Chapter 90

"Daoist brother Miaolin? Daoist friend Lin Jue, Daoist friend Qingyao!"

The first to recognize them was Daoist Qingxuan. Daoist Qingxuan had been so seasick that he couldn't even walk steadily, but upon seeing them, he actually gained some spirit and immediately bowed:

"Compassion to you, Daoist friend!"

Qiyun Mountain was one of the four famous mountains of the Fulu Sect, so their conduct was naturally meticulous. As soon as they saw Taoist Qingxuan bow, the many Taoists behind him, regardless of age, all bowed to them, among whom were many with white hair and beards.

The woman surnamed Jiang was also among them.

"Compassion to you, Daoist friend."

The three also returned the bow, and then returned the bows to the others.

"Daoist brother Qingxuan, Daoist friend Jiang," Lin Jue said. "You also took the waterway? To think we would happen to meet you here."

"It is fate," Daoist Jiang Ning nodded.

"Yes, it really is fate!" Daoist Qingxuan was much more enthusiastic, and as he spoke, he couldn't help but show an expression of discomfort. "It's just that this waterway is so unpredictable, like sitting in a rocking chair; it's too uncomfortable."

"That's not as uncomfortable as us; we even encountered a water demon on the way," Lin Jue said. He had a good impression of this Daoist and felt somewhat familiar with him.

"A water demon? What was the outcome?"

"We severely wounded it and drove it away."

"It's good that you weren't hurt," Taoist Qingxuan breathed a sigh of relief. "Are the three Taoist friends going straight to Mingzhou Mountain?"

"Yes."

"Let's go together! Let's go together!"

Lin Jue only looked at the third senior brother upon hearing this.

"Naturally, that would be good."

The third senior brother agreed readily.

Compared to the Fuqiu Temple, which only sent three people, the Xuantian Temple had sent over twenty people in total, and half of them were old Taoists with full beards, including the master of the Xuantian Temple, True Person Lingqing.

After all, this was a Daoist ritual of the Talisman Sect, mainly to worship divine beings, and the Talisman Sect was the primary invitee; Daoist temples like the Fuqiu Temple of the Lingfa Sect were just coming along to join in the fun.

Most of the Daoists from the Xuantian Temple carried long swords or wooden swords in their hands and carried luggage and musical instruments on their backs. Only a few old men held horsetail whisks, looking like immortals. Surprisingly, the female Daoist named Jiang Ning, who looked very fair, also held a horsetail whisk, so her status was indeed not low.

As they walked, the third senior brother chatted with Daoist Qingxuan, while Lin Jue focused on the True Person Lingqing at the very front.

This was a genuine True Person.

However, he was a True Person of the Fulu Sect.

The Fulu Sect was different from the Lingfa Sect; in the current Fulu Sect, it was much easier to become a "True Person." Coupled with their different cultivation methods, a True Person of the Fulu Sect was almost equivalent to filling a quota—the masters of the four famous mountains were almost all True Persons. As long as their merits were complete, they could naturally become immortals after death.

Now that the True Persons of the Lingfa Sect were hidden from the world and it was difficult for the Danding Sect to form a Golden Core, they were almost the only True Persons in the world. When people spoke of True Persons in the world, they were mostly referring to them.

However, they didn't have many extraordinary qualities during their lifetime.

As for after death...

Becoming an immortal was easier, so the value naturally decreased.

At least after these Fulu Sect True Persons ascended to immortality, except for the founders who established the sect or the few who made great contributions to the people and had high merits, the others were neither often seen in ordinary temples as statues nor often heard of by name among the people, indicating that they could only ascend to immortality, but their status in heaven was limited. The legends of ancient True Persons circulating in the world were actually mostly True Persons of the Lingfa Sect, because the True Persons of the Lingfa Sect could truly exterminate great demons and destroy evil gods, and even when facing divine lords in heaven, they had the confidence to converse calmly.

At this moment, the True Person Lingqing in front was said to have high virtue and cultivation. At the very least, he looked like he had the face of a child with the hair of a crane, was ruddy, walked with the wind, and naturally possessed an immortal aura.

I wonder if he can become an immortal after death? Can becoming an immortal lead to longevity?

Lin Jue couldn't help but think so.

As if sensing the gaze from behind, True Person Lingqing turned his head, looked at him, and smiled kindly.

Lin Jue immediately nodded in response.

It seems there are some extraordinary aspects to him.

That's right, True Persons like this had a high status in the Fulu Sect, and the Fulu Sect was the agent of the gods, so there should be some guardian spirits following and protecting them day and night.

That's good; the journey will be much smoother.

Along the way, they talked about the demon extermination in Yixian and the water demon the three of them encountered on the way, and then they arrived at Mingzhou Mountain.

