Sect Master’s Immortal Journey

The records in the Sect Master's chronicle do not contain detailed information about this Ghost Deity's origins, only mentioning that an agreement was made between the entity and the ancestors of the Taiyi Sect during their heyday. However, the information in the chronicle is not entirely accurate. It was not because the previous Sect Master deliberately concealed anything, but rather due to their limited knowledge and experience, which restricted their understanding.

After the reconstruction of Taiyi Sect in the Grand Crossing Mountain Range, much of the information about Taiyi Sect during its prime slowly vanished. Extreme Sword Spirit General, as one of the elders who survived from Taiyi Sect's prime, holds many secrets of the sect. He keeps this knowledge close to his chest and will not easily reveal what he knows unless necessary, even to fellow disciples.

Upon contemplation, Extreme Sword Spirit General shared some information he possesses. During Taiyi Sect's prime, many formidable cultivators emerged within the sect. Besides those who followed the conventional path of cultivation, there were others who pursued alternative routes, such as the path of the Ghost Deity, a relatively rare Grand Dao practice.

Cultivators with at least a Gold Core-level cultivation base, due to certain circumstances, could willingly discard their physical bodies and actively invest their Souls into the Netherworld, embarking on the path of the Ghost Deity.

The Ghost Deity Grand Dao is fundamentally different from the evil path of Ghost Cultivation. Instead, it is considered a branch of the righteous path. To walk the path of the Ghost Deity, one must abandon everything in the mortal world and cultivate their pure Soul in the Netherworld.

Extreme Sword Spirit General is not very familiar with the specific cultivation methods of the Ghost Deity path. Moreover, he knows very little about the situation in the Netherworld.

With Taiyi Sect's profound heritage during its prime, a significant number of cultivators chose the path of the Ghost Deity. Among these cultivators, some achieved remarkable accomplishments and became powerful Ghost Deities.

Once a cultivator transforms into a Ghost Cultivator, their temperament often undergoes a drastic change. Similarly, embarking on the path of the Ghost Deity also has a considerable impact on one's temperament. Furthermore, after entering the Netherworld and achieving success in cultivation, it becomes difficult to interfere with matters in the mortal world.

Even cultivators from the same sect or family, upon becoming Ghost Deities, may not care as much about their previous sect or family and may regard their former fellow disciples and kin as strangers. This is a common occurrence.

However, Ghost Deities who were originally from Taiyi Sect tend to evoke a sense of closeness among Taiyi Sect cultivators. Compared to other Ghost Deities, they are seemingly more reliable.

During its prime, a Taiyi Sect Primordial Spirit True Monarch paid a considerable price to communicate with fellow Ghost Deities in the Netherworld and reach an agreement for mutual benefits. The Ghost Deity that Meng Zhang worshipped back then was probably an ancestor of Taiyi Sect. In accordance with the agreement with the previous Primordial Spirit True Monarch of Taiyi Sect, this Ghost Deity guided eligible junior disciples of Taiyi Sect into the Trial Ground.

After all, Taiyi Sect was an extremely powerful Primordial Spirit sect during its prime, far stronger than the entire Jiuqu League. Before the tragedy of their sect's annihilation, their predecessors undoubtedly left behind various measures.

For instance, when Zhou Qing Daoist Master obtained the Void Cauldron and gathered fellow disciples to escape and rebuild Taiyi Sect in the vicinity of the Grand Crossing Mountain Range, it should have been one of the measures left behind by Taiyi Sect's ancestors.

Since there were predecessors from Taiyi Sect who achieved Ghost Deity status in the Netherworld, it is possible that they made some arrangements there.

At least, according to Extreme Sword Spirit General and the other four Guardian Spirit Generals' knowledge, there were no remaining senior experts from Taiyi Sect in the mortal world. To gain recognition as the Sect Master by the Void Cauldron, Meng Zhang may have to delve into the Netherworld and seek the assistance of the previous Ghost Deities.Extreme Sword Spirit General suggested that Meng Zhang could once again worship that Ghost Deity.

Firstly, this person is likely an ancestor of Taiyi Sect, and there should be some connection between the older and younger generations. Even if they are unwilling to provide help beyond the agreement, they should not harm the junior.

Secondly, during Meng Zhang's worship, the four Guardian Spirit Generals will be guarding nearby. If anything goes wrong, they can help Meng Zhang interrupt the ritual and escape in time. This is the mortal world after all, and even a powerful Ghost Deity's abilities are greatly restricted here, unable to do as they please.

When Meng Zhang dared to worship this Ghost Deity in the past, it was because he believed in the records in the Sect Master's chronicle. Worshiping the Ghost Deity to seek passage to the Trial Ground was a covenant between Taiyi Sect's ancestors and the Ghost Deity. However, performing such a ritual for other purposes beyond the agreement could be dangerous.

Therefore, Extreme Sword Spirit General did not force Meng Zhang to agree but simply offered his suggestion.

Meng Zhang had gone through tremendous difficulties to obtain the Void Cauldron, but due to the tool spirit's rejection, he failed in his efforts. He felt unwilling to accept this setback. After considering Extreme Sword Spirit General's proposal, he found the risks manageable and acceptable. However, he did not immediately agree and asked for some time to contemplate.

Though Meng Zhang had never proactively revealed his identity as a Diviner, he had used the Tianji Art (heavenly calculation technique) multiple times within the sect and had not shied away from trustworthy fellow disciples. Some close cultivators within the sect had speculated about his identity as a Diviner, but Meng Zhang never mentioned it, and no one dared to probe into his secrets.

Within Maple Leaf Mountain City, there were naturally secluded places arranged for high-ranking members of the sect like Meng Zhang to meditate. After returning to his secluded chamber, Meng Zhang focused and used the Grand Evolving Fortune and calculated the risks of this action.

The Ghost Deity was estimated to be at least a Fourth Rank Ghost Deity, and Meng Zhang's calculations did not anticipate an unexpected failure.

When Meng Zhang's cultivation base was lower, the Tianji Art had helped him numerous times. Now that his cultivation base was higher, he encountered stronger opponents, and he increasingly felt the limitations of the Tianji Art. For instance, he had previously attempted to calculate the details of areas infested with demonic creatures but failed.

Areas heavily occupied by demonic creatures inherently resisted the influence of the heavenly dao. Even though the creatures there were at most Third Rank, their existence was inherently forbidden by the heavenly dao, making the Tianji Art less effective in such areas. However, there were also many situations where the Tianji Art proved useful.

For instance, before the ambush in Daoist Master Mountain Garden, Meng Zhang had secretly used the Tianji Art and obtained results with minimal risks and significant rewards. With this outcome, he dared to mobilize Taiyi Sect's experts and attempt the ambush.

Although Meng Zhang hadn't calculated the specific consequences of worshipping the Ghost Deity this time, he also did not sense any fatal danger. Despite facing a much stronger opponent, his Spiritual Awareness might not be reliable, but after careful consideration, Meng Zhang decided to accept Extreme Sword Spirit General's suggestion.

With his decision made, Meng Zhang no longer delayed and immediately prepared to act. Although years had passed, he vividly remembered all the details of the previous worship of the Ghost Deity.

He quickly arranged the ritual, prepared the offerings, and under the watchful eyes of the four Guardian Spirit Generals, he began to worship the Ghost Deity.

With a sincere and respectful demeanor, Meng Zhang knelt down, performed the ceremony with utmost devotion, and began praying fervently.

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