Mutated Tao

In the incense-filled temple, Bai Lingmiao sat cross-legged on the lotus stone table with her long hair draped over her shoulders. Her teeth protruded from the corners of her mouth, while black porcupine quills and green snake scales were hidden among her white hair.

It was already a significant improvement compared to before. At least her face now had exactly two eyes, although one of them was still a beast’s eye.

The monks of the Great Qi Righteous Monastery stood around her lotus platform. They sat cross-legged on their mats and rhythmically struck their wooden fish.

As they struck the wooden fish, they chanted esoteric Buddhist scriptures, “Assembly of the Lotus Pond, Amitabha Buddha, Guanyin and Mahasthamaprapta sit on the lotus throne, guiding us to the golden steps. The great vow is widely opened. May all be free from the dust of the mundane world. Homage to the Lotus Pond Assembly...”

As they chanted, Bai Lingmiao’s body began to change gradually. The foreign elements within her body started to squirm and slowly transformed her deathly pale skin.

Some monks exhibited signs of beastly transformation, but they were quickly suppressed.

After two hours, the transformation slowly ceased. Bai Lingmiao lowered her hands and gently touched her face with her four hands. She found that her previously disfigured face had returned to its original state.

Bai Lingmiao bowed from the lotus platform and respectfully bowed to an old monk with a kind and benevolent face. “Abbot, thank you for your care over these past few days.”

“Amitabha, there is no need for such words, female benefactor. In this realm of Luoism cultivation, this humble monk can offer only this meager assistance.”

After exchanging some polite words, Bai Lingmiao bade farewell to the Abbot of the Righteous Monastery. She turned and left the backyard, walking into the bustling temple at the front.

In the main hall, a giant, run-down Buddha enjoyed the offerings and worship of the people.

Bai Lingmiao took four incense sticks, followed the others, bowed three times to the Buddha, and then carefully placed the incense sticks in the incense burner.

As she walked out of the hall, a chaotic and bustling city came into the scope of her perception.

It was hard to imagine that just a month ago, this large city was under the control of the Dharma Sect, but it was now occupied by Great Liang.

The once ubiquitous black cloth strips and white scarves were gone. They were now replaced by white lotus marks on their foreheads.

“Saintess! The Saintess has arrived!”

“Hurry! Son, bow to the Saintess! May the Saintess bless your father to return soon.”

All the followers of the White Lotus Sect immediately prostrated themselves on the ground and bowed deeply. Nearly half of the people in the street also knelt down.

The speed at which the Dharma Sect expanded was now matched by the rapid growth of the White Lotus Sect, especially with the imperial court’s support.

Notices were even posted throughout the city, which mandated belief in at least one faith. Anyone who dared not to was directly executed.

Though simple and crude, this method was very effective in countering the infiltration of the Dharma Sect. As long as they believed in the Heavenly Mater, few would place their hopes in god Yu’er.

The Heavenly Mater could also deliver what god Yu’er promised, so why not choose the safer option?

Bai Lingmiao slowly walked past them with a gentle expression.

As she did, she lightly touched some people’s heads, making them feel ecstatic as though they had received the Heavenly Mater’s favor.

She saw an injured little beggar struggling to crawl towards her and approached him.

He looked at Bai Lingmiao with eyes full of longing. “Saintess, my parents and my elder brothers are dead. If I believe in the White Lotus Sect, will they really not become wandering spirits and live well in the Hometown of the true void?”

Bai Lingmiao saw that his face was unnaturally yellow, and his belly was already infested with maggots. She knew the child had little time left.

Regardless of how a war was fought, it always caused suffering for the same kind of people.

“Yes, rest assured, your parents and siblings are all in the Hometown of the true void.” She gently patted the beggar’s head, and he looked genuinely happy.

“That’s great. I will be able to see them soon.”

Bai Lingmiao saw him smile happily. She took out a small drum from her waist and lightly beat it. The boy’s appearance quickly improved with the help of the Bai family immortals.

“Your parents also said they want you to live well and have many descendants.”

“I will! I will rebuild our Yao family ancestral hall and get married to carry on the family line!”

Bai Lingmiao stood up and began to comfort others, just as she had comforted the boy.

When she returned to a White Lotus Sect hall, she saw Lu Xiucai focused on explaining cultivation matters to some new followers.

Lu Xiucai had completely changed from when he first arrived. His left cheek was sunken, with all his teeth missing. His collarbone was wrapped in a blood-stained cloth where the skin was gone.

His left sleeve was empty, and his right hand had only four fingers without nails. His body was covered with scars, and he looked extremely tragic.

The Profound Records had allowed Lu Xiucai to survive the horrendous flesh-and-blood mill, but it came at the cost of parts of his body.

Lu Xiucai heard her voice and waved his four-fingered hand happily, “Mistress![1] Long time no see! Are you here to see Master?”

The bitter and vengeful Lu Xiucai was gone, replaced by the carefree figure he had once been.

Bai Lingmiao’s expression turned complex as she sensed the unhealed wounds on his body. “Go back to Cowheart Village. Your father is just mad and not dead. Don’t forget your little niece.”

Lu Xiucai’s smile remained on his face. “It’s fine. Puppy and Zhao Wu will take care of them. I swore in front of my father that I wouldn’t stop until the Dharma Sect was eradicated.”

“I can't return as long as the Dharma Sect still exists.”

The vengeful Lu Xiucai hadn’t disappeared. He had just learned to hide his feelings.

Bai Lingmiao sighed lightly. “Xiucai, there are many to fight against the Dharma Sect. One more or less won’t make a difference. You should let go.”

It was foreseeable that Lu Xiucai would soon die if he continued like this. Too many members of the Lu Family Troupe had died. She didn’t want Lu Xiucai to follow the same path.

Lu Xiucai’s smile gradually faded. He looked at Bai Lingmiao and asked, “Mistress, have you let go?”

1. As in his master’s wife. ☜