This was also a bamboo mountain, which made Lin Jue feel quite close to it. Many five-colored cloth strips hung in the bamboo forest on the mountain. The mountain was not very high, and one could see palace buildings at the top, many newly built bamboo houses, and an area covered by five-colored cloth, which should be the main area for the Daoist ritual.

Many Daoists were welcoming them at the foot of the mountain.

Seeing the Daoists from Qiyun Mountain arrive, a group of Daoists walked over, hurriedly bowing to True Person Lingqing and greeting each other.

The Daoist robes of the three from the Fuqiu Temple were slightly different in color from those of the Xuantian Temple. A young Daoist also came to welcome them. Knowing they came from the Fuqiu Temple of Yishan, he respectfully invited them to go up the mountain.

"Daoist friend Miaolin, Daoist friend Lin, Daoist friend Qingyao, we are staying with the Daoist friends from the Yanxia Temple. If you have nothing to do, you can come find us for tea; just come during the gaps in the Daoist ritual," Daoist Qingxuan said with a smile.

"Farewell for now."

"Farewell."

The group bowed and said goodbye.

"Please follow me."

The little Daoist from the Yanxia Temple reached out and said.

The path up the mountain was a blue stone slab road, much easier to walk than the mountain path to the Fuqiu Peak of Yishan. The mountain was not considered high, and there were newly built bamboo houses both above and below, as well as pavilions of unknown age.

Many people could already be seen on the road.

Some were dressed as Daoists, some looked like extraordinary people from the martial arts world, and some looked like high-ranking officials and nobles who were also Daoist followers.

The young Daoist led them to a bamboo house along the way.

"There are really too many people coming, and accommodation is inconvenient. Many pilgrims and believers have to stay at the foot of the mountain. Please, Daoist friends, squeeze in here for now. If there is anything, we will come here to invite you," the little Daoist said very politely to them, looking at them with some curiosity in his eyes. "We will send food every morning and evening."

"Thank you very much."

"There are many things to do, so I will take my leave for now."

"Walk slowly, little Daoist friend."

In this Daoist ritual, the Talisman Sect and the Lingfa Sect had huge differences in responsibilities, obligations, and busyness. The Xuantian Temple and the Fuqiu Temple naturally did not live in the same place.

The Daoists of the Xuantian Temple were the most important guests, living in the Yanxia Temple at the top, eating and living with the Daoists of the Yanxia Temple, and working together to perform the Daoist ritual to worship the gods. The Daoists of the Fuqiu Temple were different; being able to have a bamboo house near the top of the mountain was already considered highly valued.

"This Daoist ritual includes burning incense, opening the altar, inviting water, raising banners, announcing the list, cleansing filth... I can't remember them all, anyway, it's just some procedures for inviting and sending off the saints," the third senior brother said while walking into the bamboo house.

"Then what do we do?"

"It should be the same as last year at Qiyun Mountain. When cleansing the filth, they will invite us over, and the organizing True Person will tell us about the situation in the world and the hardships of the people's livelihood, and ask us to help exterminate demons and monsters. Then, after sending off the saints, they will invite us over again to talk specifically about the demon extermination," the third senior brother sighed. "Sigh, anyway, it's all my business; you two can just wander around, treat it as a different kind of temple fair."

"That's good, that's good..."

The Lingfa Sect Daoists were all leisurely people who couldn't even manage to worship the gods every day, so how could they like doing these troublesome things?

Pushing it to the senior brother was naturally the best.

Lin Jue looked up and carefully examined the bamboo house.

A wooden sign hung at the entrance with the numbering of the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches. Although it was just a bamboo house, it wasn't small. A table and a few cushions were placed at the entrance, and there was a space on the left and right, each with a bed, and simple blue cloth curtains for screening.

It wasn't cold today, and there was a thin quilt on the bed.

"To hold such a grand ritual and build so many bamboo houses, I don't know if it's a waste of money and manpower, or if it's giving wages to the craftsmen and farmers at the foot of the mountain," the third senior brother said, shaking his head. "I'll stay on the left with my junior brother, and junior sister, you sleep on the right; just make do."

"Oh!"

The junior sister answered obediently, while diligently moving the bamboo basket from behind the donkey senior brother inside.

"We must keep our things safe. Don't think that because this is a grand ritual at Mingzhou Mountain, many rough martial artists don't fear Daoists. There are always those with sticky fingers," the third senior brother said. "Later, you two can go out and wander around first. Tomorrow, we'll go out again to see if we can trade for something or find anything interesting and fun."

"Understood."

Indeed, many martial artists were not afraid of Daoists.

On one hand, it might be because the vast majority of Daoists in the world were from the Fulu Sect, who rarely practiced Lingfa or magic, though they might practice some swordsmanship, and the gods rarely managed affairs between people, so such Daoists naturally couldn't compete with martial artists. On the other hand, the Lingfa Sect was not prosperous now, and many Lingfa Sect Daoists had low abilities and found it difficult to compete with martial artists who specialized in killing techniques.

