The Path to Immortality Begins with the Life-Extending Lamp

Chapter 262 The True Inheritance of Paper Dolls
"The true transmission of spiritual paper? Do you know that Dharma companions, wealth, land, and Dharma are paramount, and the true transmission of a Dharma lineage is already the foundation of the temple?"

"Hmph... Ask yourself honestly, if it were you, would you be willing to give up the foundation of your cultivation?"

Upon hearing Li Qing's promise, the burly old cultivator in the Spirit Paper Path did not feel joy at receiving help. Instead, his expression darkened, and he solemnly asked in return.

If a lineage of true teachings is lost, the lineage will almost lose its foundation. The Immortal Path is different from the Ghost Path and the Divine Path. It relies on the endless stream of mysterious methods. But once all kinds of supernatural powers and methods are known to the public, how can they survive?

Even Li Qing, whose magical artifacts are powerful enough to make any Yin God wary, might not be much stronger than other Purple Mansion Venerables if someone were to understand his strengths and weaknesses and use a substitution technique to block a certain death attack...

Similarly, how could the remaining old cultivators of the Spirit Paper Path be willing to do so?

He may offend a powerful local figure, but he will only be suppressed and decline. However, if he loses his means of survival, he will see no hope at all!

This blunt questioning and retort to Li Qing made the hearts of the other old cultivators jump. This Taoist priest in front of them had easily fed such a jar of ferocious Dharma, and judging from his methods, he was probably a powerful figure.

They weren't afraid of the powerful figure, but they couldn't help feeling a bit sorry for themselves. A rope always breaks at its weakest point; their own spiritual lineage was just a small, unofficial folk practice. What merit did they have to repeatedly invite trouble?
Fortunately, the Taoist priest opposite him was not angry at being questioned so bluntly. Instead, he nodded slightly in agreement.

“I understand the reasoning behind this.”

"But I remember that the true teachings of paper spirits should be divided into many paths, such as white paper lanterns, soul-guiding banners, spirit paper sedan chairs, paper figure true teachings, and so on."

"I only ask to see the true teachings of that paper doll, so that I can use them to supplement my cultivation of other methods. Although there are other means to replace it, the 'Secret Records of Paper Spirits' has been the means I have relied on since I entered the Dao, and I really do not want to give it up."

Li Qing's words were also very sincere, without any attempt to hide his stinginess, and he directly made his request to the old cultivators of the Spirit Paper Path.

He roughly knew the true teachings of the Spirit Paper Technique, but he only wanted to learn one of the true teachings of the paper doll technique, not the whole thing, so it was not something that could not be discussed.

"Gentlemen, you may consider this carefully. Alternatively, you could seek new secret-level Daoist techniques for exchange, or barter for high-grade magical artifacts. That would not be impossible..."

Among the cultivators of Lingnan, there were not many sectarian differences or unorthodox sects. Under the rules set by the Five Immortal Sects, they exchanged goods of equal value and each gained something, so they could often get what they wanted.

This move is already extremely sincere. They only ask for one of the true teachings of the paper doll and even propose to exchange it for a Dao technique. If this is the case, the Spirit Paper Dao will not lose out. On the contrary, they can gain an extra Purple Mansion Realm Dao technique.

It should be known that Li Qing is always meticulous in his actions. To remove the dream seed from the Spirit Butterfly Sect's Cai Die'er, he paid the price of a scroll of Yin God-level Daoist magic. Of course, Daoist magic is precious, and Cai Die, the female Daoist, knew she was unworthy of such a great gift, so she willingly followed Li Qing...

For the Spirit Paper Path today, this episode is not a bad thing!
Even those few stubborn old cultivators were somewhat moved when they heard that Li Qing was willing to exchange his Dao techniques for Li Qing's Dao.

In particular, the Taoist priest spoke with certainty, and his words showed considerable approval of the "Secret Record of Paper Spirits." He had indeed entered the Paper Demon Path through the art of spiritual paper, which earned him some favor from the older cultivators in the Spirit Paper Temple.

Right now, this Taoist surnamed Li has arrived with a Dharma altar, and more than a dozen streams of purple energy are swirling around it, causing the spiritual light at the Lingzhi Dharma Temple to soar into the sky. The entire Lingze Ancient City is solemn, and countless eyes are secretly cast upon him. The various sects in the ancient city have all made completely different guesses about this.

The monks gathered in the courtyard, looking up at the Sixty Jiazi Paper Gods, all of them both loving and fearing them.

