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

[Sequence Evolution Log]

[Year 70]

December.

In winter, the north wind is as sharp as a knife.

Luo Jin slowly opened his eyes and got up. The depression that had accumulated in his limbs and bones for decades vanished in an instant. His chronic illness was gone, and his body was no longer sick. In a moment, his mind was clear and his heart was bright!

"Quickly bring me food and water! Hurry!"

The confidant was instantly excited. The leader, who had not eaten or drunk for a long time, had finally overcome his old mental illness and recovered.

Great! !

Before long, a huge amount of food and water were delivered.

Luo Jin sat at the table and grabbed the food with his hands, stuffing it into his mouth frantically, making a complete mess of his eating habits.

He must live!!

He must live a good life!

Because behind him were so many people who were willing to sacrifice their lives to support him and the agricultural cause!

He can die, but not now, not in a cowardly way on this sickbed!

Beside him, the woman in plain clothes was stunned and speechless upon seeing his appearance. Just moments ago, he was a sickly man on the verge of death, but in the blink of an eye, he had become a lively and healthy man, completely different from a normal person.

For some reason, she felt a sense of relief.

Luo Jin glanced at her: "Aren't you leaving yet? Are you waiting for me to invite you to dinner? Leave quickly... The longer you stay at Ruixue Hall, the more dangerous it becomes for us!"

The woman in plain clothes didn't move. After a brief silence, she walked to the table, sat down, and looked at him expressionlessly.

Luo Jin: "...?"

Are you all right?

I was just being polite, you actually ate it?

The woman in plain clothes spoke, "I feel guilty towards your Ruixue Hall, so before I depart, there are some things I need to tell you!"

"Firstly, the conflict between Buddhism and Taoism won't last long... Once they realize I'm not in Xinping City, they'll soon begin a search. Although Taiping and Bailu are remote, once the Buddhist and Taoist sects are determined to search, there's nowhere they won't leave. Ruixue Hall doesn't have much time left, and neither do you."

"Whether you choose to relocate and hide completely, or submit and beg for survival, is entirely up to you."

"As for resistance... After the decisive battle between Buddhism and Taoism, all the high-level cultivators on both sides suffered heavy losses and it will be difficult to use their true cultivation strength in the short term. After the collapse of the heavens, their cultivation suffered severe backlash, and even those who survived encountered unknown changes in their cultivation. Any previous attacks would have been severely injured."

"This may be your opportunity, but I do not recommend that you break ties with Buddhism and Taoism at this moment. The foundation of the agricultural path is still shallow, and it is not good at fighting and clashing head-on. I am afraid that a direct confrontation will only lead to more disaster than good... I really do not want to see such a rare and unique path of professional cultivation disappear into the long river of history like those past traditions."

Luo Jin found it strange; he could tell that the woman in plain clothes was genuinely worried about the survival and future of Ruixuetang.

This feeling of someone in a high position showing compassion for someone in a lower position is weird... You're such a good actor, aren't you?

However, the other party has the right to say such things, and this news is indeed very important! The conflict between Buddhism and Taoism is about to end, and the high-level cultivators will not take action again in the short term, which gives Ruixuetang a rare chance to breathe!

"I've got it."

The woman in plain clothes hesitated for a moment, then said, "Secondly, our sect has undergone countless tribulations and has mastered the ability to predict the future's major causes and effects and calamities amidst the destruction of the mortal world. On the eve of the collapse of the heavens, our sect foresaw the impending calamity and made many preparations, which enabled the Immortal Path to survive the destruction."

"That is why we people have always had the ability to make our predictions come true, and many of our predictions have been proven correct in later generations."

Luo Jin: "...?"

What does it mean?

Why bring this up all of a sudden... to show off? Perhaps you have some important intelligence to share?

"Therefore, I have foreseen that a great calamity is coming to Ruitu. In as little as twenty or thirty years, or as long as forty or fifty years, Ruitu, which has only been established for sixty years, may be completely overthrown again!"

Swish!

Luo Jin's pupils suddenly contracted.

"Therefore, even if you don't hand me over, I plan to leave soon to prepare for my next reincarnation in order to survive this great calamity in Ruitu..."

