Taoist priests in the supernatural world

"The vast sky cannot be gazed upon for long; the majestic earth cannot be trodden upon for long. Your path has come to an end."

Huang Bai's words were like a bucket of cold water poured over Liu Che's heart.

Upon hearing this, Liu Che was instinctively enraged.

"How dare you... I..."

He suddenly froze in place halfway through his sentence.

What am I?

Am I a sovereign who can decide life and death with a single word?

In the past, no one would have dared to question these words.

Facing Huang Bai at this moment, he didn't know how to continue speaking.

For over forty years since he ascended the throne, Liu Che had not heard the truth for far too long.

From civil and military officials to ordinary people, everyone compared him to the radiant sun, the true dragon emperor, the sovereign and father of the world, a divine being descended to earth, and the Purple Star.

He wanted to expand his territory, so generals fought for him in all directions.

He wanted to build palaces and platforms, so officials plundered the land for him.

If someone is to be killed, that person will not live to see tomorrow.

With years of flattery and obedience, Liu Che in his later years unknowingly came to regard himself as an omnipotent deity.

Even if he were to achieve immortality, those around him would tell him that it was possible.

There is nothing in the world that can stump him.

Until today, I saw Huang Bai.

I saw the sorcerer skinned alive and transformed into a demon, while the true immortal transformed into a dragon and toured Chang'an.

Liu Che suddenly realized that he was not an omnipotent emperor.

Even if Huang Bai said something unpleasant, what could he do?

Liu Che glanced around.

Crown Prince Liu Ju stood to one side, while Empress Wei Zifu remained indifferent.

He suddenly realized that his imperial edict was not a divine decree.

Thinking of this, Liu Che's anger suddenly subsided by more than half.

He sighed helplessly, his tone softening considerably.

"The vast sky cannot be gazed upon for long; the immortals are right. From this day forward, I issue an edict of self-reproach, recounting my mistakes over the years to all my subjects. From now on, no Han emperor shall seek immortality."

Emperor Wu of Han (Liu Che) understood people's hearts well and knew that as long as the green hills remain, there will always be firewood to burn.

Whether gods or mortals, everyone has their own desires.

Today, he first admitted his mistake and followed Huang Bai's lead.

Sooner or later, he will be able to figure out the desires of the gods.

If we wait until then to treat the symptoms, we will eventually have a chance to find the elixir of immortality.

Huang Bai seemed to see right through his thoughts.

"There will be no next time. Liu Ju will ascend the throne this month."

Upon hearing this, not only Liu Che but also Liu Ju were extremely shocked.

Liu Ju's expression changed, and he quickly stepped forward.

"Immortal, no, I..."

Before he could finish speaking, Huang Bai interrupted him.

"Stop talking nonsense."

Huang Bai looked at Liu Ju, his tone leaving no room for doubt.

"The people are impoverished, and war is raging everywhere. This is the time for recuperation and rebuilding. Who else but you is capable of this task?"

Liu Che was quite adept at accumulating wealth and waging war.

If he wanted to expand his territory, he would undoubtedly be a powerful ruler.

If the goal is to clean up the mess and restore people's livelihoods, he is far inferior to the kind-hearted Liu Ju.

Liu Ju wanted to say something more.

But Huang Bai's tone left no room for negotiation.

Wei Zifu was also frantically trying to wink at him from the side.

Liu Ju remained silent for a moment, then finally lowered his head.

"I humbly accept your instruction."

Liu Che looked at this scene and suddenly laughed, his laughter carrying both mockery and an indescribable weariness.

"Since you have all reached an agreement, I will issue the edict tomorrow."

But by then, no one was listening to him anymore.

Everyone pretended not to see it.

This emperor, who once held the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people in his hands, thus lost his power.

For some reason, in that instant, Liu Che looked much older.

Huang Bai ignored this.

To be old and not die is to be a thief.

Liu Che was too old.

If he were as old as Qin Shi Huang before him, there would still be a chance to save him.

Liu Che of today is no longer the ambitious and enterprising young emperor.

He became an old man who stole the resources of the country and the state just to support his obsession with immortality.

The greater the power, the greater the destructive power.

Therefore, rather than continuing to sit on the throne and wreak havoc on the world, it would be better to abdicate and enjoy one's later years in peace.

