Chapter 1750

Mortal World

The Bèi demon resembled a dog but had thin, short front legs. Fearing discovery by the middle-aged Daoist priest, it dared only hug the ground and gallop swiftly on its two hind legs, yet its speed was not slow.

Suddenly exposed, the Bèi demon froze momentarily. Then, its legs spun like wheels as it conjured a demonic wind and sprinted wildly towards the dense forest ahead.

Qin Sang followed leisurely, his gaze on the Bèi demon somewhat peculiar.

Just moments ago at White Dragon Ferry, the aura he sensed from the marshland must have belonged to this demon. Its aura was comparable to that of a major demon in the Transformation stage, and it was the true master of the altar, secretly manipulating the giant wolf. Its divine powers were truly exquisite.

Now, however, the Bèi demon's aura was greatly diminished, only at the early stage of the Demonic Core.

Qin Sang had followed it the whole way and confirmed that its weakened state was not due to injury or other reasons, but a drop in cultivation level.

The giant wolf and the demon not only shared the same origin aura but were also one entity. Their cultivation could transform between them, deceiving even the middle-aged Daoist priest.

Seeing the Bèi demon still sprinting relentlessly, Qin Sang lightly tapped his foot, effortlessly appearing before it. He raised his hand and made a grabbing motion; the Bèi demon was drawn into his palm. He lifted it by the scruff of its neck, rendering its entire body immobile.

Once far from human habitation, Qin Sang found a flat mountain rock to settle on and casually tossed the demon down.

*Thud!*

The Bèi demon hit the ground, its eyes tightly shut, its body rigid like a corpse.

"I know you can understand human speech," Qin Sang said calmly. "If you don't want me to use soul-searching techniques, answer a few questions honestly."

The Bèi demon trembled, opened its eyes, which darted nervously, then rolled over and knelt, bowing repeatedly. "Immortal, spare my life! Immortal, spare my life! This humble demon is willing to serve you diligently. Whatever the Immortal wishes to know, this humble demon will reveal all."

This demon was cunning but also sensible, saving him some trouble. He was currently short-handed, and such highly intelligent demonic beasts were not easy to find, so it could be kept for use.

Qin Sang smiled faintly. "Tell me, what land is this?"

What he urgently wanted to know, naturally, was how cultivators in this realm stabilized their primal energy and what cultivation methods they practiced. However, it was best to first understand the general layout of this realm before making judgments.

The Bèi demon was stunned, cautiously looking up at Qin Sang.

This person's aura was subtle; it couldn't perceive his cultivation level at all. But it was certain that he was far superior to its own peak state.

Just a hint of the pressure emanating from this person filled it with dread.

"A Daoist Perfected One, under the Daoist Court's governance, couldn't possibly get lost, could they?"

Unsure what Qin Sang truly wanted to ask, the Bèi demon racked its brain and recounted everything it knew.

Qin Sang listened quietly, then learned that this was a realm governed by the Daoist sect.

It turned out that the Nine Dragons Kingdom, where he currently was, was a nation under the jurisdiction of a Daoist branch altar. The king and all the lords, marquises, generals, and prime ministers of the kingdom were mortals. The Daoist sect rarely interfered with the succession of mortal dynasties, which was consistent with the strategy of immortal cultivation sects in the Storm Belt when governing the mortal realm.

Earlier, Qin Sang had heard the female Daoist priestess state her title and knew that the Nine Dragons Kingdom was governed by the Ninth Branch Altar established by the Profound and Marvelous True Response Grand Altar.

However, according to the Bèi demon, the full name of this region should be: Zhongmao Governance, Qingxu Hermitage, Profound and Marvelous True Response Altar, Ninth Branch Altar, Floating Dragon City in the Nine Dragons Kingdom.

Legend also spoke of the Nine Heavens Golden Palace, but it was merely a legend; no one knew if it truly existed or where it was located.

Altars were divided into Grand Altars and Branch Altars.

*Jing* referred to a Hermitage, also known as a Hermitage Altar.

Each Hermitage Altar established various departments responsible for humans, gods, ghosts, and demons in the world. They even set up ranked official positions, much like mortal dynasties, divided into nine ranks, with the first rank being the most respected. Each rank also had principal and subordinate distinctions.

A Branch Altar Master, like the female Daoist priestess, held a principal sixth-rank official position, serving as a Grand Minister of Law in the Heavenly Pivot Court, also handling matters concurrently for the Heavenly Pivot Court.

Those below the sixth rank served in various branch altars. National Preceptors of various countries held positions in the Heavenly Pivot Court, acting as overseers of all directions.

