The Mud Originates from Primordial Chaos, a Sacred Lotus Appears, Ushering in an Era of Prosperity

The rhythmic "clippity-clop" of hooves faded into the distance as the group that had entered from outside the city marched straight ahead, disappearing into the end of the long street before the gate.

"So that is to say...?" He Ping arched his brows, his voice dropping. "The 'catastrophic disaster' you spoke of earlier, Senior Brother, is meant for this group of Ghost Bats from the Evil-Slaying Bureau?"

"Ridiculous."

The old man, who was disguised as a calligraphy stall owner, let out a cold laugh. He held a small bell in his hand and began to shake it, producing a sharp jingle-ling-ling.

Suddenly, an invisible ripple surged forth like water, causing the surrounding scenery to tremble violently.

In that very instant, He Ping's sword-like brows twitched. His spirit was so keen, his perception extending far beyond the five senses, that he realized the ringing had locked their voices within this specific area, creating a strange barrier that sealed off sound.

What an exquisite artifact! This bell can isolate sound, creating a private space for secret discussions without outside interference.

He Ping realized that while this area was soundproofed, outsiders would likely perceive nothing unusual about the humble calligraphy stall.

"What are a few Ghost Bats worth? Within the Evil-Slaying Bureau, only their 'Chief,' Situ Haoxing, is a veteran Dao-Entering expert. Among his 'Nine Chief Envoys,' only three have reached the Dao-Entering stage. Aside from them, the rest are mediocre—hardly a match for you or me. The catastrophic disaster I spoke of naturally does not concern them."

Chixinzi's voice, laced with a sinister chill, rang out. However, the sound waves, unable to escape, struck the invisible barrier and echoed back, giving his tone a metallic, grinding quality.

"Then, where does this 'catastrophic disaster' lie?"

He Ping remained composed, his eyes fixed on the face of the fortune-telling old man, as if trying to see through the facade.

"Ha!"

Chixinzi seized the opportunity to laugh it off and shifted the topic, posing a question to He Ping.

"Junior Brother, you seized an item back at Wandering Soul Village. Do you know the origin of that object?"

"Oh."

He Ping had initially intended to deny it, but he remembered that Cheng Zhi had long since fallen into Chixinzi's hands. His act of snatching that suppression object from the eye of the formation could not have been hidden from this man.

"A strange black stone statue, a suppression object used to anchor the formation. What about it?"

"Junior Brother, that item was the anchor for a ghost formation secretly laid by the Mud Sect. Of all things to take, why did you have to take something belonging to the Mud Sect?"

Chixinzi sighed, shaking his head.

"The Mud Sect is the head of the Nine Evils of Longevity. It is widespread throughout the countryside of the several great provinces in the Xiling Circuit, and it has deep roots among the followers in the Dongli Circuit as well. Its influence spans more than half the world. For years, the imperial court has repeatedly ordered local government offices to suppress and eradicate the Mud Sect's influence, but they simply cannot wipe it out. It is like cutting rice—no matter how many times they harvest it, the Mud Sect never dies; it always manages to rise from the ashes."

"The Mud Sect?"

He Ping struggled to recall the intelligence he had gathered regarding the Xiling and Dongli Circuits. He had heard that both circuits had suffered severe disasters in recent years; crop failures, droughts, and floods had occurred in succession, leaving the populace displaced and destitute.

Furthermore, the local officials were corrupt and exploited the people without restraint. This chaotic situation allowed various heretical sects—such as the Luomen Sect, the Bagua Sect, the Yuantong Society, and the Hongyang Sect—to rise in the wake of the disorder. They used physiognomy, prophecy, and occult arts to deceive the common folk, leading to all manner of calamities in the region.

(This sect... I seem to have some impression of it...)

He Ping's thoughts drifted. He recalled the intelligence on these heretical sects: the vast majority merely used the banner of religion to bewitch hearts, amass wealth, and swindle people amidst the chaos. Occasionally, a few factions would grow strong enough to gather followers and stage an uprising.

Of course, the fate awaiting these sects was always suppression by the imperial army.

