Immortal Mystery Sequence: I Establish a Divine Duty for Heaven and Earth

[Sequence Evolution Log]

[Year 69]

April.

New Apple City, the underground council chamber.

Dozens of herbalists from various departments gathered together, their expressions shifting between light and shadow, creating a solemn and dignified atmosphere.

Luo Jin, seated at the head of the table, declared loudly, "I have gathered you all here today for one matter. Due to the conflict between the Buddhist and Taoist sects, we have inadvertently uncovered the clandestine activities of my Ruixue Hall. This matter is not to be underestimated; we must take precautions. Regardless of whether the Buddhist and Taoist sects will target my Ruixue Hall, for the sake of the safety of the tens of thousands of brothers in the Five Cities Hall, we cannot linger in the city!"

"When we first entered the city, it was for the sake of the flourishing of agriculture and to secretly win over the hearts and minds of the people from all directions! Now we are leaving the city, just as the will of the people and for the safety of those above and below us!"

"Therefore, starting from today, the various branches of Ruixuetang in the five cities will be evacuated from the cities in an orderly manner, first remaining in the villages and towns outside the cities, and then moving to Taiping City in batches."

"Lord Luo has already visited all the mountains and surveyed the area around Taiping. He intends to build a second agricultural city called Bailu. Now is the time when he needs people."

Upon hearing this, the various herbalists discussed it in hushed tones, and then each expressed their own opinions.

"Withdraw? We've been operating in these five cities for over ten years... Wouldn't it be far too hasty to just withdraw like this? The Buddhist and Taoist sects only managed to breach one of our strongholds; they might not even know it's Ruixue Hall. Is it really necessary to go to such lengths?"

"I think that since we have already revealed our presence, we should not stay any longer. It is best to leave in time. It is better to be prepared than not. Our agricultural path is not good at warfare. If we run into them head-on, we will probably be in grave danger."

"...Leaving like this is truly unbearable! All my years of hard work going to waste in a single day?"

"Survival is the most important thing! As the saying goes, 'Where there's life, there's hope!'"

This time, Luo Jin did not consult anyone else's opinion; the situation was urgent and could not be delayed.

"This is an order, not a discussion! The entire Ruixue Hall is hereby ordered to evacuate in an orderly manner according to the established evacuation route. There must be no fighting or disruption of the overall situation. The main members of the hall will go first, followed by the branch hall leaders who will bring up the rear and evacuate last. Anyone who disobeys this order may be executed by the respective branch hall to stabilize morale and secure the overall situation!"

"Execute it immediately!"

People have different opinions, but no one refuted them, and they all dispersed.

Xu Lin hurriedly said, "Master, since we're leaving, you should set off quickly! This place is not safe to stay any longer!"

Luo Jin remained unmoved.

"Didn't you hear the order? The members of each branch go first, and the incense masters go last... How can I, as the branch master, leave first?"

"Master..."

"Now that we are suddenly taking steps to withdraw and avoid trouble, the people are in turmoil and their hearts are unsettled. If I leave first, who will be able to calm the people down? At that time, the five cities will surely be in chaos. Only if I stay behind to hold the line can we control the situation."

"Moreover, I have been troubled by my inner demons for many years, and I dare not face life and death, nor the Buddhist and Taoist schools. The shadows in my heart have been accumulating for many years... Now, am I supposed to be like the grass on the wall, protecting others while I go first? To walk away against the wind? At that time, my Taoist heart will probably collapse, and I will never be able to break through my inner demons again."

"The best course of action now is for you to lead the evacuation while I stabilize the rear. This is the best course of action!"

Xu Lin hesitated for a long time, but ultimately remained silent.

"yes!"

The massive evacuation of the five cities began in earnest! The insect spirits relayed messages to all sides, and the various branches in the five cities moved with the wind.

Documents were burned, secret passages were sealed, strongholds were closed, and food and supplies that could not be taken were distributed to the people on the spot, while valuables that could not be taken were buried on the spot... The relocation was completed quickly!

Everything proceeded in an orderly manner, appearing from above like the receding tide, the dark mass dissipating in all directions.

As people left the various cities, they were all somewhat unwilling. Such a good opportunity for development had been ruined by a small accident that forced everyone to evacuate... But with the leader's order, no one dared to disobey!

Outside the five cities, numerous members of the sect gathered and migrated into Taiping City in different batches according to different orders.

Many people were reluctant to leave their homeland and couldn't help but cover their faces and weep. However, in the face of life and death, they also set off, hoping to see the light of day in Taiping City and truly enjoy peace.

Xu Lin skillfully navigated between various parties, overseeing the evacuation of the five cities and maintaining stability.

May.

The Buddhist and Taoist sects barely managed to free up their resources to launch a series of large-scale investigations, searches, interrogations, surveillance, and purges in various cities.

However, now that things have come to this, because Ruixuecheng evacuated in time and took the lead, the stronghold was sealed off and the clues were cut off.