A Grand Altar Master, titled Grand Master of Pure and Profound Capital, was only a subordinate fifth-rank official. Only Grand Altars of significant importance could be granted a half-rank promotion at discretion.

Above them, the Head of a Hermitage Altar was an Imperial Censor of the Nine Heavens Golden Palace, holding a principal fourth-rank official position, overseeing matters of the Heavenly Pivot Court.

Above the Head of a Hermitage Altar was the Zhongmao Governance, which was beyond the Bèi demon's knowledge.

With distinct layers of official ranks, it was also referred to as the Daoist Court. However, the Daoist Court did not consist solely of the Heavenly Pivot Court.

While Zhongmao Governance was under the Heavenly Pivot Court, there was also Baishi Governance, which was under the jurisdiction of the Northern Pole Exorcism Court. These two were referred to as the "Two Governances." It was said that the Northern Pole Exorcism Court could rival the Heavenly Pivot Court, with comparable strength and official ranks, only differing in their official titles.

However, in Zhongmao Governance, when the Daoist Court was mentioned, it usually referred to the Heavenly Pivot Court.

Of course, not all Daoist cultivators in Zhongmao Governance belonged to the Heavenly Pivot Court. There were many other Daoist sects outside the Heavenly Pivot Court, but they couldn't truly live as free, unbound cultivators. All those under the Daoist Court's governance were subject to its control and bound by celestial laws, forbidden from acting recklessly. Otherwise, the Daoist Court had the authority to punish them.

For instance, the Bèi demon's former master hailed from Danxiao Mansion, whose sect gate was located in Zhizhen Hermitage, another Hermitage within Zhongmao Governance. Not to mention the Head of Zhizhen Hermitage, even if a Grand Altar Master from under Zhizhen Hermitage were to visit, they would have to open their sect gate to receive him, showing respect.

These Daoist cultivators from other sects, after their merits were assessed, could also join the Heavenly Pivot Court as immortal officials, though they constituted a minority within the court.

The Bèi demon's former master, having achieved the Ascended Mystery Dharmic Rank, was unwilling to join the Daoist Court.

Hearing this, Qin Sang was astonished. A Nascent Soul cultivator could only be a fifth-rank Grand Altar Master in the Heavenly Pivot Court, with Hermitage Altars and Zhongmao Governance above them. If official ranks corresponded one-to-one with cultivation levels, wouldn't this realm have Void Refinement cultivators or even higher?

"How many Dharmic Ranks are there in Daoist cultivation?" Qin Sang asked in a deep voice.

The Bèi demon paused, unsure how to answer for a moment.

In this realm, all human cultivators joined the Daoist sect, and the progression of Daoist cultivation was common knowledge. Even the demon and ghost nations located in the Twin Peaks of the Eastern Extremity were well aware of it.

"Looking at this person, his mind is clear, and his aura is profound and balanced. He must have received proper transmission. How could he not know the Daoist methods of cultivation?"

"Could he be an extraterrestrial demon?"

The Bèi demon suddenly recalled a legend, shivered, and dared not think further, quickly stating what it knew.

After listening, Qin Sang couldn't help but feel fortunate for his caution.

The overall strength of Daoist cultivators in this realm was indeed extremely high, incomparable to the Storm Realm, with no concern of the path being cut off.

The cultivation progression in this realm's Daoist sect was called Dharmic Ranks, divided into nine stages. From top to bottom, they were: Bi Dao Dharmic Rank, Dongzhen Dharmic Rank, Hetu Dharmic Rank, Five Talismans Dharmic Rank, Dongxuan Dharmic Rank, Ascended Mystery Dharmic Rank, Dong Shen Dharmic Rank, Moral Dharmic Rank, and Orthodox Unity Dharmic Rank.

The Great Vehicle, Integration, Void Refinement, Spirit Transformation, Nascent Soul, Golden Core, Foundation Establishment, and Qi Refining stages he was familiar with numbered eight.

Limited by its cultivation and knowledge, the Bèi demon did not know the extent of the divine abilities of the higher Dharmic Ranks.

But Qin Sang could determine from its description that, at least below the Spirit Transformation realm, cultivation levels could correspond.

For instance, the female Daoist priestess was at the Dong Shen Dharmic Rank, her aura comparable to a Golden Core cultivator. The middle-aged Daoist priest, coming from a Grand Altar, must have been at the Ascended Mystery Dharmic Rank, similar to a Nascent Soul cultivator.

The Bèi demon had once overheard its former master and his personal guards discussing a Dongxuan Dharmic Rank Perfected One. What it now recounted indicated a strength nearly on par with a Spirit Transformation cultivator.

Inferring from this, a Great Vehicle cultivator would only be at the Dongzhen Dharmic Rank. However, it was unclear whether there were differentiations within the Great Vehicle stage or if there were further mysteries beyond it.

