Chapter 286

"In that case, how are the other two major sects? Are they still flourishing?" With one of the three major sects damaged, Jiang Yu couldn't help but think further.

"On the Dao Sect's side, only the Divine Sword Sect remains, barely holding on with many Great Vehicle cultivators; the Formless Sect has already half-closed its mountain gate, its people resting and recuperating; many medium-sized sects have suffered great vital energy loss, and countless small sects have disappeared."

The Demonic Sect, in the great war, because some had defected to the Demon Race and caused sect exterminations, has been weakened considerably over the years; now only one major sect remains, leading several medium and small sects as a facade.

All sects are short-handed and are currently expanding their personnel on a large scale.

I and Fellow Daoist Jiang think that joining a medium-sized sect would be more stable." If it weren't that each of the three major sects has suffered damage, Lu Zhou would certainly be willing to join one of them.

Jiang Bai took out paper and pen, listed several sect names, and handed her a few jade slips recording an overview of the spiritual realm, saying, "We have only gathered the maps currently circulating in the market; the sect divisions over the past thousand years."

and a general account of the Demon-Subduing War; currently there are still some remnants of the Demon Race in the spiritual realm, among whom those possessing humans are not few, and all factions of the spiritual realm, including the Yao Race, are calling for their extermination."

Jiang Yu and Jiang Tu took turns looking them over, and the two simultaneously pointed to a Taiyi Sect, which is said to have been founded by ascended cultivators from the lower realm.

As for which lower realm, the two Jiangs naturally hoped it was the Taiyi Sect cultivators from their Tianyuan Continent.

Lu Zhou raised his eyebrows, "I and Fellow Daoist Jiang have also chosen it."

From the information gathered, the name of its founding ancestor is not the same as that of a predecessor of the Taiyi Sect on the Tianyuan Continent.

But its sect also takes 'Dao follows nature' as its creed, has a good reputation, belongs to an upper-medium sect, and has five Great Vehicle cultivators presiding over it.

Brother Lu, I once joined the Void Sect and became sworn brothers of the same generation as Jiang Yu.

From now on, you may call me Jiang Bai or Junior Brother Jiang directly; Senior Brother Lu, would that be acceptable?" Since they come from the same realm, Jiang Bai thought it best to maintain good relations.

Lu Zhou looked at Jiang Yu, silently seeking her opinion; seeing her nod, he smiled and said, "Jiang Junior Brother, then I, for licking, have become senior brother; in the future please take care of me more."

While speaking, the two senior brothers and sisters rose, raised their hands, and performed the peer salute.

"Senior brothers and sisters, we naturally look out for each other." Jiang Bai hurriedly rose to return the salute.

"Me too, me too." Jiang Tu flew to the middle, gripped his front paws, turned in a circle, and cupped his fists, causing the three to burst into laughter.

By evening, after Jiang Yu received the spiritual herbs gathered with the help of her senior brothers, accompanied by her teammates, she went to the City God Temple to offer incense.

At this moment, deep into the night and all quiet, the temple keeper was also put to sleep by Jiang Bai tapping his sleep acupoint.

As before, after Jiang Yu offered incense, the City God, just as she had seen him elsewhere, showed no manifestation.

Upon seeing Jiang Yu finish reciting the Daoist scripture over the souls in the soul-nurturing bowl, Lu Zhou weighed his words and asked, "Junior Sister, have you always followed this procedure?"

Jiang Yu understood marvelously: "Senior Brother, is there something missing? Please instruct me."

Jiang Tu blinked: "Did we do something wrong? I and Jiang Yu have examined many jade slips and even consulted Daoists among mortals."

Lu Zhou spoke frankly: "The incense-offering procedure is correct, but using this method, one can only passively wait for whichever City God happens to descend kindly."

If one wishes to take initiative, one must use the Divine Invocation Mantra; coincidentally, when I traveled the Eastern Continent, I once saw a loose cultivator demonstrate it.

"The Divine Invocation Mantra?" It is said to be a transmission from the Ancient Golden Core Sect, and nowadays few people know it. Jiang Bai had only heard of it and never seen it in person.

Jiang Yu rejoiced: "Senior Brother, can you do it?"

Lu Zhou nodded: "I can, but communicating with the officials of the netherworld cannot involve setting up a spiritual array; doing so would surely attract the attention of the National Preceptor."

"Then let's go to a place over a hundred li away where the National Preceptor cannot see." Jiang Tu believed that among Golden Core cultivators, those like Jiang Yu whose divine sense reaches a hundred li are extremely rare.

