In the land of the South Sea, a territory of the Dharma Teachings, Fo Gui found himself restless.
He stared at the bowl of clear water in his hand, his gaze drifting downwards.
The bowl was utterly still.
The water, too, remained undisturbed.
Yet, his gaze continued to descend, not towards the table, or the floor, but beyond.
A Buddha contemplates a bowl of water, and sees eighty-four thousand insects within.
The water of Buddhism is a name, capable of transforming into the sacred fruit of Prajna, and ascending to become the dew of Bodhi, guiding people into dreams.
In dreams, one can attain enlightenment, transforming into myriad streams to cleanse the mortal body, or descending to the Yellow Springs, where a single drop brings forgetfulness of all sorrow.
The water of the mortal world might be still, but within its depths, the eighty-four thousand water insects could not find peace. Under Fo Gui's gaze, one water insect writhed, drawing the other eighty-four thousand towards it.
It transformed into a wisp of white smoke, rising from the bowl of water.
It was a creature resembling a loach, earthy yellow entwined with gray clouds. After emerging from the bowl, it turned its small eyes, curiously observing the world and the Fo Gui who watched it.
"Tu Nao, it steals water to cause floods, summons clouds to bring rain, and is one of the Ten Directions Divine Fiends."
Fo Gui stared intently at it, and the little loach stared back. At this moment, a disciple of the Dharma Teachings serving there, seeing the Divine Fiend appear, was astonished, mistaking it for a monster. They rushed forward to help, intending to capture and kill the little loach.
But Fo Gui waved his hand, halting the actions of the attending disciples, and slowly turned his head, fixing his gaze on another damp corner of the wall.
"Gua—"
A red-skinned toad squatted in the corner, appearing from nowhere, its two small eyes also fixed on everyone in the room.
"Gou Zhu... a spirit of the hearth, capable of bringing good fortune to people, one of the Ten Directions Divine Fiends."
Fo Gui ceased his meditation within the room and went out into the courtyard. He saw a flock of green geese in the courtyard, and as soon as he stepped out, they all turned their heads to look at him in unison.
"Fu Ni, it appears whenever a dike is built, and the dike is bound to collapse that night. Offer five-colored zongzi and it will depart... feared by boatmen... one of the Ten Directions Divine Fiends."
These Divine Fiends were supposed to appear in specific locations, not to gather around him. The red-skinned toad squatted in the corner instead of by the hearth, and there were no dikes in the South Sea. Furthermore, there were no Dharma Teaching cultivation sects. The fact that the water insects in a bowl of water could transform into Ten Directions Divine Fiends, happening before his very eyes.
He was all too familiar with why such a thing was happening!
Although he sensed no disturbance, in this world, someone had definitely ascended to immortality!
"Is it beyond the borders... but, there were no signs of ascension, nor any sensing of immortal power. Yet the influence has spread to the South Sea, and Divine Fiends, unseen by the world, have appeared one after another..."
Fo Gui mused that the outside must be in chaos.
The people of Guangdong in the South Sea were deeply devoted to these roadside deities, which was also the reason for the enduring prosperity of the Dharma Teachings. Regardless of what gods or monsters, as long as they protected the realm and brought peace, they received orthodox worship. The people here believed him to be a true god, and after decades, even if he wasn't originally, he was now.
However, mortals did not often see Divine Fiends.
As expected, someone soon found Fo Gui. This was the Dharma Teaching stronghold of Lei Wang, and he naturally came personally, as he too felt a strange sensation.
It was like a blockage of qi in his chest, unable to be released, and he also had a premonition that a crucial moment had arrived, hence his special visit to inquire.
"The streets outside are in chaos, with Divine Fiends appearing everywhere, both auspicious and inauspicious. In broad daylight, wandering ghosts roam, and the spirits of the sea and mountains have emerged. Some have even seen flood dragons churning the sea, causing great unease."
"I also have a strong urge, what is this..."
Lei Wang paused, his expression changing.
"What is it?" Fo Gui asked, seeing his expression shift, and Lei Wang's tone became urgent.
