This is what an immortal should be like

Chapter 308 Exploring the Netherworld

The Ullambana Festival lasted for a period of time that was neither too long nor too short. The Buddha's sermons became secondary, and the debates with Confucian scholars and Taoists became the main focus.

In the beginning, many people in various cultivation paths kept quiet or watched others debate with Confucian scholars and immortals. But as more and more people entered the fray and were defeated, with no one able to gain the upper hand, they stopped caring so much.

Demons and monsters from all over the world, ghosts and spirits from the underworld, Buddhas from sacred mountains, and cultivators of the immortal path—many people whose interests are directly at stake have discussed the Dao with Zhuang Lin. Even within the Buddhist community, there are some venerable Arhats who have engaged in discussions with him.

Among the gods, some even briefly left during the assembly to report to the Great Heavenly Venerable, and then returned to relay the message to the heavens.

Some beings from the Netherworld also left the scene, only to quickly return later. However, the orthodox Netherworld faction stood on the side of absolute support and would also step in to help Zhuang Lin with his arguments. After all, for them, this was entirely beneficial, and there was also the Confucian Immortal standing ahead, bearing the pressure.

A month later, the bizarre Ullambana Festival at Lingshan Sacred Realm finally came to an end. Zhuang Lin had not stopped, but there were almost no people left who could discuss things with him.

Zhuang Lin ultimately concluded that there was no necessary premise for this chaos to continue; there were only selfish reasons, which were not worth discussing.

The Ullambana Festival has ended, and the practitioners from all sides who came to participate have gradually left.

When Zhuang Lin left, it was Atuoluo who saw him off, and all the ghosts and gods of the Netherworld lineage also came to see him off.

Outside the sacred Ling Mountain, the location where Zhuang Lin stood seemed to have formed a temporary ghost realm, appearing eerie and sinister, with several ghost generals and underworld commanders surrounding him.

"Sir, you have now brought this matter to a clear and open level!"

"Indeed, to put it bluntly, this matter is as simple as you said at the meeting. It's all about self-interest. The chaos in the Netherworld is like this, and so is the chaos in the mortal realm!"

Zhuang Lin nodded, looking at the Netherworld faction around him. He knew that during the entire Ullambana Festival, apart from those with ulterior motives, the Netherworld faction was the most sincere in wanting to make this happen. Naturally, he wouldn't speak without reason and would give them enough signals.

"It's not enough to just make it clear. This matter cannot be merely discussed; it must also be acted upon. Otherwise, nothing will change for hundreds or thousands of years!"

Zhuang Lin's expression was serious, showing no sign of joking, and then his gaze swept around the surroundings.

"You are all cultivators of the Netherworld, and I believe you understand this principle best. If I do something, I will not say how I can help, but in the future, if there is anything that involves connecting the Netherworld, please do not obstruct me!"

Hearing this, the beings of the Netherworld lineage around them were reassured; the Confucian Immortal was definitely serious about doing this.

It's unlikely anyone could do this, as it involves too many factors and too much self-interest. Even if someone is truly selfless, they are prone to setbacks along the way.

But the Confucian immortals are different. They are born from the righteous energy of heaven and earth, so there will definitely be obstacles. But even if someone wants to harm them, they should consider their own cultivation level. Even if they do harm them, they will probably bring about a great calamity.

"What are you saying, sir? How could we possibly stop you?"

"Indeed, please don't say that. If you have any instructions, sir, just let us know and we will do our best to help you!"

"Indeed, indeed. When I left and returned before, the Lord gave the same reply. If you have any orders, sir, we of the Netherworld lineage would not dare to disobey!"

The cultivators from the surrounding Netherworld factions made promises one after another. This not only represented themselves, but also the Netherworld forces behind them. Of course, the main ones were the Five Ghost Emperors and the Lord of Mount Tai. The chaotic ghost realms were not worthy of being mentioned and would never participate in the Ullambana Festival.

Zhuang Lin nodded slightly upon hearing this, and bowed to the surrounding Netherworld faction. The beings around him did not dare to be negligent and returned the bow solemnly.

"In that case, I'll take my leave now. This matter must be accomplished!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhuang Lin didn't delay. A Tuoluo rode the Dharma Cloud, taking Zhuang Lin and Xi Miao away together, leaving behind a group of Netherworld cultivators who watched them go for a long time, looking very excited.

After leaving the sacred Ling Mountain, Xi Miao above the Dharma Clouds showed concern.

"Sir, this Ullambana Festival is not peaceful. You are essentially making enemies of many fellow cultivators!"

"Hmph, all I can say is that those who walk different paths cannot work together. Needless to say, this matter is fraught with danger. Anyone who tries to stop us is probably a demon, and cannot be considered a fellow Daoist!"

Ataluo, who had also spoken up many times at the Ullambana Festival and was quite active in the Buddhist community at this event, sighed upon hearing this.

