Yellow Wolf Taught the Moon-Gathering Method at Night

On the earthen mound, the one speaking was Fang Shu.

Seeing the weasel Daoist's disappointed expression, as if it were about to rise and leave, he finally stepped forward to speak.

The weasel Daoist looked over at the sound, its gaze studying Fang Shu with interest.

The monsters all around also craned their heads to look over, chattering among themselves.

Fortunately, the Daoist was not displeased. After examining him, it merely laughed and scolded:

"You fox-head, why refuse to study the Great Dao and insist on learning petty tricks instead?"

Fang Shu rose and bowed to the weasel Daoist.

He did not argue, only said:

"Reporting to you, sir, the Great Dao must naturally be learned, and petty tricks must be learned as well. This student wants them all."

The weasel Daoist's long brows twitched. It pinched at its brows and half-closed its eyes, looking as though it could not be bothered to look at Fang Shu.

The monsters' discussion grew louder, and some even rebuked Fang Shu:

"Outsider fox, how greedy you are! Just asking sir to explain it once more would be enough. How can you demand more?"

Other monsters wagged their tails and fawned. "Exactly, exactly. Sir, we aren't greedy. Just explain what you said earlier again."

Though the monsters discussed him, Fang Shu did not grow angry. He merely lowered his head and waited for the Daoist to speak.

At last, the weasel Daoist narrowed its eyes and examined him.

"I'll ask you only one question. If you can answer it, answer. If you cannot, then let it go."

Fang Shu bowed respectfully. "Please speak, sir."

The Daoist shook its head as it pointed at the monsters scattered across the ground.

"The Three-Six Elixir Method does indeed sound rather difficult at first. This old man also finds the division of immortals into six ranks somewhat tongue-twisting and hard to remember.

"If you understood it, why not explain it simply to everyone? Can you do that?"

The monsters that had still been laughing slowly quieted down and secretly looked toward Fang Shu.

Fang Shu considered it, then nodded. "I can."

He immediately clasped his paws and spoke.

"Brothers, since the Three-Six Elixir Method is hard to remember, then don't remember it. You only need know that three times six is eighteen. Cultivation has eighteen tribulations in all. Cultivate step by step and cross those tribulations, and you can live forever, your lifespan equal to heaven's.

"As for the six ranks of immortals, refining essence, refining qi, and all the rest—when all is said and done, they are all immortal cultivators.

"We can simply call them First-Tribulation Immortals, Second-Tribulation Immortals, all the way to Eighteenth-Tribulation Immortals. The higher the tribulation count, the more formidable they are. That division will do."

Before Fang Shu had even finished his simple explanation and the weasel Daoist could respond, monsters were already crying out in realization.

"So that's how it is!"

"Exactly, exactly! They're all immortals, so naturally the bigger ones are stronger. Who cares whether they're human or immortal!"

The monsters, half-understanding or not understanding at all, acted as though they had heard the truth of the Great Dao. Every last one of them leaped about in excitement, babbling away.

The weasel Daoist opened its eyes. It looked at Fang Shu, then at the monsters rolling around nearby, and sighed.

"Very well, very well." The Daoist shook its head.

It did not comment on Fang Shu's answer. Instead, it suddenly raised a hand and pointed at the bright moon in the night sky.

"Look."

The monsters stopped their frolicking and followed its gesture.

The Daoist's furry, pointed snout suddenly tilted upward, drawing in a breath toward the moon it had indicated.

In an instant.

The moon trembled with a rustling shiver. Like falling snow, flakes of moonlight drifted down and landed upon the Daoist's body.

Moonlight splashed across the stones, sparse as lingering snow.

At this sight, all the monsters, Fang Shu included, held their breath unconsciously and stared wide-eyed.

The weasel Daoist said with a smile, "What are you all standing there for? Open your mouths. Breathe in deep, breathe out deep. Come, feast on this moonlight I've drawn down."

At the reminder, Fang Shu immediately came to his senses.

He stopped holding his breath and began inhaling and exhaling in great mouthfuls.

Hiss, hiss! The moonlight on the Daoist's body immediately melted away like ice and snow beneath the sun, turning into wisps of white vapor that were drawn into the chests and bellies of those listening to the lecture.

The moment the moonlight entered his mouth, Fang Shu felt his mind clear. His heart and chest turned cool, as though he stood in late autumn, his heart like clear ice. The Dao Register within him showed no abnormality.

"All creatures of the demon kind are born by gathering qi.

"On the nights of Gengshen, when moonlight shines, Imperial Dew may occasionally descend. It takes the form of countless olives strung together by ten thousand golden threads, hanging down into the mortal world. Whoever receives its essence can become a demon."

The weasel Daoist chanted:

"When demons first step onto the path of cultivation, most begin by consuming moonlight. Today, I shall teach you this method of gathering the moon, consuming it, and breathing it in. It can draw moonlight into the body and accumulate demonic qi.