"Another sensation has arrived..."
"It's here again?"
"Yes. It's like it's urging me to make a decision quickly."
"Ah... I see, it has affected this place as well."
"Master, what do you mean?" Lei Wang's gaze became solemn. He did not know if what Fo Gui was about to say would align with the answer in his own mind, but he soon received a definitive response.
"If you have such a strong premonition, then it is likely true. It is just that the scale of this event is terrifying."
"There are no signs of ascension, yet the influence of ascension has reached Guangzhou. Who is this person ascending, and from where are they performing their ascension?"
"Perhaps not just you, but other Pure Yang Sect Masters also have this premonition. However, they must not have it as strongly as you, for they have not yet reached the pinnacle of the mortal realm."
Lei Wang's eyes widened gradually.
"Meaning, my thoughts are not wrong!"
"Someone has become an immortal!"
Following Zhang Tianshi, the second true ascendant in the mortal realm had finally appeared. And from Fo Gui's judgment, it seemed to be of terrifying magnitude?
"How does it compare to Zhang Tianshi?"
"It's hard to say. I have not witnessed Zhang Tianshi's ascension. If only we knew the omens..."
Before he could finish speaking, another Dharma Teaching Master arrived in a panic, bringing news that was reportedly relayed via a divine talisman from Biyou Palace in the north!
A heavenly tremor, a tremor of immense scale! It spanned hundreds of miles, its origin unknown! The sky tilted towards the northwest, the sea of clouds churned like mountains collapsing and the earth cracking, the atmosphere boiled, Divine Fiends rampaged on the ground, demons panicked, the sea surged, and the entire world shook!
Fo Gui's eyes also widened gradually.
As a powerful deity and Buddha who had existed since the Song Dynasty, he had seen many ascend to immortality, but he had never heard of or seen anything like a 'heavenly tremor'.
"This is incredible, incredible! I know who this person is!"
Undoubtedly, there was no need for Fo Gui to reveal the mystery. His expression turned somewhat fearful, while Lei Wang frowned deeply:
"Is it the Dao Master of the Imperial Court? To ascend at this time, although the omens have not spread to our location, the influence has reached here. This is Guangzhou, a great distance from the capital. If even this place is affected, can it be considered..."
"Is he showing us his might?"
They had already received a reply from the Imperial Court and knew that the court had dispatched that Dao Master south. But to create such a massive disturbance at this juncture... wasn't this a veiled display of force?
It certainly was! Who would ascend to immortality at the doorstep of their enemy? In the capital, in Joseon, on Mount Tai, where couldn't they ascend?
The urge in Lei Wang's heart grew more intense.
Fo Gui pondered for a moment and said to him:
"Since that is the case, why not respond to this premonition? You are also a peak expert in the mortal realm. Perhaps the ascension of that Dao Master at this time is the arrival of an opportunity... I will protect you."
"Ascend now, here! With immortals descending to the south, without immortals, it is difficult to resist. Relying on this old monk may not be enough."
Fo Gui had learned of some significant matters not long ago. A Bodhisattva of Equal Enlightenment had crossed realms, descending a divine form, and was almost torn apart by that Dao Master. If even a descending immortal was so disheveled, what about ordinary immortals?
He had not yet reached the realm of Equal Enlightenment, being just a step away. If he were to fight Ji Xiang, he would not gain any advantage. It would be better to let Lei Wang ascend at this time. Moreover, due to the immense faith, the entire Guangzhou could serve as Lei Wang's immortal land!
Its power would far surpass that of ordinary immortals!
He then looked at the Dharma Teaching Masters who had arrived and proposed:
"If you all have this premonition, whoever wishes to ascend, act quickly, do not delay!"
If they failed, they would never have another chance to ascend in this lifetime. Of course, if they didn't ascend now, they likely wouldn't be able to in the future either.
The heavens and earth pulled apart. After the populace erupted in excitement, three immortal pillars shot up into the sky. One was immense, while the other two, though equally powerful, were far less imposing than the first, even showing signs of collapse, as if forcibly condensed.
