Listening to the explanation about the Osteri Divine Order, Lin Mu pondered for a mont.
"Is it similar to Buddhist cultivation?" Lin Mu tried to understand.
"Both might be religious orders, but this one is a bit..." Daoist Chu hesitated, trying to find the right word.
"Extre," Monk Hushu finished for him.
"Extre? How extre?" Lin Mu asked with growing curiosity.
"Their rules are far too strict for most cultivators," Daoist Chu replied. "These restrictions apply to both common people and the higher-ups."
"What kind of rules are we talking about?" Lin Mu couldn't help but ask.
"For starters, all intoxicants are strictly forbidden—alcohol, tobacco, and even certain alchemical pills that alter the state of mind. The possession or consumption of these can lead to severe punishnt. Additionally, their society is highly superstitious and hostile towards demons and devils. If soone is even suspected of associating with them, they can be jailed without trial and are likely to face execution." Daoist Chu explained, making Lin Mu narrow his eyes.
"And then there are their blasphemy laws," Daoist Chu continued. "These laws don't just apply to their own people but to outsiders as well. No one is allowed to speak ill of their Supre God, question their customs, or display irreverence. Foreign religions are completely banned, and even common cultivator practices like ancestral worship and the veneration of immortals are considered heretical."
"That is quite intense," Lin Mu muttered, frowning.
"That's rely the surface," Daoist Chu added. "We cannot move freely outside designated areas, which are rather limited. No duels or sparring matches are permitted, and even the items available for purchase are highly restricted."
"So we don't get to choose where we go or stay?" Lin Mu asked, feeling uneasy about the stringent control.
"We'll be assigned living quarters, and if we wish to leave them, we have to inform the authorities at least a day in advance. We will also be monitored at all tis," Daoist Chu replied grimly. "Even our living quarters will be under surveillance, so it's best to keep anything private well hidden."
"This place is going to be tough for us," Lin Mu sighed, realizing it would be best to leave as soon as possible.
"Indeed," Daoist Chu agreed. "I'll submit a request for departure as soon as we reach the next building."
"I assu the influence of the Immortal Court won't work here either?" Lin Mu asked.
"Definitely not. If you thought the Jui World had weak ties to the Immortal Court, the Osteri World has none. The only reason they allow travelers from the Immortal Court is to avoid direct conflict. Otherwise, they would completely bar entry. They reject the authority of the Immortal Court and even consider the Four Guardian Beasts to be false gods. There are no temples dedicated to them here, and if soone is found to carry a trace of their bloodline, they are imdiately expelled," Daoist Chu revealed, making Lin Mu widen his eyes in surprise.
"And the Immortal Court or the Guardian Beast Temples haven't retaliated?" Lin Mu asked, unable to believe they would simply tolerate such treatnt.
"They did in the past, but the Osteri World's location made it unfeasible to take over," Daoist Chu explained. "It's not a major transit hub; only four other worlds connect to it. Even for those heading toward the Silent Lotus World, it's not a preferred route. Most travelers choose a slightly longer path through two additional worlds instead of coming here. We're only taking this route to save ti."
"I see... Looks like we should consider this place hostile territory," Lin Mu muttered, his expression turning serious.
ng Bai, who had been listening quietly, was startled. He hadn't expected his first experience in another world to be in such an oppressive place.
"Amitabha, I must change my attire as well," Monk Hushu murmured to himself.
"Change?" ng Bai looked at the monk, confused.
"I cannot wear these robes here," Monk Hushu replied.
"Even your clothes are against the rules?" ng Bai was astonished.
"Indeed," Monk Hushu confird. "All religious symbols and attire that are not part of their culture are strictly forbidden."
"Do you have normal clothes?" Lin Mu asked.
"I do," Monk Hushu nodded.
"Good," Lin Mu said.
Soon, they reached the end of a long, dimly lit corridor and arrived at the immigration building. The architecture was imposing, with towering columns and frescoes depicting divine figures offering judgnt upon mortals. Stained glass windows cast an eerie, multicolored glow across the marble floor, adding to the solemn atmosphere.
They were led into an ornate chamber where officials in pristine white and gold robes sat behind elaborately carved desks. The process was more rigorous than Lin Mu had anticipated. They were subjected to an exhaustive series of questions: their origins, cultivation bases, affiliations, marital statuses, and even seemingly trivial matters like dietary habits.
After the lengthy interrogation, they were handed a thick to listing all prohibited actions and items. The sheer number of restrictions was overwhelming.
Daoist Chu, in particular, seed especially exasperated.
SIGH
"No interaction between unmarried males and females?" Daoist Chu muttered, shaking his head. "Definitely not my kind of world."
"At least I won't have to deal with that problem," Lin Mu said under his breath.
"Only you would think of that as a positive," Daoist Chu scoffed. "Anyway, I'll go register us for the next teleportation."
"Alright," Lin Mu agreed.
While they waited, they observed their surroundings. The hall was lined with guards standing at rigid attention, their golden ceremonial armor polished to perfection. Their expressions were stern, their gazes piercing through any who lingered too long in one place. Every movent was scrutinized, and the air was thick with an unspoken tension.
An hour later, Daoist Chu returned, looking utterly drained.
"How did it go?" Lin Mu asked.
"It was exhausting," Daoist Chu groaned. "Not only are they charging us an absurd fee just because we're from the Immortal Court, but they also placed us at the very back of the list. We won't be allowed to leave anyti soon."
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