Chapter 351: Observations of the Dong Great Dao Religious Group

"Gan! Are the Daoists outside really this rich?"

The Dong Great Dao Religious Group was received by people sent by Xu Jia, and they were all put up in five-star hotels. They were picked up and dropped off in Rolls-Royce business cars, and they ate specially supplied, air-freighted food. The only thing missing was, for those who liked dual cultivation, taking them to experience foreign women; even the souvenirs were things like custom-made Louis Vuitton luggage and gold friendship commemorative medals.

To be honest, these external objects were not particularly precious, but Xu Jia let them use these to ruthlessly test the cadres.

Nothing else, just building up favorability, and incidentally, this was just a test.

How should one put it, the Daoists of the Dong Great Dao Religious Group—there were few who practiced while rich, and many who practiced while poor. There were those who drove Maseratis up the mountain, but that was because their families were already rich before they went to practice the Dao; yet there were more who had no money. If they took over a temple, they were even poorer, wishing they could ask the Ancestor to divine lottery numbers to fill the holes in their finances.

Material testing is, on the contrary, the most vulgar and effective test.

Although "the air in America is sweet" is a wrong conclusion drawn by those who emigrated, when the sense of luxury truly rushes at you and envelops you three hundred and sixty degrees, there is indeed a sense of "inferiority and timidity," and even a feeling of reverence for authority.

But after seeing the world, being able to correctly recognize oneself is the most important thing.

The leader of the Dong Great Dao Religious Group is a Northeasterner, a leader of the Complete Perfection school, whose Ancestor is Guo Zhenren, and who practiced at Tiesha Mountain. However, Tiesha Mountain has recently become a foul place, full of all sorts of "Immortal families" and "internet celebrities."

He is also a reformer of Taoism, but he has no bottom line in his heart on how to reform, so he came to America for study and exchange.

Just receiving this kind of reception from Xu Jia, and then looking at the expressions and behavior of many fellow practitioners, only one sentence remained in his heart: the team is not easy to lead.

He couldn't help but think of the dance troupes and martial arts troupes of the past that went abroad to perform, only to never return to the country and settle permanently in America. For a moment, his feelings toward Xu Jia also became subtle.

"What Ancestor Xu said in the video is correct; America is indeed a holy land for the demonic path. It is a realm of demons everywhere, corrupting people's state of mind in silence. It is difficult for disciples to uphold the righteous Dharma, while the Leftist Path is much easier."

The Daoists swam in the hotel, had a spa, and ate some delicacies. After resting for a day, they were guided to Tongtian Temple.

Li Rentai was responsible for this matter, so he arrived at the hotel early to meet with the president of the Dong Great Dao Religious Group exchange meeting, Changhai.

"Greetings, Senior Brother Li."

Changhai practices the Complete Perfection elixir path, but he has not yet reached the stage of minor accomplishment, with cultivation around the early stage of Human Immortal, at the level of the Small Heavenly Circuit. Most of the Daoists behind him are about the same; some only have Qi Sense, some specifically practice internal arts, some focus on theory, and there are even some who don't even have Qi Sense but can perform Daoist music.

Li Rentai is different. The Ghost Immortal Register on his body gives him a calm temperament. After eating an angel's roasted wing that Xu Jia descended with that day, it allowed him to step into the practice of the Large Heavenly Circuit, belonging to the level of the middle-to-late stage of Human Immortal.

Among the various sects of Eastern Great Daoism, this is also considered a sect-leader level of strength.

Li Rentai originally felt that the level of the Dong Great Dao Religious Group was not low, but upon seeing the reality, he was somewhat disappointed and secretly thought: "It seems Eastern Great Daoism has declined." Yet he was still very polite: "Please, True Person Changhai."

"I dare not call myself a True Person." Changhai only felt ashamed, then probed: "Although I have heard of Ancestor Xu before and have checked the files and materials regarding Ancestor Xu in Dongda, I still find it somewhat incredible. The Daoist Association is already aware of this matter and has reported it to the higher-ups. The higher-level leaders attach great importance to it, which is why this exchange is taking place."

"I ask Senior Brother Li to explain a little to us, so we can be prepared."

Li Rentai thought about it, pulled him into the car to talk, and casually set up a spell restriction, summoning two "Black Fierce Servants," which were refined from the bound Earth Spirits of the souls of Black people killed in street shootings in America.

Although Changhai had not opened his Heavenly Eye, he still had some spiritual sensitivity and only felt his hair stand on end, feeling very uncomfortable.

"Our Ancestor descended to the altar suddenly more than two years ago. In the fifty or sixty years before that, there was actually not much response. We only knew that he held a position in the underworld, so our Tongtian Temple's funeral rites were efficacious, and in America, we mainly do the work of transcending the souls of Chinese funerals."