Actually, the divine sense range of a Golden Core Great Perfection is about eighty li, and so far it has not encountered a second one reaching a hundred li.

Lu Zhou shook his head: "Other places lack the incense vigor of the capital, and moreover, the Qi Kingdom has been founded for over fifty years, now a time of vigorous national strength."

Jiang Yu hesitated no longer: "Please, Senior Brother, give it a try."

Jiang Bai immediately spoke: "I think it would be better to send a flying-sword letter to the National Preceptor's residence to show that we mean no disturbance to this place's tranquility."

"This National Preceptor, it is said, is a cultivator of the Divine Sword Sect; informing him would also be acceptable.

But if the other side refuses, then Junior Brother Jiang will temporarily protect the junior sister, and I will bring up the rear." Lu Zhou is the highest in cultivation and age among the three, and his actions naturally entail responsibility.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yu bowed deeply to the two; from now on she must increase her dosage and recover quickly so as not to become the one holding back the group, "Jiang Tu, you should stay out of sight for now."

"Understood." But this time Jiang Tu did not enter the dragon pearl; instead he went into the spirit beast pouch.

The three, being people of action, immediately went in person to outside the National Preceptor's residence, soon attracting the guarding Foundation Establishment cultivator, who said, "I have paid respects to the two seniors; I do not know what urgent business brings you here at midnight."

"Please transmit this sound talisman to the National Preceptor." Lu Zhou thought a flying-sword letter was unsuitable, so he handed over an ordinary sound talisman.

The Golden Core female cultivator of the National Preceptor's residence had already seen them; upon receiving the sound talisman, she immediately went out to meet them.

After observing them in person, she intuitively sensed that the three before her came from the Dao Sect, and expressed her willingness to witness the wonderful Divine Invocation technique.

Under the care of others in the Qi Kingdom, Jiang Yu and her companions found it hard to refuse, and since the Divine Invocation Mantra is not a closely guarded secret, they immediately agreed.

Upon arriving at the City God Temple, there was no need to offer incense again; they only had Jiang Yu burn more yellow paper, while Lu Zhou simultaneously cupped his fists toward the City God, saying, "Fellow Daoist, pardon our offense."

Then, standing upright facing each other, as the left foot stepped forward, he pinched the hand seal and chanted the incantation.

Not long after, Jiang Yu, who had been staring fixedly at the statue, noticed that the City God's eyes seemed to gain spirit, and the whole statue glowed with a faint spiritual power.

But the next moment, as those spiritual eyes swept over the few cultivators below, they immediately wanted to close.

Jiang Yu approached the offering table holding the soul-nurturing bowl: "City God, please wait a moment; help these two souls reincarnate, and I offer this soul-nurturing wood."

Before her words finished, she placed the piece of soul-nurturing wood, photographed on behalf of her master, in her palm.

"Fellow Daoist, please lend a hand or two. These two souls committed no evil deeds in life." Lu Zhou gave Jiang Bai a glance, and the two swiftly took positions on either side of Jiang Yu.

Meanwhile, the Golden Core female cultivator of the National Preceptor's residence, upon seeing the soul-nurturing wood, could not help but brighten: this is a supreme treasure among the divine woods, hard for ordinary cultivators to obtain.

The City God also greatly valued the soul-nurturing wood, so his Dharma body flashed forth from the statue and descended, and as he slowly approached the crowd, his towering form was already indistinguishable from that of an ordinary person.

He glanced at the soul bowl and remarked, "There is even a dragon soul?"

Jiang Yu openly admitted: "Yes, the Dragon King died resisting the Demon Race, and his sole wish is to be reborn as a human."

And beside him is my elder brother, who fell at the hands of demonic cultivators.

The City God transmitted to her: "These two souls carry the yin qi of the Netherworld."

Jiang Yu did not conceal it: "We inadvertently passed through the Netherworld."

The City God raised his eyebrows, thinking it was also honest: "Bring them over."

"Thank you, City God." Jiang Yu handed over the soul-nurturing wood and the soul bowl together.

The moment the City God received them, the soul-nurturing wood flew into his robe sleeve; only to see him raise his hand and draw a line, whereupon heavy yin qi instantly filled the hall.

Upon arriving, several people present had no choice but to pinch out protective light shields for defense; afterwards, they again saw amidst the rolling yin qi, a ghost gate creak open.

The City God stepped inside, "Do you all want to go together?"