Primordial Era: I rule the great sect and command all immortals.

"Oh? What brilliant plan do you have, sir? Please tell me!"

Zhu Yuanzhang was overjoyed upon hearing this and quickly asked.

At this moment, his posture was like that of Liu Bowen, whom he had invited to serve in three separate instances.

As long as the other party has value to him, Zhu Yuanzhang's attitude is more humble than that of any other emperor.

Of course, if you lose your usefulness or become a threat to him, he won't hesitate to kill you.

"Your Majesty! Why are immortals able to influence human politics?"

The man in black robes asked with a smile.

"Hmm! Immortals are powerful! Their magical power is boundless, capable of controlling the lives of others?"

Zhu Yuanzhang thought for a moment and then said.

That makes sense!

The man in black clapped his hands and laughed, continuing, "Now, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth is dissipating, and the lifespan of living beings is becoming shorter and shorter. In ancient times, humans did not need to cultivate; they were born and could live for one or two thousand years, possessing immense strength and able to subdue demonic beasts with their bare hands."

After a pause, the man continued, "Your Majesty, look! Now, if a mortal is born without cultivating, living for three hundred years would be considered a long life! Why is that?"

"Hmm! Is that so?"

Zhu Yuanzhang was startled. He had never really considered this question. As an emperor, he had cultivated the Imperial Dragon Qi and taken elixirs, so he could have lived for twenty or thirty thousand years.

He naturally didn't care about these common people's affairs.

Hearing the black-robed man's words, he seemed to be vaguely moved, as if there was something he had forgotten.

"Excuse me, sir, what could be the reason for this?"

Zhu Yuanzhang continued to ask.

"Your Majesty is not from the cultivation world, so you may not know that this era is called the 'Cataclysm of the End of Dharma,' the end of cultivators. The spiritual energy of heaven and earth is gradually being cut off, and the lifespan of living beings is greatly reduced. In the future, humans who live to be a hundred years old will be considered long-lived! As for immortals, they are not much better off. Without the nourishment of immortal energy, they too will die from the depletion of their magical power!"

The man in black slowly recounted what he knew.

"What! Such a thing exists! What about me?"

This news completely shocked Zhu Yuanzhang, causing him to stand up.

The emperor's first thought was not about anything else, but about himself and whether he could live a long life!

His dream was to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, to exist for eternity, and to coexist with the human race!

He cannot die!

This is not the result he wanted!

"Your Majesty, you cultivate the Imperial Dragon Qi! As long as you remain the ruler of the Earthly Immortal Realm and the emperor of the human race, your cultivation progress will not be affected by the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, and your life will naturally remain unaffected."

The man in black robes looked at Zhu Yuanzhang with amusement and said with a smile.

"That's good!"

Zhu Yuanzhang let out a long breath, but at the same time, boundless killing intent surged in his heart.

According to the gentleman, only by becoming an emperor can one achieve immortality!

Anyone who threatens his imperial power must die!

The remnants of the demon race, the immortal path, the demonic path, and the Buddhist sect must also die!

Those royal families they supported who feigned surrender must all die!

Zhu Yuanzhang would not give anyone the chance to restore the country!

"Your Majesty! My plan is to cut off the cultivators' escape route, so that they will perish one by one in the 'Cataclysm of the End of Dharma.' Without immortals, you will be the greatest and strongest, and naturally no one will be able to threaten your rule."

The man in black robes continued.

"Good! Good! Good!"

Zhu Yuanzhang was overjoyed and then asked, "How can we cut off the cultivators' escape route?"

"Hehe! In the entire Earthly Immortal Realm, across the four continents, there are a hundred dragon veins, which are the source of the Earthly Immortal Realm's spiritual energy. As long as these dragon veins are severed, the Earthly Immortal Realm's spiritual energy will naturally be cut off!"

The man in black robes continued, "The Earthly Immortal Realm is a crucial realm in the primordial world. If problems arise in the Earthly Immortal Realm, they will affect the Nine Netherworlds, the Demon Realm, and the Thirty-Three Heavens! In the future, the four realms of Heaven, Earth, Humanity, and Demon will all be depleted of their spiritual energy. At that time, immortals will lose their support and become even less capable than mortals. Your empire will then be nothing more than an impregnable fortress!"

"I understand! Thank you for clearing up my doubts, sir!"

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, a look of satisfaction on his face.

After Zhu Yuanzhang established the Ming Dynasty, he became suspicious and distrustful of everyone. He cherished the vast empire he had worked so hard to build and was afraid that it would be taken away by others.

This naturally includes his powerful backer, the Jie Sect!

Of course, other princes, ministers, and royal princes were also his main targets of vigilance, and Zhu Yuanzhang had dealt with them many times over the years.

"Your Majesty, I shall take my leave now."

Having devised a solution for Zhu Yuanzhang, the man in black took his leave.

