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

Chapter 437 The Great Luo Sect's Atmosphere: A Natural Love for the Dead

"Master Ge, don't you feel that the leader seems a little different than before?"

Master Fuluan looked at Xu Qing, whose appearance was as usual, but Xu Qing, who inexplicably made people feel close to him, seemed to have something wrong with him.

Master Ge said quietly:

"The leader is in high spirits, with bright and piercing eyes. What changes have you noticed? I would like to ask you, fellow Daoist, do you think I am the same as before?"

Looking at the Taoist priest, whose legs were weak, eyes were sunken, and who resembled a wilted eggplant, and who had clearly lost weight, Master Fuluan blatantly lied:
"Master Ge's figure is like a pine tree, his eyes are like lightning, he has the graceful posture of a crane in the clouds, and the otherworldly demeanor of a pine tree. He is truly divine and full of energy, with the charm of a true immortal descending to earth!"

"What change is there?!"

Ge Hongwen's mind went blank. What kind of sect had he joined? Were there any honest and devout people in this sect?

In the ninth year of the Jiafeng reign, the year was Xu-Yin.

Zhu Qianli, the fourth emperor of the Great Yan Dynasty, defied public opinion and abdicated the throne, then devoted himself to Buddhist practice and did not concern himself with state affairs.

His son, Zhu Jian, ascended the throne and changed the era name to Yongning.

In the same year, a self-proclaimed enlightened master from Lotus Cave on Jade Pool Mountain arrived at the Da Luo Sect's Taoist temple.

"Ge Hongwen, it's you! I ask you, was my disciple bewitched by you?"

Zhuang Tongsheng, sword in hand, demanded an answer in a stern voice!

No wonder the Master was so indignant; it was because the Daluo Sect was utterly inhumane. He had only been traveling for a few years, and when he returned to the sect, the Lotus Cave's signboard had been changed to a branch of the Daluo Sect.

Even the disciples of the sect put on the unified uniform of the Great Luo Sect, transforming themselves into some kind of chosen ones.

When the real person returned and found that their house had been robbed, how could they possibly maintain their composure!

Master Ge, who had just learned Tai Chi from Zhang Pingsheng and was practicing Tai Chi for health preservation outside the door, was immediately paralyzed!
What did he say? This Great Luo Sect is truly harmful to people!

Given his current physical condition, even if Zhuang Tongsheng didn't have any anger, he might not be able to defeat him even with his own two hands and two feet.

"It's a misunderstanding, all a misunderstanding! Fellow Daoist, please calm down. Let's go inside and talk things over."

"Talk? You abducted my disciples, altered my lineage, and disrupted my peaceful cultivation. These evil deeds are no less than the enmity of annihilating my sect and obstructing my path!"

Zhuang Tongsheng immediately drew his sword and said sternly, "If you want to talk today, you'd better ask my sword first!"

Ge Hongwen's eyelids twitched, and he quickly said in a friendly tone, "Brother Zhuang, Daoist Zhuang, we are both disciples of the Daoist sect, and should be of one mind and one heart. Why have things come to this?"

"In that case, I will go and pick some apricots and serve a pot of spiritual tea. If there is any misunderstanding, we brothers can sit down and talk it over slowly."

Seeing that Ge Hongwen, who was of a slightly higher generation than him, was so easy to talk to, Zhuang Tongsheng's expression softened slightly, but he still snorted coldly and said, "You must give me an explanation for what happened today, or I will not let this go!"

After saying this, Zhuang Tongsheng sheathed his sword and followed Master Ge into the Daluo Temple.

"Fellow Daoist, please be careful of the steps. These are the ascension steps of my Great Luo Sect, totaling three hundred and sixty-five steps, which correspond to the number of the heavens."

"Be careful."

"Fellow Daoist possesses an extraordinary appearance; courtesy should come first!"

On the way to the rear hall, Master Ge was extremely respectful, to the point that it would not be an exaggeration to say that he was humble and yielded three times.

As they approached the rear hall, Master Ge became increasingly humble. However, upon entering the main hall and arriving at the place where the altar masters were cultivating, Ge Hongwen's smile vanished instantly, and he stood up noticeably straighter.

"Fellow Daoist Zhuang, please!"

Seeing Ge Hongwen's sudden change in attitude, Zhuang Tongsheng's face darkened, and he said, "Ge, don't think I'm easy to bully! I've cultivated for over three hundred years, and my specialty is the art of warfare. You..."

