If you don't give up, I'd like to be your adoptive father.

Chapter 1231 Conferred God
Lord Lu Jin was unwilling to leave the Central Plains.

Leaving the Central Plains would indeed save one from fighting with fellow Daoists from the Xuanmen sect, but going to the West does not mean avoiding calamity.

The waters of Xiniu Hezhou are incredibly deep; even with his profound immortal cultivation, he couldn't control them.

He is not quite the same as Dongfang Shuo.

First, Dongfang Shuo's own cultivation was strong enough, and his elixir was nearing completion, just one step away from becoming a Golden Immortal. Second, Dongfang Shuo came from a good family; his master was the Eastern Emperor. Even if he encountered trouble in the West, such as a second "Jade Cicada," the Buddhist sect would not go too far.

This is by no means an unfounded worry.

Both of the Qin princes, Ying Hong and Ying Lei, are dead. Is this a coincidence?
Behind the demonic scourge of the thirty-six kingdoms in the West, there must be a "second Jade Cicada" hidden!
He was a sword immortal from the East Sea, with no connections or favors in the West. Given the ruthlessness of the Ling Mountain bandit, he wouldn't have hesitated at all when killing him.

Conversely, if they remained in Shenzhou, even if they were caught up in the great calamity at the end of the Qin Dynasty, they might encounter the immortals of the Fulong Court. Everyone there was a "fellow Daoist of the Xuanmen," and they were familiar with each other.

When it comes to actual combat, as long as one is not blinded by murderous intent and has not lost one's mind, one will not mind giving the other face and sparing their life.

"Grand Tutor Yu, I appreciate your kindness. But I made my purpose in coming to Shenzhou clear from the beginning!"

I have encountered a bottleneck in my spiritual practice and need to comprehend the true form of the landscape of China.

I voluntarily entered this tribulation for the sake of the Great Dao. Now that I've left the Central Plains and gone to the West, how can I still comprehend the Dao?

The true forms of the Four Rivers and Five Sacred Mountains must remain in China; they cannot be taken away!

Grand Master Yu said, "If you are willing to go to the West, I will give you the 'Wind and Water Refining Spirit' manual."

Lu Jin Gong exclaimed in shock, "It's that ancient immortal technique you cultivated yourself?"

Grand Tutor Yu nodded slightly and said, "It is the method of refining spirit and harmonizing qi that I comprehended from the True Form of Mountains and Rivers Diagram."

The essence of the true form of China's landscape is contained within it. It's ten times simpler than trying to understand it yourself.

"Once you obtain the manual, you can begin cultivating directly; you don't need to comprehend it step by step on your own."

"But 'Mountains and Rivers Refining the Spirit' is your fundamental method!" Lu Jin Gong exclaimed incredulously.

Grand Tutor Yu smiled faintly and said, "So what if it's the fundamental law? Your path and my path are different."

"Refining the Spirit Through Mountains and Rivers" is the first chapter of "Mixed Wind and Wind".

After that, there is the refinement of the spirit by all spirits, the refinement of the spirit by all things, and finally the refinement of the spirit by heaven and earth.

You simply used the weight of the mountains and the gentle flow of the water to neutralize the malevolent energy of your own Immortal-Slaying Sword Qi.

There is no struggle between us over the Great Dao. Giving you immortal techniques is simply an exchange between fellow Daoists.

Lu Jin Gong exclaimed, "Grand Tutor Yu, what magnanimity! But how did you know that my 'Slaying Immortal Sword Qi' needed to dispel malevolent energy?"

—That's what Da Mie's dad told me.

Grand Tutor Yu said, "I am also a swordsman. I have seen your situation."

To be honest, while your idea is ingenious, it has strayed from the right path.

A swordsman's sword should reside only in his own heart, and be controlled by his own mind.

You can observe the landscapes of China to elevate your state of mind, rather than using the beauty of the landscapes to suppress the intent of the Immortal-Slaying Sword.

Lu Jin Gong was filled with doubt and suspicion. "Is the Grand Tutor watching me every day?"

“We’ve been keeping an eye on this for a few days now,” said Grand Tutor Yu.

Why are you staring at me every day?
If he were to be watched every day, with her scrutinizing his every move and even secretly studying his swordsmanship, he might as well go to the West.

Lu Jin Gong was puzzled and hesitated on the surface. He said, "I remember there is an ancestor of earth immortals in Xiniu Hezhou, who is also a senior in my Xuanmen."

