Chapter 733: Tough Issue
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
There was also the Divine Dao in the Spiritual Realm.
Furthermore, it was different from the independently managed churches in the Monger World. The local Divine Dao did not have unified churches and power, only clear-cut rights, responsibilities, and temples. Only when the people aspired for something would they go and pray to a God.
If the Gods within the Monger World were said to be private business owners, the Divine Dao in the Spiritual Realm seemed even larger and more strict, comparable to state workers.
Here, the Gods of Divine Dao delegated jobs among themselves and worked together, while the Deity Position was more like a job without any life-or-death matters mixed within.
Furthermore, some existences even loathed the Deity Position, feeling that it was a carefree burden, and were not willing to take on the role.
The reason why this occurred is firstly due to the unique geography of the Spiritual Realm and the influence of the cultural environment. Secondly, it’s because of pressure from the Immortal Dao.
After all, Zhang Feng and Zhu Mei are True Cultivators and don’t know much about Divine Dao. They only know that the system is very strict, there’s a ruler of the ‘Heavenly Court’, and it’s completely different from the Immortal Dao.
Many thoughts flashed through Fang Yuan’s mind as he looked toward Cheng Fei. “Your Excellency’s tough issue, could it be related to the Divine Dao?”
Fang Yuan was somewhat interested regarding the Divine Dao of the Spiritual Realm.
After all, many Godhood rules were ingrained on his Pangu Eagle Body. Although they were all Gods that worked by themselves in the Monger World, they were still the Divine Dao and therefore had to be somehow connected.
“Indeed!”
After hearing a faint sense of alienation from Fang Yuan’s tone, Cheng Fei laughed bitterly.
However, he knew that he could now only obtain his trust by telling him everything, so he had no choice but to tell the truth. “This issue originates from an appointment between my Vast Ocean Sect and the Divine Dao’s Xi Nation’s City God, and the jurisdiction of a few Deity Positions… Fellow Daoist, although a long-living and wise Immortal wouldn’t fancy a Deity Position, the Immortal path of cultivation is fraught with treachery. It’s possible for there to be a crisis one day, and they’d have to convert to cultivating Divine Dao. Any Sect would pay great attention to the Deity Positions!”
Fang Yuan nodded.
Although Earth Immortals and Heaven Immortals were free and unfettered, it was very difficult to succeed..
Furthermore, even Earth Immortals had a limited lifespan. However, in contrast with the Divine Dao, which had many shackles and took away all hope of self-improvement, it had the advantage in the aspect of immortality.
Whether or not this difference was meaningful depended entirely on the person themselves.
However, within the large immortal sects, the good and bad disciples were mixed together, and they would definitely prepare a batch of Divine Dao resources to be used in times of need.
But as long as resources are treasured, there’ll be conflicts. Although the high-level Immortals hold contempt toward the Deity Position, it’s still a method to immortality, and there are no further requests in terms of qualifications. Even though there are a few future problems, this is considered nothing to people who have already long met a dead end!
Fang Yuan laughed coldly in his heart and saw immediately where the problem lay.
Although it seemed that Divine Dao and the Immortal Dao were mutually complementary, they were quite distinct from each other. The most important thing was that it also held power and getting sacrifices was not so straightforward.
Especially since it had a unified and strict Heavenly Court. This was more horrifying than the Immortal Dao!
Even though the Immortal Dao was stronger, it was separated into thousands of sects that could not work together and were unable to contend against Divine Dao.
” Sigh … This is also because my Vast Ocean Sect is not strong enough, just like the Four Oceans Immortal Sects, and we only occupy tens of island countries. But once the Immortal Dao Decree is released, I can deify!”
From time immemorial, the Immortal Dao had made the Divine Dao a vassal that paid it tribute. All of this was mentioned by Cheng Fei like it was commonplace, but it shocked Fang Yuan slightly. To form such a situation, he knew that many violent wars had definitely broken out and many Sages would have died.
Of course, using the Immortal Dao Decree can at most deify a few low-level Gods. The truly well-known Mountain Gods and River Gods would definitely be unable to secure their position without the support of the Heavenly Court. Furthermore, at that level, they were already similar to a high rank Immortal, so why would they be willing to be at the beck and call of weaker Immortals?
As Fang Yuan was thinking, Cheng Fei thought that this loose cultivator did not understand the inside story and explained in detail, “We have a contract between the Immortal Dao and Divine Dao. As long as a sect is qualified, they can obtain a few Deity Positions from the local Divine Dao every ten years… These positions are largely Earth and River Gods, but there are also Day and Night Patrol Gods. They’re considered highly valuable, but unfortunately, there’s a limited number of vacancies, and we have to contend against a few neighboring immortal sects…”
Naturally, only the sects on par with the Vast Ocean Sect could rob from them. Similarly, they had the support of 72 immortal sects behind them, and the Four Oceans Immortal Sects were helpless about it.
Fang Yuan listened and slightly nodded, thinking that there was a large chance that this was the Divine Dao’s plot.
The immortal sects were powerful and could not be directly fought. Thus, a limited compromise was made, where they would release a batch of low-level Deity Positions to attract direct competition and mutual consumption between the sects.
Actually, an Earth or River God is quite good. As there are no requirements, when the Stellar Malignance disciples, or even Qi Refinement, die, as long as their divine spirit is still present, they could cultivate the Golden Body, even… the divine spirit of a meritorious mortal could also satisfy the requirements!
Fang Yuan silently nodded his head.
Of course, within the immortal sects, this Deity Position was more valued. Even without considering the Qi Refinement disciples, even the Stellar Malignance disciples desired it. Mostly, it was the Essence Soul Venerables wanting it, as well as Human Immortals who had perished during their cultivation.
