Zhang Fusheng quietly accepted the invitation, holding it ant that the Old Master owed him a great favor—and it must be repaid.
This is one of the fundantal doctrines of the Ancient Saint Sect.
"Then let the Master co with us," Zhang Fusheng said lightly.
"However, isn’t the identity of a Celestial Human too conspicuous?"
As he spoke, he pointed to himself—indicating he had already shed the Ox Demon form.
The Old Master suddenly understood, and his form transford into an unremarkable old man, with his eyes still fixed on Wei Lingzhu:
"Bodhisattva... no."
"Mister, please lead the way."
He said this while slightly lowering his hands, resembling an old butler.
Zhang Fusheng squinted.
A Celestial Human, who willingly lowered his status to such an extent??
He did not think the Old Master acted this way due to fear of the Strong King Bodhisattva he ntioned casually,
or the strand of will beside Miss Mingyue.
After all,
the Old Master’s eyes were practically welded onto his disciple!
The more this happened, the stranger it seed.
The mysterious Ancient Saint placed in the unimaginable Nine Netherworlds, Wei Lingzhu...
Miss Mingyue’s form gradually dimd, and before leaving, she gently pointed at the Old Master’s forehead.
Miss Mingyue spoke softly:
"I have left a mark on you, if you do anything harmful to Young Master Zhang, I will descend from the stars to visit you personally."
As she spoke, this strand of will projected colorful light, her forehead’s ancestral acupoint like the great sun, her five organs akin to the bright moon.
The Old Master was visibly shaken.
Deity.
And not just a deity at the Venerate level—a Great Power!
He nodded solemnly:
"I have presented the invitation, so naturally I won’t, and cannot go against it, otherwise, even without the Venerable God’s descent, the path I follow will have abandoned ."
"Hmm."
Miss Mingyue nodded, her form fading away completely.
The desolate mountain fell silent.
Wei Lingzhu was still confused—after all, she was rely a Martial Artist of low refinent, and to her, a Grandmaster was already the limit of her past encounters,
also her understanding’s limit.
Innate, Celestial Human.
To her, it wasn’t just vague—it was a realm and level she couldn’t even comprehend.
"Where to now?" the Old Master asked.
Zhang Fusheng did not answer, but instead asked back:
"How should I address you?"
"I uh....." The Old Master recalled his very first, original na.
He softly spoke:
"I’m surnad Lu, called Lu Xiuyuan."
Only then did Zhang Fusheng nod, closing his eyes in thought for a mont, he spoke quietly:
"Let’s go to Dragon Boat City first."
"Director Zhang Fusheng of Chongyang’s Public Security Bureau was supposed to go to Dragon Boat, but was attacked in Spring Thunder City, escaping in disgrace, that’s all."
He looked back, his gaze falling towards the vast skies:
"Let see how many underwater fish I, as Director Chongyang, can stir up?"
......
Golden City.
Cui Wenda did not return directly to the Cui family mansion but instead sat silently in a café.
In front of him were two individuals shrouded in black robes.
One was a Plague Ghost.
The other was a new grim skeleton, just summoned from the Divine Realm— the skeleton of that Innate Realm great monk.
In other words, this was a skeleton that had illuminated three Pocket Worlds.
Cui Wenda lowered his head devoutly:
"Reporting to the Upper Envoy, I’ve already checked using the connection with the Book of Life and Death."
"Lu Xiuyuan, one thousand two hundred years old, with a remaining lifespan of four thousand one hundred years."
"Good."
The Plague Ghost made a hoarse sound, at this mont, the diseases of tens of millions were quickly rging with it.
Every second, it grew stronger.
"Return to the Cui family."
The Plague Ghost spoke calmly:
"Watch closely the Cui family’s movents, and your little aunt Cui Qingyi, does she have the qualification to beco a Book Holder?"
"In response to you, yes."
Cui Wenda spoke in a low voice:
"My little aunt’s cultivation talent is average, but she’s very clever, extrely clever, the family believes her chances of becoming a Book Holder far exceed mine."
"So, they value her."
"Hmm." The Plague Ghost nodded slightly: "Watch her, follow her, and report constantly."
"Moreover."
After pondering for a mont, the Plague Ghost added:
"At the right ti, you can et Lin Yusheng of the Investigation Bureau, he is also a follower of my lord, but not as devout as you."
