Pure Yang!

Chapter 426 Unwavering Loyalty! A Godly Statue?
Seven days later, a significant disturbance was stirred up within the territory of Xijiang.

Over a hundred Taoist temples and nearly a thousand independent cultivators were unified and integrated within just seven days, and their flags were changed.

Most of these people belonged to the seven powerful leaders of the Great Hall of the Monks. Apart from Xu Changshou, the abbot of the Pure Land Temple who claimed to be ill all year round, and Pei Buqi, who expressed his intention to withdraw from Xijiang, the other five powerful leaders of the Great Hall of the Monks quickly completed the unification and integration, changed their banners, and belonged to the mortal sect.

"We're officially on board now."

On this day, Ling Du, Xiao Xiaole, Chang Jinzhi, and Hua Wuhuan, the four powerful leaders of the sect, gathered together.

By gathering their scattered cultivators, unifying and integrating them, and raising the banner of the "Mortal Sect," they would have no way out.

"Life is full of dangers. I never thought that after I had cultivated to the level of the Head of the Fast and completed my inner elixir, I would still encounter such a great change and be unable to control my own destiny." Chang Jinzhi couldn't help but sigh.

When one's life force is fully developed, they become like a god to ordinary people.

Even within the Taoist cultivation world, he could be considered a top expert.

In ancient times, such a person could be considered a true master of Daoist alchemy.

Even such a master, living in the mortal world, has his helplessness and is caught in a dilemma.

Unless one truly ascends to immortality, one will face the dangers of being trapped, the calamities of exhaustion, and the tribulations of death.

"We only have ourselves to blame for underestimating these two young men," Hua Wuhuan said coldly.

"Who would have thought that Zhang Wuming, who was just a nobody in Bei Zhang and had no official statue, was so cunning?"

"And that Zhao Jiexuan, at such a young age, actually possesses such supernatural powers, it's simply unbelievable."

"With such skill and talent, yet remaining unknown, who can defend against these two when they get together?" Xiao Xiaole couldn't help but say.

"Alright, this is already the best possible outcome."

Ling Du raised his hand and said, "Otherwise, Pei Qibu will be our fate."

Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent.

On that day, Pei Buqi chose to give up everything and leave Xijiang, but that very night, he died at home, his primordial spirit extinguished and his inner core taken away.

In the past few days, his forces have been completely divided up.

"Ling Du, who do you think did this?" Chang Jinzhi asked in a low voice.

"Is there even a question?" Ling Du said in a deep voice.

"Although Pei Buqi's temperament was a bit lacking, he was still a master of the Zhai Shou realm. Ordinary experts couldn't even get close to him. I've seen his corpse..."

At this point, Lingdu paused for a moment.

"White Bone Technique!"

“Towards the South!?” Chang Jinzhi raised an eyebrow.

The White Bone Method involves visualizing the white bones of the human body and creating a Dharma image of the "Great Sage of White Bones" within the inner landscape of the primordial spirit. Through this method, the primordial spirit is refined, and the physical body is cultivated. The 208 bones of the human body are refined into indestructible diamonds, as clear as crystal. At this point, the life cultivation is greatly accomplished, and the inner elixir is condensed.

Since ancient times, the White Bone Method has been extremely difficult to learn. It requires enduring pain that ordinary people cannot bear, refining bones and marrow, as if falling into purgatory. The effort required is a hundred times greater than other methods. The medicinal materials used for body refining and soaking alone each month are several thousand kilograms.

It takes at least thirty years of hard work to achieve any success in practicing this method.

The time, energy, wealth, and suffering required are beyond the imagination of ordinary people. However, once mastered, one possesses extraordinary abilities and is unmatched by ordinary masters of the same level.

The abbot of Chixia Temple, Xiang Nantian, cultivated the White Bone Technique.

His realm was already above everyone else, and he cultivated such a great technique, so his strength was unimaginable.

"That's not right. With Xiang Nantian's cultivation level, if it really was him who did it, he shouldn't have left any traces," Xiao Xiaole couldn't help but say.

"Can't you see that?" Ling Du sighed.

"He did it on purpose."

“You mean…” Hua Wuhuan’s heart skipped a beat.

"Make an example of someone to scare others," Ling Du said in a deep voice.

"Pei Bu's mistake was that he couldn't see the situation clearly. That Zhang Wuming is so cunning, how could he let him leave Xijiang alive, or just watch him board another ship?"

"The moment he chose to leave, he was destined to die."

Ling Du spoke softly.

"Xiang Nantian could have done it without leaving a trace, but he didn't, so that we could see clearly that anyone who dares to harbor disloyal thoughts will suffer the same fate as Pei Qi."

As he spoke, Ling Du looked at everyone and said, "You don't really think Zhang Wuming trusts us, do you?"

"Why did he visit Xiang Nantian? Firstly, to get him to take charge and ease the tension between us and him; secondly, to keep a sword hanging over our heads."

Ling Du's understanding was more thorough and far-sighted than anyone else's.