"I originally didn't intend to tell anyone this news. Buddhism and Taoism should both die now. If Ruitu is destroyed and the Buddhist and Taoist lineage is completely severed, it might be a good thing. But in the great calamity, hundreds of millions of innocent people will lose their lives. Your Agricultural Taoism and Ruixue Hall... will not be spared and will cease to exist."

"I feel indebted to you and to Xu Lin, which is why I'm reminding you of this: make plans early and take care."

After saying that, she got up to leave.

Luo Jin sat at the table, his expression blank, as if struck by lightning, his scalp tingling.

I was stunned by this news!

Within twenty or thirty years, the land of Rui will be overthrown by a great calamity, and hundreds of millions of lives will be lost.

Therefore, the conflict between Buddhism and Taoism, the infiltration of Ruixue Hall, the evacuation of the five cities, and all the other schemes were nothing more than a drop in the ocean compared to this monstrous disaster.

This is a guaranteed death trap! How can we possibly survive?!

After watching the woman in plain clothes leave, he paused, then suddenly spoke, "Sir—could you tell me the name of your esteemed sect? And how should I address you?"

The woman in plain clothes turned around and looked at him.

"We disciples are destined to go through countless lifetimes of tribulations, and we do not like to have too many karmic entanglements with outsiders. After all, the accumulation of karma from each lifetime is a huge burden on the heart of the Dao... But since we have already told you so much by chance, and it is destined to involve countless karmas, it is no harm to tell you."

"My name is Gushe Xian."

[Year 71]

After the fairy Gu She left.

Luo Jin quickly settled the two cities of Taiping and Bailu, and elected a new lord of Taiping City—Qi Ping.

This person is calm and decisive, upright in character, efficient in handling affairs, and unperturbed in the face of adversity. He is already the second person to achieve the seventh rank of perfection after him.

Luo Jin ordered Qi Ping to halt all city construction and expansion, tighten the defenses inward, and implement a scorched-earth policy. If the Buddhist and Taoist sects came to investigate, he was instructed to delay as much as possible, avoid exposure, and refrain from provoking them. However, he was also instructed not to surrender and to firmly uphold the foundation of agriculture.

Afterwards, he went into seclusion in a hidden place outside Taiping City to begin his attempt to break through to the sixth rank!

He could vaguely sense that there was a world of difference between the sixth rank and the previous three ranks. It might bring about a complete transformation for him. Once he broke through, it would be a whole new world. At that time, he might be qualified to sit at the same table and compete with the Buddhist and Taoist sects!

February.

The debate between Buddhism and Taoism has indeed come to an end.

Both sides drew an invisible line on the ruins of Xinping City and rested. Then, they successively dispatched people in all directions to search for the whereabouts of Gu Shexian.

The cities, villages, and wilderness along the way were all carefully examined.

March.

Even though Ruixuetang had tried its best to keep a low profile, its whereabouts were still discovered in Taiping City.

Initially, only a few Buddhist and Taoist disciples wandered around outside, but later, more and more Buddhist and Taoist cultivators gathered there, regarding the vitality of the agricultural life in this place as a deadly threat. When the news spread back to the major cities, the attention of both Buddhist and Taoist sects turned to this deeply hidden agricultural land.

There are even suspicions that Gu Shexian is likely hiding in the city.

The old peasant hall couldn't be wiped out during the serf rebellion, so this time the people of the Ruixue Hall in the city must be completely wiped out, preferably without leaving a single one alive.

As a result, Buddhist and Taoist forces from all directions gathered and sped toward the location of Taiping Bailu.

The enemy is at the city gates.

A massacre is about to unfold along the farm road.

April.

The people of Taiping City were filled with fear and dread, seeing danger everywhere.

Today, the total number of agricultural cultivators in Ruixuetang has officially exceeded 10,000, including 157 seventh-grade herbalists. However, such a scale is still far from enough compared to the Buddhist and Taoist sects.

Every day, Buddhist and Taoist figures could be seen outside the city walls. They shouted slogans such as "Open the city gates and surrender to save your life; continue to resist and when the city falls, not a single chicken or dog will be spared." More and more people inside the city were uncontrollably wavering and restless.

Public sentiment was turbulent and everyone felt insecure.

