I searched for corpses in the Wuding River to extract entries

A hint of surprise appeared on the red fox's face:

"Senior, if you say so, then there should be many ancestors of our Qingqiu Fox Clan hiding in the court?"

Jia Hu heard this and a faint smile appeared on his face:

"Of course, our ancestors are scattered all over the place, and the court is no exception. It's just that we are all independent and don't know each other's identities."

"Even those great cultivators with profound cultivation bases would find it difficult to see through our true form. After all, how can the transformation technique of our race be seen by ordinary people?"

"It's because you're so young and haven't completely gotten rid of the vixen smell on your body that I caught you just now."

Hearing this, Chihu couldn't help but feel a little nervous: "Then Senior, according to what you said, will I be in any danger?"

Seeing this, Jia Hu gently shook his head and comforted him, "You don't have to worry. And after tonight, no one will ever see through you again."

The red fox was a little confused: "Why?"

Jia Hu just smiled and said, "What else do you think? Why is tonight's imperial banquet called the Burning Tail Banquet?"

……

"If the tiger demon wants to transform into a human, it must reluctantly give up its tail before it can cultivate a human body."

“A carp in the water can become a dragon in one leap, but it also needs thunder to burn its tail to embers before it can complete its transformation and turn into a dragon.”

"Now, the emperor has opened a wide range of special examinations to select talents regardless of their background. Now is the time for you to make the leap!"

"Today's imperial banquet is to reward all the new scholars. From now on, you will be reborn, take off your official hats, and become the emperor's disciples!"

After the eunuch in charge of ceremonies sang loudly, the emperor, who was in his prime, seemed to be in a good mood. He drank two glasses of wine and his face flushed slightly.

He raised his hand and smiled, then said in a resonant voice: "Everyone present here today will be the future pillars of the country, so there is no need to be restrained. Let's start the banquet!"

Upon hearing this, many newly-appointed scholars knelt down and saluted, shouting in unison: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace!"

As the first-place winner of the palace examination, Chihu was naturally placed in the position closest to the emperor.

When he sat down steadily, the emperor, who was high above him, cast his eyes on him.

The corners of his mouth curled up into a smile, and he said in a gentle voice: "Mr. Zhou's talent is truly worthy of my heart."

Red Fox knew the emperor's thoughts very well, so he smiled and replied respectfully:

"Your Majesty, thank you for your praise. I was just fortunate enough to read some books by sages and learned some truths from them."

This statement was equivalent to placing the emperor in a high position equal to that of saints.

After hearing this, the emperor was naturally very happy and a satisfied smile appeared on his face.

He raised his hand and ordered the eunuch beside him, "Hurry up and serve my food to Mr. Zhou. Today, I want to drink with Mr. Zhou!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" The red fox quickly stood up and bowed respectfully to express his gratitude.

However, the emperor gently pressed his hand, indicating that he should sit down and there was no need to be so polite.

Then the two of them began to discuss state affairs, family affairs and world affairs.

Relying on his telepathy, the red fox made the emperor smile happily.

A newly-minted scholar witnessed this scene and could not help showing a trace of envy and jealousy in his eyes. He whispered to his colleague beside him:
"It seems that this number one scholar is indeed not a simple person! People say that serving the emperor is like serving a tiger, and the slightest mistake may lead to disaster. Why isn't he afraid of being dragged out and beheaded if he says something wrong?"

After hearing this, the other person couldn't help but sigh and said worriedly:

"Although he is talented, I am afraid he is just a flatterer."

However, the red fox was completely unaware of these discussions and concerns.

He remained himself, constantly joking and amusing the emperor, and the atmosphere was very harmonious.

Even the eunuchs serving around were a little frightened, fearing that Chihu would accidentally say something wrong and anger the emperor.

At this time, the emperor personally introduced the dish that the eunuch had just brought to the table to Chihu, and said with a smile: "This is the Eight Treasures Chicken, Mr. Zhou, please try it."

The emperor continued, "This Eight Treasures Chicken is brewed from eight different kinds of chickens that have become demons. When we mortals eat it, it can strengthen our bodies and prolong our lives. Even if a cultivator eats it, it can improve his cultivation."

After hearing this, the red fox couldn't help but feel curious.

After thanking him, he picked up the chicken and took a bite.

