Gentlemen, it's time to enter the Banner of Ten Thousand Souls.

Chapter 206 The Rust on the Sword Is Hard to Remove
Inside the vast palace, an old man and a young man sat facing each other.

Zhang Qi spoke first, asking, "May I ask, Sect Leader Chen, what are your aspirations in this life?"

Chen Ye replied, "To become an immortal and attain the Dao is to live a carefree and eternal life."

Zhang Qi then asked, "If you only seek immortality, why go through all this trouble? With your aptitude, you could easily join any of the four major sects and cultivate to ascension."

Chen Ye smiled wryly and said, "I can only say that everything was a matter of chance. If it weren't for so many fortuitous encounters, I might still be struggling to cultivate at the Qi Sea Realm, and I might not have achieved my current level of cultivation."

"It's not too late now. The Yunlu Immortal Sect once sent a letter asking if you were a disciple chosen by our Qinghe Sword Sect. If you are interested, I will recommend you, and joining the Yunlu Immortal Sect will not be difficult. Your Huangquan Sect can also be merged into the Yunlu Immortal Sect."

Chen Ye replied, "I have already achieved my lofty ambitions today, why should I bow my head and beg from others?"

Yunlu Immortal Sect is indeed good, but given time, Huangquan Sect may not be any worse. Moreover, Chen Ye has the idea of ​​building the Six Paths of Reincarnation, which Yunlu Immortal Sect may not agree to.

It makes no sense for someone to give up being a proper sect leader to become a disciple of the Yunlu Immortal Sect.

Instead of being annoyed by Chen Ye's refusal, Zhang Qi smiled and said, "What you're asking for isn't just immortality."

Chen Ye nodded and said, "Go with the flow, and those who are successful should help the world. If I were still a mortal who had just entered the path of cultivation, it would be ignorant of my own abilities to say such things. But now that I have had many fortuitous encounters, I can be bolder. Master Zhang, I cannot put eliminating demons and protecting the righteous path before longevity like the Qinghe Sword Sect, but I will do what I can."

Zhang Qi laughed and said, "To disregard life and death is simply asking the impossible."

Zhang Qi never demanded that others be like the Qinghe Sword Sect; Chen Ye's previous performance had already satisfied him. Otherwise, how could he have allowed Su Chunyi to get close to Chen Ye? He would have killed that little devil with a single sword strike long ago.

“I know your ambition, but how exactly does the Yellow Springs Sect intend to deal with the spirits? The number of dead in the world will only increase. If all living beings are not afraid of death, then the world will be in chaos, and life will have no meaning.”

Zhang Qi had witnessed countless life-and-death situations in his life and knew that life and death were two sides of the same coin. Everyone seeks immortality, but it is precisely because death is inevitable that the pursuit of immortality has meaning.

If the Yellow Springs Sect were to be established, and everyone were to live forever in the underworld, many would likely commit suicide after reaching adulthood.

From then on, the human world truly became a realm of ghosts and demons.

Chen Ye, however, said, "Wandering spirits are not immortal. Without the power of incense offerings, they will eventually perish. Moreover, the five senses of wandering spirits are different from those of the living. Even without any torment, they will eventually vanish into nothingness."

"Moreover, the Yellow Springs Sect has hellish tortures. Unless one is a born saint, if one spends too much time in the underworld, suffering every day, one will eventually be transformed into another form."

Chen Ye took out the Ten Thousand Souls Banner he carried with him and gently waved it to summon several ghost messengers.

These were the earliest spirits who followed Chen Ye, and many of them had already transformed into evil ghosts after cultivating the secret arts of the soul.

Although he can still maintain his rationality, he still suffers a lot of torment on a daily basis.

Looking at the group of strange-looking ghost messengers, Zhang Qi asked again, "If that's the case, as time goes on, the number of suffering souls in the Yellow Springs Sect will increase. One day, you will no longer be able to suppress them, and these souls will cause monstrous disasters."

If millions of tormented souls, suffering day and night, were to suddenly rush to the mortal realm, it would be the end of the world for the living.