Of course, Qin Sang was still very far from such realms; now was not the time to ponder these things.

"Do the Dharmic Ranks correspond to the official ranks?" Qin Sang calculated carefully: the Heavenly Pivot Court's official ranks were divided into nine grades, which perfectly corresponded one-to-one with the nine Dharmic Ranks.

Inferring from this, did all first-rank immortal officials in the Heavenly Pivot Court possess Great Vehicle stage cultivation?

If so, Great Vehicle stage cultivators would likely not remain in a minor world; they would surely have ascended to a major world.

The Bèi demon was now unsurprised, treating Qin Sang as an extraterrestrial demon and speaking freely. "The eighth and ninth ranks are held by those of the Orthodox Unity Dharmic Rank. From the seventh rank onwards, it should be the case. This humble demon has not followed its former master for long, but from what I've seen, there might be those whose Dharmic Rank has been reached but their official rank has not yet risen due to special reasons. However, I have never seen anyone promoted to a higher rank without reaching the corresponding cultivation."

Qin Sang nodded. The Bi Dao Dharmic Rank was indeed mysterious. "So, the Metropolitan Grand Master of Zhongmao Governance is at least at the Five Talismans Dharmic Rank."

The Metropolitan Grand Master was the head of Zhongmao Governance, in charge of the Metropolitan Grand Master Seal of Zhongmao Governance.

And that Five Talismans Dharmic Rank was very likely a Void Refinement cultivator.

The Bèi demon chuckled apologetically. "This humble demon's knowledge is shallow, but I have heard that there indeed are Grand Perfected Ones in the Heavenly Pivot Court of Zhongmao Governance, though I don't know if they are the Metropolitan Grand Master."

Qin Sang chuckled inwardly upon hearing this.

He had just learned that in this realm, Daoist cultivators who reached the Ascended Mystery Dharmic Rank, i.e., Nascent Soul cultivators, could be called Perfected Ones, which was consistent with the Storm Realm.

However, the three Dharmic Ranks above Ascended Mystery were all called Perfected Ones. Only upon reaching the Hetu Dharmic Rank, which he inferred to be the Integration stage cultivator, could one be respectfully addressed as a True Lord. Because a Perfected One of the Five Talismans Dharmic Rank oversaw the affairs of an entire governance, the prefix 'Grand' was added by common convention.

He was merely a Spirit Transformation cultivator, yet he had been revered as a True Lord for many years. The thought made him feel ashamed.

If the high Perfected Ones of this realm's Daoist sect were to know, they would surely reprimand him for overstepping.

Having learned the general overview of the Daoist sect, Qin Sang then asked what methods the Daoist sect in this realm practiced.

His question, however, brought him great surprise.

Based on what he had seen and heard, he had initially thought that this realm practiced both the Divine Path and the Talisman Path. However, it was not so; the Daoist sect cultivated the path of talismans and contemplation.

'Fu' (talisman) and 'Lu' (registry/record) should be viewed separately.

The key was the 'Lu'!

*Lu*, also known as Dharmic Registries, were believed by the Daoist sect to possess immense power.

They could command all celestial deities, summon and discipline ghosts and spirits, discern merits and sins, verify achievements and faults, and issue decrees to all spirits.

They could also slay demons, subdue monsters, and control mountains and rivers.

They could also cleanse impure energies and command all energies.

Furthermore, they could integrate with the profound Dao, cultivating the path to become a True Immortal!

Qin Sang had already seen what was referred to as a *Lu*: the "Proclamation to All Spirits Seal" in the female Daoist priestess's altar, and the "Crimson Heaven Banner" in the wolf soldiers' altar.

These were the true forms of Dharmic Registries, also known as Registry Seals. The form of the Registry Seal differed based on its lineage.

The "Proclamation to All Spirits Seal" was exclusive to the Heavenly Pivot Court. It was said that the Registry Seal formed by immortal officials of the Northern Pole Exorcism Court was called the "Nine Heavens Military Talisman!"

When the Bèi demon was summoned as a soldier by its former master, it was already at the Ascended Mystery Dharmic Rank, so it didn't know the original appearance of a *Lu*. It was said to be something similar to a seal-talisman, possibly a combination of inscrutable runes, or an incredibly complex talismanic diagram.

As one's cultivation improved, a true Registry Seal would gradually condense.

Daoist disciples, after being initiated into the Dao through transmission, then needed to receive a Registry. Only after receiving the Registry could they cultivate. This involved two important functions of the Registry.

First, it could cleanse impure energies and pacify the "Old Qi of the Six Heavens."

Second, it could contemplate the true deities.

