White Crane Death Summons Writ, What Divine Being Was This?

"Dharma-protecting spirit child?" Huang Bai did not quite understand. "Could you tell me what ascension to godhood means? Where exactly does one ascend to?"

"So-called ascension means abandoning one's mortal shell and traveling to the [Illusory Spirit Realm], or [Spirit Realm] for short. Corresponding to it is the [True Realm] where you now live."

"The Spirit Realm is round above and square below, without physical substance, strange and fantastical. It is composed of several Divine Spirit Dharma Realms."

"This realm stands above several True Realms. Once divine spirits meet certain conditions, they may descend to the Lower Realm in their true bodies, or descend through spirit writing."

"I see."

Huang Bai roughly understood. This world was one of the worlds subordinate to the Spirit Realm.

In other words, if Huang Bai later traveled to a film with the worldview of White Crane Boy, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, and Zengsun General, he would still have a chance to encounter White Crane Boy.

They did not possess the ability to travel between worlds.

For example, White Crane Boy and the others could not travel to the Dragon-Seeking Formula World.

"How many years of Yin Lifespan does a dharma-protecting spirit child have?"

"Usually eight hundred years. After eight hundred years, one may descend to the mortal world to undergo tribulations and cultivate anew. Unless one encounters an especially great calamity, one will generally live forever without aging."

"Of course, if you earn merit and receive a promotion, you may have two thousand years of Yin Lifespan like us."

Ghosts and deities were not immortal and indestructible, transcending the Five Elements and existing beyond the Three Realms. Under normal circumstances, they would still face Yin Lifespan tribulations, military tribulations, and other calamities.

Ghosts and deities placed particular importance on merit and karma.

Upon hearing this, Huang Bai's tempted thoughts instantly vanished.

The restrictions on ghosts and deities were simply too great. Not only would he have to serve under others, but he would also be unable to escape calamities.

Moreover, once he became bound to this world, he did not know whether he could still use the Heavenly Dao Talisman Edict to travel across the worlds.

"Forget it. I have no desire to become a god. Being a carefree wanderer suits me just fine."

Dual Cultivation of Nature and Life was Huang Bai's goal.

Becoming a ghost or deity was a last resort if he truly had no other choice. Otherwise, he would never consider it.

"I knew it."

White Crane Boy revealed a knowing expression.

"One day, when your physical body breaks through and becomes an Earth Immortal, we shall drink and talk together again."

Of course, if that day truly came, the one drinking with Huang Bai would be an even higher-ranking divine being.

Yet it was more likely that, after a hundred years, Huang Bai would become a god through greater magical power.

After all, Dual Cultivation of Nature and Life was far too difficult.

No matter what, ghosts and deities would ultimately remain Huang Bai's fallback choice. At the very least, a position as a fellow official would not escape him.

"Thank you for your auspicious words, General." Huang Bai cupped his hands in thanks.

White Crane Boy's actions only further strengthened his resolve to cultivate the Dao.

If not for the Heavenly Dao Talisman Edict's ability to travel between worlds, which had allowed him to obtain Wong Tai Sin's inheritance, why would a lofty dharma-protecting ghost deity ever associate with him as an equal?

White Crane Boy extended a hand and plucked a white feather from his back.

The feather drifted down and transformed into white flames, which gathered into winding ancient seal script, resembling flowers and birds, yet also talismans.

"This is..."

"A Death Summons Writ, also known as a Life-Urging Talisman. Hold this talisman, and you may summon the divine power of White Crane."

The Death Summons Writ landed on the back of Huang Bai's hand and transformed into crimson markings.

Huang Bai was somewhat moved. He solemnly bowed and said, "Thank you for your favor, General White Crane."

"No need for such courtesy. I also gained a portion of merit from the demon-slaying matter. Consider this your reward."

As soon as he finished speaking, White Crane Boy looked up at the sky.

"The time has come. Until we meet again."

Whoosh!

In an instant, Huang Bai returned to reality once more.

Before he knew it, dawn had begun to break.

Huang Bai glanced at the Death Summons Writ as the Heavenly Dao Talisman Edict transmitted information.