Chen Ye honestly replied, "There is no solution for the time being. The torment suffered by the wandering spirits can only be temporarily alleviated by the power of incense and prayers. The Yellow Springs Sect has a ritual that can allow the wandering spirits to experience the desire for food and drink, thus relieving their sense of emptiness. Ultimately, the incense must be provided by the living, and it is only a temporary solution."

"I am currently researching how to establish reincarnation, so that the deceased can be reborn as humans, and to establish the rules of cause and effect in the cycle of life and death."

"Reincarnated as a human?"

Chen Ye explained, "It means being reborn as a human being, starting from infancy, and living another life. In this life, there is no connection with the previous life."

Zhang Qi asked, "What is your view on cause and effect and retribution? Do you intend to use the rules of your Yellow Springs Sect to govern the world?"

Chen Ye shook his head and said, "The living have their own laws, and the dead have their own retribution in the underworld. If a good person dies a violent death, he will be sent back into the cycle of reincarnation. If a sinner dies a natural death, he will go to hell to suffer until he has repaid his sins and will be reincarnated."

Zhang Qi then asked, "Does karma from one's previous life carry over to the next life? If one is reborn as a human, is one still the same person?"

"Of course not," Chen Ye said firmly. "I believe that if one cannot sever the karmic ties and let go of the past, one cannot be reincarnated. One must forget the past in order to be reborn as a human. The karma of the previous life must be settled directly in order to be reincarnated; otherwise, one will never be reborn."

"Even a virtuous person cannot be reincarnated if they cannot let go of their attachments?"

"That's right. If you can't let go, why bother with reincarnation? The Yellow Springs Sect has a platform for reunion, which allows the dead to meet the living. If you can't let go, then wait until you do. After all, the dead live a long time. If there is love and hate in this world that time can't erase, then that's a person's skill."

Chen Ye's words were different from what he knew about the Six Paths of Reincarnation in his previous life; it was a rule he had changed himself.

What's the point of being a villain for ten lifetimes and facing retribution in the next? Chen Ye felt that it was pointless to inflict evil on someone who had no memory of the past.

He doesn't even know why he's suffering, so how can we expect him to admit his mistakes?
A person who works diligently and conscientiously throughout their life, only to end up separated from their wife and children and die a tragic death, will only be filled with resentment.

You tell him he did something terrible in his past life and has completely forgotten it. How can he accept that explanation?
Therefore, in Chen Ye's view, this matter can only be resolved in this lifetime.

Any sin will be punished in hell until it is repaid.

In addition, the same applies to obsession.

If you are attached to the things in the mortal world, then you will wait in the underworld. Whether you can endure it or not depends entirely on yourself. When you have let go and come to terms with it, you can drink a bowl of Meng Po soup and then be reincarnated.

Chen Ye would never force those souls in the underworld to reincarnate.

Being a ghost isn't exactly a pleasant experience, and if someone is willing to wait their entire life, that's their own choice. After hundreds or thousands of years, who will remember what happened back then?
Of course, these are all things to be discussed later. Chen Ye hasn't even figured out reincarnation yet, and the Yin spirits will only continue to accumulate and increase, making them troublesome to manage.

Hearing this, Zhang Qi was also greatly surprised. The Yellow Springs Underworld established by Chen Ye was more complete than he had imagined, and now it seemed that only the last step was missing.

How to allow a wandering spirit to be reincarnated.

Zhang Qi asked the most pointed question: "What's the difference between your reincarnation as a ghost from Fengdu City and a demon possessing your body?"

If a couple wants to have children, they will raise their own children. If the spirits of the underworld are replaced, wouldn't it be as if their own children were killed and replaced by someone else?
If that were the case, Zhang Qi absolutely could not agree.

Chen Ye did not shy away from the issue, frankly admitting, "For the time being, there is no difference. Just like that cursed spirit child, he is also a reincarnation, only he still has the memories of his previous life, so his sins have not been atoned for. I am also thinking about how to solve this problem, and I only have a few ideas at the moment."

“First, there are couples who are physically ill and unable to conceive. If they wish to have a child, they can send their spirits into the womb to help it conceive.” Zhang Qi shook his head and said, “There are too few such people. They can’t compare to the number of the dead. Moreover, the living will continue to die, and the number of spirits will only increase. In the end, it will be impossible to get a place.”

