Monster Chronicles: My Daoist Skill Comes from Mythology
Chapter 197 - 183: Corpse Soul Manor, Phoenix Platform Dragon Throwing (Two in One)_2

Chapter 197: Chapter 183: Corpse Soul Manor, Phoenix Platform Dragon Throwing (Two in One)_2

If one isn’t someone particularly driven by desires for power, dealing with the endless affairs of a Taoist Temple is indeed enough to make anyone collapse.

"Let’s depart tomorrow. That place is quite far, and we can refine the Taiji Thunder Seal along the way."

"Understood!"

Corpse Soul Manor is located within the Black Heaven Law Realm Alliance’s territory, further south in the Lingnan region.

The manor was originally an ancient battlefield of human-demon wars. Legends say that both Heavenly Masters and Heavenly Demons perished there, with the battlefield’s evil qi and corpse qi transforming into Heaven and Earth Essence Qi.

The place is extremely dangerous, but also brimming with opportunities. The Law Realm Alliance has enclosed the area, charging ten thousand dharma coins as an admission fee. Whatever Essence Qi you manage to obtain is up to your skill.

Shi Yinhua was heading to that place.

There were, of course, free entry spots as well, but Song Lin thought those would make him far too conspicuous.

Especially for someone like Yun Xiao, who patrols all around. For unknown reasons, it’s better to stay out of sight by going to crowded spots.

After sending Shi Yinhua off, Song Lin once again entered his secluded chamber for cultivation.

This time, his focus was on organizing his spells and blessings.

Otherwise, his system would remain too chaotic and disordered.

Name: Song Lin

Realm: Core Formation Stage

Taoist Realm: 102 years.

Divine Skills: Cloud Seal Mysterious Character Jade Scripture, Innate Five Thunder Heavenly Heart Generalization True Technique, Taiji Xuanzhen Heavenly Master Seal Scripture, Heavenly Repairing Demon Seed Skill, Innate Eight Diagram Array, Six Yang White Gold Divine Thunder, Taiji Thunder Escape True Technique...

Blessings: [Emperor Seal] [Qi Control Six Voids] [Moon Cultivation Great Witch] [Golden Crow Yang Pattern]

Items: Five Thunders Heavenly Master Order, Temple Emperor Seal, Emperor’s Coiled Dragon Jade, Heavenly Demon Stomach, Nine...

The realm and Taoist Realm level need no further elaboration.

In terms of spells and divine skills, the Five Thunders True Method and Jade Scripture are equally important, and thus take top priority. The other Taoist Skills are gradually weeded out, as they might not be used in the future.

Life is finite, and any Taoist Skill that ceases to align with one’s current stage must be promptly discarded to avoid wasting time on cultivation.

"Thunder Skills... Refining Soldiers..." These two methods form the primary foundation of my practice.

Of course, a true Heavenly Master is not limited to mastering just one or two specialties.

"With an expansive world of complex stories and such diverse systems of spells, it’d be a shame not to study a few extraordinary ones."

Song Lin mused to himself.

It’s not that he’s lazy or only realizing this now.

On one hand, the previous world didn’t have any particularly good systems—the Qi Refinement system was still in development; Song Lin himself actually shaped it into what it is within cultivation.

The deity-based system is even more consequential, as in a world suspected to harbor a Heavenly Court, recklessly absorbing the faith of common people is akin to courting death.

As for the Nuogao Record system, although he had summarized it into the Heavenly Human Six Seals, it still couldn’t qualify as a full cultivation system—it barely counts as divine skills.

The Undying Pill World does contain the path of immortals, but it is inseparable from the Heavenly Emperor’s Divine Medicine.

"Thunder Skills and Refining Soldiers have both matured well for now. Since I cannot break through the Core Formation Stage within a short period, I can only rely on competing in Taoist Realm level and divine skills. If I encounter powerful new divine skills in the future, they will surely be something I must learn."

The world beyond the Core Formation Stage is bound to be even more fascinating—Song Lin had a faint sense of this.

At the earlier stages, the world mainly consisted of fragmented folk tales, and those with notable names or figures of great power were seldom seen.

The Core Formation Stage is considered the entry-level for immortals and gods. Perhaps at this level, he might encounter renowned figures and long-standing sects.

Of course, Song Lin didn’t plan on delving into the story world just yet.

He would at least wait until Phoenix Platform Dragon Throwing; until then, there was still the task of connecting with Master Zhi Xin.

With that thought, Song Lin pulled out the talisman Master Zhi Xin had given him.

As his thoughts activated the talisman, it ignited.