However, before he could finish speaking, Zhuang Tongsheng noticed that three or four real people and eminent monks in the hall got up and surrounded him.

He recognized some of them.

In Yuntai Mountain of Zhongzhou, there is Xie Qiongke, who is a disciple of Zhong Lü, Zhang Pingsheng, a true disciple of the Zhengyi Daoist Celestial Master, and Gu Yuanrang, a wandering cultivator from Tiaoshan Mountain in Hengzhou.

Three Nascent Soul cultivators approached menacingly, accompanied by a poor monk whom even he couldn't see through.

"."

Just a moment ago, Master Zhuang was glaring at people, ready to interrogate them, but his eyes instantly became clear.

"Fellow Daoists, I bow in greeting."

Times change and circumstances shift; offense and defense switch roles.

Having just been ridiculed, how could Master Ge easily let him off the hook?
"This humble Taoist priest dares not accept such a courtesy! Master Zhuang's temple is grand and his supernatural powers are great. He looks down on my Songyun Temple, and he also looks down on the Zhengyi Sect, let alone my Daluo Sect!"

"It should be us who pay our respects to Fellow Daoist Zhuang!"

Despite saying this, Ge Hongwen kept his sleeves tucked in, showing no intention of paying his respects whatsoever.

"Fellow Daoist Ge! I've come here to demand an explanation, haven't I?"

"Ok?"

Before Zhuang Tongsheng could finish speaking, Master Fuluan, who was playing chess alone in the distance, glanced at him sideways with a questioning tone.

Inside the hall, the several immortals who had surrounded Zhuang Tongsheng all frowned, looking ready to fight at the slightest provocation.

What kind of Great Luo Sect is this?

They are simply bandits!
Those who know you are spiritual practitioners, but those who don't might mistake you for bandits who rob and plunder!

"This humble Taoist priest had no intention of offending you; it is your esteemed sect that deceived us first."

Zhang Pingsheng asked, "Tell me, how will I deceive you?"

"Your sect has lured my disciples to believe in the Great Luo teachings and betray our sect."

"Trick or deceive? Which of us doesn't have a lineage and disciples? Why would we need to trick or deceive your family?"

Zhang Pingsheng argued logically and with evidence: "It is clearly your disciples who, out of gratitude for the great principles of our sect, have voluntarily converted to Buddhism. This is a natural choice, not a fault of our sect. What reason do you have to come and question us?"

"."

Yes! With so many True Immortals guarding the Great Luo Sect, why would they bother going to Jade Pool Mountain to poach its members?

"Then how do you explain your deception of my disciples, claiming they are chosen ones?"

This time, the Master Fu Luan, who had been playing chess the whole time, finally spoke up: "May I ask, fellow Taoist, what is destiny?"

Before the other party could answer, Master Fuluan continued, "Heaven bestows great responsibilities upon those who are destined for them; this is called destiny! Our opportunity to become immortals and attain enlightenment is also called destiny! Furthermore, resolving calamities, bringing blessings to all living beings, and acting on behalf of Heaven are also destiny!"

"Does the Fellow Daoist feel that your disciples are not destined for immortality, or that they lack a righteous heart, or perhaps you simply believe that your disciples are all mediocre and unworthy of the title of Heaven?"

"."

Zhuang Tongsheng felt that something was wrong, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

He was completely baffled and asked, "Does joining the Great Luo Sect mean I have a destiny?"

Zhang Pingsheng and his companions exchanged glances, all stroking their beards and smiling. Their unfathomable expressions made Zhuang Tongsheng even more perplexed.

At this moment, Xinyuan recited a Buddhist chant and said, "Fellow Daoist, you have been traveling for many years. Do you know of the changes in Beijing, Tianjin, Zhongzhou, Yaozhou, Hengzhou, and Jiangnan?"

Zhuang Tongsheng felt a slight stirring in his heart.

Next, Xin Yuan recounted how the Great Luo Sect benefited the world and rectified the balance of Yin and Yang.

At the same time, Monk Xinyuan did not forget to intentionally or unintentionally reveal the unfathomable background of the sect leader, as well as the fact that the Great Luo Sect was born in response to a calamity, possessed a destiny, and was appointed by Heaven to the twelve immortal positions, among other hints.