All attempts to cleanse the area from all sides came to nothing.

August.

The investigation yielded no results, and both Buddhism and Taoism found nothing in their efforts to cleanse the agricultural community.

The two sides had a long-standing grudge and did not bother to investigate further. Their conflict escalated, and the guardians of Buddhism and Taoism could be seen openly fighting each other in the streets. Every fight inevitably led to bloodshed, and people were terrified and fled the area!

Of those who remained in the city, only one in five survived; nine out of ten houses were empty.

At the end of December, during the Spring Festival.

New Apple City.

Luo Jin received the latest news.

"All the five city branches have been evacuated with very few casualties. More members have been transferred to Taiping City. The total population has exceeded 120,000. The city's foundation is becoming increasingly stable, and it is showing signs of becoming a large city! Construction of Bailu City has officially begun... City Lord Luo is personally overseeing the project, and it is progressing smoothly."

"The rear is now secure. Please leave the city as soon as possible, Master."

call--

He breathed a sigh of relief, finally feeling completely at ease.

This evacuation did not end in a disastrous defeat in the serf rebellion, but rather as a tactical retreat. Therefore, he felt increasingly clear-headed and at ease, and the inner demons of the past seemed to have completely ceased to trouble his heart.

It's time to evacuate!

[Year 70]

January.

boom!

With the last underground stronghold destroyed, Luo Jin signaled to his close confidants to prepare for evacuation.

Xu Lin suddenly returned, looking travel-worn.

Luo Jin was puzzled: "Now... all the five city branches have withdrawn, leaving only me and a few trusted confidants to make the final evacuation. What are you still worried about? Why did you personally enter the city to meet us?"

But Xu Lin was unusually agitated.

"Master, this mission to enter the city to provide assistance is only one part of our plan. There is another important secret that I need to tell you! Only you can know about it!"

She lowered her voice, looked around, and carefully revealed the secret, keeping it to herself.

"Master! So the conflict between Buddhism and Taoism has escalated to the point of being irreconcilable, all because of one person! One living, breathing person!"

"Living people? Aren't they here for the inheritance of the [Immortal Path]?"

"Yes! Master! The person both sides are vying for is none other than the current inheritor of the [Immortal Path], and both sides have confirmed that this person is currently in Xinping City! Therefore, a decisive battle is about to erupt between the Buddhist and Taoist sects within the city!"

"How could you know these things?! Now that all five city branches have withdrawn and their spies are gone, how could you know such Buddhist and Taoist secrets?"

"This is all because the news is false. In fact, the successor is right here..." Xu Lin stopped abruptly and clutched her neck as if she were suffocating.

"Ho-ho-ho-"

Immediately afterwards, her eyes rolled back rapidly, blood flowed from her seven orifices, and her body went limp as mud!

Luo Jin was shocked and suddenly hugged her tightly...

She kept opening her mouth, trying to speak, determined to tell her master this ancient secret, even if it meant death.

"Right...right..."

But she couldn't utter a single word.

The next moment, her body turned red rapidly, her face contorted in agony, as if her flesh and blood were about to melt!

puff!

Her head exploded on the spot, blood and flesh splattering everywhere like rain!

Xu Lin is dead!!

He died suddenly because of a secret!

Luo Jin knelt on the ground, covered in blood and his face burning hot.

He watched helplessly as his beloved disciple died in his arms, still trying to tell him the so-called ancient secret before he died!

How could this be?!

How could this be?!

He stood there stunned, and in a daze, he recalled the night more than 30 years ago when the seventh-ranked official emerged from seclusion. It was just as sudden and unexpected. Luo Dazhuang, with half a broken body, knelt in front of him and handed him only half of Li Shitou's severed finger!

Human fortune and misfortune, sunshine and rain, waxing and waning, are never up to us!

This... this could be some kind of legendary ancient secret technique?!

Because the secret Xu Lin was about to reveal involved secrets that neither Buddhism nor Taoism could disclose to the public, Xu Lin died as a result. But this was a secret technique that only ancient immortals and great cultivators could use. Could there really be such a master hidden within Buddhism and Taoism?!

That's right! Who said that the old monk who killed thousands with a single palm strike in the past is now the strongest in the Buddhist sect of Ruitu?!

But how could he accept the death of his disciple right before his eyes?!

boom!

boom--!

Just then!

Two surging pressures, one from Buddha and one from Tao, rose into the sky, as if two towering mountains had suddenly risen from the ground.

Rumble! Rumble!!

The entire new city of Apple was roaring intensely under the strain!

In the eastern part of the city, a golden Buddha suddenly appeared in the sky. Its golden body was a hundred feet tall and sat cross-legged. The golden lotus beneath its seat was dazzling and bright. The Buddha's light was like a great sun hanging in the sky, blocking out the sun and dominating the sky. The supreme Buddha's light gushed out like a waterfall.

