Secular world: My destiny has no taboos

Chapter 521-531: The Meeting Begins

The speaker was Xu Shu, who was originally a master craftsman who traveled through mountains and rivers in the mortal world. After passing through the mortal world, he came to the present world and became an official.

The mountains are like a sea, and the landscape is a painting of demons.

The profession of Demon Painter is even rarer than that of Divine Master and Spirit Craftsman.

To become a demon painter, one must first have master-level painting skills; this hurdle alone has stumped countless people.

As a demon painter, Xu Shu was already quite powerful. With the help of the authorities, he has now successfully broken through to become a human immortal, further enhancing his strength.

With the official call for major forces across the country to participate in the seminar, some of the arrangements and dispute resolution issues fell to him.

Just as the Lei brothers and Feng Xinnan were about to clash, he immediately stopped them by speaking up.

Feng Xinnan looked at Xu Shu, immediately withdrew his hand from his waist, and bowed to Xu Shu with a sincere expression of apology.

"I was impetuous, and I apologize to Master Xu."

Xu Shu waved his hand upon hearing this: "It's alright, but if there's a next time, I won't remind you."

His words sounded gentle, yet they carried an undeniable authority.

"Of course!" Feng Xinnan was also quite sensible. He glanced in the direction of the Lei brothers, chuckled, and left.

Lei Jie, the eldest son of the Lei family, stared at Feng Xinnan's departing figure, his fists clenched so tightly they cracked, he was extremely angry.

“Feng Xinnan is deliberately provoking us.” Lei Zhao tugged at Lei Jie’s sleeve, signaling him, “Let’s not let him scheme against us.”

The Xiawu Luanjin Hall and the Shangren Fengling Hall have never gotten along.

The reason is that one is in the imperial court and the other is in the martial arts world; the two are inherently incompatible.

Those in high positions desire power, while those in humble circumstances yearn for freedom—these are two completely opposing ideologies.

After learning of Feng Xinnan's intentions, the Lei brothers temporarily abandoned their plan to cause trouble for him at the seminar.

"After this seminar ends, I will definitely make him pay the price!"

Lei Jie also bowed to Xu Shu to express his apology before leaving amidst the crowd of onlookers.

Xu Shu's appearance was like a wake-up call for everyone, and also a signal from the authorities.

Arguing is fine, quarreling is fine, but if you fight on my turf, don't blame me for being impolite.

As the only country in the world that allows the development of extraordinary powers by civilians, the Xuan Kingdom has given civilian forces sufficient tolerance.

One mountain, two temples, seven halls, plus various other small forces.

Having gone to such lengths, if these forces still act so tactlessly and try to cause trouble at this seminar that the authorities attach great importance to, then this is unacceptable.

After the seminar ends, what awaits them is not the danger behind the door, but rather a purge from the authorities.

Liu Fei and Ma Lü withdrew their gazes from Xu Shu, their eyes filled with solemnity.

"I didn't expect the authorities to recall him. It seems they really don't intend to delay any longer regarding the monsters behind the door."

"After all, what lies behind this door is different from the mundane world. The mundane world slowly waits for people to discover it, while the world behind this door seems to want to devour both worlds."

The two spoke in hushed tones, and the topic finally shifted to the purpose of the official summons.

Whether it's an official backing or a grassroots force, anyone with a modicum of common sense can recognize the danger lurking behind that door.

This is also why many people who originally had conflicts were willing to temporarily put aside their conflicts to attend this seminar.

This time, no trouble came; there's a saying that the tall ones will take over.

Because they were all shrouded in this dark cloud.

……

the next day.

The sun was shining brightly, the breeze was gentle, and white clouds drifted in the sky like cotton balls.

Today's weather is already quite good for Beijing.

After a night's rest, Liu Fei and Ma Lu, guided by the officials, arrived between the two mountains of the Secular Bureau and the Academy of Science and Education.

This area was originally an undulating ridge, but it was flattened out to become a spacious platform between two mountains.

At this moment, in the early morning, with clouds and mist all around, the platform was already filled with rows of tables and chairs, and the attendees took their seats one after another.

Liu Fei and Ma Lu found a spot in the official street gang headquarters and sat down, curiously looking around.

In front of each of them was a high-tech table with a tablet-sized electronic screen extending from it. Next to the screen was a microphone, which could be used to speak through a vertical broadcast by simply pressing a button.

