Exorcism

Huangjing was caught in a split. People were arguing red-facedly everywhere at home, on the streets, in shops, in government offices, in military camps. The two sides were usually relatives, friends, neighbors, and colleagues. But at this time, they all had their own opinions on one thing. This matter It was no small thing, like a thunderbolt from the blue, which sounded over the imperial capital early in the morning.

First, the imperial court issued an imperial edict from the Ci Emperor, listing the crimes of Xin Youtao, the chief talisman master of the Longbin Society, and Pei Shurong, the commander of the monks. There were as many as ten crimes in total. In short, the two crimes were so heinous that everyone in the world could punish them.

Immediately after the announcement of this imperial edict, the situation exploded. Master Xin Dafu and Pei Shuai were different from Mu Xingqiu, who was personally sent into the Demon-Batting Cave by the Patriarch half a year ago. Their fame spread and accumulated over many years, and even the children who had just learned to speak were Knowing that the two of them are the pillars of the court and the heroes of the dynasty, they have saved mankind from major crises many times.

Later, news came from the Taoist Tower, officially announcing that all Taoist priests who had not returned to Taoism were traitors, including Xin Youtao and Pei Shurong.

This news did not cause much reaction outside the tower. No matter how much mortals respected their ancestors and Taoism, they still had more contact with the government in their daily lives. Emperor Ci and Xin Youtao were relatives, so it was really unexpected that they turned against each other.

The division in Imperial Capital will last for a long time and gradually expand to various places. When Shen Hao returned to the city at noon, the debate in the city had just begun. It was in full swing, but there were no obvious signs of division. The question that everyone was most concerned about at that time was whether Master Xin Dafulu and Master Pei left without saying goodbye or had explained the situation to Emperor Ci.

Shen Hao first went to the palace, and after finding out that Xun Hou was not implicated for the time being, he immediately flew back to Daotong Tower.

There was also a dispute in the tower. The high-ranking Taoist priests would not show it no matter what they thought, but the lower-ranking Taoist priests were not so calm. Several halls on the first floor of the tower were crowded with confused young Taoist priests, asking each other "apostasy" Who issued the order? Did the Patriarch really know?

Among the crowd, a Taoist priest was particularly eye-catching. His name was Gan Zhiwei from Hongshan. He returned to Taoism five months ago and just recast the inner elixir with the help of his ancestor seven days ago. Surprisingly, he He was just a Taoist priest of Xingxia in the past. In the years since he left the Taoist tradition and vomited the inner elixir, his realm has reached the sixth level of Xingluo, progressing faster than his fellow disciples who stayed in Hongshan.

Not just him, there are about twenty returning Taoist priests who call themselves beast masters. They are all very high. A few and half are Xingluo, and the rest are swallowing smoke.

But everyone felt that they had taken advantage and used heretical methods to cultivate the inner elixir to a very high level. In fact, it was all false and incomparable with the orthodox inner elixir. However, the founder did not care about the difference and still gave them the inner elixir of the same level. , is too tolerant.

In any case, Gan Zhiwei is now a Taoist priest from Hongshan Xingluo, but his mood is not the same at all. At this time, he is giving an impassioned speech to many Taoist priests, insisting that the "Apostasy Order" cannot be issued by the Patriarch, and must be Zuoliu. Ying corrects his purpose.

Shen Hao stood at the door and listened for a while. A Taoist priest nearby said in a low voice: "His brother Gan Zhiquan refused to return to Taoism, that's why he is so excited." Another Taoist priest said even more quietly: "The benefits Taoist priest Boshou received are not good enough." Not enough?"

This was the response Gan Zhiwei received. Most Taoist priests felt that the "Apostasy Order" was a bit excessive, but it was not a big mistake. There was really no need for the returning Taoist priests to be so angry. They had already received enough benefits.

Shen Hao walked up to the upper level and met Bai Qing, a Taoist priest from Luanjing Mountain on the third floor of the tower. The two of them became friends and became friends normally. At this time, their relationship was just that of ordinary acquaintances. They greeted each other politely and no one said anything. As he continued to walk upward, Shen Hao felt a little lost and hoped to have a few more words with Bai Qing, but he did not look back. He regarded this emotion as a sign of Taoist instability and suppressed it silently.

The fifth-floor tower has many small rooms for Taoist priests of various disciplines to practice magic. They are usually closed, but today they are open. There are also Taoist priests talking to each other in groups. It is quieter than the first-floor tower. Only the lips are moving. It was hard to hear what they were saying.

Shen Hao did not stop here either. His problem could not be solved by these Taoist priests.

On the seventh floor of the tower, Shen Hao knocked on Grandmaster Pang Shan's door.

The master's room is not much different from that of an ordinary Taoist priest, except that there are a few more magical weapons on display. Of course, each one is very powerful and is beyond the reach of ordinary Taoist priests.

Yang Yannian was practicing meditation when the door opened automatically. Shen Hao stepped into the room and stood at the door waiting. The thought of serving Taoist Yuemang might last for several months. Shen Hao didn't know if he could wait until the master opened his eyes.