Judging from the timeline, Liu Che, who is in his fifties this year, still has more than ten years to live.

Thinking of this, Huang Bai looked at Liu Ju and said, "Starting tomorrow, you will take over the administration of the court. You must also warn future generations that emperors cannot live forever; after their death, they will ascend to the Purple Palace."

This can be considered as setting a rule for future generations.

Being an emperor doesn't grant immortality, and wanting immortality doesn't mean you can't be an emperor.

It's impossible for one person to have all the good things in the world.

Liu Ju solemnly cupped his hands in greeting.

"I understand. If there is anything I don't understand in the future, I will come to ask the immortal for guidance again."

"Don't."

Upon hearing this, Huang Bai immediately refused.

"We can reminisce, but you must handle state affairs yourself."

He has traveled through so many worlds. If he really wanted to be the retired emperor, he would have done it long ago. Why wait until now?

Having said that, Huang Bai's figure flashed.

The colorful fairy robes slowly disappeared.

Before he left, his voice echoed in the hall.

"Huo Shan, if you want to find me in the future, just go to Zhongnan Mountain."

In the empty room, only the lingering echoes of Huang Bai's words remained.

After Huang Bai left, Wei Zifu couldn't help but sigh.

"Living a carefree life, regarding fame and fortune as fleeting clouds—this is the true essence of a celestial being. And what mortal official position would a true celestial being deign to hold?"

Her words carried a hint of sarcasm.

Liu Che, who was standing to the side, blushed upon hearing this.

He didn't refute it, but pretended not to hear it.

A moment later, Liu Che suddenly looked up and shouted:

"Liu Ju!"

Liu Ju responded instinctively.

"Your subject is here!"

Liu Che frowned and said irritably, "What do you mean by 'son'? From now on, you are the emperor. Quickly build me a palace and summon a dozen or so beautiful concubines."

He spoke very loudly.

He feared that Wei Zifu might not hear him.

Wei Zifu gave him a cold look.

Liu Che turned his head away, pretending to admire the beams and pillars inside the hall.

Thus, the Han Dynasty gained an additional retired emperor.

After Liu Ju ascended the throne, his first act was to grant a general amnesty.

Subsequently, taxes and levies were reduced, births were encouraged, and large-scale wars were halted.

The focus of border defense should be on maintaining existing territory, and unnecessary and costly expeditions should no longer be launched lightly.

All counties and kingdoms ceased their plundering of cinnabar, gold, exotic beasts, and immortal herbs.

Sacrificial ceremonies at places like Jianzhang Palace and Ganquan Palace were also significantly reduced.

The Fangshi Hall in Chang'an City was raided and confiscated. Anyone found to have deceived the emperor and harmed the people will be dealt with according to the law.

In addition, Liu Ju bestowed upon Huang Bai the title of "Duke of the East," making him the supreme ruler of all earth immortals under heaven, and also known as the Patriarch of Earth Immortals.

When the imperial edict was proclaimed throughout the land, the common people were unaware of what had actually happened inside the Jianzhang Palace.

……

Three months later.

Zhongnan Mountains.

The mountain peaks stretch endlessly, their color a deep, dark green.

Nestled in a valley filled with pine and cypress trees, stands a stone palace.

The glazed tile roof reflects the sunlight.

A mountain breeze blows, and the pines rustle in the wind.

In the distance, clouds and mist swirl around, and mountain springs flow down the rock face, converging into a small pool in the valley.

This is the place where Huang Bai temporarily stays in this world.

"twitter……"

A flock of sparrows flew in from not far away.

The lead sparrow was as big as an eagle, covered in snow-white feathers, and had a piece of mica ore in its beak.

It flapped its wings and landed in the yard.

puff!

The white-feathered sparrow opened its beak and dropped the ore from its mouth onto the ground.

Then, it turned to look at the flock of sparrows behind it and scolded them in a shrill voice:

"Little Seven, Little Five, the Prince ordered you to move ore, what are you doing moving weeds and insects? You're not allowed to eat today!"

The two sparrows that were called out lowered their heads, a hint of grievance flashing in their eyes.

Half a piece of withered grass lay at one of their feet.

The other mouth also contained a fat worm.