"If one day you can make moonlight fall like flakes of snow, then you will have entered the Dao and refined essence, becoming what is called a 'Human Immortal.' If you can make moonlight pour into your body as though from an overturned bag, then you will have stepped into qi refinement, becoming what is called a 'Spirit Immortal.'"

It paused, then said smilingly, "Of course, you may also call them First-Tribulation Immortals and Fourth-Tribulation Immortals."

Cultivation lay right before their eyes.

The monsters present grew even more excited, each seeming to have gone into heat, restless beyond measure, their faces flushed and eyes red.

"Immortals! Cultivation!"

Yet amid their excitement, a small number of monsters restrained their joy.

Fang Shu was one, as was the rabbit demon from before. Neither lost focus. Both seized the chance to listen while greedily inhaling and exhaling the moonlight qi drifting around them.

The weasel Daoist cast a few glances over the gathering. Its voice was leisurely as it continued.

"This method is crude, but it is sufficient for you. Listen carefully.

"Hold a bright moon in your mind, keep your spiritual altar clear for three inches. Inhale and exhale through mouth and nose, move the breath through your belly, clack your teeth like beating drums, spray out breath until it turns white..."

The monsters quieted. Slowly, they began to imitate the Daoist's instructions. Some lifted their heads, some craned their necks, breathing and circulating qi toward the moon in the night sky, gritting their teeth and clacking them together.

Yet the moon in the night sky did not send down any moonlight. It remained motionless, utterly unaffected by the monsters.

However, the moonlight on the weasel Daoist's body dispersed strand by strand and indeed came at their summons, each wisp slipping into the monsters' bodies and leaving their faces peaceful, as though in meditation.

Having gained the specific breathing steps, Fang Shu inhaled and exhaled. Because he had seized the initiative and had also practiced spells before, he surpassed the monsters around him.

His exhaled breath was like frost. Fine wisps of white qi, like tiny snakes or insects, drifted in and out between his mouth and nose, wondrous beyond compare.

Thus, one-third of the moonlight on the weasel Daoist's body entered his belly. Another third entered the belly of the rabbit demon that had spoken first.

The two of them consumed more than half. Only the remaining third was divided among the monsters all around.

The monsters did not notice this.

But the weasel Daoist saw it all clearly, and its gaze could not help but settle upon Fang Shu and the rabbit demon.

It gave the rabbit demon several extra glances, its eyes showing particular interest.

Yet the Daoist did not interfere. It allowed the gathered monsters to digest what they had gained and divide it according to their own abilities.

After quite some time.

When the moonlight upon the Daoist's body had been completely exhausted, the monsters gradually awoke from their breathing exercises.

Their bodies swayed as though they had become drunk from eating.

But every one of them was ecstatic. "So this is cultivation! Fun, so much fun!"

"Hehe, it's even more fun than female foxes!"

Fang Shu stood amid the demon crowd. He had consumed quite a bit as well, and his face was equally delighted.

Secretly, he called out in his heart, Dao Register.

Several lines of text immediately appeared in his mind. Two of them had changed, drawing his attention.

[Lifespan: sixteen/thirty-five (lifespan reduction in progress)]

[Method: <A Chance Night Encounter with a Weasel Daoist Teaching the Method of Gathering the Moon, Consuming It, and Breathing It In>]

Fang Shu stared fixedly at the [Lifespan] entry, and the stone weighing on his heart immediately grew much lighter.

A surge of intense joy rose within him, making his entire body seem weightless.

He calmed himself and used the Dao Register to inspect his body. Finding no other abnormalities, he thought, Immortal cultivation truly is miraculous!

After consuming only a few mouthfuls of moonlight, the deficit in his physical body had been replenished so greatly. His lifespan had recovered eight whole years in one breath, and it seemed to still be recovering!

Fang Shu looked again at the words "lifespan reduction in progress" and found that their color had indeed faded considerably.

There was hope for longevity.

After his delight subsided, Fang Shu turned his attention to the [Method] entry.

With a thought, the [Method] entry immediately shortened, and the method's name became <Yellow Wolf's Night Teaching of the Moon-Gathering Method>.

Fang Shu carefully studied this method.

He discovered that, just as the weasel Daoist had said, this breathing method was not particularly profound. It was merely an exceedingly rudimentary breathing technique.

Fang Shu had seen nearly ten similar methods in mortal books.

Some followed the breath, some reversed it. Some involved breathing toward the moon reflected in water, and some even involved breathing toward the sun. There was no shortage of variations.

But that did not mean the method taught by the weasel was useless.

On the contrary, such rough and simple yet genuine and effective breathing methods were undoubtedly true methods.

Precisely because it was simple, it was easy to begin, and no hidden schemes could be concealed within it. It was extremely suitable for Fang Shu and the newly awakened little demons.

More importantly, while teaching the method, the weasel Daoist had personally drawn down moonlight for the demons to test their cultivation, allowing them to cross the first hurdle of learning and practicing a method—tasting its sweetness.

