The Path to Immortality Begins with the Life-Extending Lamp

Chapter 261 The Path of Spiritual Paper

Lingnan Prefecture, Nanzhou.

This is the fifth prefecture in Lingnan, backed by a vast expanse of spiritual waters. Many independent Taoist practitioners gathered here to cultivate their spirituality, establish Taoist temples, and exchange resources. Over time, this spiritual land was formed.

Within the Spirit City of the Marshland, numerous independent cultivation sects exist. Even various shady magical artifacts from the Southern Kingdom and the South China Sea are bleached through this spiritual land before reappearing elsewhere as legitimate "standard magical artifacts."

It can be said that this place is a transit point for the Five Immortal Sects of the South and the cultivation circle of the South China Sea.

Lingzhidao has been established here for nearly a hundred years. It is famous in Lingnan for its paper figures to summon souls and paper horses to protect people. In the early years, the local ghosts were arrogant and would obey orders but not proclamations. There were wandering ghosts in the wilderness. People in Lingnan often had the custom of inviting a paper figure or paper horse to guard their door.

However, in recent years, the various prefectures of the Southern Kingdom have become increasingly peaceful and stable, and the Lingzhi Dao sect has become increasingly deserted!

Behind a crooked tree on the hill west of the city, wisps of smoke occasionally rise from this small, five-courtyard temple. The three large characters "Lingzhi Dao" (Spiritual Paper Path) at the entrance are somewhat faded, and little of the gilding on the plaque remains. However, the temple is still relatively quiet and clean. Orchids and bamboos are planted inside the courtyard, and paper lanterns hang from the beams. In the horse stable to the east, there are no donkeys or horses, but instead, densely packed "little paper horses" are hung with red ropes. On the courtyard walls, there are also paper figures of ladies and paper armor of generals in various shapes and sizes...

The true mystery of paper spirit making lies in using precious incense and ink. Even when outsiders and believers come to the temple to offer incense and eat vegetarian food, they do not feel afraid at all when they see so many folded and cut paper items in the courtyard.

Regardless of its actual strength, the presentation alone is enough to make it a dish that is both unorthodox and authentic!

The old monks who were sweeping the courtyard with whisks and dusters only glanced at the two young men and women with their cloudy eyes when the gate in front of the courtyard was pushed open, before continuing to do their work.

It lacks the utilitarian sense of spreading fame and propagating the doctrine found in other Buddhist doctrines.

It wasn't until the couple had wandered through half of the courtyard that a young Taoist priest hurriedly arrived with a young boy.

Upon hearing the boy's account, the Taoist priest assumed they were a pair of noble scholars from the prefecture. After all, many scholars in the prefecture were accustomed to using paper figures and horses as substitutes for talismans, and officials from the prefecture would often send their attendants to visit and observe them.

But the moment he stepped out of the front hall and his eyes met those of the man and woman, the Taoist priest's expression changed drastically. The smile on his face vanished in an instant, and he became extremely flustered, standing there dumbfounded, unsure whether to hand over the two welcoming sachets in his hand.

Lingzhidao has offended many important figures in the cultivation world. Many of his former close friends have long since stopped contacting him. The only remaining connection is with the powerful clans in the prefectures and counties. These clans hold power and control the prefectures and counties, and they also value this promising lineage, so they are willing to provide some protection.

Two strange Taoist priests have come to our door without any apparent reason; they must be up to no good again...

"Humph!"

Seeing that the Taoist priest was already flustered before they even clashed, one of the stubborn old cultivators, a burly old man, pushed open the curtain of the side hall, snorted coldly, snatched the welcoming sachet from the Taoist priest's hand with a look of exasperation, and strode toward Li Qing and his companion.

"If you are devout believers, you may take this sachet and enter the main hall to gently shake the fortune slips and choose a paper spirit. My paper spirit path welcomes you with open doors."

"But if they keep coming to harass us, well..."

Those old cultivators who remain in the Spirit Paper Path and are still able to barely maintain this Dharma Temple must be stubborn and their abilities are not too bad.

The young Spirit Paper Daoist might not be able to handle the situation, but these old cultivators had weathered many storms and faced the two Purple Mansion Daoists without any fear.

"Hmm... okay."

Li Qing gently put down the paper horse in the Imperial Horse Garden, letting it return to the red rope. She turned around, exchanged a glance with the old cultivator, and then accepted the welcoming sachet with a nod of agreement.

The Taoist priest in front, accompanied by a boy, led the way. Li Qing and his companion, following the host, also went through the process of drawing lots and offering sacrifices.

However, along the way, he had some questions.

"So, believers can get a paper spirit by praying and drawing lots? Is it possible to do so without paying any fees?"

"I seem to recall that paper figures are easy to make, but paper spirits are not so easy to obtain, are they?"

Throughout the entire process, the old monk in the temple never mentioned the value of the paper figures, nor was there any price tag on them.

But if that's the case, where do they get their income and expenses to maintain this spiritual path?

Li Qing knew that even the Taiyi Daoist sect had to delve into the palaces of aristocratic families to spread its doctrines and acquire sufficient power and resources. How could this small temple be so benevolent?