Chen Ye nodded and said, "So, perhaps there is a second way. Reincarnation doesn't necessarily mean being reborn as a human. Flowers, birds, insects, fish, and all things in the world can also be used for the soul to reincarnate."

Zhang Qi was taken aback and exclaimed in shock, "Reincarnated as a non-human being? Isn't that...?"

“That’s right, it’s the worst option, so the Yellow Springs Sect will not force any souls to reincarnate unless they are willing to accept it themselves. The Yellow Springs Underworld is not a place to enjoy happiness, but only to give people a chance to start over. If you can wait, then wait; if you can’t wait, then you can only turn into nothingness.”

Chen Ye had long considered this problem. As the cycle of heaven and earth continues, if the number of living people increases, even the vast underworld will not be able to contain them all. There will always be wandering souls that disappear in unnoticed corners, and there will always be wandering souls whose minds are twisted and turn into thoroughly evil spirits.

Chen Ye couldn't control this matter; nothing in this world is perfect after all.

But when faced with two evils, choose the lesser. In this world without reincarnation, mortals live too miserable lives. Which of the ghosts in Fengdu City dies a natural death?
Chen Ye couldn't bear to do it, which is why he gave them a glimmer of hope.

Do your best, do as much as you can. Perhaps future generations will have better solutions. After Chen Ye's ascension, the new sect leader of the Yellow Springs Sect will be able to completely resolve the problem of the Six Paths of Reincarnation.

This was the first time Chen Ye had discussed his plans in detail with someone; even the Venerable One was unaware of many of the details of the Six Paths of Reincarnation.

But today, sitting down with Zhang Qi to discuss the Dao, I want to express all my thoughts.

Their paths corroborate each other, and only those who are compatible can entrust their lives to one another.

After listening to what Chen Ye had to say, Zhang Qi remained silent for a long time.

Chen Ye waited patiently, waiting for this number one person in the world to give his evaluation, and also waiting for him to bring up the most crucial topic.

Zhang Qi's days are numbered; if he doesn't ascend to immortality, he will die.

And he just asked so many questions about the underworld, I wonder if he wants to stay in the mortal world as a ghost?
Chen Ye didn't even dare to think that if Zhang Qi's ghost were in the Ten Thousand Souls Banner, wouldn't he be able to walk sideways from then on?
Chen Ye directly commissioned Zhang Qi to have the largest golden statue made and enshrined it in the City God Pavilion of the Yellow Springs Palace, waiting for this lord to become a god through incense offerings, then the Yellow Springs Sect could truly rest easy from then on.

However, after waiting for a long time, Chen Ye received Zhang Qi's words: "If that's the case, then I can rest assured. At least before you ascend, the Yellow Springs Sect will not degenerate into a demonic sect."

Chen Ye waited a while longer, but Zhang Qi only smiled and remained silent. Chen Ye couldn't help but ask, "Master Zhang, after hearing what this junior has said, don't you have any...?"

Not knowing how to put his words into action, Chen Ye couldn't very well say to Zhang Qi, "Hurry up and die, then enter my Ten Thousand Soul Banner."

Zhang Qi saw through Chen Ye's thoughts at a glance and laughed, "You don't necessarily think I want to transform into a ghost and stay in this mortal world, do you?"

Chen Ye quickly said, "Please forgive my rudeness, Master Zhang. Since you mentioned that your days are numbered and asked me about the Yellow Springs and the Underworld, I naturally couldn't help but think about it. If you have any concerns, Master Zhang, please tell me in detail, and I will do my best to relieve you of any worries."

Zhang Qi laughed loudly, "Hahaha, you are honest. It's better to show your greed on your face than to hide it in your heart. However, I'm afraid I'm going to disappoint you. The so-called ascension to immortality means being unacceptable to this world. Whether I live or die, I will be expelled from this world."

Chen Ye, somewhat unwilling to give up, asked, "Master Zhang, perhaps there's still a chance if we try. Before me, there was no Yellow Springs Underworld or Six Paths of Reincarnation, was there?"

