CHAPTER 97: CHAPTER 97: TALKING ABOUT INCENSE

"Of course, although there are countless paths, each with its strengths, none are without shortcomings. The foundational Three Treasures of Essence, Qi, and Spirit are all something that must be cultivated. For example, the cultivation techniques of your White Cloud Temple focus on Qi refining but also have the effect of strengthening the body and nurturing the Divine Soul," Duan Changzai explained.

Lu Zheng nodded, recalling what Daoist Mingzhang said when he passed down the "White Cloud’s Common Refining Qi Scripture" to him.

Lu Zheng sighed, "I didn’t expect that just within the Daoist Sect, there’s so much to talk about."

Duan Changzai nodded, "That’s why you’re just practicing Qi refining, how could you compare your level to those nurturing the Divine Soul? Of course, you can’t compare, nor can you."

Lu Zheng cupped his hands as a gesture of learning.

This is still about the Daoist Sect, we haven’t even talked about the Buddhist Sect.

The Great Jing Dynasty also has the Buddhist Sect, but there are no temples in Tonglin County.

In the legends of the Great Jing Dynasty’s Daoist Sect, there are many similarities to the legends in Huaxia, as well as some differences and some ambiguities.

For instance, this Daoist Sect also honors The Three Pristine Ones and includes the Emperor Haotian Jade Emperor, the Emperor of the North Pole, and Taiyi Jiu Ku Celestial Venerable, among others. However, the related legends are vastly different from those in Huaxia, which has always been a puzzle in Lu Zheng’s mind, but he never dared to voice it.

Moreover, real historical figures are almost entirely unrelated. For instance, there is no Guan Yu in the Great Jing Dynasty, but there is a Yueyang, which Huaxia doesn’t have.

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As for the Buddhist Sect...

It feels like the Buddhist Sect in any world would stir up some mischief, and this place is no exception.

Apart from building temples and spreading teachings in the Great Jing Dynasty, the Western Regions have numerous Buddha Countries, where the principles vary, and in some places, it’s unlike the Daoist Sect’s separate paths with no interference; it’s entirely contrary.

So, although there are High Monks and Zen Masters in the Great Jing Dynasty, the Daoist Sect is generally more popular.

As for the rest, let’s talk about it later.

...

Lu Zheng resolved his confusion, and so the conversation among the three turned back to the present.

Just two sentences in, Xiaocui was standing outside the hall door with an oilpaper package in her hand.

Shen Ying saw her and asked, "What’s going on?"

"The body of the Green Scorpion and the Ghost Pearl of the Ghost Python have been taken care of. Also, in the scorpion’s mouth, we found an oilpaper package, which seems important to the Scorpion Demon, so I brought it for Madam, Young Master, and this gentleman to see."

"Let me have a look."

Xiaocui stepped inside in small steps, placed the oilpaper package on the table, and quickly exited.

"By the way,"

Duan Changzai called out to Xiaocui and then turned to Lu Zheng and Shen Ying, "I need to take the Ghost Pearl and the Scorpion’s shell and sting to report to the authorities, so I must claim them. As for the other items, they are yours to keep."

Shen Ying nodded with a smile, "I thank you. That Scorpion Demon’s medicine pouch is indeed a good item."

Shen Ying signaled for Xiaocui to handle it, and the three of them focused their attention on the oilpaper package.

Shen Ying reached out and began to unwrap it layer by layer.

As expected, inside were two booklets.

"Black Wheel King’s Transformation Sutra"

"White Bamboo Curse"

The former describes a cultivation scripture on how to transform living beings into ghosts, then evolve them into greater power through devouring Ghost Bodies and absorbing Yang Qi. After transformation, there are side effects; it’s clearly not a righteous path.

The latter is a relatively sinister talisman and spell method, including curses, soul sealing, possession, and god destruction. This is of little use against stronger or equally powerful individuals but targets the weak.

Duan Changzai narrowed his eyes, "These two strange items come from the Southern Border. I haven’t heard of the Black Wheel King, but it should be one of the Ghost Kings in the Netherworld. However, I have heard of the White Bamboo Sect; it’s a sizable sect in the Southern Border’s wilderness."

Lu Zheng licked his lips, considered for a moment, and decided not to ask.

Duan Changzai waved and said, "You can copy these two scriptures, but I need to take the originals."

Shen Ying looked at Lu Zheng and saw him nod, so she called Xiaocui in to copy the scriptures.

Duan Changzai looked at Shen Ying, "Madam Shen does not intend to cultivate the ’Transformation Sutra’?"

Shen Ying shook her head, "You’re joking. That thing is for reference as a collection, but if I were to cultivate it, I’d surely stray from the path. I don’t want to provoke you to come and slay demons and ghosts."

Duan Changzai laughed heartily and glanced at Lu Zheng, "Indeed, when Young Master Lu achieves great things in the future, as a member of the Daoist Sect, granting you a title as an Incense and Candle God is not a bad idea, is it?"

Lu Zheng blinked, "I’m just a lay practitioner, is that possible?"

Duan Changzai replied meaningfully, "That will depend on you in the future."

...

The group chatted casually, and Duan Changzai asked about how Lu Zheng and Shen Ying met. He also learned about Shen Ying’s enmity with the Netherworld and how she had killed a General under the Ye Lan King.

Duan Changzai pondered for a moment, "Speaking of which, Madam Shen eliminated the Ye Lan King’s Ghost General and assisted me in slaying the Scorpion Demon, which merits recognition from the Great Jing. Deeds should be rewarded, or else there’s no clarity in rewards and punishments."

At this point, Duan Changzai looked up, "Since madam is a spirit of the peach tree, why not report to the state capital and have a temple built for madam in the Peach Grove? Madam can also use the power of incense for cultivation.

However, according to Da Jing Law, half of the incense power collected must be handed over to the Tonglin County Underworld."

Shen Ying’s eyes brightened, "Is that possible?"

Duan Changzai nodded, "It’s just a small temple in the Peach Grove, not a big issue."

"Is there no side effect in cultivating with the power of incense?" Lu Zheng asked. He mentioned that in novels, it always said that incense mind power would disturb a cultivator’s mind.

"The power of incense is the purest telekinesis and divine soul power. How could it have side effects?" Duan Changzai said, surprised.

Lu Zheng asked, "For example, the attached obsessions from the common people’s prayers?"

Duan Changzai laughed, "For ordinary folk to offer even a trace of soul power born from their prayers is rare enough. If they could also attach obsessions to it, they would be cultivators.

Besides, obsessions are very conspicuous in pure soul power, and they can be removed when absorbing the power of incense.

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If there were such repercussions, would the Great Jing Dynasty still dare to let the entire Underworld walk the path of incense?"

Lu Zheng gave a smile that was awkward yet polite, internally cursing the misleading nature of internet novels!

Duan Changzai said solemnly, "Since the Incense Road requires countless common people as its foundation, only those conferred by the Great Jing Dynasty, including Humans, Gods, and Ghosts, or recognized forces, can walk the Incense Road; any demons or ghosts setting up private temples will be regarded as Evil Gods’ illicit rituals."

Lu Zheng nodded, "I understand."

Gosh, no wonder even the immortals compete for incense; it turns out it has no side effects and yields great returns.

"So does the White Cloud Temple also collect and cultivate the power of incense?"

Duan Changzai said naturally, "But there is a need to share with the Court, otherwise where do you think the soul power generated from the people’s prayers in the temple has gone?"