"If you're asking whether praying to him is efficacious, it certainly isn't remarkably so. Even with tens of millions of incarnations, he couldn't possibly fulfill everyone's wishes—not even an immortal possesses that kind of capability."
"Daoist Sanshan has been renowned for so long that worshiping him has simply become habit. It provides spiritual solace, so whether prayers are answered no longer matters."
"Penglai is foremost among the Three Penglai Islands, and Daoist Sanshan's presence is quite likely part of the reason."
"I've heard that the Golden Buddhist Kingdom once sought to proselytize in the East Sea as well, only to end in failure because Daoist Sanshan was here."
Lu Yang was reminded of Fan Chong. "As Daoist Sanshan's grand-disciple, Fan Chong throws his weight around and bullies others. It makes Daoist Sanshan seem far less virtuous than the legends claim."
Li Haoran could not explain it either. Shaking his head helplessly, he said, "Perhaps Daoist Sanshan stays in seclusion year-round and fails to keep his subordinates under strict discipline?"
He looked toward Su Yiren, who also shook her head. "I met Daoist Sanshan once. He was very courteous and attentive in his interactions. Even when meeting low- or mid-stage cultivators, he never acted overly haughty. He differed little from his portrayal in folk legends, so I cannot fathom why Daoist Xuanling and Fan Chong turned out that way either."
The Immortal Fairy spoke up in confusion, "What is this Daoist Sanshan thinking, cooking up so many ridiculous legends? If he isn't that capable, he shouldn't make such a pointless fuss."
Inside the spiritual space, the Immortal Fairy lay upon a floating bed on the sea, drifting over the water's surface while her fish tail flapped up and down with light splashes.
Lu Yang suddenly remembered that while the Immortal Fairy appeared thoroughly unreliable now, she had also been an object of worship in ancient times. To fulfill her followers' desire for children, she had even created the Child-and-Mother River and the Twin River.
"Fairy, is there some trick to this?"
"This Immortal doesn't know much about the power of faith. Qing He understood it better, and Qing He told me that as the source of faith, one must keep a tight rein on legends and never portray oneself as omnipotent. Take this Immortal, for example: when believers prayed to me for children, this Immortal truly had that ability and could create the Child-and-Mother River, so I responded to their pleas."
"When some believers prayed to this Immortal for strength, but this Immortal was unwilling to bestow it, I told them so to their faces. That prevented them from coming to beg this Immortal one after another, which would be terribly annoying."
Lu Yang nodded, half-comprehending.
"Honored guests do not seem to be East Sea cultivators?" The shopkeeper noticed that Lu Yang and his companions appeared fascinated by the statue of Daoist Sanshan—behavior unseen among East Sea locals.
Lu Yang nodded. Posing as disciples of the Five Elements Sect, they truly were not East Sea cultivators.
"Would you like to pay respects to Daoist Sanshan? He is very efficacious." The shopkeeper looked exceptionally devout.
Lu Yang and his companions considered it. Since it was part of the East Sea's distinctive culture, paying respects could do no harm.
Lu Yang pressed his palms together, bowed to the statue of Daoist Sanshan, and prayed silently with sincere reverence, hoping this East Sea legend would look after them: *May our journey to the East Sea be peaceful and safe, free of incident.*
Meng Jingzhou and the others followed suit, offering their respects as well.
...
In the inner ring of Penglai Island, at the core of a ninth-grade spiritual vein.
A goateed man sat meditating upon a prayer mat. Suddenly, with a violent retch, he coughed up a mouthful of blood, his face stricken with shock and suspicion.
"What exalted being is worshiping me?!"
Chapter 821