"By imperial decree, this person shall be executed at the Demon-Slaying Platform at noon today, his soul and spirit annihilated, and he shall not be reincarnated!"

A loud shout rang out from the heavens, causing the clouds to shift and clearing a view for Lin Feng, who stood amidst a magnificent palace, revealing Han Yuan, who was being held captive on the Demon-Slaying Platform in the distance.

“Lord Lingjun, there are actually many people from other realms in the Three Realms. Compared to your current strength, the Great Sage’s origins are truly beyond the Three Realms.”

"You are still a human, so you're not too much of an outsider."

"As long as it doesn't disrupt the balance of the three realms, it's actually not a bad thing for us."

The spirit official beside Lin Feng gave him a brief introduction to some things about the Heavenly Court. When he heard the axe blade fall from the Demon-Slaying Platform deep in the clouds, Lin Feng's heart stirred slightly. Although he would not do anything bad, the Heavenly Court still needed to maintain its deterrent power, such as letting him personally witness the power of the Demon-Slaying Platform.

"A Spirit Lord is the chief official among the Spirit Officials, and should be equipped with a grand seal that governs the life and death of a realm. However, the cultivation you practice is not what ordinary Spirit Officials cultivate..."

Lin Feng's heart skipped a beat, and he asked, "What are the duties of a Spirit Official?"

“For example, the Earth Gods are divided into seven levels: Pavilion, Township, County, Prefecture, Capital, and Capital. The Earth Gods at the Pavilion and Township levels belong to the seventh-rank Spirit Lord. As for you... it’s hard to judge, but based on your strength, you are probably at the bottom of the third rank.” The Spirit Official said, his heart slightly stirred: “However, I have heard that several Demon Emperors have paid attention to you, but it is only hearsay, and you are going to leave this world.”

"Alright..." Lin Feng smiled indifferently, voicing his only question: "Does the position of Spirit Lord come with any salary, or any weapons or armor?"

“Lord Lingjun, only when you are promoted to God-King and join the Heavenly Soldiers and Generals will you be equipped with armor…” The Spirit Official smiled awkwardly, knowing full well: “However, you have a great seal, which will probably be delivered in a while.”

"Big seal?"

"Yes, the Nine Extremes Demon Star Spirit Lord Seal."

"Nine Extremes? Why nine extremes?"

“This…” Ling Guan was about to shake his head when Wang Ling Guan appeared beside them in a flash and waved his hand at him: “You have the Nine Extremes number hidden in your body, so just inscribe it on. The Demon Star and the Spirit Lord are just a combination of things. If you can achieve enlightenment, you can change these words whenever you want.”

The spirit official bowed and took his leave. Lin Feng turned around and hurriedly bowed in return.

"You're welcome, but... what's the other me like?" Wang Lingguan helped Lin Feng up and looked over curiously.

Lin Feng relaxed a little and said, "You... a pale-faced scholar, own a shop filled with cultivation insights from immortals and gods."

"Hahaha, a shop, that's interesting." Wang Lingguan chuckled, patting Lin Feng on the shoulder. "Since he's someone I've taken a liking to, he must be quite something. Tell me, is it really true that Buddhism is destined to fail to flourish?"

“The Buddhist order exists for a reason, and its rise and fall are limited to a few places. As for whether it can flourish, ordinary people don’t care at all.” Lin Feng suddenly thought of something and said with a smile in a low voice, “Buddhism is the Tao.”

"oh?"

Wang Lingguan suddenly realized something, and a smile immediately curved his lips. These four words contained a hidden meaning!

"Alright, I understand. Here is your seal." Wang Lingguan tossed a box to Lin Feng and then said, "Logically speaking, this seal is recognized by the Heavenly Court, which means it is recognized by Heaven and Earth. Even if you go to other worlds, you can still receive some blessings. But still, be careful."

Lin Feng thanked him, saying, "Yes, thank you, Wang Lingguan."

"Go, Guan Yu is still waiting for you at the South Heavenly Gate." After saying this, Wang Lingguan disappeared in an instant.