The golden Buddha lowered its brows and eyes, formed a mudra with its hands, and uttered a Buddhist chant. Its voice was like a great bell, resounding throughout the surrounding area!

"Amitabha Buddha, the Buddha is merciful! If you, benefactor, persist in your delusions and attempt to pursue the immortal path that does not belong to your esteemed sect, then do not blame this humble monk for unleashing a massacre today!"

The sound of Buddhist chants resounded through the void, and the golden Buddha's body revealed a ferocious and malevolent appearance, shaking the heavens and earth, and exuding murderous intent! It covered the dome!

The Buddha's light was suddenly filled with streaks of scarlet blood light, which spread all over the lotus seat!

Immediately, towards the west of the city.

A white rainbow of sword light shot into the sky, condensing into a hundred-foot-long sword. The sword's body was pure white, and the void was torn apart wherever the sword's edge pointed, causing all things to wither and decay.

A vast, ancient figure stood atop the sword, his Taoist robe fluttering in the wind, his hands forming hand seals within his sleeves, his voice as clear and resonant as a booming bell.

"Amitabha! This path to immortality originated from my Daoist school, and I have made up my mind to take it today! If Heaven does not grant it, I will defy Heaven; what do I have to fear from a mere bald monk!"

"What arrogance you speak! After the collapse of the heavens, all things are empty; what then is the origin of anything?"

"That bald monk is asking for death!!"

boom!!

Boom boom boom!!!

The Dao Sword slashed down fiercely! The Golden Buddha pushed horizontally with a single palm strike!

The sword and the Buddha's palm collided in mid-air, instantly causing the world to lose its color and all things to perish!

The terrifying Buddhist and Taoist principles spread layer upon layer, causing everything in their path to collapse and shatter! Bricks, rubble, earth, and vegetation were swept into the sky, swirling into a turbid wave!

An earth-shattering battle between Buddhism and Taoism has thus begun!

The sword light surged like a tide, each line connecting and uneven, weaving a white rainbow and moon in front of the Buddha, like a celestial maiden scattering flowers, or dragons and snakes rushing about!

Yet the Buddha's body remained unmoved, each palm thrusting out, golden palm prints encompassing the convergence of all rivers into the sea, the swastika reaching to the heavens, a vast expanse of palms stacked upon each other, solidifying like a celestial river hanging upside down, the sun and moon overturned!

As they clashed with the sword net, bells and chimes rang out in unison, and gongs and drums resounded endlessly!

The sound of the waves is enough to destroy the entire city!

Earth and rocks floated into the air, the earth was torn apart, and countless innocent people were easily buried in it, creating a scene of overwhelming blood-red clouds!

In an instant, the number of dead and injured far exceeded tens of thousands!

Just then, the Buddha suddenly changed his stance, his lowered eyebrows abruptly lifted, and his pupils shone with brilliant golden light.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

A palm descended from the sky, its Buddhist light splattering into a rain of blood, transforming into a towering blood palm. Between the spread fingers, countless ferocious and grotesque figures could be seen hidden in the palm lines.

Boom boom boom!

The sword was held horizontally, its blade forcefully blocking the bloody palm.

With a muffled groan, the swordsman released a white pill from his sleeve, which exploded and turned into a cloud of white mist that enveloped the sword.

Swish swish!

Stimulated by the white mist, the blood palm froze slightly for a moment. Taking advantage of the opening, the Taoist swung his sword and sent the blood palm flying thousands of feet away. The sword light surged instantly, transforming into ten thousand white swords that swallowed clouds and spewed mist, enveloping everything in all directions.

"—Under the Dao Sword, all laws are shattered!"

Boom boom boom boom boom—!

All the swords were severed, and the blood-red palm exploded with countless cracks, its Buddhist light fading as if it were about to collapse.

Amidst the low laughter of the Buddha, golden lotuses swirled, and the power of the blood palm vanished. Then, with a flick of his sleeve, a string of Buddhist beads flew out, growing longer in the wind, each bead the size of a millstone, and crashed into the Dao sword.

Click click click click click!

The sword vibrated seven times, cracks appeared, and then it fled with a mournful cry. The swordsman flew away and spat out a mouthful of blood.

At the same time, the Buddha's body trembled violently, and the golden light peeled away inch by inch, revealing the scarlet, hideous, putrid flesh beneath!

The horizon is filled with the ferocious evil of bloodshed!

Under this decisive battle, Xinping City was already overwhelmed and collapsed, turning into billowing smoke and dust that swept across the sky!

The trusted confidant took Luo Jin and Xu Lin's corpses and escaped the city hundreds of miles away by earth-遁 (earth-遁 is a type of magic or magic). Immediately afterwards, the sky darkened, the heavens and earth collapsed, and all things turned into nothingness!

The entire area of ​​Xinping City, spanning hundreds of miles, was razed to the ground!