Chapter 295 - 120: Invitation, Conflict of Ideologies, Riding the Sun Down the Mountain

"Thank you, Venerable!"

Upon hearing this, the Linjiang Daoist’s face lit up with joy.

Su Bai, however, paid no mind to the tears of joy from the Linjiang Daoist and Nianxin Daoist Child.

He took a few steps forward and, moments later, left Golden Radiance Mountain.

When the startling thunder had cracked across the sky earlier, others might have thought it was just a random clap of thunder. In reality, he had sensed a faint threat from a certain direction.

’Is it that reborn Demon Venerable? Or someone else?’

Su Bai gazed in that direction, lost in thought.

But now, that wisp of an aura had vanished without a trace. It was also extremely far away, so much so that he couldn’t determine the specific source of this threatening presence.

Perhaps it was the reborn Demon Venerable, or perhaps it was something else entirely.

’How interesting.’

Su Bai retracted his gaze and murmured softly.

The next moment, his figure vanished into the void, drifting away.

...

In the days that followed, the Daoists within the Prefecture City entered their busiest period yet.

At Su Bai’s request, they began to travel across the various provinces, inviting numerous Daoists to Cyan Mountain outside the Prefecture City to exchange their accumulated Incense for the Longevity Technique.

Although the Yin Department Ghost God System had been thoroughly shaken by the Gui Chen Sect’s assault, the Daoists still had a way to contact one another.

The Incense Fire Divine City.

Using the Incense Fire Divine City, numerous Daoists traveled between the great State Mansions of the Dayu Immortal Dynasty, inviting many of their brethren whose temples, residences, and statues had been destroyed to come to the Desolate Province.

At first, everything proceeded smoothly, but they later encountered an obstacle.

And this obstacle came from the Wansheng Institute.

"You’re saying the obstacle came from the Wansheng Institute?"

Atop Cyan Mountain Peak, Su Bai frowned slightly.

Mu Guihai nodded with a grim expression.

"Senior, many Daoists have already accepted the Wansheng Institute’s invitation and become their Dharma Protectors."

"The Wansheng Institute is clearly doing this to plunder Incense under a different name."

"I must say, this move by the Wansheng Institute is quite clever. The monks they sent to the various provinces before might not have been a match for the Gui Chen Sect, but they never retreated."

"And during this time, they’ve seized the opportunity. Now, quite a few places have already become strongholds of the Buddhist Sect’s faith!"

As Mu Guihai spoke, his expression turned sour.

"These monks’ methods are far more effective than the Gui Chen Sect’s. One by one, they travel across the provinces every day, spreading the Buddhist Dharma in countless commanderies, towns, cities, and mountain villages. They perform exorcisms, conduct rituals, and vanquish Demon Fiends, all for free..."

Only now did he understand why those Daoists from before had said they were disheartened.

It was obvious they had already found a new patron.

After all, with the monks doing all the work, the Daoists could collect Incense just by lying back. Who would refuse such a good deal?

And the only price these Daoists had to pay was joining the Wansheng Institute.

Su Bai’s brow smoothed. "If that’s the case, then it can be considered a good thing."

He held no prejudice against the Buddhist Sect or the Daoist Family. In his eyes, there was only the distinction of sin, not the division of sects.

If the Wansheng Institute truly intended to deliver all living beings from suffering, he would be glad to see it succeed.

Whether it was the Buddhist Dharma or Daoist Skills, there had never been anything inherently wrong with them.

The ones at fault are those who twist the Buddhist Dharma and act on wicked thoughts.

"Senior, these monks... there’s something strange about them."

Mu Guihai’s brow was tightly furrowed as he summarized the situation.

"These Wansheng Institute monks who travel the world all look like Ascetic Monks. At most, they only beg for things like rice and water."

"But their temples are all built to be magnificent and exquisitely beautiful..."

"And yet, their methods are truly superb. Some of their followers are already destitute, yet they still go to burn incense and worship Buddha."

"Even if they have to borrow money, they’ll respectfully offer incense money, saying they’re praying for their next life, hoping to be reincarnated into a wealthy family..."

"But the Netherworld Venerable Master is gone, and there is no more Reincarnation in this world! The deceptive methods and ugly faces of these monks are truly repulsive!"

This was the real reason Mu Guihai detested those monks.

’Praying for a next life?’

If these monks could truly grant their followers a next life, he would accept it and have nothing more to say.

