: The Royal Secret Letter

In the Realm of Red Brightness and Yang Heaven,

The ghost market minor realm where the Pestilence Department's outer sect resides quietly underwent changes.

The mountain gate where the Daoist temple stood was shrouded in faint resentment, mixed with the corpse energy emanating from the roots of the蟠桃 tree, creating an unusually pungent odor.

In just seven years, dual cultivation of Buddhist teachings was no longer a secret.

A large number of Pestilence Department cultivators, seeking stability for the immortal seeds within them, chose to be parasitized by Temple Monks, refining ghosts to condense [Śarīra].

The so-called Śarīra resembled strange immortal bones birthed from ghosts. Once symbiotically linked with the body and soul, they became inseparable, counterbalancing the immortal seeds.

The Pestilence Department's main deities seemed to tacitly approve of the actions of the Small Thunderclap Temple.

Over the past seven years, Pestilence Department cultivators had not discovered any drawbacks of the Śarīra.

As more and more fellow practitioners advanced further in dual cultivation of Buddhist teachings, Śarīra gradually became a shortcut in cultivation, even a necessary condition.

After all, everyone knew the terror of the Pestilence Department's immortal seeds.

Almost from the moment they stepped onto the cultivation path, they were destined to become Pestilence Department Nuo Immortals. Without Śarīra, losing control was only a matter of time.

As the outer sect grand competition approached, the Temple Monks rapidly produced a large number of 9th-stage cultivators.

"Ah."

Gao Qiu stood by the spirit fields, gazing into the distance at the streaks of light darting around the Daoist temple.

He wiped the sweat from his forehead and continued wielding his iron hoe-like low-grade magic tool, breaking through patches of hard, barren land.

After a long time apart, Gao Qiu looked like a farmer, his rough skin full of wrinkles, with an extra layer of calluses on his palms.

Since Shen Lian went into seclusion to complete his immortal seed, Gao Qiu had returned to a life of struggling to make ends meet.

The days of abundant resources before seemed like nothing but an unrealistic pipe dream.

Gao Qiu barely managed to cultivate to the 7th stage thanks to his earlier help in collecting pill formulas for Shen Lian.

However, limited by his aptitude, he had made no progress in the years since Shen Lian entered seclusion. The only benefit was that his immortal seed was less prone to losing control.

Of course, he was at least a little better off than his fellow disciples of the same generation.

Most of the fellow disciples who entered the Daoist temple together had long since taken positions in the蟠桃 Orchard of the Supreme Sovereign's Yellow Primordial Heaven. Staying in the outer sect meant their lifespan would eventually run out.

Gao Qiu wore a self-mocking expression.

Barring any surprises, he would have to leave the Sweating Daoist temple after struggling for another year or two.

Having accepted this reality, Gao Qiu focused all his energy on growing spirit materials, lest he couldn't even exchange蟠桃 for enough Longevity Pills.

"I wonder how Senior Brother Tian Wen is doing?"

"Could it be that Senior Brother Tian Wen has also taken up Buddhist cultivation?"

Rumors about Shen Lian in the Daoist temple were varied and strange. Some said he suffered from Qi deviation, others claimed he went mad like Li Liuru.

With the old alchemy room sealed for so long, the outer sect gradually mentioned Shen Lian less and less.

Gao Qiu noticed that among the Pestilence Department disciples passing through the spirit fields, one or two out of ten had already condensed Śarīra. The obvious characteristic was their hunched backs and resentment energy dispersing from their bodies.

This showed that the infiltration of Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva into the Pestilence Department was intensifying day by day.

The number of Temple Monk offspring was clearly growing constantly, though no one knew where they came from.

Gao Qiu spaced out for a few moments.

He didn't share Elder Feng Jing's stubborn resistance to Buddhist teachings. If given a choice, he would definitely seize the chance to transcend mortality and become an immortal.

Gao Qiu exhausted his spiritual power before finishing opening up the wasteland.

Unconsciously, the moonlight spread over the Daoist temple like flowing silk, with resentment energy rising within the mountain gate.

Just as he was about to return to his residence to rest, his expression suddenly changed to one of astonishment. He took out an old spirit talisman he carried with him from his chest.

