I am the snake demon!

"Teacher, do immortals really exist in this world?"

In a secluded courtyard within the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion, Bai Xuan curiously inquired of Qiu Yimeng.

"Of course they exist. If there were no immortals, where would my Xuanmen come from?"

Qiu Yimeng smiled faintly, her demeanor dignified, wearing a lotus crown, exuding an otherworldly aura.

After the spring hunt, she asked Bai Xuan to come to the palace to take care of her master, under the pretext of serving him.

Then, Bai Xuan came to her every day to ask her questions.

She adapted very well.

After all, back in the Cangshan Palace, Bai Xuan had come to her every night to ask for her advice.

She was a little shy at first. Although they were nuns and had a master and disciple relationship, there was a difference between men and women. It was not appropriate for a man and a woman to be alone together late at night.

However, Bai Xuan had to preside over the spring hunt during the day, so he only had time in the evenings. Although she was nominally Bai Xuan's master, in reality, she could only accommodate Bai Xuan's schedule.

I got used to it eventually.

Instead, after moving into the Prince's Mansion, Bai Xuan had more free time and began to pay attention to the difference between men and women. He would come to see her during the day but not at night, and she was not used to it on the first night.

"Does our Lingbao Sect have any seniors who have become immortals?" Bai Xuan asked curiously.

After he survived his tribulation, he explored this world.

There were none of them, not even the mountain gods, the land gods, or the river gods.

Even the incense offerings from Taoist temples and Buddhist monasteries gather on the statues of gods and Buddhas, without being absorbed.

If it weren't for obtaining the Immortal Slaughtering Formation Diagram, Bai Xuan would have even thought that the immortals and Buddhas of this world were completely different from those of his previous life.

"Of course it happened. Our Lingbao Sect's third-generation patriarch, True Man Xuanling, ascended to heaven in full view of everyone. At that time, dark clouds covered the sun and enveloped thousands of miles, with countless bolts of lightning. The patriarch held the Qingya Sword, gathered the primordial energy from all directions, and with one sword, he broke through the lightning tribulation, guiding the celestial light to descend. Thousands of rays of light and auspicious colors appeared, and heaven and earth congratulated him. Patriarch Xuanling rode a crane and ascended straight to the nine heavens." Qiu Yimeng raised her head, and a look of longing appeared in her glass-like eyes.

A radiant glow, a thousand auspicious rays?

Bai Xuan felt something was amiss. Why didn't this happen when I was undergoing my tribulation?

Could it be that I failed to break through the lightning tribulation with a single sword strike?

Wait a minute, when I first faced my tribulation, I broke through the heavenly tribulation with a single punch and used heavenly lightning to take a bath.

I was too arrogant the first time and failed to ascend, so I became more humble the second time, but it didn't help much.

Or is that a special effect that only appears after ascension?

A thought flashed through Bai Xuan's mind, and he asked, "Third Ancestor, if that's the case, then it must have happened at least five or six thousand years ago. Are there any from the last thousand years?"

"The most recent one was the Golden Light Ancestor from 1,300 years ago. He won a great victory in the Three Sects Competition, overpowering Wudang and Qinghua, and became the leader of the Xuanmen sect in that era. He was also known as the Celestial Master, the teacher of the emperor," Qiu Yimeng said.

"The most recent event was 1,300 years ago. What about the other sects, such as Wudang, Qinghua, or Buddhism? Did any of them ascend to immortality?" Bai Xuan asked again.

"Master Jin Guang is the most recent ascendant; other sects naturally don't have one," Qiu Yimeng said.

"I see. But it existed a thousand years ago, and it doesn't exist now. Does that mean the present is inferior to the past?" Bai Xuan nodded. So, does that mean my cultivation is truly the best in the world?

If I ascend to heaven, I will be the first person in a thousand years?

No, I am bound by cause and effect, which is why I cannot ascend. So am I.

