Tea Tree, Blood Flying Swallow Seeds, Soul Nourishing Grass Seeds, Intermediate Enlightenment Technique!]

[Artifact Refining Manual: a manual on artifact refining, recording various artifact refining methods and materials.]

[Enlightenment Tea Tree: the tea leaves produced by the Enlightenment Tea Tree can increase the chance of enlightenment when consumed.]

[Blood Flying Swallow Seeds: seeds of the precious herb Blood Flying Swallow. When matured, they resemble flying swallows and can improve a person’s physique.]

[Soul Nourishing Grass: a rare grass that can nourish the soul.]

[Intermediate Enlightenment Technique: the advanced version of the Basic Enlightenment Technique. Cultivating this technique can greatly develop the intelligence of those enlightened.]

“Great! Double advancement! Wonderful! Truly wonderful!” Zhu Xuanji marveled. “I didn’t expect Tu Shan Rong’er to advance as well. The speed of Tu Shan Rong’er’s advancement indeed exceeds my expectations. I thought it would take at least ten years for her to advance! I didn’t expect it to be just a few short years! Sure enough, she lives up to the name of the Tu Shan white fox with a heavenly fox bloodline.”

As Zhu Xuanji pondered, he realized, “The rewards keep coming. Intermediate Enlightenment Technique, finally here! However, Xiao Liuzi and Tu Shan Rong’er advancing together today might be due to the spiritual fruits and rice they ate last night, reaching a certain accumulation and naturally advancing?”

After understanding everything, Zhu Xuanji collected himself and headed towards Yunmeng Dao Pavilion. As soon as he returned, he saw the white fox Tu Shan Rong’er leading four red foxes to the pavilion. Upon arrival, Tu Shan Rong’er and the four red foxes knelt before Zhu Xuanji.

“Tu Shan Rong’er thanks Realized Being for the enlightenment. I humbly request Realized Being’s favor—to enlighten Xiao Lu, Xiao Chi, Xiao Ya, and Xiao Wan. Tu Shan Rong’er would be eternally grateful!”

Xiao Lu, Xiao Chi, Xiao Ya, and Xiao Wan were the four red foxes behind Tu Shan Rong’er. Upon hearing her request, Zhu Xuanji showed a bit of surprise. While enlightening spiritual beings wasn’t difficult for him now, and he had focused on quality over quantity in doing so, he knew that once enlightened, these foxes would face many challenges.

“Rong’er, you know that once enlightened, Xiao Lu, Xiao Chi, Xiao Ya, and Xiao Wan will no longer be ordinary red foxes. In the future, they may face various trials and tribulations to progress step by step. And their aptitude is far inferior to yours. Even if enlightened, their achievements may not be significant. Are you sure?” Zhu Xuanji looked at Tu Shan Rong’er with a calm demeanor.