The Stars and the Continent

Chu's words startled all three, especially Lu Yang, who realized something more.

When I first entered the Ask Dao Sect, they gave me a rough map of the Ask Dao Sect, which showed that the Ask Dao Sect was 100,000 li in circumference. What does 100,000 li in circumference mean? It's bigger than ten Earths spread out!

Considering the methods used by powerful beings in the Void Refinement and Body Integration Realm described in ancient texts, only a place this large would allow them to unleash their Divine Ability freely.

The sect has many forbidden areas, most of which are used by powerful cultivators for battles. Anyone whose cultivation is insufficient will die if they even brush against them.

When we entered the sect, the senior sister said, "The sect cannot be explained in a few words. You can explore it gradually in the future." It wasn't because she was too lazy to introduce it; the Ask Dao Sect was indeed so vast that it required gradual exploration.

Thinking about it this way, the Ask Dao Sect might be the result of spreading out several planets!

The area occupied by the Ask Dao Sect is only a corner of the Central Continent; it's hard to imagine just how big the Central Continent really is!

Chief Chu continued, "In High Antiquity times, there were tens of thousands, or even more, of stars that harbored life; the exact number is impossible to verify."

" In High Antiquity times, cultivators who reached the Spirit Transformation stage could travel from one star to another without the aid of Law Treasure. At that time, damaged stars could be seen everywhere in the universe, the result of cultivators' battles!"

"The prosperity of High Antiquity is truly captivating. How many myths and legends were born then, and how many powerful cultivators were created?"

"Back then, powerful cultivators competed on strength by measuring how many planets a single strike could destroy, and they compared their power by how many inhabited planets they controlled."

"When High Antiquity times reached their peak of prosperity, a being intervened. He refined the countless stars into an entire continent. Whether the planets were inhabited or lifeless, none could escape his clutches."

"The Central Continent is teeming with life because it was once a life-bearing planet, the most suitable place for cultivation!"

"The vast ocean east of the Central Continent was once a constellation covered by seawater."

"The Golden Buddha Kingdom to the west of the Central Continent was once an uninhabitable, desolate star."

"The same principle applies to the Extreme North."

Chu's words completely shattered the understanding of Lu Yang and his companions. They had never imagined that the land beneath their feet was a star that had been refined by humankind!

This was beyond their expectations!

"Who exactly refined the stars?" Lu Yang asked.

Chief Chu shook his head, not because Lu Yang's level was insufficient, but because he genuinely didn't know. "The true form cannot be verified, but what is certain is that that being is definitely an immortal!"

Such extraordinary power is something that cannot be achieved by someone in the Tribulation Transcendence stage!

Why that being refined stars into continents, and what methods it used, remain unsolved mysteries.

Chief Chu continued, "What is certain is that the method by which that being refines stars is extremely brutal and utterly merciless. How many people living on stars can survive when someone manipulates them? Even ordinary cultivators would find it difficult to survive."

"Those who survived did so not because of their high cultivation level, but because of good luck!"

"The rising prodigies and powerful figures who tried to stop him were all reduced to blood mist by that being and entered the cycle of reincarnation."

"Fortunately, the immortals intervened and saved most of the human race, preventing the human race from dying out."

"A great era, at its peak of prosperity, collapsed and crumbled; for countless years, not a single genius was to be seen."

"We don't know where that being is, but he's definitely not dead. When the great era arrives, that being might appear. If he goes on a killing spree then, who can stop him?"

"Only immortal beings!"

"Therefore, both for public and private reasons, we must resurrect the immortals!"

"Only a small number of people died when the Immortal Immortal was resurrected. If the Immortal Immortal had not been resurrected, the entire human race might have been destroyed!"

"How hateful are those righteous sects who believe they are on the side of righteousness, yet they don't realize that our Immortal Cult also sacrificed itself for humanity!"

Chief Chu spoke with unwavering resolve, his eyes revealing determination.

From a moral standpoint, they killed to save lives; from their own perspective, they had a legitimate reason to kill and could do so with a clear conscience.

The Immortal Cult only recruits members of the demonic path because this rhetoric best resonates with the psychology of demonic cultivators.

Lu Yang was startled. Judging from Chu's words, he was probably really going to fanatically believe in the immortal immortal and pray for the immortal to save the world.

What Chief Chu said may not be true, or it may only be part of the truth. Lu Yang did not believe that the Ask Dao Sect was completely ignorant of High Antiquity matters, nor did he believe that his senior sister was unprepared for this.

Meng Jingzhou asked, "If that's the case, why not cooperate with the righteous path? Wouldn't it be easier to succeed if everyone worked together?"

Leader Chu sneered, "Who can guarantee that the being who refined the stars wasn't hiding within the righteous path back then?"

"After careful investigation, the Patriarch concluded that the being who refined the stars was within the righteous path, either in the Five Great Immortal Sects or the Great Xia Dynasty."

"Why does the righteous path advocate order? Isn't it precisely to enable more people to cultivate themselves and to make the Central Continent more prosperous?"

"But what comes after the prosperity? Don't forget the tragic experiences at the end of High Antiquity times."

"Perhaps that being enjoys reaping lives, and then strikes again when life flourishes once more!"

What Chief Chu said represents the mainstream view of the Immortal Cult.

Leader Chu added, "The stars above us, seemingly hanging on the horizon, are actually remnants left over from High Antiquity times if you cultivate to a certain level and fly into the universe to see them. Theoretically, there are some that slipped through the net, some that truly exist, but there certainly aren't many."

After saying all that, Chief Chu was hoping that Lu Yang and the other two would genuinely believe in the Immortal Immortal. Judging from their surprised expressions, there shouldn't be any problems.

"Alright, I know this information is too shocking for you all. Go back and digest it."

"Furthermore, the three of you performed well in the three tests. The helm is currently in need of manpower. Most people are resting in the prison. Your cultivation has reached the Foundation Establishment Realm, which meets the standards for becoming stewards. After consideration, I have decided to promote you to stewards."

Leader Chu gave the three men three plaques, representing their status as deacons of the Immortal Cult.

In fact, Chief Chu had always wanted Lu Yang and the other two to become stewards, because only stewards would be qualified to know about the series of events that just happened.

Chief Chu suggested, "By the way, when you have some free time, you can visit your comrades. I heard the food in prison isn't good, so bring them some food; it'll help strengthen your bonds."

The demonic path is driven by self-interest, but it also has a clear sense of gratitude and resentment. The underlings are all scheming and plotting, making his position as leader difficult.

However, what Chief Chu was worried about was not his subordinates playing mind games and using underhanded tactics against Lu Yang and his two companions; what he was worried about was his subordinates being killed by Lu Yang and his two companions.

Lu Yang smiled broadly, "We are all brothers from the same sect, and we will definitely unite as one to work together to revive the immortal immortal. Please rest assured, Master."

For some reason, Chief Chu became uneasy after hearing this.