Walking alone with a sword, slaying ghosts and gods

Chapter 606 A New Era Begins, Cleansing the World; Blood Stains the Azure Sky, Forging a New Chapter (Seeking Donations and Subscriptions!)

Lu Cheng sat cross-legged deep within the Doushuai Meditation Chamber, his aura seemingly fused with the entire Xuanyuan Cave Heaven, yet also appearing to transcend it, standing independently above it.

A purple-gold gourd hovered three inches above his head, its mouth emanating a primordial purple-gold aura, which dripped down in wisps, nourishing the nascent "Twenty-Four Heavenly Powers" within him.

That was not simply the accumulation of magical power, but rather the slow operation of twenty-four nascent minor worlds within twenty-four acupoints of his body, absorbing and exhaling chaos, evolving yin and yang, forming a self-contained cycle, bringing him overwhelming and almost inexhaustible magical power and a deeper understanding of the laws of heaven and earth.

While the "powers of the Seventy-Two Heavens" are indeed formidable, they were originally one of the most difficult magical powers to cultivate in the world.

For an ordinary cultivator, let alone seventy-two, even the primal power of a complete minor world poured into their body would be enough to burst them a thousand times over, shattering their physical body and annihilating their soul.

Secondly, it's not just that the physical body can't handle it, but also that seventy-two secret realms and grotto-heavens of the level of minor worlds are not easily obtained.
Every minor world discovered in the Earthly Immortal Realm is regarded as a treasure by various forces, either cultivated into the foundation of a sect or refined into a sect's most precious treasure. They are as precious as their own lives, so how could they be easily given to others to devour for cultivation?
However, when the Nine Li Cauldron departed, it left Lu Cheng with seventy-two Great Thousand Worlds, eight hundred Middle Thousand Worlds, and three thousand Lesser Thousand Worlds within the Purple Gold Red Gourd. Lu Cheng didn't even need to leave his own cave dwelling. He could devour the origins of the three thousand Lesser Thousand Worlds within the Purple Gold Red Gourd, taking a portion from each without harming their foundations. This helped him achieve minor success in the power of the Twenty-Four Heavens. His magical power was far more powerful and refined than his peers. Every move he made was accompanied by the blessings of the heavens and their great power.

Combined with Lu Cheng's own swordsmanship and supernatural abilities, there are not many cultivators in this Immortal Realm who can defeat him.

However, after cultivating such magical powers, Lu Cheng's first thought was not the Ancient Demon Realm or the Spirit Venerable Society.

Instead, it was his journey from the mortal realm to the immortal realm, a path of cultivation and battles, where he witnessed the harsh realities of life, the survival of the fittest.

"Buddhist teachings are divided into Hinayana and Mahayana. Hinayana Buddhism focuses on self-cultivation, while Mahayana Buddhism focuses on universal salvation. However, in my view, Hinayana and Mahayana are one and the same."

Afterwards, Lu Cheng broke through his seclusion, and three years later, the two Taiqing decrees began to be implemented within the Taiqing Sect, once again stirring up a bloody storm:
"Our Taiqing Sect, inheriting the lineage of the Three Pure Ones, has existed for ten thousand years, originally a place to protect the Dao and cultivate immortality, and to benefit all living beings. However, as time has passed, accumulated problems have gradually arisen. Aristocratic families have seized spiritual veins and blessed lands, hoarding resources privately; Daoist officials hold their positions without merit, blocking the path of the virtuous; the common people and disciples at the bottom of society, though they have the heart to pursue the Dao, have no way to ascend to heaven. If this continues, the foundation of the Dao will decay, and what will become of the lineage of the Three Pure Ones? What will become of the foundation of our sect?"
Now that I have taken charge of the sect, I must swiftly eradicate its long-standing abuses and restore order. Therefore, I am implementing two methods to set things right.

"The first is called 'The Mirror of Daoist Achievements'."

