That night, Chu Xuan almost couldn't sleep due to tension and excitement.
Initially, he hesitated whether it would be better to travel alone, but a half-grown child carrying "heavy money" on a long journey couldn't compare to traveling with an adult.
Moreover, there was no need to worry about unfamiliar Daoists coveting the little bit of silver he had. Such figures who knew "Immortal Magic" had no trouble earning money in the mortal world.
Nothing happened overnight. Early the next morning, Elder Daoist Yuan cast a spell once more, pulling out four pieces of paper with colorful divine images from his bag, shaped similarly to talismans.
This item is called "Jia Ma," and during secular sacrifices, people usually burn paper money and Jia Ma.
Elder Daoist Yuan pasted the four pieces of Jia Ma on the donkey's four legs and recited a spell while forming hand signs: "One step a hundred steps, the earth shrinks by itself; meet a mountain, the mountain flattens; meet water, the water dries. I follow the decree of Mr. Three Mountains Nine Masters, capture!"
As the word "capture" landed, the four pieces of Jia Ma flashed with golden light, but then nothing happened.
Yet Chu Xuan saw it with a twinkle in his eye, remembering that in the book he read in his previous life, Water Margin, there was a character called [Divine Speed Protector] Dai Zong who used a spell for divine speed, tying four pieces of Jia Ma to his legs, allowing him to travel eight hundred miles in a day.
The spell used by Daoist Yuan seemed to be similar.
Yesterday, Chu Xuan wondered how it was possible to rush three hundred miles in a day to Feilai Temple. Now, Elder Daoist Yuan had provided the answer.
"Young friend, get on first." Elder Daoist Yuan smiled and invited Chu Xuan onto the donkey.
Chu Xuan politely invited the other to go first, "Sir, please go first, I'll sit in the back."
Actually, it wasn't just politeness; sitting in front would've meant being held in the Daoist's arms, which he found somewhat uncomfortable.
"Then be careful not to fall if you sit in the back." Elder Daoist Yuan advised before mounting the donkey first.
Chu Xuan also climbed up with his pet ferret. The old Daoist didn't comment on his decision to travel with a pet, showing tolerance.
...
Sitting on the donkey's back, watching the scenery rapidly fly by, Chu Xuan felt happy.
Elder Daoist Yuan frequently turned to chat with the boy, without any airs of a "celestial being."
After about two hours, they entered a desolate mountain range.
Elder Daoist Yuan said he did not wish to disturb mortals, so they hadn't taken the official road all along. Initially, Chu Xuan didn't find it strange, but now, he began to sense something amiss...
Since they had set out, the old Daoist had turned back at least seven times, even though each time was under the pretense of talking, but he could hear the same without turning!
At first, Chu Xuan didn't mind it much, but after a few instances of secretly observing, he noticed the Daoist's gaze persistently focused on the ferret.
Chu Xuan thought to himself that things weren't good!
Could it be that my secret was exposed? How did he find out?
No matter how, with a growing sense of crisis, Chu Xuan realized his carelessness. Despite Elder Daoist Yuan having been exceptionally good to him, fulfilling all requests since their first meeting, what if he had an ulterior motive?
Thinking of this, Chu Xuan hesitated no longer. He dared not speak, resorting to using gestures and mouthing words to give the ferret instructions, praying in his heart that the little guy understood! Otherwise, both of them would be done for.
The ferret slightly raised its head, looked at its owner nervously signaling, yawned, then leaped lightly out of his arms and disappeared in a few jumps.
Instead of panicking, Chu Xuan felt a bit of relief. Having followed the plan, it seemed it had understood, right?
Soon, he exclaimed, "Oh dear! Little Snow, where are you going!"
Elder Daoist Yuan was startled, turned immediately to find the ferret had vanished without a trace, unable to maintain his celestial demeanor, his expression turned somewhat sinister as he urgently asked, "Where's the ferret?"
Chu Xuan feigned urgency and panic, "It suddenly jumped down by itself, wait! Is that it?"
Looking in the direction of Chu Xuan's pointing, Elder Daoist Yuan indeed spotted a brief flash of white. Hastily, he turned the donkey to chase.