Zhuang Tongsheng's eyes became clearer, and in a short moment, many thoughts such as the sage's plan, the emergence of divine opportunities, and the determination of destiny floated into his mind.

No wonder Ge Hongwen, who had always cultivated in seclusion, suddenly joined the Great Luo Sect; no wonder these True Immortals suddenly reached a consensus to resist the calamity.
Recalling the Yinhe Gate, a chronic problem that had plagued the region for millennia, yet was halved in a short period, all these signs seem to confirm one thing—

Destiny!
Could it be that the rise and fall of the demonic forces has passed its peak and is now beginning to recover?

Zhuang Tongsheng's eyes widened, and his breathing became rapid.

This is a genuine destiny with the gods!
Inside the hall, Ge Hongwen, noticing the change in Zhuang Tongsheng's expression, immediately said, "Now that the misunderstanding has been cleared up, fellow Daoist, please leave quickly and do not delay us from fulfilling our destiny."

Monk Xinyuan chuckled and said, "Indeed, Fellow Daoist Zhuang. If you are worried that your disciples might become too close to our sect, I can visit your sect when I have time and persuade them not to believe in this Great Luo Sect, so as to avoid needlessly diverting our sect's fortune."

Seeing that everyone was about to ask them to leave, Zhuang Tongsheng refused.

He has been wandering for so many years, all in search of his own opportunity to become an immortal. Now that the Great Dao is so close, how can he give up so easily because of some pride?
"Fellow Daoists, we are currently in a time of great turbidity and evil, facing imminent calamity. We should unite as one and rely on each other, so that we can secure a glimmer of hope for all living beings amidst this catastrophe."

Inside the hall, the statue of the Great Luo Sect Master seemed to have opened its eyes.

Xu Qing, who was far away in Jingxia Street, had a strange expression on his face.

Why is this Taoist priest, who suddenly comes to visit the temple, stealing his words?

Zhuang Tongsheng continued shamelessly, "My disciples also deeply respect my sect. Fellow Daoists Ge and Zhang are old acquaintances of mine. At this time of crisis for all living beings, it is only right that I stand with you fellow Daoists through thick and thin and together we will overcome this great calamity."

"Do you fellow Daoists agree with this reasoning?"

Ge Hongwen raised an eyebrow and asked calmly, "What exactly does Fellow Daoist Zhuang want to say?"

"Cough!" Zhuang Tongsheng's face turned red, but in order to catch the wave of becoming an immortal, he still put aside his pride and cupped his hands, saying, "To be honest with you fellow Daoists, I wish to join my sect for two reasons: first, to subdue demons and monsters and bring blessings to all living beings; and second, to stop the calamity and open the path to heaven together!"

Ge Hongwen said with a half-smile, "My Great Luo Sect is not a place you can just walk into."

"Those who can join my religion must be exceptionally intelligent and wise, uphold righteous thoughts, have the will to cleanse the world and correct the balance of Yin and Yang, have merits to help the world, and be people who are expected to achieve perfection in the future. Only those who can join my religion can do so."

"Does Fellow Daoist Zhuang possess these qualities?"

Zhuang Tongsheng hesitated, disbelieving in superstition: "Could Fellow Daoist Ge's joining the Great Luo Sect bring him merit in saving the world?"

Ge Hongwen smiled but remained silent.

Beside him, Gu Yuanrang laughed and said, "Not long ago, our sect leader personally took action to eliminate the Huaihe Sect leader who was causing havoc in Jiangnan. At that time, it was the Feeding Array presided over by Daoist Ge that brought blessings to the people of this region!"

Ge Hongwen said calmly, "I am merely presiding over a formation, which is nothing compared to the dangers the sect leader faces in vanquishing demons. There is no danger whatsoever. Besides, didn't Master Gu handle such a trivial task with ease back then?"

"It's really nothing."

Gu Yuanrang made no mention of how he almost collapsed to his knees after taking charge of the formation.

Ge Hongwen continued, "Although this matter is small, its contribution to giving back to the region is by no means insignificant."

"I am an old acquaintance of Fellow Daoist Zhuang. If I do not give him any chance, it would seem that I am heartless. How about this: if Fellow Daoist Zhuang can preside over a Replenishment Array, we will recommend him to the sect leader to join the sect. At that time, he might even be able to win the position of altar master. What do you think, Fellow Daoist?"