"When you go, I’ll let it follow you."
With these words, the black-robed person at the Innate Realm level lifted their head slightly.
Cui Wenda was wide-eyed, sowhat lost.
So, the great Central Pole Sect Leader, Sin-Extinguishing Celestial Venerate, already had followers walking the earth?
And it was Vice Director Lin of the Investigation Bureau, known far and wide.
"I accept the Upper Envoy’s command."
He paid his respects and devoutly intoned:
"Praise."
"Nine Netherworlds Sin-Extinguishing Celestial Venerate!"
......
Dragon Boat City.
Looking at the seemingly ordinary trio entering this bustling city.
A handso young man, a young girl, and an old man who appeared as an unassuming butler.
That was all.
"Scripture of the Seventy-two Saints, truly profound." Zhang Fusheng exclaid with admiration.
The Old Master taught him the Scripture of the Seventy-two Saints, which he then passed on to Wei Lingzhu.
The profundity of this scripture,
in a certain sense, even surpassed the Great Sun Illuminates the 72 Snow Mountains Scripture!
For example, the Innate Grand Realm Chapter and Celestial Human Chapter of the Saints’ Scripture,
advocates enlightening seventy-two acupoints and Pocket Worlds, within which the holy form of worldly smoke and fire is forged.
Once achieved, with a single thought, the seventy-two Pocket Worlds emit seventy-two rays of light, illuminating all.
And if further refined, it can even truly forge a Saint’s Golden Body for oneself!
This Saint does not refer to those so-called Primordial Saints from past novels, but the sages taught by Confucianism.
The Old Master spoke softly:
"Once the Saint’s Golden Body is achieved, it can have a Golden Voice and Jade Speech, a statent could set the law for the world."
After a pause, he solemnly said:
"The Federation’s mother star was originally a complete planet, but its rules were altered, turning it into layers of bubble-like small worlds... this is such power."
Zhang Fusheng was taken aback:
"You an, it was a scholar who achieved the Saint’s Golden Body that altered the rules?"
The Old Master blushed:
"The one who established this rule was even more formidable, but the saintly utterance of the Saint’s Golden Body can achieve a similar effect."
"However, it cannot last forever and can only persist for a limited ti."
Zhang Fusheng, thoughtful, walked while explaining and interpreting the Scripture of the Seventy-two Saints for Wei Lingzhu,
the Old Master assisted by clarifying doubts.
This action seed sowhat redundant, yet it was indispensable - otherwise, who truly was Wei Lingzhu’s master?
During their discourse, the three walked through the bustling comrcial street, passing by a once-called Peace Hotel, now renad the luxurious Cyan Dragon Hotel,
and eventually arrived before the Governance Building.
"This place feels strange." The Old Master appeared solemn, "It gives an uncomfortable feeling—not just here, but the whole city."
Zhang Fusheng smiled:
"Naturally."
He did not explain, rely stretched lazily while looking at the Governance Building.
Thereafter, he ascended into the Celestial Vault.
He controlled his own cultivation, a glow of four furnace fires behind his head, resembling a Supre Grandmaster at the level of Perfection, casting a mighty voice.
"I, from Chongyang, have arrived at Dragon Boat. Where is the Governor? Why do you not co out to et !"
The mighty voice reverberated throughout the entire city, inside the Governance Building, Shi Zhengyuan stepped out, staring at the familiar figure above, dumbfounded.
Is that... Fusheng??
Gazing at the four furnace flas, Shi Zhengyuan felt a bit dizzy, almost moved to tears!
Two months apart, the Living Buddha had beco a Supre Grandmaster—then, how far off is his return... wait a mont?
Shi Zhengyuan blinked, from Chongyang?
He realized at once.
Fusheng is that Chongyang Director who was coming to ’inspect’?
......
Chongyang City.
"Master."
Due to extre excitent, Hong Tianbao’s face appeared flushed.
He whispered:
"There’s news about Fusheng."
Yuan Feidao, who was quietly sipping tea, raised his eyelids:
"Is that so?"
"Yes!"
The chubby old man bead a rare smile:
"That boy Fusheng appeared in Dragon Boat City—that’s Shi Zhengyuan’s place."
