Regardless of whether it's the Daoist or Buddhist sects, any religious sects have their unique characteristics and doctrines they believe in.
Looking further, there are sects that value quality over quantity when it comes to disciples, pursue both life and cultivation, and emphasize virtue and background; there are also sects that mediate between extremes, advocate for non-action and non-contention, yet lean towards maintaining the order and stability of the Heavenly Dao; and those that teach without discrimination, championing freedom, opposing discrimination based on origins, and asserting that all beings have the right to cultivate...
The Da Luo Sect founded by Xu Qing also has its own philosophy.
"Heaven manifests in 49, the Dao is 50, humans escape by one."
"What our Da Luo Sect advocates is grasping destiny, with great determination and courage, doing everything possible to seize that single thread of opportunity!"
At Yun Tai Mountain, in the Daoist Temple of Lu Zu, the Primordial Spirit True Man Xie Qiongke, who comes from the lineage of Zhong and Lu, is entertaining Celestial Master Zhang Pingsheng.
Since Daoist Zhang's name was listed by Xu Qing among the grand altar listings, Daoist Zhang has become the number one evangelist of the Da Luo Sect.
It is said that no law holds the masses accountable, when the Da Luo Sect had only a few people, they naturally could not evade the punishment of the celestial laws, but if they recruit enough disciples and involve extensive powers, perhaps they could contend for that thread of opportunity as the doctrines suggest!
When more people gather, courage grows; since they aim to accomplish great feats, naturally they should bring all acquainted Daoist friends into the sect.
"However, the entry conditions of the Da Luo Sect are extremely stringent, even though I am a true disciple of the Orthodox Dao, I almost faced rejection at the door."
Initially, Xie Qiongke didn't pay much attention when he heard about the Da Luo Sect, but when he heard that the Da Luo Sect didn't even regard the Primordial Spirit True Man Zhang Pingsheng, his curiosity was thoroughly aroused.
"Friend, the Orthodox Dao is the legitimate tradition of the Daoist sect, hailed as a reputable school where true immortals have emerged, why would you lower yourself to a sect of unknown reputation? And what virtue or capability does this Da Luo Sect have to make you hold it in such high regard?"
"Unknown reputation?" Zhang Pingsheng seemed to have heard a huge joke: "Our sect has twelve altars, do you know what kind of people are appointed as Altar Masters?"
"Without exception, all are living Buddhas and Primordial Spirit True Men!"
Zhang Pingsheng, saying this, suddenly asked: "Friend, have you ever heard of the Divine Lord of Sea Gathering?"
"A true god of the upper realm, Marshal of the Central Altar, head of the Five Camp Divine Generals, how could I not know? But what does this have to do with the Da Luo Sect?"
Zhang Pingsheng stretched out his hand to set up a soundproof array and spoke astonishingly: "The disciple of the Divine Lord of Sea Gathering now follows the Da Luo Sect Leader in cultivation, and the Sect Leader possesses the true inheritance of the Nine Heavens Profound Lady, mastering all celestial and terrestrial divine techniques... The two great demons, the Zhongzhou Corpse Demon and Jingjin Ghost Law, were also personally eliminated by the Da Luo Sect Leader!"
"..."
Xie Qiongke's eyes widened, incredulous, "The upper realm has clearly forbidden the communication between heaven and earth, even immortals and gods are not allowed to intervene in matters of the Underworld, how could the Nine Heavens Profound Lady and Divine Lord of Sea Gathering possibly openly defy the Celestial Emperor's decree?"
Zhang Pingsheng revealed a profound smile: "Which of the successive great calamities did not have prohibitions? But those who eventually settled the calamities and achieved perfect merit, how many strictly adhered to the rules?"
"Friend, you must understand that calamities in the world are also opportunities, and the prohibitions passed down from the upper realm ban only ordinary people."
Xie Qiongke furrowed his brow, and his long-unwavering emotions were already stirred by the other's few words.
Seeing Xie Qiongke deep in thought, Zhang Pingsheng knew there was hope.
He seized the opportunity and, apparently casually, added, "The Sect Leader was witnessed by heaven and earth, establishing the Da Luo Sect, during which many high virtues wanted to join the sect yet were unsuccessful. As of now, within the sect, only four of the twelve Altar Masters have been appointed outwardly."
Xie Qiongke pressed further, "Dare I ask, friend, which four?"
"This is not usually disclosed externally... but as fellow Daoists facing each other, I won't conceal."
Zhang Pingsheng chuckled and said, "Our sect has allocated four positions of Altar Master: the Sect Leader Altar, the Gratitude Altar, the Disaster Relief Altar, and the Rescue Altar. Among them, the Sect Leader presides over the leader altar, I preside over the Disaster Relief Altar, as for the other two..."
"One is a living Buddha whose realm is not lower than mine, in charge of the Rescue Altar, and the other is Xie Sheng, the wandering cultivator ordered by the founding Emperor two thousand years ago, who traversed immortal mountains and famous residences searching for immortality."
After hearing this, Xie Qiongke remained speechless for a long time.
If he hadn't heard about the shadow of the immortals behind the Da Luo Sect in advance, he would definitely have considered Zhang Pingsheng and others as madmen.
But speaking of it, a sect might have one true cultivator being a madman, but it can't possibly have three or four madmen.
Xie Qiongke vaguely felt he had touched an unprecedented opportunity, he kept composed for a while, finally couldn't help but ask: "Friend, is there any saying about joining the Da Luo Sect?"
Seeing Zhang Pingsheng frown, Xie Qiongke hastily added, "You and I belong to the same lineage of the Daoist sect, sharing the same root and branch, hopefully, you can take this relationship into account and not hesitate to inform."
Zhang Pingsheng pretended to ponder, and when the timing was right, he finally spoke: "The world's creation is limited, and the positions of Dao fruits and immortals are also fixed in number, without fate and creation, even as a Primordial Spirit True Man, Demi Immortal and Demi Saint, they dare not guarantee distinct merit one day."
"But today is remarkably different!"
Zhang Pingsheng resolutely stated: "The great calamity we face, isn't it also an opportunity?"
"Opportunity?"
Xie Qiongke pondered deeply, but by the end, apart from beheading, he couldn't think of any opportunity existence.
"I am dull, please guide me, friend."
Zhang Pingsheng slightly smiled, dipped his hand into tea water, and wrote on the tabletop two words — 'Destiny.'
Xie Qiongke suddenly raised his head, his expression unprecedentedly excited.
"Friend, do you mean..."
Zhang Pingsheng pointed upwards and gestured for silence.
"The word 'immortal' attracts so many to compete for crossing, yet people only know how to cultivate and practice, not understanding that to certify the position of an immortal, it also requires the assistance of merit."