From Huo Jun's words, Ji Xiang learned three facts.
Firstly, there was a misplacement of information. Although the exact point of error was unknown, the events at the Milong Casino and the Jinshan Water Mansion seemed to have been mistakenly attributed to Huo Jun's father, Zen Master Hu Yan.
Secondly, many sects across the land were agitated by the previous incident and were actively searching for Zen Master Hu Yan's whereabouts.
"I never concealed my name when I fought people, yet when a major incident occurred, a dead man was made to take the blame for me... Never mind, let him continue to bear it."
The prominent sects appeared to be more deeply infiltrated than he had imagined. Many of the cultivators attending the Ascension Assembly in Ying Tian Fu were renowned elders from various sects, and their cultivation levels were all above the Nascent Soul stage, creating an imposing presence.
Thirdly, and most importantly, was the "real-time update" of the blank divine tablet.
It turned out that when he was at the Milong Casino, the Huang Tian Sect incantation he had used, based on the text provided by the blank divine tablet, was a new technique that Huo Jun had only recently figured out, and had not even fully written down the name of the scripture.
This greatly shocked Ji Xiang.
It wasn't the shock of Huo Jun's creativity; such harmful spells were not difficult to write. After all, the White Lotus Sect and its various branches had similar methods. As long as one focused on a specific scripture and technique, even someone without a cultivation foundation could concoct a spell and find it somewhat effective with random practice.
It was like some amateur practitioners who were just beginning their cultivation journey would often learn the easiest summoning techniques. However, due to their lack of skill, while they could draw talismans and cast spells, the entities they summoned were not necessarily gods.
Therefore, the method itself was not noteworthy.
What was remarkable was the blank divine tablet.
As soon as something was written down and recognized as usable, it could be known by the blank divine tablet. This ability transcended common sense and reached the realm of the Heavenly Dao. For Ji Xiang, this was excellent news.
This meant that even if he encountered spells he didn't understand in the future, as long as a new method targeting that spell appeared, the blank divine tablet could immediately record it and inform him!
It was like being "one step ahead." Perhaps the other party had just developed a new spell and didn't know its effects yet, but he could already use it proficiently. If this spell was for ascension or other purposes, as long as the other party revealed it, then...
"Your spell is quite good!"
"It will be mine in the next second!"
"I understand. These matters are trivial."
Ji Xiang agreed calmly. Huo Jun, unwilling to continue speaking subserviently to Ji Xiang, maintained a polite smile and retreated. Mr. Yao glanced at Huo Jun and Crown Prince Lie Jie, telling them:
"Once those students arrive at Da Bao Ying Temple, they will not leave. You must be there to escort them until the Ascension Assembly begins tonight. By then, all the arrangements in Ying Tian Fu will be complete, and renowned cultivators from the major sects will gather to offer treasures to the Prince for his ascension."
Huo Jun let out a sigh of relief.
After working under Prince Lu for so long, they were finally about to get down to business.
The Jing Lun Heavenly Palace provided certain support to Prince Lu. He cooperated with Prince Lu through himself as the representative. Although the cooperation had not been very smooth...
Simultaneously, once Prince Lu ascended, upon entering the Southern Forbidden City, the Huang Tian Sect would be officially recognized, thus becoming the orthodox lineage of the New Heavenly Master Dao in the human world.
...
A monk holding prayer beads approached and greeted Prince Lu with a Buddhist chant.
"Has Scholar Shen from the Imperial Academy offered any guidance to his students?"
"For example, telling them to leave here quickly or something similar?"
The monk holding prayer beads shook his head. "No, on the contrary, he expressed that they should serve the Prince and gave them some encouragement. He also spoke with some of them privately, urging them to fully display their talents now, as this is their only chance to rise swiftly."
Prince Lu's brow furrowed slightly.
"This is somewhat beyond my expectations."
"To be honest,"
"I do not trust True Person Bei Ji."
Prince Lu shook his head at the monk. "Ultimately, we are all observing each other, trying to determine if there are mutual benefits for cooperation. However, True Person Bei Ji has a good relationship with True Person Zhang. Whether he is genuinely loyal, cooperating under duress, or acting with other motives, I cannot yet fathom."
"I was the one who extended the invitation; he merely went with the flow. Perhaps he intends to use this assembly to ascertain my background, or to cause trouble and disruption. I request that you do not leave his side and keep a close watch on him."
The monk holding prayer beads chanted a Buddhist name. "It is as it should be. We must not let him ruin the Prince's ascension."
"With this humble monk here, the Prince need not worry about True Person Bei Ji having second thoughts at a critical moment."