Why did the thirty-six kingdoms not seek help from Longevity Mountain when they were plagued by demons?

Shouldn't we, the Taoist priests of the Xuanmen, take it upon ourselves to slay demons and monsters and save all living beings?

If the people of the Southern Continent encounter demons and monsters, as long as they find a legitimate Taoist temple, the Xuanmen cultivators generally will not stand idly by.

Often, cultivators of the Xuanmen sect would travel to the mortal realm, searching for opportunities to accumulate merit.

Compared to the cultivators of Shenzhou, the Xuanmen True Immortals of Xiniu Hezhou are no less capable. For example, the True Immortal of Heyang once asked, "Isn't it just about slaying demons and monsters every day to earn Heavenly Merit and repay the 'study loan'?"
Longevity Hill is terrible!

Even though those earth immortals possessed ten thousand years of cultivation, they were still timid and hesitant, and quite passive.

Xiaoyu herself has complained and grumbled about it.

But now she has to save face for her "hometown people".

She said, "Wanshou Mountain also has immortals guarding the western Shu."

However, the ancestor of the Earthly Immortals was by nature fond of tranquility and usually did not concern himself with the mortal world.

She estimated that Zhen Yuanzi still couldn't control Xiniu Hezhou.

If Zhen Yuanzi were strong enough, even if he himself preferred quiet to activity and usually focused on cultivation without caring about outside affairs, his disciples would not be as cowardly as they are now.

The reason why the immortals of Wanshou Mountain are so obedient can only be because Zhen Yuanzi usually keeps them under strict control.

Lord Lu Jin asked, "If I go to the west, what will my specific mission be? Will I need to exterminate all the demons within the country?"

Grand Tutor Yu said, "You can decide how to do it yourself. I only have one request: at least restore the Xisha Region to the state it was when Dongfang Shuo was still alive."

Let us never again see a hundred demons rampage through human lands, devouring hundreds of thousands of people from an entire city in a single go.

Lu Jin Gong sighed, "I will go to the West immediately and try my best to maintain the situation."

Duan Guisheng showed a look of joy.

Grand Tutor Yu said, "Tell Commander He of the Jingyao Army that it is not suitable to promote higher-level immortal martial arts in the Xisha Region at present."

However, he could select elite troops from the thirty-six kingdoms of the Xisha Islands to form a military formation.

Lu Jin Gong frowned and said, "It's not suitable now, but it will be suitable in the future?"

"The secrets of immortal martial arts are not to be passed on to outsiders; this is the rule, and there can be no exceptions under any circumstances!"

Grand Master Yu said, "It is not suitable now because the promotion of Immortal Martial Arts requires a long process."

This process will inevitably greatly provoke the local demons and evil cultivators.

Before you can achieve success in promoting Xianwu, demons and monsters will launch a fierce counterattack that you cannot stop.

Once the world is at peace and the imperial court of Shenzhou has the power to suppress evil spirits, then the development of martial arts in the Xisha region can be promoted in an orderly manner.

Or I'll return to the Western Sands after the great calamity in the Central Plains ends.

She glanced at the puzzled Duke Lu Jin and the frowning Ying Ziying, and said in a deep voice: "The reason why Great Qin is the legitimate successor of China is not because Great Qin is powerful."

No matter how strong the Great Qin Dynasty is, can it be stronger than the Divine Path? Stronger than the Mysterious Sects and Immortal Clans?
Why isn't it the divine path that directly rules the human world, or the immortal sect that dominates the world and arranges a proxy to govern the human world?

The Qin Dynasty was the legitimate dynasty because it represented the correct direction for the development of humanity.

To put it more bluntly, the Great Qin can make China better and improve the lives of its people.

From unifying the six kingdoms to losing the Mandate of Heaven, did the Qin Dynasty's military strength decline significantly?

No.

The loss of the Mandate of Heaven was due to the Qin Dynasty's failure to fulfill its mission.

Now let's replace Daqin with Nanzhanbuzhou.

What makes Jambudvipa (the southern continent) a 'Celestial Empire'?
Is it because the human dynasties in Jambudvipa are more powerful?

No matter how strong a human dynasty is, can it be stronger than all the demons and monsters in Beiju Luzhou combined?
The 'Celestial Empire' exists only in Jambudvipa, and not elsewhere, because the humane civilization of Jambudvipa is leading the entire human race forward.

The barbarian tribes and territories of the four directions and eight wastelands are also part of the human race.

The Emperor's regime, relying on his authority, overwhelmed the contemporary court, and even the Divine Court dared not oppose it.

