I was forced to cultivate immortality when I just wanted to lie down

Chapter 427 A Celestial Fate, The Goddess's Inheritance
The underworld, the realm of ghosts, where Yama's palace is located.

All the corpses in the underworld looked towards Yaozhou.

Upon realizing that something had changed in the Yin River, these corpses could no longer remain seated.

If the enemy dares to reclaim three states today, who knows if they will dare to conquer the entire Yin River tomorrow? And if they dare to open the Heavenly Road the day after tomorrow, attracting all the gods and Buddhas to come and punish the Underworld?
Fengdu Ghost City, the Gate of Hell, the banks of the River of Three Crossings.
All the Dharma Corpses who could sense the changes in the Yin River left their respective dojos, only to go to the Yama Palace to pay homage to the Lord of the Nine Netherworlds and seek peace of mind.

"Your Majesty, the Yinhe Ghost Law and Huangtian have already been killed; now, the two envoys under the Jade Purity True King, the Witch Priest and the Witch Clan Envoy, have also been eliminated by others."

The assembled deities were filled with unease. They had once been among the immortals, even attaining the status of Buddhas, and none of them were willing to admit that they were not orthodox but rather a scourge to be eliminated.

They only want to kill the original body, take its place, and become the true rulers of the Three Realms and Six Paths.

Now that the leaders of the Yinhe Sect are experiencing one mishap after another, no one can be sure whether the Heavenly Emperor of the Upper Realm has found a way to deal with them.

All the Dharma Corpses looked toward Jade Purity True King.

This corpse's status was undeniably high.

The Jade Purity True King was originally the Longevity Emperor and the Antarctic Blessing and Longevity True Lord, in charge of the Blessing, Prosperity and Longevity Grotto Heaven. However, the Jade Purity True King in the Yama Palace is not a true true king, but rather an evil corpse that the Longevity Emperor once beheaded.

This wicked corpse not only lacked the ruddy complexion and full forehead of an immortal, but instead had a bluish-black death aura on its face. It was also dressed in the most ominous black bat robe, and even the peaches on its peachwood longevity staff looked withered and shriveled.

Before the Palace of Yama, the Jade Pure True King, exuding an aura of filth, wore a compassionate expression and addressed the Lord of Yama's Palace:

"Now that the demonic path is flourishing and the divine path is declining, it is the perfect time for my Underworld to lay out its plans for the Three Realms and establish a new heaven. However, in recent decades, the Ghost Lawyer Huang Tian was slaughtered, and now the Witches and Priests have been killed. This must be the work of evil spirits, trying to ruin my Yin River's thousand-year-old plan."

"Your Majesty, I humbly request that you grant me the decree to personally go to the mortal world and eliminate this calamity."

In the northwest palace complex of Yama's Palace, the Buddha, who also possessed a hundred-foot-tall corpse, appeared in his Dharma form and advised: "Not long ago, the Ghost Law was executed. This humble monk went to the Yin River to investigate, but was stopped by a heavenly deity descending to the mortal realm. This humble monk suspects that it was the Heavenly Emperor's order to redefine Yin and Yang."

The Lord of the Nine Netherworlds surveyed the hundred or so shadowy corpses that appeared around him, and said calmly, "In my younger days, I intended to transform the mortal realm into a purgatory, to rule over both the human and earthly realms. At that time, the human realm would be destroyed, and the three realms would be united into the Yin and Yang realms. The Heavenly Emperor would rule the Yang realm, and I would rule the Yin realm."

"However, the calamity had not yet arrived, and the time was not right. So I chose to bide my time and make an old pact with the Heavenly Emperor of the Upper Realm. The Heavenly Emperor decreed that the connection between Heaven and Earth be severed, prohibiting the gods from descending to the mortal realm, and I was also forbidden from leaving the Underworld and invading the human realm."

The Buddha, manifesting the form of Vairocana, frowned and said, "This humble monk did indeed see the gods appear in the Yin River. Could it be that the Heavenly Emperor has changed his mind and sent the gods down to the mortal realm, attempting to regain control of both the human and earthly realms?"