"However, regarding True Person Bei Ji..."
Prince Lu's gaze shifted. "What is it?"
The monk paused for a moment. "I have been observing True Person Bei Ji in secret. There are no anomalies. His magical power is immense, and his aura is as vast as an abyss. Although his outward appearance is that of an Earth Immortal, his true strength far surpasses his current realm. It is natural for an immortal to descend and cultivate anew; their Dao cultivation remains, only the physical realm of their magical power needs to be rebuilt."
"However..."
"There is always a sense of incongruity, which I cannot quite explain. If I were to describe it, it would be... a profound detachment from the mundane world."
"It is likely that True Person Bei Ji is concealing some of his strength, and it does not manifest outwardly. That is why I always feel that he is slightly out of sync with his surroundings."
Prince Lu nodded slightly. "Perhaps it is due to his form and spirit. According to my information, True Person Bei Ji's physical body is not his own, nor was it fabricated by anyone. It is a case of borrowing a corpse to return a soul, similar to the ancient immortal Tieguai Li. Therefore, his form and spirit do not match his physical body, and he has likely not yet resolved this issue."
The monk pondered, but could not find a solution, and could only nod. "Perhaps... it is so."
Prince Lu nodded and stopped discussing Ji Xiang. "As for that demonic cultivator, he is a disciple of the Xishan Academy, isn't he? Go and see him. Ask him if he is willing to follow me... I mean, to follow me completely."
"Not to follow behind True Person Bei Ji. If he is willing, I don't mind giving him some benefits."
"As for that young girl, since Scholar Shen did not act out of line, I will not concern myself with her. This Shen family father and daughter possess righteous energy, but they cannot serve as the foundation for my ascension, which is a pity. I wonder if their actions now are out of genuine fear of me, or if they have some other plan. However, as a mere mortal, he has no ability to influence me. As long as you keep an eye on True Person Bei Ji, everything will be stable."
"However, with two people missing, we will need to find a few more to fill their places."
"Please recommend some officials from the Six Ministries of Ying Tian, whom I can utilize?"
"The high-ranking officials in the Six Ministries of Ying Tian are all bureaucrats nearing retirement, while the lower-ranking ones are young officials who are merely holding nominal positions before being transferred back to Shun Tian. Those retired court officials, who have a good relationship with you, must have told you about many useful individuals."
The monk holding prayer beads fell silent for a moment, seemingly in thought. After a short while, he said to Prince Lu:
"I do know someone, but this person is not among the Six Ministries. He was demoted from the Six Ministries of Ying Tian some years ago. When he was demoted, I met him several times. He came to Da Bao Ying Temple to vent his dissatisfaction, and thus I was able to influence him, granting him some Buddhist nature..."
"It is more valuable. I can use Buddhist Dharma and the power of the Dharma Realm to summon him and allow him to enter the Pure Land Sacred Temple for worship. However, the art of entering dreams is ultimately not a method of coercion, so only his soul will come. Moreover, the soul within the dream, when ascending to the Dharma Realm, will not be disturbed by Yin demons or ghosts, nor will it suffer any harm."
Prince Lu smiled. "The manifestation of the soul is sufficient. The events in dreams are absurd and bizarre. What I need is not that physical body; righteous energy is a power that resides in the heart and emanates outwards. Where the soul is, the spirit is, and righteous energy is present. It is merely using his soul as a sacrifice."
"However..."
Prince Lu said, then expressed his doubt. "You said there is only one person?"
The monk holding prayer beads nodded. "One person is enough."
"When I first met him years ago, the vast righteous energy he possessed was already more than ten times that of Master Shen. Compared to him, it was like a firefly against the bright moon, not worth mentioning!"
"Furthermore, the source of Master Shen's righteous energy is this person."
Prince Lu was surprised. "Ying Tian once had such a person?"
"My knowledge is shallow."
...
Night fell, and the world grew dim. On the Qinhuai River, the lanterns were lit once more, like the Milky Way descending from the nine heavens, with ancient starlight floating and sinking in the human world.
Bewitching and lingering, beauties like jade, scholars and poets arrived on boats. Compared to the Qinhuai River of previous days, tonight saw the most boats on the river, almost to the extent that... a single fire could burn down an eight-hundred-mile encampment.
"What a magnificent sight."
Prince Lu's royal boat was enormous. The river water appeared a pitch-black ink. Demons stirred restlessly in the places where the lamplight could not reach, wandering in the darkness. While they could not resist their desire to feast, if they were to recklessly devour people at this moment and disrupt Prince Lu's ascension, they would suffer a punishment more terrifying than death.
