He took the six Dark Iron Sacred Flame Orders and the Great Scroll of Qiankun into his arms, hid them in his inventory, accepted the allegiance of this group of Mingjiao disciples, and prepared to leave north with them.

After all, Chen Xiang still had to secretly leave the Song Dynasty court, which had been delayed for too long, and he shouldn't waste any more time. Suddenly, Chen Xiang remembered a key matter, and he asked, "Who is your current sect leader?" ”

Yang Zizai lowered his head gloomily, and said in a low voice: "Our sect leader's name is **, he is the cousin and nephew of the sect leader of Fangla, and the year before last, he had been martyred under the iron hooves of the Mongols...... The Right Messenger of Light and the rest of his brothers...... They also suffered heavy casualties...... I was the only one out of town...... survived...... So I gathered the remaining hundreds of sectarians, mixed in with the ranks of refugees, and followed the Song army south, and finally followed here. A month ago, when His Holiness was on the Northern Expedition, he happened to see the light of the Holy Flame on His Holiness, and after a profound discussion, he finally decided to come to His Holiness. ”

Chen Xiang smiled faintly and said, "Very good, don't call me Venerable on the road in the future, just call me Gongzi." Do you hear that? ”

Yang Zizi immediately replied, "Yes, Childe! He saluted again.

Chen Xiang beckoned and said, "Don't delay any longer, if you don't leave, you won't be able to leave, take your people with me." As he spoke, he took Xiaobai under his crotch and continued to walk north.

Chen Xiang didn't care about anything along the way, just arranged food and accommodation by Huang Ba and Su Huaiyuan. The gold and silver they carried were enough to use, and they were all martial arts masters, so whether they were in the city or in the wilderness, they could move forward without suffocation, and soon they crossed Lingnan and entered the Chu realm.

Since the Southern Song Dynasty, the Han people gradually moved south under the oppression of the northern ethnic minorities, and the area south of the Yangtze River began to gradually become populated, and the economy also developed. Although the economy of the world has completely relied on the south of the Yangtze River before the Ming and Qing dynasties, it also appears to be densely populated, which is no less than the situation in the north.

Along the way, what Chen Xiang saw in his eyes was not like this at all, there were ruins of villages everywhere, and there were white bones everywhere in the deserted fields, and even a few times Chen Xiang could see a few wild dogs lying on the corpses of poor people in the wild, and their eyes were red looking at their passers-by.

In Chen Xiang's eyes, these people who died on the road, their bodies diffused with thick black smoke, turned into unwilling screams, went deep into the sky, and then gathered together with the grievances of the other resentful deceased, turning into the main content of the apocalyptic dragon qi above his head.

Seeing this scene, while Chen Xiang was saddened by these poor people, he also felt that it was necessary to rest these restless souls, so that his end-time dragon qi would not grow.

He jumped off his mount and walked straight to the corpses of the people who were being eaten by wild dogs, thinking quietly in his heart about how to solve the problem.

There was still a rancid smell in the wind, and the wild dogs that were scared away barked wildly in the distance, Chen Xiang flicked it casually, and the two dogs ejected as if they had been hit, and each had an extra blood hole on their bodies, and they fell to the ground softly, unable to move anymore.

Yang Zizi saw Chen Xiang's appearance, thinking that he was sad for these people who died, and after gently commanding a few people, he quietly walked behind Chen Xiang and said softly: "Childe, do you want to put away the bodies of these innocent and tragic deaths, and then do a ritual?" ”

Chen Xiang looked at Yang Zizi with some surprise and asked, "What, can you still do things?" ”

Yang Zizi said with some embarrassment: "My Mingjiao has been integrated with Buddhism and Taoism, learning from each other's strengths and weaknesses, and I have also learned many ways to survive, and the Dharma is naturally one of them." Whether it is walking on the rivers and lakes or spreading religion, there is a need for a way to appease the souls of the dead. ”

Chen Xiang glanced at Yang Zizi strangely, a martial arts person would actually have this kind of god and ghost skill, which really made him feel a little surprised. But he only said lightly: "Then you can cast a spell, hoping to free these restless souls." ”

Yang Zizi nodded, bowed to Chen Xiang and said, "Childe, please give us a holy fire order for us to do." Chen Xiang casually took out a handful of Xuantie Holy Fire Orders and handed it to Yang Zizi.

