Chapter 137: Scarlet Lotus Sect Reorganization (Combined)

Gathering Immortals Commandery, Fire Law Temple.

Many high-ranking members of the Scarlet Lotus Sect in Gathering Immortals Commandery were gathered together.

Before the main hall of the Fire Law Temple, several corpses had collapsed, their blood staining the solemn, sacred Mahavira Hall.

"Now, does anyone still doubt?"

Zhang Jian calmly gazed at the people above the platform, his Dragon Roar Sword dripping blood, yet his eyes were sharp; using the Dragon Roar Sword to slay a few heretical practitioners truly buries this sword's potential.

"We have only the envoy to follow!"

Seeing this, the many high-ranking members of the Scarlet Lotus Sect felt a chill in their hearts and quickly bowed their heads.

Zhang Jian nodded and immediately announced the new rules!

"From now on, the Scarlet Lotus Sect will be reorganized; it must no longer poison the people with evil arts, nor extort wealth through human refinement. Anyone who offends again will be severely punished."

Henceforth, disciples of the Scarlet Lotus Sect must take it upon themselves to aid the suffering populace and uphold the sect's morality; the leader of the Scarlet Lotus Sect in Gathering Immortals Commandery may no longer be called hall master, but must be addressed as Scarlet Lotus Envoy!

"Under the Scarlet Lotus Envoy, there are eight chiefs who command the armed followers for self-defense, and must divide into proselytizing and missionary paths, supporting and supervising each other."

On the high platform, Zhang Jian directly appointed Wang Hong, former hall master of the Scarlet Lotus Sect's Gathering Immortals Commandery branch, as Scarlet Lotus Envoy.

Afterwards, several chiefs were appointed in succession.

Although the newly appointed high-ranking members harbored doubts, they were compelled by Zhang Jian's authority to adopt a posture of submission.

Zhang Jian felt somewhat satisfied upon seeing this.

Although the Scarlet Lotus Sect initially harbored corruption, its foundation was solid.

Its follower base was firmly established.

However, the divine power of the Red Flower Lady was too weak, lacking strong appeal.

Now, after his reorganization, the faith of the Scarlet Lotus Sect gradually turns toward the major Dao Sovereigns, integrating the Red Flower Lady's belief, which will greatly raise the future ceiling of adherents.

Because this has a foundation.

Along the way, after Zhang Jian's on-site inspection, he found that as the great clans expanded, private land consolidation raged like fire, and the property-less grew ever more numerous.

These dispossessed not only faced oppression from the great clans, but also from the government and even bandits' extortion—truly suffering beyond words, in dire need of spiritual solace!

At this time, if the Scarlet Lotus Sect could launch a proper slogan, it would easily attract followers.

Still, one must be cautious, lest the Cave Spirit notice the stir and bring reprisal.

But if one merely preaches without causing trouble, this risk would be greatly reduced.

Of course, refraining from trouble now is because the Great Qian dynasty is currently flourishing and not yet thoroughly decayed.

But one day, when the government forces the people to rebel and they have no choice, things will be different.

Awaiting the right moment, he could perhaps easily raise an army of hundreds of thousands of believers.

Then his political slogan, territory, grain, and everything else would be in place, enough to form a force capable of overturning heaven and earth.

"My lord, if we replace the Scarlet Lotus Sect's main faith with other Dao Sovereigns and immortals, we fear we will lose control of the sect at that time."

At this moment, Zhang Jian heard the Red Flower Lady's voice in his heart.

Zhang Jian sensed the sound coming from the divine image within his sleeve, a thought-transmission.

Zhang Jian's eyes flickered.

This problem cannot be ignored.

The chief concern is guarding against other major powers seizing the opportunity later.

"So I have organized two teams, one for proselytizing and one for missionary work, differing in duty; while also cultivating a core of proselytizing disciples, for these disciples are the core of each Scarlet Lotus Sect sub-branch, and even if someone wishes to seize the opportunity, they must first get past them."

