Secular world: My destiny has no taboos

Chapter 522-532: Lord Prefect

There are many rumors about Zhang Daoling, the most well-known being the chaos caused when the first mortal god appeared during the passage of the Xuan Kingdom through the mortal world.

At that time, neither the government nor the people could find a solution, and the Academy of Sciences was still in its early stages and lacked sufficient research on folk gods.

With the destructive power of a mortal deity, placed in an urban area, it would be no less than a nuclear bomb, capable of arbitrarily altering celestial phenomena, wielding divine authority, and possessing a powerful source of incense offerings…

Due to a combination of factors, even the high-ranking officials of the Xuan Kingdom at the time had to start considering abandoning a city.

It was at this moment that the Celestial Master of Longhu Mountain, dressed in simple clothes, descended the mountain and stepped into the border area. His body was filled with Taoist magic and talismans, and the divine thunder of Shangqing roared. He suppressed the mortal god who had crossed the border with his own power.

That battle allowed people in the modern world to witness for the first time the terrifying oppressive power of human immortals and mortal gods.

It is precisely for this reason that the government officially launched a research program to create organs in the style of a deity.

"I didn't expect him to come too!"

Before the seats at the Bodhi Temple, a young monk dressed in a plain white robe watched Zhang Daoling's slowly approaching figure, his tone solemn.

He had a red lotus mark between his eyebrows, handsome features, and an otherworldly air, making him stand out from the elderly monks around him.

Yet this young monk was the abbot of the Bodhi Temple, overseeing the entire temple.

The Buddha in the Bodhi Temple: Without intention.

He, along with Zhang Daoling, the Old Immortal of the South Pole, and others, was among the first group of mortals to enter the secular world.

Despite his youthful appearance, Wuxin is actually not even thirty years old.

Zhang Daoling is actually only in his forties or fifties. The reason he looks older is due to the fact that his body has become worldly.

What ordinary people consider a deadly worldly existence has become, in the eyes of these immortals, a way to enable them to exert their abilities in the mortal world.

Some people even specialize in studying secularization, attempting to master their own secularization.

The immortals actually conducted research in this area even earlier than the transit device displayed by the Academy of Science and Education.

"Senior Brother Wuxin, can you tell what realm Zhang Daoling has entered now?"

Sitting next to Wuxin were his junior brothers Wuchen and Wuwang, as well as Wuchen.

The group of people were originally monks from different temples. After becoming laymen, they traveled together and developed their lives in the secular world. Finally, they built the Bodhi Temple together in the present world.

A temple with four immortals—this lineup would be considered an extremely formidable force, whether in the modern world or the secular world.

Hearing his junior brother's words, Wuxin shook his head slightly: "To this day, I still can't see Zhang Daoling's strength. He feels like a reflection in a fog to me. No matter how I observe him, I can never see him clearly."

"Even you can't see it clearly!" Wuchen chanted a Buddhist prayer and couldn't help but sigh.

"I had heard in the secular world that he had taken over as the leader of the Zhengyi Sect, one of the nine branches of Taoism. I thought it was just a rumor, but now I think it is probably true."

"If that's the case, with the foundation of the Judao Sect and his talent, he might actually be able to break through to that realm."

Wu Xin smiled and said, "Why care so much? We just need to be ourselves."

Wu Wang, seemingly unconcerned, chimed in, "That's right, no matter what, it's still better than those who go astray."

As he said this, Wu Wang turned his gaze toward the seats of Shao Temple and the others.

Today, only two abbots remain at Shao Temple.

They were originally like the Bodhi Temple, with four immortals in one temple. However, two of the immortals were killed by the Northern Underworld Lord after he regained his strength during the Zhou Tian Grand Ritual, which resulted in the Shao Temple being severely weakened.

Now, they're not much better than the seven gangs in the underworld or the marketplace.

"Hmph, the filthy things they've done have severely tarnished the image of Buddhism. Even if that Lord of the Northern Underworld doesn't take action, I'll go to their mountain gate one day when I have nothing better to do and have a proper discussion with them."

Wu Chen's eyes widened, a faint anger lingering on his face.

There are always some connections between temples. Although some temples hide their relationships very well and can keep them from the public eye, they cannot hide the Bodhi Temple's relationships.

However, the fact that the two temples had been in a cooperative relationship allowed them to put up with it for the time being.

