This is like a newly weaned foal, being forced to carry a heavy load and travel a thousand miles a day.
Can it survive? Can it not?
Xie Qiongke could hardly avoid feeling hesitant, but having previously signed the Heaven and Earth Red Character Post, the vow made with his Dao heart did not allow him to retreat even half a step.
Retreat a step, and his Dao heart would be damaged, leaving the immortal path hopeless. Advance a step and be crushed by the grand array into a dried corpse, with no burial ground...
If he chose the former, he would surely be listed as untrustworthy alongside Ascendant Fuluan, spat upon by thousands, and completely disgrace Lu Zu's reputation.
If he chose the latter, though dead without life, at least he could leave behind a name for sacrificing for humanity, immortal through time.
"If I don't enter hell, who will?"
Xie Qiongke gritted his teeth and unleashed the full power of his Golden Core Purple Mansion, which he had cherished for many years.
That tragic appearance truly moved himself.
Outside the array, Ascendant Fuluan wished to remind him that this was not the true Zhou Tian Star Array, but a simplified version called the Small Zhou Tian Array...
But recalling his own past, standing within the array, intimidated by its power, a scheming Ascendant Fuluan froze his words on the lips.
Though it was a Small Zhou Tian Array, compared to the Small Capital Heaven Array he had presided over in Jin Sect years ago, the power was not reduced in the slightest.
Ascendant Fuluan could almost foresee that Xie Daozhang, even if unharmed after the fact, would need to recuperate for decades like him.
Sometimes, he truly admired Xu Qing's blade technique from the depths of his heart; the other truly maximized the utilization rate of these Primordial Spirit True Men.
More, they couldn't bear it; less, wouldn't suffice.
Truly more adept at using people than a landlord!
The tide of the Fen River surged, white waves rolled.
Seeing this, Shiyue immediately flew forward, releasing sixteen subordinates and five thousand plague array ghost soldiers from the pouch, to move mountains and stones, and groom the river channel.
Beside her, with experience, Ascendant Fuluan likewise deployed the sword box, diverting the river to mitigate the impact of the terrifying spiritual tide.
Even though Qing Weizi had low Dao practice, he still took the lead, joining the team, to clear the old illness in Yaozhou and deliver new blood.
Ten days later, in Yaozhou.
Shiyue recalled Xu Qing's instructions and immediately ordered sixteen subordinates to lift the sedan chair, sending the weak and exhausted-looking Xie Qiongke back to Jin Sect for recuperation the moment the grand array concluded.
Before being put into the sedan chair, Xie Daozhang didn't forget Xu Qing's promise:
"The Sect Leader says, once this matter is over, he will confer upon me the position of one of the Twelve Altar Masters of the Da Luo Sect..."
Shiyue didn't wish to respond on behalf of the Sect Leader regarding this matter, but didn't want Xie Qiongke to overthink either. After some contemplation, the distressed girl instinctively drew out the golden brick magic treasure.
"..."
The exhausted-looking Xie Qiongke instantly became alert: "I was merely asking casually, it isn't too late to discuss this once the Sect Leader returns!"
Shiyue sighed in relief, her face immediately displaying a cunning and understanding smile.
...
By Fen River's side, when Zhao Pingsheng and others left the Shadow River and returned to Yaozhou, Xie Qiongke's figure was long gone.
Having regained some magical power, Ascendant Fuluan smiled slyly: "Xie Daoyou's merit is complete; he has already returned to Jin Sect ahead of time to prepare for the ceremony of rewards and ascending the altar."
Zhang Pingsheng and Xinyuan didn't give it much thought, both only considering hosting the mundane grand array a great fortune.
If you don't believe, look at Xie Qiongke—without needing to enter the Shadow River and face demonic threats, merely operate an existing array briefly, gaining the Sect Leader's recognition to become a pillar of the Da Luo Sect; isn't this a great fortune?
And then there's the Ascendant Fuluan before them, known for having a reputation as dubious as a discredited Immortal, yet after hosting the reverse-feeding grand array in Jin Sect, magically transformed, becoming one of the sect's Twelve Altar Masters.
Like a pig catching the wind, suddenly flying up into the sky.
Although Zhang Pingsheng and Xinyuan obtained the position of altar masters from Da Luo Sect in advance, neither had accomplished anything noteworthy thus far.
Both speculated, almost simultaneously motivated to host the next grand array.
The Shadow River's main gates were numerous; Da Luo Sect would certainly have to continue operating the reverse-feeding array to clear the demonic aura within.
If neither of them hosted once or twice, wouldn't it be like belittling Xie Qiongke and Ascendant Fuluan without cause?
"Sect Leader, if there's any hosting of the grand array in the future, feel free to let me undertake it!"
