Branch Master Chu's words gave all three of them a shock, especially Lu Yang, who thought of much more.
When he first joined the Dao Seeking Sect, the sect had provided a rough map. Marked upon it, the Dao Seeking Sect spanned a hundred thousand li across—and what did that mean? That was larger than ten Earths flattened out!
Considering the capabilities of the Void Refining and Body Integration powerhouses described in the ancient records, only a territory so vast could allow them to unleash their divine powers without restraint.
The sect had numerous forbidden zones, most of which were grounds where cultivation powerhouses had fought. Anyone lacking sufficient cultivation would meet a violent end if they so much as grazed the edge.
Upon entering the sect, Eldest Senior Sister had said, "The sect cannot be explained in a few words; you may explore it gradually in the future." That was not because she was too lazy to explain—the Dao Seeking Sect was truly vast enough that it had to be explored in steps.
Thinking of it this way, the Dao Seeking Sect might very well be the result of several planets flattened out!
The territory occupied by the Dao Seeking Sect was merely a corner of the Central Continent. It was hard to imagine just how enormous the Central Continent truly was!
Branch Master Chu continued, "In ancient times, there were tens of thousands of stars bearing life, perhaps even more, though the exact number is impossible to verify.
"Ancient cultivators who reached the Soul Formation stage could fly from one star to another without relying on dharma treasures. In those days, damaged stars could be seen everywhere across the cosmos, all destruction wrought by cultivators fighting!
"The splendor of antiquity was truly intoxicating. How many myths and legends were born then, and how many cultivation powerhouses were forged?
"When the cultivation powerhouses of that era measured their might, they looked at how many planets they could destroy in a single strike; when they compared their spheres of influence, they compared how many living planets were under their command.
"When antiquity's prosperity reached its zenith, a certain existence made his move. He refined the myriad stars of the heavens into a single continent. Whether planets with life or lifeless rocks, none could escape his demonic grasp.
"The Central Continent brims with vibrant life because this was once a star teeming with life, the place most suited for cultivation!
"The vast ocean to the east of the Central Continent was once a star covered in seawater.
"The golden Buddhist Kingdom to the west of the Central Continent was once a dead, uninhabitable star.
"The Demon Domain to the south and the Far North are the same."
Branch Master Chu's words completely overturned the trio's understanding. They had never imagined that the land beneath their feet was made of stars refined by someone!
This was beyond their imagination!
"Just who refined the stars?" Lu Yang asked.
Branch Master Chu shook his head. It was not that Lu Yang lacked the clearance, but that Chu genuinely did not know. "His true identity is impossible to verify, but one thing is certain: that existence was definitely a Celestial!"
Such sheer might transcending the mundane realm was by no means something a Tribulation Transcendence cultivator could achieve!
"Why that existence refined the stars into a continent, and what methods he employed, remain unsolved mysteries."
Branch Master Chu continued, "What is certain is that his methods were exceedingly brutal, devoid of mercy. When someone toys with stars, how many living beings upon them could possibly survive? Even ordinary cultivators could barely keep their lives.
"Any who survived did so not because of their cultivation, but pure luck!
"The prodigies and powerhouses rising at the time stepped forward to stop him, only to be struck into blood mist by that existence, their souls driven into reincarnation.
"Fortunately, the Immortal Celestial stepped in back then and preserved the majority of the human race, preventing humanity's heritage from being severed.
"A Golden Age that had prospered to the absolute peak collapsed into ruin, and throughout the long years that followed, not a single genius could be seen.
"No one knows where that existence is, but he is certainly not dead. Now that the Golden Age is arriving, that existence might very well appear again. When that time comes, if he begins a slaughter, who will be able to stop him?
"Only the Immortal Celestial!
"Therefore, whether for public good or private interest, we must resurrect the Immortal Celestial!
"Resurrecting the Immortal Celestial will cost the lives of only a small fraction of people. If we do not resurrect him, the entire human race might be destroyed!
"How hateful that those in the righteous path think they hold the moral high ground, completely oblivious that our Immortal Cult is the one sacrificing itself for humanity!"
Branch Master Chu spoke with unyielding certainty, resolute determination in his eyes.
From the standpoint of righteous cause, they killed to save lives; from their own standpoint, they had a justified reason to kill, slaughtering with a clear conscience.
The reason the Immortal Cult only recruited members of the demonic path was that this line of reasoning appealed most to the psychology of demonic cultivators.
Lu Yang was startled. Hearing Branch Master Chu's speech alone, one might truly become a fanatic devotee of the Immortal Celestial, praying for the Celestial to save the world.
Branch Master Chu's words were not necessarily true, or perhaps they were only a fraction of the truth. Lu Yang did not believe the Dao Seeking Sect knew nothing of ancient times, nor did he believe Eldest Senior Sister was entirely unprepared.
Meng Jingzhou asked, "If that is the case, why not cooperate with the righteous path? Wouldn't it be easier to succeed if everyone worked together?"
Branch Master Chu sneered. "Who can guarantee that the existence who refined the stars back then isn't hiding within the righteous path?
"After conducting extensive research, the Cult Founder believed that the existence who refined the stars is right among the righteous path—either within the Five Great Immortal Sects or the Great Xia Dynasty.
"Why does the righteous path advocate order? Isn't it precisely to let more people cultivate, to make the Central Continent even more prosperous?
"And what happens after prosperity? Do not forget the bitter tragedy at the end of antiquity.
"Perhaps that existence simply loves harvesting life, waiting for life to flourish once more before striking again!"
Branch Master Chu was voicing the mainstream view of the Immortal Cult.
Branch Master Chu added, "The stars above our heads appear to hang in the sky, but once your cultivation reaches a certain level and you fly into the cosmos to look, you will discover they are merely afterimages left behind from ancient times. In theory, a few slipped through the net, and some real stars still exist, but there certainly aren't many."
Branch Master Chu said so much in the hope that Lu Yang's trio would genuinely believe in the Immortal Celestial. Judging from their stunned expressions, there shouldn't be any issue.
"Alright, I know this information is quite overwhelming for you. Go back and digest it.
"Furthermore, the three of you performed well in the three trials. The branch happens to be short on hands right now, and most of our people are resting in the prison cells. You have all reached the Foundation Establishment stage, meeting the criteria to become deacons. After some consideration, I have decided to promote you to deacons."
Branch Master Chu gave the three of them three medallions representing their status as deacons of the Immortal Cult.
In truth, Branch Master Chu had intended to make Lu Yang and the others deacons from the start; the sequence of secrets he had just shared was something only deacons were qualified to know.
Branch Master Chu suggested, "By the way, when you have free time, you can visit your fellow cultists. I heard the food in the cells is terrible. Bring them something to eat to build rapport."
Demonic cultivators were self-serving, but they clearly separated gratitude from grudges. There was constant infighting below, making his job as branch master difficult as well.
However, Branch Master Chu was not worried about his subordinates playing mind games or dirty tricks on Lu Yang's trio—he was worried his subordinates would be tormented to death by them.
Lu Yang beamed broadly. "We are all sect brothers. We will definitely be united in purpose and work together to resurrect the Immortal Celestial. Please rest assured, Branch Master."
For some reason, hearing this only made Branch Master Chu feel even less at ease.
Chapter 80