"Quiet down!" Wuxin said softly.

His words immediately silenced Wu Chen and the others, and their gazes returned to Zhang Daoling.

At this moment, Zhang Daoling led the Longhu Mountain group to their seats. Zhang Daoling sat at the front and quickly noticed the gazes of Wuxin and the others. He nodded slightly and showed a warm smile on his face.

Seeing this, Wuxin smiled at Zhang Daoling in perfect unison. Although the two did not speak, this simple interaction seemed to convey a lot of information.

As the organizers of this event, the Bureau of Secular Affairs and the Academy of Science and Education naturally paid close attention to the powerful immortals and mortals who were entering the venue.

Immediately, attendants came forward to offer melons, fruits, and fragrant tea. Judging from the preparations, everyone could tell that this seminar would probably last for quite some time, and each immortal would need to speak.

With the Longhushan group taking their seats, the venue was now almost full.

As time slowly passed, and seeing that the seminar had not yet started, many people in the seats began to whisper among themselves.

"Everyone who's supposed to be here has arrived. The seminar should be starting soon, right?"

Liu Fei tilted her head slightly, somewhat puzzled to see that the officials on the central platform seemed to be waiting for someone.

"All seven branches of the 'One Mountain, Two Temples,' and experts from some smaller factions have already arrived. Why haven't we started yet?"

Maro glanced around, his expression seemingly showing the same confusion.

"Our major powers and figures are all here. Did the authorities invite people from other countries as well?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Fei seemed to be deep in thought, and her gaze fell on Wuchang's seat.

The Impermanent are a very small group among the various forces in the world. In fact, she didn't understand from the beginning why the authorities would reserve a certain area for the Impermanent.

Even in the very front row of seats for immortals, two seats were reserved for the Impermanent Ones.

Just as she was looking on in confusion, a voice suddenly came from afar, carrying a hint of apology, and reached the ears of everyone present.

"Sorry, sorry, something unexpected happened, so I'm late."

Liu Fei looked in the direction of the sound and saw a figure slowly walking towards her from the surrounding clouds not far away.

A layer of shards of ice seemed to float around him, shimmering with iridescent colors under the sunlight.

The Antarctic Immortal's gaze did not linger on the juniors below the Human Immortal realm, but instead locked onto the Human Immortal seat.

"Zhang Daoling, I didn't expect him to come too!" The Old Immortal of the South Pole was secretly surprised.

He then brushed past the immortals from the Bodhi Temple, the Lesser Temple, and the seven major halls, and walked forward somewhat awkwardly. "Immortal Antarctic, your seat is over here."

Well-dressed officials led the Old Immortal of the South Pole to his seat and left only after he nodded in satisfaction.

Someone who knew the Old Immortal of the South Pole joked with a smile, "Old Immortal, you haven't shown up for a long time since we parted ways last time."

The Old Immortal of the South Pole responded with a smile: "I've just been quite busy lately, with a lot of things to do every day."

He was indeed very busy. Before the temple dedicated to the Northern Underworld Lord was completed, he didn't even dare to close his eyes.

Although the temple was repaired, a gate reappeared in the border area not long afterward. He stayed inside the temple and hadn't seen anyone for quite some time.

After exchanging pleasantries with acquaintances, one of the monks from the temple said expressionlessly to the officials, "Now that everyone has arrived, let's begin the seminar."

Before the official could say anything, the Old Immortal of Antarctica interrupted, "You old bald monk, didn't you see there's an empty seat next to me? What's the rush?"

This shout of "Old bald monk!" enraged the young temple immortal, who glared coldly at the old immortal in the south.

"What a show of power! Are we not allowed to complain about being late?"

The young temple immortal exuded a chilling aura, causing the surrounding air to vibrate and tremble.

The Antarctic Immortal showed no fear, throwing his head back and laughing loudly: "Hahaha, you old bald donkey, what's wrong with me saying a few words to you? Do you want to make a move here?"

"I just don't like the bald monks in your temples, what are you going to do about it?"

The Old Man of Antarctica's deliberately provocative words instantly turned the previously quiet atmosphere into a tense one.

Those below held their breath upon hearing these words, looking at the two immortals in the front seats with a mixture of anticipation and worry.

Most of them had never witnessed a battle at the level of immortals.

On the side, Xu Shu, sitting in an official seat, looked indifferently at the Old Immortal of the South Pole and Cijing of the Shao Temple.