Of course, it's not open yet at this time.

At the very front of their position, a huge platform had been erected, with an electronic screen as its backdrop, only many times larger than the one in front of them.

The theme of this seminar is currently displayed on the screen: "Exploring and Responding to the Forces Behind the Door".

On both sides of the stage, various complex and advanced equipment were set up. Researchers from the Academy of Sciences, dressed in standard protective suits, were busy debugging and preparing something, and a tense atmosphere permeated the scene.

"Second Uncle, have our elders arrived yet?" Liu Fei asked, turning her head.

In the seven halls, anyone who breaks through to become a Human Immortal will be given the title of Elder, possessing unparalleled power within the hall, and even able to interfere in the election of the hall master.

Maro shook his head: "It's not clear yet, but it should be a while longer!"

"Originally, the hall thought that this seminar would be held in the mountain pass of Shangjing, but it turned out to be held at the Bureau of Secular Affairs and the Academy of Science and Education."

"As long as one is a mortal, one must abide by the laws of the two realms, and one's strength will be affected. Unless one is severely mortalized, even a human immortal is no exception."

"They'll probably prepare before they come back, since this is probably when they're most vulnerable to being killed and feel insecure."

Liu Fei thought about it carefully and felt that what Ma Lu said made some sense, so she stood up and kept glancing at the seat representing impermanence.

Impermanence is like a worldly person in this life, who has not joined any organization, yet frequently interacts with people from various organizations, sometimes traveling alone, sometimes traveling in groups.

"Are you looking for that kid?" Ma Lu saw through Liu Fei's thoughts at a glance.

"Hmm, if Wuchang was also invited, then he should show up as well."

"I haven't seen that kid in a long time. Has he broken through to the Divine Invocation Realm like you?"

"The last time I saw him, he said he had broken through to the Opening Mansion Realm. If he's at this rate, he should be at the Divine Invocation Realm by now."

After looking around, Liu Fei realized she didn't see the person she wanted to see, and finally had no choice but to sit down.

"You seem quite concerned about him." Ma Lu looked at Liu Fei with a grin, opening his fan and fanning himself. The fan had the four characters 'Insightful and perceptive' written on it. Liu Fei said expressionlessly, "He hasn't been to class for a long time, and he's even handed over the shop's supply transactions to one of his employees. I'm just worried that it might affect our Liu family's business."

Upon hearing this, Ma Lu shrugged, his expression unchanged: "But the street near Luocheng University has long become the largest interdimensional trading area in Luocheng. His shop has also benefited greatly, and it has almost become a must-visit shop for mortal princes when they come to Luocheng. Now its profits are much higher than ours."

When he said this, Maro's tone was somewhat sour.

After all, Lin Beixuan's shop was able to get off the ground with a lot of help from the Liu family in the early stages.

Liu Fei fiddled with the sophisticated electronic instruments on the table in front of her, and said without turning her head, "After all, I was the one who introduced him to the Liu family's business, and he has never shortchanged us on our monthly dividends. Is it wrong for me to care about my partner?"

"Besides, we went to the same university, so we're friends."

Maru waved his hand, his smile unwavering, seemingly having seen through Liu Fei's little scheme: "I know, I know..."

"If you're really worried, why don't you go and look for him? The world is in such chaos right now, it's really not easy for someone like him, who is impermanent, to get through this peacefully."

Maru sighed and said, "It's really not easy for a person to survive in chaotic times. Although everyone has their own destiny and wealth is determined by fate, geography and human relationships are also key factors."

"You can try inviting him to join our Liu family again."

"I know!" Liu Fei nodded, not intending to continue the topic.

At that moment, Liu Fei and Ma Lu both felt a strange sensation sweep over them.

The two exchanged a glance and were immediately shocked.

"This is!"

They immediately looked toward the central platform, and the people in the surrounding seats did the same.

"This is the feeling of passing through the mundane world!"

Under their gaze, the experts from the Academy of Science and Education were sweating profusely as they quickly adjusted the instruments in front of them.

After the first wave of energy emanated, a second, a third…

Rippling energy began to densely cover the platform, enveloping everyone present.

Liu Fei looked down and saw that the legs of her trousers, which were originally made of modern clothes, were beginning to be stained with mottled red, and then the red stains quickly spread.

