Chapter 39: An Immortal Bestows a Blessing upon My Brow

However, the group members were not entirely wrong about one thing.

Hu Liena’s future potential depended on the Fox Bead. The extent to which she could absorb and utilize the power within the bead would determine the heights she could reach. If she could fully absorb its power, the "gods" of her world would truly be nothing to speak of—even the so-called True Gods.

Although Jiang Wang had never witnessed the battle between the two gods of Hu Liena’s world in person, he had read descriptions of it. To be frank, there was nothing particularly awe-inspiring about the battle between those two True Gods; it was merely a fairly mundane clash between "superhumans." In Jiang Wang’s view, the deities of the Spirit World were at best superhumans; they were hardly worthy of the title "god."

Nantianmen Guard: "Is there a possibility—and I mean this hypothetically—that Hu Liena’s potential is entirely derived from the Fox Bead I refined?"

Little Spider: "I think I understand! You mean that as long as Hu Liena can fully absorb the immortal pill bestowed by you, she can reach her absolute limit, right?"

Old Celestial Master: "Parker is likely correct. I didn’t realize a Westerner like you could learn Chinese culture so quickly."

Little Spider: "You are too kind, Old Celestial Master. I’ve been self-studying Chinese culture during my breaks these past few days."

Natural Enemy of Mosquitoes: "@Nantianmen Guard, Immortal, can eating one immortal pill keep one from feeling hungry for a long time?"

Nantianmen Guard: "Yes, simple Bigu pills can achieve that, though no one in the Heavenly Court usually bothers to refine such things."

Saitama’s sudden question caught Jiang Wang off guard. The bald hero’s presence in the chat group had always been faint. While other members had specific desires, he only ever hoped to snag discounted food at the supermarket; in general, his desires were remarkably thin. Jiang Wang hadn't expected him to take the initiative to ask a question.

However, the question itself... Jiang Wang was left somewhat speechless. Could an immortal pill keep one full for a long time? Honestly, was that even a question a human would ask? In the vast Heavenly Court, who would ever need an immortal pill just to stave off hunger? Fairy dew and spiritual energy were far more direct and convenient. As for Bigu pills—designed specifically to suppress hunger—they were merely trinkets concocted by lower-realm cultivators for long periods of seclusion. Once one became an immortal, no one bothered refining such things; they were just a waste of space.

In his apartment, Saitama, bored to tears, lay on his side on the floor, watching the news with an expressionless face. Somewhere or other, a monster had appeared and been defeated by some hero; the Hero Association had issued new regulations for the public to follow.

"Sigh, I missed the supermarket sale again," Saitama said, turning off the television and yawning.

He had become slightly frustrated with waiting for the weekly supermarket sales. That was why, despite his usual quietness in the chat group, he hadn't been able to resist asking Jiang Wang if there was any kind of pill that could keep him full for a long time. If so, he wouldn't have to wait for the weekly sales anymore. Jiang Wang’s response, however, was difficult for him to accept.

Natural Enemy of Mosquitoes: "@Nantianmen Guard, I see. Thank you for the answer, Immortal."

Nantianmen Guard: "Actually, it’s not that they can’t be refined. You could ask @Old Celestial Master; if you provide the materials, he can make Bigu pills for you."

Jiang Wang had previously provided Zhang Zhiwei with a standard alchemy manual, which contained the recipe for Bigu pills.

Natural Enemy of Mosquitoes: "@Old Celestial Master, sir, let’s talk."

Saitama and Zhang Zhiwei moved to a private chat. The others continued to watch the live stream of Hu Liena. A new change had occurred in her broadcast. Previously, after removing the Fox Bead, Hu Liena had nearly lost consciousness, and after swallowing it, her awareness had faded entirely. Now, above her head, the nine-tailed red fox stared down at the small spirit fox with an arrogant gaze. Though it appeared deeply reluctant, the nine-tailed fox finally surrendered its power to the smaller one.

The body of the nine-tailed fox dissolved into tiny particles, which, carried by a breeze, flowed like streams into the body of the small spirit fox. Just as the power was being transferred, the world suddenly changed.

The Pope, who had been standing by in shock, saw her expression shift. Sensing the anomaly outside, she turned and looked out the window. Outside, dark clouds pressed down upon the city as if to crush it. Within those clouds, purple lightning surged and coiled like massive dragons and snakes, ready to strike.

The Pope’s brows knitted together. It seemed as though something that should not have manifested had descended, drawing the scrutiny of the heavens. Outside the Papal Palace, bolts of purple lightning crashed down with a deafening roar. The resulting explosions caused the guards outside the Spirit Hall to scream in succession. The Pope did not move; she knew the source of all this was her disciple and the immortal pill she had consumed. If she left before this was over, those "undying old monsters" within the Spirit Hall would not make things easy for her disciple.

...

While everyone was worried for Hu Liena, her consciousness had sunk into a special space. There, a giant white nine-tailed fox stretched across the heavens. Before it stood an immortal whose face was obscured.

The moment Hu Liena saw the immortal, she knew his identity. She walked toward him obediently and bowed: "Greetings, Immortal! Thank you for the immortal pill."

"You are welcome. You traded ten spirit stones for it, so there is no need to thank me." The immortal placed a hand gently on Hu Liena’s head. A moment later, a warmth enveloped her, making her moan with pleasure.

This was the contingency Jiang Wang had left behind. He had done so because he wanted to leave his "mark" on other worlds. One must take precautions, even an immortal. If he ever found himself unable to survive in the Journey to the West world, he could live comfortably in another.

"Now, calm your heart and properly absorb the power within the Fox Bead. You are the only one left to carry on the lineage of the Tushan foxes in this world. I hope you cherish this opportunity and do not ruin your own future."

With those final words, Jiang Wang’s projection shattered. Behind him, the giant white fox instantly dissolved into countless fragments, which poured into Hu Liena’s body. The Pope, guarding Hu Liena, watched in astonishment as the spirit fox surrounding her curled up and emitted a painful whine. With that cry, the spirit fox’s tail began to split. It happened with incredible speed—in just a few breaths, the fox, which had originally possessed only one tail, had split into five.