Yang Zizi waved his hand, and the few people he had ordered before rushed up very quickly, bringing a series of clothing, paper money, incense candles, bills, peach swords and other items needed for the practice.

After Yang Zizi saluted Chen Xiang, he held the Xuantie Holy Fire Order in both hands and retreated, enshrined on the bill. With the assistance of his own disciples, he put on his solemn Dharma robes, and the rising flames were everywhere on his clothes.

After putting on the Dharma robe and taking the peachwood sword, Yang Zizi made a big salute to Chen Xiang very solemnly, and also made a big salute to the Xuantie Holy Fire Order, and at the same time, all the Mingjiao disciples knelt down towards Chen Xiang, and they also made a big salute to the Xuantie Holy Fire Order, which seemed to be familiar with the road, obviously doing so often. Suddenly, Chen Xiang seemed to feel an extraordinary spiritual power and began to surge towards the Dark Iron Holy Flame Order.

These spiritual powers were weak compared to his spiritual powers, just like the relationship between the sea and water droplets, but Chen Xiang felt that these powers did not have any malice and harm, but were full of pious spiritual power of worship and reverence, so Chen Xiang quietly observed on the sidelines, saying nothing and doing nothing.

These spiritual forces then quickly rearranged their order, connecting each other to form a thin thread, connecting end to end through the rising flames in the Holy Flame Order and the unpredictable places at the other end, and gradually stabilized.

It's really an unexpected thing. Chen Xiang couldn't help but cheer up and carefully watched the changes in things.

Chen Xiang's ears slowly sounded the sound of chanting in unison, and this sound made people relax their spirits and feel that their minds were immersed in the artistic conception formed by this scripture.

"The light is generally pure, and the joy is extinguished without the curse.

He has no trouble with joy, but there is no use in suffering.

Always be happy and bright, if you say that you are sick, it is useless.

If there are those who can live in other countries, they will be worry-free.

The solemnity of the place is pure, and all the evil is not pure;

Happiness is full of Chang Kuantai, and there is no point in saying that there is Xiangling. ”

This is obviously the scripture of the Ming Sect, and the reverent recitation of the Ming Sect has made the spiritual connection of the Xuantie Holy Fire Order stronger and stronger, and it is also becoming more and more scorching, and it seems that something has begun to flow on it.

Yang Zizi has already begun to do the rituals, he jumps around the corpses in the dead wilderness with a unique posture, every time he reaches a critical node, he stomps his foot fiercely, leaving a footprint that is still burning with flames under his feet, after a few laps, Chen Xiang has found that under Yang Zizi's feet, there is a unique formation is forming, and the spiritual connection in the Xuantie Holy Fire Order is becoming more and more turbulent, and even forms a wide belt, Connecting the flames of the Darkiron Sacred Flame Order with the unknown world.

When Yang Zizi's ritual came to an end, the formation around the unfortunate deceased had already taken shape, and then he kept spreading paper money on this formation, making the entire formation covered in harmony.

Then Yang Zizi raised his peachwood sword and shouted, "Blazing flames!" Burn my body! What a joy in life! Why die dead! Then it slammed into the paper money on the ground with lightning speed, and to Chen Xiang's surprise, a flame actually burst out from the Xuantie Holy Flame Order, spreading violently along the spiritual bandwidth formed by those believers, as if a flame was burning from gasoline!

These flames from another world actually ignited the layers of paper money in this real world, and even ignited the corpses on the ground far beyond the physical principle, causing these corpses to burn rapidly, and even the damp and rotting corpses burned as if they had been poured gasoline, and finally burned all the ashes, and there was no formed skeleton to be seen.

