A Long Grind to Daoist Monarch

Chapter 426 - 258: Withered Revive Wood, Bai Qi Eliminates Three Evils

"Just like your master, every time he hears about such matters, he gets excited."

Looking at Bai Qi, who was rubbing his hands with a face full of delight and anticipation, Chen Xing shook his head; the good atmosphere of Tongwen Hall was truly led astray by that troublesome disciple.

"These past days, your swordsmanship has greatly improved. Killing someone within ten steps should not be difficult.

The place where the souls of the three families’ ghosts are hidden is not in some mansion in the city, we must wait a little longer."

Bai Qi’s eyes blinked, seemingly understanding:

"Void Interior? No wonder. It can avoid the ear-reporting deity of the Daoist official, hiding right under their nose; it can’t possibly be a cellar or secret room."

Dao Skill Fourth Realm, Half-step Ghost Immortal, how powerful must one’s thoughts be?

No matter how deep it’s buried in the earth, it can still be detected.

Chen Xing nodded gently:

"Indeed. Back then, the Mao Family colluded with the Four Reversals Demon Sect, privately refining forbidden drugs, causing several villages outside County City to erupt in corpse transformations, creating a great calamity.

This matter couldn’t be covered up, and once your master found out, he took the opportunity to obliterate the entire family."

Bai Qi listened, his mouth twitching, thinking about hundreds of people in the Mao Family’s pharmacy; even if he himself had to behead them one by one, his hands would grow weary.

"The Four Reversals Demon Sect mainly divided into four branches, each venerating one of the four protector deities: Muscle Bodhisattva, Bone Asura, Pimo King, and Meat Vajra.

The Mao Family secretly worshiped ’Pimo King,’ seeking an ancient method from before the Dao’s decline, intending to cultivate Spirit Roots and pass on as generations of Daoist officials..."

Chen Xing spoke earnestly, reminding the disciple grandson:

"Ah Qi, you must remember. In all ways of heaven and earth, there is no distinction between good or evil, but there is a distinction between ’true orthodoxy’ and ’devious paths.’

Creating something from nothing, achieving heaven in one step, that is ’outsider ways’ and must have hidden dangers.

Gradual progress, naturally, is called ’orthodox,’ with hope to ascend to the rank of immortal."

Bai Qi kept this in mind, deeply agreeing; he himself practiced both Dao and martial arts, and was well aware of the difficulty in accumulating ’foundation.’

Aside from individual differences in aptitude, constitution, and innate insight, one must labor diligently day and night to accumulate thinly but release abundantly.

"Ascend to the rank of immortal?"

Master Bai Qi caught onto a keyword, curiosity rising in his eyes.

"Master, can ordinary beings really become immortals?"

Chen Xing lifted his eyelids, his gaze deep:

"Before the decline of the Dao thousands of years ago, entering the Longevity Secret Realm counted as being ’immortal.’

It’s said that cultivators at this level seize karma, wield power, unite body and spirit with the Dao, forming their own realm... possessing all sorts of incredible, vast divine techniques.

So powerful that this world cannot contain them, they must travel beyond the heavens.

The Taoist Sect commonly spreads a saying that the differences between Lu State, the cosmos, and the Upper Realm are based on the number of Immortal Longevity bearers they can accommodate.

Red County Divine Land was once filled with spiritual energy, at its peak, hence Immortal Longevity individuals emerged one after another, approximately numbering over fifty.

Until the arrival of Turbid Tide, cosmic order shattered; for Immortal Longevity individuals, it’s as if Red County Divine Land became a dead zone, either they passed away or reluctantly departed."

Bai Qi ascended the steps and turned, gazing at the low-hanging black clouds:

"So, does that mean no one can become immortal now?"

Chen Xing did not give a definitive answer, ambiguously stating:

"It’s said the great Dao is fifty, and the cosmos derives forty-nine. Even with the severity of Turbid Tide disaster, there should be a spot on the longevity path for one person."

Bai Qi squinted his eyes, pondering Master’s words; in the present world, those considered ’strong’ divine power giants are not fewer than one can count on two hands.

Those reclusive elders might just be waiting for a chance to ’become immortal.’

"Master, on a night when the moon is dark and the wind is high, let’s hurry, we can have a late-night snack once we’re finished."

Bai Qi’s brow twitched, the Nanming Li Fire Sword shot out, the divine sword expanded in the wind into a blazing three-foot long edge.

"Ah Qi, you can’t eat hot tofu in a hurry. We’re doing business under the Daoist official’s eyes; caution is crucial. Oftentimes, though everyone is aware, they can’t catch your mistakes; it’s a stance. Being caught doing private work on the spot is another matter."

Chen Xing spoke slowly, as if offering earnest advice:

"It’s best to have a kind person to take the blame for you. Last time you secretly stepped on the Lu Family, it was excellent, knowing how to use the remaining elements of the White Sun Sect as leverage."

Master and I are indeed kindred spirits!

Bai Qi clapped his hands in admiration, nodding repeatedly:

"Master is truly insightful, every sentence makes sense, refreshing like fine wine, a great benefit to your disciple grandson."

Chen Xing was quite satisfied, the obedient disciple grandson was very adept at speaking, making him feel truly pleased.

He casually asked:

"How do I compare to your master?"

What a dangerous question!

Upon hearing this, Bai Qi bowed his head in thought, then lifted his head with utmost sincerity:

"Master is like the rising sun, shining in all directions, nourishing all beings, inspiring respect and admiration in your disciple grandson, wishing to be bathed in its dazzling rays every day.

The master, however, is like the bright moon, breaking through clouds, pouring silently, offering peace to me as a disciple.

Sun and moon, each different, both make Ah Qi yearn."

Chen Xing maintained a stern face and said:

"You, young man, always good at balancing things."

Yet the corners of his eyes couldn’t help but reveal a smile, evidently feeling quite pleased.

He looked into the pervasive wet mist of the vast world and towering city, softly stating:

"Come on, Ah Qi."

Master and disciple grandson, one before the other, without using an umbrella, walked straight into the rain curtain.

...

...

A carriage rumbled, rolling over the smooth and polished bluestone slabs, an oil paper umbrella opened up, shielding against the patter of bean-sized raindrops.

Several golden hairpins gently swayed, a bright woman with a spirit snake bun gracefully stepped into an overgrown abandoned courtyard.

Below the steps were two toppled stone lions, cobwebs stretched across the beams and eaves, the maid in the lead pushed the door open, and a thick mildew stench hit her face.

"Mao Yanshou was considered a person of stature; the honorable name of Ten Thousand Living Buddhas, good martial arts skill with iron hands over Yihai, yet unfortunately ran into the calamity of Ninghai Zen... what a pity."