"But what price can you afford to pay?"

"Although the Daoist arts are hard to come by, intercepting and killing some cultivators outside the territory of the Five Immortal Sects can always yield some results. But who would dare to use such stolen goods? There's no guarantee that a great disaster might be lurking behind them."

"Magic weapons can only temporarily quell aggression, but for us, they are ultimately just a drop in the ocean!"

The burly old cultivator shook his head in disappointment, rejecting Li Qing's two promises, but... in his gleaming eyes, he had a strong desire for the armored madman, flying madman, and faceless madman perched on the eaves.

"The Taoist priest should know the situation in my temple. If... you can exchange these three or five paper deities for the true teachings of the paper figures, I will offer them on behalf of the temple."

As soon as the burly old man spoke, the crowd knew exactly what he was thinking.

Although the Daoist arts are precious, even these old men might not be able to master them. High-grade magical artifacts are powerful enough, but they are still not enough to safeguard the foundation of the temple and repel the restless wolves. Only these three or five day-roaming demons can immediately become the foundation of their temple and protect the disciples.

But... how could he even think of that?
"You have good taste!"

"Jia Chang was originally made of silver armor, with both arms covered in armor, and his strength could uproot mountains and push rivers and seas; Fei Chang was fierce and brave, spewing out a haze of corpses and a canopy of ghosts, raising a gloomy wind that howled, and desolating ten miles of barren land; he had no face and carried a map, and was surrounded by all kinds of curses..."

"These so-called Three or Five Rampant Lords, each of them often fights with Yin ghosts in the Yin Earth and can fight against the Purple Palace.

"But you must know that this is my sweet date, but also your poison."

Li Qing crossed his arms, his brows furrowed in a disdainful gaze, exuding a strong sense of oppression.

These three or five powerful figures were cultivated and refined by Li Qing from scratch. Don't be fooled by their wooden and docile stance in Li Qing's hands, appearing as fragile as paper figures before the various Yin Gods. Among the unorthodox cultivators of the state's lineages, which of these powerful figures wouldn't be a ruthless monster capable of destroying families and clans?

The Spirit Paper Path has neither the right nor the ability to demand or control it.

The burly old cultivator's expression shifted as Li Qing pointed it out, his heart filled with turmoil. He wasn't unaware of this matter, but...

"Within the Lingzhi Faguan Temple, the paper figures, spirit banners, lamps, spirit palanquins, divine journeys, and nightmare suppression are all taught with their own true teachings. At present, the disciples of nightmare suppression and spirit palanquins have left the temple with their true teachings, and there is no longer any lineage."

"The paper doll lineage is already defunct in name only. If you insist on taking it away, what will happen?"

As the burly old cultivator struggled in silence, a somewhat hunched old Taoist in hemp robes pushed open the door with a cane, his voice hoarse. Most of the disciples from the various branches of the Spirit Paper Temple had already dispersed, leaving only the four branches of the temple: those holding the spirit banners, those lighting lamps to guide the way, those parading the spirit palanquin at night, and those using divine speed to move about. The paper figure branch that Li Qing had sought had not left; in fact, it had originally been the branch that led the Spirit Paper Temple.

Unfortunately, the younger generation within the Paper Doll lineage has all perished, leaving only a handful of young disciples.

"What's the point of talking about taking it away? I, Li, only need to see the true meaning of the scriptures."

"Old Taoist priest, please speak your mind. Why put a label on me right away?"

Li Qing glanced at the hunched old Taoist priest and snorted softly.

This old Taoist priest is probably another Purple Mansion cultivator from Lingzhi Temple besides that burly old cultivator. However, he is somewhat displeased with this method of suppressing desires before seeking them.

"Or do you want me to take that orphaned heir from the paper lineage as my disciple?"

Glancing sideways at the young Taoist boy behind the old Taoist, he immediately noticed that the boy was indeed exceptionally intelligent and precocious.

But... Li Qing has never liked being restrained, so how could she comply with his wishes?
His expression gradually turned cold, and just as he was about to refuse, a sudden change occurred outside the temple.

However, a flying swallow magic boat barrier suddenly opened, drawing in a hundred feet of mysterious light that rushed into the spirit paper magic temple.

Unlike the Linglong Crazed Master's silent, ethereal magic that seeped into the Spirit Paper Temple, this flying boat brazenly smashed through the temple's barrier, violently crushing the lotus pond and pavilions within, and landing outside the temple's east hall.