Zhang Jian's eyes flickered.

Although the Scarlet Lotus Sect was established, Zhang Jian still kept himself apart, and the sect's leader remained the Lady of the Pacifying South Marquis.

That is, the Temple Chief Lady.

Now, the Lady of the Pacifying South Marquis retains her spiritual awareness, though her flesh is wholly controlled by the Red Flower Lady, making her an excellent choice.

If one day the Scarlet Lotus Sect encounters trouble, the Zhang family will not be implicated.

……

Meanwhile, within the Shi family manor, in the darkness Shi Lun's room was dim; unseen, several dim lights slowly arose in the night.

In the gloom, several strange ghostly silhouettes faintly appeared.

These odd black shadows were each small, yet their eyes revealed an innocent purity.

Heehee laughter flickered in the dark; in an instant they darted into Shi Lun's room, appearing formless and traceless—just like the several Bagua mirrors hanging in his room, and the yellow paper talismans were likewise unnoticed.

But upon entering the room, a jet of black divine light suddenly burst forth from within, carrying the weight of rebirth in extreme bliss, permeating yin and yang with a grand divine tone; in an instant it enveloped several infant ghosts, which immediately emitted shrill screams, yet were still caught by the light and gradually conveyed into the netherworld.

Meanwhile, the two snow-white flesh worms on the luo bed remained unaware, still entwined.

"Ah!"

And deep within the Shi residence, an embroidered-clothes old woman suddenly widened her eyes in extreme terror, seeing what seemed to be two black chains materializing in the void, crossing to bind her body.

"Don't!"

She could not help but cover her throat, yet could not make a sound.

"You old woman, having privately refined the forbidden Formless Infant Ghost, have committed a grave taboo; by the Heavenly Sovereign's order, we brothers are to take you back for judgment—come with us!"

In the darkness, two towering ghostly deities faintly appeared, directly seizing the woman's soul and vanishing in a leap.

"After cultivating the Purifying Soul Spell to this extent, can one still draw upon the All-Directions Savior Heavenly Sovereign's power to summon ghostly aid?"

At this moment, around the Shi residence, Zhang Jian held his Dragon Roar Sword, gazing with a somewhat strange expression at the two burly ghostly deities outside the Shi compound.

These two ghostly deities suddenly exuded strong ghostly aura, clad in official robes and holding talisman seals, directly breaking the Dragon-Tiger qi surrounding the Shi residence and pulling that woman's soul out.

"It seems the Tongshan lineage also has someone underground; otherwise, how could such miraculous ability exist?"

At the same time, Zhang Jian noticed the two ghostly deities glancing in his direction.

Only then did they silently depart.

Simultaneously, Zhang Jian noticed deep within his soul that the divine radiance inside the main body of the Pure Soul Talisman had increased by a few strands of reciprocation.

Within him, the aura of the Ten Directions Savior Heavenly Lord grew more intense, almost reaching the point where the illusory could be made solid.

Zhang Jian secretly thought: "The strength of those two underworld ghosts is roughly at the early stage of Divine Fate Foundation Establishment, which is the level this talisman has been cultivated to; it's equivalent to having two high‑level enforcers. I wonder if, after the Pure Soul Spell advances further, I could summon even higher‑ranked ghosts."

Being able to gain two extra high‑level enforcers for free, he certainly wouldn't disdain them.

After figuring out that the cat grease in the Shi Family Manor was merely ordinary household filth, Zhang Jian also had no intention of continuing to participate.

He immediately prepared to return to his lodgings, but having gone only halfway, his expression suddenly shifted at that moment.

Yet, from deep in the distant street, a strange faint sound suddenly came.

Zhang Jian found it a bit odd, but in an instant his expression shifted; he exercised a subtle method from the Tongshan Pure Nine Chapters, concealing his qi and hiding in the darkness.

Yet, on the snow‑covered street, a wave of formless, languid sound came from afar and drew near.

Moreover, it brought a shower of heavenly flower petals.