Yuan Feidao eyed the spiraling blue smoke from the incense burner, nodding slightly:
"Shi Zhengyuan, I rember him, one of the few loyal disciples in my Ling Mountain lineage..."
He appeared slightly dazed, murmuring:
"If I rember correctly, the True Dragon Arhat handed over the Buddha Country to him before passing away. After all these years, little Zhengyuan should have mastered that Buddha Country."
Hong Tianbao nodded:
"Besides you, he’s the sole surviving fruit of the Ling Mountain lineage."
Yuan Feidao nodded silently:
"Go ahead, I know you want to see Fusheng, want to warn him... very well."
After a pause, the old man calmly spoke:
"Chongyang will be thrown into chaos because of . If possible, let him stay away for the ti being, avoid the commotion."
"But, before February 9th of the next year, he must return."
Hong Tianbao nodded silently, yet asked confusedly:
"Master, I still don’t understand, February 9th... what exactly needs to be done? If it’s to pass down your mantle, why don’t you do it now?"
Yuan Feidao did not answer, rely sighed softly:
"Go on, go on."
He waved his hand gently, and Hong Tianbao’s figure disappeared.
A wooden fish appeared on the table at so unknown ti.
Yuan Feidao gently tapped the wooden fish, each tap followed by a soft sigh, "Buddhist technique is boundless," thus continued for eighty-one tis.
The clear ’tok’ sound still echoed within the small room, the wind chi hanging on the windowsill swayed slightly.
The old man turned his head, looking at the novice monk prostrate at his side, also at an unknown ti:
"Spread the word, Zhang Fusheng might have the secret of the Sea-Stabilizing Divine Needle Iron."
The novice monk kowtowed, speaking softly:
"Weren’t you going to make Zhang Fusheng your heir, the successor of the Ling Mountain lineage?"
"You even told him to avoid the looming chaos in Chongyang, why then?"
Yuan Feidao tapped the wooden fish again before speaking calmly:
"Our Ling Mountain lineage has always had this rule."
"Nine tribulations and nine hardships, only then can one see the Tathagata."
His gaze was unfathomably deep, quietly counting:
"Escaping from Jiangzhou was the first hardship."
"In Chongyang, becoming the victor among my disciples was the second hardship."
"Seizing control of Chongyang with domineering ans and quietly leveraging power was the third hardship."
"Now, facing another calamity on his journey, with the space fleet crashing in Spring Thunder City, this is the fourth hardship."
The novice monk quietly listened, speaking softly:
"So, there are five hardships left?"
"Yes."
Yuan Feidao nodded slightly:
"I can’t find the person called ’Laozi,’ he is an embodint of an inexpressible, suprely noble being."
"But after February 9th, after I complete all matters and pass on, soone must inherit everything—I do not believe in fate."
Pausing, the elderly’s eyes suddenly turned sharp!
He pronounced word by word:
"Must it be that ’Laozi’? If my disciple truly endures the nine tribulations, why can’t he see the Tathagata?"
"Why can’t he sit atop Ling Mountain?"
"Why can’t he beco the Tathagata who bears Ling Mountain?"
The novice monk’s throat moved, nodding heavily:
"I understand now, it’s all up to him to cross the Sea of Suffering."
"But... are you really going to walk this path? You clearly have the option to proceed slowly, to sit as the Big Belly Buddha, to beco the new Deity of Ling Mountain!"
Hearing the novice monk’s words.
Yuan Feidao closed his eyes, pressing his palms together.
He gently said:
"In this world, demons abound, right and wrong are confused, the Tathagata is unseen."
"I cannot save the world, but I can kindle a little Spiritual Light, leave a sliver of hope, seek the possibility of future perfection with my ruined body, why not?"
"If I do not enter Hell."
"Who will enter Hell?"
The novice monk opened his mouth, wishing to say sothing, to persuade, but Yuan Feidao raised a hand to stop him.
"No need to say more, everywhere in the human realm is a Sea of Suffering, I cannot cross it, I can only devote my life to building a precious raft that can carry all beings across the Sea of Suffering."
"As for whether this raft will be Zhang Fusheng, or that missing, heaven-originated ’Laozi’?"
"I don’t know, I only know that where there’s a will, there’s a way."
The novice monk quietly listened to the old man’s words, dazedly saying:
"You..."
At last, he only sighed:
"How bitter, how bitter!"
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