Chapter 75: Stars and Continent

Chu Duozhu's words startled all three of them, especially Lu Yang, who started to think about more things.

When they first entered Daozong, they were given a rough map of the sect, which indicated that Daozong covered an area of one hundred thousand square miles. What did one hundred thousand square miles mean? It was larger than ten Earths spread out flat!

Considering the abilities of the Void Refinement and Integration stage powerful cultivators described in the ancient texts, only such a vast area would allow them to fully unleash their divine abilities.

The sect had many forbidden areas, most of which were used by powerful cultivators for duels. Those with insufficient cultivation would die if they even brushed against the edges.

When they joined the sect, Senior Sister had said, "The sect cannot be explained in just a few words; you can gradually explore it in the future." This wasn't because she was too lazy to introduce it; Daozong was indeed so vast that it required gradual exploration.

Thinking this way, Daozong might be the result of several planets spread out.

The area occupied by Daozong was merely a corner of the Central Continent. It was hard to imagine how vast the Central Continent truly was!

Chu Duozhu continued, "In ancient times, there were tens of thousands, or even more, life-bearing stars. Their exact number can no longer be verified."

"Ancient cultivators who reached the Nascent Soul stage could fly from one star to another without the aid of artifacts. At that time, damaged stars were commonplace throughout the universe—destruction caused by cultivators' duels!"

"The prosperity of ancient times was truly enchanting, giving birth to countless myths and legends and forging many powerful cultivators."

"In those days, powerful cultivators would measure their strength by how many planets they could destroy with a single strike, and their influence by how many life-bearing planets they commanded."

"At the peak of ancient prosperity, a certain entity made a move. He refined countless stars into a single vast continent. Whether life-bearing or lifeless, no planet escaped his grasp."

"The Central Continent is vibrant with life because it was once a life-bearing star, the most suitable place for cultivation!"

"The vast ocean to the east of the Central Continent was once a star covered by water."

"The Golden Buddhist Nation to the west of the Central Continent was once a desolate, uninhabitable star."

"The Southern Demon Realm and the Far North were the same."

Chu Duozhu's words completely overturned the understanding of Lu Yang and the other two. They had never imagined that the land beneath their feet was a star refined by someone!

This was beyond their wildest imagination!

"Who exactly refined the stars?" Lu Yang asked.

Chu Duozhu shook his head. It wasn't because Lu Yang's cultivation level was too low; it was because he truly didn't know. "His true identity can no longer be verified, but what is certain is that he was definitely an immortal!"

Such transcendental power was far beyond what a Tribulation Transcendent stage cultivator could achieve!

"Why that entity refined stars into a continent, and what methods he used, all remain unsolved mysteries."

Chu Duozhu continued, "What is certain is that the entity's method of refining stars was extremely brutal, showing no mercy. When stars were manipulated, how many people living on them could have survived? Even ordinary cultivators would have found it difficult to live."

"Those who survived did so not because of high cultivation, but because of sheer luck!"

"The rising prodigies and powerful cultivators who tried to stop him were all blasted into bloody mist and forced into reincarnation by that entity."

"Fortunately, the Undying Immortal intervened at that time, preserving most of humanity, thus preventing humanity from being wiped out."

"The prosperous grand era collapsed and shattered, and for a long time, no genius emerged."

"Where that entity is located cannot be known, but he is certainly not dead. When the grand era arrives, that entity might reappear. If he then goes on a killing spree, who could stop him?"

"Only the Undying Immortal!"

"Therefore, for both public and private reasons, we must resurrect the Undying Immortal!"

"Resurrecting the Undying Immortal would only cause a small portion of people to die. If we don't resurrect the Undying Immortal, perhaps the entire human race will be destroyed!"

"It's infuriating that those in the orthodox sects believe they hold the moral high ground, yet they don't realize that our Immortal Cult is also sacrificing for humanity!"

Chu Duozhu spoke with conviction, his eyes revealing resolve.

From a moral standpoint, they killed to save others; from their own perspective, they had a justified reason to kill and felt at ease doing so.

The Immortal Cult recruited only demonic cultivators because this rationale perfectly aligned with their mindset.

Lu Yang's heart skipped a beat. Listening to Chu Duozhu's rhetoric alone, one might indeed start to fervently believe in the Undying Immortal and pray for the immortal to save the world.

What Chu Duozhu said might not be entirely true, or perhaps it was only part of the truth. Lu Yang didn't believe that Daozong knew nothing about ancient matters, nor did he believe that Senior Sister was unprepared for this.

Meng Jingzhou asked, "If that's the case, why not cooperate with the orthodox sects? Wouldn't it be easier to succeed if everyone worked together?"

Chu Duozhu sneered, "Who can guarantee that the entity who refined the stars wasn't hiding within the orthodox sects?"

"After some investigation, the Cult Ancestor believes that the entity who refined the stars is indeed among the orthodox sects, either within the Five Great Immortal Sects or the Great Xia Dynasty."

"Why do the orthodox sects advocate for order? Isn't it to encourage more people to cultivate and make the Central Continent more prosperous?"

"But what comes after prosperity? Don't forget the tragic experiences of the late ancient era."

"Perhaps that entity enjoys harvesting lives and will make another move when life becomes prosperous again!"

Chu Duozhu was articulating the Immortal Cult's mainstream view.

Chu Duozhu added, "The stars above us seem to hang at the edge of the sky, but if your cultivation reaches a certain level and you fly into the cosmos to observe them, you'll find they are mostly remnants from ancient times. Theoretically, there might be a few genuine stars that escaped, but certainly not many."

Chu Duozhu had said all this hoping that Lu Yang and the other two would genuinely believe in the Undying Immortal. Seeing their astonished expressions, he assumed there would be no problem.

"Alright, I know this information has been too much for you. Go back and digest it."

"Also, you three performed well in the three trials. Currently, the branch needs people, as most are resting in prison. Since your cultivation has reached the Foundation Establishment stage, you meet the criteria to become deacons. After some consideration, I've decided to promote you to deacons."

Chu Duozhu handed the three of them three tokens, signifying their status as deacons of the Immortal Cult.

In truth, Chu Duozhu had intended for Lu Yang and the other two to become deacons from the start. The preceding series of events were only to be known by those holding the rank of deacon.

Chu Duozhu suggested, "By the way, when you have free time, you can visit your fellow disciples. I heard the food in prison isn't good, so bringing them some food can help foster camaraderie."

Demonic cultivators were self-serving but also clear about favors and grievances. With so much infighting below, his position as branch master was difficult.

However, Chu Duozhu wasn't worried about his subordinates scheming against Lu Yang and the others; he was worried about his subordinates being tormented to death by Lu Yang and his companions.

Lu Yang smiled broadly, "We are all fellow disciples, and we will certainly unite our hearts and work together to resurrect the Undying Immortal. Please rest assured, Duozhu."

For some reason, after hearing this, Chu Duozhu felt even more uneasy.