The old spirit talisman had become burning hot, a fleeting thought transmitted through it.

"Come to the old alchemy room."

Gao Qiu's hands trembled with excitement, murmuring "As expected" repeatedly. Without waiting to recover his spiritual power, he hurried to the back mountain of the Daoist temple.

"Senior Brother is indeed fine. With his unprecedented talent, how could he suffer from Qi deviation?"

"If it weren't for Tian Shou suddenly appearing in the Pestilence Department's outer sect, Senior Brother's status as the Dao Child would be unquestionable. As long as he cultivates Buddhist teachings, Tian Shou couldn't possibly compare to Senior Brother Tian Wen!"

Having witnessed Shen Lian's entry to the present day, Gao Qiu knew all too well how terrifying the latter's aptitude was.

It was said that the fourth Nuo Immortal descended because of Shen Lian. During the teaching, three Nuo Immortals were stirred, and soon after, he reached the 9th stage.

"Senior Brother's seclusion must be to condense Śarīra."

"Tian Shou has already reached the peak of the 9th stage, with thirty-six Śarīra stabilizing him. He only needs to wait until after the outer sect grand competition to transcend mortality and become an immortal."

"Surely Senior Brother would only be even more remarkable..."

While lost in thought, Gao Qiu arrived at the old alchemy room.

The old alchemy room was practically a forbidden area. Cultivators who tried to enter it all suffered mysterious severe injuries to their bodies and souls, some even having their foundations completely destroyed.

Only a few knew that the old alchemy room housed a large number of demons and monsters.

Even Elder Feng Jing had to be extremely careful on ordinary days.

Gao Qiu felt somewhat apprehensive, but encountered no obstacles along the way. However, a foul, pungent stench permeated the back mountain area.

After smelling the stench, his immortal seed became unusually active.

"Senior Brother... what exactly is he doing?"

Gao Qiu was terrified. He had witnessed fellow practitioners cultivating Buddhist teachings, but it was never this horrifying. Instead, the immortal seed would fall into a dormant state.

It seemed the immortal seed had a natural disadvantage against Buddhist scriptures.

This also encouraged dual cultivation of Buddhist teachings to gradually become mainstream in the Pestilence Department.

"Hehe, Big Brother is waiting for you in the alchemy room. Go east along the passage."

A little girl's reminder sounded from behind Gao Qiu, but when he turned around, no one was there. Pairs of eyes watched him from the shadows.

The door to the alchemy room was ajar, and he immediately spotted the three-legged cauldron.

The three-legged cauldron was covered in cracks, forcibly held together by mycelium. The colorful mycelium squirmed as if alive.

Buddhist teachings?

Definitely not Buddhist teachings.

Gao Qiu's pupils contracted, rooted to the spot in confusion.

Though his knowledge wasn't extensive, he could tell at a glance that not only had Shen Lian not cultivated Buddhist teachings, he had done the exact opposite.

The mycelium was filled with at least over a dozen types of disease immortal seeds.

Shen Lian had fused all the disease immortal seeds together through alchemy. The structure was extremely unstable, as if... it could lose control at any moment.

"Impossible, how could Senior Brother be so reckless?"

Gao Qiu had always felt indignant about Shen Lian's circumstances.

In his view, if not for the Small Thunderclap Temple's interference, Shen Lian was destined to become one of the Pestilence Department's main deities, a heaven-favored genius blessed by the Great Dao.

But the scene before him indicated Shen Lian was on the verge of becoming a mindless Nuo Immortal.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The three-legged cauldron's movements intensified, the aura brought by the disease immortal seeds growing increasingly unstable.

Countless diseases intertwined around the three-legged cauldron, transforming into mysterious and profound Dao charm. The mycelium began to spread, covering the alchemy room.

Gao Qiu suddenly remembered the resources Shen Lian once asked him to collect.

Without exception, those resources would promote the growth of immortal seeds. Ordinary cultivators wouldn't dare consume them. Could Shen Lian be using them to aid his cultivation?

This astonishing cultivation method was truly unprecedented.

The next moment.

The Dao charm suddenly retracted, and the three-legged cauldron shattered into pieces.

Gao Qiu had no time to escape, watching helplessly as the diseases surged out overwhelmingly. A figure stood in the center of the alchemy room.