"Ascending to immortality and attaining eternal life is no easy feat, not because the present is inferior to the past, but because it was rarer in ancient times. Furthermore, our cultivation, our comprehension of the Dao, and our search for the unity of heaven and man are for two reasons: to seek good fortune and avoid misfortune, and to bring blessings to the world, not solely for the sake of immortality. Since ancient times, those who have cultivated for immortality have been extremely rare, even rarer than phoenix feathers and unicorn horns. Though not a flower in a mirror or the moon's reflection in water, it is still something we can only look up to but not reach. Therefore, we should be down-to-earth and not be overly ambitious," Qiu Yimengyu said earnestly.

Although Xu Yushuang acted first and informed Bai Xuan later, she was still very satisfied with her disciple.

He is handsome, knows how to behave appropriately, is polite, loves learning, has assets, and is highly talented.

Aside from the fact that she wasn't a woman, which was slightly incongruous and occasionally made her feel a little uneasy, Qiu Yimeng was very satisfied with everything else.

Since she was satisfied, Qiu Yimeng naturally had to fulfill her responsibilities as a teacher.

To impart knowledge, teach skills, and resolve doubts.

Becoming an immortal is, of course, the highest pursuit of Taoism.

But it is too vague and ethereal.

As a Taoist master, she cannot deny the existence of immortals in principle, and must promote them.

But as her mentor, she had to say seriously, "Don't be too ambitious."

They're all just legends.

The most recent examples are all from a thousand years ago.

In today's world, let alone becoming an immortal, even those above the ninth realm are just legends. The strongest among the three major sects of Taoism is only at the ninth-rank Tongtian realm, but they cultivate both Taoism and martial arts, and also practice formations, making them stronger at the same realm.

Especially since Bai Xuan was also the Prince of Zhenbei, responsible for the people of two prefectures.

If one focuses solely on the pursuit of immortality, neglecting state affairs and indulging in extravagance and decadence, this is not the right path.

"This disciple is well-intentioned." Although Bai Xuan didn't agree in his heart—after all, this wasn't something unattainable for him—he knew Qiu Yimeng meant well, so he naturally wouldn't cause trouble. He asked, "Martial arts have nine realms, and the nine realms lead to the heavens. Does reaching the limit of the nine realms allow one to ascend, or are there other realms between the nine realms and ascension? Teacher, is the number one martial artist in the world, Mr. Meng, a ninth-realm expert?"

"No, according to ancient records, there is another realm above the ninth realm. Those who reach this realm are proficient in all kinds of magic and can ride the clouds and summon wind and rain. Although they have not yet achieved immortality, they can be called half-immortals or human immortals. As for Mr. Meng, his strength is indeed inconceivable. He may have already approached or become a human immortal." Qiu Yimeng said with some doubt at the end.

No one can beat Mr. Meng, so no one knows whether he has actually risen to a higher level.

Bai Xuan nodded slightly. So this realm is called Human Immortal. Then there must be at least one or two people in the world who are at the same realm as me.

As we all know, the person who is publicly recognized as the best in the world is never the real best. There must be some hidden monsters in this world who are even stronger than Mr. Meng. And since Mr. Meng may already be a human immortal, then the one hiding must be a human immortal.

If Mr. Meng is indeed a human immortal, then there are probably more people of similar or even greater levels of cultivation than me, perhaps within a handful.

Surely it's not like among the five schools of thought—Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism, demons, and monsters—only Confucianism stands out, while the other four are completely absent.

However, I am bound by karma, which means I have passed through tribulation but cannot become an immortal. They are probably no match for me. It's a pity we haven't met, and we haven't actually fought to determine who is stronger.

I'll keep studying until I've thoroughly mastered all the formations and can defeat five of my current selves. That's when I'll stop eating beef.

Thinking of this person, Bai Xuan asked again, "Master, people have three souls and seven spirits. Cultivation strengthens the soul. Since that person died, are there really ghosts? Is there such a thing as reincarnation?"

"When ordinary people die, their souls naturally dissipate into the world, born of heaven and earth, and returning to heaven and earth. However, cultivators are different from ordinary people. After reaching the seventh rank, their souls can be preserved. In ancient times, there was a seventh-rank martial artist who sacrificed himself to a sword, and his remaining soul transformed into a sword spirit. The sword was then formed and became infinitely powerful. After reaching the ninth rank, it is even more different, especially for us Taoist and Buddhist practitioners, who refine their primordial spirit. Although they return to heaven and earth after death, they can be reincarnated. Although they have no memories after reincarnation, in most cases they can retain their talents. For example, the Wuxiang Temple in the Western Regions, after their martial artists who have reached the ninth rank die, they will be reincarnated in the vicinity, and then the monks in the temple will go to find them. These are the so-called spiritual children," Qiu Yimeng said.