The spirit official returned, extended his hand in invitation, and led Lin Feng to the South Heavenly Gate.

As they passed through the clouds and arrived at the South Heavenly Gate, Guan Yu, who was on duty at the gate, happened to turn around and look at them.

"General Guan..." Lin Feng thought for a moment, then changed his form of address, cupping his hands in gratitude: "Thank you for your help before."

Putting aside any suspicions, the other party did indeed save him twice.

"It's alright. I came here to help you anyway, but the Heavenly Court has decreed that we cannot enter the calamity at will." Guan Yu said, then cupped his hands and said, "When I saw you a few days ago, I sensed a trace of my own aura on you. Although it was another version of me, it was still a burden of the Heavenly Dao."

Is Heaven's way of bearing burdens?

Lin Feng's heart stirred, and he suddenly understood many things.

Buddhism and Taoism are different. Buddhism teaches cause and effect, that you reap what you sow, and that one's actions directly affect one's outcome. However, the concept of karma and consequences in the heavens is more extensive.

According to Taoism, an individual's behavior not only affects themselves, but also impacts the harmony of their family, society, and even the entire universe. To put it simply, it's like the saying goes, "One generation plants the trees so that another can enjoy the shade," or "One generation does evil so that the next generation will suffer misfortune."

Of course, the principle of Heaven's consequences is not absolute. After all things are affected, the final result is not necessarily that evil will become evil and good will become good.

To be precise, what he did to Guan Yu, the Star Soul General, wasn't exactly an act of good or evil...

"These are incense items I obtained in the mortal realm; they can preserve the faith that remains on you."

"This can be considered as allowing this burden of Heaven's will to bear a good result."

After Guan Yu finished speaking, a faint Buddhist light seemed to emanate from his eyes.

The Buddha's light flickered, startling Lin Feng. A thought flashed through his mind: Guan Yu seemed to have a place in Buddhism as well. Historically, many figures who were deified in Taoism also held positions in Buddhism, essentially being usurped by Buddhism...

"Thank you, General Guan." Lin Feng took the incense a step later and thanked him again.

"Hmm." Guan Yu nodded, made way for a spot away from the South Heavenly Gate, and then said nothing more.

Lin Feng cupped his hands again, and after exiting the South Heavenly Gate, the spirit official accompanying him took a few steps and said, "Lord Spirit Lord, from here down is the mortal realm, so I will not see you off any further."

Thank you.

Lin Feng bowed in thanks, then turned and flew towards the steps leading down the mountain.

On his way back to Hangzhou, Lin Feng found the location of Baoqingfang and went inside. The slight daze in his heart gradually subsided.

The Demon Star Spirit Lord is, to some extent, a legitimate position in the Heavenly Court. Even if it's just an empty title, it still allows one to have powerful backers.

The Monkey King had his own calculations. Normally, there would be a way for him to advance in his position, since he had purchased VIP services from Wang Lingguan in the Nightmare Space.

Hmm! Let's go back and take this Spirit Lord Seal back to see Wang Lingguan!

Thinking this, Lin Feng walked into Baoqingfang. As soon as the rotating gate mechanism turned, Si Zang and the others rushed out with a whoosh.

"Whatever?! Hahahaha, I knew you were alright. I divined you and you were on your way to heaven. I almost thought you wouldn't come back!" Si Zang's eyes darted around, and Lin Feng immediately understood and handed over the Spirit Lord Seal.

"Oh?" Si Zang's eyes widened.

"Hmm?" Tang Hong narrowed his eyes.

"?" Yu leaned closer.

"A leisurely official position in Heaven is a hundred times less important than being a stable boy," Lin Feng sighed.

The position of Bi Ma Wen is not high, but it is still an official with a rank, which is either the fourth or seventh rank. Moreover, there are officials of various ranks under him, such as the Assistant Supervisor, the Deputy Supervisor, the Clerk, and the Lishi, who are responsible for the specific work of raising horses.

If he were to enter the Imperial Stables, he would probably be no different from a strongman.

"Hehe, that's a proper position, with an official seal." Si Zang smiled and examined it for a few moments, clicking his tongue repeatedly.