To visit someone's home without reporting their visit and then break into their house is considered impolite!
Such domineering behavior caused all the paper money collectors in the temple pavilions to turn their heads and stare sternly at the uninvited guest who had disturbed their master.

"Oh? Which fellow Daoist has brought a jar of 'Crazy Soldiers'?"

"If we want to teach this stubborn old donkey of the Lingzhi Temple a lesson, I wholeheartedly agree!"

Inside the Flying Swallow Dharma Boat, a man in extravagant clothes led his attendants to slowly descend. He chuckled and teased the deities surrounding the Luojin Dharma Temple, while lavishly using scattered ceiling flowers and cloud light as a carpet to look down upon them from his high vantage point.

Even though there were still a dozen or so day-trippers in the temple, this noble-born Purple Mansion cultivator remained completely unafraid.

However, his attendants on either side were more cautious, keeping a watchful eye on the changes in the aura of those powerful figures.

However, before the noble young man on the magic boat could finish showing off, a powerful wind pressure rose from below, shrouding the area in gloom and creating a strange and unpredictable atmosphere. Then, a black wind rose out of nowhere, regardless of the identity of the person who came aboard the Flying Swallow Magic Boat, and directly blew them and their horses over in one fell swoop.

"Get out... This is not a place for you now."

"Is it the work of the God of Longevity, urging you to come and seek death?"

Seeing that Li Qing's dissatisfaction, which he had just mentioned, had been interrupted, and that the rabble members stationed in the temple had failed to guard the gate properly, Linglong Rabble Master, Fei Rabble, and Wumian Rabble exchanged a glance, their expressions changing drastically. Fei Rabble, being particularly unruly, took the initiative and spat out a mouthful of corpse haze, about to knock the troublemaker who didn't know his own death out of the temple.

This group of sixty-year-old madmen has come from Li Qing's humble beginnings. They vaguely remember that their master was capricious in his likes and dislikes. Even the Linglong Madman had his neck crushed by the master for overstepping his bounds. They would never dare to neglect their duties.

The flying demons, exhaling haze, took flight, while the armored demons, gripping their weapons and the faceless demons, slightly raised their hands, all emerging from the temple. The exquisite demon master, with a flick of her sleeve, used the Cloud and Rain Demon Realm to separate the Spirit Paper Temple from the outside world. Her graceful figure bowed in the misty rain, then tentatively asked in a clear voice, "Master, shall I go and silence the noise outside?"

"Well... go ahead!"

Li Qing remained expressionless, and simply waved her right sleeve, granting Linglong's request.

After a few moments of silence, Li Qing exchanged another glance with the old cultivators, then casually pointed at the old Taoist priest:
"Tell me, who has your Lingzhi Temple offended? If it is within my power, I will untie this knot for you, but don't worry about anything else."

"Don't say I'm being too deceitful. I'm determined to get my hands on this paper doll's true teachings."

Want to bind Li Qing with a true lineage of Purple Mansion Daoist teachings and a master-disciple relationship? There's no such thing as a free lunch.

Such forceful words and tactics left the old Taoist priest speechless, both amused and exasperated.

They dared not ask this seemingly extraordinary Taoist to join them and take on the karma of their temple. They only wanted to use his influence to give the young men in the temple a little respite, but the Taoist on the other side clearly hated trouble even more.

The old Taoist shook his head and sighed. He dared not make any requests, fearing that it would provoke a battle between two powerful forces, making it even harder for his own Lingzhi Temple to breathe.

"Those people have powerful backers who are notorious in Lingnan. They are not to be trifled with. It's best for you, Shangxiu, not to take the risk. Perhaps we can find another way..."

The old man spoke haltingly, as if he were only half-heartedly holding on, about to cause more trouble.

Li Qing, however, lost patience with dealing with him any longer. With a flick of his finger, he sent the Dharma Boat, which had been crushing the ruins of the East Hall of the Dharma Temple, flying several miles away. As the energy flowed, the broken butterflies sprouted wings and fish fell into the water above the ruins of the lotus pond, regaining a glimmer of hope.

"It's alright. A person's life is but a fleeting moment, hanging by a thread. Once that breath is gone, all cause and effect disappear. There's always a way to untie the knot."

"You don't need to worry about whether he's easy to deal with or not. If you can untie this knot, I'll take your 'Paper Doll True Teaching'. If you can't untie this knot, I'll still take your true teaching."

"You should know this, but this humble Taoist priest may not necessarily be a good person!"

(End of this chapter)