P.S.: For the Supre Dao in the beginning, "Wong Chong" and I jointly offer this bonus chapter in great appreciation.
"A bunch of amateurs is hardly worth my trouble," Elder Shiming asked in a low voice, "Qingyu, have you heard of the phrase 'Nine Heavens and Ten Earths'?"
Without waiting for Qingyu to answer, Elder Shiming continued, "The Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, the Ten Earths, refer to the Netherworld Ten Halls. Don't be fooled by the decline of the Netherworld Ten Halls now—they once had the Ten Kings make a bold move to Dragon Tiger Mountain to snatch the remains of the Ghost Emperor. But in the ancient days, the Kings of the Netherworld Ten Halls were the biggest nightmare in the world."
"At that ti, led by the Ghost Emperor, the Ten Halls hunted across the world, reaping lives, with countless people perishing at their hands. Even the heir of the Supre Taoist Sect had been gravely injured by the Ghost Emperor, clinging to life precariously.
However, the Ghost Emperor's horror also ignited everyone's desperate will to survive because they knew that the cultivation of the Ghost Emperor required human lives. If they didn't kill the Ghost Emperor, all martial artists would be no more than pigs and sheep, reared by the Ghost Emperor."
"And so, led by the Sect Ancestor of the Dragon and Tiger Taoist School, Zhang Daoling, an alliance of all insightful individuals was born in opposition to the Netherworld Ten Halls. That was the Nine Heavens.
The Nine Heavens was an organization of a coalition of leaders from various factions. The initial Sect Ancestor of Dragon Tiger Mountain, taking the title of Jun Heaven, led them and eventually broke through the Netherworld Ten Halls, killing the Ghost Emperor and sealing his corpse within the Secret Realm of the Dragon and Tiger Taoist School."
"By that account, the Nine Heavens was once an organization of justice," Qingyu said with an amused smile, "but now, what you do can hardly be called just."
"Justice?" Elder Shiming scoffed, "Struggling for survival is considered justice. Even Heavenly Master Zhang of Jun Heaven, who sealed the Ghost Emperor's corpse in his own Secret Realm, wasn't he also eager to witness the enigma of a cultivation that surpassed Divine Communication, edging close to the legendary Tao Realm?"
He went on to say: "After the battle in the Perished Land, the Nine Heavens began to disperse due to differing demands from the factions, having lost their common enemy. It arose from consensus and dissolved in division.
Yet in recent tis, the leaders of the factions have found new consensus."
"Longevity?"
"Indeed, longevity," Elder Shiming said emphatically.
Since ancient tis, who didn't yearn for longevity, especially those who sway the winds and shake the rivers with a single word? They share this consensus, which didn't surprise Qingyu.
"Ever since I calculated the opportunity for longevity, I started planning to establish the Nine Heavens, gathering like-minded individuals. Now, the power of the Nine Heavens has spread across the world, and longevity is within reach. At such a flourish, Qingyu, won't you join us?" Elder Shiming tempted with an alluring tone.
'Huh, power spread across the world...' Qingyu sneered internally.
He believed that the power of the Nine Heavens did indeed spread across the world, but power didn't equate to strength. So many people were after longevity, not re survival, and internal conflicts were bound to be nurous.
Moreover, when the opportunity for longevity cos, it would probably be the ti the Nine Heavens fell into chaos. After all, who could say whether longevity could be shared?
Even if it could be shared, there were those in the world who arrogantly believed "only I am entitled to longevity."
Thus, although the Nine Heavens might possess great influence, this did not an one could rest easy after joining them. Otherwise, how could Tong Jue of Xuantian have died at Qingyu's hands?
"Wait a minute," Qingyu suddenly said, "you an you initiated the Nine Heavens?"
"Indeed," Elder Shiming smiled, "Although my strength may be unremarkable, this mastery over the Heavenly chanism is unrivaled, and without , those people would hardly believe in the chance for longevity."
This was a fact. Only Elder Shiming, known as the World's Number One Master of Heavenly chanism, had words people would trust. Otherwise, not even the Supre Taoist would necessarily convince everyone. After all, it's a matter of expertise.
But, 'strength unremarkable'...
Qingyu scrutinized Elder Shiming deeply.
This old fellow's true power, even the current Qingyu, could not discern. 'Strength unremarkable' was probably ant to deceive ghosts.
"Alright, I'll join," Qingyu said as if after careful consideration and deliberation.
"You won't regret today's decision."
Elder Shiming tossed a Mystical Jade Pendant, explaining, "Sense it with your mind, and by following the Dharma Seal trajectories recorded in the Jade Pendant, you can enter our eting place through Primordial Spirit Projection."
"I'll try it later."
Qingyu took the Jade Pendant and tucked it into his sleeve.
"Then I look forward to eting you there."
Elder Shiming drifted backward, his figure becoming increasingly ethereal and indistinct.
"Wait," Qingyu called out just before he vanished.
In Elder Shiming's sowhat puzzled gaze, Qingyu pointed to his own eyes and said with a sinister smile, "Nice eyes."
With that, Qingyu vanished from his original spot.
Under the deep blue cloak, a pair of double pupils fixated on the place where Qingyu disappeared, flashing a trace of gloom.
.........
Inside the Great Zen Temple, a handso young monk entered the Grand Hall, bowing to the monk who was looking up at the Buddha statue with his back to him, and said, "Master!"
A purple-golden invitation flew into the hands of the young monk Shi Jue, with the voice of his master Xinyuan from the front, "Zhenwu Sect will hold an Inheritance Ceremony next February, inviting our temple to attend."
"The Sect Leader Xuan Chen of Zhenwu Sect is stepping down?"
Shi Jue opened the invitation and imdiately saw a familiar na, "Qingyu. Is he the new Sect Leader?"
"Yes."
Xinyuan's body, seated cross-legged, slowly turned around, facing Shi Jue with an expression of serene compassion, appearing almost as a reflection of the Buddha behind him.
"Amitabha." Seeing this, Shi Jue involuntarily chanted a Buddha's na, pressing his palms together in reverence.
Yet it remains uncertain whether his reverence was directed toward the Buddha statue or towards Xinyuan before him.
Then, Shi Jue asked Xinyuan, "Does Master have any instructions?"
"The accession of Zhenwu Sect's new Sect Leader is not a minor event, nor is it particularly significant. However, if it is this Master Qingyu who is ascending, then matters are very different. Dragon Tiger Mountain will surely speak up, even intercede to impede the proceedings. At that ti, you may act as you see fit," instructed Xinyuan.
"Your fellow disciple Xin Zhou will accompany you, and should you discover anything, you can inform him."
The implication was that Xin Zhou's discernnt was not as keen as Shi Jue's, and he would rely on Shi Jue to detect any subtleties. This even subtly ranked Shi Jue above Xin Zhou since Xin Zhou's actions would largely depend on Shi Jue's insights.
"As you command, Master," Shi Jue said with his palms together.
"Very well, be on your way," Xinyuan slowly closed his eyes, "I have arranged an opponent for you. When the ti cos, you can engage in battle, helping each other to enhance your Realms."
"Thank you, Master."
Shi Jue turned around, with the Wheel of Enlightennt revolving in his eyes, fernting various aspects of Buddha's Intent, unraveling the mysteries of the Four Holy Truths, and discerning the true aning of transcending the Sea of Suffering.
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