Many people have even considered abandoning the city and fleeing, and some even believe that as long as they surrender to the Buddhist and Taoist sects, they can prevent a massacre.

More and more people are willing to surrender in order to survive.

is the day.

All seven ranks gathered together to discuss countermeasures.

Qi Ping has already abandoned Bailu City and is holding firm to Taiping City, openly adhering to two distinct paths.

First, hold the city and do not move; never abandon the city, never surrender!

Judging from the fate of Xinpingcheng, surrender means certain death!

Secondly, it buys time. If the sect leader can break through to the next realm, there might still be a chance if the high-level cultivators of both the Buddhist and Taoist sects cannot be mobilized!

May.

A major crackdown by Buddhism and Taoism on agriculture has officially begun.

The flames of war have been completely ignited!

Buddhist and Taoist practitioners, along with numerous Buddhist disciples and Taoist followers, launched a coordinated attack on Taiping!

Late May.

The flames of war have spread far and wide, reaching the outskirts of Taiping City.

Buddhist and Taoist cultivators formed a battle formation and launched an attack on the city walls from the steep cliffs on the north and south sides. Buddhist light and Taoist magic intertwined, overwhelming and crushing everything in their path, accompanied by deafening shouts of battle.

The defenders on the city walls fought desperately, but their morale was low, and their army collapsed like a house of cards.

The first full-scale assault nearly caused the southern wall defenses to collapse, and it seemed that the city was about to fall in an instant!

Qi Ping stood on the city wall, looking back at the tens of thousands of people inside the city who were eagerly anticipating his arrival. He trembled with fear. Looking out at the dark mass of Buddhist and Taoist figures outside the city, the crowd was bustling with activity.

This can't go on!

With morale low and the army collapsing like a house of cards, the only way to keep going is to win a decisive victory that will revitalize the nation!

It's his turn to make a move!

"At this rate, we won't last three days. The city will fall, the roads will be destroyed, and all the people will become victims of our blades... If we can find a glimmer of hope, are you willing to come with me on this journey?"

The numerous seventh-rank herbalists standing around all stood solemnly, but some of them had a flicker in their eyes, seemingly intimidated by the imposing presence of the Buddhist and Taoist sects, and were showing signs of retreating.

Qi Ping suddenly turned around and faced the outside of the city.

"I will take the lead and establish my agricultural path! I urge you all to follow me and dedicate yourselves to the cause of agriculture—!"

Swish!

As he stepped out of the city wall, countless roots and plants supported him, suspending him in mid-air, and the spiritual energy of the agricultural path surged around him like a great tide.

Swish swish!

He formed a hand seal, and in an instant, the spiritual energy of the plants and trees within a hundred miles converged!

Wild grass, wildflowers, good seeds, crops, vines, dead trees—every inch of life and every bit of spirit on earth is like a hundred rivers flowing into the sea, frantically contracting and gathering, drawing away from the earth, and transforming into a long, emerald rainbow that stretches across the sky!

Boom boom boom!

Boom boom boom boom—!

The earth trembled violently, shaking all directions. A giant dragon, formed from the intertwined roots of countless plants, roared out of the ground and soared into the sky.

With its proud dragon head raised and its winding body coiled, its dark blue scales rustling and swirling, it moved with the grace of a startled swan and the agility of a swimming dragon!

Whoohoo!

The moment it took to the air, the Buddhist and Taoist cultivators' ranks were utterly overturned, screams shook the heavens, and hundreds were killed or wounded!

"Ahhhhh—"

"What is that?! What is that...?"

"Quickly activate the Dragon-Trapping Lock!"

Swish!

Swish, swish, swish—!

Suddenly, a fierce golden light appeared on the horizon, spreading outwards. Thousands of Buddhist disciples and Taoist practitioners joined forces to form an array. Giant golden chains flashed from the void, like a net covering the dragon, binding it tightly in mid-air!

clank!

Clang—!

The chains tightened, and the dragon struggled and thrashed about, its scales shattering, showing signs of imminent collapse!

An ancient and stern voice echoed from all directions, laced with sarcasm: "A mere little grass dragon ear dares to try and overturn the heavens?"

