Chapter 1 Appropriate for the Mortal Realm

When one person attains the Dao, the world trembles in fear. This saying is most appropriate for the mortal realm at this moment.

The most obvious change is that most immortals have lost the high spirits they possessed when they first ascended. Some don't care because they have no desire to improve, while others are restless, seemingly lacking the confidence to survive the myriad virtues tribulation.

But there are also those whose spirits remain vibrant, showing excitement towards this new immortal tribulation, as if they see it as a challenge to themselves.

"Ten thousand virtues are nothing, even a hundred and five thousand virtues are nothing."

Bixia Yuanjun and Kaitian Hongsheng Emperor are the most relaxed about this. One has guarded Mount Tai for many years, detaining evil ghosts and sending many fox immortals to act as city gods and earth gods to do good. Especially in the Mount Tai area, incense is flourishing every year, and Yuanjun often shows her divine power. The accumulation of her virtuous deeds is far more than a hundred and five thousand.

Although Kaitian Hongsheng Emperor of Changbai Mountain cannot compare with Mount Tai in terms of virtuous deeds, and even has many evil deeds, he has many immortal families under his command. He drives the shamanic immortals under his command to do good deeds everywhere, and finally recites the divine name of Kaitian Shengdi. As long as things are done correctly, virtuous deeds will come.

This tribulation is terrifying because it is difficult for those who go their own way and have unevenly matched cultivators under their command to survive this life-threatening tribulation. But for those immortals who already pay attention to virtuous deeds, it is not a big deal at all.

It's just a little more troublesome than the previous thirteen hundred virtues.

And these people...

Are precisely the cultivators of the South Sea.

Lei Wang's brow is already deeply furrowed, along with the other two Fa Sect immortals who caught up with the opportunity to ascend, their brows are also tightly locked, and they remain so for a long time.

Fa Sect has many members of varying quality, and the things they do are not necessarily all good deeds. To dominate the South Sea, split Guangzhou into a nation, and even further associate with Western cultivators, these things, these territories, these developments, cannot be obtained by doing good deeds.

"I think this myriad virtues tribulation is targeting us! In the world, there are good and evil. In ten thousand virtues, one evil will undo all previous efforts. Where is there such a saying?"

Lei Wang looked at the other two immortals. At this moment, the Buddha Ghost said gloomily:

"Don't say that, there is indeed something ancient to be found in this."

"It is said that during the Wei and Jin Dynasties, when there was no definitive conclusion on demonic trials for the Golden Elixir Great Dao, there was a period when there was a method of testing with one evil undoing ten thousand virtues. However, that only existed in the classic legends of the Lingbao School. I am not from that era, so it is difficult to verify."

Lei Wang laughed: "That shows that the ancients were not stupid either. If one evil undoes ten thousand good deeds, and one needs to do another hundred and five thousand good deeds, then one will fall into the abyss with the slightest carelessness. If another evil occurs in the hundred and five thousand good deeds, wouldn't one have to do another hundred and five thousand good deeds?"

"If this continues in a cycle, the day of becoming an immortal and progressing will be far away. Who would still cultivate like this? Everyone would be lazy and have no desire to improve."

"The Lingbao School is, after all, the leader of Taoism, one of the Three Mountains. They have this much wisdom. However, according to the Master's statement, wouldn't that mean that the 'Demon King' who used this method to test the world back then has been released by someone?"

The Buddha Ghost smiled: "It's not necessarily released."

"I'm afraid this Demon King is on his way to the South Sea."

Lei Wang's expression changed drastically after thinking for a moment upon hearing this.

........

The East Flower Fairy also watched all of this. She was amazed that Ji Xiang had actually cultivated the Jade Purity Hidden Book to the sixteenth lesson, ranking as a Demon King from a small Heavenly Demon. The immortal scripture, which could not be cultivated in the world and should not have appeared at this moment, is now having an immeasurable impact on this world.

During the demonic trial just now, she even felt a faint demonic energy rising within her. After a little thought, she remembered that her soul had been absorbed into Ji Xiang's body in the past and had been contaminated by the demonic energy of the Jade Purity Hidden Book. Perhaps this had also opened up a path to the Demon King for her. As long as she studied, she might one day be able to rank among them.