"Absolutely not! No one in this world understands Him better than I do." The Lord of the Nine Netherworlds said nonchalantly, "The celestial being you speak of descended to the mortal realm without permission from the Heaven-Mending Passage. This matter must be unknown to the Heavenly Emperor."

The Lord of the Nine Netherworlds couldn't help but smile when he thought about how the Heavenly Emperor of the Upper Realm had to deal with those rebellious troublemakers all day long, while he himself was enjoying a carefree life in the Underworld.

However, that smile, brimming with resentment from the past, was somewhat eerie.

"You need not worry. Even if the Heavenly Emperor truly gave the order, he could not change the course of events."

"This humble monk is dull-witted and humbly requests the Dharma Master's clarification."

The Lord of the Nine Netherworlds glanced sideways at the location of the Gate of Hell and said, "Do you know why I agreed to the contract with the Heavenly Emperor back then?"

The Dharma Master, whose Dharma form was over a thousand feet tall, chuckled and said, "It is because a great calamity is coming. The place where the sky collapsed in the past will inevitably be eroded by the calamity energy. This is the harm of the great calamity. Those gods concealed the Heavenly Emperor and descended from the Heavenly Mending Passage. It was precisely because the sky was about to collapse that cracks appeared in the Heavenly Path."

"The crack is widening day by day. In less than a thousand years, there will be a cataclysmic collapse of the sky. At that time, we will not need to exert any effort. The human world will be transformed into a purgatory and will be under our control."

Upon hearing this, the assembled corpses could not hide their joy and bowed in congratulations towards the Yama Palace.

The Nine Netherworld Dharma Lord smiled grimly, then turned to look at the Jade Purity True King:
"For a thousand years, the Yin River's scheme has accelerated the decline of humanity, and the gods of the upper realm could not stop it. Our goal has already been achieved. Even if the Yin River truly falls into the hands of others, the True King need not worry too much."

The True King's Corpse was extremely petty, and even now he still harbored resentment: "That Great Luo Sect..."

The Lord of the Nine Netherworlds interrupted, saying, "They are nothing but pawns who are using the tiger's might to bully others. We are not even afraid of the gods and Buddhas of the Upper Realm, so how can some mortals who have not yet attained the Dao shake the True King?"

Although the corpses of the underworld are evil corpses or malevolent corpses that have been cut off by immortals, Buddhas, and saints, they are still of superior origin with impeccable lineage.

Compared to the corpse, Xu Qing and others were like mayflies.

The Lord of the Nine Netherworlds didn't care at all. Unless the other party was actually replaced by the God of Justice or someone like that, He might raise his head and take a look. As for Xu Qing, who came from a humble background and mingled in the mortal world, and his Great Luo Sect...
Whether the other side can survive the catastrophe of the collapsing heavens is another matter, let alone face these saints who have cultivated for countless eons.

"Once I have refined the power of Yinshan and completely taken control of the land, it will be time for you to enter the human world and rule the three realms."

The Lord of the Nine Netherworlds said so.

In the fourth year of the Tiande era, inside the incense hall of the Daluo Sect, Xu Qing was setting up the ritual altar.

The Immortal Seeking Technique can be used once every twelve years, and now another twelve-year period has come to an end.

Before the altar, Xu Qing burned incense, formed hand seals, and chanted incantations.

"All things return to the Heavenly Way, all immortals return to their camps. Tonight we bid farewell to the guest from Penglai, for another day we will renew our immortal bond."

Inside the incense-filled hall, Xu Qing once again felt a familiar pull.

A wisp of incense from the vast Dharma realm emanated from him, like a celestial ribbon, lifting his spirit and leading him to an ancient temple.

A moment later, Xu Qing suddenly opened his eyes.

In a moment of spiritual wandering, overlooking the heavens and earth, he saw the plaque of an ancient temple.

The words 'Zhonghuang Temple' are written on it.

Xu Qing was overjoyed. That very night, he followed his memory alone and arrived at the temple indicated by the Immortal Seeking Technique.

Zhonghuang Temple is also known as Shennv Palace.

This temple is one of the few remaining temples in this turbid and evil world that still has devout pilgrims worshipping it.

