Arriving in Longzhou, Accompanied by Celestials

Zhang Fusheng quietly accepted the letter of gratitude. Holding the letter in his hand meant that the Old Master owed him an immense debt of gratitude—a debt he was obligated to repay.

This is one of the fundamental doctrines of the Ancient Sage Faction.

"Then the teacher may come with us," Zhang Fusheng said lightly.

"But isn't being Celestial Person being too conspicuous?"

As he spoke, he pointed to himself—indicating that he had already shed his Bull Demon form.

The Old Master suddenly realized, his form shifted, and he became an ordinary, unremarkable old man, his gaze still fixed on Wei Lingzhu:

"Bodhisattva. No."

"Sir, please go first."

He said this, his hands hanging slightly at his sides, like an old butler.

Zhang Fusheng squinted.

A Celestial Person would actually lower themselves to such an extent?!

He didn't believe the Old Master's actions stemmed from fear of the Dali King Bodhisattva he had casually mentioned.

Or perhaps it's a wisp of the will of the Miss Mingyue beside him.

After all.

The Old Master's eyes were practically welded shut on his disciple!

The more so, the stranger it becomes.

Wei Lingzhu, a mysterious ancient saint, was placed in the Nine Netherworld, an inconceivable place.

As the figure of the Miss Mingyue gradually faded, before leaving, she reached out and gently touched the Old Master's brow.

Miss Mingyue spoke softly:

"I have left my mark on you. If I do anything that would harm Young Master Zhang, I will descend from the stars and come to see you in person."

As she spoke, this wisp of her will shone with brilliant light, her Ancestral Aperture between her brows resembling the sun, and her internal organs appearing as bright as the moon.

The Old Master was shaken.

Deities.

Not just a deity at the Venerable level—but a powerful being!

He nodded solemnly:

"I have already presented the letter of grace, and naturally I will not and cannot disobey it; otherwise, before the Divine Descent, the path I have followed will have already abandoned me."

"Um."

The Miss Mingyue nodded, her figure fading away and disappearing completely.

Silence fell over the desolate mountains.

Wei Lingzhu remained bewildered—after all, she was merely a low-level martial artist, and for her, a Grandmaster was already the limit she had ever reached.

That was also the limit she knew.

Innate, Celestial Person.

For her, it was no longer just something ethereal and unattainable—she didn't even understand such a realm or level.

"Now, where to go?" the Old Master asked.

Zhang Fusheng did not answer, but instead asked:

How should I address you?

"Me?" the Old Master recalled his original, very first name.

He said softly:

"My surname is Lu, and my name is Lu Xiuyuan."

Zhang Fusheng nodded, closed his eyes and pondered for a moment, then quietly spoke:

Let's go to Longzhou City first.

"Zhang Fusheng, the Public Security Bureau Chief, was originally going to the dragon boat race, but he was attacked in Spring Thunder City and had to flee in a sorry state. That's all."

He looked back, his gaze falling upon the vast, boundless sky:

"Let me see how many fish I, the Director of Chongyang Bureau, can blast out of the water?"

Golden City.

Instead of rushing back to the Cui family compound, Cui Wendao sat quietly in a coffee shop.

In front of him were two people completely shrouded in black robes.

One is a plague demon.

The other was a brand-new, Ghastly Skeleton, just summoned from the divine realm—the skeleton of that innate realm great monk.

In other words, this is a skeleton that has enlightened three Cave Heaven worlds.

Cui Wendao, bowing his head with utmost sincerity:

"In reply to High Envoy Excellency, I have already checked through my connection with the Book of Life and Death."

"Lu Xiuyuan 1,200 years old, and still has 4,100 years of life remaining."

"Good."

The plague demon emitted a hoarse cry, and at this very moment, the disease from tens of millions of people was rapidly merging with it.

Every second, it gets stronger.

"Go back to the Cui family."

The plague demon spoke calmly:

"Keep a close eye on the Cui family's movements, and also your aunt Cui Qingyi. Doesn't she have the qualifications to become the Book Holder?"

"Yes, that's right."

Cui Wendao in a low voice:

"My aunt's talent for cultivation is average, but she is very intelligent, extremely intelligent. The Lineage believes that her chances of becoming the Book Holder are far greater than mine."

Therefore, I value her as well.

"Hmm." The plague demon nodded slightly. "Go and gaze upon her, follow her, and report back at all times."

"In addition."

After a moment's hesitation, the plague demon still said:

"When the time is right, you can go and meet Lin Yusheng from the Investigation Bureau. He is also a believer in my Lord, but not as devout as you."