At the same time, the strong negative energy and resentment that lingered around the corpse and kept generating it also disappeared completely, Chen Xiang carefully discerned it, and found that these negative energies and resentments had actually burned into flames, and were added to the holy fire in the Xuantie Holy Fire Order!

Shocked, Chen Xiang took a closer look, only to find that the holy flame in the Dark Iron Holy Flame Order was composed of thousands of such hair-thin soul flames! Could it be that this is the urn of the souls of the Mingjiao disciples?!

Chen Xiang couldn't help but fall into thought, and he began to reconsider the role of Mingjiao.

Mingjiao is actually called Manichaeism in Persia and other places of origin, because the name of its founder is called Maniism. According to legend, at the beginning of Manichaeism, Manichaean made a great vow to spread its religion all over the world and become a religion that could influence the whole world, and hoped that the religion he founded would become the only religion in the world. There is a Ming scripture that records Manichae's bold words about his desire to preach to the world: "The religion I have chosen is ten ways better than any religion that has ever been written." First, in the past, religion was confined to one country and one language, but my religion will be popular in every country, it will be in all languages, and it will spread to the ends of the earth. "The strategy adopted for the realization of this ideal is, firstly, to make use as far as possible of the teachings, rituals, and appellations of other religions that have spread far and wide; the second is to translate the Manichaean scriptures into various languages of the world and make them accessible to the general public; The third is to preach to the ruling class as much as possible in order to obtain legal status. Judging by its vast array of doctrines, Manichaeism is a typical mixed religion. Its dualistic idea of good and evil comes from the original Persian religion Zoroastrianism, and its gods such as Jesus and the characters Adam and Eve in the scriptures are derived from Christianity, and its concepts such as light occupying three directions and darkness occupying one direction come from Christian Gnosticism. His vows of asceticism, fasting, and non-killing were mainly influenced by Buddhism in India and Central Asia. Manichaean scriptures have been translated from Syriac into more than ten languages, including Latin, Greek, Coptic, Armenian, Medieval Persian, Parthian, Turkic, Sogdian, Han, Bactria and Uighur Arabic. In the Western Christian domination, it is regarded as a Christian heresy, while in the East it is misunderstood as a branch of Buddhism, which shows the flexibility and diversity of its means of transmission.

Comparatively, it was more difficult for Manichaeism to spread westward than eastward. Western Europe and Byzantium were very religiously powerful, and the teachings of Manichaean dualism were clearly contrary to the monistic view of Christianity. Manichaeism had no place under heavy oppression. On the contrary, when it developed eastward, the eastern countries or cultures were not yet mature; Or, like the land of China, the religious power is weak, and the religious consciousness is weak. Most state religions were happy to accept these new religions, and countries like the Uighurs even adopted them as state religions, which was unthinkable in the West, and Manichaeism in the rest of the region, although not receiving this distinction, was legitimized (or acquiesced).

The eastward spread of Manichaeism was closely integrated with the religions that prevailed everywhere it went, especially Buddhism. According to research, although Manichaeism was influenced by some Buddhism when it was first founded, the teachings and scriptures that spread westward had very little Buddhist content. However, Manichaeism, which spread eastward, used a lot of Buddhist terms, pretending to be the name of the Buddha and the Dharma, and even called itself "Manichaean Light Buddha". The Manichaean scripture "The Sutra of the Samadhi of the Buddha" says, "When the Manichaean Light Buddha was born, he often swirled the light to do Buddha things"; Manichaean murals found in the Western Regions often show Manichaean deities stepping on Buddhist lotus platforms; Manichaeism calls the deities "Buddha of the Ancestors" and "Buddhas of the Count". Mani seems to have a special relationship with Maitreya Buddha, and there are even Manichaean scriptures that call Mani the Maitreya Buddha who opened the door to paradise; In the scriptures, there is even a message from the messenger: "Because you have received skill and wisdom from the Buddha, the goddess has been jealous of you." When the Buddha was nirvana, he commanded you: Wait here for Maitreya Buddha". Here Maitreya Buddha is Mani. On the contrary, Buddhism in the Western Regions also has Manichaean overtones. For example, the fourth section of the Gaochang Uighur "Eight Yang Sutra" retranslated the Chinese theory of yin and yang into the dualistic theory of good and evil. In the ancient area of Gaochang, Bozi Creek, Tuyugou and other Buddhist relics, there are found in the murals and scrolls of the underworld that are very similar to the Manichaean hell in terms of theme and layout.

