The greatest evils often lie hidden within gentleness, so beware the needle concealed in the silk; profound hatred often stems from affection, so be wary of the honey on the blade.
Xu Qing couldn't understand why the old woman who lived with Xuan Yu for so many years would scheme like this, but these matters were no longer of importance to him.
After all, Xuan Yu lost her life due to the old woman's schemes, regardless of the reasons, the outcome had already transpired, and should he cross paths with the old woman someday...
It's said that benevolence spreads widely, where in life you won't meet again; grudges shouldn't be formed, for on a narrow road, retreat is difficult.
Since the rift was already established, if Xu Qing encounters the other party again, he definitely won't hold back.
Even if she speaks as beautifully as a heavenly flower, she must face his axe!
Upon understanding this connection, Xu Qing suddenly became enlightened.
He looked at the reward from the Sutra of Salvation, a mystical protection technique, similar to the method used by the old Daoist who borrowed the temple as a Substitute Stake.
This protection technique is much stronger than the Substitute Stake technique Xu Qing previously practiced; the former can use inanimate objects, structured according to feng shui, as a Substitute Stake, whereas the latter relied solely on trees, paperman, or puppets as the stake, their superiority apparent without comparison.
It's essentially an advanced version of the Substitute Stake technique.
Xu Qing found this skill invaluable!
At the moment, his Substitute Stake is still that Yin Locust Tree at the Shuimen Bridge Villa, but clearly, the damage he currently cannot withstand—even ten Yin Locust Trees might not suffice.
Now, with the mystical technique, he can have that trembling Yin Locust Tree retire early, switching to the feng shui layout of the Shuimen Bridge Villa to ward off external harm.
Aside from the mystical technique, there was also a celestial-grade Seeking Immortals technique.
The celestial-grade reward is exceedingly rare, and Xu Qing calculated that he had obtained only two or three such rewards until now.
Baiyun Daoist received the Celestial Scripture, practicing methods not possessed by any in the world, this fate should be called a doomed fate, but it unmistakably is a genuine immortal fate.
Xu Qing pondered, humans have good and evil, objects have merits and flaws, even heaven and earth have differences of yin and yang, let alone immortal fate?
Thus, it's evident that this so-called immortal fate is not entirely what people imagine, not purely a benevolent fate.
The Seeking Immortals technique is exactly an exotic technique that can perceive immortal fate.
This magic can be performed once every twelve years, corresponding to a full cycle, the immortal fates in the world are numbered, and at the end of each cycle, rituals and altars must be set, using the spirit roaming technique, communicating with heaven and earth, to unearth the location of the immortal fate.
However, whether this immortal fate is good or bad is another matter.
What difference does this have from the rustic spirit-invoking techniques of Inviting Immortals?
No one knows if what's summoned is a ghost or an immortal, nor can one know if the perceived immortal fate is good or bad through the Seeking Immortals technique.
While Xu Qing was still pondering the limitations of the Seeking Immortals technique, he suddenly realized he himself was a zombie!
If encountering heavenly materials and earthly treasures, that's fine, but if truly encountering a land immortal, irrespective of whether they are good or evil, zombies would likely not be welcomed.
Xu Qing was silent for a long time; this Seeking Immortals technique on him was no different from a Seeking Enemies technique. If he encountered a demon immortal like the Holy Aunt, he certainly wouldn't choose to associate with them, even high likelihood of clashing fiercely.
But if he encountered a true adept, he feared no good fortune would befall him.
Bearing in mind that on the demon-slaying menu, zombies have always been the signature dish.
Once encountered, they are a must on the menu.
Nevertheless, this method is not utterly useless, as immortal fate is not limited to meeting living immortals; it may also involve discovering lost heavenly materials and earthly treasures, newly emerged divine weapons.
Xu Qing did not believe his luck would be so dire, that his first quest for immortal fate would lead him straight to a live Buddha or divine immortal embarking on a demon-slaying crusade.
...
Within the Ruyi Temple, Xu Qing rummaged and searched, not only scouring out the implements used for ritual ceremonies and altar setups but also unexpectedly acquiring valuable gold and silver treasures, along with over three hundred thousand bushels of grain.
Ruyi Temple and Cizhao Temple are akin, both engaged in land encroachment and tenant exploitation extensively.
Xu Qing was not surprised by these; in the Dayong Dynasty, all major temples and observational sites were entrenched local powerhouses.
Temples have tax exemption privileges, and some people, to avoid exorbitant taxes, even voluntarily "falsely entrust" their land or "take their land into the temple."
Temples tasted the benefits, spending significant gold and silver to purchase land, a medium-sized temple might occupy thousands of acres.
But for 'scenic wonders' like Ruyi Temple or Cizhao Temple, the occupied land extends far beyond tens of thousands of acres.
The total number of people within temple quarters is quite limited; thousands of acres, even if all monks and Daoists, including the Temple Master and Abbot, farmed together, they wouldn't manage to cultivate all the land.
So what's to be done?
Of course, they lease the land to tenant farmers for cultivation, collecting exorbitant rent!
Thus, temples accumulate wealth without paying taxes, wealth rolls in, and their land encroachment widens continuously.
When tenant farmers become insufficient, they employ people for cultivation, if encountering those without food or land, they assign unpaid labor.
Finally, the masters within the temple will extol, "Our Buddha is merciful, we provide you food, we prevent you from starving, you should feel grateful and strive harder in farming, to give back to the temple."
Since Emperor Longping's time, the Dayong Dynasty boasts the highest number of temples through the ages, and under Emperor Jingxing's governance, the prevalence of sacrificial rituals once again enhanced the temples' status and arrogance.
Would the Imperial Court really not notice the stark reduction in tax revenue?
It noticed, but could only turn a blind eye, shifting all responsibility elsewhere.
The reason is obvious, as the temples across regions had backing from quite exceptional figures.