Cultivation Starts from Killing Pigs

"The ritual has its order, requiring incense burning, altar opening, water inviting, flag raising, proclamation, and purification..."

Upon the altar of Shouxin Temple, Zhang Kui, dressed in a purple robe, slightly furrowed his brows as he meticulously explained.

The Disaster Exorcism Skill is essentially a Jiao Ceremony, something he could casually perform. Tai Shi, as the True God born from the starlight of the Disaster Exorcism Skill, was even more proficient, but teaching others was troublesome.

The placement of the altar, the timing of the ritual, even the talismans and spells, all had their particularities.

Zhang Kui had little patience for this, yet everyone below listened with utmost concentration, enchanted. Not only the disciples of Shouxin Temple, but even the National Guardian True Men paid close attention.

Of course, Zhang Kui didn't have the eloquence to make flowers bloom from his mouth or cause golden lotuses to rise from the ground, yet several Daoists hastily recorded and compared notes.

In due time, Shouxin Temple would publish a book titled "True Man Zhang Discusses the Disaster Exorcism and Disaster Alleviation Sutra" free for distribution across the land.

The smile on Taoist Puyang's face never faded, as he knew the significance of this sutra.

Having stopped short at the Celestial Tribulation, his life's aspirations were unfulfilled, but the Shouxin Temple he founded might become renowned due to this sutra.

Following the lecture naturally came practice.

Though the Locust Demon was gone and no plagues had occurred for the time being, the Chaotic Burial Ridge on the mountain opposite Shouxin Temple had become a source of miasma, breeding darkness, which would inevitably lead to chaos if left unchecked.

The Disaster Exorcism Skill was widely applicable; even problems like rodent infestations and insect plagues fell within its scope of resolution.

When Taoist Puyang personally set up an altar to worship the gods, the golden light phantom of Tai Shi and the Divine Court Bell appeared, and a ray of golden light dispelled the evil aura throughout the mountain, causing all the cultivators to erupt with excitement.

The terrifying Forbidden Lands were too far removed for them; those were concerns for the National Guardian True Men and the State Preceptors. Most people focused more on eliminating evil among the common folk.

Although not an offensive grand skill, to common folks and warlocks, the Disaster Exorcism Skill was all the more practical. After all, most people had average talents, and being able to consecrate and throw a talisman was the limit.

Many cultivators were already contemplating setting up incense altars at home, praying devoutly lest the skill fails them when needed.

Zhang Kui stood watching from a distance, the spirit-like form of the Three-Eyed Taoist Shen Xu appearing beside him, eyes bright with joy, bowing and cupping his hands, "Congratulations to the Star Monarch, the renown of the Divine Court Bell as a Sacred Artifact is now firmly established."

As the first Incense Fire God to ally with Zhang Kui, Shen Xu also reaped substantial benefits this time, becoming a subordinate deity under Tai Shi, tasked with managing the Divine Court.

Though he was currently the only one, the name "Divine Court" which Zhang Kui inadvertently called out, already established the direction for the Divine Court Bell.

It would serve as both the Sacred Artifact of mankind and the Sacred Artifact of the Divine Path.

In the Ancient Divine Path, cultivation required the Divine Strange Pearl. Zhang Kui cleverly managed with just one, establishing an entire system.

Zhang Kui was most satisfied.

Suddenly he remembered, within the Seventy-two Skills, there were more than one requiring Divine Power. Skills like Crisis Resolution which could counter curses, evil qi, nightmares, and witchcraft, and the Praying for Rain and Praying for Clear Weather from the Five Elements Skill, had substantial impacts on the livelihoods of countless people.

Even the Summoning God and Exorcism Talisman from the Talisman Skill could be arranged in the future.

The stronger the Divine Skills, the greater the devotion from the people, and the stronger the power of the Divine Court Bell—a mutually reinforcing dynamic.

Speaking of the Five Elements Skill...

Zhang Kui couldn't help but glance at Gu Ziqing in the distance. With so many eyes around, and with Ling Qiushui present, he was hesitant to ask more.

Did she manage to successfully transcend the tribulation?

Noticing Zhang Kui's gaze, Gu Ziqing's eye twitched slightly, turning her head away discreetly.

Beside her, the chief disciple Ling Qiushui gazed at Zhang Kui with infatuation, "For the livelihood of humankind, such divine skills are not withheld. Indeed, I was not mistaken, Taoist Brother Zhang has an extraordinary bearing."

Gu Ziqing could stand it no longer, suddenly letting out a long sigh toward the sky.

"Master, what's wrong with you?"

"I feel stifled, longing to slay demons and exorcise devils..."

The demon vanquished, teachings passed; all matters here were concluded.

Everyone immediately boarded the ship, setting sail and leaving.

After all, Qian encompassed more than just one province. The locusts hopping and growing more rampant across the land were an incessant reminder of the time urgency.

Reluctantly, though the National Guardian True Men could fly through the air, not everyone could recover spiritual energy as swiftly as Zhang Kui. Handling the Locust Demon left no room for mistakes, and with time for rest considered, sailing by boat proved to be faster.

"Set sail for Lai State!"

Watching as the grand fleet set off into the distance, the pier was full of cultivators there to bid farewell.

Suddenly, someone in the crowd muttered:

"True Man Zhang's mystical skills transcend the ordinary. Should he open a sect, the threshold would likely be overwhelmed."