With this foundation of Buddhism in Central Asia, there were many fewer obstacles for Manichaeism to enter the land of China. The Uighurs brought the Mani monks into the Tang Dynasty "at the beginning of the Yuan Dynasty, and then the court, beginning with Mani" (New Tang Dynasty Book. Uighur biography). Out of its policy of restraint towards the Uighurs, the Tang court officially accepted Manichaeism, established a temple in Chang'an, and gave the "Great Cloud Guangming Temple". After that, the footprints spread all over the south of the Yangtze River, Jing, Yang, Hong, Yue and other prefectures successively established the Dayun Guangming Temple, and Manichaeism flourished for a time.

The prevalence of Manichaeism in China was caused by a combination of innate conditions (its religion was influenced by Buddhism when it was born and accepted some of its contents) and acquired (Manichaean missionaries and translators of scriptures in Central and East Asia made efforts to Buddhize Manichaean doctrines and rituals). The Manichaean dualistic theory of good and evil does not conflict with the traditional way of thinking of the Chinese land, but rather has a very similar place to the concept of yin and yang (although their essence is not small). This is also the root of Chen Xiang's ability to transform yin and yang in the great shift of the universe.

Manichaeism's strong ability to survive and adapt made its teachings as much as possible in line with the thinking habits of the Han people when they spread in the land of China. Through the efforts of Manichaean missionaries, the distance between Manichaeism and the existing Buddhism and Taoism in China has been narrowed day by day.

Chen Xiang silently thought that perhaps it was at this time that Manichaeism finally changed into a Mingjiao unique to China.

In terms of Buddhism, in addition to the above-mentioned archaeological discoveries in the Western Regions and Central Asia, the dualism of good and evil can be found in the Buddhist scriptures: the demon is the abbreviation of the Sanskrit word "Moluo", which is opposed to the Buddha, and they live in the "demon world" and "Buddha world" respectively, and the Buddha must "destroy all demons" and "destroy all demons" (see the translation of Kumarosh in the "Shoulenyan Samadhi Sutra"): the theory of "three worlds" is very suitable for Maitreya's concept of the three worlds: "the beginning", "middle", and "back" can be just attached to the ancient Buddha of Qingyang Burning Lamp (in the past), and the Hongyang Shakyamuni (present), Maitreya Buddha (in the future), and the ultimate goal of the universe, the bright world claimed by Mingjiao, is generally believed to be the Tushi Palace (the fourth heavenly realm of the six desires in Buddhist teachings) where Maitreya Buddha resides. Isn't this Tushi Palace the place where Taishang Laojun and Laozi live? Chen Xiang couldn't help but think.

In addition, the Manichaean kingdom of light was sometimes attached to the "Anyang Kingdom" (or falsely referred to as the "Anyang Kingdom") of the Mida Pure Land concept. Manichaeism later also merged with Zen Buddhism, and the "Manichaean Remnant Sutra" has the saying that the Ming envoy planted the Twelve Ming King Treasure Tree, which is very similar to the Zen legend of Bodhi Bodhi Zi of Bodhi, because Zen Buddhism is preferred by the upper class intellectuals, and Manichaeism also wants to take advantage of this to be among them. Manichaeism is inextricably linked to the concept of Maitreya's Pure Land, and when Manichaeism spread in Middle-earth, it was at a time when Maitreya's Pure Land was in full swing. Taking the Tang Dynasty, which was officially introduced to Manichaeism, as an example, many high-ranking monks (such as Xuanzang, Peiji master and apprentice), and literati (such as Bai Juyi) were all followers of Maitreya, and it was natural for Manichaeism to cling to it, so that the role of Mani Maitreya was combined.

