"The Infallible Scripture" presented a dilemma; unless Mao Yichang had substantial value, in order to ensure Bai Qilang’s infiltration into the Three Yang Sect was absolutely foolproof, they might have directly silenced him.
"Little brother, on my account, spare him this time. This section of Withered Revive Wood is nurtured using his flesh shell and will mature in a few hours."
Bai Qi raised his eyelids, his eyes flashing, as he understood the implicit meaning behind the stone scripture.
He immediately showed a reluctant expression, his gaze briefly skimming over the section of Withered Revive Wood, pondering:
"It seems like a rare item for life extension, I wonder who it’s intended for?"
Being sensible, he did not ask "The Infallible Scripture" about it, to avoid arousing suspicion.
After leaving the dark, cramped Puzzle Cave, he sat cross-legged on the spot, and following the method taught by the stone scripture, began to praise the Pimo King in hopes of consolidating the Divine Shrine and honoring the divine spirit.
This is an essential step to joining the Four Reversals Sect.
"Muscle Bodhisattva, Bone Asura, Pimo King, Flesh Vajra, Blood Martial Saint... They sound like the five essentials of the human body: muscle, bone, skin, flesh, blood.
The Four Reversals Sect claims to be of the same origin and school as the Five Directions Emperor Palace consecrated by the Dragon Court, which is famed for its unique teachings on refining the internal organs and cultivating the body and spirit.
Indeed, upon such reflection, it is intertwined. The Four Reversals is the ’outer’ aspect of humanity, while the Five Directions Emperor Palace pertains to the ’inner’.
Add the two together, and you have a complete ’person’."
Bai Qi’s mind was astir, imprinting the Divine Soul True Aspect scriptures displayed in thousands of hands and eyes, and contemplating the Pimo King.
He prided himself on having the Dao Seed of Yellow Springs to wash away distracting thoughts, unafraid of the incense pollution from the void’s divine spirit.
Gradually, each thought mirrored the Pimo King seated on a lotus platform.
The series of praises and calls prompted the Supreme Divine Spirit to send down a sense of response, with wisps of air like blue smoke entwining the crystalline and luminous soul thoughts.
"Indeed, the incense pollution is silent and unnoticed by most people."
Anxiety gripped Bai Qi’s heart. He recalled his master’s words that any sect worshipping or respecting a deity must use statues and various means to gather people’s hearts and nurture willpower.
Willpower is the thoughts of all beings, grand yet minute, tumultuous yet illusory.
Only with willpower can incense be gathered to honor divine spirits who cannot freely walk among mortals.
The Four Reversals Sect’s scripture, "The Infallible Scripture" conveyed by Pimo King, is about cultivating a pure heart and pure intention, thereby forging a pure land to be untouched by all phenomena.
"With my exceptional cultivation talent, I still can’t easily access it?"
Bai Qi sat silently for half an hour, yet failed to establish a "Divine Shrine" to house the Pimo King.
"The root is I don’t have faith? No faith means no will; without willpower, naturally, there is no incense!
Without incense, the shrine cannot form, and the divine spirit is hard to manifest."
Encountering such an issue for the first time, he felt troubled as his own knowledge often couldn’t be easily altered.
Faith and lack thereof seem a mere thought apart but are effectively thousands of miles away, distantly separated.
"How to resolve... Worship is borne of creatures’ desires, thus creating will from the heart."
Reciting "The Infallible Scripture" repeatedly, Bai Qi savored the profound truths and essence within, as the incense air grew thicker, like dense clouds and mist enveloping his Divine Soul True Aspect.
For other sect members, at this time, one only needs to open up and accept to let the shrine form and invite the Pimo King’s arrival.
"The Pimo King, with only a name and a vague appearance, seated on the lotus platform, with numerous hanging skin sacks behind the corpse wood of the Hulin.
I don’t necessarily need to worship him; the visage of gods is not important, what matters is that vibe. So, as long as the aura remains unchanged, worshipping myself is the same."
Perhaps influenced by his master, whenever Bai Qi contemplated new cultivation techniques, odd ideas would emerge.
He operated his divine soul, each thought dazzling like pearls, bright and clear, like a brush soaked in ink, sketching the form of the Pimo King, before meticulously depicting his own features.
At first glance, it seemed that the Pimo King, clad in ragged robes and seated on a pure lotus platform, was actually a transformation of Bai Qi.
His features were valiant and his spirit lively, only due to the strange aura adding a touch of shadow.
"I wish for my cultivation power to advance by leaps and bounds, my realm to rise steadily..."