"From this day forward, all officials and stewards of the sect, regardless of their background, will be evaluated for their merits and demerits using this book. Their duties and targets will be determined according to their official ranks, and the 'Supervisory Academy' will review them together with the various halls at the end of the year. Those who are lazy, negligent, or fail to meet their targets will be demoted and have their salaries reduced. Those who are diligent, meritorious, and exceed their targets will be promoted and richly rewarded. Merits and demerits will be clearly distinguished, and there will be no favoritism."

"Secondly, it is called the 'Spirit Crystal Compendium'."

"All resources produced under the sect's jurisdiction, including spirit fields, mines, herb gardens, and markets, regardless of whether they belong to aristocratic families or peaks, must be uniformly measured and registered by the 'Department of Revenue' to determine their grade and annual output. All levies will be converted into sect-standard high-grade spirit crystals, collected and paid uniformly on a fixed schedule and in a fixed amount. All exorbitant taxes and levies previously imposed under various pretexts will be abolished. Anyone who conceals land, falsely reports output, or resists measurement will be considered a traitor to the sect and will be severely punished."

These two decrees, once issued, were truly like thunderclaps from the heavens!

Those powerful clans, especially those who occupy vast sacred mountains and blessed lands and secretly hoard countless resources, are particularly uneasy.

The Daoji Mingjian cut off their way of maintaining their sons' positions in important posts through personal relationships and family influence.

The "Spirit Crystal Domination" directly targets the very foundation upon which they depend for survival: the vast resources that have been swallowed up and hidden.

The spiritual fields and mineral veins they had previously seized will not only be confiscated and fined, but they will also have to pay huge fines. This is like cutting off their flesh and bleeding them dry, completely destroying their foundation.

In an instant, the entire realm was ablaze with clamor and discussion.

Within a blessed land of spiritual mountains, cultivators from numerous powerful clans gathered.

Upon learning of the two new policies, an elderly man with white hair and beard, speaking in a deep, resonant voice, suddenly stood up, his voice filled with suppressed anger:

"The sect leader's actions are truly foolish. Does he not understand the principles of following nature, governing by non-action, and allowing the people to rest and recuperate in accordance with the way of Heaven?"

Such actions are tantamount to competing with the people for profit!
Furthermore, these two methods have far-reaching implications, and their sudden and forceful implementation could shake the foundations of the sect and cause turmoil. Our aristocratic families have worked hard to manage their businesses, and our contributions to the sect in providing talent and resources are invaluable. How can we be treated so harshly? Measuring land is also a cumbersome and disruptive process, only increasing resentment!

"Elder Huang is right. Although the sect leader is highly skilled, he is still too young and lacks the maturity and composure to govern a country. It seems that he still needs the guidance and correction of the elders."

"Yes."

"That makes sense!"

This group of aristocratic cultivators gathered together, plotting how to resist the implementation of the sect's new policies.

However, Lu Cheng had been in charge of the Giant Spirit Flying Ship for many years and had his own team. In addition, almost all the Grand Elders and Daoist Masters of the sect were on his side, so the implementation of the new policy was even less of a hindrance.

Why are the Supreme Elders Mingque, Minghe, Tongzhen, Xuanzhen, and Xuanqing on Lucheng's side?

Because the sect's treasury is already extremely open to these elders, it is their families who take more and more, sucking the blood from the sect. As time goes by, their families become larger and larger, gradually reducing the sect's income, and thus reducing their own income.

They could have tolerated it by turning a blind eye, but now that the sect leader Zhenlu City has stepped forward to eliminate the problems, which are indeed problems, they naturally have no reason to refuse.

More importantly, the prestige of the sect leader has been established over the past few thousand years, making it difficult for them to stop him even if they wanted to.

The new policies and reforms were implemented, and no favoritism was shown in personnel appointments.

Lu Cheng's two most senior disciples, Miao Chuyun and Zhang Zhaodi, both entered the Daojian Academy.

Lu Cheng's true disciples, including Youming, Shisheng, and Yunhuang'er, all entered the Duzhi Hall.

