In this way, the sales of the Clear Karma Buddha paintings are not as good as those of the Divine Judge paintings.

Besides that, there is also the printing cost. Although the Buddhist Sect has its own methods and skills in papermaking and printing, even its workshops, these are still not as good as the Divine Judgment Temple. The cost of Buddha paintings is quite high while the Divine Judgment Temple recklessly lowers its prices, selling one for a hundred coins.

This way, with every Clear Karma Buddha painting sold, there’s a small loss. Although only slight, they accumulate over time, becoming quite alarming.

These factors combined reveal a greater disadvantage, making the Clear Karma Temple incapable of competing against the Divine Judgment Temple in spreading teachings through paintings.

And this is just the aspect of spreading teachings through paintings!

In other areas and fields, the Divine Judgment Temple also holds an advantage. Especially in recent years, the Qinghe and Huangshan regions have become well-known for longevity, with Grandmaster Song Wen, at the remarkable age of one hundred and twenty, leading a group of long-lived elders from Little Huang Village to promote faith for the Divine Judgment Temple.

Who could compete with that?

Although the Buddhist Sect also has centenarian monks, the numbers cannot compare to the centenarians of Qinghe and Huangshan, nor can they significantly prolong the lives of followers. Even the energy expended, the Buddhist Sect cannot sustain.

If the Buddhist Sect cannot sustain, how does Song Xiang do it?

No one knows, only aware that this deity is extraordinary, not an ordinary deity.

The Clear Karma Temple cannot compete, and the Buddhist Sect feels helpless, as for the Jinyang Prefecture side, the strategic division of power back then has long been broken. Although after Song Xiang’s departure, Qinghe and Huangshan lost his divine protection, the millions of people were gradually divided, scattered throughout Jinyang.

What use is that?

You can divide people, but can you kill them or forcibly intervene in their faith?

The faith of those people runs deep. Even leaving the Qinghe and Huangshan regions, their devotion remains unshaken, and Song Xiang has not stayed idle, frequently taking action, not only wielding punitive power against evil across Jinyang, exterminating demons and ghosts but also frequently conducting grand rituals and organizing temple fairs to gather hearts.

With such activity, the people who left Qinghe and Huangshan instead became seeds of spreading teachings, dispersing the faith of the Divine Judgment Temple throughout Jinyang, strengthening its foundation.

Thus, the pressure on the Buddhist Sect is imaginable.

If it weren’t for the prior agreement and the implicit deterrence from the Jinyang Prefect, they would have flipped the table long ago.

Unable to compete, unable to fight!

What should be done?

The White Eyebrow Elder Monk is filled with helplessness.

The young Daoist just smiles: "The Jinyang Prefecture City God deeply ingrained in incense poison, intends to find a successor to provide protection after reincarnation. Song Xiang’s performance pleases him, so he supports him, deterring the Buddhist Sect."

"Amitabha Buddha!"

The White Eyebrow Elder Monk sighs but says no more.

The young Daoist is indifferent: "Previously, I went to Jinyang Prefecture, using the Qi Observation Skill on Li Mubai’s aura, and he indeed has the aspect of Celestial Halberd in transmission. Although he is only a Fifth-Grade Deputy Magistrate now, he has full control of military and political affairs similar to a Prefect. Additionally, the Song Clan and Huangshan Academy have extraordinary aspects, like a crouching dragon and coiled tiger."

"With this foundation and the alignment with the Divine Being, if the Jinyang Prefect truly passes the position to this person, Jinyang will inevitably become their domain in the future. Be it your Buddhist Sect or our Daoist Sect, we could only live under their shadow, struggling to survive."

"..."

The White Eyebrow Elder Monk remains silent for a moment, finally pointing to the key: "What advice does Daoist brother have for me?"

"This child’s influence is great, ordinary means cannot eliminate him!"

The young Daoist’s eyes sharpened: "Only a Hidden Dragon can remove him."

"Hidden Dragon?"

The White Eyebrow Elder Monk’s eyes narrow: "Are you referring to that person in Jinling..."

"Indeed!"

The young Daoist smiles, remarkably forthright: "His Highness the Crown Prince has hopes of Restoration Ascension!"