"Amitabha Buddha, excellent, excellent! Sir, you are kind-hearted and righteous. Your great aspiration is bound to face countless difficulties and dangers."

Adhara's words were sincere, and he himself had some concerns. Although his activity this time would make the Buddha pay more attention to him, the various deities, bodhisattvas, arhats, and vajras were also involved in many interests, so he was essentially standing on the opposite side of many people.

Zhuang Lin smiled.

"A thousand difficulties and countless dangers? So what!" Xi Miao laughed as well.

"Since you say so, sir, then I will say no more. I also hope to offer my humble contribution. Even if I die and my life is extinguished, it will not have been in vain that I came into this world!"

Atuoluo clasped his hands together and chanted scriptures in a low voice. Although the atmosphere had been set up, he dared not make any excessive statements at this moment, while at the same time he couldn't help but glance at Ximiao again.

The Confucian immortal was naturally magnanimous, but it was unexpected that this fox spirit goddess could possess such demeanor.

People are brought from the Taihang Mountains, and when they are sent back, they are naturally sent to the thatched cottage.

As the Dharma Cloud descended, Zhuang Lin looked at the endless mountains in the distance, pondering some things. At that moment, A Tuo Luo's expression shifted slightly, as if he had heard something. Then, he looked at Zhuang Lin and suddenly asked a question.

"Sir, you have been living in seclusion in the Taihang Mountains for many years now, haven't you? In the past period of time, have you sensed any changes here?"

Zhuang Lin frowned slightly and glanced at Atuo Luo in surprise. The question was asked so suddenly that he immediately realized that the Buddha was asking something through him.

"Variables? If we're talking about the biggest variable in recent days, perhaps it's the conflict between the two Yan states. This shows just how chaotic things are in the world."

"Amitabha."

Atala remained silent. If the master said that, then he hadn't noticed anything. And even if he had, it wouldn't be convenient for others to pry if he didn't say anything.

After Zhuang Lin and Xi Miao landed, Atuo Luo bowed and bid farewell before riding away on a cloud of Dharma.

At the foot of a mountain in the Taihang Mountains, beside a reed bed, Xi Miao and Zhuang Lin watched the Buddha's light disappear into the distance, their gaze lingering for a long time.

"We never imagined that the Netherworld's influence was far greater than we thought!"

"That's a good thing. This Ullambana Festival wasn't a waste of time, and it seems that Mount Ling isn't a monolithic entity after all."

"Yes, even I didn't know before, but this time I can see some signs. Could it have been like this before?"

Zhuang Lin and Xi Miao were unaware of the truth, but the reason was actually quite simple. Many of the Buddhist venerable ones knew that since the Buddha passed away after subduing the monkey demon, the so-called newly reborn Buddha was no longer the same as before, and thus the respect he commanded had diminished considerably.
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Later, everyone in Hidden Immortal Valley learned about the general situation of the Ullambana Festival, and the news was quickly relayed back to various modern organizations.

For the various factions debating with Zhuang Lin at the Ghost Festival, many were simply worried but felt there was still room for maneuver, unaware that on another level, a plan targeting sex had already been launched simultaneously.

Zhuang Lin and Xi Miao's analysis of the various forces—which could be of assistance and which would pose significant obstacles—was all part of the plan. The efficiency of this collective wisdom is hard for outsiders to imagine.

There is also a war room in Hidden Immortal Valley, which has recently been connected to the outside world via a network.

Some development paths that combine magic with technology are also making continuous breakthroughs, and a discussion meeting is currently being held in the operations room.

Zhuang Lin and Xi Miao's intelligence report arrived in the morning, and the meeting here will begin in the afternoon.

There seemed to be many people in the operations room at this moment, but some of them seemed somewhat blurry because they were just phantoms.

The simple array, combined with the enhancement of technology, creates a kind of realistic holographic projection. No matter where people are in the world, as long as they have the technology, they can feel as if they are in the same room and participating in the meeting together.

"It might be unfamiliar to these gods, Buddhas, demons, and monsters, but it's all too familiar to us—it's the City God system!"

"That's right. As long as the City God system can be established, with the blessing of folk ancestor worship, it can absorb a large amount of incense and prayer power, establish a ghost and god system in a short time, manage wandering ghosts, connect with the underworld, maintain order, and protect the peace of the human world!"

"Yes, everything is readily available, and the individuals must be highly respected and virtuous!"

"That's how it should be, but the key is that it also needs an imperial decree!"

"Of course, so we also need to contact the imperial court. Once this begins, those high and mighty gods and Buddhas will not be able to stop us!"

What if they realize what's happening?

"So what? We can still develop allies. And as I just said, the tide is rolling forward, and it's too late for them to react. Besides, they're too slow to react, too arrogant, and have too many concerns."

Inside the command center, everyone present was highly excited, and the diagram of the siphon effect of faith was continuously projected onto the holographic projection in the center of the room.
(End of this chapter)