"When you go, I'll have it come with you."

As soon as he finished speaking, the black-robed man at the Innate Realm level raised his head.

Cui Wendao stared wide-eyed, somewhat lost in thought.

So, the great Central Extreme Cult Master, the Heavenly Venerate of Sin Removal, already has followers walking among mortals?

It was still that renowned Deputy Director Lin from the Investigation Bureau.

"I obey the High Envoy's orders."

He performed the ritual, reciting softly with utmost piety and sincerity:

"A tribute."

"Nine Nether Sin-Removing Heavenly Venerate!"

Longzhou City.

The seemingly ordinary trio entered this bustling city.

A handsome young man, a young girl, and an ordinary-looking old man who looked like a butler.

That's all.

"The Seventy-Two Sage Scripture is indeed profound," Zhang Fusheng exclaimed in admiration.

The Old Master explained the Seventy-Two Sage Scripture to him, and then he taught it to Wei Lingzhu.

The mystery of this scripture,

In some ways, it even surpasses the Great Sun Illuminates Seventy-Two Snow Mountains True Scripture!

For example, the "Innate Great Realm" and "Celestial Person" chapters of the Sages' Classics.

The most elaborate method involves consecrating seventy-two acupoints Cave Heaven, and then forging the Sage Body Mortal World within them, a being steeped in worldly affairs.

Once the task is accomplished, with a mere thought, the seventy-two Cave Heaven will emit seventy-two rays of light, illuminating and piercing through everything.

If one refines their skills further, they might even be able to forge Saint Golden Body within themselves!

This sage is not the so-called primordial sage from some novels of the past, but the sage as described in the Confucian Sect.

The Old Master said softly:

"Once Saint Golden Body, he/she can Golden Mouth Jade Words, and his/her words will become the law of the world."

After a pause, he said solemnly:

"The Federation's Mother Star was originally a complete planet, but its rules were altered, and it was transformed into a collection of Bubble Small World stacked together—that's what makes it so powerful."

Zhang Fusheng was startled:

"You mean, a great Great Confucian Scholar who attained Saint Golden Body altered the rules?"

The Old Master blushed:

"The one who formulated this rule is indeed more powerful, but the Golden Mouth Jade Words of Saint Golden Body can already achieve a similar effect."

"However, it cannot stay forever; it can only last for a certain period of time."

Zhang Fusheng seemed to be deep in thought as he walked, relaying and explaining the Seventy-Two Sage Scripture to Wei Lingzhu.

The Old Master then stood by as an assistant, providing guidance and answers to questions.

This action may seem redundant, but it is essential—otherwise, who exactly is Wei Lingzhu's master?

As they narrated, the three walked through a bustling commercial street, past a luxury hotel that used to be called the Ping'an Hotel but is now named after the Azure Dragon.

Finally, they arrived at the Executive Building.

"This place is strange." The Old Master said solemnly, "It gives me a very uncomfortable feeling—not just here, but the whole city."

Zhang Fusheng smiled:

"That's natural."

He didn't explain, but simply looked at the Executive Building and stretched lazily.

Then, they ascended to the heavens.

He controlled his cultivation, and four furnace flames appeared behind his head, making him appear like a supreme master at the Perfection level, exhaling a loud sound.

"I have come from the Double Ninth Festival and have arrived at the dragon boat. Where is the governor? Why haven't you come out to see me yet!"

The loud sound echoed throughout the city. Inside the Executive Building, Shi Zhengyuan stepped out and stared in disbelief at the familiar figure in the sky.

Is this Fusheng?

Gazing at the four braziers, Shi Zhengyuan felt dizzy and almost burst into tears!

Two months have passed, Living Buddha has become a supreme master—so, how far is he from returning to his rightful place? Wait a minute.

Shi Zhengyuan blinked. "Did you come from Chongyang?"

He realized it in an instant.

Is Fusheng the same Director Chongyang who's coming to 'inspect' us?

Chongyang City.

"Master."

Hong Tianbao's face was flushed with excitement.

He said softly:

"We have news about Fusheng."

Yuan Feidao was quietly drinking tea, raised his eyelids:

"Yeah?"

"Yes!"

The fat old man finally smiled, something he hadn't done in a long time.

"That child, Fusheng, has appeared in Longzhou City —that's where Shi Zhengyuan is."

Yuan Feidao gazed at the wisps of smoke rising from the incense burner and nodded slightly.