However, she doesn't have such an idea at the moment.

"Receive!"

She stretched out her hand, and the True Spirit Rank Chart automatically wrapped up. When Ji Xiang withdrew from that blood sky, the East Flower Fairy pointed her finger, and a ray of spiritual light flew out on its own, landing in front of Ji Xiang.

Half of the control of the True Spirit Rank Chart was transferred, and Ji Xiang also nodded to her: "Before heading north, I will trouble the fairy to go south with me."

He looked at the True Spirit Rank Chart in his hand, thinking that the next time he encountered a Biyou Palace cultivator, if the other party took out the Qingping Sword, he would throw out the True Spirit Rank Chart. He wondered if the Spiritual Treasure Heavenly Lord could remotely retrieve it across the world...

"It's no trouble. Since I have already agreed to become the current national immortal, I will not feel good if the south is in chaos."

The East Flower Fairy thought that even if she changed her mind at the last minute, having settled the South Sea would still leave her a way out in the current dynasty. Building good relationships is the way to live in the world. If I help you today, you will help me in the future, just like this time. If she hadn't helped Ji Xiang back then, she wouldn't have had a chance to see the light of day again.

"You... who are you!"

The two immortals turned their heads at the same time. Outside the Great Yuan Treasure Hall, the cultivators who had not dared to approach due to the celestial phenomena and the immortal's tribulation, also mustered up their courage to come over after the bloody sky curtain dispersed. They naturally recognized Ji Xiang, but before they could step forward to congratulate him, they saw the East Flower Fairy, and their expressions trembled in shock.

They were shocked at how the other party had entered the Shangqing, and trembled at the aura on the other party's body, which was obviously also an immortal!

"Oh, a junior of the Shangqing."

The East Flower Fairy saw the Qingyi Sect Master and was not stingy. She could confirm that the person in front of her was indeed a Shangqing sect cultivator, so she drew a talisman in the void. A thunder talisman flew out from her fingertips and transformed into a scripture scroll in the Qingyi Sect Master's hand.

The Qingyi Sect Master was still stunned in place when the East Flower Fairy said: "The *Xuwu Jing* left by Tao Hongjing, the Ninth Patriarch of the Shangqing, does not require taking pills. You only need to recite the scriptures ten thousand times every day to increase your cultivation and communicate with the celestial deities for blessing, until you ascend to immortality."

"Speaking of which, I also have a connection with your Shangqing. Now that it is so declining, I will build a good relationship."

She casually bestowed an immortal scripture. Ji Xiang also casually sent out an immortal scripture, which made the East Flower Fairy glance at him. Then, he and Ji Xiang transformed into two immortal rainbows and soared into the sky, leaving the Qingyi Sect Master standing there blankly, holding the two precious scriptures for a long time.

Ji Xiang, on the other hand, did not notice the East Flower Fairy's unusual gaze. Instead, words from the Inner Vision Divine Tablet appeared in his eyes.

The essence of heaven and earth has begun to take effect!

After entering the realm of immortals, this source of great power from the fusion of ten thousand Qi has been completely refined, so three kinds of power can be used:

[Heavenly Spirit Inhalation: A person who possesses the essence of heaven and earth, after entering the immortal level, can transform all useless Qi in the world into spiritual Qi that can be cultivated!]

[Qi Yuan 충 시 (*Chong Shi*) : Operate the Qi of heaven and earth, divide its form and substance, use the essence of heaven and earth as a guide, and use one Qi to transform the phenomena of the world.]

[精象玄著 (Jing Xiang Xuan Zhu): Gather the Qi of heaven and earth, combine the essence, use the essence of heaven and earth as a guide, and use one Qi to create the phenomena of the world.]

In the sky, a storm gradually rises, and the clouds begin to fluctuate, surging like waves. This makes the East Flower Fairy unable to help but look around, her eyes filled with great wonder:

"What did you do?"

The Qi of heaven and earth moves with the body?