The rough jeans were replaced by an exquisite tulle skirt, the simple and neat shirt was transformed into a wedding gown, and a bright red veil appeared out of nowhere and slowly covered her head.

Maro's attire also changed, transforming him into a street musician.

It truly is a passing through the mundane world.

Liu Fei's pupils contracted slightly, her eyes filled with shock.

"The authorities have even figured out how to cross borders in the secular world?!"

This thought flashed through everyone's minds, and they could feel a familiar power surging within their bodies.

The feeling was so real, it was almost indistinguishable from passing through the mundane world.

Everyone's eyes turned to the electronic screen on the table in front of them. The instrument had been turned on at some point, and an elderly man with white hair and beard, wearing the standard protective suit of the Academy of Sciences, was standing inside.

"Hello everyone, my name is Zhang Yuanxing, and I am currently the dean of the Xuan Kingdom Academy of Science and Education. I will explain your current surprise."

"First of all, thank you all for attending this seminar organized by the Academy of Science and Education to discuss and study the issue of gates within the transit area."

"Therefore, our Academy of Science and Education has specially presented our latest achievement to everyone - the transit instrument."

“Through the transit device, we can transform an area into a transit point anytime, anywhere in the world, freeing us from worldly constraints and allowing us to unleash the power within the secular world.”

"Furthermore, we will conduct in-depth research to develop the transit device into a more refined and accurate one, and even enable everyone to wear it on their body so that they can enter the state of transiting the secular world anytime and anywhere."

These words caused the entire audience to erupt in cheers.

What are these worldly princes most worried about? It's having immense power in the secular world, only to find themselves unable to use it in the mortal realm.

This border crossing device, capable of altering the terrain at any time, has truly captured their hearts.

"As expected of the Academy of Science and Education, it is far superior to the private research institutes in our sect!" Ma Lu took a deep breath, his voice trembling slightly.

The border crossing ritual has become something that can completely overturn the secular world. If the authorities use it as a bargaining chip to coerce them into leaving their respective factions, most of them probably wouldn't be able to resist the temptation.

The border crossing device is like a powerful weapon. The fact that the authorities are bringing it out now is probably not just to show off this achievement. There is likely a deeper meaning behind it.

Next, Zhang Yuanxing showed everyone some of the research results from the Academy of Science and Education, which created a lively atmosphere.

Just then, figures streaked across the sky. When everyone looked up, they saw several people dressed in magnificent clothes, exuding a powerful aura, walking through the air. Their figures were graceful, and under the sunlight, they looked like immortals descending to earth.

No, they were immortals.

“They are the elders of each branch!” Maru raised an eyebrow as he looked at the figures walking through the air above him.

Among them were not only the two elders from their local Jianghu (江湖, a term referring to the martial arts world) branch, but also six other branches, totaling eleven immortals present.

In addition, monks from Shao Temple and Bodhi Temple also arrived.

Compared to the grand entrances of the seven temples' deities, the entrances of the Shao Temple and Bodhi Temple were no less impressive.

A group of monks dressed in kasaya lined up in several rows, with the phantom images of golden Buddhas appearing behind them, all praising the largest ancient Buddhas in the center.

"My Buddha is compassionate!"

Several immortals from Shao Temple and Bodhi Temple slowly approached, chanting Buddhist mantras, and sat at the very front of the meeting in the seats reserved for immortals.

The seating arrangement for the immortals was also specially designed by the official team.

The seat of the immortal was higher than the other seats around it, allowing people around to see the immortal's full appearance, which greatly satisfied the vain desires of some immortals.

Not long after the immortals from the Second Temple entered, the people from Longhu Mountain also arrived.

As the clouds parted, a phantom-like ladder to heaven appeared from afar.

The leader was an ordinary-looking old man who appeared to be in his seventies or eighties.

He was tall and thin with a broad frame and a straight back, which made him look very vigorous.

He was dressed in a purple Taoist robe, wearing a jade crown, with his hands hanging at his sides. His gaze was gentle and calm, but if you met his eyes, you could feel its profound sharpness, as if he could see through everything in the world.

The moment he stepped onto the platform, an invisible aura of pressure spread out, causing everyone present to hold their breath and their hearts to beat faster.

His Taoist magic is profound and his strength is a mystery. Even in the secular world, he is the leader of the Taoist lineage and the contemporary Celestial Master of Longhu Mountain—Zhang Daoling.

(End of this chapter)