Moreover, there was also the saying that martial artists could enter the Dao through martial arts.

"Oh my, let me have a drink..."

The third senior brother had already lain down on the bed.

"Junior sister, I want to go out for a walk," Lin Jue asked the junior sister. "Are you coming?"

"Yes!"

The junior sister had always gone wherever her senior brother went, so naturally, she didn't hesitate at all.

"Remember to bring silver," the third senior brother instructed them while lying down. "Remember to recognize the way; don't forget how to come back."

"Understood."

The junior sister took her long sword.

Lin Jue thought for a moment and felt that carrying a broadsword was too flashy and martial-arts-like, so he also brought an iron sword.

Both looked very young, wearing Daoist robes, each carrying a long sword, and with a fox following behind, they did have a somewhat ethereal air.

"Fuyao, the task of remembering the way is up to you; don't let us get lost."

"Ying~"

There was a small path in the bamboo forest on the mountain.

The path wasn't newly built; it was original, and it clearly connected to certain places on the mountain.

Lin Jue judged the direction and walked to the left.

The left side felt livelier.

Sure enough, the path became wider on both sides, and the bamboo forest on the mountain had been cleared into an open space. Many Daoists had arrived on the mountain and were settled here; many came out to wander or chat by the roadside. Many Daoists saw the two of them and the fox following behind, and also cast curious glances.

Lin Jue also looked around while walking.

On the left was an open space with a few stone tables and chairs. Two middle-aged Daoists were sitting by the table, drinking tea and arguing.

"In ancient times, there were countless myths, mending the sky and chasing the sun, crashing into mountains and breaking rivers. Therefore, the ancient gods must have had the ability to reach the sky and penetrate the earth. What is there to argue about?" one Daoist said, frowning.

"That is incorrect," the other Daoist said, holding the tea but not drinking, shaking his head. "There were indeed countless myths in ancient times, and these things have indeed been passed down from generation to generation. However, they were not recorded in books after all, and there are many ambiguities and unreasonable places. They can be believed, but not entirely."

"What is your high opinion, Daoist friend?"

"I believe these are nothing more than the means for immortals to rule the three realms—do you not see that the emperors of the human court also constantly embellish themselves? Can it be that he is truly the Son of Heaven, truly a True Dragon? Gods also exaggerate their cultivation years and magical powers! How else could they gather incense and attract believers? Moreover, rumors have always been like this; as time passes and more people pass them on by word of mouth, they become increasingly distorted."

"How dare you say such things here, Daoist friend?"

"What is there to fear? If the gods are so petty, then what kind of example are they setting?" the Daoist holding the tea said with a smile.

"In any case, I dare not agree..."

"Daoist friend, don't be obsessed with those legends. Do you really think that the Heavenly Lord became the Heavenly Lord only after experiencing 1,750 kalpas, each kalpa lasting 129,600 years? Where would there be such a long time?"

"This..."

"Since there is one lie, there are lies in every sentence."

The Daoist holding the cup said affirmatively:

"Although it is becoming increasingly difficult for human cultivators to practice Lingfa and increasingly difficult for people to truly attain the Dao, as the years pass, the magical powers in the world are becoming more numerous, and the power of change is becoming stronger. The gods in heaven are naturally the same. Today's gods must be better than the ancient gods... Speaking of which, in ancient times, many people became immortals just by eating an Ascension Pill. In terms of magical powers, how could they compare to the gods who attained the Dao through bitter cultivation later?"

"Not so, not so. Daoist friend, you are discussing the whole picture based on a corner of the matter, which is too biased..."

Lin Jue and the junior sister stopped and stood to the side to eavesdrop. The two often looked at each other, exchanging their insights and judgments on what they said, as well as the sense of stealth while eavesdropping.

Sometimes they reached out to twist the bamboo beside them, pretending they had something to do.

Unfortunately, before the two could argue about who was right or wrong, a Daoist from the Yanxia Temple who was leading guests passed by. Hearing them discuss the gods they sincerely worshipped in such a way, but not wanting to be rude to the guests, he had to stop and cast a look of discomfort.

The two laughed, and the conversation stopped.

Lin Jue and the junior sister looked at each other, both with regret in their eyes.

Although Lin Jue didn't agree with the points of these two Daoists, this kind of argument itself was interesting, even if he didn't understand the content. Moreover, there must be a teacher among three people; no matter what, there were some words in their mouths that could give him some inspiration.

This atmosphere of Daoists chatting casually and talking about the Dao also gave people a feeling of elegance and freedom.

Therefore, just after arriving at the grand ritual, Lin Jue felt very good.

The junior sister beside him cast an inquiring look.

"Let's go!"

Lin Jue smiled and stepped forward.

In a happy mood, he walked with a spring in his step.

The junior sister hurriedly carried her long sword and ran to catch up with him, also blowing the bamboo leaves by the roadside.