[White Crane Boy Death Summons Writ]: Palm Thunder, Immobilization Incantation, Body-Protecting Golden Light. Each may be used once within twelve hours, with power varying according to the caster's realm.

"Varying according to the caster's realm?"

It seemed he would not see those magnificent heavenly bolts of lightning from several days ago again. Still, Thunder Arts were inherently fierce and exceptionally effective against ghosts and spirits.

The gains from this instance were fairly decent.

His disciple A Gui hurried over and knocked on the door. "Master was hospitalized last night."

"What happened?"

"I don't know. The report still isn't out."

A Gui had come here intending to take Huang Bai to visit him.

Huang Bai got into A Gui's car, and the two made their way to the hospital ward.

Inside the private ward.

Chen Lixing, his hair gray-white, wore striped hospital clothes and leaned alone against the window with a cigarette in his mouth.

Hearing footsteps, Chen Lixing jumped in fright and hurriedly hid the cigarette. Only after seeing the two of them did he relax.

"A Gui, watch the door. Mr. Huang and I need to talk."

Only Huang Bai and Chen Lixing remained in the room.

Chen Lixing looked at Huang Bai. His expression was calm, but his words were shocking.

"The doctor said there's a tumor in my brain."

"Is there still a way to treat it?"

"No. At most, three months. At my age, I can't undergo surgery. I'm basically just waiting to die."

"However, there's also good news." Chen Lixing changed the subject. "I had a dream last night. White Crane Boy descended to the mortal world and told me that, because I have merit, I can become an Underworld Bureau constable after death."

"That truly is good news. Congratulations." Only then did Huang Bai feel relieved.

An Underworld Bureau constable could not compare to a ghost deity. He could not establish temples or statues and enjoy offerings of incense, but at least he would have somewhere to go after death and could still look after his descendants.

"So there's no need for treatment. While I still have Yang Lifespan left, I should enjoy life properly."

Death was the greatest terror for all sentient beings. Its horror lay in the unknown, and Chen Lixing was naturally no exception.

Now that he knew what awaited him after death, he had nothing left to fear.

Huang Bai lit a cigarette as well. The two stood by the window, exhaling smoke as they each sank into their own thoughts.

The world was unpredictable. Would he regret today's choice years from now?

Rather than becoming a lofty immortal in the heavens, he had chosen to wander through dangerous worlds.

Still, at least for the present him, it had not reached the point of regret.

"Thank you." As Huang Bai pondered this, Chen Lixing suddenly thanked him for no apparent reason.

"For what?"

"If it hadn't been for you, I wouldn't have gained this merit. Looking back, you really were someone sent by heaven to change my fate."

If Huang Bai had not appeared, perhaps he would have died in a hospital bed filled with regret.

"Perhaps."

Huang Bai said with a smile.

Perhaps he truly had such a duty. Since traveling through the myriad worlds, he had indeed made up for quite a few regrets.

Over the following months, Huang Bai resigned, and Chen Lixing passed away.

Night.

Huang Bai sat alone in meditation in his room.

Suddenly, a Yin wind blew open the door.

Bright moonlight shone upon the hall.

Chen Lixing stood outside the door, his face ash-white. He waved at Huang Bai as blue smoke rose from his body, and then he vanished.

Chen Lixing did not qualify to ascend to the Upper Realm. He would remain within the temple Dharma Realm of this world, awaiting orders from his superiors or offering assistance to spirit mediums.

"Farewell." Huang Bai smiled and returned the gesture. "It is about time for me to leave as well."

After speaking, Huang Bai put away the books and magical shackles he had brought from this world, then took out the black lotus containing the Buddha Mother's true body.

Bang!

A streak of golden light flashed, and the black lotus turned to ashes.

The Heavenly Dao Talisman Edict slowly lit up as his figure gradually faded away.

Spirit Realm.

Within Ksitigarbha Dharma Realm, the scenery of hell was gloomy and terrifying.

Inside the mountain gate, the mountain-sized White Crane sat with his eyes closed.

The instant Huang Bai vanished, White Crane Boy abruptly opened his eyes.

"He disappeared? What divine being descended to the Lower Realm to undergo tribulations?"