Húlí Jīng

The huli jing ('fox spirit') appears in Chinese classical literature from at least the Han dynasty. In some traditions the fox is malevolent — a demon that drains the life force of men through seduction, as in Pu Songling's Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio. In others it is a benevolent or neutral spirit working toward its own immortality through cultivation. The nine-tailed fox (jiuwei hu) is the pinnacle of fox cultivation, appearing in both Chinese and Japanese (kitsune) mythology.

In natural form, a fox with multiple tails — each additional tail representing a century of cultivation and increased power. In human form, almost invariably a beautiful young woman (or occasionally a handsome man). Transformations leave traces: sometimes a tail is visible, or the shape flickers in moonlight or firelight. A nine-tailed fox in human form is nearly indistinguishable from a human being.

Shapeshifting, especially to human form. Energy vampirism — draining the life force of lovers. Could possess humans. The most powerful huli jing could control weather, create illusions on a large scale, and grant or deny fortune. Nine-tailed foxes were considered divine.