While Lin Feng was still marveling at the Hui Family's brutal selection process, he discovered that the Daoists' methods were no different.
It had practically become their trademark.
Masses of test subjects and brutal selection rites kept the Taoist Temple running normally, though they also caused its decline, since more people were eliminated than selected.
This could never last. Unless they found another way, this selection process would inevitably leave them with no one to use.
For tomb-robbing families like the Hui Family, this was a one-off deal.
The Grand Elder's actions made it clear that they had never intended to sustain it.
These Daoists were so desperate because they had nowhere left to turn. Without fresh blood, the Ghosts and gods behind them would devour them.
They might as well gamble.
The more fellow disciples they had, the less likely they were to be eaten.
Buy some children, give them a bath and a full meal, and they could become Daoists. Then came the register-conferral ceremony, allowing the Ghosts and gods to choose their "sacrifices."
They did not even open a simple ritual altar, announce themselves to heaven and earth, or sound a Dharma Conch and Ritual Drum. They did not need to put on a single Ritual Robe before these bewildered children became members of the clergy.
The whole process took only a day. Afterward, they had to begin their studies. Those who learned successfully would receive "divine protection."
They would be allowed to offer incense, perform morning and evening devotions, and provide offerings. They would survive, waiting for the day the rules ceased to restrain the Uncanny beings behind their Ritual Registers and those beings devoured them.
If they failed to learn—
They would die.
To the Daoists, that still counted as a contribution, easing the hunger