Chapter 253: Chapter 162: Arriving at Tianluo for the First Time 2
Translator: 549690339
Therefore, in this place, as long as they hear that we are guests invited by
Ziyun Dao, all believers of this path will warmly welcome us.”
At this point, Shangguan Guangbai, who was next to him, also said: “The influence of Ziyun Dao is indeed so great, and it’s not just limited to this. In fact, besides Pengli Prefecture, nearby Lin Chuan Prefecture, Yuzhang
Prefecture, and Xun Yang Prefecture all have Taoist temples of Ziyun Dao.
This time I accompanied my father on his campaign, and when we passed through Xun Yang and Yuzhang, I saw quite a few Taoist temples of Ziyun
Dao.”
My father mentioned at that time that within the Yuzhang territory, the number of Ziyun Dao believers exceeds one million, spread over four prefectures and half a county.”
Not only are there many believers, but Ziyun Dao also holds a very high status in Yue Country and even in the Daoist Paths around the world, being one of the Three Daoist Paths.”
The imperial court also confers the title of “True Person” upon the successive Ziyun Dao masters, a rank comparable to that of the top-ranking ministers and princes.”
By comparison, those national masters conferred by the court now are only ranked second.”
Shangguan Guangbai’s tone was somewhat complicated.
In fact, he didn’t say that Shangguan Ming once said that although the six surnames and seven clans of Linhai County have been passed down for thousands of years and dominate one side, they are far inferior to Ziyun Dao in terms of heritage and tradition.”
People in the world often say that Inborn Grandmasters are the strongest among human beings, comparable to Earthly Gods and Immortals.”
But in reality, in the eyes of real high scholars of the Dao, even Inborn
Grandmasters are just mediocre.”
The so-called gods and immortals are even more ridiculous and absurd.”
And such high scholars of the Dao exist within Ziyun Dao, namely the Ziyun
Dao master.”
Therefore, generations of imperial courts have always respected and honored Ziyun Dao, granting it the title of “True Person,” not subject to mobilization or announcement, almost licking.”
It’s not even limited to the imperial court.
Shangguan Guangbai still remembers that when his father told him about these matters, he solemnly instructed him that if he ever encounters a Daoist leader of the Ziyun Dao, he must not offend them, and should try to foster a good relationship with them.”
If he can make friends with one or two people from Ziyun Dao, he can benefit endlessly in his life.”
As a direct descendant of the proud six surnames and seven clans, he is actually eager to make friends with some outsiders Daoists, which naturally makes Shangguan Guangbai, who has been proud since childhood, feel uncomfortable.
But he is also a smart person and knows that there must be a use for his father’s words.”
That’s why, a few days ago, Shangguan Guangbai insisted on sticking to Lu
Yuan and his sister when he heard that Lu Yuan was going to attend the
Inescapable Meeting, asking to go with them.”
It’s not only to continue to befriend Lu Yuan, but also to take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about the highly regarded Ziyun Dao by his father.”
After listening to the introductions of his two companions, although the expression on Lu Yuan’s face did not change much, his heart had already set off waves.
Originally, the status of Ziyun Dao in his heart was already quite high. It was the leader of Yue State Daoism and had a wide influence, which was foreseeable.”
But now it seems that his original estimate was still a bit low.”
One million believers, what a terrifying number this is!
To give a simple example:
Nowadays, the Qiang people who established Shu State in Xichuan Prefecture have a total population of only four to five hundred thousand. While Miao people who currently occupy the capital city and are rampant in Dongting have just over one million people.”
Even Lu Yuan himself, who controls Hengyang and Luyang prefectures, has a population of only around four hundred thousand.”
And Ziyun Dao alone has one million believers.”
Looking at the attitude of the villagers in the village towards Ziyun Dao, it’s obvious that if Ziyun Dao were to rebel, these villagers would definitely follow without a second thought.”
With the devout faith of these believers, they would likely be transformed into fanatical fighters.”
If the Daoist leaders of Ziyun Dao also chant some spells and distribute protective talismans, saying they are blessed by the gods and immune to swords and guns, they would probably fight to the death without retreating, becoming insane in battle.”
‘And it goes beyond that.
According to what Shangguan Guangbai said, the rank of the “True Person” conferred by the imperial court on the Ziyun Dao master is of the first class. The national masters conferred upon those Jianghu grandmasters are only second class.
True Person is two grades higher than those national masters.”
From this perspective, it means that in the eyes of the imperial court, the strength of Ziyun Dao master is stronger than those Inborn Grandmasters.’
Daoist Qi Yun said that he had witnessed the Ziyun Dao master controlling
Heavenly Fire Dao Sound and using Immortal Techniques.”
Doesn’t that mean that the level of cultivators like Ziyun Dao master is already stronger than those Inborn Grandmasters in Jianghu?’
After Lu Yuan calculated this in his heart, he couldn’t help but feel a chill.
His wariness of the Ziyun Dao master whom he had never met increased significantly.
To this day, an Inborn Holy Maiden from the Five Poisons Sect has made it impossible for him to sleep peacefully at night, changing his sleeping place every night.”
Now facing the Ziyun Dao master who is even stronger than the Inborn
Grandmaster, he can’t help but feel even more fearful and respectful.”
Besides, Ziyun Dao has one master; who can guarantee that there are no other cultivators?
These cultivators don’t need to be as strong as the Ziyun Dao master.”
As long as they are slightly weaker and comparable to the Inborn
Grandmasters in Jianghu, that would be a terrifying force.”
Moreover, in the Daoist Path, besides immortal techniques, some people also practice martial arts.”
Like Daoist Qi Yun, for example, he is at the second level of Jianghu.”
Even a small observation like Qingyun View can produce a second-tier expert.”
How many Jianghu masters can the Taoist temples of Ziyun Dao, spread across the four prefectures of Yuzhang, cultivate?
The strength and heritage possessed by Ziyun Dao, when carefully pondered, are truly terrifying..”