With these three questions raised, the people in the temple couldn't help but turn around at the same time, looking at Li Qing with puzzlement.

How could he ask such a question? "The unorthodox sects of Lingnan are prepared in the prefectures and cities, but they are not allowed to spread their doctrines, worship gods and ancestors, erect monuments, or sculpt statues..."

“As a side sect of Buddhist temples that specialize in cultivation, we receive annual stipends from the prefecture, and each temple should naturally give back to the place that gave us birth and nurtured us.”

"You are perhaps from another prefecture? How could you possibly know that paper spirits are so hard to come by?"

The old man in the courtyard had a fleeting look in his cloudy eyes. He asked casually, but a hint of suspicion crept into his mind.

So that's how it is. The Lingnan Buddhist temples are not like Taoist temples, but rather like local shamans and sorcerers. Are they under the supervision of the prefecture or government?

In this way, chaos can indeed be eliminated to the greatest extent and such a large territory can be controlled. However, although these folk lineages are all self-serving, it is not a simple matter to control them all.

I wonder who this governor of Lingnan is, that he has such abilities?
Li Qing nodded in realization, and seven-tenths of his doubts immediately disappeared. With the support of the state and prefecture governments, they should also protect the people of the country.

“When I first entered the Daoist path, I also practiced the ‘Secret Record of Paper Spirits’ and relied on it to escape danger many times. I heard that this technique originated from the Dao of Spirit Paper, so I went to Lingnan to seek it out.”

At this point, Li Qing paused, then continued:

"This 'Secret Record of Paper Spirits' has been greatly abridged, and it is almost useless after the Purple Mansion realm. I have come here today only to seek out the true teachings within."

"Of course, I, Li, will also reciprocate with cultivation techniques, Taoist scriptures, and magical artifacts of equal value. I have heard that the temple is facing difficulties, and if it is within my power, I am willing to lend a helping hand."

"I wonder if this is feasible?"

As soon as these words fell, the pressure of the soul was overwhelming. In the vast emptiness, paper figures waved banners and paper horses donned armor. A strange image of a chariot for the dead flashed by, and the Sixty Jiazi Paper Dao Great Demons instantly landed between the eaves and walls of the Spirit Paper Dao. There were Jiazi paper demons sitting on the walls, flying paper demons hanging from the eaves, wandering paper demons standing on the tiles, and faceless paper demons falling onto the walls of people...

The traces of paper spirit magic were so strong on the bodies of these rampant and violent paper demons that how could the old cultivators who had practiced the "Spirit Paper Way" for a lifetime not recognize them?

At this moment, whether it was those stubborn old cultivators or the dozen or so young Taoist children scattered in the back temple, they were all moved by the power of the paper deity and raised their heads to look up at the paper Taoist deity that stood in the Tiger-like Temple.

If the Spirit Paper Path had such a foundation, perhaps things wouldn't be like this!

"Using paper magic to enter the realm of rampant evil? Can you handle it?"

Suddenly, an old, bearded cultivator outside the window of the outer corridor spoke up, asking Li Qing with a hint of disbelief.

They were naturally familiar with the "Paper Spirit Secret Records." It was a compromise made by the temple that compiled a portion of the basic spells of the Paper Spirit Technique into a secret record and distributed it to those disciples who had "left" the lineage. Many others were also collected in the treasuries of various noble families in the prefecture.

What shocked them was that someone had actually used such a fragmented "Paper Spirit Secret Record" to create a powerful altar capable of destroying mountains and temples.

This is truly...unbelievable!
"There are many other methods within, such as the Way of the Soul, the Way of the Talisman, the Way of the Rampant, and the Way of the Ghost..."

"As for controlling it? As long as you have enough prepared methods and always have room for maneuver, there's nothing you can't control, isn't there?"

Li Qing smiled at the misty rain, her words carrying a deeper meaning. Linglong Changzhu, however, rolled up her domain and transformed it into an inch of dark light, instantly ignoring the magic barrier and landing in the courtyard.

“Master, he doesn’t know anything about the mysteries of exorcising spirits and communicating with the dead. Don’t listen to this old man’s attempts to sow discord.”

“We, the rabble, have always been loyal to you without question.”

"If you don't believe me, ask Fei Chang and Jia Chang..."

As soon as Linglong Changzhu landed, she heard an old man making trouble. How could she sit still?

Heaven have mercy! She's been leading a horde of rampant ghosts in the Netherworld, skinning them alive and refining talismans for each and every tyrannical ruler, leaving her with no free time. And now, here outside, villains are stirring things up. In this world, is there any justice left?

Not only Linglong Changzhu, but also Fei Changjia Chang Wumian Chang, all turned their heads at the same time, their sharp, cold glints flashing as they coldly glanced at the old Taoist priest with the spirit paper.

The arrogant thugs, whose numbers were countless, looked down on the old man, who was only at the peak of Qi Refining, causing him to break out in a cold sweat. How could he not realize that he had said the wrong thing?

(End of this chapter)