This is what an immortal should be like

Chapter 315 Clearing the clouds and revealing the sun
Zhuang Lin goes without saying. In a place like Mount Bazhong, it's impossible for anyone to impersonate the Ghost Emperor. Moreover, the pure Yin energy that permeated the area meant that the ghost or deity coming from afar must undoubtedly be Master Wang.

As the Ghost Emperor passed by, this world of kings seemed to sense it, and the yin energy changed accordingly, presenting a special atmosphere of the underworld. The ghosts and spirits around also bowed their heads or paid their respects.

"This is the Western Ghost Emperor."

Beside Zhuang Lin, Xi Miao couldn't help but murmur aloud. Even though she had cultivated in this world for many years, this was the first time she had seen one of the Five Ghost Emperors of the World of the Dead.

Even the Ghost Emperor, a supreme being, commands awe from a great demon like Xi Miao, even from the ghosts and gods of the underworld.

Zhuang Lin couldn't help but take a deep breath. He had a long history with this Western Ghost Emperor. At least they knew each other and had helped each other before. Well, it was mostly the underworld that helped Zhuang Lin.

Now that the Ghost Emperor has come out in person, Zhuang Lin knew from the beginning that this trip would start smoothly, but seeing it in person, he naturally felt relieved.

Similarly, Master Wang arrived with his entourage, and as they drew closer, he and the many ghosts and gods around him carefully observed Zhuang Lin's location.

Beside the ghost general stood a scholar and a woman. The woman was undeniably beautiful, likely the celestial fox spirit. The man, however, was initially invisible and unremarkable, but upon closer inspection, he exuded a sense of radiance.

Although the world was dark and gloomy like an endless night, there was a feeling of being accompanied by light, like that of the Confucian scholar. It was not the feeling of illuminating everything, but a sense of openness.

Furthermore, this ghost city is the residence of the Ghost Emperor. Although the Yin energy here is relatively pure, it is still the underworld, and the presence of turbid energy is inevitable. However, the area around the male scholar, which is the center of the area, is "clean" and "spotless".

Impure influences, a flawless body, righteous spirit in the heart, and a bright and righteous light!
This is the world we live in today, and this is the Confucian sage of our time!

Upon just one look, Master Wang knew that there was absolutely no way it could be fake, but he didn't think anyone would dare to impersonate the Confucian Immortal anyway.

Zhuang Lin, being a guest from afar, greeted them with a smile and clasped his hands in a respectful bow.

"I have long heard of Fellow Daoist Wang's governance of Mount Baizhong, which opens doors of convenience for the deceased. I have long intended to pay him a visit, and I apologize for disturbing you with my arrival today!"

"This humble servant also pays homage to Your Majesty!"

As soon as Zhuang Lin spoke, the group of ghosts and gods on the other side quickened their pace under the leadership of Master Wang.

"Sir, there's no need for such formalities with Fellow Daoist Ximiao. I have long admired you and you have been spiritually connected for some time. I was deeply moved when I heard that you were discussing the Dao with fellow Daoists from all over the world at the Ullambana Festival. I knew that you were a person who truly cared for all living beings, and I knew that you would definitely come. I have been looking forward to it for a long time!"

Despite being a powerful ghost emperor, Master Wang's words did not reveal any majesty. Instead, they conveyed a sense of sincerity as he spoke at a brisk pace while returning the greeting.

"Now that we have finally met you in person, let's skip the formalities and come with me for a chat!"

The ghosts and spirits following Master Wang also paid their respects, while the ghost generals who had brought Zhuang Lin earlier and the surrounding ghost soldiers were already kneeling on the ground.

"Very well, Fellow Daoist Wang is truly a man of character. I, Zhuang, will not stand on ceremony. Please!"

"please!"

The meeting did not involve the expected process of mutual probing and understanding. Instead, it felt like meeting an old friend after many years, or perhaps it was an instant connection. The interaction was very natural, and they asked each other to leave.

Before leaving, Master Wang looked at the ghost general kneeling on one knee, nodded slightly to him, and then led everyone away.

The group arrived quickly and left quickly. For most people in the ghost town, many knew that something big must have happened, but they didn't know exactly what had happened.

Only after Wang Zhenren and Zhuang Lin left amidst laughter and conversation did some of the underworld beings dare to return to normal, and they couldn't help but whisper among themselves.

"What happened? What's wrong?"

"Who's coming?"

"Yes, the Ghost Emperor actually came to greet us in person?"

"Yes, for the Emperor to personally appear, he must be an extraordinary person!"

"You don't know? I heard that a major event happened at the Ullambana Festival before: the Confucian Immortal appeared in the world and had a big argument with the great powers from all sides!"

"Huh? The Ghost Festival?" "What's a Confucian immortal?"

How did you know that?

Upon hearing this, the ghost paused, not even knowing what a Confucian immortal was, and unable to have a conversation with them. However, it was also excited and couldn't help but explain.

"You can understand, the Confucian Immortal is an extraordinary Confucian scholar in the mortal world, with great knowledge, great strategies, and great virtue. He is revered by ghosts and gods and is impervious to evil spirits. He is a very important figure!"

"Is that a living person?" "How can a living person be here?"