Penglai Immortal Art?

The spells of the ancient True Men of the Five Immortal Mountains appeared in the East Flower Fairy's mind as she listened to Ji Xiang's simple explanation:

"It's just a method of using Qi. I'm not very skilled yet."

"The use of Qi... You also have the methods of ancient Qi Refiners."

"Not quite the same... But I also know the spells of the Immortals. There are many good things from the pre-Qin era, but it's a pity that the path is difficult to cultivate, and the inheritance is cut off everywhere."

"After all, not everyone in the world has that kind of cultivation talent."

Two immortal rainbows streaked across the sky, approaching the South Sea boundary in almost an hour. The flying speed of immortals is incomparable to that of mortal cultivators. Hundreds of miles of mountains and rivers change scenery, but when approaching the South Sea, there is a huge incense barrier that appears across the sky.

"Hold down the immortal light, restrain your aura, and go to the St. Paul's Academy."

Ji Xiang's sudden request surprised the East Flower Fairy, and she laughed: "The place where the Western cultivators are? That's interesting. Aren't we going to the Fa Sect first? I thought you were pulling me along to directly break into their door."

"How can we be so rude? They have already surrendered. Forcibly tearing off their face is to oppose the people. Destroying the South Sea Fa Sect might not be difficult for me now, but at that time, the hearts of the people will be difficult to win over. We can't let the people of Guangzhou regard us as enemies, can we?"

Ji Xiang smiled calmly: "The Fa Sect is not a problem."

"Christ is the problem."

The East Flower Fairy's beautiful brows trembled slightly: "These Western people are so fearsome? You don't even dare to directly break into their door?"

"Better safe than sorry. No one knows Christ better than I do. Besides, there is Heavenly Will supporting this sect."

Ji Xiang was indeed a little worried. Originally, the focus of the South Sea trip was to guard against Christ. In the previous ascension incident, Christ was able to perform inter-world reception, which was indeed impressive.

In addition to the divine miracle, which can turn what is not into what is, and turn the fake into the real, he often uses divine miracles to turn the tables. It seems that as long as one reaches the level of a missionary and has enough accumulated virtuous deeds, one can use it, so it is really possible to capsize the boat if one is not careful.

Besides...

"If we go to the Fa Sect first, they will treat us well and send us away later, without getting any information. Although there is someone in the South Sea who has ascended to immortality, and there is even a thing called Buddha Ghost, I reckon he won't dare to shout randomly. After all, I have a big helper here."

As Ji Xiang spoke, the swastika symbol on his brow seemed to flicker slightly.

"If we go to St. Paul's Academy, it will be different. My purpose is to target Christ. I am very much looking forward to the growth of my demonic path. This is called learning the enemy's strengths to defeat the enemy."

The East Flower Fairy seemed to understand what Ji Xiang was going to do and couldn't help but show a strange smile.

Two immortal rainbows disappeared in an instant. The two changed their appearance and landed unnoticed in a certain bustling city, transforming into two ordinary mortals.

As soon as he landed in the bustling city, Ji Xiang saw missionaries dressed in Western clothing talking to some well-dressed people and gradually heading towards a certain building.

"Selling children?" The East Flower Fairy transformed into a burly ordinary woman, while Ji Xiang transformed into an ordinary porter. The two had ordinary appearances and were unnoticed in the city.

The two were near the building, able to hear the voices inside and see the situation inside.

"Of course, if you have too many children, selling them to the church can earn a considerable amount of money."

"Especially girls and good-looking little boys. But boys are more expensive, after all, men can grow up to work for the family, and daughters lose money, so naturally you have to earn more."

"A way to make money."

Ji Xiang explained calmly. These were the results of the investigation by the Embroidered Uniform Guard near the cannon factory. This kind of child selling is strictly prohibited and even severely punished in every dynasty, but it is still repeatedly prohibited because there is a great profit to be made.

Now, with Westerners buying at high prices, for ordinary people, it can alleviate the family's economy, earn wealth, and improve living conditions, so giving birth to children and selling them has become an industry chain.