About half an hour later, Yang Yannian woke up and stared at the visitor with deep eyes. He seemed to know why he came, but he didn't speak for a long time.

Shen Hao felt that something had changed in his grandmaster, and he soon realized that the person sitting in front of him was no longer the same Yang Yannian who had doubts about his grandmaster half a year ago.

Yang Yannian is able to practice again, and he can feel progress every day and every hour. He believes that as long as he seizes this opportunity, he will definitely be able to reach the realm of obeying the sun. Time was precious, and he was willing to open his eyes to receive Shen Hao because he owed the other party an explanation.

"Taoist priests sometimes feel confused, that's because we don't stand high enough. Shen Hao, I gave you wrong information, forget them. Zuo Liuying is right. From now on, there will only be Taoism and not Jiushan. The ancestor is testing all living beings, and those who pass can reach the peak. The higher the level, the harder it is to pass the test. Zuo Liuying is the first to pass, and we must catch up."

Shen Hao could no longer control the disappointment in his heart and sighed, "Is this still Taoism? The duty of a Taoist priest is to kill demons and protect all living beings. When did it become a test of all living beings? I have always believed in Taoism, even if Taoism as a whole retires. "

"Then you should continue to believe in Taoism. Shen Hao, demons are like water and fire, and so are mediocrity. The Patriarch is saving all living beings from bigger and deeper water and fire."

"Is it just constant practice? The strong are stronger, while the weak are left behind and left to fend for themselves?"

Yang Yannian's eyes were slightly stern, "This is what Taoism has always done, and you are no exception."

Shen Hao could not refute. Indeed, between saving many mortal lives and killing a demon, he would definitely choose the latter. In Yelin Town, he could even treat his former relatives with a dispensable indifference.

"The Patriarch is too powerful." Shen Hao finally discovered the reason, "A mortal can abandon a few relatives, a general can abandon an army or a city, an emperor can abandon half of a country and millions of subjects, a Taoism can abandon one or two Taoisms and... Most human beings must keep some in their hands, because everyone needs the so-called weak. We despise them and look down on them, but we cannot lose them completely. "

Yang Yannian finally understood that this disciple could not be saved, "So the only way to protect yourself is to practice so that you can be close to the strength of the ancestor. If Zuo Liuying does this, everyone will do the same in the future, so this is the test of the ancestor."

Shen Hao gave the Grand Master the Taoist gift, and when he raised his head, the door was already closed.

Shen Hao also tried to think about it. This was his last effort, hoping to catch up with the Taoist tradition. He felt that the powerful spells filling the tower were purer and richer than those outside the tower, which would definitely be of great benefit to improving the inner elixir. , just for a short while, the speed of the inner alchemy has quietly accelerated.

"If one day the Patriarch takes back the spell..." Shen Hao said softly.

"That will be a matter of time." Another voice replied.

Shen Hao turned around and saw Yashan Grandmaster Shen Zangqi standing a dozen steps away. The masters were all seizing their time to practice, but he was the only one still wandering outside.

"What is the purpose of the Patriarch doing this?" Shen Hao asked, not caring who the other party was.

"Isn't this obvious? It is a kind of test. Only those who believe in and are loyal to the ancestor can have no worries and can benefit from practice. On the other hand, those whose practice is stagnant or even unable to meditate..."

"They are doubters and betrayers." Shen Hao sighed again, "So the Apostasy Order is just the beginning. In the future, more and more Taoist priests will be declared traitors. Why don't you practice?"

"Because of Zuo Liuying. I can trust the founder, but I don't trust Zuo Liuying. Yashan has too many grievances with him that I can't let go of."

Shen Hao was surprised that a master who had served in the Yuemang realm could not let go of some grudges, "You are risking your own life and the future of Asan."

"Since you're taking risks, the bigger the better. I'm going to take Yashan Taoist priests to Wangshan to find the Patriarch. I can do what Zuo Liuying can do, and the Patriarch will need me. 'If you can get in, you can get out', hey , Zuo Liuying is really a genius, he actually used this method to relieve the calamity of his heart, and turned from an opponent directly into a loyalist. I admire him, but I will never believe him. I welcome Taoist priests outside Yashan to follow me. How about walking together?"

Shen Hao shook his head, "We are not the same people."

Shen Zangqi wants to be another Zuo Liuying, but Shen Hao will certainly not join.

Grandmaster Yashan laughed, turned around and disappeared.

Shen Hao looked at the surrounding doors. He originally wanted to get help from the masters, and maybe he could compete with Zuo Liuying, but now his hope was completely shattered. What to do next? He will never join Shen Zangqi's team, nor does he want to flee. Unlike Xin Youtao and Xiao Qingtao, he is an orthodox Taoist priest at all times.

"Am I the only one left who still remembers what the Taoism was like in the past?" Shen Hao walked towards the eighth floor. He didn't need to wait until dark. He thought, he could accept the punishment now. Mu Xingqiu dared to challenge the ancestor. He can voluntarily enter the Demon Drawing Cave.

Standing outside the white door, looking at the motionless Zuo Liuying inside, Shen Hao's two slender eyes showed the fierce light they only had when he was a child. He raised the shape-finding mirror in his hand and smashed it hard.