"As a result, four or five years ago, the Ancestor suddenly stopped responding. We thought at the time that the Ancestor had gone to be reincarnated. If he had been promoted in rank, he would not have abandoned our temple and Daoist monastery; after all, people fight for a breath of air, and Buddha fights for a stick of incense."

"It wasn't until two years ago that the Ancestor's true body descended to the altar and told us that he had reached another world and was carrying out the work of education. In other words, our Ancestor transmigrated, and it was a two-world transmigration. I don't know if you have read web novel works in this regard and can understand?"

Guo Zhanghai:?

We are not in the same style, are we? We are still Taoist folklore, how did you switch to Xianxia?

Li Rentai said: "These are also our speculations; the Ancestor himself did not explicitly state it. However, when the Ancestor first appeared, he claimed to be in the Earth Immortal realm, and now he is already in the God Immortal realm. Whether Earth Immortal or God Immortal, he has already attained the Immortal career, which is not something we mortals can imagine, just like an emperor begging with a golden rice bowl, or an empress picking up excrement with a golden toilet."

"Now that the Ancestor is teaching in America, it seems he has a mission."

After speaking, he took out a video in which Xu Jia was preaching: "America has a tendency toward national collapse and division. It is just as the saying goes, when a country is about to perish, monsters appear. This is reflected in this point. You must unite the overseas Chinese, form your own power, and in the future, you may be able to occupy a state or a prefecture, achieving a Dao Kingdom... You all have your own positions and careers (Chapter 307)."

Guo Zhanghai's jaw almost dropped.

"The Ancestor explicitly stated that we and Dongda are an inseparable part, and in the future, we must cooperate with Dongda to achieve a win-win situation. This is also an opportunity for Taoism: to build a Dao Kingdom, not the kind like the Vatican, but a Dao Kingdom that truly controls a state, and to help Dongda become the world leader..."

"Re-opening the Investiture of the Gods?" Guo Zhanghai felt it was somewhat incredible: "Isn't this a storybook novel? Although there were prophecies on the internet before about the birth of a Ziwei Sage, and some fake masters talking about cosmic energy and Heavenly Court connections, we didn't receive any news!" Li Rentai said: "Only the precursors can obtain benefits. If you wait for the notification, the matter is already finished. Moreover, according to what Ancestor Xu said, our ascension in dimension is a matter of these few years."

"The Ancestor said that the Desire Realm has six layers, and each layer is like a room. Inside the room, there are many balls—ping pong balls, soccer balls, basketballs... This one ball is similar to one of our civilized worlds."

"The process of dimension ascension is like taking an elevator. Now we are ascending two dimensions at once. Now everyone says we are a three-dimensional world, but it is actually four-dimensional, including a one-way time dimension. But if we ascend two more dimensions, it will include the longitudinal time dimension. You can replace the time coordinate system with a spatial coordinate system; when the time coordinate and spatial coordinate interact, it is infinite space-time. At this time, our physical bodies may not be able to react, but our consciousness and inspiration can travel through space-time."

"The sixth layer of the Desire Realm is the best for cultivation and is also the level easiest to ascend to the Form Realm. And where the Form Realm is, is the Form Realm described in the legends of past generations—gods in human form, or Immortals who have achieved success in their practice."

"It is not like the Formless Realm, where Immortals and deities no longer even have forms and have returned to the state of the Dao."

Li Rentai has conducted in-depth research on Xu Jia's remarks, combined with the space-time papers of America's top physicists and the imagination of some science fiction novels, and is already firmly convinced of becoming an Immortal. What's more, Xu Jia has also conferred a Register upon him, and the Dharma Realm indeed has the meaning of a "multi-conscious universe."

"For this exchange, we have made it clear here. Later, we will just go through the motions. I hope that after you, fellow Daoist, return to Dongda, you can say as much as you can. Regardless of whether the higher-ups believe it or not, we have the intention to split America, and we also hope that Dongda can successfully become the leader of America. As for the matter of the Investiture of the Gods, even if they treat it as us amusing ourselves, that is fine."

"I'm a bit confused." Guo Zhanghai did not expect the news to be so explosive. For a moment, he found it hard to accept and could only nod, thinking about sorting it out later.

"In these two days, the Ancestor will preach to you. Disciples who have earned enough merit outside will also rush back to receive the Register. If you, Junior Brother, want to add a Register, the Ancestor will also give you one for free. The Ancestor's Register is the most efficacious, responding to every prayer, and has the merit of protecting cultivation, with ten times the effect. I suggest you all add one. A Ghost Immortal Register is the minimum, and a Human Immortal Register is a big profit."

Li Rentai said: "After adding the Register Method, you can also experience our work of capturing ghosts and fighting Demon Gods. In the Central Plains, there shouldn't be any Demon Gods, right? It's different here. A small town can hide a Demon God, just like an Earth Deity, only it is that kind of terrifying god that has not taken refuge—an evil god."

"If the Ancestor still favors you, he might pass on the righteous Dharma to you. Our aptitude and understanding are dull; the Ancestor always says that what he passes on to us is only the Leftist Path."

