Hyper-Dimensional Player

Chapter 763 - 55: Mingjiao, Maitreya, Mitra (Part 2)

Otherwise, under normal circumstances, a small temple wouldn't have a four-star silver-gray Witch serving as its shrine keeper.

Duncan didn't speak or kneel. Instead, he reached out to take the incense, bowed three times, and casually placed it in front of the statue.

Since he encountered the True God, he might as well light an incense stick to show respect.

Light smoke drifted gently.

After lighting the incense, Duncan didn't linger. He smiled at the elderly woman beside him and asked, "I wish to go to An Ding. Which direction should I take?"

The old woman hurriedly pointed in a direction.

After thanking her, Duncan turned and left. The incense he offered burned for three days and nights. Even when night descended, a faint spiritual light, invisible to mortal eyes, appeared on the statue, as if the Divine Spirit had sensed this unusual offering.

In the realm of creating deities, the Jade Emperor Daoist Monarch introduced by the Daoist sects was far more influential in this era than the Sea Goddess.

Moreover, the Witchcraft system was very scattered, essentially a spontaneous folk belief coalescing into a True God, unlike the Daoist sects that purposefully elevated ranks with the help of the Central Plains dynasties to complete official canonization.

The rank of the Sea Goddess had been gradually elevated over more than a thousand years, across several dynasties.

Central Plains mythology has a long and rich history. Although the Daoist sects are powerful, they are not all-encompassing; others besides them also have the ability to create gods.

Duncan didn't linger further.

He quickly ventured into the inland mountain terrain of the island, where he found remnants of the Red Army scattered there thanks to information gathered by Yun Zhike.

It's been over a decade since Zhang Yuxian's uprising. Most of the original rebel forces have perished. In places like Hainan, small groups have gone into hiding, integrating with the indigenous people and becoming almost indistinguishable from ordinary folk.

"The remaining members of the Red Army can't be of much use."

Duncan stood on a hillside, frowning as he gazed at the mountain village ahead. An incense altar was set up inside, with hundreds of marks appearing before his eyes, representing their respective identities.

——Mountain Villager (One Star).

——Ming Religion Follower (One Star Silver Gray).

——Ming Religion Member (Two Stars).

——Mitra Follower (One Star).

——White Lotus Society Member (One Star).

A mixed multitude.

Sages from all directions gathered.

When Duncan first learned that Zhang Yuxian was using the Yongle era name, he speculated the rebels might have some connection with the Ming religion. Today, it was confirmed that the Ming religion was involved in the rebellion. However, observing their incense altar, it was quite different from the Da Ming Zun Jiao, more resembling the early White Lotus and Mitra sects.

During Zhang Yuxian's uprising, he used Jing Quan, a monk from Bai Yun Cave, as his chief strategist. Likely, alongside the Ming religion, other forces were also inciting the rebellion.

"It seems we've gathered just enough."

"Just perfect to capture in one fell swoop."

"How could the Great Freedom Celestial Demon Lord's ranks be without such talents?"

All are rebellious talents indeed.

Duncan's figure soared into the air, his movement startling those near the incense altar. These scattered remnants of the rebellion had already begun merging with the populace, showing signs of evolving into future Mitra and White Lotus sects.

Zhang Yuxian named the rebellion the Red Army, similar to the Red Turban Army during the late Yuan uprisings.

"What skilled figure?"

The middle-aged man before the altar turned pale, stunned as he saw a tall figure standing atop the altar, even hovering with his feet treading on air, vibrating the smoke into a cloud ring. The remarkable Qinggong left him speechless, unable to muster the courage to test further.

Ignoring the frightened followers, Duncan looked down at the middle-aged man and said sternly, "After Zhang Yuxian's death, who leads you?"

"Take me to him."

To Duncan, subduing them was akin to the later stages of the Yellow Turban Rebellion. After the Great Virtuous Master Zhang Jiao's death, other warlords attempted to incorporate the remnants. He alone was more than enough for the task.

Moreover, after Liu Chang took power, Southern Han was in dire straits; even without his intervention, civil resistance and rebellion were inevitable.

The middle-aged man eyed Duncan with terror, his voice trembling, "Who are you?"

"Why do you want to see our leader?"

Great Clumsy Hand.

Duncan didn't bother wasting words. He directly struck out with a palm, instantly collapsing the village gate before him. Expressionless, he said, "Lead the way."

Over a hundred thousand people had suffered severe casualties.

Duncan thought there would be many more here but realized there were barely enough. Even after screening, there might only be eight hundred people.

Eight hundred it is.

To annihilate a mere Southern Han, eight hundred should suffice.

In just one day.

Duncan had seized control of the scattered remnants of the Red Army through sheer force. Most of them had become villagers. After tallying the numerous village incense altars, there were fewer than eight hundred with actual combat ability, around five to six hundred.

These five to six hundred could barely be integrated into a regular army, having undergone some military training and possessing some martial skills.

Duncan stayed in Hainan for three more days, then headed directly north.

The Red Army proved of little use, so he needed another strategy. Across the Central Plains, there was only the Da Ming Zun Jiao left.

During the reign of Emperor Huizong of Song, Fang La launched an uprising with Ming religion members. All religious entities entering the Central Plains needed to gradually sinicize; the Da Ming Zun Jiao was no longer the same as the Persian Ming religion, with even the Sect Hierarch being a Han.

Jingnan.

Duncan trod over waves, landing on a merchant vessel.