"How could someone like Xiang Nantian be persuaded by that brat with just a few words?" Chang Jinzhi asked in bewilderment.

"This brings us to that young man named Zhao Jiexuan," Ling Du said in a deep voice.

He was the key to this game; it could be said that without Zhao Jiexuan, all of Zhang Wuming's schemes would have been useless.

"Xiang Nantian's willingness to step forward is probably related to this person," Ling Du guessed.

"How so?" Chang Jinzhi asked.

Ling Du hesitated for a moment before saying, "Zhao Jiexuan, that's obviously an alias... Do you remember that when Zhang Wuming signaled him to make a move, he called out another name?"

"I think I vaguely remember him calling out... Zhang... Zhang something," Xiao Xiaole recalled.

"He shouted, 'Make your move, Zhang Fan!'" Ling Du said in a low voice.

"That young man, his surname is also Zhang."

"Think about it, since you all share the surname Zhang, why hide it and dare not show your real name?"

The crowd looked at each other, puzzled.

"This shows that he is someone who can't stand the light of day."

At this point, Ling Du changed the subject: "Don't forget, Xiang Nantian received a favor from the Zhang family when he was young, but this Zhang is not the Zhang family of the North..."

At this point, all the clues seemed to come together like scattered beads on a string.

"You mean, that Zhao Jiexuan is actually..."

"The bloodline of Nan Zhang!?"

Everyone's expression changed drastically. Even the strongest experts at the Zhai Shou realm found it difficult to remain calm upon hearing these four words.

The family of immortals was divided between the north and south. More than thirty years ago, a great calamity wiped out the Southern Zhang family, and it has been a taboo ever since.

"No way, Zhao Jiexuan is a descendant of the Southern Zhang? Zhang Wuming is from the Northern Zhang, how could they..." Xiao Xiaole said with a look of suspicion.

"Just because he is from Bei Zhang, he failed to be deified and his image was erected, so he was destined to never rise to prominence. However, his abilities and ambitions are definitely not those of a common person, and he will not be content to be subordinate to others, just like the Three Corpse Taoist back then," Ling Du analyzed.

"So it's impossible for anyone else to be involved with Nan Zhang Yujin, but he is the most likely."

"This kid has a rebellious streak. He established the Fanmen sect because he wants to rebel against the Northern Zhang and start his own sect?"

Hua Wuhuan's expression turned solemn. Only now did she realize that she had once again underestimated this young man.

"Unbelievable, absolutely unbelievable! Does this kid have such a long-term plan?" Xiao Xiaole couldn't help but exclaim.

“If that’s the case, then we’ll have something on that kid. If we report him to Bei Zhang, that would be a great achievement…” A strange light shone in Chang Jinzhi’s eyes.

"Absolutely not," Ling Du said, shaking his head.

"why?"

“That kid is so cunning, how could he reveal such a flaw? Maybe he did it on purpose, to set a trap,” Ling Du said in a deep voice.

"If you dare to inform on me, Pei Buqi will be the one to suffer the consequences."

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions turned somewhat unpleasant.

Even at the highest level of spiritual cultivation, one is not invincible; death is still possible, as Pei Buqi serves as a cautionary tale.

Clearly, the death of this former comrade had cast a shadow and instilled considerable fear in them. "Who among you dares to gamble?" Ling Du's gaze swept over each of them.

"Xiao Xiao, why don't you go? We'll let you have the credit," Chang Jinzhi suddenly said.

"Brother Chang, don't joke around. My heart is with Longhu, and I've never thought of betraying anyone," Xiao Xiaole said in a deep voice, rolling her eyes.

"Don't think that we can't afford to mess with the Northern Zhang; we can't afford to mess with the Southern Zhang either."

Ling Du's voice once again brought everyone back to their senses.

"Not all the people from Nanzhang are dead yet."

"The Great Spirit King!?" Chang Jinzhi's voice trembled.

Ten years ago, that man swept across seven southeastern provinces, invincible and undefeated, but his glory was short-lived, and he disappeared without a trace.

Everyone knows that he is a survivor of Nan Zhang. Now, he has returned like a dragon king, reappearing in the world's sight, even more terrifying and domineering than before.

"I heard that a Celestial Master from Baihe Temple died at his hands."

"That's an unparalleled master who was tempered by the life-and-death tribulations of Nan Zhang. It's said that he also cultivated the Divine Demon Sacred Embryo, one of the nine great alchemy techniques," Ling Du said in a deep voice.

A madman whose family has been destroyed, who has no worries about the future, whose hands are stained with blood, and who can even kill a Taoist master, is more terrifying than any other being.

These are the kinds of people you shouldn't mess with.

"Without Nan Zhang, it's even more terrifying," Ling Du said helplessly.

They couldn't afford to offend either the Northern Zhang or the Southern Zhang.

"So, does that mean we have no way out?" Xiao Xiaole couldn't help but ask.

"Aren't you loyal? Why do you need a way out?" Chang Jinzhi said with a sidelong glance.

"..."