"hehe……"

Watching the man in black robes leave the palace, Zhu Yuanzhang smiled coldly and muttered to himself, "You're no better. Once my great cause is accomplished, you'll die too!"

A day later, Zhu Yuanzhang summoned his strategist Liu Bowen.

"My dear minister, I had a strange dream. I dreamt that countless golden dragons, baring their fangs and claws, pounced on me, trying to devour me. What do you think this means?"

At this point, Zhu Yuanzhang characterized the matter as a dream.

"Um?"

Liu Bowen was startled, and then he recalled the scene many years ago when he paid homage to the Ancestor of Chaos.

"Liu Ji, if one day you assist the king and achieve something, and the king mentions the matter of dream interpretation, you can take this opportunity to sever the dragon veins of the Immortal Realm to settle your debt of loyalty to the king!"

At that time, Chaos Daojun clearly said this sentence, and many years later, Liu Bowen still remembers it clearly.

To settle the score between ruler and subject!

Sever the dragon veins of the Immortal Realm!

Liu Bowen sighed. After so many years, he knew exactly what kind of person Zhu Yuanzhang was. He was no longer someone who could be easily manipulated by Zhu Yuanzhang.

Liu Bowen pretended to be serious, calculated with his fingers, and only opened his eyes after a full half hour.

He saw Zhu Yuanzhang staring intently at him, observing all his emotional changes.

Liu Bowen chuckled, thinking to himself, "You're always the same; you never trust anyone!"

With this in mind, Liu Bowen completely gave up his hopes and truly severed all ties with Zhu Yuanzhang!

"My dear subject! What exactly does my dream mean?"

Zhu Yuanzhang pressed him for answers.

He intended to destroy the immortal's foundation, but he was afraid of causing a backlash.

Liu Bowen right in front of us is the perfect scapegoat!

Whatever happens, it can all be blamed on Liu Bowen.

After today, the story of Liu Bowen slaying the dragon will spread throughout the capital.

Before long, this will become a story, passed down forever among the human race.

Even if you, Liu Bowen, had a hundred mouths, you still couldn't explain it clearly.

Liu Bowen had already seen through this treacherous plan. His heart turned cold, and he completely severed ties with the Ming Dynasty and Zhu Yuanzhang.

Liu Bowen remained calm and composed, just like always. He smiled and said, "This is an unnamed dragon that covets Your Majesty's throne, but it has not yet gained power. As long as we sever the dragon vein, the disaster will be averted."

"I see! My dear minister, I wonder if you could step in and eliminate this hidden danger for me?"

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed.

"Leave this matter to your humble servant! I will certainly satisfy Your Majesty!"

Remembering Chaos Daoist's words, Liu Bowen forcibly suppressed his anger and said, "There is one matter that requires His Majesty's approval!"

"Oh? What is it? Just tell me! I will grant it all!"

Zhu Yuanzhang was overjoyed, not expecting Liu Bowen to be so agreeable. As for Liu Bowen's questions, they were nothing to worry about. Before Liu Bowen could even speak, Zhu Yuanzhang had already agreed to everything.

"That's right! My teacher wants to take action to rectify the harm caused by Buddhism in the past. This requires the assistance of the Human Emperor."

Liu Bowen put forward his requirements.

"This matter? Simple! I will issue an imperial decree immediately, ordering Master Lin Lingsu to personally oversee the governance of Buddhism!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang was secretly pleased. These Buddhist and Taoist people are still fighting and squabbling with each other even now!

Once I sever all the spiritual veins in the world, let's see how you die!

Since we'll deal with you sooner or later, this just fulfills your request to keep you in the dark. By the time you realize what's happening, it will be too late.

"Very well! In that case, Your Majesty, I shall travel the world and slay the dragon for you!"

Liu Bowen readily agreed.

Having completed the task assigned by his teacher and severed all ties with Zhu Yuanzhang, he was already quite content.

The next day, Zhu Yuanzhang issued two imperial edicts, assigning these two tasks to Lin Lingsu and his disciple Liu Bowen.

Lin Lingsu was overjoyed to receive the imperial edict. He first instructed his disciples to be careful and to follow the instructions of their patriarch. Then, he personally went to the palace to discuss the governance of Buddhism with Zhu Yuanzhang.

Soon, Lin Lingsu made a big move.

A group of experts from the Jie Sect descended upon the capital to assist Lin Lingsu in her actions.

Among them were protectors of the Jie Sect such as Yuan Hong, the Six-Eared Macaque, Sun Wukong, and Wuzhiqi.

It can be said that unless a quasi-saint of Buddhism hiding in some world of the Thirty-Three Heavens intervenes, there is absolutely no way to stop Lin Lingsu's will.

The various sects fought fiercely, but none of them were completely wiped out.

Even within Buddhism, many temples still exist, and some monks with shallow spiritual cultivation survived.

It's impossible for the experts of the Jie Sect to eliminate these people one by one.