For many years, this cycle had repeated itself. Whenever disasters struck, these sects would sprout like bamboo shoots after rain. After a period of time, their uprisings would fail, and they would either be officially banned by the government or crushed under the iron hooves of the Great You Dynasty's armies, vanishing into nothingness.

Among the numerous heretical sects, the only one that was truly unique was the Mud Sect.

The Mud Sect was an anomaly among the heretical factions, possessing an inherently distinct aura.

However, the officials—or rather, the bureaucrats of the Great You Dynasty—did not see it that way. They might have tolerated the followers' beliefs, as there were plenty of heretical sects, and new ones emerged every year; they didn't necessarily care about this one. The real trouble was:

The Mud Sect not only frequently incited civil unrest but also had a particular penchant for killing imperial officials. Every time they organized a riot and occupied a county seat, they would drag out the presiding officials and execute every single one of them without exception.

The internal doctrine of the Mud Sect claimed that the current Great You Dynasty had gained the throne illegitimately and was bewitched by demons. All the civil and military officials, the high-ranking ministers of the court, had been possessed by Man-Demons. The Mud Sect even believed that the current Emperor of the Great You Dynasty, including everyone in the imperial palace, were not living humans—but Man-Demons wearing human skin. The core of their doctrine was to kill officials, overthrow the Great You Dynasty, and transform the world to establish a divine kingdom on earth.

(It is no wonder the Great You Dynasty fears the Mud Sect so much. They are openly rebellious, declaring war on the dynasty... If I were the imperial court, I would also view this sect as a thorn in my side, a festering wound!)

"Silt originates from the dawn of chaos; when the Sacred Lotus appears, a prosperous age shall rise."

Chixinzi slowly recited the slogan the Mud Sect had used in the past.

"Junior Brother, while the Mud Sect appears to be a folk religion at odds with the Great You Dynasty, it is actually a major sect in the cultivation world. They possess a true orthodox method for entering the Dao, known as the 'Lotus Ascension Scroll,' which ranks among the top of the orthodox methods—even higher than our Immortal Puppet Sect. Within their ranks, there are several Ghost-Person Bodhisattvas who have entered the Dao; they are not to be trifled with."

"And so what?" He Ping replied calmly, his expression unchanged.

"The deed is done, and the item is in my hands. Are you suggesting that before the Mud Sect even makes a move, I should bow my head in submission or go to them to offer a formal apology? Would doing so make the Mud Sect let this matter slide? Heh..."

"Not at all, not at all."

Chixinzi stroked his long beard and gave a bright, airy laugh.

"No matter how powerful or overbearing the Mud Sect is, our Immortal Puppet Sect need not lose face before them. I only wish to discuss a plan with you, Junior Brother: we might be able to shift the disaster onto someone else."

"Shift the disaster?"

He Ping remained silent upon hearing this.

"Actually, I recently encountered a Spirit Envoy of the Mud Sect. His surname is Tu, his given name is Du. Over a decade ago, he was a formidable figure within the Mud Sect, but because he offended a high-ranking member, he was sidelined and became a peripheral figure."

A fox-like cunning glinted in Chixinzi's eyes.

"This Tu Du is stubborn and easy to manipulate. I have some private acquaintance with him, so I can take the opportunity to whisper in his ear. As for the black stone suppression object in your hand, it can serve as bait to lure Tu Du into the trap... Hehe. On one hand, we can shift this catastrophic disaster onto Sheng Qingzhi and the Chongyang Palace; on the other, we can use the Mud Sect to trouble Sheng Qingzhi and test his true strength. It would be best to incite chaos in Suian City and seize the Life-Stealing Bowl in the confusion."

The old man was truly full of malice, pouring out the poisonous scheme he had been harboring. He Ping's eyes lit up as he listened.

"This scheme is not bad at all. If it succeeds, not only can the disaster be shifted eastward, but that lackey Sheng Qingzhi can be wiped out in the process, and the blame can be pinned on the Mud Sect afterward. It truly kills many birds with one stone."

He pondered for a moment, feeling that while the scheme was indeed feasible, he had to guard against Chixinzi throwing a wrench in the works and selling him out along the way.

"This plan is viable."

He Ping's lips curled upward in a faint, inscrutable smile.

"However, I believe there are a few areas that require some slight improvements."