Demon Realm.
Uncle Jiu stared at Fahai's messages in the Wanjie Chat Group.
Silence.
His brush, mid-stroke over a yellow talisman, had frozen in place for a long time.
He couldn't help but ask himself—
Why have I spent my life slaying demons and exorcising spirits?
He had personally witnessed ghosts in the underground palace.
He had seen the bodies of Celestial Masters.
But real immortals or Buddhas? He had never once laid eyes on them.
He used to comfort himself by thinking:
That's a realm far above me.
I'm just a humble Taoist. It's only natural that I haven't met one.
He had only ever learned a handful of Maoshan techniques, barely enough to qualify as a mid-tier exorcist.
He wasn't even a proper Celestial Master.
So how could I expect to see the gods?
But now… everything had changed.
Arhats. Buddhas. Sword immortals.
And that Eternal God they all believed in.
Honestly, my worldview is collapsing...
Especially after watching those videos—
He had been having nightmares every night since.
"What should I do…?" he murmured.
"Choose the Eternal God and become an immortal?
Or keep living this foolish, powerless life?"
Uncle Jiu sat there, face full of conflict.
Just then, his disciple Qiu Sheng burst into the room.
"Master, what are you still brooding about? It's been days now!
Master Ren sent someone to ask again—when will you be free to meet with him?"
Master Ren was the wealthiest man in town, living in a grand mansion with servants galore. Even his doorkeepers were better dressed than most.
Uncle Jiu shot Qiu Sheng a glare.
"Why are you shouting? Can't you see I'm thinking?
One more word and I'll beat you black and blue."
Qiu Sheng shrugged, unfazed. Then his eyes lit up with a mischievous grin.
"Master, what are you thinking about?
Let me give you some advice."
"What do you know? You don't even know how to write the word 'Tao.'"
"Tsk... I'm smart, Master.
If you're confused, I might actually be able to help."
Uncle Jiu frowned. Then paused.
Maybe it wouldn't hurt to ask what this brat thinks...
Qiu Sheng cleared his throat.
"Ahem. Here's how I see it—
Master, you used to belong to a small sect, right?
Now a big sect is recruiting.
It can make you stronger."
"But you can't bring yourself to switch...
You think it's betraying your teacher and your sect."
He didn't dare mention the word "immortal." That was too absurd to say out loud.
So he gave a simplified, understandable metaphor.
Uncle Jiu's brow twitched.
"Oh… and what would you do?"
"Easy!" Qiu Sheng said, eyes sparkling.
"I'd go immediately!
It's an amazing opportunity!"
He sighed dramatically.
"I'm sick of guarding this run-down graveyard.
I'm almost 30, and I don't even have a wife!
But if you grow stronger, Master—I get stronger too!"
Uncle Jiu looked at his disciple, a little helpless.
"You talk like it's simple…
But isn't that betrayal of my ancestors?"
He had always been a man of tradition.
He loathed betrayal.
But Qiu Sheng leaned in and asked softly:
"Master… if becoming stronger lets you save more people—
Isn't that better than sticking to rules and saving less?"
"What… do you mean?"
Uncle Jiu's heart trembled.
Qiu Sheng didn't miss a beat.
"It's simple, Master.
You've dedicated your life to slaying demons and saving the innocent.
You're famous for miles around.
People rely on you."
"But let's be honest—how many people can you actually help?"
"If you grow stronger—if even the province's demons are scared to show their faces…
Isn't that real compassion?"
"Didn't you always say a righteous man exists to relieve suffering?"
Boom.
Uncle Jiu's mind blanked.
Yes.
That was it!
The heavens are heartless.
Everything under heaven is treated as mere tools.
He was just a humble Taoist priest—able to help the people in his own town, at best.
But if he could gain power like Fahai—
If he could wield such divine strength—
He could help so many more.
There was a saying in the group chat:
Immortals are aloof.
They look down on mortals.
Unless a catastrophe strikes, they rarely intervene.
But I'm different.
I'm human.
Even if I become immortal—
I'll never forget what it's like to suffer.
So why am I still hesitating?
Strength? Status? Sect loyalty?
Compared to saving lives—these were all trivial.
Looking into his master's eyes, which were finally starting to shine again, Qiu Sheng couldn't help but grin.
Looks like I got through to him.
It's done!
As long as his master pledged allegiance to the Eternal God, Qiu Sheng could follow him into glory.
He grinned mischievously.
"Master, make sure not to tell anyone about this—especially not that blabbermouth Wen Cai. He can't keep a secret to save his life!"
"Understood. By the way, Master... what's the name of this new sect?"
"The Eternal God Church."
Qiu Sheng blinked.
"Huh... sounds a bit like one of those Western sects."
But since his master was all in, he didn't question it.
"Wait—you're not saying we joined those foreign religions, are you?"
Uncle Jiu frowned.
"Why? Don't like the name?"
"No, no—it's great! Totally righteous… uh, does this sect have any powerful figures?"
"Plenty. From what I've heard, there are two Sword Immortals, one Arhat, and even a Buddha."
"...Sword Immortals? A Buddha?
Master, you're not pulling my leg, are you?"
It all sounded like something out of a theatrical performance.