They have the upper hand in the overall situation, and they wouldn't stoop to doing something so tasteless.

At this time, Lin Lingsu stepped forward and issued the Jiejiao decree, ordering all Buddhist temples in the heavens and myriad realms to be converted into palaces and monasteries, Shakyamuni to Heavenly Venerable, Bodhisattva to Great Master, Arhat to Venerable One, and monk to Virtuous Person.

Furthermore, all monks must keep their hair long, wear crowns, and carry bamboo slips.

These remarks caused a huge uproar both inside and outside the government. Although it was not a direct persecution of Buddhism, such measures had a great impact on Buddhist doctrines.

Even in the midst of chaos, in the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, the two holy beings, Amitabha Buddha and Cundi Buddha Mother, could no longer remain seated.

How can this still be considered a Buddhist sect under their leadership?

Where is the semblance of a Buddhist temple in this place?

Isn't that nonsense?

Is it okay to do something like this?

However, the power of Buddhism has been severely weakened, and it is no longer able to fight against the Jie Sect.

Helpless, the two Buddhist saints suppressed their anger and completely shut down the Pure Land, no longer paying attention to worldly affairs. This was an admission of defeat in advance, a complete abandonment of struggling in this great eon.

Soon, this decree spread from the capital to the Southern Continent, the Eastern Continent, the Western Continent, and the Northern Continent.

Under the dual pressure of the Jie Sect and secular forces, it was eventually forcefully promoted that Buddha be changed to Great Enlightened Golden Immortal, clothing be changed, and surname be adopted.

The Left and Right Street Record Offices were renamed the Morality Academy, and the Monk Record Office was renamed the Virtue Office, which was subordinate to the Morality Academy.

Soon after, Lin Lingsu's actions became increasingly drastic, changing the term "female Taoist priest" to "female Daoist" and "nuns" to "female virtuous nuns."

Lin Lingsu's actions provoked strong dissatisfaction among Buddhists, and some remaining eminent Buddhist monks were dissatisfied and wanted to challenge Lin Lingsu to a magical duel.

Nowadays, almost all the masters of Buddhism have fled.

Faced with a Grand Luo Golden Immortal like Lin Lingsu, the Buddhist sect was no match at all!

Lin Lingsu was Li Yunjing's last disciple, proficient in the Five Elements Thunder Technique. In particular, Chaos Daojun personally crafted a "Thunder Judge Seal" for Lin Lingsu, making her invincible.

This shows that Chaos Daojun likes Lin Lingsu.

He personally named this precious seal!

It's practically telling everyone outright that Lin Lingsu is his successor in thunder magic, and that he will judge everything with the "Thunder Judge's Seal"!

Such a move would make Yuan Hong, the Six-Eared Macaque, Su Daji, Sun Wukong, Marshal Tianpeng, and Wuzhiqi extremely envious!

Everyone knows that the teacher's most powerful skill is lightning magic!

The teacher is almost the embodiment of the Great Dao of Thunder, the manifestation of the Dao, and an omnipotent Lord of Ten Thousand Thunders who can replace the Heavenly Tribulation and judge evil.

What does this "Thunderous Judge's Seal" mean?

It's just that Lin Lingsu was made the crown prince of the Jie Sect!

Such behavior shocked the people of the Jie Sect. However, this anti-Buddhist campaign also made many people admire Lin Lingsu. Such a prodigy is indeed worthy of the Chaos Dao Lord's special cultivation!

Yuan Hong's disciples were all convinced.

In terms of fighting and killing, they were all excellent, but Lin Lingsu possessed the courage and wisdom to dismantle a sage sect from its very foundation with such ruthless methods.

Lin Lingsu's actions even reached Mencius's ears, and the third-generation leader of the sect couldn't help but exclaim, "If Lin Lingsu were to advance to the Quasi-Saint realm, she would become the fourth-generation supreme leader of our Jie Sect!"

It can be said that this operation not only severely weakened the power of Buddhism, but also greatly deterred other sects of Xuanmen. Whether it was the remaining Chan Sect or the Ren Sect, they all cowered in the face of Lin Lingsu.

The "Shenxiao Daozong," founded by Lin Lingsu, a branch of the Jiejiao sect, also became the number one sect among the Xuanmen sects.

It far surpasses many other branches of the Xuanmen sect, such as Longhu, Maoshan, Shushan, Kunlun, Kongtong, Chunyang, Quanzhen, Zhengyi, etc.

Xinghe Zhenren smiled slightly at Lin Lingsu's actions. This was a good disciple that he had personally found for himself!

Now, the power of the immortal path gradually becomes intangible. At this time, Lin Lingsu established a great reputation and founded the "Shenxiao Dao Sect". In the future, the Jie Sect will continue to prosper!

It can be said that Lin Lingsu's actions this time truly achieved multiple benefits, making the most thorough preparations for preserving the power of the Jie Sect before the "End of Dharma Calamity." (End of Chapter)