In particular, the Netherworld Daoist was appointed by his master Lu Cheng as the "New Policy Inspector". Holding the "Dust-Cleansing Sword Order" bestowed by the sect leader, he led an inspection team composed of officials from the Supervisory Academy and the Department of Revenue. Like a sword drawn from its sheath, he swept across all the sacred mountains and blessed lands under the jurisdiction of the Taiqing Sect.

The first stop was the sphere of influence of the top aristocratic families, led by the Wang family of Qinglan Peak.

Qinglan Peak encompasses vast fertile plains, with spiritual fields like brocade, abundant mineral resources, and several top-grade spiritual veins. The Wang family has been operating here for a thousand years, deeply rooted and flourishing, with two Nascent Soul elders presiding over the sect, making them the dominant family in this region.

The Netherworld Taoist held the "Jade Book of Taxation," and as he unfolded it, a hazy light swept across the Qinglan Peak region.

"Buzz!"

On the jade scroll, the images of spirit fields and mineral veins originally reported by the Wang family instantly distorted and expanded. Large areas of "black fields" and "dark mines" that had been hidden by high-level illusion arrays and spatial folding techniques were now exposed. The area of ​​their concealment was more than five times the reported amount.

One of the core veins, the "Purple-Patterned Star Mine," which the Wang family considered vital and kept secret, radiated an astonishing brilliance and was clearly marked in the jade book.

The Jade Book of Duzhi itself does not have the function of exploration and reconnaissance; it is merely a receiving artifact. However, as long as the sect is determined to take stock, a large number of people can be dispatched to investigate and clarify the matter.

"What a fine Qinglan Wang family! Concealing farmland, embezzling mineral resources, resisting surveying—the evidence is irrefutable." The Netherworld Daoist's face was ashen, his eyes gleaming with icy coldness.

"According to the new decree of the 'Spirit Crystal Confiscation,' all hidden assets from the past thousand years will be confiscated at ten times the value. Those who resist the new policy will be fined three times the value. You are hereby given three days to deliver the confiscated spirit crystals and resources to the patrol station. Failure to do so will be considered treason."

Wang Chongdao, the head of the Wang family, looked ashen-faced as he stared at the perfectly clear hidden image on the jade book, knowing that any attempt at sophistry would be futile.

Behind him, two family elders stood with their hair and beards bristling, their auras surging, attempting to intimidate the inspection team with their magical power.

"How dare you defy the new laws and regulations!" The Netherworld Daoist shouted, and the "Dust-Cleansing Sword Token" in his hand suddenly lit up.

A sword intent, condensed to its extreme and carrying the aura of annihilation, soared into the sky.

"Pfft!" The two family elders were struck as if by a heavy hammer, their protective magic shattering instantly. They both spat out a mouthful of blood, their auras weakening, their eyes filled with horror. Wang Chongdao was even more utterly desperate, collapsing to the ground.

However, not all aristocratic families are as astute as the Wang family in assessing the situation.

The situation was even worse at the Zhao family's residence in Wanze Lake. Moreover, relying on their remote location and past ties with the remnants of foreign tribes, the Zhao family secretly colluded with others, attempting to resist the survey by force.

When the Netherworld Daoist arrived with his team, they were not met with obedience, but with tens of thousands of vengeful spirits raised by the Zhao family, several eerie ghost cultivators, and the eighth-tier magic treasure "Mysterious Yin Gathering Beast Banner" personally controlled by the Zhao family patriarch.

The Netherworld Taoist made a decisive decision and led his team to turn around and run away.

However, less than half an hour later, the Taiqing Sect's patrol fleet arrived above Wanze Lake.

Lu Cheng was already prepared for this kind of thing; if you dare to show your face, you'll be completely crushed.

Despite the howling winds and wailing ghosts that blotted out the sky above Wanze Lake, creating a veritable ghost realm!
But under the bombardment of the main cannons of the Sky Patrol Fleet, beams of golden-red light, condensed as solid as matter and wrapped in air currents, tore through the sky!
Wherever the rainbow light passed, countless souls were annihilated, the eerie winds dissipated, and the wailing of ghosts and howls instantly turned into deathly silence!