Heavenly Court tales weren't this dramatic.
But Uncle Jiu simply shook his head.
"Believe what you want.
Either way, I won't leave you behind."
"Then we have a deal!
Oh—and what about Master Ren?"
"We'll go see him tomorrow."
"Great! I'll let them know."
As Qiu Sheng rushed out excitedly, Uncle Jiu quietly downloaded the Eternal Meditation Scripture.
Then, he walked back into his inner chamber.
He knelt solemnly in front of the statue of the Celestial Master.
His expression was heavy, full of guilt.
"Master Patriarch... please forgive this unfilial disciple.
I admit I acted out of selfishness.
But when you first taught me the Tao,
you said to cultivate righteousness and save the people."
"I've studied the Way for decades and never strayed.
But today... I've switched allegiance.
It was not betrayal—it was necessity.
Forgive me…"
He finished the prayer and bowed three times.
Crack—
Suddenly, a burning scent filled the air.
Uncle Jiu looked up to see the statue of his sect's founder spontaneously ignite.
It didn't speak.
It simply burned.
Tears welled in Uncle Jiu's eyes.
He dropped to his knees again—and stayed there for a long time.
From this moment on, he was no longer a disciple of Maoshan.
He was now Uncle Jiu of the Eternal God Church.
The burning of the patriarch's statue marked the severing of all ties.
He would no longer be able to use Maoshan talismans.
Could no longer summon the ghosts of the underworld.
If the Eternal Meditation failed, he would be no better than a mortal with scraps of mana.
Worse off than Qiu Sheng.
But he didn't hesitate.
Wiping his tears, Uncle Jiu sat cross-legged.
He quieted his heart and activated the Eternal Meditation.
The flickering spark of mana within him—bleak and nearly extinguished—was instantly nourished by divine grace.
A tiny golden light lit up inside his body.
It grew.
Glowed.
And began rebuilding him from the inside out.
His spiritual consciousness entered the meditation space.
There, he saw countless beings bowing before a towering divine figure.
He was overwhelmed.
He had studied for a lifetime…
And this was the first time he had truly seen a god.
He was too stunned to react.
If this Eternal God truly ruled the world…
There would be no ghosts, no demons.
Only temples blooming across every town…
And peace.
Qiu Sheng was right. The group chat was right.
He had been too stubborn.
Wanjie Chat Group
As soon as Uncle Jiu downloaded the Eternal Meditation, the water group exploded.
Spirit of the Demon Sword (Long Kui):
"Hey... this guy finally downloaded it!
Didn't think the old stick in the mud would bend.
Guess he's not just dead wood after all."
To Save All Sentient Beings (Fahai):
"You're wrong.
I think he's a righteous man—
Maybe my words finally got through."
There were now sword immortals, arhats, and buddhas in the group.
With these powerhouses already acknowledged, any Chinese member would naturally feel drawn in.
Just like Fahai had once been.
Li Er:
"Baldy, don't talk too big now…
I'll be flying with a sword soon, even before becoming a Sword Immortal."
Young Master Murong:
"You keep trying, Brother Li.
Without divine power, you wouldn't even be able to catch a single Sui Dynasty remnant."
Li Er:
"Hey, don't lump it all on me.
Those guys from Goryeo and Sui keep playing hide and seek with me!"
The Demon Sword had fused with both the Sui Dynasty remnants and the Goryeo faction.
The three forces were constantly engaging in guerrilla warfare.
The border was chaotic.
Still, Li Er's slow and steady approach meant he was gaining ground.
Chu Dashan:
"Hehe~
Give me a few days, and I'll post an epic video.
I've got a huge move planned."
Tanjiro:
"Brother Chu, what kind of big move?"
Chu Dashan:
"Secret~!"
Spirit of the Demon Sword:
"Did you conquer your whole region?
Or occupy multiple cities? Spill it!"
Chu Dashan:
"Fine, I'll give you a hint:
I found an ancient altar site—linked to an emperor."
Sadly Reminded Lao Gao:
"Wait—you didn't go to Mount Tai, did you?"
In modern terms, antiquity meant his present era.
Mount Tai was known as the imperial site of heavenly worship, used by emperors like Qin Shi Huang.
If Chu Dashan really found it, it would make a phenomenal sacrifice location.
Chu Dashan:
"Damn it, you're spoiling everything!
Stop leaking my secrets!"
Sadly Reminded Lao Gao:
"Wronged.jpg..."
Ninth Uncle: Demon Slayer:
"Hello everyone.
I was meditating just now—sorry for the late reply.
I've thought deeply about what you all said earlier."
To Save All Sentient Beings:
"???"
Spirit of the Demon Sword:
"???"
Li Er:
"What did you figure out? That God is supreme?"
Ninth Uncle: Demon Slayer:
"Yes, the Eternal God is mighty.
But I…
I'm just a mortal.
A humble Taoist from Maoshan.
Even my patriarch has abandoned me for taking this path.
Still… I have no regrets."
"The path I chose may be difficult.
But I'll walk it with everything I have."
"I don't seek enlightenment. I'm not a Buddha.
If I can just learn the power to help people—that's enough."
To Save All Sentient Beings:
"This…
This is what true compassion looks like!"