Shushan Earthly Immortal

Chapter 400 Building an Altar by the Water, a Pure Land for Tomorrow

[Note]: (Many readers of this book are familiar with Taoism, and some are even Taoists themselves. To avoid any disrespect or controversy arising from the content of this chapter, I apologize for taking up paid space and have added this note.)
Historically, both the Jingming and Lushan sects revered Xu Zhenjun and celebrated their achievements in slaying dragons and controlling floods. They also interacted and merged with each other. However, my research reveals no clear affiliation between them; both were founded by descendants of the Tang and Song dynasties, using the Xu Zhenjun faith as a basis. In this book, Xu Zhenjun is deified, portrayed as having personally established the Jingming sect during the Wei and Jin dynasties, passing down its lineage for generations. Therefore, the Lushan sect in the book is depicted as a branch of the Jingming. Furthermore, the origins and characteristics of the Lushan sect in this book have been artistically embellished while referencing reality.

All the above changes are for dramatic purposes. Please forgive any offense caused.

The following is the main text.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"I previously consulted the Papal Codex, and if the record is correct, the Lushan School, transmitted by the True Lord, is known as 'Building Altars by the Water, Purifying the Land for Tomorrow,' and is particularly skilled at eliminating spirits and slaying evil ghosts?"

Cheng Xinzhan asked.

"Yes Yes!"

Master Zhenchang was overjoyed to hear Cheng Xinzhan's question and nodded repeatedly, explaining...
"The Lushan lineage is the earliest and largest branch of the Jingming lineage today. It was founded by Master Chen, the Lady of Linshui, and its branch altar is located in Gutian, Fujian. This lineage is relatively independent. After Master Chen went to Fujian, she combined the local customs, geography and waterways to further develop the Jingming doctrines and magic, forming its own unique characteristics."

"Although Master Chen was born a woman, she had the same character as the True Lord: compassionate yet fierce and brave. She was kind and patient in teaching ordinary believers, but showed no mercy when slaying demons and monsters. She was also extremely skilled in water magic and altar magic, which is the origin of what you call 'building an altar by the water, a pure land tomorrow'."

"This lineage upholds the principles of purity, clarity, loyalty, and filial piety, while practicing the strict and rigorous methods of thunder and lightning. Its specific characteristics can be summarized as follows: talismans and incantations are the weapons, and incantations are the commands. Altars are built near water, and five camps are dispatched. It can bring life or death, and can generate rain and thunder."

In just a few words, Master Zhenchang gave a brief introduction to the origins, headquarters, doctrines, and practices of the Lushan School.

Cheng Xinzhan nodded and said,

"I see, thank you for clearing up my doubts, Daoist Master."

Master Zhenchang said in response.

"It's alright, it's alright. Is there anything else you'd like to ask, sir?"

"Of course Cheng Xinzhan has it," he asked.
"I read in the records that the Lushan School's altar ritual is called 'Linshui Altar,' meaning the altar is built in water, and the deeper the water, the greater the altar's power. It is said that their ancestral altar is at the bottom of the Min River. Is there any truth to this?"

Master Zhenchang nodded and said,

"That's right. This kind of water altar was originally created by the True Lord to slay the dragon. It has two functions. One is to suppress the water and prevent the dragon from causing floods; the other is to use the power of the water vein to cast spells and commands, either to directly curse and kill the dragon or to dispatch the water palace's troops."

"When Master Chen first arrived in Fujian to establish altars and spread his teachings, his radical actions, coupled with local xenophobia, led to severe suppression by local forces such as shamans, unorthodox sects, and demons. His altars were repeatedly built and destroyed. However, Master Chen, with his unyielding character, devised a solution amidst these difficulties: he taught his disciples and followers the 'Water Altar Technique,' a method for suppressing water and slaying dragons, to establish orthodox altars and propagate the Pure Brightness doctrine and magic. This not only concealed the altar's location, making its destruction impossible, but also amplified the power of his rituals through a water altar. Whether it was slaying demons, or… cough cough… or revenge, it was all much more effective."

"This method of using one altar for two purposes has been passed down in both our ancestral temple and the Lushan branch. However, there is no doubt that the Lushan branch has promoted and refined this method in Fujian over thousands of years, surpassing its predecessors. In addition, our two schools have different focuses. Because there is no threat of dragons in Yuzhang, our ancestral temple tends to use this method to stop floods. On the other hand, the coastal areas of Fujian are often invaded by overseas demons and southern sects, so they tend to use the method of cursing and attacking."