But the ferret's speed was beyond ordinary beast-like, within a few breaths it had darted into the deep mountain forest beside them.
Elder Daoist Yuan chased in such a rush that the donkey nearly crashed into a tree trunk. Frustrated, he abandoned the donkey to follow on foot. The poor creature wasn't adept at maneuvering through the forest, and with the Jia Ma affixed on it, the excessive speed caused a backfire.
Seeing Elder Daoist Yuan pay him no heed, attaching Jia Ma to his legs to chase the ferret, Chu Xuan was overjoyed within, quickly trying to turn the donkey.
But unexpectedly, the stubborn donkey didn't budge at all, no matter how Chu Xuan pulled on the reins, cursed, or kicked, it stubbornly stood still.
Helpless, Chu Xuan abandoned the donkey too, fleeing in the opposite direction.
...
Panting heavily after a mad dash, this was likely the greatest crisis Chu Xuan had faced since crossing over.
He had no doubt that the seemingly virtuous Elder Daoist Yuan would kill him to cover up after acquiring the ferret.
After running for an undetermined time, Chu Xuan felt his chest was about to explode, his limbs turned weak and soft. Just when he began to worry, the white figure flashed ahead, as the ferret once again leaped into his arms.
Chu Xuan finally paused to catch his breath, gasping as he thanked the creature, "You've truly done us a great favor!"
This was exactly his strategy of luring the tiger from the mountains, having the ferret attract the rogue Daoist, then shake him off and return to its owner.
The success of this plan hinged entirely on the ferret—it needed to comprehend and its speed had to be fast enough, else it would just be throwing himself to the dogs.
Yet, it wasn't safe yet. Chu Xuan being utterly lost in the mountains, asked the ferret, "What do you think, which direction should we run next?"
The ferret raised its head, surveyed around, barely indicating a direction when a furious voice suddenly exploded! "You little beast, where do you run!" The echo reverberated throughout the mountains.
Chu Xuan's heart trembled, turning to see Elder Daoist Yuan, hair disheveled, looking somewhat dire, approaching with murderous intent.
His speed was incredible, flashing before Chu Xuan in a few leaps, the boy couldn't possibly outrun him.
At this critical moment, the ferret took the initiative and pounced forward!
Despite feeling deeply troubled, Chu Xuan had no choice but to retreat.
Indeed, Elder Daoist Yuan's attention was entirely on the ferret. Seeing it charge at him willingly, his face instantly changed from anger to joy.
But he quickly realized something was wrong, immediately halting his steps, rolling away in a panic, just as a blast of Extreme Ice Cold Qi sprayed from the ferret's mouth! Nearly hitting him.
Though he dodged quickly enough, Elder Daoist Yuan still ended up with half his body frozen, forming layers of frost over him, showing just how formidable the cold qi's potency was.
After spewing the freezing breath, the previously lively ferret became somewhat wilted, yet showed no fear, constantly baring its teeth to threaten Elder Daoist Yuan.
Chu Xuan's heart had been held high, now finally able to heave a sigh of relief with delight. Surprised at how formidable his spiritual beast was, no wonder he hadn't been flustered from the start, there was this hidden skill in reserve.
"You little beast, don't get too pleased." Elder Daoist Yuan struggled to rise, retrieving two crimson talismans from his bag.
Chu Xuan, anxious and unable to assist, shouted urgently, "Freeze him! Once more, quick!"
The ferret adjusted its position, opening its mouth again, as Elder Daoist Yuan broke into a sweat with anxiety, yet steadied himself at the brink of life and death, speedily chanting the Spell, breathing fire!
The two fire talismans quickly combusted, and the old Daoist expelled a scorching flame stream!
Almost simultaneously, the Extreme Ice Cold Qi debuted from the ferret's mouth, ice clashing fiercely with flame, generating lots of mist.
In the end, it was still the gifted ferret that slightly prevailed, wiping out the flame stream with raw cold qi.
Even toward the end when it was already weakened, the aftermath of icy qi crashed upon Elder Daoist Yuan, causing continuous screams and still freezing most of him to the ground.