As expected, a feeling of burning sensation rose up and he immediately felt the changes in his body.

He was surprised to find that his already extremely strong physique had actually improved slightly.

Just after the red fox praised him for a few words, the emperor suddenly showed a mysterious smile.

"According to my imperial teacher, the royal family recently hunted a rare treasure in the world, and its deliciousness can be said to be the most exquisite delicacy in the world."

The emperor spoke slowly, a hint of pride and anticipation in his voice.

He looked at the red fox again and said, "I wonder if Mr. Zhou would be willing to accompany me to taste this rare delicacy, eat it with relish, and share the feast?"

Upon hearing this, although the red fox was a little confused, he still hurriedly bowed and saluted, and replied respectfully: "I couldn't ask for more. It is my honor to accompany Your Majesty to enjoy the delicious food."

At this time, the red fox was also full of curiosity.

He had no idea what the rare treasures the emperor was talking about, nor could he read what the emperor was thinking.

He only knew that this was a monster that was successfully hunted down by many monks after working together for several years, which showed how precious it was.

Immediately, the emperor stood up and walked out.

When many new scholars saw this, they wanted to stand up and bow and leave, but the eunuch in charge of ceremonies promptly told them to continue sitting down and enjoying the banquet without having to follow.

The red fox followed the emperor's footsteps and stepped into the palace hidden deep in the palace.

This palace is simple and solemn, with carved beams and painted buildings on the outside, somewhat similar to a temple.

"This is where my great-grandfather practiced Taoism in the past." The emperor spoke slowly, introducing the palace to Red Fox.

There was a hint of envy in his tone, but he couldn't help but sigh, "It's just that this talent for cultivation doesn't seem to have been passed down to the younger generation. By my generation, it's completely impossible to enter the Tao."

The emperor's words were full of regret and sorrow. He looked at the red fox deeply and continued:

"However, fortunately, many of our ancestors are still alive today. In order to devote themselves to cultivation, they gave up the throne and chose to abdicate."

"It is precisely because of the protection of my ancestors that I can sit securely on the throne of emperor even though I am a mortal."

The red fox listened to the emperor's story silently without saying anything.

He could see the emperor's innermost thoughts from his tone. The emperor was still somewhat bothered by the fact that he could not practice Taoism. When the two walked to the front of the palace, Chihu suddenly felt a cool breeze blowing past. He couldn't help but shiver and felt a little chill.

However, when he looked up at the emperor, he sensed frankness in the other's eyes and saw no intention of murdering him.

So he put aside his guard and doubts and continued to follow the emperor into the palace.

As the emperor stepped into the palace, Chihu's eyes suddenly brightened.

Around the main hall, golden Buddha statues stood tall and proud. The golden light emanating from their bodies was so dazzling that the red fox could hardly open its eyes.

The emperor turned around and said to the red fox with a smile: "Logically speaking, this dish should be a delicacy that I can enjoy alone."

But then he changed the subject, "However, Zhou Qing, you really suit my taste, so I specially invited you from the Burning Tail Banquet to taste this peerless delicacy together."

At this point, the emperor paused for a moment and added, "However, there are a wide variety of dishes at the Burning Tail Banquet, but here, there is only this one dish. You won't blame me for this, will you?"

Upon hearing this, the red fox immediately cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, you are too kind. It is my honor to be able to accompany Your Majesty to enjoy the delicious food. How could I blame Your Majesty for this?"

After listening to what the red fox said, the emperor nodded with satisfaction.

He clapped his hands and signaled the eunuchs in red to start making arrangements.

The eunuchs in red were well-trained and quickly placed a huge round table, three meters square, in the center of the hall.

Then, they placed two extremely luxurious-looking golden nanmu chairs in front and behind the round table for the emperor and the red fox to sit opposite each other.

Although the two were more than ten meters apart, the hall was spacious and the voices echoed in the space and were particularly clear.

But at this moment, the red fox felt an indescribable weirdness in his heart.

After all, he came here for a banquet, and according to what the emperor had said before, the food on the table would most likely be meat.

However, the place where he was at the moment was surrounded by golden Buddha statues.
He felt as if he was under the watchful eyes of gods and Buddhas everywhere, which made him feel quite uncomfortable, as if his every move was being watched by the gods and Buddhas.