Bai Qi seemed to make a wish to "himself", blending his own pure willpower with the incense air, merging into an archaic shrine made from clay.
With the Pimo King resembling Master Bai Qi’s appearance, it was akin to a wooden sculpture invited to the center.
Absorbing the rich incense, He suddenly opened His eyes, as if adding the final stroke to a dragon painting, bestowing spirit:
"Fulfill the demon trial, receive divine favor."
A solemn, majestic voice echoed through his thoughts, akin to thunderclaps ringing out.
"Grant, the Great Black Mandala Refinement Seal!"
...
...
Inside Puzzle Cave, the "Wugou Scripture" subtly sensed something, musing:
"To have so smoothly forged a Divine Shrine, welcomed Tributor Pimo King, and received the blessing.
Little Brother Bai is indeed a rare choice for the Saint Child of our sect.
He has already accepted the demon trial, and even Pimo King has acknowledged him. His sincerity is unquestionable..."
The stone scripture inadvertently scanned Mao Yichang, its balance clearly tilted, thinking that the sect has far too many useless lackeys who only know loyalty.
Under Pimo King’s command, what’s lacking are talents who can get things done and have means.
"Little Brother Bai’s great blessing plan is sufficient to rejuvenate the Four Reversals Sect.
In comparison, sacrificing Mao Yichang is not a big deal."
The "Wugou Scripture" pondered for a moment and made a decision:
"Once this matter is settled, give Little Brother Bai an Ascension Iron Order, making him an Incense Master. It just so happens that many positions in Yihai Prefecture are vacant; he can fill them, which is perfect.
As for the demon trial... let’s wait and see."
...
...
"It’s done."
Seeing the disciple vigorously cultivate the "Wugou Scripture," Chen Xing felt a mix of emotions.
After all, his own disciple paid respects to a sworn enemy, leaving a bit of unease.
"Ah Qi has done too much for me and for the Three Yang Sect, silently enduring pains unknown to outsiders. This child has suffered."
Chen Xing felt guilty; Bai Qi was also a stubborn character, forcing him to cultivate the Four Reversals Sect’s classic, praise and worship the Supreme Divine Spirit, was akin to forcing the disciple to bow down.
"Indeed, it has wronged him. You’ve been fortunate. Though your disciple is rebellious, the disciple’s apprentice is obedient and sensible.
If it were Ninghai Zen, asking him to do such a deed would have resulted in him punching."
Chen Yin sat on the Spirit Platform, agreeing.
"Chen Xing, if you have any conscience, quickly step down for the worthy and let him become the Chi Yang Sect Leader.
From then on, White Sun and Chi Yang will be united, joining forces; wouldn’t that be splendid."
Chen Xing lazily didn’t respond, still contemplating removing Chen Yin and leaving the White Sun Sect Leader position vacant.
This way, with the Master, disciple, and apprentice in control of power, they would stand a better chance against Dragon Court.
"Next, what shall we do?"
Chen Yin asked softly.
"Naturally, stir the waters to fish in muddy conditions."
Chen Xing raised his eyebrows, looking towards the low slope nearby.
"Chunyu Cultivator has arrived. Let him, a true successor of Meridian Sword Sect, uncover Zhu Mingyu and Mao Family’s dealings, creating chaos.
We’ll watch the fire across the river, and seize the opportunity to grab that segment of Withered Revive Wood."
Chen Yin was unsurprised. Every time this Chi Yang Sect Leader had a plot, he always found a scapegoat first before making a move.
"Though we only have half our breath left, losing the skills and cultivation of Divine Power Giants, we excel in hidden maneuvers, calculating without being calculated.
Years ago, Yan Xin and Kou Qiuyue plotted against us, and Zhao Pijiang almost struck us when we were down. Now, let them taste being plotted against."
Chen Xing chuckled again, sprinkling incense ash to conceal energy, deploying the "Black Shadows" technique within Black Heart Evil Palm, transforming into remnants, hidden nearby.
Then, the hat-wearing Chunyu Cultivator suddenly arrived, gazing at the bleak, shadowy He Mountain Dao Inner Scenic Land:
"What a choking smell! The thieves of the Four Reversals Sect are actually hiding right under my nose!"
With the great reputation of Chunyu Cultivator’s No-Life Sword, witnessing mountains of bones, the howling of ghosts, his brows immediately tightened, releasing rolling Sword Qi, cascading sword light like a cold moon rising.
Just entering the Inner Scenic Land, Zhu Mingyu’s figure halted, looking up at the sky:
"The crazy one from Meridian Sword Sect... bad luck!"