"Retract."

The boundless diseases returned into Shen Lian's mouth and nose.

Shen Lian's martial golden body was still at the peak of the 8th stage, but his martial pestilence core was only half a step away from the Earthly Immortal realm. The immortal seed contained within had taken initial form, marking the first step in creating his own true scripture.

He scanned his martial pestilence core. Since the disease sac was destroyed, the pestilence core had become completely independent.

The pestilence core resembled an organ, connected by blood vessels and meridians, becoming part of the blood and Qi circulation, inseparable from flesh, blood, and bones.

"Se... Senior Brother, you've reached the peak of the 9th stage!!"

Gao Qiu stared in disbelief, his expression uncontrollably showing fanaticism.

Shen Lian smiled without speaking, carefully sensing his martial pestilence core. Integrating fourteen types of immortal seeds into it had cost 56 points.

Coupled with the torment endured while nurturing the immortal seeds, the cost far exceeded the ordinary.

Fortunately, after the immortal seeds merged into one, the martial pestilence core showed no signs of losing control. Even though its aura surpassed the martial golden body, there was no backlash.

Shen Lian knew he was on the right path, though it was a pity the immortal seed was still incomplete.

When his primordial spirit communicated with the martial pestilence core, he could see countless characters surging, unable to form a complete sentence.

"Junior Brother Gao, tell me about the current situation in the Pestilence Department."

Gao Qiu held nothing back, telling Shen Lian everything, including unverified news.

Shen Lian's thoughts were in turmoil. He felt the Pestilence Department's main deities' attitude was too strange. No matter what, the Small Thunderclap Temple was opposed to the Eight Departments' traditions. How could they allow Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva to spread his teachings freely?

"Junior Brother Gao, what are the requirements to participate in the outer sect grand competition?"

"None, really. But those below the 9th stage who go to the ruins of the old Heavenly Court have virtually no chance of survival."

"Alright, you'll come with me."

Gao Qiu's mouth fell open, thinking he had misheard.

After Shen Lian repeated himself, he stammered, "My cultivation hasn't progressed, Junior Brother. I'm afraid I'll hold you back, Senior Brother."

"It's fine."

Shen Lian considered that after entering the inner sect, having Gao Qiu run errands would be convenient.

If it became too dangerous during the outer sect grand competition, he could simply store him in the gourd. Besides, he didn't think the other Pestilence Department disciples could threaten him.

The ruins of the old Heavenly Court itself might pose a greater threat.

"But..."

Gao Qiu had witnessed Shen Lian suppressing immortal seeds and knew the depth of his foundation. Even if he couldn't be of help during the grand competition, it wouldn't matter.

He almost agreed, but then suppressed his thoughts and said, "Junior Brother's aptitude is low. Going to the inner sect would likely result in me becoming a Nuo Immortal."

Shen Lian examined Gao Qiu, secretly activating his martial pestilence core.

"Let's give it a try."

"What?"

"Don't resist. Try to calm the fluctuations of your primordial spirit."

Gao Qiu was at a loss.

Shen Lian reached out and touched his forehead. A grain of addiction disease quietly entered his Niwan Palace, landing on his scarred primordial spirit.

Gao Qiu clutched his head and screamed as his immortal seed underwent drastic changes.

The martial pestilence core now possessed the wondrous function of imparting martial arts through the martial Dao true domain, equivalent to using the true scripture's reproductive ability to occupy Gao Qiu's immortal seed.

After a moment, Gao Qiu's immortal seed aura showed subtle differences.

Shen Lian thoughtfully stroked his chin.

"Gao Qiu's immortal seed is still the sweating immortal seed, but its structure is more stable. The Dao charm inherits the texture of the [Sweating] part of the martial pestilence core."

At the same time, the immortal seed used Gao Qiu's body and soul as an incubator. Shen Lian could easily control his life and directly erase the immortal seed.

Gao Qiu opened his eyes, his gaze filled with the awe one feels when seeing the statues of the Three Pure Ones.

An immortal pats his head and bestows an opportunity?

The problem that had plagued the Pestilence Department for countless years was actually... solved?