Even though an Essence Soul Venerable could reincarnate, the Essence Soul’s power would face a tribulation after a few reincarnations, their body and soul utterly destroyed.
Thus, those Essence Soul Venerables unable to reincarnate and did not want to die and have their souls scattered across the heavens and the earth could only convert to cultivating the Divine Dao.
Although Human Immortals had perfect bodies and enjoyed long lifespans, they would also suffer tribulations. Once they failed to transcend their tribulations and perished, they could only choose to reincarnate or cultivate the Divine Dao.
Of course, a Human Immortal’s realm was profound. Most would choose to reincarnate, but even if they converted to cultivating the Divine Dao, they did not see value in the Deity Position. Only a City God position would barely begin to have value in it.
“Does Fellow Daoist’s problem lie in competing for this spot?” Slightly astonished, Fang Yuan glanced at Cheng Fei.
“Yeah. Only an Essence Soul Venerable of our sect is able to participate for the spot… According to precedent, this time is my turn!”
There was a look of bitterness on Cheng Fei’s face. “I can’t shirk the righteousness here. Initially, this was an obligation that I wouldn’t evade, but unfortunately, a bastard harmed me by deducing the flaws in my cultivation and striking a vicious blow at me, causing me to lose my cultivation strength. According to the rules of the sects, unless I find a replacement Essence Soul Venerable, my chance will be revoked.”
After saying this, the muscles on his face suddenly twitched.
“Eh… could you have no close friends?”
Fang Yuan showed a puzzled expression.
In the path of the Immortal Dao, wealth, relationships, techniques, and environment were all very important.
Even notorious devils would usually have a few evil companions to mutually provide strength and overcome obstacles.
Once even these ‘companions’ deserted you, that meant you truly had a bad reputation and both paths of immortals and demons had excluded you. Unless you could use power to prove yourself and contend against the realm by yourself, you would not be able to survive on your own.
“Am I that kind of person?” Seeing Fang Yuan’s unusual look, Cheng Fei’s hands instantly trembled vigorously as he hurriedly denied. “Although I’m not a renowned person, I’m definitely not someone without friends supporting me, such as Venerable Butterfly, Venerable Three Peak… I have good relationships with them! Unfortunately, since that enemy of mine schemed against me, how could he be completely unprepared? My good friends in the sect are busy, while a few loose cultivators are acting as adjunct elders elsewhere and unable to join my sect. However, this competition requires an Essence Soul Venerable to undertake…”
After Cheng Fei’s detailed explanations, Fang Yuan was clear.
This person had both tactics and abilities. However, after he had been schemed against, he was unable to unleash his powers.
In other words, he was in the midst of a ‘tribulation’. Various powers had formed an equilibrium; once he was able to jump out from it, escape and total freedom was achieved; however, if he was unable to, he would definitely deteriorate and suffer a major setback. But at least it would not be as serious as destruction of life and body.
At the moment, he desperately needed an external power to break the equilibrium!
This surge of power did not need to be too great. Just a light push could break it.
” Phew …”
How profound was Fang Yuan’s intelligence? Instantly, he was able to understand almost everything. No wonder Cheng Fei would make so many compromises and list so many benefits. He has no other choice.
If I make some casual plans, I’ll definitely benefit the greatest.
” Sigh …” With this thought, a torn look immediately appeared. “Fellow Daoist, you’re really… making it so difficult for me to decide… I’ve cultivated after so much and was unintentionally swept into this internal strife. If there’s slight carelessness, I’m afraid I’d shatter into pieces!”
Fang Yuan is not a fool who only focuses on cultivation. He immediately knew about the innate dangers.
Cheng Fei’s heart turned cold, becoming helpless once more.
He had already visited the surrounding people, but there were no other Essence Soul Venerables available.
If not for his lack of choice, why would he keep pestering Fang Yuan?
However, seeing that Fang Yuan had not bluntly rejected him, he became much more hopeful. “If Fellow Daoist has any other requirements, please raise them!”
“Regarding fighting, I have some experience, and I’m not afraid of other Venerables. However, I am a loose cultivator. If I were to enter the Vast Ocean Sect…” Fang Yuan mentioned doubtfully.
Once Cheng Fei realized that there was still hope, his eyes lit up as he hurriedly thumped his chest. “I can guarantee that there’s definitely no problem!”
“In fact, I’m a recluse with no abode and don’t wish to be restrained by the sect rules. The adjunct elder route is very suitable…”
Fang Yuan smiled.
“Adjunct elder?!” Cheng Fei was stunned, but quickly nodded. “That’s alright, actually. However, if you don’t truly enter the sect, a few benefits have to be scaled down and you can’t read the Vast Ocean Heart Manual.”
“So… I’m asking for Fellow Daoist’s help, right?” Fang Yuan looked at Cheng Fei with a faint smile on his face.
“What? You want me to go against the sect rules?” Cheng Fei nearly wanted to jump.
“An adjunct elder is also a person of the sect. You’re not crossing the bottom line…”
Fang Yuan unhurriedly drank his tea, wanting Cheng Fei to skirt the issue for him. In fact, he also knew that these forces had no bottom lines when it came to truly dealing with matters.
“You…” Cheng Fei was so infuriated that his face turned red. After a long while, he slumped down. “Alright… I agree to your demands!”
“Great, but you need to pay the remuneration beforehand. Before we begin the journey, I need to see the cultivation techniques first!” Fang Yuan added a requirement.
“Of course!”
Cheng Fei hurriedly walked away, looking as if he was about to make some preparations.
However, Fang Yuan’s gaze suddenly turned cold. “This person… is definitely still hiding something. He’s indeed up to no good!”