"Shi Zhengyuan, I remember him. He was one of the few loyal disciples in my Lingshan lineage."

He was somewhat lost in thought, and murmured:

"If I remember correctly, before the True Dragon Arhat perished, he entrusted the Buddhist Kingdom to him. So many years have passed, Xiao Zhengyuan should have already taken control of that Buddhist Kingdom."

Hong Tianbao nodded:

"Besides you, he is the only remaining outstanding member of the Lingshan lineage."

Yuan Feidao nodded silently:

"Go ahead, I know you want to see Fusheng, or perhaps you want to warn him."

After a pause, the old man spoke calmly:

"Chongyang is going to be thrown into chaos because of me. If possible, I should tell him not to come back for the time being and to avoid this turmoil."

"But you must return before February 9th next year."

Hong Tianbao nodded silently, but then asked, puzzled:

"Master, I still don't understand. What exactly is going to happen on the ninth day of the second month? If it's about passing on the mantle, why don't you do it now?"

Yuan Feidao did not answer, but only sighed softly:

"Go, go."

He reached out and gently released his hand, and Hong Tianbao's figure vanished.

A Wooden Fish appeared on the table at some unknown time.

Yuan Feidao gently tapped the Wooden Fish, sighing with each tap the boundless power of Buddhism. He did this eighty-one times.

The crisp "tap" sound still echoed in the small house, and the wind chimes hanging on the windowsill swayed gently.

The old man turned his head and looked at the novice monk, who was also prostrate beside him at some unknown time:

"Spread the word that Zhang Fusheng may possess the secret of the Sea-Calming Divine Needle Iron '."

The novice monk kowtowed and spoke softly:

"Didn't you intend to make Zhang Fusheng your successor, the heir to the Lingshan lineage?"

"You also told him to stay as far away as possible from the chaotic Chongyang Festival, why?"

Yuan Feidao Wooden Fish again before slowly speaking:

"This has always been the rule of our Lingshan lineage."

"Only Nine Tribulations Nine Tribulations can one see the Tathagata."

His gaze was incredibly deep as he quietly counted:

"Escaping from Jiangzhou was the first difficulty."

"After entering Chongyang, he became the victor among my disciples and grand-disciples, which was the second hardship he had overcome."

"To seize control of the Chongyang Festival through ruthless means and to subtly leverage its power is the third difficulty."

"Now, another disaster has struck during their journey: the Space-Air Fleet crashed in Spring Thunder City. This is the fourth misfortune."

The novice monk listened quietly and said softly:

"So, there are still five more difficulties to overcome?"

"Um."

Yuan Feidao nodded slightly:

"I cannot find the person called [Laozi], who is the embodiment of an unspeakable, supreme and noble being."

"But after February 9th, after I have finished all my work and passed away, someone must inherit everything—I do not believe in fate."

After a pause, the old man, who had seemed so weary and listless, suddenly had sharp eyes!

He spoke slowly and deliberately:

"Is it really necessary to be that [Laozi]? If my grand-disciple can truly endure Nine Tribulations, how could he not be able to see the Tathagata?"

"Why can't you sit upright on Mount Ling?"

"Why not become the Buddha who shoulders the responsibility of Mount Ling?"

The novice monk's throat bobbed, and he nodded emphatically.

"I understand. Everything depends on whether he can overcome this Sea of Suffering."

"But... do you really want to go down this path? You could have taken your time, sat firmly on the throne of the Great Belly Buddha Ancestor, and become a new god of Mount Ling!"

Listen to the novice monk's words.

Yuan Feidao closed his eyes and clasped his hands together.

He said softly:

"In this world, evil spirits abound, right and wrong are reversed, and the Buddha is nowhere to be seen."

"I cannot save all the people in the world, but I can open a little light and leave a little hope. With my frail body, I can seek the hope of Perfection future. Why can't I do that?"

I will not go to hell.

"And who will go to hell?"

The novice monk opened his mouth, wanting to say something, wanting to offer some advice, but Yuan Feidao raised his hand to stop him.

"There's no need to say more. The world is Sea of Suffering, and I cannot cross it myself. I can only use my life to build a precious raft that can carry all living beings across this sea of Sea of Suffering."

"As for whether this treasure raft belongs to Zhang Fusheng, or to that mysterious [Laozi] whose origins are beyond comprehension?"

"I don't know, all I know is that it's up to people to make things happen."

The novice monk listened quietly to the old man's words, and said in a daze:

"You."

In the end, he could only sigh:

"It's bitter, it's bitter!"