“Of course, while there are countless paths, each with its strengths, none are without flaws. The foundational treasures of essence, qi, and spirit must all be cultivated. For instance, your White Cloud Temple’s techniques focus on refining qi, but they also strengthen the body and nurture the soul,” Duan Changzai explained.
Lu Zheng nodded, recalling what Daoist Mingzhang had said when passing down the *White Cloud Ever-Speaking Refining Qi Scripture*.
Lu Zheng sighed, “I never imagined the Daoist sect alone would have so much complexity.”
Duan Changzai nodded, “Exactly. How can a qi-refiner compare realms with a soul-nurturer? There’s no comparison, nor can there be.”
Lu Zheng bowed, accepting the lesson.
And this was just the Daoist sect, not even touching on the Buddhist sect.
The Great Jing Dynasty had a Buddhist sect, though Tonglin County lacked any temples.
The Daoist legends of the Great Jing shared many similarities with those of China, but also had differences and ambiguities.
For example, the Daoists here revered the Three Pure Ones, the Jade Emperor, the North Pole Purple Star Emperor, and the Heavenly Worthy of Universal Salvation, but their associated legends diverged greatly from those in China. This had always puzzled Lu Zheng, though he never dared voice it.
Historical figures were almost entirely unrelated. For instance, there was no Guan Yu in the Great Jing, but there was a Yue Yang, absent in China.
As for the Buddhist sect…
It seemed every world’s Buddhist sect stirred up some trouble, and this one was no exception.
Beyond establishing temples and spreading teachings in the Great Jing, the Western regions had numerous Buddhist kingdoms with varied doctrines. Some even opposed the Daoist approach of independent paths and non-interference, taking a completely contrary stance.
Thus, while the Great Jing had eminent monks and compassionate Zen masters, overall, the Buddhist sect was less popular than the Daoist sect.
As for the rest, that could wait.
…
Having resolved his doubts, the trio’s conversation shifted back to the present.
After a brief exchange, Xiao Cui appeared, holding an oilskin package, and stood waiting by the hall’s entrance.
Shen Ying noticed and asked, “What’s the matter?”
“The jade scorpion’s corpse and the ghost python’s ghost pearl have been dealt with. We also found this oilskin package in the scorpion’s mouth, likely important to the demon, so I brought it for you, the young master, and the gentleman to see.”
“Bring it here.”
Xiao Cui stepped forward lightly, placed the package on the table, and quickly retreated.
“By the way,” Duan Changzai called to Xiao Cui, then turned to Lu Zheng and Shen Ying, “I need the ghost pearl, the scorpion’s carapace, and its tail hook to report to the authorities, so I must take them. The rest can stay with you two.”
Shen Ying nodded with a smile, “My thanks. The scorpion demon’s venom sac is quite valuable.”
Shen Ying signaled Xiao Cui to handle it, and the three turned their attention to the oilskin package.
Shen Ying reached out, unwrapping it layer by layer.
As expected, it contained two booklets:
*The Black Wheel King Transformation Scripture*
*The White Bamboo Curse*
The former detailed a method for living beings to become ghosts, then transform through ghosthood to greatly advance cultivation, relying on devouring ghost bodies and absorbing human yang energy—a clearly dubious path with side effects.
The latter was a relatively sinister talisman and curse technique, including curses, soul-sealing, possession, and spirit-dissipation. Useless against stronger or equal foes, it was designed to bully the weak.
Duan Changzai’s eyes narrowed, “These two creatures came from the Southern Border. I haven’t heard of the Black Wheel King, likely a ghost king from the Netherworld. But I’ve heard of the White Bamboo Sect, a significant faction in the Southern Border’s wilds.”
Lu Zheng licked his lips but held back his questions.
Duan Changzai waved a hand, “You two can copy these texts, but I’ll need to take the originals.”
Shen Ying glanced at Lu Zheng, who nodded, so she called Xiao Cui back to have the texts copied.
Duan Changzai looked at Shen Ying, “Madam Shen, not planning to cultivate that *Transformation Scripture*?”
Shen Ying shook her head, “You jest, sir. It’s fine as a collectible for reference, but cultivating it would lead astray. I’d rather not provoke you to come slay demons.”
Duan Changzai laughed heartily, glancing at Lu Zheng, “True. With Young Master Lu’s future achievements, receiving a Daoist consecration and perhaps a title as a Daoist incense god would be grand, wouldn’t it?”
Lu Zheng blinked, “I’m just a lay practitioner. Is that possible?”
Duan Changzai said meaningfully, “That depends on your future.”
…
The group chatted casually. Duan Changzai asked about how Lu Zheng and Shen Ying met, learning of Shen Ying’s grudge with the Netherworld and how she killed a general under the Night Veil King.
Duan Changzai pondered, “Speaking of which, Madam Shen killed the Night Veil King’s ghost general and aided me in slaying the scorpion demon, both merits to the Great Jing. Merits must be rewarded, or the system of reward and punishment falters.”
He looked up, “Since Madam is a peach tree spirit, how about I report to the prefecture to build a temple for you in the peach grove? You could cultivate with incense power.
Per Great Jing law, however, half the incense power collected must be submitted to Tonglin County’s Yin Division.”
Shen Ying’s eyes lit up, “Is that possible?”
Duan Changzai nodded, “Just a small peach grove temple, no issue.”
“Cultivating with incense power, no side effects?” Lu Zheng asked, recalling web novels claiming incense and faith could cloud a cultivator’s mind.
“Incense power is the purest form of mental and soul energy. What side effects?” Duan Changzai said, surprised.
Lu Zheng asked, “Like the obsessions of commoners attached to it?”
Duan Changzai chuckled, “Commoners praying, producing even a wisp of soul energy, is rare enough. If they could imbue it with obsessions, they’d be cultivators.
Besides, obsessions stand out in pure soul energy and can be filtered out when absorbing incense power.
If there were such risks, would the Great Jing let the entire Yin Division follow the incense path?”
Lu Zheng gave an awkward, polite smile, cursing web novels inwardly for misleading him.
Duan Changzai said seriously, “Since the incense path relies on countless commoners as its foundation, only those consecrated by the Great Jing—human, god, or ghost—can follow it. Any demon or ghost daring to privately establish a temple is deemed an evil deity.”
Lu Zheng nodded, “Got it.”
No wonder immortals fought for incense—it had no side effects and offered immense benefits.
“So, White Cloud Temple also cultivates with incense power?”
Duan Changzai said matter-of-factly, “They just share it with the court. Where else would the soul energy from worshippers’ prayers at the temple go?”