Entering Middle-earth, Manichaeism gradually merged with the native religion Taoism. The "Three Worlds" view also reflects the concept of the Three Qings in Taoism. One of the "Lao Tzu Hua Hu Jing", "Lao Tzu Xi Shenghua Hu Jing", tells the situation of Lao Tzu's transformation of Mani: "I took the natural light and Taoism, flew from the realm of true silence into the Xina Jade Realm, in the neighboring countries of Suzhou, gave birth to the royal family, became the prince, gave up the family to enter the Tao, called the end of Mani, turned the big circle, said the law of the scriptures, the law and the wisdom, and even the three and two sects, to educate the heavens and people, and to know the world." From the upper realm to the lower realm, all sentient beings are in this way. After Mani, the year is fifty-nine, the golden energy will be prosperous, my law is prosperous, the Western icon, the color of the clothes is natural, to enter the Middle Continent, is effective. At this time, the yellow and white qi are combined, and the three religions are mixed, and they all belong to me. ”

That is to say, at the beginning of its establishment, Mingjiao laid a strategy of actively spreading religion in various languages and integrating with local religions, so when Yang Zizai did things for people who died in vain in front of Chen Xiang, there would not only be Buddhist chanting, but also common props such as Taoist mahogany swords, and even paper money, which is commonly used by the people.

After this Mingjiao entered the land of China, it quickly merged with the local religion and cultural concepts, and it has been very different from the general altar in Persia, and this difference is probably greater than the difference between Mingjiao itself and Buddhism and Taoism.

It is no wonder that when the envoy of the Persian altar came to ask for the Great Movement of Qiankun and the Holy Fire Order, the two sides would even meet each other, and there was no intention for everyone to sit down and talk about it as relatives.

It is no wonder that Mingjiao has such a strong vitality in the land of China, because it actively combines local religions and habits, and is also full of resistance and rebellion, most of this secret sect is listed as "shoe religion" by the imperial court, not to mention the rebellious Mingjiao, in the hearts of honest Shun people, it is an extremely mysterious "demon religion"; In the eyes of the so-called "famous and decent", they are "outsiders", because they want to preach the suffering of the current world and save all sentient beings. They also had some great ambitions, so "everyone calls himself a hero". In the vast land, there are thrilling scenes of rivers and lakes that are involuntarily performed.

Because they have deep beliefs, they take a step without complaint or regret, they live and die, and they are also chic and free in the rivers and lakes. Because they have deep convictions, relying on one right and wrong, black and white.

As the Legalist Han Feizi said: "Confucianism uses literature to mess with the law, and chivalry uses martial arts to violate the ban." "These Mingjiao disciples are born to be chivalrous warriors, and they are not willing to endure the constraints of secular laws at all, so they will attract the hostility of the imperial court and the righteous path of martial arts, and it is very difficult to survive. In the midst of such oppression, there is often a stunning light!

Moreover, in the normal historical order of this world, it was the uprising organized by the Ming Sect that overthrew the rule of the Yuan Dynasty, and finally the Ming Dynasty was established by the Ming Sect disciple Zhu Yuanzhang.

Chen Xiang also faintly felt that it was precisely because of this substitution relationship in fate, coupled with his identity as a Bright Venerable, that the remnants of the Ming Sect actually took refuge in himself, the emperor of the imperial court, and actually became a force of his own.

The original Ming Sect was forced to change its name to the Sun and Moon God Sect, and lived in a desolate place. Chen Xiang's Bright Flame Venerable Recipe was obtained from the Black Wood Cliff, the main altar of the Sun and Moon God Sect.

And I have to say that this is a wonderful historical reincarnation. In the process of quietly watching Yang Zizi and the Mingjiao followers bury the ashes of the victims, Chen Xiang also began to think seriously about how to use the Mingjiao religion. rs