The once-powerful "Mysterious Yin Myriad Beasts Banner" shattered like ice and snow under the blazing sun, its core restrictions pierced through in a single blow!
With the annihilation of all directions, mountains and rivers fell silent.

Before long, all that remained of Wanze Lake was a huge ravine blasted out by the enormous rainbow light, exuding a destructive aura and a thick, pungent stench of blood that filled the air.

The Netherworld Taoist's face was cold and stern, and his voice resounded in all directions: "The Zhao family colluded with foreign enemies, resisted the new policies, and plotted a rebellion. The entire family has been exterminated. Their hidden land and wealth have all been confiscated and turned over to the public. The corpses of the clansmen are hung on the boundary marker of Wanze Lake as a warning to future generations."

This sword strike was bloody and cruel, shattering the wishful thinking of all the sects who were watching from the sidelines, and also breaking through the thick ice of the Taiqing Sect's millennia-old accumulated problems.

Once you become the leader, you can't be complacent in everything; you have to be willing to offend people and affect their interests. When necessary, you have to be willing to kill many to bring about a new beginning.

Wherever the inspection team passed, thunder roared.

A powerful family attempted to bribe the Netherworld Taoist, but he severed the bribe with his flying sword and punished them doubled their punishment.
Some elders and deacons relied on their seniority and passively resisted the new policy assessment. Youming, holding the "Mirror of Daoist Achievements," removed their seals on the spot and demoted them to ordinary disciples. Their positions were then taken over by disciples who had performed well in the assessment and came from humble backgrounds.

Even worse, the Sun family of "Liuyun Valley" relied on the fact that a daughter of their clan had married a powerful elder and tried to plead for them to obstruct the measurement. As a result, that elder, along with the head of the Sun family, was arrested by Miao Chuyun, the head of the Supervisory Academy, who rushed to the scene after hearing the news. Miao Chuyun accused them of "abusing power for personal gain and obstructing the new policy," and all the adults in the clan were sent to the "Cold Stone Mine" to mine and atone for their sins.

In an instant, the territory under the jurisdiction of the Taiqing Sect was filled with heads rolling and blood staining the sky.

The "Mirror of Daoist Achievements" evaluated Daoist officials at all levels, providing a pathway for those below them to rise in rank. This prevented powerful families from monopolizing high positions, oblivious to the hardships of ordinary people, and from fostering a group of corrupt and foolish individuals.

The "Spirit Crystal Conquest" measures the land of aristocratic families. If a family is found to have occupied more land than permitted, not only will the previously occupied land be confiscated at double the amount, but a large sum of money will also be confiscated to replenish the sect's treasury. If a family resists the new policy, at best the entire clan will be sent to the mines and enslaved, and at worst, the entire clan will be wiped out by the cannons of the patrol fleet.

In an instant, the powerful clans were in despair. The once tyrannical and domineering families that had dominated Lingshan were either exterminated or fined until they were bankrupt, suffering severe damage to their vitality.

Those Daoist officials and deacons who relied on powerful families and held positions without performing their duties were either dismissed or severely punished. The entire sect was swept by a chilling and fierce storm.

Of course, there will be backlash as well.

For example, the Qinglan Wang clan had two elders at the Integration Realm. One of them was willing to accept punishment, while the other actually betrayed the sect and led a group of clansmen to escape from the Taiqing Sect's territory.

His methods are skillful, he has someone to help him, and his abilities are quite remarkable.

The Taiqing Sect suffered its most severe loss of elite cultivators during this reform process—the loss of Nascent Soul cultivators, Void Return cultivators, and Primordial Spirit cultivators—including defections, being banished to the Black Prison, and being dismissed. This loss is the most severe it has ever been in a non-war period and will be difficult to recover for at least a thousand years.

However, beneath this seemingly brutal cleansing, an unprecedented vitality is emerging within the ancient body of the Taiqing Sect.

