Finally Knowing Some Basic Common Sense

Gu Zhao finally found the key point and recalled what felt wrong earlier.

The three ghostly creatures from the Golden Wind Sect that attacked today were not much different in strength from the black-clothed ghostly creature that chased the white fox he encountered that day. Moreover, each of them seemed to have Magic Artifacts on them.

And the Golden Wind Sect Divine Maiden he killed when he first transmigrated was the weakest, struck down by a single Palm Thunder from him.

But!

The black-clothed ghostly creature had no Magic Artifacts. Although these three ghostly creatures had Magic Artifacts, apart from the four metal bracelets, the wooden staff and the red silk ribbon were both destroyed by his lightning.

Compared to the fragility of these Magic Artifacts, the wooden carving he obtained from that Golden Wind Sect Divine Maiden back then was completely intact. Furthermore, through soul sense, he could feel that the energy contained within the wooden carving was more potent than all three Magic Artifacts.

If he hadn't seen the Magic Artifacts of this world before, it would be fine. But since he had seen them today and recalled what happened that day, Gu Zhao instinctively felt something was amiss.

Now, hearing the white fox's explanation, the matter became very clear.

He had unintentionally killed a Golden Wind Sect Divine Maiden passing through the village, taken the wooden carving, which was their incense statue, sent it to Earth, and then it was ignored by him.

The black-clothed ghostly creature investigating the matter found the white fox at the Golden Wind Sect's base in Xiu Yue County. Then, due to a misunderstanding, it chased the white fox all the way, only to be encountered and killed by him. Thus, in the eyes of the Golden Wind Sect, it confirmed that the white fox had stolen the statue and killed the black-clothed ghostly creature.

Thinking of this, Gu Zhao looked at the white fox with a hint of embarrassment.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Bai Ke misunderstood Gu Zhao's gaze and couldn't help but bare its teeth. "I'm not a thief, I didn't steal their incense statue. That thing has already merged with the Golden Wind Sect Master's curse. If I dared to use it, wouldn't I become his puppet?"

Gu Zhao nodded subconsciously, but then pointed at the white fox. "You yourself said you went there to absorb incense."

"That was scattered, ownerless incense!" Bai Ke's tail bristled as it said angrily, "It was only a little bit!"

"Alright, then what's the deal with the incense statue?" Gu Zhao asked tentatively.

Bai Ke looked at Gu Zhao as if he were an idiot.

Gu Zhao finally understood the white fox's gaze and formed another Heavenly Thunder Seal with his left hand.

"The Golden Wind Sect Master was originally an evil ghost. Later, he got an opportunity and began spreading his teachings in several counties around Changping Prefecture, building altars, establishing statues, collecting incense and psychic energy from believers, and then absorbing the power of incense from the statues to nourish his soul and increase his divinity," Bai Ke explained.

Gu Zhao nodded slightly, his expression unchanged.

He could understand every word, and the general meaning was clear, but he still felt a bit hazy.

"They preach in Changping Prefecture and absorb incense from believers. By rights, they should ensure peace in the region, but they seem like a cult to me!" Gu Zhao thought about the content of the ghostly creatures' words and their actual actions, completely disregarding human lives. "Doesn't the imperial court care?"

"The imperial court? The imperial court is merely the nominal co-lord. The Profound Might Divine Sect, which protects the country, is almost driven out from south of the Myriad Spirits River. Few people come to the Spiritual Court that patrols the realm. It's good if three out of the Eight Prefectures of Jiangzhou still obey the imperial court's orders now," Bai Ke said with a curl of its lips.

Gu Zhao nodded as if he understood but didn't ask, afraid of revealing his ignorance.

However, from the white fox's words, several conclusions could be drawn.

First, the Profound Might Divine Sect and the Spiritual Court should be forces of the imperial court.

Second, the world should be in turmoil now, with severe competition and conflict between local powers and imperial forces.

Third, Xiu Yue County belongs to Changping Prefecture, which is one of the Eight Prefectures of Jiangzhou, located south of the Myriad Spirits River, where the imperial court's influence is at a disadvantage.

Fourth...

Gu Zhao asked, "Since the Golden Wind Sect needs believers to contribute incense, why are they so unscrupulous and disregard human lives?"

"The Golden Wind Sect Master claims to be the Golden Wind Divine King, but he is actually an evil god who relies on deceiving believers to obtain incense," Bai Ke said disdainfully. "His subordinate ghosts and gods are naturally no good either."

Gu Zhao understood. It was the standard template for evil cults; they were all similar in every world, presenting a facade of mercy and salvation to the outside world while being incredibly perverse and corrupt within.

Of course, whether it was the Profound Might Divine Sect or the Spiritual Court, they had nothing to do with Gu Zhao now. What he cared about was whether the Golden Wind Sect would find this mountain village.

"When I was discovered by the Golden Wind Sect's protectors, they called out my identity and captured a wisp of my aura," Bai Ke shrunk its neck. "However, those three protectors have already come with my aura. They won't be able to find me anymore."

"That black-clothed ghost, and these three ghostly creatures, are they all Golden Wind Sect protectors?" Gu Zhao asked.

Bai Ke nodded repeatedly. "The Golden Wind Sect has one Great Sect Master, two Divine Consorts, and eight protectors."

Gu Zhao teased Bai Ke, "You seem to know quite clearly."

"Because all of them have been made into statues and placed in the Golden Wind Sect's altars for people to worship," Bai Ke said matter-of-factly.

Gu Zhao was speechless. "Worshipping living... Wait, no, they're already dead... Wait, that's not right either. They're dead, why aren't they in the underworld?"

Bai Ke looked at Gu Zhao. "What is the underworld?"

Then Gu Zhao fell silent. Although this world looked very similar to ancient Tianxia, there were many differences. For example, this world clearly had no Taoists, and now it seemed to have no underworld either.

"When people die, they become ghosts. Do they all wander in the mortal world?" Gu Zhao asked.

Bai Ke looked at Gu Zhao with a strange expression again. This time, before Gu Zhao could form the Heavenly Thunder Seal, it immediately replied, "For most people, when they die, their souls dissipate. This applies even to Mages and us demons. Only those with extremely deep obsessions and grievances or those blessed by divine power can become ghosts.

Originally, besides scattered wild ghosts, only those blessed by the Profound Might Divine Sect could become ghosts, then accept incense from believers to cultivate divinity, consolidate their souls, and not only be able to appear in daylight but also have their strength not restricted by the sun.

Later, as the imperial court weakened, ghosts and monsters arose everywhere, establishing altars and spreading teachings, absorbing belief and incense to become deities and wield divine power. Thus, the number of ghosts and gods in the world increased."

"So, gods are ghosts?" Gu Zhao asked. This was similar to the legends in his own world; even in the Investiture of the Gods, people had to die before becoming gods.

"Not necessarily. Some demons also cultivate the divine path, but it's only to assist in soul cultivation. They mostly rely on their own demonic power. Only demons with weak bodies will primarily cultivate the divine path," Bai Ke explained.

"For example, I don't cultivate the divine path. At most, I absorb a little scattered incense to supplement my soul," Bai Ke flicked its tail. "Originally, I didn't even think about finding someone for Soul-Bonding to cultivate, but I didn't expect to meet Xiuniang."

This time, without waiting for Gu Zhao to ask further, Bai Ke explained on its own, "Soul-Bonding can only happen between humans and demons, or humans and ghosts. If their souls are particularly compatible, they can cultivate through Soul-Bonding, which benefits both. And the more compatible their souls are, the faster their cultivation speed will be."