Xu Qing looked surprised at Zhang Pingsheng.
Before he could respond, beside him, Xinyuan the monk also unabashedly suggested: "I, too, can contribute to this matter…"
Xu Qing inwardly chuckled, thinking that he had diverted Xie Qiongke precisely to free Zhang Pingsheng from any psychological burden so they could smoothly take on the subsequent task of guiding the Shadow River spiritual tide's reverse-feeding. Unexpectedly, before he could speak, these two had voluntarily demanded first!
"Sure, sure, since both altar masters wish to serve the sect selflessly, there will be plenty of opportunities ahead."
Zhang Pingsheng was secretly pleased, for Da Luo Sect's work is glorious, benefiting all sentient beings with everlasting merit.
If he could shine, leaving an immortal name, it would bring glory to the Entire Orthodox Doctrine. Should he have a chance to achieve Perfect Fruit in the future, he might receive recognition from the Celestial Emperor, obtaining a higher celestial rank!
Xin Yuan's thoughts were much simpler; he aimed not for his own fame, but that of the entire Buddhist sect.
Xu Qing had immense connections; Da Luo Sect seemed destined for greatness. Should there really come a day when this sect becomes the savior straw halting calamity, all kinds across Three Realms and Six Paths would scrutinize past members of Da Luo Sect.
If there weren't among them Buddhist disciples, or if the Buddhist sect's reputation weren't prominent, wouldn't it be his failure?
Xin Yuan the monk was gambling on Da Luo Sect's future, Zhang Pingshen the same; only the inhuman Xu Qing understood that Da Luo Sect had no future!
Even if there were, it would merely be to offset everyone's breach of heavenly principles. He couldn't really lead Da Luo Sect to confront the Higher Realm, to revise heavenly principles, could he?
Xu Qing intended to brush it off with a smile, but inexplicably, he didn't smile; instead, he subconsciously contemplated the feasibility of the final option.
Upon realizing his mindset had altered, Xu Qing was suddenly awakened.
Indeed! He must have been influenced by the Little Water Curtain Grotto Heaven Master and that Haishui Hailgod, otherwise how could he conceive such dangerous thoughts?
Xu Qing deeply introspected, realizing he was merely a small Flying Corpse yet to prove even the Kui Ba Fruits, how could he think of such rebellious things now...
Over the next half-year, Xu Qing led the prominent disciples of Da Luo Sect, traveling Yaozhou while also propagating Da Luo Sect's role in curbing calamity, altering lands and mountains influences, promoting growth, and sheltering humanity.
Xu Qing inwardly held a notion; since Da Luo Sect had been meritorious to humanity, why hide?
It should be known that even the demonic outer paths can't resist pilfering ordinary incense, using it for self-transformation or small incense spells.
His Da Luo Sect performed genuine salvation and rescue deeds, thus accepting higher-quality merit incense was naturally justified.
Moreover, incense was the key to Da Luo Sect's establishment; Xu Qing needed it to purify the Shadow River and reinvigorate humanity.
In turbulent times, merit may not substantially impact zombies but crucially, it was an invaluable strategic resource for his founded three teachings.
Within six months, leveraging the fame previously accumulated by Da Luo Sect, Xu Qing absorbed the full merit of Yaozhou's flourishing.
Supported by Dayan Emperor's endorsement, Xu Qing also constructed a Da Luo Temple by the banks of Fen River in Yaozhou.
Inside are enshrined four real persons of 'Da Luo Heaven' alongside the sect leader.
Besides the sect leader, four altar masters, Xu Qing specially included a 'Qing Wei Protector Child' deity position beside the statue in the main hall.
Despite being sixty, Qing Weizi looked at the temple's child statue of merely three feet tall without feeling anything amiss.
In Da Luo Sect, Qing Weizi himself was that ungrew child; this he knew better than anyone!
...
On the day of Da Luo Temple's founding, Xu Qing's mind sunk into the Dharma Realm of Da Luo. At that time, the incense of merit within the realm had breached the million threshold and continued growing!
This was the merit from reviving Yaozhou and cleansing a province of demonic aura, also the initial capital for Da Luo Sect to ascend nationwide.
Xu Qing could foresee, once Shadow River was purged, and twelve provinces restore clarity; Da Luo Sect would undoubtedly become a true significant sect!
That winter month, during the final month lingering in Yaozhou, Xu Qing granted Da Luo Sect four altar masters and one Taoist boy their first year's incense salary.
Ten thousand for altar masters, five thousand for Taoist, the pay could not be considered low.
Zhang Pingsheng had never seen so much incense in his life, while Qing Weizi found himself tearfully overwhelmed upon receiving his five thousand incense.
This incense shone piercingly.