Zhuang Tongsheng readily agreed, and even specifically thanked Master Ge for guiding him.

Master Ge stroked his beard and nodded, but he was secretly delighted.

He was not happy because of the fact that the young scholar had been thrown into the water, but because he was happy to see the Great Luo Sect growing stronger day by day.

There is absolutely no doubt about that!

Master Ge thought so.

Clearly, Master Ge, who was always in a tranquil state of mind and never made any demands or acted recklessly, had unknowingly become tainted by some of the 'evil influence' of the Great Luo Sect.

The 20th day of the third month of the first year of Yongning.

Yuzhang, in the Gan River basin.

The Gan River is the largest river in Yuzhang County and has been known as the mother river of Ganzhou since ancient times.

A poem once said:

The Gan River stretches for three hundred li, winding through thousands of peaks.

The boiling sound is always loud and the current is also flowing gently.

The Gan River was surging and vast, its power no less than that of the Jin River. When Xu Qing arrived here, the first thing he thought of was the Fu Luan Master who was presiding over the great formation in Jin River. As a result, he almost lost half his life.

Xu Qing looked at Zhang Pingsheng. Ganzhou was the location of the other party's second sect, and the Celestial Master's Mansion of the Zhengyi Sect originated from here.

"This grand formation still requires the utmost effort from Altar Master Zhang."

Zhang Pingsheng chuckled and cupped his hands, saying, "The sect leader doesn't need to say these things. I had already noticed that Fellow Daoist Fuluan's foundation for the great formation was damaged. Although such things can be kept secret for a while, they cannot be kept secret after decades of getting along."

"Master, do not forget that I have a blood feud with these demons of Ganzhou. Even if my foundation is damaged, or even if I never return from this journey, I will still yearn for it!"

Xu Qing remained silent for a moment, and in the end said nothing, but simply patted Zhang Pingsheng on the shoulder.

Zhang Pingsheng's grandmaster died in the Yin River. His master, in order to avenge his old grudge, returned to Yuzhang alone, but was eventually killed by the Corpse Buddha with the "Corpse-Dissolving Sword" and became a demon's body.

Twenty years later, Zhang Pingsheng, also left without saying goodbye, and went to Yuzhang to follow his master.

At that time, only Zhang Pingsheng remained in the Celestial Master's Mansion. In order to ensure the continuation of his sect, Zhang Pingsheng, as the last Celestial Master, had no choice but to temporarily put aside the hatred between his sect and choose to lie low in the Taiping Temple, waiting for the right time.

Xu Qing didn't know how Zhang Pingsheng had gotten through these years, but he knew that the other man must be suffering.

In the past, Zhang Pingsheng would not have easily accepted the olive branch extended to him, but ever since the other party took Zhang Shufang as his disciple and passed on the torch of the Celestial Master's Mansion, the seal of a generation of Celestial Masters has been completely broken!
"Master, that Corpse Buddha is also known as the Two-Faced Buddha. This demonic Buddha is pleased when it encounters a corpse. One side is hypocritical and the other is evil, and it is most skilled at possession."

"When my master's cultivation was still shallow, he went to the Yin River out of a passion to avenge my master's grandfather. However, that demonic Buddha showed a hypocritical face and after defeating my master, he let him return to the mortal world and allowed him to cultivate properly."

"Later, my master said that the Corpse Buddha loves human corpses and enjoys collecting them. The higher the spiritual cultivation of the corpse in life, the happier He is. That is why He released my master back into the mortal world. This was not out of kindness, but rather to 'raise a corpse'!"

Xu Qing noticed Zhang Pingsheng's aversion to the corpse Buddha and couldn't help but ask, "I am a funeral director, and I also enjoy collecting corpses and handling funeral arrangements for people."

Zhang Pingsheng shook his head and said, "No! The sect leader collects corpses to bury the dead and let them rest in peace, not for pleasure."

"May I ask, Master, have you ever committed murder and dismemberment related to funeral arrangements?"

Xu Qing was silent for a moment, then said, "Does killing evil people count?"

Zhang Pingsheng was quite helpless. The cult leader was good in every way, except that his obsession with the dead was too deep.

But this is good, at least by following the cult leader, one doesn't have to worry about their own funeral arrangements.

This can be considered a unique benefit of the Great Luo Sect.
(End of this chapter)