The emperor's power was divided into authority from the Central Plains and authority from other places.

You will find that the total amount of authority provided by the barbarian races is definitely higher than that from the divine lands.

Since Shenzhou gained power and human fortune by virtue of its status as a 'humanity leader,' it naturally bears the responsibility of leading the entire human race forward.

When the Central Plains are unable to fulfill their duties, the spirit of humanity will shift beyond the Central Plains, perhaps to the Xiongnu, the Donghu, or the Western Regions. With the blessing of this spirit of humanity, a divine mandate will be bestowed. Barbarian states possessing this divine mandate will naturally invade the weakened China, which has lost its divine mandate.

This is the normal cause and effect, not the other way around.

This is a profound truth, as Grand Tutor Yu explained.

There were also some minor truths that she felt were unnecessary to mention.

For example, at this time, Shenzhou Xianwu had already broken through to a new realm.

The Great Qin Military Pavilion has begun to revise the Divine Continent Immortal Martial Arts. In a few decades, even in the countryside of the Divine Continent, one will be able to find martial artists who have mastered the Martial God realm.

The Martial God Domain, combined with the Military Formation, can completely overwhelm the previous Dharma Aspect Immortal Martial Arts.

Meng Tian's killing of the Snow Mountain Ancestor is a case in point.

With higher levels of immortal martial arts, releasing lower-level immortal martial arts manuals will allow Shenzhou to maintain its status as the "leader of humanity" and continue to draw upon the human fortune of the four barbarians and eight wastelands to nourish itself. This will surely give rise to more geniuses who will then develop even higher levels of immortal martial arts.

If China clings to its own shortcomings and watches helplessly as its vassal states are ravaged by demons, then future heroes like Han Xin and Xiang Yu might emerge from the Xiongnu and the Western Regions.

With an unparalleled genius, others can deduce new realms of martial arts on their own.

Furthermore, even if Grand Tutor Yu promotes the Dharma Aspect level immortal martial arts in the Xisha Region, he will not directly give away the secret manuals.

She will only demonstrate higher realms to the warriors of the Western Sands Region, just as Bai Qi enlightened Meng Tian, ​​guiding them onto the right path, and they will have to walk the rest of the way on their own.

Firstly, the finished martial arts manuals of Shenzhou ultimately belong to Shenzhou and should not be circulated outside. Secondly, only through self-improvement can healthy development occur. Simply adopting existing methods will prevent the Xisha Region from producing any martial arts masters.

Undoubtedly, improving the martial arts of the Xisha Region in the way Grand Tutor Yu would take hundreds or thousands of years, which is not a long time and cannot solve the current predicament immediately.

Besides Lu Jin Gong, there were eighteen other martial arts masters who had not committed the "crime of breaking an oath".

Grand Tutor Yu selected only seven True Immortals from among them.

"All eight of you are immortals, and skilled in combat techniques, making you the most suitable to support the Western Sands Domain. Hmm, let's form the 'Eastern Eight Immortals'."

When they went to the Xisha region, they had to make a public appearance every time they slew demons.

You must spread the word of the Qin Dynasty's benevolence to the local people.

This is indeed true; you are now truly the Celestial Masters of Qin. Even though Qin itself was on the verge of collapse, it still poured its precious resources into the West. The Westerners should forever remember this kindness.

"If we can no longer stay in the Central Plains in the future, I will lead the Ying royal family westward, and we will gain the support of the people of the thirty-six kingdoms," said Grand Tutor Yu.

Even if the Ying clan migrated westward, they would not have stayed in the Xisha region.

They could either continue westward to establish a kingdom in the desolate lands across the 800-mile-long Tongtian River, or venture south into the Western Regions and reach the Western Sea. Regardless of which direction they chose, the Ying clan would gain a good reputation and receive some support.

"You wicked king!" Grand Tutor Yu suddenly shouted.

“Sir, I’m here.”

A square-headed, dark-faced boy trotted over, bowed, and asked, "What are your orders, Master?"

“Restore your original form and let them see you,” said Grand Tutor Yu.

Wang E immediately puffed out his chest, and his figure suddenly grew taller, transforming from a skinny Taoist boy who was only a little over a meter tall into a 2.5-meter-tall, muscular evil god.

"Take out the double maces, activate their divine power, and let them sense them properly," Grand Tutor Yu said again.

Wang E did as he was told.

Grand Master Yu pointed at him and said to the Eight Immortals of the East, “This is the King of Guangfu, whose real name is ‘Wang E’.”

