Chapter 37

Shenxiao Peak is the main peak of the Shenxiao Dao, and it is also where the head of the sect, Master Chongxu Tongmiao, resides. The Shenxiao Dao practices the "Five Thunder Sealing and Correcting Method," which allows them to command the thunder and lightning of heaven and earth. This method is extremely powerful and yang, pointing directly to the path of immortality. It is one of the sect's most formidable techniques.

The entire peak is perilously beautiful, with cranes appearing and strange beasts lurking. The summit, surrounded by clouds, is encircled by lightning, creating a scene of divine majesty.

Ximen Jianbei, riding a sword beam, led Zhu Ganglie around the peaks and stopped at the summit, then walked with many disciples to the top of the mountain to the Shenxiao Temple.

After a short while, a grand and magnificent cluster of temples appeared in the mountains, surrounded by countless lightning bolts, adding an unparalleled aura to the temples.

Seeing Zhu Ganglie's shocked gaze, Ximen Jianbei smiled and explained, "This Shenxiao Hall is dedicated to the Great Emperor of the Northern Dipper, who oversees the northern wilderness with supreme power. You must not be disrespectful!"

The two walked to the square in front of the Shenxiao Hall, and Zhu Ganglie saw a huge cage in the center of the square.

The cage was made of large purple lightning bolts, and inside it was a giant fox about three zhang long, lying on its belly. The fox had six fluffy tails that gently swayed, giving off a sense of immense power.

Surrounding the huge lightning cage were countless Shenxiao Dao disciples, whispering and commenting on the fox.

"Second Master, is this the fox demon?"

Looking at the fox in the cage, Zhu Ganglie asked curiously. Although the fox's power was concealed by the lightning, he felt a tremendous force the moment he saw it, which made him wary. Moreover, there seemed to be a sense of attraction and familiarity, which puzzled him.

"Hmm?"

As Zhu Ganglie asked Ximen Jianbei, the fox's head, which had been lowered, suddenly lifted, and its pair of crimson eyes instantly fixed on Zhu Ganglie.

This gaze made Zhu Ganglie tremble all over, and he felt a huge sense of unease.

"Junior Brother Zhu, don't look into the fox's eyes. This fox has grown six tails and is already at the yuan shen realm. Although it is sealed, it still has some power."

Ximen Jianbei gently patted Zhu Ganglie's shoulder, and a faint warm current flowed into Zhu Ganglie's spirit, easing the pressure.

At this moment, Zhu Ganglie looked at the fox with some lingering fear and no longer studied it.

As everyone watched the fox, a middle-aged Daoist in a dark green robe, wearing a golden crown, and exuding an aura of authority, slowly walked out.

The many disciples on the square parted like waves, bowing respectfully to let the middle-aged man walk forward.

"This is Senior Master Xuanyi, the law enforcement elder!"

Ximen Jianbei composed himself and said to Zhu Ganglie, his expression showing a hint of respect.

Seeing his usually arrogant second master show such respect, Zhu Ganglie couldn't help but look at the middle-aged Daoist.

The Daoist had sharp, eagle-like eyes and a stern face that subtly exuded the power of lightning. He also bowed respectfully.

Elder Xuanyi walked to the side of the fox and said coldly, "This fox demon infiltrated our Shenxiao Dao and stole the Water Spirit Pearl and the Metal Spirit Pearl from the Five Spirit Pearls.

Now these two spirit pearls have been taken out of the Thunder Marsh by the fox's subordinates. Today, our sect has issued the first major task, and disciples who need to accumulate external merit can go into the secular world to find these two spirit pearls."

As Elder Xuanyi said this, he scanned all the Shenxiao Dao disciples on the square, and at this moment, everyone understood why the sect had gathered them here.

Zhu Ganglie, understanding the situation, had some questions and quietly asked, "Second Master, what is this external merit?"

Ximen Jianbei replied in a low voice, "External merit is the act of subduing demons and contributing to the sect's methods and treasures to accumulate merit points.

These merit points can be exchanged for some heavenly materials and treasures within the sect.

The sect will issue various tasks, as it cannot completely ignore worldly affairs. The survival of the sect requires the contributions and maintenance of every disciple."