But then.
The faith of the South Sea, the myriad incense wishes, began to support these three immortal pillars.
The accumulation of the people over these two hundred years, their prayers, faith, wishes, and intentions, all turned towards these pillars reaching the heavens.
Blessed by ten thousand people!
...
A similar scene also appeared on Wudang Mountain.
The distance from Wudang Mountain to Shangqing was like the distance from Shangqing to Guangzhou. No heavenly tremors were seen on the mountain, but it had also been affected, with all Ten Directions Divine Fiends being stirred up.
Zhang Sanfeng looked at the other palaces. There were not a few Pure Yang cultivators on Wudang Mountain. Although Old Daoist Pei was not here on Longhu Mountain, there were still two peak Pure Yang experts.
Coupled with Dong Yunzi, who had recently recovered and quickly returned to the Pure Yang realm, there were now three peak Pure Yang experts on Wudang Mountain.
"Might as well try our luck."
All those who had reached the pinnacle of the mortal realm now had this premonition. Although it was not as strong as that of Bi Xia Yuan Jun, and the trials of ascension might not be as easy or simple as hers, and their accumulation might not be as profound, by taking a gamble, it felt like there was a chance.
Three immortal pillars shot up from Wudang!
Concurrently, two immortal pillars rose from Longhu Mountain, though one was far less imposing than the other, clearly indicating a potential failure.
Under normal circumstances, such an immortal pillar would never pass the demonic trial.
However, Tianshi had issued orders to Longhu Mountain. Therefore, apart from Old Daoist Pei, who was temporarily residing there, the only cultivator on Longhu Mountain who had not yet reached the pinnacle of Pure Yang, and lacked some accumulation, had no choice but to obey the order and take a gamble.
At the same time, Zhang Tianshi also sent messages to other Daoist sects that were willing to obey the court's dispatch or were on good terms with him. As these messages were conveyed, one after another, immortal pillars of varying power began to rise from the land of the Great Ming!
The Demon King was not present at this time.
If not now, then when?
Each sect, those capable of reaching the threshold of ascension, all utilized their sect's foundations. The success or failure of their sect over a hundred or a thousand years seemed to hinge on this single moment!
The Northern Chongyang Palace and Mount Zhongnan each had an immortal pillar soaring into the sky.
On Mount Lao, in the East Sea, an immortal pillar pierced the high heavens.
On Mount Hua, an immortal pillar broke through the clouds, its momentum vast.
On Mount Qingcheng in Shu, an immortal pillar shot into the sky.
On Mount Gexian, the last of the Three Mountains, a fierce immortal light also ascended, stirring the winds and clouds from the ground, indicating profound accumulation.
At the nine border garrisons, two immortal pillars coiled and ascended, their immense military aura transforming into auspicious clouds, pressing northwards, crossing the Great Wall, causing the northern steppes to rumble!
On Changbai Mountain, an immortal pillar, with the most imposing momentum, caused the entire Changbai Mountain to shake and tremble! Following this immortal pillar, a smaller immortal pillar also rose, but its momentum was weak, and it already felt like it was running out of steam as it began to ascend. The fortune of the entire Changbai Mountain seemed to be converging here, as if preparing to forcibly lift this small immortal pillar. m..oΓg
Scattered, there were fifteen immortal pillars soaring into the sky, meaning that fifteen people had reached the level of ascension before this time. However, the path of immortality was difficult, and if they failed, their cultivation would turn to nothing, resulting in a great loss. This was especially true for the old Daoist in Chongyang Palace, the last bastion of the Quanzhen School. If Zhang Tianshi had not told him that this was the greatest opportunity in two hundred years, he would have preferred to die rather than ascend.
In this era, if a Pure Yang cultivator died, their sect would surely fall. Like Shangqing, whose mountain master was missing, Shangqing was leaderless, making it difficult to contend with the Dharma Teachings. Lacking experts at the Pure Yang level, the South Sea Dharma Teachings had produced several figures at the Pure Yang level in recent years. They collected incense, condensed their incense true bodies to aid their cultivation, and gained a large amount of faith. Although their strength decreased outside the South Sea region, as long as they were in areas where the Dharma Teachings were prevalent, their strength did not decline. Therefore, they promoted the Dharma Teachings to seize the faith of the orthodox religions and enhance their strength.