"The Dharma King's carriage goes forth; idle people, retreat!"

Far away, a vague, ethereal female voice drifted over.

"Dharma King?"

Hearing that, Zhang Jian secretly startled; deep within his keen‑sensed heart arose an intense urge to act, so he hastily shut his five senses and concealed his qi.

Anyone who dares to strut about as a Dharma King inside Jixian Prefecture must possess considerable cultivation; it's certainly not someone he could easily provoke.

Zhang Jian certainly didn't want to lightly engage in another high‑stakes contest.

Others just passing by had nothing to do with him; they were merely watching the spectacle.

Only saw, as layer upon layer of crimson‑gold flower petals fell from the sky, a procession lifted a golden Dharma carriage, flying toward them through the air; the golden canopy resembled a sky‑full of golden rosy clouds, within which faintly appeared scattered blossoms that manifested omens and scattered.

Dozens of lovely young women led the way, dressed in light purple gauze, their faces dignified and beautiful, their features fresh and pretty.

While flying, they silently recited a passage of the Xuandu Scripture; the ancient text seemed to open the dark heavens and earth, shedding light everywhere.

In the void there also appeared auspicious signs; heavenly golden rosy clouds came with the wind, accompanied by strains of formless celestial music, flashing past the street in an instant.

Whether it was the purple‑gauze‑clad young women or the cultivators inside the golden canopy carriage, they seemed to tread without touching the ground, leaving no trace on the snow‑covered long street.

At this moment Zhang Jian sealed his five senses, using neither divine sense nor his eyes, merely feeling faintly a thread of terrifying qi flowing through the void.

The being inside the golden canopy could very well be of Golden Core level, or even higher‑ranked great cultivator.

Although he had encountered a formidable figure, his technique of concealing his breath by sealing the five senses also worked, and it did not attract the attention of those so‑called Dharma Kings.

However, that golden Dharma carriage, several hundred zhang away, was intercepted by a figure descending from the heavens.

A sharp voice came from within.

"Heaven Listening Dharma King, you have great gall to appear in Jixian Prefecture; do you really think we, the worthies of the Cavern Spirit Observatory, are mere decorations?"

That was a middle‑aged cultivator whose whole body was entwined with intense qi.

He wore a black headscarf, a plain cloth robe, with only a coarse hemp rope tied around his waist, and held a precious sword in his hand.

At that moment, dozens of cultivators bearing Dharma swords appeared around the long street.

Zhang Jian also stepped out from the corner, merely looking with his naked eyes, his gaze showing some astonishment.

This was still the first time he had seen cultivators of such scale appear together.

At this moment, from within the golden canopy carriage, a clear and magnetic voice sounded.

"Branch Observatory Chief Lu Daoren? Your cultivation isn't much, but your tone is big—do you really have this ability?"

"What if we add ourselves?"

At this moment, in front of the Loufang, a voice full of vigor sounded, and a figure clad in official robes, his whole body suffused with intense blood‑qi, stepped out from the side.

That was a young martial artist whose qi and blood surged like a flood into blazing red light, faintly resonating with the omnipresent dragon‑tiger qi of the void, his eyes blazing.

Behind him were also a dozen or so warriors in dark‑blue‑black official uniforms, each imposing, carrying strange black wooden boxes that seemed to hold weapons.

This young martial commander then sneered.

"Heaven Listening Dharma King, I have long heard of you; this time the corruption in Shanyang Prefecture is your Xuandu Sect meddling. I, as the governor tasked with defending the city, regret that I cannot personally lead the valiant troops to exterminate you rebels; now you bring ruin upon yourself, yet dare to strut before my very eyes—today I will slay you and take your head to the Wu Prefecture Governor for reward."

The figure within the golden canopy gave a gloomy laugh!

"Ignorant child, you know nothing of this Dharma King's cultivation; today I will take your life to warn the Upper and Lower Ultimate Immortal Prefecture, and this Jixian Prefecture will sooner or later become the possession of my Xuandu Sect!"