Someone immediately sneered:

"You dreamer, haven't you heard of the adage, 'the Way cannot be lightly transmitted'? Anyone with supreme mastery keeps it hidden. Just having the Disaster Exorcism Skill should be satisfaction enough."

"True enough..."

......

Lai State, Changyun City Pier.

Hundreds of ships and thousands of sails, teeming crowds coming and going.

This city served as a transit hub for the Capital City. As everyone knew of the impending locust plague, the transfer of grain and goods had only increased in activity.

"Get out of the way, you damned cripple!"

The porter was frustrated by a ragged limp beggar blocking his way and immediately kicked him away.

He needed to earn more money and food to feed his whole family. Even if he was usually kind, he now became fierce and menacing.

Limp Wang's eyes were vacant. After being kicked, he fell to the ground, his eyes sometimes fierce, sometimes filled with grief and indignation, but soon became blank and foolish again.

Indeed, this gambler was possessed by a trace of obsession from Eunuch Yin, leading him hazily to Lai State.

Ghostly resentful spirits inherently have a routine, usually starting with growing resentment that transforms into a fierce ghost. After being ferocious for countless years, they gradually regain a sliver of consciousness and continue to cultivate if fortunate.

Yin Bai's martial arts skills were indeed superior, with few rivals in Jianghu, but he barely reached enlightenment. He managed to take the position of Astronomical Bureau's Black-clothed Profound Guard Commander purely due to his aptitude in leading troops and coincidental opportunities.

Logically, he should have died and his soul extinguished long ago, but a sliver of obsession refused to give up. Even if he became a resentful ghost possessing a body, he had to spread this earth-shattering news.

Sadly, his conscious moments were becoming increasingly shorter. After leaving the Capital City, he was beaten in a daze and dumped at Changyun Pier, wandering every day without knowing what to do.

Worse still, he was rapidly losing control, either becoming a fierce ghost or having his soul scatter.

Limp Wang gasped, his eyes gradually turning black, shaking his head vigorously, becoming dazed once more.

No one at the bustling pier paid any attention to the beggar on the ground; after all, in chaotic times, everyone was busy with their livelihood.

In the distance, the crowd suddenly parted.

A tall, imposing woman approached quickly, followed by a group of Black-clothed Profound Guards. It was none other than Lai State's Astronomical Bureau Captain, Helian Wei.

"Captain, are we finishing today?"

The deputy beside her looked somewhat excited.

"Yes."

Helian Wei looked serious, her delicate brows furrowed, speaking in a low voice as she walked, "This time, Zhang Kui, the True Man, is subduing demons in Lai State. Time is tight, and there must be no mistakes..."

She did not notice the beggar on the ground gradually having black eyes, suddenly rushing up.

"What are you doing? Get lost!"

The deputy shouted angrily, about to kick him away.

Helian Wei immediately stopped him. After a quick look, she became furious, "A mere Yin Soul possessing a body to harm others, and you still dare to come here!"

With that, a long sword engraved with blood-red runes clang out, the sword wind howling down.

Limp Wang's face twisted, and his black eyes bled tears, "Find... find Zhang Kui!"

…

Changyun Pier was getting closer and closer.

From afar, Helian Wei could be seen leading a team of Black-clothed Profound Guards, waiting at the pier.

Helian Boxiong wore a perpetually cold expression, "Every time officials come and go, wasting time. I have ordered them to perform their duties, ready to hold a grand ceremony at any moment."

Imperial Uncle Li Xuanji smiled slightly, "Among the Thirteen Provinces, only Lai State, guarded by the Helian family, is the most reassuring."

Just then, Helian Wei suddenly leaped up, stepping on water several times before landing on the deck with agility, bending respectfully, "Helian Wei greets the National Guardian True Men!"

Helian Boxiong furrowed his brows. His family had strict discipline, so Helian Wei, even as a woman, wouldn't be so impolite unless it was urgent.

Sure enough, Helian Wei then respectfully said to Zhang Kui, "True Man Zhang, there is a strange Yin soul possessing a body at the pier, and it mentioned your name."

"Yin soul?"

Zhang Kui was puzzled, "Bring it here to see."

Soon, the ragged limp beggar was brought on board. Although hazy and with black eyes, Zhang Kui was shocked at first sight.

"Brother Yin!"

Under the Tongyou Skill, the Yin soul of Eunuch Yin was seen clinging behind the beggar, eyes completely black, almost dissipating.

"Soul Capture Skill!"

No time to ask in detail, Zhang Kui immediately reached out, first extracting the Yin soul of Yin Bai, then summoning the Divine Court Bell, stuffing it inside.

"Shen Xu, save him…"

For Yin souls, the Incense Fire Wish Power was the most effective. Soon, Eunuch Yin's soul body stabilized, and his virtual body appeared before everyone.

He looked at them, slightly bowed, "True Men, the Capital City is in grave danger!"

When Yin Bai recounted the events, everyone was incredulous.

"What exactly is Qin Yi's background?"

Elder Huayan frowned deeply.

"Just a treacherous scoundrel…"

Zhang Kui's face was somber, "I always thought he was trouble. After the southwest chaos, I even went back to find him but couldn't. However, he's not important."

Saying this, Zhang Kui turned to Li Xuanji, eyes filled with murderous intent, showing his sharp white teeth.

"Imperial Uncle Li, why don't you become the Emperor? Old Zhang will go kill that bastard and take his throne!"