Chapter 204: Cultivator's Purgatory, Mortal's Paradise
Almost on the very second day after Chong Guang reincarnated, Perfected Lord Qingcheng Feixue personally exited seclusion to preside over matters, and then summoned Perfected One Yin Shan and Lu Yang to Sacred Fire Cliff.
“For this southward expedition, Yuan Tu will take the lead.”
Perfected Lord Qingcheng Feixue sat upright at the head seat and said calmly, “I will personally hold the line to ensure that Golden Core Perfected Lords do not intervene in this southern war.”
“Aside from that, most Great Perfected Ones at the Perfection of Foundation Establishment will not participate either. People have selfish motives; for them, having Chong Guang walk ahead is something they could only wish for, so they won’t put their hearts into stopping him. As for Great Perfected Ones at the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment, most are pursuing perfection and won’t get involved.”
“Moreover, Chong Guang has already made arrangements.”
“Even if a Great Perfected One does participate in this war, you need not worry; someone will naturally deal with them. Your opponents will only be at the Middle and Initial Stages of Foundation Establishment.”
Hearing this, Lu Yang instantly breathed a sigh of relief. “This disciple accepts the command.”
Perfected One Chong Guang’s arrangements were reassuring. He wasn’t being asked to challenge someone above his level. Facing only the Middle and Initial Stages, he still had some confidence!
“Very good.”
Perfected Lord Qingcheng Feixue nodded, and a few traces of killing intent suddenly appeared between her embroidered brows. “This time, I want you to kill your way into the [Kingdom of Qing], exterminate their sects, and strip away their spiritual veins.”
“The [Kingdom of Qing] is a nail driven into my Jiangbei by the Dao Court. Under its rule are five major Foundation Establishment forces: the Zhaoxia Clan, the Yuanchen Clan, the Five Elements Sect, the Cloud-Climbing Sect, and the Shangxuan Sword Sect. Among the five, the Shangxuan Sword Sect is the leader. Its Sect Master has received support from the Sword Pavilion and is now at the fullness of the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment…”
Perfected Lord Qingcheng Feixue briefly recounted the situation.
For a Perfected Lord, the details of mere Foundation Establishment forces were naturally as clear as viewing the lines on one’s palm. Since she spoke of it, there could not be the slightest error or omission.
Finally, Perfected Lord Qingcheng Feixue spoke decisively and crisply—
“This matter concerns Chong Guang seeking the Golden Core. After going south, there is no need to be tied down. Kill, rob, or destroy… I have long found that wonder—the [Kingdom of Qing]—is an eyesore!”
Without a second word, Lu Yang immediately bowed down.
“I respectfully obey the Perfected Lord’s decree!”
A moment later, Lu Yang and Perfected One Yin Shan rode their escaping lights and left the Heaven-Connecting Cloud Sea. Of course, Perfected One Chong Guang couldn’t have assigned only the two of them to go south.
In fact, they were more like the ones in charge.
And since Perfected Lord Qingcheng Feixue had personally spoken this time, the intensity was far stronger than when they exterminated the Divine Martial Sect in the past. With a single transfer order from the Perfected Lord, the entire Jiangbei responded.
Clearly, Perfected One Chong Guang had been making arrangements long ago. The current [Kingdom of Qing] had long been surrounded tightly by various sects, large and small, from Jiangbei. At present, both sides were already in a standoff, sitting quietly for several months like a powder keg, just waiting for someone to ignite the situation.
On the way, Lu Yang did not forget to communicate with Perfected One Yin Shan.
“Although the Perfected Lord ordered me to be in charge this time, I am young after all, and I lack sufficient experience. I am far less seasoned and prudent than Senior Brother Yin Shan.”
“Therefore, I ask Senior Brother to give me many pointers and check for any omissions.”
“…Its okay, you’re too serious.”
Perfected One Yin Shan waved his hand, but looking at his expression, he clearly enjoyed it. Obviously, Lu Yang’s respectful and polite attitude made him feel very dignified.
Plus, the two were already of the same breath and branch this time, so Perfected One Yin Shan did not hide anything. Reciprocating the courtesy, he said, “Junior Brother, do not underestimate this [Kingdom of Qing]. Senior Brother Chong Guang and I once calculated the heavenly secrets and studied it carefully. This wonder is truly managed by the Dao Court like an iron bucket.”
“Or rather, the system of the Dao Court is just like this.”
“In external expansion, they might still lack strength, but in defending their local territory, the [Kingdom of Qing] is like an eternal empire; its rules are very difficult to reverse.”
“The Dao Court’s system… the [Acting on Behalf of Heaven Dao].”