At this point, Daoist Zhenchang smiled.
"Both of these methods can accumulate merit. Now that the Taoist sects of Yuzhang and Fujian are supporting the front line in Yuyang to slay the demon dragon, we can see that both of these altar methods are shining brightly."

Cheng Xinzhan smiled upon hearing this. He had already learned of this matter from Zhaoming's letter, and in fact, his trip here was inspired by it. He said,
"The coastal areas of Fujian, where Master Chen preached along the Minjiang River, have a geographical advantage, making it indeed suitable for performing this ritual. Moreover, to be honest, my sudden visit today is also related to this matter."

"Appreciate further details."

"As you may know, I have been exorcising demons in Dianwen these days, and I have suddenly discovered that the terrain of Dianwen is also very suitable for the Lushan Sect to spread its teachings."

"oh?!"

Master Zhen Chang's eyes gleamed; finally, they were getting to the point. "Very well, very well! First, the Yin-Yang Corpse Dissolution Immortal Technique flourished in the world; now, this immense wealth is finally going to the Pure Brightness Sect?"
"I hope you can explain in detail, sir!"

Cheng Xinzhan then said,
"The Hengduan Mountains extend from Xikang in the south to Dianwen, so the entire western Yunnan region is characterized by treacherous terrain with high mountains and deep waters. The Lancang River, Nu River, and Jinsha River are all incredibly deep. The eastern Yunnan plateau is dotted with deep lakes, such as Dianchi Lake, Yixiu Lake, and Fuxian Lake, each one deeper than the last. In particular, the Tiger Leaping Gorge section of the Jinsha River and Fuxian Lake are both over 300 zhang deep, which is practically impossible in the southeast."

"And this is only what's visible. There are also underground caves, pools, and rivers, which are everywhere and bottomless. I don't know about other places, but I know about the Ailao Mountains. There is a bottomless pit in the mountains, a huge natural vertical shaft, with a depth of hundreds of feet."

He looked at Daoist Zhenchang and said earnestly.
"Dianwen is located on the border of China, so its spiritual energy is definitely thinner and it can't compare to the prosperous southeast coast. But such a place with abundant and deep water is not unique, but it should be one of the best inland. I really think this place is very suitable for the Lushan Sect. The Lushan lineage can quickly establish itself in Dianwen by virtue of its waterside altar. There is so much to be done in this vast land!"

Master Zhenchang chuckled inwardly. His teacher was young and probably didn't know much about Fujian. What treacherous mountains and rivers could possibly compare to Fujian? He was greatly intrigued and was about to drag Cheng Xinzhan to Fujian to find the Lushan headquarters, but then he heard Cheng Xinzhan say…
“Besides the advantage of location, I also have the two theories of human factors and the timing of events.”

Master Zhenchang was overjoyed upon hearing this. He told himself to remain calm and not lose his composure in front of his master, and then smiled and said...
"Please give me some advice, sir."

Cheng Xinzhan was worried that the infamous Lushan Sect would look down on Yunnanese writing, so he explained in more detail, speaking slowly and deliberately.

"Yunnan is a land of rugged mountains and rapid rivers, and its people are known for their fierce and unyielding nature, deeply influenced by shamanistic rituals. As far as I know, when the Lushan sect spread its teachings in Fujian, it also absorbed some of the essence of local Southern Shamanism, forming its own unique Taoist and shamanistic magic. I think that if I come to Yunnan to spread my teachings, I shouldn't be too far removed from the local customs and traditions. This person is one with the people."

"Furthermore, Yunnan is characterized by its high mountains, deep waters, and humid climate, which breeds many insects, snakes, spirits, and epidemics, in turn giving rise to ghosts and spirits. The people here struggle to survive, so many practice witchcraft and ghost-raising to protect themselves, often falling into unorthodox and demonic practices, which then harm ordinary people, leading to an increase in evil influences. In contrast, the Lushan magic is known for its powerful and swift methods, used to eliminate spirits and slay ghosts. If it were to come to Yunnan to spread its teachings, it would surely be revered by the local people, and the flourishing of its traditions would be just around the corner. This is the second reason why such a person is so popular."

"Furthermore, regarding the timing, although Yunnan's overall spiritual energy is thinner than that of the East, it still boasts renowned spiritual lands such as Dianchi Lake, Yixiu Lake, and Fuxian Lake. These spiritual lands were originally inhabited by the orthodox Buddhist and Taoist sects of Yunnan, and naturally, they would not have entertained such improper thoughts in the past. However, now that the demonic tide is surging in eastern Yunnan, and the three lakes have all been occupied by the demonic sects, it is time to consider this possibility. We are slaying demons and monsters, reclaiming lost territory, and acting with righteousness, so no one can say anything. This is the first aspect of the timing."