But what made the red fox even more panic was that he found that he could no longer use his telepathy.

This feeling of being controlled by others made him feel very uncomfortable.

He has always been confident in his own abilities and good at seeing through other people's minds, but at this moment he seemed to be deprived of this ability, making him feel extremely aggrieved.

However, out of confidence in his own strength and the fact that he had just read that the emperor had no bad intentions, the Red Fox chose to endure it.

He knew very well that after passing this test and becoming an official in the court, he would have a broad horizon and countless thoughts for him to harvest.

"Here it comes." At this moment, the emperor whispered these two words. Upon hearing this, the red fox immediately turned his head to watch.

His eyes fell on eight burly eunuchs, who were holding golden plates steadily and walking towards him in unison.

On the golden plate, there was a huge roast chicken, which was two or three meters long and wide, standing like a small mountain.

When the red fox saw this scene, he couldn't help but be stunned.

He never expected that he actually came here for a banquet.

Moreover, he had lived for so many years and traveled all over the country, but he had never seen such a huge roast chicken.

When the roast chicken was placed steadily on the table, the emperor's figure disappeared from the red fox's sight.

However, even with a barrier between them, Red Fox could still clearly hear the emperor's voice: "Mr. Zhou, how do you feel?"

The red fox quickly replied: "It is really shocking. I have never seen a roast chicken of this size. It is really an eye-opener."

"Oh? Did you see a roast chicken?" The emperor's voice revealed a hint of amusement. He seemed to be in a good mood and chuckled a few times. "But what I saw was a human heart!"

A human heart?
Upon hearing this, Red Fox couldn't help but feel doubtful.
Moreover, he could not get a glimpse of the emperor's thoughts at this time, so he could only speak more carefully: "I am not very knowledgeable, please enlighten me, Your Majesty."

The emperor smiled and said, "Some people see it as a roasted chicken, some see it as a braised fish, some see it as a cow, a sheep, or something else."

"These are all good, but they are not the true nature of it!"

At this point, the emperor's voice became a little deeper: "This dish is called Immortal Meat. It looks different to everyone because it changes according to everyone's mood and thoughts."

"So, the roast chicken you see is just the roast chicken in your mind; and the people's hearts I see are what I think."

"The first bite of the immortal meat will be your favorite food."

“Only when you take the second bite will its true nature be revealed.”

"And the taste of the second bite is far better than the first one."

"Top Scholar, please use it first!"

At this time, a eunuch carefully picked up a sharp knife and accurately cut off several pieces of delicious meat from the huge roast chicken. He gently placed the pieces of meat on a delicate plate and respectfully brought them to the red fox.

The red fox stretched out his chopsticks, picked up a piece of roast chicken, and slowly put it into his mouth.

At this moment, he closed his eyes.

Then, a picture suddenly appeared in his mind:
I seemed to have returned to more than a hundred years ago, when I was still a naive little fox.

The roast chicken I tasted when I first met my sister on the winter snow.

The corners of Red Fox's eyes could not help but be filled with tears. He took a deep breath and said with emotion: "This dish is really extraordinary..."

As the red fox savored the food, the emperor asked, "How is it? Does this immortal meat suit your taste?"

The red fox quickly replied: "It's delicious, it's simply a delicacy on earth, worthy of being the dish that Your Majesty likes..."

The emperor listened to the red fox's praise and smiled with satisfaction. Then he changed the subject and asked, "I wonder if the number one scholar has ever read a strange book called "The Great Wilderness Classic"?"

Upon hearing this, Chihu was stunned for a moment. He thought of the book that was torn up by the master several months ago, which was the Great Wilderness Sutra.

He shook his head and answered sincerely: "I have never read this book. I hope Your Majesty will give me some advice."

The emperor said, "It is said in the Great Wilderness Classic: If a nine-tailed fox sounds like a baby, those who eat it will not be poisoned."

"So the first bite of the immortal meat was the Nine-tailed Fox's illusion that pleases people."

"As for the second bite, I used the nature of fox meat to break the illusion and taste the fox meat itself."

"Tell me, am I right or wrong?"

The red fox opened his eyes, and the roast chicken in front of him suddenly turned into a nine-tailed fox.
Its skin is golden and crispy, but its specific appearance cannot be seen.

But even so, the red fox began to tremble all over. (End of this chapter)