"Hey, you fool, that's obviously no ordinary mortal."

"How do you know that?"

"Hey, you guys..." Similar idle chatter was common in the ghost city, but very few people actually revealed the identity of the Confucian Immortal. However, everyone knew that something big must have happened.

Although this Ghost Emperor governs Mount Baizhong, he rarely makes his appearance. He always cultivates deep within Mount Baizhong, and all matters of the underworld are managed by other officials. Many ghosts rarely see the Emperor, even after a hundred years. This time, however, he has come to greet us personally, which is undoubtedly a major event.
-
On the other side, Zhuang Lin, along with Wang Zhenren and other beings from the underworld, entered the depths of Mount Baizhong. This place was not a luxurious palace, but rather a huge mountain containing various buildings, which were manifestations of some order in the world of the dead.

As Zhuang Lin looked around, he finally got a sense of what it was like to be in the "underworld." There were ghosts lining up in many places, and a group of people examining the dead.

It is fortunate that these souls were able to reach Mount Baizhong safely.

Xi Miao also observed her surroundings. She had never cared about "dead people" before, but now she naturally wanted to observe and learn more.

"To my shame, the spirits you saw were only three or four tenths of the area under my jurisdiction. There are many different ghost realms and forces involved, and as you said during the Ullambana Festival, the world of the living is chaotic, but the world of the dead is even more chaotic."

Zhuang Lin's story of debating with various parties at the Ullambana Festival has long been known throughout the world, especially among those of higher status in the underworld, where no god or ghost is unaware of it.

Zhuang Lin looked at the Ghost Emperor beside him. In a short time, they had gotten along very well. One was not pretentious, and the other did not hide anything. They both said what they wanted to say.

"To be honest, what you said about the Ullambana Festival is also what I, Wang, truly believe, but alas!"

Zhuang Lin looked at Master Wang; he didn't blame him.

"It is not easy to be the one to break the rules. I am not talented enough to do this. I will do it. Someone has to take the lead. Otherwise, the chaos of the world will never be quelled!"

The surrounding ghosts and spirits were listening. They had originally thought that they would exchange pleasantries and haggling for a while, but the Confucian immortal got straight to the point and was very direct, which made the ghosts and spirits feel more favorably toward him and admire him even more, because what he was doing was no ordinary thing!

Who says Confucian scholars are all pedantic? Who says Confucianism is full of formalities? They haven't seen a true great Confucian scholar!

"gentlemen."

When Wang Zhenren addressed him, Zhuang Lin nodded again.

"I won't waste any more words. I've come here specifically to seek your guidance, fellow Daoist, and I also hope that you can lend me a hand. Not only you, fellow Daoist, but also the Five Ghost Emperors, and even that Lord of Mount Tai. I hope you can introduce me to them!"

"Since you have said so, how could I, Wang, dare to disobey? But sir, this matter, if it is to be undertaken, will inevitably affect the world and the future."

Zhuang Lin smiled.

"In the great changes of the world, there is never a calm and peaceful time. We are born into this world with such a mission, so who else but me? What do you think, fellow Daoist?"

"If not me, then who? You are absolutely right, sir!"

In the brief exchange, Master Wang didn't even probe too much, and he had already made up his mind. Just as the Confucian Immortal said, this must be his mission.

Someone has to take the lead in this change, and the Confucian scholar has stepped forward. So we are not cowards either!

I don't know about other Ghost Emperors, but the cultivators of yesteryear, now the Ghost Emperor of Mount Bazhong, have cultivated for a long time, yet they still have ideals.

"By the way, sir, you must have already come here with a grand strategy in mind, right?"

"That's right, that's exactly why I came!"

"Oh? That's wonderful! My training grounds are just ahead, please!"

"please!"

In just that short time on the road, the two sides had already removed all obstacles to communication and entered the hall together.

As Zhuang Lin passed by the hall, he glanced to the side and saw a man in an official robe looking in his direction from outside the hall. Upon seeing Zhuang Lin, the man immediately knelt down and kowtowed in excitement.

Zhuang Lin's heart skipped a beat. Wasn't this the same person from back then? His wife and children were still living in Hidden Immortal Valley.

Zhuang Lin nodded slightly and sent a telepathic message, naturally about his wife and children. The latter became even more agitated, kowtowing repeatedly.
-
At the place where Master Wang cultivated, he, as the Ghost Emperor, sat almost opposite Zhuang Lin, while a group of ghosts and gods sat around them, with no longer any barriers between them.

Those who cultivate in a pure way are influenced by the will of Heaven and can sense the righteous spirit and sincere heart of Confucian immortals. In addition, they generally understand what the other party is doing, so they naturally have no reservations.

"Sir, please tell me your thoughts?"

Zhuang Lin nodded.

"Let me explain in detail. To end the chaos in the underworld, it is like governing the world: establish order in one city and one road, and then establish order in ten thousand cities and ten thousand roads."

Zhuang Lin elaborated on his ideas about the City God, even explaining the selection of the City God bit by bit, while Xi Miao added to the details from the side.

The group of ghosts and gods, including Master Wang, listened attentively and gradually felt as if the clouds had parted and the sun was shining through!
(End of this chapter)