」

Meanwhile, on the other side, Lu Daoren had already made his move; with a single command, the dozen or so young Daoists behind him simultaneously activated, forming a sword formation that seemed to draw upon the countless dragon‑tiger qi within and without Jixian Prefecture.

In an instant, the dragon‑tiger qi over much of Jixian Prefecture's city was drawn forth, coalescing into the body of an azure dragon tens of zhang long.

The dragon's roar shook the heavens!

"Howl!"

The azure dragon loomed in the sky; in an instant it surged toward the Dharma carriage, its fierce azure light seeming to obliterate everything.

"Little Daoist!"

Seeing this, the Heaven Listening Dharma King gave a cold smile.

Meanwhile, a fierce divine light shot up from around the golden canopy, instantly transforming into a majestic radiant divine form; within it appeared a substantial illusory‑real radiant wheel, which burst forth with wondrous rays of light that enveloped the canopy's surroundings.

That was a divine Dao treasure of astonishing power!

"The Bright Light Wheel from the Xuandu Nine Treasures?"

Lu Daoren saw this and his expression tightened.

The Xuandu Sect possesses several famed treasures; among them, the Bright Light Wheel is a divine Dao treasure condensed by the Bright Light Divine Mother, one of the sect's twin guardian deities, from the Divine Bureau, and its divine power is extraordinarily formidable.

But Lu Daoren paid it no heed; under the bombardment of the city's dragon‑tiger qi, such a divine Dao treasure was merely a drop in the bucket.

Within the Bright Light Divine Wheel seemed to coil endless radiant divine flame, yet after merely holding for a moment it was shattered outright by the mighty azure dragon, which engulfed and utterly annihilated the entire canopy.

"Is it that easy?"

At this moment, seeing this, the young martial artist who was about to act showed a slight surprise.

But in an instant his expression tightened, yet he saw that beneath the Azure Dragon formed from the Dragon Tiger Qi, the purple-clad attendants surrounding the various divine carriages were indeed all slain, while the Heaven-Listening Dharma King inside the divine tent had completely vanished.

"That's just an illusionary body?"

The young military commander's face changed color, that Daoist Lü slightly furrowed his brows, immediately thinking of something, he couldn't help but shout.

"No, he's making a show in the east to strike in the west, General Jiang, you must hurry back to the Prefect's Mansion, don't let this thief take advantage of the opening!"

Hearing that, the young military commander said nothing more, leading the black-clad warriors behind him, hastily heading toward the Prefect's Mansion.

Daoist Lü turned into a flowing light, closely following behind.

The disciples all silently followed suit.

After everyone had left, Zhang Jian slowly walked out from a side alley, looking at the golden tent reduced to powder, his eyes showed some astonishment.

"What formidable Dao cultivation!"

That Dharma King who vanished out of thin air is undoubtedly an extremely terrifying cultivator.

Moreover, he likely comes from a sect similar to the Cave Spirit Observatory.

"The Mysterious Capital Sect?"

Zhang Jian pondered, having heard of the name Mysterious Capital Sect before; this is also a sect that the Great Qian officials have labeled as a heretical cult.

It has quite a foothold in several prefectures within the frontier regions.

It is said that the sect's followers all like to wear black clothing, yet they advocate brightness, friendship, frugality, enjoy teaching people to do good; however, this 'teaching people to do good' is a bit extreme—if one does not do good, they are considered demonic spawn of heterodoxy and must undergo purification.

Now the Mysterious Capital Sect has actually appeared in the southern prefectures; hearing what General Jiang surnamed Jiang just said, they are still the chief culprits behind the corruption of ShanYang Prefecture, and in the future they could be rivals of the Red Lotus Dao…

Everyone is attracting believers through the sect's moral teachings, and their territories are right next to each other.

However, the Daoists of the Cave Spirit Observatory are also remarkably formidable, actually able to cast a spell that summons the Dragon Tiger Qi over the whole city.

Even cultivators at the Golden Core Stage dare not resist head-on!