Chapter 357: Eradicate the Aristocracy, Forge the Divine Form

The mortal world.

The Da Tong Dynasty, Qingping Prefecture, Tongyun Prefecture.

Now the entire Qingping Prefecture is under the control of the Tai Ping Dao, whose reputation for using Dan Water to aid the people has drawn masses from all provinces.

Although the Hong Zun diverted the Tianhe River to alleviate the drought, the common folk still struggle to survive in this chaotic age.

Politics are corrupt, livelihoods are ruined, and powerful landlords and warlords commit atrocities.

Such incidents are too numerous to count, forcing the people to flee in search of survival.

The Bianshi Sect of Qingping.

One of the largest aristocratic clans in the world.

But now, their ancestral home is shrouded in smoke and fire, and even their branch lines have been systematically eradicated.

The Bianshi Ancestral Temple.

Within a black-oil fence stand five grand gates, above which hangs a plaque—Bianshi Ancestral Shrine.

A white stone path leads onward, flanked by ancient pines and cypresses; on the moon terrace stand Qing-green ancient bronze tripods and other ritual objects, inside which incense and candles blaze brightly, and brocade curtains hang embroidered.

Utterly solemn and dignified.

A Daoist stands with hands behind his back before the many spirit tablets, candlelight flickering, blurring his face.

At the highest level stand several divine statues, awe-inspiring and majestic.

The Daoist gazes at one of them; a flash of Jin Guang flickers in his eyes, or perhaps it is merely the candlelight reflecting.

【Divinity: Qingping Shenjun (Wu De)】

【Born of the Qingping Bianshi Sect, upon death their Golden Body is shaped by incense offerings, granted a divine title to protect their clan…】

Jiang Lin stared at these lines, silent and expressionless.

Practitioners of the Qi Ling Dao must diligently cultivate and perform countless meritorious deeds before they may ascend to divinity after death.

But these aristocratic clans follow another path.

They shape Golden Bodies from the incense of living mortals, then petition the Tiangong; once granted approval, they receive divine titles.

Though not all succeed, generations of accumulation have produced many deities.

Of course, such titles only reach the rank of 'Shenjun'; to attain the higher rank of 'Yuxu Tianjun', one must possess cultivation merit or be a spirit of heaven and earth.

But that does not mean there are no 'Yuxu Tianjun'-ranked deities among the clans…

At that moment, a tall, burly Daoist strode in from outside, directly approaching Jiang Lin from behind and bowing.

"Master, the entire Bianshi lineage has been exterminated," said the man—it was Jiang Cheng—"I have cross-checked the clan genealogy; no omissions remain."

"Hmm."

Jiang Lin gave a slight nod and immediately said:

"Summon Tongli, Qingping, and Qingmian—three deities—to hear my command: inspect for omissions, leave no one to escape."

His voice was stern, like heavenly decree.

In the unseen realm, a response stirred; three beams of Jin Guang shot across the sky, each racing toward a different direction.

Qingping?

Jiang Cheng glanced up at the divine statues.

"What next?"

"Open the granaries, distribute grain, summon deities to supervise: those who cause unrest, first offense punished, second offense severely punished, third offense executed."

Although Tai Ping Dan is useful, it is merely a bowl of water; real, tangible grain is what truly calms the people's hearts.

Of course, there may be those with ulterior motives.

Divine supervision is most suitable.

In Qingping Prefecture now, most deities are already under Jiang Lin's control.

As his practice of the Four Methods deepens, he no longer needs to summon deities—he can enslave those without virtue merely by gazing at their statues in the shrines.

Even 'Yuxu Tianjun'-ranked deities, if 'Wu De', cannot escape.

Extremely extraordinary.

As for virtuous deities, he also attempts to invite them to join the Tai Ping Dao as Guardian Deities, thereby avoiding the weakening of divine blessings caused by upheaval in the divine system.

Of course, he does not actively harass those virtuous deities who refuse to join.

The tide of fate rolls on; eventually, they will come to understand.

"And this ancestral shrine…"

"Topple the statues, burn the tablets, clear the grounds, and temporarily repurpose it as a refuge."

"Then…"

Jiang Cheng was about to ask more, but Jiang Lin's expression hardened—he waved his hand to cut him off.

"Leave first. Protect the soldiers and civilians here as they depart."

"Your disciple obeys!"

Hearing his master speak so seriously, Jiang Cheng understood.

He immediately turned and hurried away.

Not a single word, not a single hair, not a single detail is overlooked!

Shortly after Jiang Cheng departed.

Boom—!

The sky churned with wind and thunder; then, a brilliant light pierced the azure heavens, falling like a meteor:

"Jiang Lin, brat! You go too far!"

His voice boomed like thunder, echoing in all directions.

The spear shot forth like a dragon, a single point of cold light reflecting Lei Guang, converging into an impossibly fine thread that reached Jiang Lin's forehead in an instant.

Dark thunder gathered at the spear's tip, radiating an aura of destruction.

"What is the Zhenjun's meaning?" Jiang Lin's calm voice echoed.

This was a Zhenjun descended from a Tianjun-level deity.

Boom!

Violent air currents surged outward, toppling the ancestral tablets and divine statues within the clan hall; amid continuous explosions, the entire hall trembled as if about to collapse at any moment!

But as a streak of Jin Guang flared, everything came to an abrupt halt.

"This place is still useful to this Daoist; you cannot destroy it."

Jiang Lin's expression remained serene, a faint layer of Jin Guang enveloping his body, one finger effortlessly blocking the spear aimed at his brow.

The spear-wielder was a tall, martial man, yet his eyes now brimmed with disbelief.

How could this be—his full-power strike, taken first…!

"You conspired with the celestial palace deities…!"

"So this is it—the Zhenjun is of the Bian clan."

Jiang Lin gazed coldly at the Bian clan Zhenjun before him, his eyes showing not the slightest ripple of emotion.

His five fingers closed around the spearhead and thrust it straight forward!

The Bian clan Zhenjun's face turned ashen; he felt his hands stuck to the spear shaft, then an unstoppable, mountain-crushing, ocean-reversing terror of force surged through him!

His entire body, along with the spear, was flung backward.

Boom!

Dust rose everywhere; he smashed through a wall, the spear driving straight into the ground, leaving only half its shaft exposed, trembling violently.

The Bian clan Zhenjun knelt half-bent beside the half-buried spear, his eyes filled with uncontrollable shock.

How could this be!

How could a cultivator of the Qiling Dao possess such immense strength—didn't he rely on Yuxu?!

Jiang Lin slowly stepped out of the clan hall, gazing at the disheveled Bian clan Zhenjun.

"If that's the case, then today I shall send the Zhenjun on his way."

His tone remained as calm as ever, as if he were talking about some trivial, unimportant matter.

He had worried just a moment ago, yet now he realized how strong he had become.

After forging the Thirty-Three Divine Phantoms, he was indeed extraordinary.

The Bian clan Zhenjun shuddered, then gritted his teeth: "Do you mean to oppose us, the descended Zhenjun?"

"You lack self-awareness, Zhenjun—you are no Xuanling Daoist. How could such a worthless creature represent the descended Zhenjun?"

"You—!"

Before he could finish speaking, his vision blurred!

Then a crushing force seized his neck; all his strength seemed drained in an instant!

It was Jiang Lin who gripped his throat and lifted him up.

"Hahahaha! That's right—what right does such a worthless creature have to represent me!"

Amid roaring laughter, a fierce aura of slaughter drifted from afar across the sky! (End of Chapter)