Monster Chronicles: My Daoist Skill Comes from Mythology
Chapter 149 - 145 Yunzhou Shengwei Forest, Merit Officer of Langfeng Platform

Chapter 149: Chapter 145 Yunzhou Shengwei Forest, Merit Officer of Langfeng Platform

"The Thunder Striking God’s birthday?"

Song Lin asked, puzzled.

How could a Taoist attend a demon’s birthday celebration?

What is called ’thunder striking’ is actually tribulation crossing. People have seen demons undergoing thunder trials in the mountains, which is essentially the tribulation crossing of demons.

Cultivators also cross tribulations, but usually only after attaining profound Taoist Realms.

The thunder striking phenomenon commonly seen by ordinary people is almost always demons going through their tribulations.

"Reply?" It was Song Lin’s first time using this type of Jade Talisman. He tried to carve in some characters using True Qi, "Message received!"

After sending the message, Song Lin stood up and stretched lazily.

"Phew, finally some time to move around!"

The life of a temple master wasn’t as busy as mortals imagined.

With the long lifespans and slow pace of cultivators, Song Lin only needed to set plans in motion and have others carry them out.

This process could take decades or even centuries. On Earth in his previous life, a dynasty might have risen and fallen in that span of time. For the Taoist Temple, though, it was merely the beginning.

Regardless of how long time stretched, Song Lin’s journey to becoming a Heavenly Master remained unshaken.

With this thought, Song Lin stepped outside.

In the mountain forests beyond the Taoist Temple—

The newly appointed Divine Establishment cultivator Wang Ziyue was leading a group of Taoist disciples in combat against scattered demons.

The Advanced Taoist disciples rode Red Dragons and occasionally released threads of Red Dragon Qi to disrupt a three-zhang-tall elephant-headed pig demon ahead.

These disciples were still in the Fetal Breathing Stage. Their True Qi wasn’t particularly strong, so the Red Dragon Qi Gong served as a potent supplement for them.

Rampant Soldiers formed combat formations on all sides, gradually wearing down the pig demon’s strength.

Wang Ziyue wasn’t using his full strength; instead, he commanded from the sidelines, as though watching the disciples refine their leadership skills through actual combat.

Nearby, a few Taoist disciples worked together to sustain the Soldier Formation Map. The formations on the sand table resembled pieces on a chessboard, manipulated under their hands.

Song Lin had taught them the Eight Formation Map and the Innate Eight Diagram Array.

These arrays were too profound, so Wang Ziyue introduced mortal military tactics.

The intention was to first train their ability to command troops using these simpler formations.

"Roar!!"

At that moment, the demon broke through the formation, attempting to flee into the deep forest.

The grand array pursued but quickly descended into chaos along the way.

Wang Ziyue shook his head and sighed. Forming a hand gesture, a massive handprint appeared in the sky.

Boom!

The Five Mountains Seal descended, smashing the pig demon into a pulp. ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom

"The Square Formation was well-executed, but remember this—only use it when you have an advantage in numbers. In this formation, the General is at the center, with spears and archers on the outer perimeter. It’s great for dense, frontal engagements but lacks agility. In a weaker position, you’re easily isolated and slaughtered."

"For pursuits, use the Long Snake Formation. Also, your formation changes are far too clumsy—any slight shift leads to disarray. What’s the rush? Is this small force all it takes to break your resolve? What would you do seeing the temple master command an army of a hundred thousand with just a flick of his wrist?"

Wang Ziyue’s reprimand left the disciples red-faced with embarrassment.

"The Taoist is being too harsh."

A cloaked woman stepped out from the distance.

The woman’s appearance was delicate and unassuming—nothing like the disfigured Lu Qian she had been before.

She was someone whose talent rivaled the likes of Wang Ziyue, yet she had been buried in the temple’s internal politics.

"Harshness is necessary. As the temple master says, ’More sweat in practice, less blood in battle.’"

"Haha, step by step."

Having finished the demon extermination, a few other cultivators joined, and the group headed back to the Taoist Temple together.

Wang Ziyue suddenly asked Lu Qian, "How’s the research on the Yang Thunder Captain? Can it be replicated yet?"

"It’s difficult. The ritual itself is fine; the challenge lies in sensing and channeling the lightning. It places high demands on both the Dharma Master and the Rampant Soldier."

Song Lin had spread the Water Technique to lower the threshold for summoning Rampant Soldiers, but there were still significant barriers to overcome for higher-level techniques.

"The beginning is always the hardest. I haven’t mastered it myself. Once you get past this hurdle, success will flood in," Wang Ziyue said encouragingly.

Refining soldiers was much like learning a spell—either one never succeeds, or success opens the floodgates, leading to a rapid emergence of more and more Top-grade Spirit Official Divine Generals.

When that time came, the only limitation on them would be the financial state of the Taoist Temple.

Back at the Taoist Temple, they found a crowd surrounding a young Taoist in a purple robe adorned with dragon and phoenix patterns—the only kind of attire reserved for the temple master.