The suffering of the "Five Labor and Seven Injuries" was Prince Lu's method of controlling demons and some divine generals. Its origin was Prince Lu's own "Thousand Aspects," the curse of the Fire Bodhi planted by the Huiji Vajra. Since it could be dispersed through the Thousand Aspects, it could also be dispersed into the bodies of his subordinates.
That was pure Buddhist fire, which ordinary demons could not resist. Even a slight touch would instantly cause the Buddhist fire to extinguish their five internal organs and ignite their seven emotions, becoming inextinguishable. In an instant, their form and spirit would be annihilated, leaving not even a trace of impurity behind.
Therefore, only the thirteen hundred demons chosen by Prince Lu had the opportunity to feast on those who possessed righteous energy.
"Do not be too hasty."
Prince Lu watched the demons that had surfaced in the river, chosen by him. They were bowing to him and gradually transforming into smoke, gathering into certain boats and taking on human forms.
"Only when the time comes can you feast. This is also your last meal. Those who possess vast righteous energy, even those who have been tainted, are a rare delicacy for you. Moreover, righteous energy is favored by heaven and earth, and is a manifestation of the power of the Great Dao of the Dynasty. Eating those who possess righteous energy will incur the hatred of heaven and earth, and you will fall into the evil path..."
"Only when you become great evils can I become a celestial being."
Hearing Prince Lu's words, Ji Xiang couldn't help but sigh, "Although demons have always been targets for extermination, it is rare to see them so thoroughly deceived."
Prince Lu chuckled. "Demons are consumables to me, like pets at home. Your cats, dogs, parrots, and crickets, when they reach the end of their lifespan, will die. For humans, it is a short time, ten years at most, or just a few months at the shortest."
"Although there might be some affection, when it comes to important matters concerning oneself, one must be willing to let go when necessary. Replacements are everywhere. Moreover, demons are beings that should be exterminated. Does the True Person feel pity or regret for these demons?"
"In the current world, being a demon has no future. Demons with some abilities either gather in hidden places unknown to people, or they protect the populace and become earth gods or household guardians, walking the righteous path; or they go to the White Lotus Sect to erect statues and seek divine manifestation through incense..."
"Eating people? Cultivating by eating people was a popular practice a long, long time ago. Truly great demons and fierce fiends, the kind that could be called such, could still be seen in the last few decades. Later, I heard that Emperor Jiajing carried out a sweep, and then there were none."
Ji Xiang was curious. "Emperor Jiajing, carried out a sweep?"
Prince Lu: "I only heard about it from others. After all, how could I know what my grandfather did? My imperial brother was only a few years old when grandfather abdicated, and shortly after, it was said that he died. However, later, I heard that the Imperial Grandfather faked his death and, before entering the Inner Rivers and Mountains, cleared out a batch of great demons and fierce fiends. As for why he carried out this purge, and what he gained, I have no idea."
"That was thirty years ago."
Ji Xiang fell silent. At this moment, he was playing chess in the royal boat with a middle-aged monk holding prayer beads.
His aura was surging. Although suppressed to the extreme, he was indeed a master at the Pure Yang level, one could call him a quasi-immortal.
"Namo Nameless Dark Bodhisattva, Celestial Master, it is your turn."
The monk chanted his Bodhisattva name. Ji Xiang's eyes held a playful glint.
The Buddhist term "nameless dark" refers to "the darkness of ignorance," which is being lost within the cycle of life, death, and karma, losing one's light, and being in a state of ignorance about past and future lives.
As the chess piece fell, outside the royal boat, cultivators arrived riding the clouds, a majestic sight, offering treasures for ascension to Prince Lu.
The monk turned his prayer beads and muttered incantations, causing the "nameless dark" to ensnare someone's dream, allowing the Buddhist Dharma Realm to guide their soul here.
...
Night descended with thunder and rain, and Buddhist light suddenly appeared in the dream.
In the land of Suichang, the population had prospered in recent years. Farmland increased, archery halls and academies were established, and people gradually developed from impoverished villages, with their food and clothing secured.
In the county magistrate's home, Buddhist light appeared in the world of sweet dreams, and the power of the Dharma Realm enveloped the land.
At his desk, the county magistrate, who was writing a manuscript, suddenly felt his mind becoming heavy, and a great wave of drowsiness washed over him, causing him to fall asleep without finishing his manuscript.
The scattered manuscripts revealed the title: "Record of Soul Return."
In that dream, the voice of Buddhist Dharma was heard, it was the Revered Master Bao Ying whom he had met before, with a solemn expression.
"Tang Xianzu, come here..."