Similarly, if the southern Dharma Teachings were included, there would be eighteen immortal pillars at this time.
And before this, in the mortal realm, apart from Ji Xiang's 'residual immortal,' there were seven other true immortals, such as Ge Tianshi and Qin Nüxiu, who had achieved liberation through decomposition and rebirth, and did not obey the orders of the current dynasty.
The immortals in the world, from this moment onwards, numbered twenty-five!
When one person attains the Dao.
Even their chickens and dogs ascend!
One Ji Xiang ascending to immortality caused a thousand-mile heavenly tremor, with seas of clouds like collapsing mountains.
Bi Xia Yuan Jun seized the opportunity to ascend, accompanied by three hundred miles of wind, rain, thunder, and lightning.
And when all eighteen peak Pure Yang cultivators ascended, regardless of how many of them were merely forcing it, with the foundation of two hundred years of accumulated incense and wishes, even a forced ascension could enter the ranks of immortals!
Even the weakest among the immortals would still be an "immortal"!
The celestial phenomena now covered almost the entire eastern and central-southern lands of the Great Ming. The people in these lands were terrified and panicked. The phenomena seen in each place were completely different. Of course, in the lands south of the Yangtze River, several phenomena could be seen superimposed, forming a grand spectacle.
For example, on Wudang Mountain, heavenly lightning struck the peak, and nearby thunderclouds bombarded the mountain for a hundred miles, accompanied by ethereal winds sweeping the land, and the buzzing and trembling of all metal weapons, such as swords and sabers!
...
Beyond the East Sea, Xu Fu was in the process of elevating Japan to a complete divine kingdom. At this moment, his heart gave a jolt, and the immense pressure made him almost unbearable. All his past emotions and desires surfaced from his heart, signifying that some great change had occurred in the world. Especially for him, a "pseudo-immortal" connected to the divine kingdom, he could most keenly sense the changes.
And the source of this change was his homeland, and the enemy he had just fought.
To the west of the sea.
On that land of the Central Plains!
"Someone has ascended to immortality? Is it that young man in black? But a single person ascending is not enough to make me feel this palpably. What is going on..."
Overseas, he could not clearly know the developments in the West Sea at this time.
However, seeing that the divine kingdom was about to be completed and the ascension of the entire nation was not far off, he no longer paid attention to these matters.
After forging the divine kingdom, within the divine kingdom, he would be like the heart of heaven, almost omnipotent. Although external attacks might be insufficient, self-preservation was more than enough. Moreover, if the divine kingdom annexed the Great Ming, and the divine kingdom encompassed the Great Ming, the entire land of the Great Ming would become his terrestrial divine kingdom, merging with the current Japan.
The fusion of destiny, and even the concept of a nation, was more powerful, more intimate, and more imperceptible than combat with weapons.
...
In the True Spirit Hierarchy Chart.
An immortal form stepped out.
A vast immortal aura surged around it, but was firmly locked and unable to escape, finally being absorbed into that immortal form!
Upon achieving the immortal path, according to one's own comprehension, one could achieve a true great divine ability that pierced through the heavens and earth!
The imprint of the divine ability fell, transforming into his palm.
Ji Xiang stepped out of the True Spirit Hierarchy Chart, tilted his head towards the sky, and felt an immense sense of exhilaration. Looking at the thousand-mile sky rumbling and shaking, with just a breath, the sea of clouds instantly dissipated, the heavenly collapse ceased, and the immortal energy swirling around him made him feel an infinite power within his body, as if he could pluck stars and capture the moon with a mere reach.
Having achieved the immortal path, below the Heavenly Heart, there was no longer anyone who could stop him! The six directions and eight wastes of this world could be swept away with one hand!
The snow presses the branches low, though low, they do not touch the mud.
Once the red sun rises, they will still be level with the sky!