As Ximen Jianbei spoke, Zhu Ganglie also understood the cause and effect of external merit and agreed with this point. It not only helps the sect but also trains the disciples.

"This time, when we captured the fox, the disciple Qu Gai from Tian Gu Peak had his physical body damaged and needs to be deified. Therefore, each peak needs to send a disciple to escort Qu Gai to the Hundred-Zhang Mountain in the State of Qingqiu to serve as a mountain god, and also to be the main force in searching for the Water Spirit Pearl and the Metal Spirit Pearl."

As Elder Xuanyi finished speaking, Ximen Jianbei became extremely excited, and Zhu Ganglie could see his second master's eyes light up.

"Hehe, Junior Brother, I can go on a journey this time. Staying on Bingpo Peak is driving me crazy. This time, Senior Brother can't find any reason to keep me on the mountain."

As Ximen Jianbei became excited, Zhu Ganglie was even more confused and completely didn't understand what deification meant. He had to ask again, "Senior Brother Ximen, what is deification?"

"I forgot to introduce it. Deification is a treatment for disciples who have lost their physical bodies in various sects.

We cultivators, before achieving the yuan shen realm, cannot continue to cultivate once our physical bodies are damaged.

At this point, cultivators from various sects have two choices: one is to serve as an outer or inner sect elder, staying until old age and death, and then reincarnating, losing the opportunity for immortality.

The other is to serve as a local deity, enjoying the incense offerings of the people. As long as the incense offerings continue, it is another form of immortality.

Many cultivators choose to serve as local deities, as this gives them a chance at immortality.

Once they enter the cycle of reincarnation, their memories of their past lives are sealed, and they may never have the chance to become a deity, or even to be reborn as a human.

These disciples who serve as local deities also have tasks. They are the eyes and ears of the sect in the outside world, reporting information from various places and making contributions to the sect, such as offering heavenly materials and simple cultivation items.

Disciples who travel outside can also receive their help."

Ximen Jianbei's words made Zhu Ganglie's expression change slightly. After some thought, he understood the meaning of deification.

Deification can expand the influence of various sects, gather the materials needed for cultivation, and protect the traveling disciples of the sect. This is indeed a good method.

However, thinking about the need for protection in deification, he couldn't help but ask, "Second Master, is deification dangerous or fraught with calamities?"

"Yes, there are three types of deities in the world. One type is the innate deities, who are formed by the will of the people and are born with their divine duties.

Another type is the deities formed after a person's death, whose souls are venerated by the local people or enshrined by the emperor. Although they cannot quickly achieve their divine duties, they are protected by the incense offerings and are not in much danger before achieving their divine duties.

The third type is the deified spirits of cultivators. To become a deity, they need to first manifest divine signs and gain the faith of living beings, gradually gathering the power of faith.

This process takes a long time, and cultivators, having lost their physical bodies, are easily harmed by evil spirits or wild demons, so the sect needs to send people to protect them!"

"Thank you for your guidance, Second Master!"

After understanding this, Zhu Ganglie bowed to Ximen Jianbei in gratitude.

"Don't be so formal. It's just that Qu Gai has reached the peak of the possession realm, only one step away from condensing his spirit and power into one, achieving the unified realm. It's a pity that he was injured by the fox demon."

Ximen Jianbei waved his hand, somewhat regretfully.

After everyone watched and understood the task, they returned to their respective peaks.

Upon returning to Bingpo Peak, Ximen Jianbei quickly led Zhu Ganglie to the Cold Ice Temple.

"This time, Junior Brother Zhu Ganglie will go out, and Junior Brother Ximen will focus on cultivating his mind and spirit, striving to reach the golden core realm. You are not allowed to leave the sect until you reach the golden core realm."

Before Ximen Jianbei could speak, Senior Brother Yinghuo directly said, making Ximen Jianbei look somewhat helpless.

"Junior Brother Zhu Ganglie, this time, in addition to protecting Junior Brother Qu Gai and searching for the two spirit pearls, you also need to find the heavenly materials and treasures needed to forge your life-bound magical tool."

After glancing at Ximen Jianbei, Yinghuo said solemnly to Zhu Ganglie.

"Understood, Junior Brother!"

Zhu Ganglie nodded, and this time, he could reveal his magical tools and contribute the cultivation methods to the sect to earn merit points.