Qi Ping felt a sweet taste in his throat, a violent backlash surging into his heart, causing him to spit out blood on the spot! Yet he did not retreat an inch, remaining high at the core of the battle formation, and loudly proclaimed: "All the peasant cultivators of Ruixue Hall—the time for your death has come—!"

"If any of you still wish to be slaves and dogs of those Buddhist and Taoist high-ranking families, then stay in the city until the war ends, and perhaps you can find a way to survive! But I, Qi Ping, am the city lord of Taiping City, and a herbalist of the third realm of the Agricultural Dao—"

He raised his hand and pointed fiercely at the Buddhist and Taoist temples outside, looking down with disdain. The wind and thunder roared like drums!

"I refuse to be a foe between Buddhism and Taoism! I, Qi Ping, would rather die standing than live kneeling!"

He finished speaking.

His face showed a resolute expression, and his flesh and blood exploded at the same time!

Puff puff puff!

The next moment, his body transformed into a burst of clear, emerald-green spiritual light, a white rainbow piercing the sun, and poured into the body of the dragon!

The dragon trembled violently and roared skyward.

Click click click click!

The gold chain tightened simultaneously, showing no sign of breaking free!

On the city wall.

The many herbalists looked at each other, when suddenly one of them burst into song and strode out of the city wall.

"Hahahahaha—! I, Li He, am not killed by Buddhism or Taoism today! I die to pave the way for establishing a new life! Our descendants need not remember me, but only remember that this great path of agriculture will endure for ten thousand generations!"

"Brother Qi, wait a moment!! Your humble brother is here!"

puff! !

Flesh and blood exploded, and greenery soared into the sky!

Following closely behind, the second, the third... all bravely faced death, determined to walk the same path together!

"Slow down! Slow down! Slow down again!! I'm here too—!"

"Today I shall depart, and future generations need not remember me!"

Puff puff puff puff—!

One by one, the seventh-rank herbalists exploded their physical bodies, and bursts of green light, like spring rain, disappeared into the dragon!

With each ray of spiritual light that entered, the dragon grew stronger, its scales became sharper, and its radiance became even brighter!

"Buddhist and Taoist scoundrels, remember this well!!!! My third realm of the Agricultural Path is called the Imperial Herbalist! This move is called the Root of the Rock Dragon—nothing but a mere grass dragon, but a rock dragon that shakes the earth and ignites the sun—!"

Boom!!!

Boom boom boom boom—!

The dragon's body swelled up again!

A hundred feet!

Two hundred zhang!

Three hundred zhang!

The golden chain shattered inch by inch, golden dust flew everywhere, and the light of the Dao disintegrated in an instant, turning into scattered fragments of sunlight.

Between heaven and earth, it seemed as if only a divine dragon, its entire body emerald green, was coiled in mid-air, its head raised straight to the sky, soaring into the heavens and earth, its aura swallowing mountains and rivers!

His body radiated a spiritual light that poured down like a waterfall, stretching for miles, hundreds of miles, thousands of miles, and even tens of thousands of miles, enveloping the entire Taiping City in a shimmering blue glow!

The Buddhist and Taoist monks outside the city looked up at the enormous creature and were momentarily stunned and speechless!

The dragon lowered its head to look down at the earth, then rose with the wind, soaring into the sky!

Boom boom boom boom boom boom—!!!

The earth shook in all directions, and countless spiritual forces from plants surged wildly into the body of the dragon, tilting the sky and covering the surrounding fields!

One hundred and fifty-seven officials all went to their deaths, and the earth shook and the sun and moon were overturned!

Every person on the rural roads of the city wept blood, their voices rang out with their lives, a powerful and resounding cry, vowing never to be enslaved...

To live a splendid life, and to die a resolute one!

The sky and earth changed color! Darkness descended upon the world!

Both Buddhist and Taoist practitioners were terrified, and countless people trembled with fear.

How could such a small farm road, which they all regarded as worthless, possess such earth-shattering power?!

Impossible! This is impossible!!

suddenly.

A loud shout came from outside Taiping City—

"Stop! As long as I, Luo Jin, am alive, it's not up to anyone else to die for Taiping City!!"

"Stop it, all of you—!!!!!"