Among them, there is also the existence of a "black market for babies," which is some rogue organizations such as "beggar gangs" who are good at trafficking and maiming.

Speaking of which, these people even dare to traffic the children of Ming Dynasty officials, so there is nothing they don't dare to do. In contrast, the White Lotus Sect is a truly pure and kind-hearted group.

"Hey, it's not that I want to launder the White Lotus Sect, at least they are kind-hearted when it comes to children, but it's a pity that these rogue elements like the beggar gangs do not produce scriptures..."

"What are you muttering about the White Lotus Sect?" The East Flower Fairy glanced at Ji Xiang, feeling extremely strange in her heart.

These people lure and abduct young girls and children. Young boys who are ignorant are sold to wealthy families without children in other places. Such boys are the most profitable, and some can be sold for thousands of taels. Beautiful girls are sold to brothels in Beizhili, Suzhou, and Hangzhou.

Some disobedient children are beaten to death directly. Some die of fright, and some die of illness. After they die, they dig pits, either two or three together, or three or five together, buried together, letting the corpses rot in the soil, or being dug out and eaten by wild dogs.

As for the appearance of these people on the outside, they often exist in the form of a certain "charitable organization," making it difficult to distinguish whether it is black or white inside.

As for the more scattered composition of "human traffickers," it is really from all walks of life, anyone is possible. Some people will even reverse and seize the property of the foster family. Of course, they encourage people to have children. Where will their money come from if you don't have children?

The two immortals heard clearly that the things the few people were discussing were about the price of children. It was even mentioned that some good seedlings needed to be handed over to the Fa Sect, but the Western missionary did not agree. They also wanted those good seedlings and were willing to offer higher prices.

As for what to do.

Either be baptized as a Christian monk, or sold to some big shots at home and abroad. As for those inferior seedlings, the heavy labor in the courtyard, such as washing clothes, growing vegetables, raising pigs, and taking care of young babies, are all done by these children.

In short, the population has a market everywhere.

The St. Paul's Academy is just one of these people's downstream "export destinations."

However, Christianity has just entered the Middle Kingdom and has not been deeply rooted, so it does not dare to "wholesale" these children too high-profile. Especially the missionary massacre that happened in Japan has alerted many missionaries, so they are developing in the South Sea, where the imperial court can hardly control.

"How does your dynasty deal with this matter?"

The East Flower Fairy suddenly asked this question, also to see the situation of the current dynasty. In the Qin Dynasty, it was a direct death penalty. In the Han Dynasty, they were tattooed and exiled to do hard labor. The seller and buyer were held jointly responsible for the whole family. In severe cases, they were dismembered into eight pieces, that is, their limbs were cut off first, then beheaded, then their bones were drawn, and finally they were abandoned in the market and not allowed to collect their bodies.

Ji Xiang responded: "There are some subdivisions in the Great Ming Code."

"For seizing and selling people before they have done anything, they will be beaten with a hundred strokes, paraded through the streets for a month, and their descendants will be exiled for three thousand miles. For selling people to be wives or concubines, the buyers and sellers will be beaten with a hundred strokes and imprisoned for three years. Those who maim children will be subjected to slow slicing, their descendants will be exiled for two thousand miles, their homes will be confiscated, and their wealth will be given to the family of the deceased."

The East Flower Fairy shook her head.

"Not as good as the pre-Qin, not as good as the pre-Qin."

In her opinion, although the laws of the Qin Dynasty were violent, they were satisfying. Confiscating homes, slow slicing, caning, and exile were all too troublesome. Just chop them all off and be done with it. Close the case on the spot.

Ji Xiang looked inside and suddenly blew out two breaths. One breath turned into an honest porter on the spot, and the other breath turned into a Three Corpses Little God, holding the Fire God Banner and escaping into this chamber of commerce.

Immediately afterward, Ji Xiang transformed into a handsome young man with rosy lips and white teeth, while the East Flower Fairy frowned and also transformed into a slightly older little girl.

Ji Xiang said to the incarnation he blew out:

"Go, take us in, we have to sell for a good price."