But how could they, who couldn’t even secure a next life for themselves, dare to make empty promises of one to their followers? It was utterly shameless.

This ran completely contrary to the practices of most Daoists like them.

It wasn’t just Mu Guihai; Daoists including Chen Tianhua and Taixu True Master all felt the same way.

Su Bai listened to their discussion in silence. Only after they had all finished speaking did he slowly open his mouth.

"Do you think that, for those followers, whether or not Reincarnation exists is actually that important?"

"Huh?"

As soon as he said this, the various Daoists were stunned into silence.

Deceiving believers was a taboo within the rules set by the Netherworld Venerable Master; it was absolutely forbidden.

In their view, the Buddhist halls and temples that promised to grant children, blessings, and longevity were merely plundering Incense. Privately, they called them "debauched temples."

For the Daoists, such practices were at the absolute bottom of the food chain, so to speak.

In their eyes, if you didn’t have the power, you shouldn’t make promises. Forcing a promise was simply deception!

"This world has not yet reached the point of a Night Parade of Hundred Demons. Although there are many demons and monsters, they don’t dare to harm people wantonly. Many people might go their entire lives without ever seeing a single one."

"The reason they believe in ghost gods, the Buddhist Sect, or the Daoist Sect is simply to find some peace of mind."

Su Bai said with a calm expression.

The common people of this world, no matter who they were, burned incense and prayed to Buddha for nothing more than peace of mind.

In this day and age, faith was likely the only spiritual solace for many common people.

He wouldn’t deny another’s path just because it was different from his own.

The sea accepts a hundred rivers; its tolerance is its greatness. The heavens and earth are vast and endless. A true path must surely be one that encompasses all things.

"That may be so, but..."

Mu Guihai shook his head.

To put it bluntly, their attitude toward common folk was: "Believe if you want, but get lost if you don’t."

In comparison, the Wansheng Institute’s methods were undoubtedly far more sophisticated. So much so that seeing the fervent expressions on those commoners’ faces back then had made his own skin crawl.

In his several thousand years as a Divine Daoist, he had never seen such fanatical believers.

"For the Daoists who are willing to accept the trade and have committed no great evil, you may grant them the Longevity Technique. If they are unwilling, then let them be."

Su Bai spoke faintly, then slowly rose to his feet.

"As for the Wansheng Institute—whether they are good or evil, whether they truly wish to save all beings or are simply consumed by greed—I must ultimately go see for myself to find out."

"Senior! You... you’re going to leave the mountain?"

Mu Guihai nodded subconsciously, then started in alarm. "Could it be about Elder Gui Chen..."

"Indeed. Since he dared to send an invitation, how could I not go?"

Su Bai smiled faintly.

Soon, it would be the day of the duel between the Leader of Gui Chen Sect and the Rebirth Buddha Venerable. Having previously slain an incarnation of the Leader of Gui Chen Sect and shaken the world with his fame, he had naturally received an invitation as well.

"Who knows what devilish plot that Old Thief Gui Chen is hatching? Senior, why must you take such a risk?"

Taixu True Master, who stood to the side, couldn’t help but try to dissuade him.

"Yes! Please reconsider, Senior!"

The other Daoists also chimed in, urging him to reconsider.

During this period, all the Daoists had successfully begun practicing the Longevity Technique bestowed by Su Bai, and their lifespans had increased.

Naturally, they had also come to understand Su Bai’s power.

How could an expert capable of creating such a Dharma Gate be an ordinary person?

But the Leader of the Gui Chen Sect had held sway over the world for many years. He might have secretly laid some terrifying Grand Array, just waiting for Su Bai to walk into it.

Chen Tianhua, who had been silent all this time, also couldn’t resist advising him.

"Senior, why don’t you wait until your Divine Skill has reached Great Success before leaving the mountain to go?"

During this time, they had become aware that Su Bai was on Cyan Mountain, continuously developing a powerful Cultivation Technique, which had caused tremendous disturbances.

On Cyan Mountain, golden light often surged, releasing a terrifying aura that suppressed the Ten Thousand Spirits.

"Divine Skill?"

Su Bai gently shook his head, then stepped forward.

"The journey to Yu Province is long. Perhaps by the time I get there, the Divine Skill will be complete."

Before his voice had even faded, and before anyone could react, Su Bai rode a ray of sunlight slanting down from the horizon and stepped off the mountain.