Xu Qing stepped into the main hall and looked around. He saw that the temple was still neat and orderly, which showed that it was regularly maintained and repaired.

After straightening his clothes, Xu Qing approached the hall, holding three incense sticks in his hands, and respectfully bowed.

The goddess here is, after all, the creator goddess of the human race. Since he has come here in search of immortal destiny, he must first show his respect to the master of this place!
Three sticks of incense may not seem like much, but the sentiment behind the gift is profound.

Xu Qing muttered auspicious words, wishing the goddess blessings, prosperity for his business, and flourishing of his sect, as well as the goddess's blessings to last forever.

After offering incense, he began to wander around the incense hall, trying to find the place of his destiny with immortals.

However, Xu Qing searched for a long time but still couldn't find the so-called immortal connection.

Xu Qing frowned, and finally focused his gaze on the goddess statue enshrined in the center of the incense hall.

When he used the Immortal-Seeking Technique, he had seen a corner of the temple through the incense hall, where the goddess enshrined was described as having an ethereal beauty and being lifelike. But now, the goddess statue in the incense hall is a rough clay figure with empty eyes and a stiff posture.

The rough, unrefined texture is the complete opposite of the goddess in the Immortal Seeking Technique.

Xu Qing pondered for a moment, then offered incense and prayed again.

"This junior, Xu Qing, dreamt last night of a goddess descending to save the world from peril. Though my cultivation has been stagnant for days, I am willing to act as the goddess and do my part for all living beings."

However, the goddess statue remained unresponsive.

Xu Qing sighed inwardly, thinking that he was not destined for immortality here. For now, he could only return to Tianjin and continue to follow the path of learning from the master at the Demon Pill Temple, having disciples from the three religions take turns to pay their respects.

However, Xu Qing felt that this method might not work. The goddess of Zhonghuang Temple and the Great God of Haihui were different. He could use some underhanded tricks and schemes in Mowan Temple, but the Great God of Haihui might just find it amusing and not care.

But the human goddess might not be so swayed by that.

As I stepped out of the Zhonghuang Temple, the crimson moon hung high in the sky.

Xu Qing subconsciously looked up at the sky and saw a deep red crack stretching from south to north for hundreds of miles.

Moreover, the crack seemed to be slowly expanding at a rate imperceptible to the naked eye.

Xu Qing was puzzled, so he subconsciously used Zi Wei Dou Shu to calculate the hexagram, but apart from the ominous sign, there was no other detailed hexagram revealed.

Xu Qing shook his head, taking it as a normal anomaly revealed by heaven and earth under the calamity.

"What a pity about this predestined connection."

If the fate of immortality is truly related to the goddess, Xu Qing cannot imagine who in the Cat Immortal Hall or Baosheng Temple could win the goddess's favor.

Putting everything else aside, his two nine-tailed foxes alone would definitely be excluded. After much thought, Xu Qing couldn't think of anyone else besides his own cat.

"The goddess of the Zhonghuang Temple is the creator goddess of the human race. If she is a candidate who has made great contributions to the human race, she may still have a chance."

Xu Qing felt a little regretful, but unfortunately Shi Yue had already become a disciple of the Great God of the Sea, and her iconic lotus root incarnation could not be hidden from others.

As for myself, who knows if the celestial affinity at Zhonghuang Temple is passed down only to women and not to men?

"Aside from Shiyue, only the Qishan clan is worth trying at Baosheng Temple."

However, the Qishan clan has already been given another opportunity by the Great God of the Sea, and has not yet returned to this day.

"It's a pity that Baosheng Temple still has female disciples who can handle the pomp and circumstance."

Just as Xu Qing was thinking of this, he suddenly froze.

He had a sudden inspiration and, as if possessed, touched his chin.

That said, there seems to be another suitable candidate for his Baosheng Temple.
Xu Qing coughed lightly, and first glanced at the Zhonghuang Temple behind him with a guilty conscience. After finding nothing unusual, he used the Divine Travel Book to arrive above the Fen River.

As if afraid that the distance was not far enough, Xu Qing then opened the Yin River passage and entered the Yin River alone.

When he reappeared over the Fen River, he had transformed into the revered God of Life Protection.

