Qiusheng knew very little about this uncle.
He had only seen him once every few years.
But he had heard from others that Master Jiu Shu's junior—though talented—was nowhere near Master's level. He had taken on a disciple, but from what people said, it was all just surface-level martial training.
When the Four-Eyed Taoist heard he'd been spotted, he stepped out from hiding, his expression slightly grim.
He stared at the smiling Qiusheng and asked coldly, "Where is Lin Jiu?"
"Master is meditating inside. Please, Uncle-Master, follow me."
Despite how bluntly the man had called out his master's name, Qiusheng wasn't angry.
After all, his master had told him long ago:
"One day, your uncles and brothers will come. And they'll be angry when they learn I've left the sect."
So he had been prepared for this moment.
In fact, it would've been suspicious if the Four-Eyed Taoist hadn't been upset.
The temple was massive—far grander than anything a person would expect to be built in just half a month.
As they entered, the Four-Eyed Taoist was struck by the sight:
Hundreds of people were seated in meditation.
Most were young. Some wore patched, worn-out clothing—obviously from poor families.
But their breathing… it was calm, smooth, and full of life.
The Taoist narrowed his eyes.
Something wasn't right.
They looked like commoners—yet each and every one radiated an oppressive presence.
His instincts as a martial artist screamed at him:
These people are dangerous.
They weren't just disciples.
They were powerhouses in training.
The Four-Eyed Taoist felt bitter.
Back when they were all still under their master, they had competed to be the one who brought glory to the sect.
Now Lin Jiu, the one who had left, had raised such a terrifying group of disciples.
It was hard not to feel defeated.
He only prayed this wasn't some heretical path.
"Uncle-Master, these are all newly recruited disciples," Qiusheng said softly. "They're deep into meditation, so let's not disturb them right now. I'll introduce you to them later."
"Mm."
The Four-Eyed Taoist nodded slightly, though inside, a storm was raging.
Recruited recently?
Was he joking?
The disciples outside could be explained as Lin Jiu's personal students.
But this many? Trained to this level in such a short time?
That was almost unbelievable.
They walked deeper into the temple, eventually arriving at the backyard.
There, amidst the lush green grass, a single figure sat in quiet meditation.
Gone was the old, tattered Daoist robe.
In its place, a clean, elegant robe of divine cloth.
Even from behind, the Four-Eyed Taoist recognized the figure.
"You've come, Junior Brother."
Jiu Shu stood slowly, turning to face him with a calm smile.
His body radiated harmony—a perfect union of man and nature.
The Four-Eyed Taoist was stunned.
That divine presence... the glowing calm in his senior's eyes... the flawless aura...
This was the realm their master had spent his whole life pursuing.
But Lin Jiu had already surpassed it.
This was no longer just unity with nature. It was something more.
He had heard about the miracle that occurred when the temple opened:
Lin Jiu had summoned thunder from a clear sky and scattered dark clouds with a wave.
This wasn't the power of a Daoist anymore.
This was the power of a Celestial Master.
"I know why you've come," Lin Jiu said calmly. "And I understand how you feel. But let me say only this, Junior Brother—everything I do is for the justice I hold in my heart."
"Whether you understand or not doesn't matter."
"I may have left the sect, but I've never betrayed my Dao heart."
His voice was steady, resolute.
Even Qiusheng felt pride swell in his chest hearing his master speak.
Still, seeing his uncle remain silent, Qiusheng added quickly,
"Uncle-Master, it's true we've turned from the sect, but with this strength, we're able to help people now."
"Just two days ago, we received news from Majia Town. A horde of zombies had appeared."
"Master took just three hours to destroy them all and purify the evil aura blanketing the town."
"Now, Majia Town is rebuilding. The villagers even want to erect an archway in his honor!"
"Just think—over thirty zombies, including a bronze-level one. Back then, we wouldn't even dare approach such a place."
"Master is no longer the same as he was."
The Four-Eyed Taoist was silent for a long moment.
"…So you haven't strayed down a wicked path," he finally muttered. "That's a relief."
Their relationship was like that of Qiusheng and Wencai—brothers since childhood.
As long as Lin Jiu wasn't harming the innocent, what more could he say?
Jiu Shu noticed his junior's complicated expression and chuckled.
"You're still too old-fashioned, Junior Brother."
"When the spiritual energy of our world dries up, the Daoist arts will vanish. You think I've joined another sect?"
"No... Do you think martial artists could grant this kind of power?"
He raised his hand slightly.
A crackling thunderball appeared in his palm.
The Four-Eyed Taoist took a step back, startled, thinking he was about to be attacked.
But the thunderball faded quickly.
Jiu Shu smiled again.
"This power comes from a god—an existence even greater than immortals."
"Just a sliver of His strength can reshape the world."
"I'm not doing this for fame or fortune."
"I haven't taken concubines, I haven't hoarded money, and I certainly don't chase vanity."
"But when I was awakened by another believer, I realized…"
This world is broken.
The warlords rule with violence.
Ghosts wander the streets.
The heavens are silent.
The underworld is absent.
The world is in chaos.
"That's why God chose me."
"Because I have the power—and the will—to save the people."
He paused.
"Junior Brother… will you help me?"