Remember his divine position, true name, true form, and divine power; regard him as a spirit official.

When faced with a formidable enemy, summon him and send him to fight to the death.

Wang E's face was contorted, and he glared at her with eyes that looked like he wanted to devour her.

Sensing the overwhelming murderous aura emanating from him, Dong Baxian felt a chill run down his spine and dared not respond.

Grand Tutor Yu sneered, “You can summon him all you want; he will always stay by my side.”

If you summon him, he will sense it, and so will I. If he dares not respond, I will kill him.

He disobeyed the summons, so I beat him to death.

"Thank you for your trouble, King Guangfu." Dong Baxian was slightly relieved and bowed to Wang E.

Grand Tutor Yu secretly transmitted his voice to Duke Lu Jin, saying, "When you encounter a powerful demon god, don't be reckless; you should borrow the tiger's might."

Lord Lu Jin asked, "Who is the tiger, and who is the fox?"

Grand Tutor Yu said, “Naturally, I am the tiger, and you must be as shrewd as the fox.”

For example, I could talk to the demon god about how I used the Ancestral Dragon Qi Pill to control hundreds of immortals.

She subtly threatened them—if they angered Grand Tutor Yu, she would lead hundreds of immortals to cut him in two with the Golden Dragon Scissors, cover his demon cave with the Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation, and force him to exterminate his entire family.

There are only eight of you. If you fight like mad, you won't be enough for the 'Ten Fiends of the West' to chew up in a few bites.

Not to mention, who knows who's supporting some of these demon kings!

—Since you already know this, why are you sending us to our deaths?

Although he had some doubts, Lu Jin Gong understood that Grand Tutor Yu had already done everything he could to be kind and righteous.

“Understood! Although I am a sword immortal, I also know how to be flexible,” he said.

"Everyone, take care!" Grand Tutor Yu bowed respectfully.

"Take care, Grand Tutor, we're off!"

The Eight Immortals bowed to Grand Tutor Yu and then flew westward on a cloud.

Duan Guisheng also bid farewell to Grand Tutor Yu.

Grand Tutor Yu encouraged him with a few words and wrote a letter to Duan Yuhan before letting him leave.

Upon returning to the Imperial Observatory, Grand Tutor Yu immediately rushed to the Earth Emperor's Palace.

"Yang Li, you're back!"

"Thanks to the Grand Tutor for capturing those traitors. With their help, this humble Taoist priest is much more relaxed," Yang Li said with a smile.

Chaotic times breed monsters.

This year is a year of great disasters, with the calamities not limited to floods and locust plagues, but also including demons and monsters.

"Does the Grand Tutor need something from me?" he asked again.

Xiao Yu asked, "During Chen Sheng's capture of Chen County, he killed many 'loyal Qin officials.' What are your plans, Earth Emperor Palace?"

Yang Li was taken aback for a moment, then asked, "What arrangements should we make?"

Xiao Yu asked, "When the Emperor was still alive, what would the court do if soldiers died for their country?"

Yang Li said, "Grand Tutor, go to Xingyang to find Prime Minister Li and Prince Lieyang! They will definitely issue an imperial edict to commend you."

"I'm referring to the Imperial Observatory! The Earth Emperor's Palace is in charge of matters concerning ghosts and spirits in the underworld; they don't confer titles upon them as deities?"

Back in the Xisha region, Dongfang Shuo once took the Investiture of the Gods list to Western Shu to bestow titles upon the gods.

"Shouldn't the loyal and virtuous of Shenzhou be treated better?" Xiaoyu said.

Yang Li sighed, “Times have changed. In the past, when the Qin Dynasty was at its peak, the emperor’s word was law, and whatever he said was law.”

Now that the Qin Dynasty has lost its Mandate of Heaven and is on the verge of collapse, it no longer has the power to bestow divine titles.

The four great "Investiture of the Gods" lists—east, west, south, and north—had by this time lost their power to bestow titles upon gods and could only command ghosts and spirits.

Xiao Yu said, "I will be presiding over the conferment ceremony for the gods in a little while, and the gods to be conferred are still the River God and the Dragon Lord of the Ji River."

"Without the Investiture of the Gods, without the authority of the Human Emperor, see if I can succeed."

Yang Li said with great interest, "Grand Tutor, give it a try first. Anyway, I have no ability to confer titles on gods, so even if you give me the 'Investiture of the Gods List,' it won't be of any use."

(End of this chapter)