Beside Xu Shu were a burly man whose body seemed to be shrouded in flames, and a cool and quiet woman; they were all immortals belonging to the official government.

"Should we go up and stop them?" the aloof woman said. "If these two really start fighting here, it will damage the reputation of our government."

"Immortal Master, what do you think?" The burly man's gaze fell on Xu Shu, awaiting his answer.

However, Xu Shu acted out of character, his gaze suddenly fixed in one direction, his brows furrowed, and the Demon Painting Scroll he carried with him uncontrollably emitted a faint light.

"Who on earth could exude such terrifying killing intent that even the Painting Demon Scroll reacted to it?"

Xu Shu was secretly shocked. In his vision, the figures of the crowd below the stage slowly faded away, turning into wisps of human-shaped white mist.

Behind these white mists, an extremely dense and massive mass of gray-black fog was slowly approaching them.

At the same time, Zhang Daoling of Longhu Mountain and Wuxin of Bodhi Temple seemed to sense something and looked back at the same time.

Zhang Daoling narrowed his eyes, his long, naturally arched eyebrows furrowing tightly: "This aura... is not simple."

With his hands clasped together and incantations escaping his lips, Wuxin spoke solemnly, the red lotus mark between his brows gleaming.

"What terrifying yin energy and killing intent! Even from this distance, the aura arrives before the person does. Even the mortal gods I've seen from afar have never made me feel so terrified."

"However, this is in the present world. Could it be that a Great Luo has appeared in our present world without our knowledge?"

"Beep beep, beep beep..."

At that moment, sitting behind rows of sophisticated instruments, Zhang Yuanxing suddenly stood up and looked in the direction from which the sound came.

That's the alarm sound from the incense burner.

The last time the incense burner issued such an urgent alarm was at the mountain beyond the mountains.

However, this time the incense burner alarm was much more frequent, and the sounds were almost in a straight line.

"He really came!" Zhang Yuanxing said with a hint of excitement on his face.

In fact, he had long wanted to see the Lord of the Northern Underworld, who had made a great name for himself in the mortal world, not only because the other party was the first person in the world to demonstrate the ability to kill mortal gods, but also because of the other party's extremely perplexing tolerance of his methods.

Incense burners are specifically designed to detect pathway sequences in the air. They can accurately determine the approximate number of pathways present in each person by observing the emitted scent.

Since the incense burner was developed, only one person has ever been able to trigger such a high frequency of alarms.

Lord of the Northern Underworld.

"I heard from the Bureau of Secular Affairs that the war between the gods and mortals in Yangcheng might have been caused by this Lord Beiming. I thought he wouldn't be coming to this seminar."

Zhang Yuanxing's lips curled up slightly, his eyes filled with anticipation: "It's good that you've come. It'll allow me to see a 'real' immortal."

"call--"

A sudden gust of wind blew through the mountains, dispersing a thin layer of gray-black mist around everyone on the platform. The temperature dropped sharply, and the once lively seminar venue was enveloped in a chilling atmosphere.

Antarctic Immortal stopped arguing with Cijing and looked back expectantly.

At this moment, many of the immortals present finally realized what was happening and stared in astonishment in one direction.

Maro felt the temperature change, rubbed the goosebumps that had risen on his arms, and was somewhat incredulous.

This was a transit point simulated by the official transit device. He had recovered his peak Divine Realm strength in the mortal world, so how could he still feel cold?

At the same time, he noticed that all the immortals were looking at him, so he immediately straightened his posture, feeling a bit strange.

Why is everyone staring at me?
Then Malu turned his head and saw that Liu Fei had turned around and was looking at him in surprise. Only then did he realize what was happening.

It turns out that those immortals weren't looking at themselves at all, but at the people behind them.

So he turned around to see who was behind him.

The first thing that catches the eye is a black robe that flutters in the wind, with faint black mist moving across it, like clusters of flames swaying in the breeze.

Next, what came into view was a face with distinct features, gloomy and cold.

A few strands of black hair fluttered in the wind, and his eyes were long and deep, like cold stars in a deep pool, exuding a sharpness and majesty that made people afraid to look directly at him.

Maru's heart skipped a beat. He opened his mouth but didn't know what to say, finally managing to utter only a few words.

"Lin...Lin Beixuan?!"

(End of this chapter)