Those spiritual veins, mineral deposits, and medicinal gardens that were monopolized by aristocratic families were brought under public ownership and managed by the Department of Revenue. Their usage rights were then redistributed according to the evaluation results of the "Mirror of Daoist Achievements".

A large amount of high-quality cultivation resources began to be allocated to disciples who were truly talented, hardworking, and had excellent performance evaluations.

The "Mirror of Daoist Achievements" is like a clear mirror, reflecting the merits and demerits of each Daoist official. Disciples from humble backgrounds but with outstanding talent and diligence were promoted to important positions.

A Golden Core stage disciple named Lin Feng, from a small border town, was promoted to the position of mine supervisor at a medium-sized spirit mine due to his outstanding performance in guarding the frontier and eliminating demonic beasts, earning him top evaluations year after year. This news excited all the lower-ranking disciples.

The "Spirit Crystal Tax Collection" simplified the tax process and eliminated layers of exploitation. Although the total amount of spirit crystals paid may not have decreased significantly, the process was transparent and the burden was relatively fair. Many small and medium-sized families and ordinary cultivators found that as long as they abided by the law and focused on their businesses, their lives were more stable and promising than before.

Inside the Taiqing Hall, Lu Cheng stood with his hands behind his back on the Star Gazing Platform, overlooking the vast landscape. His divine sense, like a net, enveloped the sect map before him.

"The biggest difficulty in reforming new policies has always been that policies end when the person dies. But I am here, so what difficulty is there in living for 100,000 years?"
"Damaging the sect's vitality, it might be difficult to recover in a thousand years? Even if it takes ten thousand years to recover, as long as the sect's reputation is corrected from now on, it's worth it."

Lu Cheng rose from the bottom of the mortal cultivation world to the Earthly Immortal Realm, fighting and cultivating along the way. He never forgot the dog-eat-dog world he witnessed.

Although Lu Cheng never believed that cultivating immortality should be a life of ethereal beauty, discussing metaphysics, drinking tea and wine, and becoming an immortal.

What is cultivation of immortality?

This is one of the most talented, disciplined, ambitious, cunning, and greedy people in the world, pursuing the greatest desire in the world:

Eternal freedom, immortality!
There is such a road, yet no one fights for it?

how is this possible.

The most classic fantasy novels of my past life, such as Journey to the West, Investiture of the Gods, and Legend of the Swordsmen of Shu Mountain, are all about fighting and killing, and people with weak temperaments are directly put on the Investiture of the Gods list. They are not qualified to pursue the path of immortality.

Clear skies and gentle breezes, sipping tea and discussing philosophy, an ethereal atmosphere... From ancient times to the present and into the future, no one has ever achieved such longevity and immortality.

However, after Lu Cheng cultivated the Mahayana Dharma power and became the leader of the Taiqing Sect, he also intended to make some changes within his capabilities:
The powerful clans have taken too much; they need to give back some so that those below them can also have a chance.

The law of the jungle has gone too far. At the very least, infighting among fellow disciples must be explicitly prohibited. At the very least, if the matter is exposed, the person who committed the act should not be allowed to live.

Lu Cheng's current actions can be described as raising his sword against his former comrades and old friends for the sake of a group of people he doesn't even know, simply because he feels he should do so.

The powerful and wealthy should enjoy their privileges, but don't let the poor have nowhere to stand.

Cultivators should compete, but they shouldn't have no bottom line. They shouldn't be unable to trust each other, even fellow disciples or Daoist partners, turning the world into a giant den of demons.

Furthermore, the nine sects and thirty-six factions of the human race who are currently watching the spectacle are unaware that Lu Cheng's goal is not merely to purge the Taiqing Sect; he wants to make enemies of everyone in the world.

The key to cultivating the Taoist Transformation and Ascension Technique lies in possessing a fearless Taoist heart. Therefore, both of the past masters of this technique had rebelled against the Heavenly Court.

In the world where Lu Cheng lived, there was no Heavenly Court for him to attack, so he made enemies of the world and used the Taiqing Sect as a base to carve out a vast living space for the human race in the Earthly Immortal Realm.

(End of this chapter)