The Great Luo Sect Leader might not be worthy of the Goddess's favor, but what if it were the Goddess of Life Protection?

Inside the Zhonghuang Temple, Xu Qing wore a five-phoenix golden crown, a robe of the immortal Baosheng, and held a jade ruyi in his hand, exuding an otherworldly and refined air!
Anyone who didn't know better would think it was a divine manifestation of the goddess from Zhonghuang Temple!

Xu Qing walked into the temple, burned a stick of incense, and offered it respectfully before the goddess's seat, saying, "This humble deity is a deity of the Baosheng Temple, whose purpose is to protect mothers and infants and ensure the continuation of humankind. The goddess is the ancestral deity of the human race, whose virtue extends to all living beings. I have been practicing the Way for so long and am deeply grateful for your kindness, so I have come to pay my respects."

After saying this, Xu Qingfu bowed deeply again and said, "In addition, I have another request. Now, calamity is imminent, demons are causing chaos, and people all over the world are trapped in water and fire, unable to save themselves. Although my magical power is shallow, I am willing to follow the will of the goddess, to purify the demonic atmosphere, and to restore peace to the world, so that it will not be harmed by calamity."

"If possible, this junior would like to ask the goddess to be my teacher and to seek the method of healing the world and helping people overcome tribulations."

As soon as he finished speaking, Xu Qing's mind stirred slightly, and the Blood Lake Dharma Realm instantly appeared behind him, its power of vows as dazzling as a galaxy, numbering in the millions!

Xu Qing considered himself to be of mediocre talent and had no impressive background or wealth. After thinking it over, all he could offer was the merit of tens of millions of human beings in the Dharma Realm!
Clinging to the last glimmer of hope, Xu Qing bowed once more before the statue of the goddess.

"."

However, there were no signs of anything amiss.

Xu Qing silently turned around, and as he walked out of the hall, he said firmly, "My path began with the human race. Even if calamity is imminent, I should still align myself with this path to heal the world."

If the soft approach doesn't work, let's try something even softer!
Although he was just seeking a connection with immortality, Xu Qing insisted on displaying a tragic and heroic attitude, as if he were ready to die for his cause.

In Xu Qing's eyes, even if they failed, it wouldn't be a loss of face!
As Xu Qing approached the entrance of the temple, about to turn and leave without looking back, the environment around the Zhonghuang Temple began to distort and change.

Inside the main hall, the old incense table seemed to have been swept away of its snow, revealing the new grain of sandalwood.

Looking at the main hall again, golden incense burners were filled with auspicious clouds, purple mist rose, and silver candles shone brightly in front of the altar, illuminating the entire hall.

Xu Qing looked up and saw that the clay sculpture on the altar in the hall had faded and transformed into a bright throne with patterns of dragons and phoenixes, and cranes and phoenixes.

On the throne, a beautiful goddess, with a face as ethereal as a fairy descended to earth, looked down at him.

Xu Qing felt a chill run down his spine, but he dared not make the slightest move until the goddess in front of him spoke her first words, at which point he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Under such calamity, it is already commendable that you have been able to uphold your original aspirations. Now that you have made such a grand vision, if I do not offer you some guidance, I would appear cold and heartless, and I would be betraying your sincere heart."

Xu Qing could not hide his excitement and immediately stepped forward to bow, saying, "This humble disciple greets Master."

The goddess accepted it calmly and did not stop her.

Seeing this, Xu Qing was even more delighted. After wandering in the mortal world for so long, he had finally found a powerful patron to talk about!

"Your resolve to seek the Dao from me today is a matter of fate. However, I am merely an avatar who has descended here today and cannot be your true teacher. Nevertheless, I can temporarily accept you as a disciple of the Zhonghuang Temple and teach you some skills to deal with calamities."

"If one day you achieve something in your cultivation and your practice is perfected, I may accept you as a formal disciple and let you enter my palace to cultivate."

Xu Qing bowed again, completely unconcerned about whether the wisp of the goddess's spirit that had descended could discern his identity beyond his life-preserving Dharma form.

What does it have to do with Xu Qing that Baosheng Niangniang has a master?

(End of this chapter)