Bai Xuan nodded. If that's the case, then his elder sister was a ninth-rank martial artist in one of her past lives, with top-notch talent. As the thought crossed his mind, Bai Xuan continued, "Then are there no ghosts or monsters in this world who have obsessions and don't want to die? Doesn't Taoism have the concept of ghost immortals?"

"The body is the dwelling place of the spirit. The spirit is the master of the body. When the body is exhausted, the spirit dissipates; when the spirit is weary, the body weakens. The body and spirit are inseparable. If the soul is separated from the body for a long time and is not protected by the body, not to mention that it is difficult to withstand the scorching sun, it is also difficult to control the seven emotions and six desires of the soul without the restraint of the body. After a long time, most of them will go astray and become demons. Therefore, although there is the saying of ghost immortals, in the Lingbao Sect over the years, we have only seen cultivators who are still full of resentment and have not let go of their obsessions, and whose souls become demons after death. However, this is very rare. After all, if a person dies and the soul does not disperse, but instead greatly increases his cultivation, it requires the right time, place and people. According to the records of the Lingbao Sect, there has not been a single case in thousands of years," Qiu Yimeng said.

When a person dies, their ghost transforms into a demon. This requires special timing, such as a conjunction of the seven stars, a favorable location, a place of calamity, and the person's specific birth date and time.

It's too difficult to gather all of these.

Almost impossible.

"I see. Is there a way to bring the dead back to life?" Bai Xuan asked again.

"Birth, aging, sickness, and death are the natural order of heaven and earth. Resurrection goes against the way of heaven and is a forbidden art. The Lingbao Sect naturally does not possess it." Qiu Yimeng looked at Bai Xuan strangely. Resurrection? Who are you trying to revive?

Your Highness?

"Of course not?"

Listening to Qiu Yimeng's words, Bai Xuan frowned. You are from the Shangqing Sect, the successor of the Tongtian Sect Master, and you tell me that you don't cultivate forbidden techniques and should follow the will of Heaven and the people. How dare you call yourself a disciple or descendant of the Jie Sect?

And if you don't have it, where am I supposed to rescue my little brother?

Looking for the Demonic Sect?

Looking into Bai Xuan's eyes, Qiu Yimeng frowned slightly, vaguely sensing that Bai Xuan was very concerned about this issue. She said, "Regarding the soul, it is not the forte of our Lingbao Sect. So if Shi'an is concerned about this, I can ask Brother Tai Xuan of the Qinghua Sect on your behalf when the three sects discuss the Dao. Among the three sects of Daoism, the Qinghua Sect has the highest attainments in the Dao of the soul."

Upon hearing this, Bai Xuan's expression became subtle. Qiu Yimeng's words made some sense. Although the three sects of Taoism worship Taiqing, Yuqing, and Shangqing respectively, there are actually differences between them.

Only the Lingbao Sect directly worships Lingbao Tianzun. Although other sects venerate the two great celestial deities as supreme gods, they do not worship Daode Tianzun and Yuanshi Tianzun in their main halls.

The main hall of Wudang Temple enshrines Zhenwu the Great.

The same goes for Qinghua. Their highest deity is Yuqing Yuanshi Tianzun, but they worship the Eastern Qinghua Emperor, also known as Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun, who guides the souls of the dead to rebirth, manages the salvation of the dead, and whose nine-headed lion mount can shake open the gates of hell with its roar.

Therefore, it is reasonable that the Qinghua School is the most authoritative in matters of the soul.

However, according to Qiu Yimeng's statement, the Lingbao Sect, which is a successor of the Jiejiao sect, does not practice similar forbidden techniques, while the Qinghua Sect, which is a successor of the Yuqing sect, may have forbidden techniques such as resurrection. Is this reasonable?