Qi Xuansu and his group had only just arrived in Fenglin, but they had already experienced the might of its eight million ghosts and spirits. Yet Qi Xuansu also conceived a bold idea. Since the Daoist Order could recruit the Qingqiu lineage, it might as well absorb some of these ghosts and spirits too. Of course, some were stubborn and beyond reason, but others were adaptable and pragmatic.0

One could not lump all eight million spirits together as enemies. They had to be classified carefully and treated accordingly.0

For instance, the Suzuka Gozen that Qi Xuansu had mentioned earlier was renowned for her ability to work with humans. She would even aid the Fenglin Court in suppressing another mountain god, Ootakemaru, and was therefore viewed in a relatively positive light, clearly a candidate for alliance.0

This was, in fact, a typical Daoist strategy. Back when the new reforms were pushed forward, the same pattern was used. Win over one faction, stabilize another, and eliminate the third, leaving just two. Then win over one again and eliminate the other until only one remained. Finally, when that lone faction had lost all strength, it too would be purged.0

Back then,...0