"Furthermore, in previous years, it was inconvenient to preach and establish altars in other places, and it was easy to encounter resistance. As the Taoist priest just mentioned, the Lushan Sect suffered greatly when it preached in Fujian. But the current situation in Yunnan is just right: the Buddhist sects in northern Yunnan are caught in a whirlpool and have no time to take care of themselves; the Doumu Pavilion in central Yunnan has taken the initiative to contact the East and shown goodwill; and Wuliang Mountain in southern Yunnan has turned to a side sect and can provide support. This is the second reason for the favorable timing."

After Cheng Xinzhan finished speaking, he looked at Daoist Zhenchang and said sincerely,

"With the right timing, location, and people, if the Lushan Sect has any ideas, now is a golden opportunity that comes once in a lifetime."

Master Zhenchang suddenly stood up.

“Come on, let this old Taoist priest lead the way for you, sir, on a trip through Fujian.”

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Fujian is located in the southeast, where mountains and sea intertwine.

The mountains rise in clusters like the armor of a dragon, rugged and imposing; the rivers surge like thunderous chariots. Wuyi Mountain, crowned with the highest peaks, cleaves the heavens and stands firm against the elements; the Min River, like a belt, splits ravines and valleys to connect to the vast ocean.

Although Fujian is adjacent to Yuzhang, Cheng Xinzhan thought back and realized that, aside from Gao Fei passing through, this was truly his first time specifically visiting Fujian. To describe Cheng Xinzhan's impression of Fujian, to put it nicely, it was "mountains clustered like dragon armor, rugged and imposing," but to be honest, looking down from the sky, his first thought was only three words:

A jumble of rocks. How could there be a place where the mountains grow so densely and haphazardly?

Not only that, but when he used his Qi Observation Technique to examine it closely, he discovered that the chaos wasn't just on the surface; even the flow of the mountain's energy was haphazard, and the spiritual energy wasn't very dense. He had previously worried that the Lushan Sect might look down on Dian script, but after this careful look, he realized he must have been overthinking it.

"Haha, sir, look, this is Fujian, a place that military strategists have never contested."

Zhen Changdao laughed loudly.

Cheng Xinzhan was both amused and exasperated upon hearing this.

Master Zhenchang sighed,
"This is not a joke, it's true. Fujian's terrain is mostly mountains, with one part water and one part farmland. There's not much land to cultivate, so the population is naturally small. With fewer people, where do spiritual practitioners come from? With fewer spiritual practitioners, fewer people come here to spread the Dharma and establish teachings. Fewer people come to unite with the Dao, manage the mountains and rivers, and educate the people. As a result, the spiritual energy becomes increasingly thin, and it gradually evolved into a barren land in the scenic southeast. This is how the saying 'There is no great religion in Fujian' came about."

"That's precisely why witchcraft and sorcery are so prevalent in such places. It's exactly the same as the Yunnan script you mentioned. Back then, Master Chen came to Fujian to preach because he saw that the practice of cultivation in Fujian was not proper and the people were suffering. You say that the people of Yunnan are fierce, but I think they might not even be as fierce as the people of Fujian!"
"hehe."

At this point, Daoist Zhenchang smiled.
"Everyone says that the Lushan School is fierce and domineering, a result of the corrupt upper beam and crooked lower beam, passed down from the roots of my Jingming School. But I don't think that's entirely true. It also has a lot to do with the local customs and traditions. The Lushan branch has been rooted in Fujian for thousands of years. It would be strange if they weren't fierce."

Cheng Xinzhan responded with a smile.

"Come, sir, this way."

Master Zhenchang led Cheng Xinzhan to the "one river" of the "eight mountains and one river".

The Minjiang River is the largest waterway in Fujian Province, running through the entire region and holding a revered position in the hearts of the Fujian people. The Lady of Linshui preached in the Minjiang River basin, founding the Lushan Sect, which is now the largest sect in the Minjiang River basin.

The true ancestral altar of the Lushan School is called "Lushan Altar," located at the bottom of the Min River, its exact location never known to outsiders. Its main land altar is the Linshui Palace, located on the east bank of the Min River in Gutian County, Fuzhou.

The two fell from the sky.