"Greetings to the temple master!"

The gathered crowd knelt to pay their respects.

The new servant Taoist disciples curiously studied this unfamiliar figure.

Most of them were from Shanyin County, many having been saved by Song Lin. They were filled with gratitude for this legendary figure.

Song Lin was taken aback by the sudden kneeling.

"Stand up! If it’s not a Dharma Ritual, there’s no need for formalities."

As Song Lin swept his gaze over the scene, he noted that the Three Capitals and the Eight Deacons had mostly convened.

Currently, all members of the Three Capitals were in the Divine Establishment stage, and two of the Eight Deacons had reached it as well. Soon, when everyone had advanced to Divine Establishment, they could return to their peak era.

"In a few days, take Wang Ziyue and Lin Yang to the forest for the liturgy, or invite the forest archivist to officiate on your behalf."

"Understood," Shi Yinhua nodded. As chief, he was becoming increasingly competent, allowing Song Lin to delegate freely.

Song Lin wasn’t worried about losing his authority, either.

This world ultimately respected power above all else.

Even if he disappeared for eight hundred years, as long as his strength remained unmatched, he would still be the leader.

Without strength, even a constant presence would eventually be overthrown.

"By the way, I’ll soon be undertaking a mission. Going forward, use my name to request that the Taoist Master have Xuanke Temple transferred under the Southern War Zone’s Scripture Master, Chi Hai."

Xuanke Temple was currently in a jurisdictional limbo. It made sense to attach it to Chi Hai’s domain.

"Also, later, deliver a letter to Chi Hai on my behalf."

Song Lin decided to subtly indicate his support for Chi Hai’s candidacy, offering it as a trade for the temple’s protection.

Out of the five key players, he had offended two already. This wasn’t a time to remain neutral.

Task completed, Song Lin flew toward Yin Mountain.

At the foot of Yin Mountain—

Yun Xiao, dressed as a man and holding a paper fan, stood with a fair, elegant face that carried a faint aura of yin energy.

Beside her was a nobleman with a crimson mark on his forehead.

The man’s appearance was handsome, his eyes shining like stars. Unlike a Taoist robe, he wore worldly clothing, with a jade gemstone headband on his forehead.

Judging by his fleeting glances, he seemed to harbor some interest in Yun Xiao.

"Why bring someone like Song Lin, Yun Xiao? He’s just a minor Divine Establishment cultivator."

"Yujing, don’t underestimate others. I think his Thunder Skill rivals even those you’d find in the Holy Might Taoist Temple. I’m considering inviting him to join your North Pole Demon Exorcism Institute." Yun Xiao smiled brightly.

Yujing, who hailed from the Holy Might Taoist School and was an heir of the Yunzhou Shengwei Forest lineage, wasn’t a direct disciple of the Holy Might Heavenly Master, but he was part of the extended lineage of students.

"Huh?" Yujing was visibly skeptical. "Don’t tease me, Taoist. I know those people from minor Taoist Temples better than you do. If they can qualify as a Prison Guardian or corpse-stitcher at Langfeng Platform, it’s already a stretch."

The North Pole Demon Exorcism Institute hosted a myriad of peculiar professions. Beyond the main demon extermination squads, it included executioners from the Demon Slayer Bureau, guardians, corpse-stitchers, and many others.

Because of their dealings with demons, their tales were rich and often passed down in the storytelling traditions of the mortal world.

"Don’t be overly confident. He might not be any weaker than you," Yun Xiao said, her faith in her judgment unwavering. The arrogance of those from the Shengwei Forest rubbed her the wrong way.

Swish!

Another two clouds descended from the sky.

The newcomers were a man and a woman. The man appeared older, while the woman wore a fiery red outfit and looked lively and charming.

"Is that so? I can’t believe anyone could surpass my senior brother, especially a mere Divine Establishment cultivator from some Taoist Temple below," the red-clad woman said with a look of defiance.

"Yuzhen, no need to be disrespectful!" Yujing feigned an admonishing tone before turning to the man beside him. "Jingyun Taoist, long time no see. I never expected you’d come in person."

"Indeed, our last meeting was a decade ago. I see you’ve already achieved Core Formation," Zhang Jingyun said with a smile.

This mission was no trivial matter.

It involved an ancient Mountain God.

The key issue wasn’t the Mountain God itself but the reward for completing the mission.

A rare opportunity to meet the Heavenly Master and hear the teachings of the Holy Might Heavenly Master.

The Heavenly Master grasped the Great Dao, and every action embodied the rhythm of the Great Dao. Even these low-level cultivators would gain immense benefits from merely sensing a fraction of it.

Why did Taoists always strive to climb higher in rank? Was it just for vanity? No, it was to access more of the Great Dao.

Of course, Zhang Jingyun didn’t reveal this. Instead, he changed the topic.

"I’m also curious about this person Yun Xiao mentioned... Oh? Is that him?"

...

(Please vote for the monthly ticket!)