The words were sincere.
Touching.
The Four-Eyed Taoist wanted to believe it—but the more he listened, the more he felt like his brother was trying to convert him.
Yet…
The power was real.
And his brother's ambition… truly noble.
"If we can really bring peace to these chaotic times,"
"Wouldn't we surpass even our ancestors?"
A ripple stirred in the Four-Eyed Taoist's heart.
"Can you really bring order to the chaos?"
"You'll know if you start practicing."
Jiu Shu handed him the Eternal Meditation Manual with a calm smile.
If you can sway one, you can sway them all.
And what's more convincing than an old brother?
Just as the Four-Eyed Taoist hesitated—
A ghostly shadow rose silently from the ground behind Jiu Shu.
"Master Heavenly Priest, the Ghost King intends to move against you tonight. Please be cautious."
"Mm. You may go."
The ghost shadow shot a strange glance at the Four-Eyed Taoist, then vanished with a strange grin.
"…He—how could he appear during the day?!"
The Four-Eyed Taoist looked up at the sun in shock.
A ghost manifesting under broad daylight?
And what was this… Skeleton Ghost King?
"Ordinary ghosts can't show up during the day," Jiu Shu explained.
"But those who've learned Eternal Meditation can."
"They're ghost servants of the Eternal God. No need to panic. I'll handle the Ghost King myself. Qiusheng will keep you company in the meantime."
The power of the underworld was more complicated than most mortals imagined.
Besides King Yama, there were hundreds of Ghost Kings beneath him, each ruling their own territory.
In their region, half the province fell under the Skeleton Ghost King's rule.
But now, Jiu Shu's rise had disrupted that balance—
He had not submitted to the ghost, and thus earned the king's displeasure.
The Ghost King had come to demand an answer.
In the past, Jiu Shu wouldn't have dared confront one of them.
He wouldn't have even asked questions.
But now, after understanding the truth, he saw what these Ghost Kings really were:
Leeches.
They consumed incense, accepted worship, but did nothing useful.
They let minor evil spirits roam free to prey on humans—
Until they grew strong enough to serve under them as enforcers.
Cruel. Power-hungry. Wicked.
What use did the world have for such Ghost Kings?
The Four-Eyed Taoist watched his senior's back disappear, then looked down at the meditation text in his hand.
He gritted his teeth.
"Alright. Let's see just how powerful this so-called god really is."
Truth be told—he was moved.
Compared to the righteous and straightforward Jiu Shu, the Four-Eyed Taoist was more pragmatic.
If becoming like his senior meant he wouldn't have to carry corpses day after day...
If it meant living better and saving more people...
Then why not?
Qiusheng chuckled to himself in the corner.
Another one hooked.
Master Uncle Qianhe had already been in contact.
Sooner or later, all of them would join Eternal Faith.
May the Eternal Church spread across the world.
Night fell.
The moonlight was brilliant, as if the world were bathed in daylight.
In Renjia Town, no lanterns were lit—
The Eternal God's divine light alone illuminated everything.
Everyone had received the news.
The Ghost King was coming tonight.
But no one panicked.
After all, the Heavenly Master would handle it.
That said, people still took precautions.
Windows were shut tight.
Doors sealed.
Talisman scrolls posted on walls.
No one dared to sleep.
Everyone peered out cautiously through window slits, watching the night.
Suddenly, a gust of wind howled.
A chilling black cloud loomed over the town.
In the moonlight, people saw ghostly warhorses and terrifying ghost generals galloping through the sky.
Darkness swallowed half the heavens.
At the forefront rode a figure in a black python robe—his gaze fixed on the radiant Eternal Temple below.
The Skeleton Ghost King sneered.
"A mere village priest dares steal souls from my underworld?"
"That is a capital offense!"
"Someone bring me the head of Lin Jiu!"
"I'll do it."
A ghost general mounted his steed and charged down like lightning.
In his mind, a human priest was nothing.
But before he even got close—
A bolt of azure thunder struck him midair.
He disintegrated on the spot.
The speed, the intensity—
Even the Ghost King's underlings began to tremble.
Some let out eerie, broken screams.
And then a powerful voice echoed from below:
"You wretches feed on mortal offerings, yet never think of serving them!"
"You only indulge yourselves while evil spirits run rampant."
"In my time guarding this land, I've captured sixty malicious spirits and sent over six hundred lost souls to the Underworld."
"And you? You sit idle while your domain rots."
"The underworld has fallen into disgrace."
"Today, I—Lin Jiu—acting under the will of the Eternal God, will purge you."
Even among ghosts, order must be kept.
Where were the reapers?
Where were the emissaries to guide lost souls?
Nowhere.
Instead, the so-called Ghost Kings did nothing but indulge in incense and power.
Letting ghosts roam. Letting evil fester.
What use were they?
At that very moment, the Eternal followers scattered throughout Renjia Town acted.
A massive divine formation activated—locking the Skeleton Ghost King in place midair.
Then, an enormous column of holy thunder surged up from the temple.
It pierced the heavens—
And turned the entire horde of ghostly warriors to ash.
A scene beyond imagination.
The heavens themselves seemed to tremble.
It was…
Earth-shattering.