………

Guo Zhanghai got out of the car, and the other Daoists of the Dong Great Dao Religious Group asked repeatedly: "Senior Brother, what did he say to you?"

Guo Zhanghai said: "It is not convenient for me to say; I have to go back to report to the leaders. Just follow the normal process of the Daoist group exchange. In addition, this Tongtian Temple has established its own Lingbao Zongtan, which can bestow the Lingbao Register Method. The fellow Daoist invited us to join. Those of you who want to add an extra Register can choose to do so; it's free, no money charged."

……

Li Rentai followed Xu Jia to report on what was said at the meeting with the Dong Great Dao Religious Group. Xu Jia listened and said: "Dongda is deep; you must not underestimate them. Don't think they are inferior to you just because they are only at the Human Immortal realm. In fact, when I went far away to America, it was because I admitted defeat. Back then, the Governor of Min intended to... Because I was good at planting Life Foundations, I chose a Dragon Vein for him. In Guangxi, I chose a dragon and met a senior with profound cultivation who came to obstruct my choice of dragon, saying, 'What is the matter with the Six Dynasties, it is only a private plan for the family.' I then withdrew from this, followed my disciples to America, practiced in seclusion, and after the trial of the two Immortals and demons, I had the later opportunity."

"Going further back, when I sought Immortality at Qingcheng Mountain, there was also a True Person who passed on the true method of internal refining to me, but later it was hard to find. Dongda has legends of Blessed Lands and Cave Heavens. Those hidden Immortals might have refined their forms and hidden their tracks, residing in the Blessed Lands and Cave Heavens, practicing in the Dharma Realm in the form of Primordial Spirits, escaping the boredom of the physical body, and obtaining the freedom of the Yang Spirit to gather and disperse as they please."

"This time of dimension ascension and Investiture of the Gods, if they want to ascend and attain the Dao, it is the best opportunity since the Ming Dynasty, with the greatest chance of success."

"There was an ascension of dimension in the Ming Dynasty, but the ascension failed, and it fell back down once. At that time, there was Wang Yangming becoming a Sage in the Central Plains, and the Renaissance in foreign countries..."

"Now there is again the phenomenon of Sages being born, and various cultures are blooming. Although they are all subcultures, and we look at them as demons and monsters, this is also culture."

Xu Jia said: "Whoever leads the blooming of a hundred flowers in culture, which the people of the world love to see and hear, wins the hearts of the people. Whoever leads a culture that is all demons, monsters, and strange quirks, the more divided they become, and the less they win the hearts of the people."

"In America, we must fully support the minority, and split the minority into even smaller minorities. It is like Buddhism splitting into various sects, but that is a division in thought and philosophy. Here, there is no need to be so profound; it only needs to be divided through behavior."

"For example, animal protection. We can divide it into wildlife protection organizations, stray cat and dog animal protection organizations, and even more subdivided, bird protection organizations, reptile protection organizations. These bird and reptile organizations and the stray cat and dog protection organizations are mortal enemies."

"You must use this to see the big picture from the small, and utilize these subcultures. After all, doesn't Taoist culture belong to a niche culture in America? By building up the niche, high-end, and mysterious feeling, naturally a large group of believers will follow the trend."

"What we want is not some very powerful True Transmission Disciples; what we want is influence. Once the influence is there, we will then screen downwards, recruit those executives from the Fortune 500, top students from the Ivy League, and absorb them. Getting on the bus first and buying the ticket later is also a kind of wisdom."

"Now is not the era of religious belief; this is an era that emphasizes interests and efficiency. You need to operate the Lingbao Daoist Altar like a listed company, treat every disciple as an employee, and provide the benefits and insurance that should be given. You cannot miss them. Treat cultivation as work, make assessments, and set thresholds; this is what is important."

"By cooperating with Dongda, we can obtain many benefits; for instance, they all spray perfume, and we like burning incense, so we can turn incense-burning into perfume, create a niche brand, tell a good story, and sell it to them."

"Take clothing, for example; can't Daoist robes become fashion? During the Ming Dynasty, Daoist robes became one of the favorite casual outfits for nobles and bureaucrats; we just need to poach a few luxury goods marketers."

"If there's nothing else, find a few disciples who are accurate at fortune-telling, get them on America's Got Talent, pay enough bribes, and establish a persona; that isn't difficult either."

"Then film some TV show or movie, just turn your stories of subduing demons into a script, or perhaps a game; in every aspect, once you get started, American bureaucrats are all businessmen—as long as there is money, what can't you do?"

Xu Jia let out a laugh: "You all are still too bound by convention. I could even absorb Hong Xiuquan, that black God, as a Vice Sect Leader, and even have you practice Dao-Ye Dual Cultivation, all for the sake of letting you integrate into America, change America, act according to the logic by which America operates, find loopholes from within, and split and devour it."

(End of this chapter)