Gao Qiu sensed his immortal seed. A complex Dao charm scripture had appeared in the center of his primordial spirit, making his immortal seed no longer at risk of losing control.

It didn't completely prevent Qi deviation, but at least he didn't have to worry constantly.

He could even take pills with significant side effects. Perhaps his cultivation speed could catch up to ordinary fellow practitioners, with the possibility of transcending mortality and becoming an immortal in the future.

Gao Qiu didn't know what to say. He wanted to kneel but was stopped by Shen Lian.

"Enlightening you was a trivial matter. How far you can go in the future depends on yourself."

Shen Lian used Gao Qiu as a test subject. The martial pestilence core could detect the state of his body and soul, allowing him to see how to adjust the immortal seed's martial impartation.

Among the martial artists, some had already reached the 8th stage of spirit wandering. He needed to prepare in advance for the 9th stage.

"Thank you for your great kindness, Senior Brother. Junior Brother Gao Qiu is willing to serve you faithfully."

"We'll talk about it after the outer sect grand competition. It should be held soon."

Gao Qiu performed a Daoist salute and, without further disturbing Shen Lian, slowly left the old alchemy room.

Shen Lian spread his palm, diseases surging out as if they were an extension of his arm.

Perhaps there were other flaws in the immortal seed after becoming an immortal, but at least he was on the right path for now. Next, he would continue to complete the pestilence core as much as possible, waiting until the immortal seed was perfect before integrating it into his martial golden body.

"Advancing the martial pestilence core to the Earthly Immortal realm should happen naturally. But true transcendence of mortality to become an immortal still depends on the Longevity Stake and Indestructible Mystic Art."

Shen Lian took a deep breath. Cultivating blindly definitely wouldn't work.

Cultivation after becoming an immortal was unclear. Currently, he only knew the names of the realms. It was hard to imagine how immortals and Buddhas would utilize the true scriptures within them.

Shen Lian took out a spirit talisman. Elder Feng Jing's transmitted message mentioned the outer sect grand competition was in half a year.

He stabilized his martial pestilence core cultivation and simultaneously took something out from his dantian.

It looked like a Buddha's head-shaped pill fruit, with skin, flesh, bones, and brain so lifelike it seemed the eyes could open at any moment.

The spirit of the Dragon Fish Robe emerged from the robe, eagerly perching on Shen Lian's shoulder.

"It's finally done."

The middle-grade Buddhist teaching [Tathāgata Sutra] took an extremely long time to nurture the pill fruit—almost ten years. No wonder Senior Brother Sha mentioned that the true scripture suppressed in the Green Wave Pool was very close to a Mahāyāna Buddhist teaching.

If the banyan tree hadn't advanced to the 6th stage, it would have taken about fifty years.

Seeing the information obtained from appraisal, Shen Lian couldn't help but marvel.

[Middle-grade Tathāgata Fruit]

[Nurtured by the banyan tree, the middle-grade Tathāgata Fruit contains the eight characters 'Thus, brightness, beloved, and joyful,' each evolving into the Tathāgata's four substances.]

[Consuming Buddha flesh can refine and obtain a strand of Tathāgata Buddha blood.]

Just the Buddha flesh alone made the long wait worthwhile.

Before Shen Lian could separate the Buddha flesh, the profession panel showed a prompt.

[Profession 〈Eight Aspects Śākyamuni〉 triggered. Consume 20 points to take up the profession]

[True Suchness Sandalwood Cicada—Eight Aspects Śākyamuni compatibility 96.3%]

The opportunity for the lotus throne to advance to the 7th stage was obtained effortlessly.

The Eight Aspects Śākyamuni was clearly related to the Tathāgata Buddha. Shen Lian even felt the urge to take up the profession. After all, Journey to the West was essentially centered around Buddhism.

He had indeed been paying attention to the fifth profession lately, giving it some consideration.

But the karma behind the Eight Aspects Śākyamuni was undoubtedly indescribable.

Previously, taking up the Blood Spirit Child profession caused a bunch of strange incidents. Eight Aspects Śākyamuni? Probably the entire Western Spirit Mountain would come out to pay respects to the Tathāgata.

"Let's talk about it later. The fifth profession must be considered with extreme caution."

"The first four professions involve either demons and monsters