"'Old Qi of the Six Heavens'..."

Qin Sang silently repeated the phrase in his mind.

The Daoist sect in this realm regarded chaotic energy as the "Old Qi of the Six Heavens." After receiving a Registry, by setting the heavens and earth as an altar and placing the Registry within it, one could use the altar to stabilize the heavens and primal energy, thus entering Daoist cultivation.

However, merely stabilizing primal energy was not enough. The "Old Qi of the Six Heavens" contained disruptive forces that, over time, would still corrode a cultivator's Nascent Spirit, affect their sanity, and shake their Dao foundation. Therefore, it was necessary to use the method of contemplation to envision celestial gods, using the seal as a token, uniting qi to summon gods, resonate with the heavenly will, and contemplate divine beings to ensure safety.

This method was also called "contemplating gods." The gods contemplated were also known as Guardian Heavenly Gods or Altar Guardian Generals. The Registry Seal and the Altar Guardian General were both pillars of the altar.

Dharmic Registries could not only protect the Daoist priest themselves but also the summoned soldiers. All soldiers could cultivate around the altar, receiving its protection, and could also contemplate the Guardian Heavenly Gods together with the Daoist priest. This not only stabilized the altar but also benefited the Daoist priest's cultivation, as the sincerely loyal soldiers and the Daoist priest were of one mind. It was truly complementary.

Altars could not only be used for cultivation but also for housing soldiers. When a Daoist priest traveled, they could retract their altar and take their soldiers with them.

If one encountered a Daoist and mistakenly thought they were alone and could be bullied, that would be a grave error. The other party could very likely instantly summon tens of thousands of demonic soldiers, with banners covering the sky. Truly, one person could be an army of thousands.

However, raising an army of soldiers was not so easy, and one had to bear the risk of the soldiers causing the altar to explode.

Because the "Old Qi of the Six Heavens" raged in this realm, demonic cultivators who cultivated alone faced a higher risk of losing their sanity the higher their cultivation. Even demonic cultivators without developed intelligence could perceive the benefits of the altar, making it easier to subdue soldiers than in normal realms.

Furthermore, the Registry Seals also had the ability to "awaken spirits." Without the need for Emperor's Nectar, if the generals among the soldiers had their intelligence awakened by the Daoist priest, they would be even more submissive out of gratitude.

The number and cultivation of the soldiers naturally had an upper limit, but the Bèi demon was not very clear, only knowing that it was related to the Daoist priest's cultivation and the Dharmic Registry they received.

This was because the conferring of Registries was not a one-time event. Upon completing a stage of cultivation, one needed to be conferred a corresponding higher-tier Dharmic Registry. This was the progression of Daoist cultivation.

The conferring of Registries had to be done at an altar. Various sects had their sect altars, and the Heavenly Pivot Court also had its own altars. The Governances, Hermitages, Grand Altars, and Branch Altars all had the responsibility of conferring Registries.

Hearing this, Qin Sang's slightly relaxed mood became a little heavier.

"So you were the rebel soldier who caused the altar to explode?"

Qin Sang scrutinized the Bèi demon.

The Bèi demon flinched. It hadn't intended to expose its own disgrace, but recalling that its identity as a rogue cultivator had already been revealed on the river, and that this person would know with a simple question, it dared not conceal anything.

"That old Daoist priest was harsh and cruel. This humble demon was forcibly conscripted by him later; I was not his personal guard and was subjected to much oppression. Moreover, that old Daoist priest practiced favoritism, often reprimanding this humble demon without cause..."

The Bèi demon wanted to argue further, but under Qin Sang's half-smile, even its sharp tongue gradually fell silent.

Qin Sang didn't dwell on it, saying calmly, "Let me ask you, you just mentioned that when a Daoist priest receives a Registry and contemplates divine beings, they can summon heavenly soldiers and generals to descend to the mortal world. Have you ever seen this?"

The Bèi demon breathed a sigh of relief and quickly shook its head. "I have never seen it. That old Daoist priest always used his own contingent of soldiers when fighting others. Because he wasn't an immortal official of the Heavenly Pivot Court and had no authority to command, he had to promise benefits even to summon city gods or mountain spirits. Where would heavenly soldiers and generals come from? I suppose it's just Daoist sect boasting."

Qin Sang hummed in acknowledgment, then asked, "If there are no heavenly gods, where do the city gods and mountain spirits come from?"

"This..."

The Bèi demon was startled. It truly hadn't considered this question carefully.

Its eyes darted around, and the Bèi demon stammered for a moment before suddenly remembering something. Its face lit up with joy, and it said repeatedly, "This humble demon remembers! That old Daoist priest once said a phrase—'All gods are conferred by humans!'"