Sichuan Province, Qingming Mountain.

In the dense mountains and forests, a figure was swiftly moving through.

His movements appeared extremely light, his toes gently tapping the ground, instantly propelling him ten meters away, with actions so continuous it seemed as if he was flying on the ground, very graceful.

This was a young Taoist with a delicate appearance, dressed in a green Daoist robe. The robe had silver threads embroidered with immortal clouds, and on the back, there was a character "Dao".

In no time, the young Taoist reached a pine forest.

"This should be the place."

Looking at the stern forest ahead, formed by one ancient black pine after another, a smile appeared on the young Taoist's face.

In the next moment, the young Taoist summoned an immaculately red Immortal Sword, grasped it in his hand, and with a flash, shot into the pine forest ahead.

A moment later, in the central area of the dim pine forest.

Boom!

"Kill!"

The young Taoist, with a stern expression, wielded the red Immortal Sword in his hand, colliding with a constantly roaring, ferocious black-scaled giant python, akin to a red long flood dragon.

The red Immortal Sword opened a wound on the head of the black-scaled giant python, blood flowing freely, and after a light hum, it flew back into the young Taoist's hand.

The black-scaled giant python, struck by the red Immortal Sword, initially paused with its wide-open mouth in its forward rush, then flew ten meters away, crashing through several ancient pines before heavily falling onto the ground, letting out a sequence of painful cries.

The wound inflicted by the red Immortal Sword was deep, with the scalding blood almost dyeing the entire head of the black-scaled giant python red.

"Foul beast, meet your end!"

The young Taoist, pressing his advantage, shouted coldly. After a hand gesture, the red Immortal Sword surged with intense firelight, overwhelmingly bright, illuminating the surrounding dim forest thoroughly.

Swish!

In an instant, the red Immortal Sword shot out ferociously, bringing with it endless heat waves, charging toward the black-scaled giant python.

Roar!

The black-scaled giant python, seemingly sensing a life-and-death crisis, roared in fury, using all its strength to spew rolling black fog forward. Wherever the black fog reached, the branches and leaves of those ancient pines withered, and the trees decayed.

Unexpectedly, the raging flames on the red Immortal Sword directly repelled the black fog, allowing the sword to easily pierce through the dense, perilous black fog and stab into the head of the black-scaled giant python behind.

Boom!

The sharp Immortal Sword penetrated the skull of the black-scaled giant python, embedding itself completely.

Immediately, the body of the black-scaled giant python stiffened, bursting out with a terribly shrill scream, and in the next moment, its massive body limply fell to the ground, lifeless.

"Hmph!"

Gazing at the body of the black-scaled giant python, the young Taoist snorted coldly, his tone full of disdain.

Subsequently, he changed the hand gesture, summoning the Immortal Sword embedded in the black-scaled giant python's head back into his hand.

The next step, somewhat excited, the young Taoist moved toward a large tree stump in the center.

At the edge of the stump, there was a Reishi Mushroom with a black-and-white appearance, emitting a faint gray glow.

"Sure enough, it's Withered Wood Mushroom!"

The young Taoist's eyes brightened as he took out a jade trowel, ready to approach the Withered Wood Mushroom.

Swish!

Unexpectedly, just then, a purple light as fast as lightning flew from the side, sweeping away the Withered Wood Mushroom from the stump.

The smile on the young Taoist's face froze.

"The nerve! Which thief dares to snatch my spiritual medicine!"

The young Taoist exclaimed in anger, turning to look to the right, the red Immortal Sword in his hand exuding sizzling firelight.

On a side ancient pine, stood a man in flowing white robes, holding the Withered Wood Mushroom, and with a playful expression, said, "My friend, your words are wrong. The Withered Wood Mushroom is ownerless; when did it become yours?"

"Hmph, the information about the Withered Wood Mushroom cost me dearly, and I even killed the guardian beast for it. You've suddenly snatched it; do you think that's justifiable?"

"I'll give you a chance. Return the Withered Wood Mushroom immediately, or don't blame me for being impolite!"

The young Taoist's eyes were cold, overflowing with murderous intent.

"My friend, you are not the only one who bought the information. I also spent considerably on it and am in desperate need. How could I possibly give it to you?"

"I am a disciple of the Pure Origin Immortal Sect. May I ask if you can grant me this favor and let me have the Withered Wood Mushroom?"

The white-robed cultivator's tone turned cold, laden with potent threat.

"Ridiculous! Others have always been the ones giving face to my Celestial Dao Sect! Since you refuse to hand over the Withered Wood Mushroom, then die!"'

The young Taoist sneered, attacking in an instant.

"Hmph, I am not afraid of you!"

Instantly, the two clashed intensely, becoming locked in a prolonged stalemate....

With the rapid resurgence of various ancient factions, their influence in the Great Qin Empire grew, as factions sought resources, traversing almost every region of the Great Qin Empire.

Especially, the disciples of ancient factions often clashed over resources, sometimes resulting in casualties.

Imperial Capital

In the office.

"Dean Lin, have you considered it? Establishing my Celestial Dao Sect as the state religion can only benefit the Great Qin Empire, with no downsides."

Daozi smiled at Dean Lin in front of him, yet his tone held an undeniable air.

Dean Lin felt troubled inside, as these ancient factions were unreasonable, coming to the Imperial Capital intending to command the Great Qin Empire to make the Celestial Dao Sect the state religion.

"Dean Lin, my Celestial Dao Sect's patience is limited. Were it not for seeking a title to legitimately protect the Great Qin Empire's populace, we wouldn't demand the title of a state religion at all!"

"Yet, once my Celestial Dao Sect becomes the state religion of the Great Qin Empire, it can naturally shield the Great Qin Empire from the harassment of demons."

Seeing Dean Lin silent, Daozi frowned, pressing Dean Lin with an intense gaze, speaking righteously.

"Alas, having the Celestial Dao Sect as our state religion is indeed beneficial for the Great Qin Empire. However, I hope that afterward, the Celestial Dao Sect can deploy more force to block some of the Demon King's invasions for us."

Forced with no choice, Dean Lin could only agree, nodding with difficulty.

Hearing this, Daozi seemed satisfied.

Soon, the Great Qin Empire's officials announced to the outside world the establishment of the Celestial Dao Sect as the state religion.

The news sparked significant discussion among the people of the Great Qin Empire.

Knock knock knock~

The office door was knocked.

"Enter!"

The next moment, Assistant Zhang hurriedly entered.

"Dean, there's a problem. The ancient factions are demanding that you immediately rescind the Celestial Dao Sect as the state religion and announce a new state religion instead!"

"What?"

Dean Lin's face changed.

"They all seem to want their own sect to be established as the state religion," Assistant Zhang said, also looking troubled.

"How can this be? State religions cannot be changed on a whim."

Dean Lin was immediately troubled.

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