"I'm afraid that's the case. At least before the Dan Yuan Dharma Assembly, I advise everyone not to have any other thoughts, otherwise, life and death will be unpredictable," Ling Du said solemnly.

"I never imagined that I, a dignified master of the Zhai Shou realm, would be so easily manipulated by two young people." Hua Wuhuan sighed, looking up.

"The Dan Yuan Dharma Assembly may encounter new variables, and that will be our turning point."

"Before that..."

"Let's focus on it wholeheartedly."

Ling Du pointed out the way, and the group exchanged glances and could only nod helplessly.

……

As evening fell, the bright moon rose.

Xiaoxiang Courtyard.

Zhang Fan stood at the window of the small building, watching Pang Qingyun get into the car and leave.

Recently, dozens of people have been coming and going from this small building every day, almost all of them being prominent figures among the independent cultivators scattered throughout Xijiang.

"Finished with work?" Zhang Fan asked casually, hearing footsteps behind him.

Let's put this on hold for now.

Zhang Wuming sighed softly, a hint of weariness appearing on his face.

After seven days of hard work, the basic framework of the mortal sect has been established, thanks to the cooperation of the five abbots.

Of course, Zhang Wuming also put in a lot of effort and energy.

"It's a real shame that someone like you is buried in Bei Zhang." Zhang Fan leaned against the railing, looking at Zhang Wuming in the moonlight, and couldn't help but chuckle.

He had witnessed Zhang Wuming's actions over the past few days and had to admit that his abilities and talents were indeed outstanding.

However, when he was in Beizhang, he knew how to restrain himself and keep a low profile, so no one noticed.

"Actually, it's nothing," Zhang Wuming said, shaking his head.

"The mortal sect is far from enough to gain a foothold in Xijiang, and those abbots are not wholeheartedly committed."

"Their loyalty will only last until the Danyuan Dharma Assembly at most."

Zhang Fan nodded upon hearing this.

The independent cultivators of Xijiang, when united, form a formidable force.

This force wants to establish its own independent entity, but the renowned sects of Sanqing Mountain, Gezao Mountain, and Magu Mountain will likely not easily accept it.

The mortal sect may appear powerful now, but in reality, its foundation is unstable and it could be scattered by the wind.

"I think you must have a plan."

For some reason, Zhang Fan had absolute confidence in Zhang Wuming. Logically speaking, he should have thought everything through when he proposed the idea of ​​the "Fanmen".

"You trust me too much." Zhang Wuming rubbed his temples, trying to relax a little.

"I'm going to do something big again, to firmly establish myself in Xijiang, so that no major sect will dare to challenge our mortal sect."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Fan couldn't help but glance at Zhang Wuming.

That was quite a boast, but he could tell that Zhang Wuming wasn't just making empty threats.

"Since we parted ways in the Ten Thousand Mountains, you've become even more different. Your actions and demeanor now have the air of a great master, a heroic spirit, and the ability to command the world," Zhang Fan exclaimed.

"People change."

Zhang Wuming chuckled and said, "By the way, there's news about Yu Xuanji."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Fan's eyes lit up. He had traveled a long way to Xijiang just for this woman.

"Where is she?"

“Tongluo Mountain!” Zhang Wuming said solemnly.

"There?" Zhang Fan frowned.

Although he had not lived in Xijiang for long, he had heard of the great name of Tongluo Mountain.

That is the first blessed land in Xijiang, apart from the famous mountains and monasteries of various Daoist sects, the place where the dragon veins of three provinces converge, and is regarded as the place where the southern dragon veins meet.

During the Tang Dynasty, Huang Chao's rebellion occupied this mountain to oppose the imperial court.

Throughout history, emperors have believed that the damage to the dinosaur veins could shake the fate of the nation, and thus issued a decree that "anyone who enters the mountain will be beheaded." From then on, Tongluo Mountain was closed for a thousand years, a situation that continued until the Qing Dynasty.

"How did she get there?" Zhang Fan asked.

“A master from Baihe Temple has come all the way from the capital and entered this mountain. She accompanied him,” Zhang Wuming said solemnly.

"It's not just her; there are also experts from Gezao Mountain. Ming Shenxiu, who died at your hands a couple of days ago, should have gone up the mountain as well."

"Who came to Baihe Temple? They're so high and mighty, having a successor from Sanqing Mountain and a master from Gezao Mountain by their side?" Zhang Fan wondered.

"That's hard to say." Zhang Wuming shook his head and asked, "It seems you're going into the mountains."

"Yu Xuanji, she won't survive," Zhang Fan said in a deep voice.

"I knew I couldn't stop you." Zhang Wuming pursed his lips, looked at Zhang Fan, and suddenly changed the subject.

"Zhang Fan, you..."

"what?"

Seeing Zhang Wuming's hesitant expression, Zhang Fan asked.

"Were there any deities appointed or statues erected?"

"Um!?"

Upon hearing this strange question, Zhang Fan couldn't help but show a strange expression.

(End of this chapter)