A thousand years of planning, lost fortune from the underworld, and magical power drained by the Yellow River Array all seem to no longer matter at this moment.
In the eyes of Ascendant Fuluan, Xu Qing, who is proficient in the arrays of the Great Teaching, possesses vast incense offerings, and numerous mysterious divine techniques, is undoubtedly someone with towering connections, divine support above, allies in the middle, and even the King Yan holding the bottom—a true immortal of the first or second generation.
Perhaps a deity in disguise, or a disciple of a Great Teaching Saint, or at the very least a second or third generation true disciple. In any case, there's absolutely no way Xu Qing emerged from an unorthodox path, let alone being an evil demon...
Ascendant Fuluan happily followed the young man before him, as Xu Qing sorted out the river course, he would clear the way and guide the flow.
When Xu Qing mentioned that the mountain seemed to be a hindrance, Ascendant Fuluan personally went to carry the mountain, asking Daoist Xu where to place it...
The red-tailed monkey, whose legs went weak and collapsed, breathlessly kicked itself back to standing with a flip.
The monkey's eyes were full of vigilance, sensing a threat to its status.
However, Xu Qing told it to rest well, and then continued to examine the river course with his new companion.
The red-tailed monkey had no mood to rest; having served the Sect Leader for so many years, it couldn't be replaced by someone with unknown origins...
Xu Qing also felt Ascendant Fuluan was overly enthusiastic, but considering the other's millennia-old obsession with ascending to immortality, it all somehow made sense.
Some people would even eat feces for the sake of great ambitions, so how poor could the mentality of someone aspiring to become an immortal be?
Xu Qing didn't dare to imagine what consequences might arise from deceiving Ascendant Fuluan.
Perhaps turning demonic on the spot would be light in comparison!
"Dao Brother, you truly are a man of genuine temperament."
Xu Qing was genuinely a little scared; the more this Immortal spared no effort to ingratiate himself, the more uncomfortable Xu Qing felt.
Typically avoiding hard stances.
"Heh! What is this? Daoist friend leading by example to take the first step for the world, what is this little thing I'm doing in comparison?"
As he spoke, Ascendant Fuluan once again began inquiring about his welfare, fearing Xu Qing might not be in good shape, which could affect future grand plans.
In Ascendant Fuluan's eyes, Xu Qing was the winning bet, the right giant to cling to!
Does he not trust Xu Qing, or does he not trust Brother Demon Exorcist's judgment?
Even if he doesn't trust Brother Demon Exorcist, the Yellow River Array couldn't possibly be stolen, and the incense offerings couldn't possibly be gathered without Upper Realm's permission, set up in some wild shrine...
Besides, even an aggressive small workshop couldn't possibly accumulate so much merit.
Ascendant Fuluan was confident in his judgment and reasoning, not needing to ask about Xu Qing's background or lineage.
Surely an orthodox lineage, with at least a senior officially recognized in the Upper Realm...
"Dao Brother, where is your immortal residence? Where do you currently cultivate? If I have a chance, I'd like to visit."
Xu Qing glanced sideways at Ascendant Fuluan; this Immortal clearly didn't fully believe his words. He could foresee that once they parted, the other would certainly head to the Tomb of the True Monarch to inquire with Demon Exorcism True Monarch about the truth.
However, he didn't mind; he meddled with Ghost Law only for the safety of Jin Sect, to preserve his foundational base.
But now there was an additional aspect—that was to use Ghost Law's body to rejuvenate the mundane world, mitigating the impact of the great catastrophe while also promoting the development of the Immortal Hall.
"Can't call it an immortal residence; I practice in the secular world. Jin Sect's funeral industry is my dao field. If you are ever interested, if you could introduce some acquaintances with not much longevity to patronize my business, that would be excellent!"
"..."
Xu Qing never strayed far from his original trade; he continued to promote, "In a lifetime, just like withering trees and falling leaves, helping souls transcend is a virtuous deed. I have always liked doing good deeds. Many wandering cultivators hidden in the mountains and forests have no family or descendants; if I could handle their matters properly, it would be a great virtue."
"Of course, Daoist friend doesn't need to worry about the capability of my funeral business, whether for a Water and Land Dharma Assembly or conducting transcendence rituals, my funeral door has attained monks and revered Daoists stationed."
"At worst, there are high-level mages, Primordial Spirit True Men..."
Xu Qing was not exaggerating. Chen Liu'Er, with unparalleled Buddhist principles, and Monk Xinyuan's Buddhist cultivation rivaling land gods, along with the Temple Master Jingxu from orthodox Daoist lineage, was also a Primordial Spirit True Man. As soon as the Heaven-Reaching Road opens, he can ascend in an instant.
Ascendant Fuluan found it hard to believe; how could a secular funeral business invite the highest powers of both the Buddhist and Daoist sects?
If this were true, how profound must the background of this young man before him be?
Ascendant Fuluan had no idea; Xu Qing leveraged the Emperor to command the lords. Once he swayed the young ones, the old ones surely followed!
Xu Qing had a life-saving grace with Chen Liu'Er, and later repeatedly stepped in to protect them; Chen Liu'Er grew up stable because of him, he was like both father and mother.
If Monk Xinyuan hadn't been of a relatively good temperament, Xu Qing might not have entrusted Chen Liu'Er to him at all.
As for Daoist Yizhen, they formed ties through Hu Baosong, a senior's special permission; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call them fellow sect senior and junior apprentices.
Moreover, the Nine-tailed Fox clan happens to cultivate through forming connections, coming and going, and even if the Temple Master wanted to take the disciple back, they'd have to consider if it would delay the disciple's cultivation.
Especially since the Temple Master still owes Cat Immortal Hall quite a bit of incense debt.
The elderly Daoist among them is the debtor; Xu Qing is the creditor. Thus, the other working in the funeral business to pay off debts is perfectly reasonable.
Ascendant Fuluan was unaware of the inside story; he only felt lucky he hadn't fallen out with Xu Qing, otherwise, just these masters in the funeral business alone would join forces to have his funeral even before his cremation!