Master Zhang shook his head and said, "That's because you haven't yet attained the Dao. Once you reach that level, you'll understand the immense power of heaven and earth. We cultivators may seem to have mastered bodies capable of moving mountains and filling seas, but compared to this vast world, we are ultimately just larger ants."

“I am currently enduring the torment of being crushed by billions of forces every moment, and I am only able to resist with my cultivation. When I can no longer hold on, my soul will be completely shattered, and there will be no way to escape it. My days are numbered, and I am certain to die. You don’t need to worry about my soul.”

Chen Ye couldn't help but ask, "Then why doesn't the True Immortal ascend to heaven? Since he can no longer take care of this mortal realm, why not ascend to the Immortal Realm and perhaps have a chance to return?"

Zhang Qi shook his head and said, "The so-called 'harmony with the Dao' means to lift a corner of this world and glimpse the truth of the Great Dao. Once you see the Great Dao, you will know the reason. You only need to know that there have been many people throughout history who did not want to ascend. How do you think the Demonic Sect managed to gather eighteen Demon Lords? Isn't it because these demons did not want to ascend to the Immortal Realm?"

"The Great Dao...the Truth..."

Chen Ye frowned. He couldn't help but think of the "Ksitigarbha Sutra" he had obtained. This celestial book still had many secrets that had not been unlocked, but he had indeed heard sighs hidden in the sutra when he was cultivating it.

Why can't hell be empty? Why do those who are forever condemned to hell curse all the gods and Buddhas?
This was the ethereal sound that Chen Ye heard.

Legend has it that the Heavenly Book is related to the creator of the world and contains all the secrets of the world, while the Dao Integration is to glimpse the true Dao. Is there any connection between the two?

As he pondered this, Chen Ye's fingers unconsciously formed a series of hand seals.

Divination was a technique Chen Ye hadn't used in a long time, and this time he couldn't help but start divination. However, as soon as he started, most of the eighteen Qi Seas in Chen Ye's body were already drained.

Chen Ye, oblivious to the situation, instinctively tried to deduce the relationship between the Ksitigarbha Sutra and the Heavenly Way.

Zhang Qi frowned, and with lightning speed, tapped Chen Ye on the head.

Chen Ye's body, which he had cultivated to the point of near indestructibility, was struck so hard that he felt dizzy and disoriented, as if hundreds of thousands of bronze bells were exploding in his mind, and he immediately fainted.

After an unknown amount of time, Chen Ye finally woke up. In the hall, there were still only himself and Zhang Qi.

Upon seeing Chen Ye wake up, Zhang Qi exclaimed in surprise, "Your physical body is amazing! I thought you would be unconscious for at least three days, but you woke up in just half a day?"

Chen Ye touched his head; there were no marks or pain, as if everything before had been an illusion.

Zhang Qi comforted him, "Don't worry, I held back and only cut off a wisp of your delusions. Although you are exceptionally talented, the Heavenly Dao is not something you can deduce at will. If you want to ponder this matter, wait until you reach the Returning Void Realm, otherwise you will surely die."

Chen Ye was also filled with lingering fear. How could he have been so arrogant as to deduce the truth of the Heavenly Dao?
If it weren't for Zhang Qi's intervention, he would have been a dried-up corpse long ago.

Chen Ye immediately prostrated himself before Zhang Qi, saying, "I will never forget your life-saving grace."

This time, Zhang Qi accepted Chen Ye's bow without hesitation. After Chen Ye stood up, Zhang Qi said, "Don't just talk the talk. When I die, the Qinghe Sword Sect will still need the help of your Huangquan Sect."

Upon hearing this, Chen Ye sighed and asked, "Is there really no way at all?"

Zhang Qi laughed heartily and said to Chen Ye, "There is no such thing as a perfect life. Life and death are predetermined. I, Zhang Qi, have lived for over a thousand years and have no regrets. I can be considered to have died a peaceful death. You younger generation should encourage yourselves instead of lamenting over my rusty sword."

"I will not be able to personally offer my congratulations on the day the Yellow Springs Sect is founded."

(End of this chapter)