Struggling to Survive with Regression Power in the Primordial Saint Sect

Chapter 389: The White Lotus Cult Is Still Too Righteous

Regarding the doctrines and development model of the White Lotus Cult, Lu Yang carefully questioned the three Divine Lords of the White Lotus Cult, and what he learned shocked him to the core.

“Master, there is something you may not know.”

The three Divine Lords were Qinglian, Zilian, and Jinlian. Among them, Zilian was a powerful Divine Lord comparable to the mid-stage Foundation Establishment Realm, and Jinlian had already reached the mid-stageʼs peak.

At this moment, it was naturally Jinlian who spoke first:

“Although our White Lotus Cult is known for manipulating peopleʼs hearts, we do not rely solely on deception. If we only deceived others without offering genuine benefits, we would never have gathered so many followers.”

“Moreover, beguiling peopleʼs hearts requires casting spells daily, which is both complex and laborious. The incense and faith power generated are far inferior to the pure devotion of true believers. So unless absolutely necessary, we typically refrain from using such techniques. We prefer to earn our followersʼ heartfelt devotion through tangible benefits.”

“Exactly, exactly!”

Qinglian hurried to chime in, “The sacred land of our cult, the ‘True Emptiness Homeland,’ is a genuine land of bliss, where people live without disaster, hardship, or fear.”

“All our believers long for it.”

“That is why they have unwavering faith in the White Lotus Cult.”

Zilian also explained, “Among the believers, we screen the most devout individuals each year and send them into the ‘True Emptiness Homeland’ to enjoy supreme bliss.”

“We use this to set an example.”

“When the remaining followers see this, they naturally emulate it and strive even harder to contribute to the cult, offering up all their wealth and faith.”

After the three Divine Lords finished their explanation, Lu Yang quickly grasped how the White Lotus Cult operated—and was utterly shaken.

“No way, you guys actually *nurture* your followers?”

That’s right. According to the three Divine Lords, the ‘True Emptiness Homeland’ truly supported its fanatical followers, spending untold sums daily!

The operation was simple: the cult used the sweat and toil of countless bottom-level believers to support the fanatics in the ‘True Emptiness Homeland.’ Periodically, the cult would purge and recruit new blood to ensure circulation, thus maintaining a stable flow of incense and faith.

“This is something we simply had to do.”

Jinlian sighed, “These troublesome commoners must have something to look forward to. Otherwise, unrest brews. And when thereʼs unrest, people’s hearts waver, and the incense offerings decrease.”

“But in recent years, we’ve faced quite a few difficulties.”

“Even though the selection process has become stringent, the number of believers in the ‘True Emptiness Homeland’ continues to rise, and the daily expenses are growing exponentially.”

“In the past few months, the cult has been running a deficit. That’s why we dispatched disciples to this remote region—to develop new sources of incense and recruit more capable, hardworking followers. After all, the more believers below, the better life becomes for those above in the ‘True Emptiness Homeland.’”

“You guys…”

Lu Yang shook his head upon hearing this, gazing at the three Divine Lords with a look of disappointment: “The White Lotus Cult? Still too upright in your ways!”

“Huh?”

The three Divine Lords were stunned. They’d been called an evil cult countless times—but this was the first time someone had accused them of being *too* righteous.

Lu Yang calmly said, “In the end, why are you wasting money to support them?”

“What else can we do?”

Jinlian asked in confusion, “Followers are still people. And people need food, have desires, and seek pleasures. All these require money to fulfill.”

“Followers count as people?”

“Why not use a bit of illusion magic? Make steamed cornbread appear like gourmet delicacies, rags look like fine silk and brocade, then dazzle their senses so they believe it’s all real. Wouldn’t that achieve the same effect—without spending a single coin?”

To Lu Yang, this was all a waste.

After all, the All-Spirits Banner was much more efficient. Once turned into Banner Spirits, they no longer needed to eat. They lived off spiritual energy, and the banner could simulate all forms of luxury.

A perfect method for cost reduction and efficiency enhancement.