They clearly haven't figured out what is mineral and what is food.

After giving instructions to each of the white sparrows, it flapped its wings and flew to the backyard.

In the backyard, Huang Bai was sitting cross-legged in front of the alchemy furnace.

The fire in the stove was roaring.

The crimson light illuminated the courtyard walls.

A white sparrow landed on the yellow-and-white head and whispered its news.

"Your Highness, the ore has been delivered."

"it is good."

Huang Bai didn't turn his head back; his gaze remained fixed on the fire in the stove.

These sparrows are divine birds manifested by Huang and Bai.

However, due to the short enlightenment period, Huang Bai was reluctant to use precious beast bones and demon cores to accelerate their cultivation.

Therefore, they could only be assigned odd jobs such as moving ore, guarding valleys, and delivering messages.

The fire roared, its light intense.

Inside the alchemy furnace were beast bones and demon cores, as well as sweet dew on a dew-collecting plate.

In addition, there were small amounts of mica ore, demon skin ash, and remnants of the painted skin runes from the three demons.

Under the heat of the flames, these materials slowly fused together.

A unique fragrance gradually wafted from the burner.

Bored, Huang Bai took out the fragments of the three demons' immortal skins from the Muchen Pearl, as well as the painting "Taiyi's Journey" depicting Taiyi and the immortals ascending to heaven.

What is the secret behind the "Painted Skin"?

Yellow and white fingers gently brushed over the remnants of the immortal skin.

It's nothing more than refining human skin step by step into magical artifacts, eventually becoming the so-called skin of immortals.

Even after killing the three demons, the Heavenly Decree remained inactive.

This shows that the so-called secret of the painted skin is not as simple as three demons wearing skins to absorb the nation's fortune.

"Perhaps the secret lies in this picture."

Huang Bai unfolded the "Taiyi's Journey Picture".

In the picture, Taiyi sits high in the center, surrounded by a host of immortals.

The crimson sun and blue moon hung on either side.

The Thunder God, Rain Master, Feathered Man, Jade Maiden, Bluebird, and White Deer are all listed before the Immortal Gate.

At the very top, there is a half-open heavenly gate.

The Heavenly Gate is exactly the same as the one opened on the day of the Heavenly Sacrifice.

As Huang Bai approached the Heavenly Gate pattern, he vaguely sensed an extremely powerful demonic force hidden within.

As he was thinking, the alchemy furnace suddenly trembled.

A wonderful fragrance filled the censer.

A golden pill flew out of the furnace.

The pill has fine lines on it, resembling demon bones or cloud patterns.

It also carries the pure aura of being cleansed by the golden dew.

"Good pill."

Huang Bai raised his hand, grabbed the pill, and swallowed it in one gulp.

Once the elixir entered the abdomen, its immense medicinal power surged into the fundamental inner core.

The mica inner core vibrated slightly.

The medicinal power transformed into a scalding torrent, becoming nourishment for the fourth stage of the Core Formation realm.

The unusual phenomenon of the fourth elixir was multi-eyed.

Previously, Huang Bai had already developed the ability to see into one's own mind through the space between his eyebrows.

Now that the elixir has entered the body, the multi-eyed appearance has finally progressed once again.

After a long while, the black vertical eye between the yellow and white eyebrows slowly moved.

It moves from the center of the forehead to above the right eyebrow.

Immediately afterwards, a thin slit suddenly appeared above the left eyebrow.

Wow!

Light flowed within this crack.

A new vertical eye slowly formed.

The color of this eye is the exact opposite of the previous Heavenly Eye.

The whites of his eyes were pitch black, and his pupils were deathly white.

When black and white are reversed, the demonic aura becomes clear.

With two vertical eyes, one on the left and one on the right, Huang Bai instantly transformed into a four-eyed immortal.

A white sparrow stood on his head, startling him so much that its feathers bristled.

It quickly flew to a nearby branch and chirped incessantly.

Huang Bai ignored him.

He slowly opened the newborn vertical eye.

White pupils and black eyes, eyes that reveal demons.

Once the Heavenly Eye is opened, all forms are broken.

The fox transformed into a woman, the dragon into a monk, the ghost into a Buddha, and the demon into a Taoist.

Under this gaze, their true forms are revealed.