What a fine palace! Nestled against the mountains and embraced by the water, it is truly a magnificent place.
Carved eaves and embroidered gates, vermilion eaves gleaming in the sun amidst layered mountains, green gates reflecting the emerald waters. Majestic gates stand guard, stone lions perched on jade steps, and coiled dragons encircle the pillars of the jade palace. The corridors and halls wind and turn, like a celestial sphere encircling the palace, and the pavilions and terraces are staggered, like stars scattered in a court.

The gatehouse is a five-bay, double-eaved archway with a vertical plaque in blue with gold lettering that reads:

"Bestowed the Linshui Palace by Imperial Decree".

As expected of the Jingming Sect, its mountain gate is magnificent, inheriting the same lineage as the Wanshou Palace.

At this moment, the mountain gate opened wide, presumably because they had received a message from Daoist Zhenchang in advance, and a group of eminent figures from the Lushan Sect lined up in front of the palace gate to welcome them.

"Greetings to the envoy, greetings to Mr. Guangfa."

Among them, a Taoist priest dressed in a bright red robe embroidered with images of various deities stepped forward and bowed in greeting. This was none other than Huang Faming, the Palace Master of Linshui Palace and the current leader of the Lushan Sect.

Master Zhenchang and Cheng Xinzhan returned the greeting.

Then, led by a master from the Lushan Sect, the two entered the palace. They first went to the Ancestral Hall and paid their respects to Master Xu and Lady Linshui. Afterwards, some of the accompanying people left on their own, leaving only the two core figures to lead Daoist Zhenchang and Cheng Xinzhan to a secret hall.

"The envoy said that Master Guangfa has a decree to convey. Please speak clearly, and all members of the Lushan Sect will obey his orders!"

Huang Faming, the current leader of the Lushan Sect, is a vigorous middle-aged man with a lean and powerful physique. He is currently staring intently at Cheng Xinzhan.

"Exactly, exactly."

Seeing the younger deputy leader, Zang Faxian, echoing his sentiments.

There are no major sects in Fujian, only four are well-known: Linshui Palace, Wuyi Mountain, Taimu Mountain, and Qingyuan Mountain. Wuyi Mountain is a reclusive sect, rarely venturing out despite possessing the strength of a Shizong (a high-ranking official sect). Taimu Mountain and Qingyuan Mountain are roughly equal in strength, both having four lineages of inheritance, but their influence is intermittent, so they can only be considered major sects, and both are located by the sea. In Fujian, only Linshui Palace is openly recognized as a Shizong sect; the Lushan sect essentially holds the reins in Fujian.

The two people sitting in this secret hall at this moment are the leader and deputy leader of the Lushan Sect, both at the fourth level of cultivation, figures whose every move can shake the entire Fujian region. But at this moment, both of them are staring intently at Cheng Xinzhan, their eyes gleaming, and their polite manner is so overt that it's hard to feel comfortable.

Cheng Xinzhan was also somewhat surprised.

Seeing this, Liao Zhenjian understood the situation and explained.
"Before Lady Linshui established the Lushan lineage, she served as the deputy leader of the ancestral temple, so she must have known about the 'Dragon Sand Prophecy.' Judging from Faming and Faxian's appearances, it's clear that the 'Dragon Sand Prophecy' has been passed down through generations within the Lushan sect."

The two men from Lushan smiled and acquiesced.

"You two need not do this. Please do not be too polite to me. I have come here to discuss important matters, and I would never dare to order you around. Moreover, it concerns the continuation of the True Lord's lineage, so we must be extremely cautious."

Cheng Xinzhan replied.

Huang Faming and Zang Faxian exchanged a glance, both seeing excitement in each other's eyes. They never expected that the Lushan branch would still have a spot among the eight hundred Earth Immortals!
"Sir, please speak!"

Huang Faming's tone was filled with barely concealed excitement.

Therefore, Cheng Xinzhan put forward his suggestion on the relocation of the Lushan School to Yunnan. His specific explanation was basically the same as what he had said to Daoist Zhenchang at Wanshou Palace, and he talked about the advantages of location, people, and timing in turn.

Huang Faming and Zang Faxian became increasingly excited as they listened, their emotions rising higher and higher.

"When do we depart?!"

After hearing about the favorable timing, location, and human factors, Huang Faming only asked one question.

Upon hearing this, Cheng Xinzhan smiled, relieved, and then patted his hand to indicate that he should calm down, and said...

"There's no rush to set off. We need to discuss our strategy first and make thorough preparations. Here's what I'm thinking..."

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(End of this chapter)