After all, moonlight was not so easily inhaled, exhaled, and refined, especially for mortal humans and demons without spiritual roots.

Without guidance, one would not know the subtle mysteries. Without experience, one would not know what moonlight truly tasted like.

Thus, even if faint moonlight truly descended during cultivation, they might well overlook it and miss the chance to gather it.

And once delayed, years would pass. Ten years might yield no progress at all, leaving one to believe immortal arts were empty illusions.

This was one of the greatest obstacles to cultivation in the mortal world: not only was spiritual qi scarce, there was no one to ferry one across.

It could be said that with this experience of consuming moonlight, Fang Shu and the demons had multiplied their chances of entering the Dao in the future!

For a moment.

Thoughts churned through Fang Shu's mind as he stared blankly at the weasel Daoist upon the stone platform.

Suddenly, the Daoist happened to look toward him as well, smiling.

Fang Shu quickly gathered his thoughts.

He bent down before the Daoist and bowed with utmost respect.

"This student thanks you, sir, for bestowing this method!"

Hearing this, the monsters around him blinked and grimaced, coming back to their senses as well.

"Squeak, squeak, squeak!"

"Thank you, sir, for teaching us the method!"

Some kowtowed, some clasped their paws and bowed, their voices rising and falling in succession.

The weasel Daoist looked upon this scene with a pleased expression.

After thinking for a moment, it said with a smile:

"If there is anything about this method you still do not understand, ask now. This old man will answer it all tonight."

The monsters chattered at once, and quite a few raised their paws.

"Sir, if moonlight can be eaten, can sunlight be eaten too?"

"No. You are courting death."

"Sir, sir, what if it rains and there is no moon?"

"Wait."

Among the monsters, those who could speak human language asked their own questions. Those who could not speak human language squeaked at their kin, asking them to raise the questions on their behalf.

There were also those who could not speak and had no kin who could speak. They were so anxious they could barely sit still, squeaking without pause.

Fang Shu mingled among them and summoned the Dao Register again. He found that it had indeed recorded every word of the lecture just now, without missing a single word.

Thus, he listened while comparing it against the lecture recorded in the Dao Register, gaining much from it.

By the end, they had asked nearly everything that could be asked. As for what they had not asked, they could not think of it for the moment.

The monsters then began rambling about this and that, either joking and acting cute or flattering and currying favor with the weasel Daoist.

At this point, the three-foot rabbit demon also raised its paw and asked the weasel Daoist, "Sir, may I ask which tribulation immortal you are?"

The weasel Daoist smiled without answering. It flicked the rabbit demon's little forehead, then raised its head to look at the moon.

Then.

The Daoist rose with a stretch. Its slender, gaunt figure stood upright, rooted upon the stone like a withered pine.

Just then, a night wind swept in.

It billowed its Daoist robe until it fluttered like bird wings. The Daoist opened its furry mouth and chanted:

"By night moon, I seek friends across chaotic hills; young monsters laugh and race across the ground. Tonight, I, Yellow Wolf, become their first teacher, carefully explaining the opening chapter of true cultivation."

"Hahaha, not bad, not bad." After making up a poem on the spot, the weasel Daoist laughed loudly. "The lecture is over. This old man takes his leave."

As its words fell, it immediately leaped into the air. With its hands behind its back, it rose aloft and walked upon the moonlight.

Its form was ethereal. Within several breaths, it vanished into the night sky, departing in carefree grace.

Fang Shu and the monsters looked up at it, their hearts stirred and souls shaken, filled with longing.

Fang Shu himself was secretly astonished.

He did not know whether the other party was using a spell to ride the wind or truly walking through empty space without relying on any external object.

If it was the latter, then that was no ability a mere essence-refining or qi-refining immortal could possess... it might even be a great Foundation Establishment immortal!

Only after the fact did he and the monsters slowly come back to their senses, bowing to the ground in salute.

"Farewell, sir!"

"Thank you, sir, for teaching us the method."

After the weasel Daoist departed, the stone platform immediately became empty and quiet.

The monsters all over the ground looked at one another.

Just as Fang Shu thought some monster would leap up and everyone would exchange what they had learned together, a sudden clamor erupted all around!

Fox cries, dog barks, bird calls!

The monsters bolted at once, no longer looking anything like the harmonious bunch they had been moments ago—especially the smaller, herbivorous ones.

Meanwhile, some monsters' eyes glowed green. They were carnivores; though they had run off, they still lingered faintly around the area.

Seeing this, Fang Shu shook his head again and again. He knew these monsters' wild nature was still difficult to tame.

But he rose as well, dusted off his backside, dropped onto all fours, and with a whoosh burrowed into the grass, every inch the fox.

He planned to continue on his way and find another place to rest his feet.

Then, suddenly, a shout came from behind Fang Shu's backside:

"Fellow Daoist, please stay!"