Lu Yang frowned slightly. Until now, he hadn’t truly been to regions governed by other powers, and hadn’t even taken a good look at Jiangbei.
This was a good opportunity.
Thinking of this, Lu Yang looked at Perfected One Yin Shan again and asked curiously, “Please explain, Senior Brother. What exactly is different about this [Kingdom of Qing], or the Dao Court?”
Perfected One Yin Shan was silent for a moment, then continued:
“To sum it up in one phrase— A Purgatory for Cultivators, a Paradise for Mortals.”
“What you get from paper always feels shallow. I am just telling you here; you cannot experience it deeply. Once you arrive and see it with your own eyes, you will understand.”
…
Jiangbei, [Kingdom of Qing].
This wonder covered five prefectures and governed over a million living people. Beyond this place was the [Great Dragon River] that divided the four powers of East, West, South, and North.
Lu Yang and Perfected One Yin Shan rode their escaping lights and quietly arrived at this place. However, they were in no hurry to meet the various Jiangbei forces gathered here. Instead, they first came to a sparsely populated city. Currently, this city was under the charge of a Demonic Sect from Jiangbei, the Xiangqu Sect.
“Originally, this place was under the jurisdiction of the [Kingdom of Qing].”
Perfected One Yin Shan explained, “Although they have been driven out now, the influence of the [Kingdom of Qing] remains and has not completely recovered to this day.”
“Hoh…”
Lu Yang revealed a look of surprise. Immediately after, he suddenly reached out his hand and grabbed a book from across the air, which had been hidden by a household in the city.
The book cover had only two large characters— Daoist Canon (Daozang)!
“The Dao Court rules the world by using the Daoist Canon to set exams and select officials. Mortals must pass the exams to obtain a title and fame to become cultivators. If one does not have a title, they are merely False Zen.”
“Therefore, the first step of cultivation is to read the Daoist Canon and pass the [Preliminary Examination].”
“Next are [Licentiate] (Xiucai), [Provincial Graduate] (Juren), and [Metropolitan Graduate] (Jinshi)… However, these are all reserves for cultivators. They have the titles but no true cultivation.”
“Only by obtaining the position of [Metropolitan Graduate], then making connections up and down, visiting teachers and friends, and finally receiving the grace and reward of the Dao Court to be granted an [Official Position] externally, can one count as truly entering the gate of cultivation… But even so, under the rule of the Dao Court, these mortals with titles are also not to be trifled with.”
“Because under the Dao Court’s rule, all dharma are prohibited!”
“Cultivators below Foundation Establishment, if they do not have a title or official status from the Dao Court, even if they are at the Great Perfection of Qi Refining, cannot display the slightest bit of miraculous power.”
“Because in the Dao Court, the Spiritual Qi of Heaven and Earth has ownership rights.”
“Even a wisp of Spiritual Qi belongs to the Dao Court. A cultivator without a title breathing in the Spiritual Qi of Heaven and Earth is stealing public property and will have their nine generations executed.”
“Under these circumstances, as long as it is a mortal with a title, even a single angry shout can make an illegal cultivator collapse softly to the ground.”
Regarding this, there were even specific descriptions in the Daoist Canon. It was said that a Rank 9 County Magistrate in the Kingdom of Qing was once hated by an illegal cultivator. The other party refined a Wudang Flying Sword and attempted to assassinate the magistrate, but was scolded down by a single shout. His spiritual power scattered completely, and in the end, he was beaten to death by the disorderly sticks of the officers.
“…What a Dao Court!”
Seeing this, Lu Yang finally understood Perfected One Yin Shan’s previous description. Such a rule could indeed be called a purgatory for cultivators!
As for a paradise for mortals…
“I see that it is not necessarily so.” Lu Yang’s gaze was deep.
Admittedly, under the Dao Court, the common people lived and worked in peace and contentment, and the weather was favorable. However, the class structure had completely solidified, with almost no room for upward mobility.
Essentially, it was still herding people like livestock.
“It’s just that the Dao Court’s ‘eating manners’ are relatively better looking…”
Could it be that if you feed the livestock until they are full and fat, the livestock are no longer livestock? Ultimately, it was just for show; they would still be taken out to be eaten!
Even if they were truly eaten, the people under the Dao Court’s rule wouldn’t even have the power to resist!
One must know that even in Jiangbei, under the Saint Sect’s rule, there were large sects that had produced Perfected Lords. If they really wanted to herd the people of Jiangbei, they would also encounter resistance.
However, in Jiangdong, such things would not happen.
With a single order from the Dao Court Emperor, no matter how many people died, there would be no resistance. Under the Dao Court, the superiors held the power of life and death over the inferiors!
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