Whoosh!

The scenery shifted. When Song Lin opened his eyes, he saw before him a simple mud-brick house.

The walls and roof were made of mud; the property wasn’t large, consisting of perhaps four or five small rooms.

Seeing this house, Song Lin was somewhat dumbfounded.

Above Core Formation is the Purple Mansion realm, and beyond Purple Mansion is tribulation crossing.

For Zhi Xin, a tribulation crossing expert, how could his abode be so modest in appearance?

Even if it wasn’t adorned with gold and jade, shouldn’t it at least have disciples numbering in the thousands and servants in the tens of thousands?

Its extravagance ought to surpass that of Fire Cloud!

Creaaakk!

The wooden door opened, and an elderly Taoist dressed like a farmhand stepped out.

"Greetings, Grandmaster!"

This was none other than Zhi Xin.

Zhi Xin spotted Song Lin and smiled, "Come in."

Following behind Master Zhi Xin, Song Lin silently observed the residence.

There wasn’t a single servant or Taoist disciple present. The tableware only catered to a single person, and the kitchen nearby had a wood fire burning.

The initial impression this man gave Song Lin was one of striking incongruity.

Unlike other experts who enjoyed wealth and luxury, Zhi Xin’s lifestyle resembled that of an average commoner.

This brought a fresh perspective to Song Lin’s impression of high-level figures within the Taoist School.

"It’s quite simple, no need to mind."

"A mountain does not have to be tall; what matters is an immortal dwelling within it. A water body does not have to be deep; what matters is a dragon residing within it. Modest living has its charm!"

"A mountain does not have to be tall; what matters is an immortal dwelling within it..." Zhi Xin reflected on these words, his otherwise stoic face revealing a smile. "This does carry a certain depth."

The two entered the living room, where Zhi Xin poured Song Lin a pot of tea.

"I plan to prepare eight Taoist Soldiers. Their strength doesn’t matter as much as their ability to patrol."

"That’s simple."

"As for payment, how about one thousand dharma coins for each?"

"Ahem...," Song Lin set down his teacup. "Grandmaster, could I make a different request?"

"What would that be?"

"Could I exchange it for a single piece of your guidance?"

Taoist Zhi Xin suddenly chuckled and said, "There once was someone who spent a million dharma coins but couldn’t exchange it for a single word from me. Are you suggesting eight thousand could suffice?"

"Uh, perhaps it’s because money doesn’t mean much to you, Grandmaster."

Song Lin joked to lighten the mood. Since he wasn’t immediately turned away, there was still room for discussion.

"Sure, for guidance—on the condition that you help me with something."

"What favor would that be, Grandmaster?"

"I plan to cultivate ten acres of land behind the house and build a pond while I’m at it. You’ll provide assistance, without using mana or Taoist Soldiers."

"Alright."

Song Lin gave it some thought and found the task somewhat amusing.

With the Taoist School and the court arriving in less than a month, staying at this place could also serve as a means of refuge from Fire Cloud’s desperation.

Zhi Xin returned to the log shed, coming out with two hoes, a sickle, and a hatchet.

"There’s no time to waste; let’s begin immediately."

Song Lin grabbed the sickle and hoisted the hoe, following Zhi Xin to the land behind the house.

Out back lay a patch of untamed terrain, overgrown with weeds and scattered with unruly trees.

Still, ten acres wouldn’t be a problem.

Even though mana couldn’t be used, his physical constitution was still extraordinary. Ten acres? Make it a hundred acres, and it wouldn’t faze him.

Song Lin sliced through a tree trunk as thick as a bowl with a single swing.

Sure enough, Taoist Zhi Xin got to work on the other end as well.

As time passed, Song Lin increasingly felt something was off.

Why was he getting more and more exhausted, as though his physical strength were being drained by something?

Only half an acre had been cleared, but sweat already drenched his back.

Could his body really be this weak?

Song Lin pressed on, managing to fell another dozen trees before finally collapsing, panting heavily on the ground.

"Ah..." Zhi Xin approached Song Lin, sitting down beside him on the earth.

"Tired?"

"Quite tired."

Song Lin suspected the Grandmaster had cast some spell.

Zhi Xin handed him a water flask, shaking his head. "Your mind is too restless, and you’ve grown accustomed to relying on strength. You must come to terms with your own frailty and proceed step by step."

Song Lin remained silent for a long moment before eventually responding, "I understand."

From then on, he started to do as Zhi Xin had—working intermittently and resting as needed, no longer attempting to overexert himself, treating himself earnestly as an ordinary man.

Gradually, his pace improved considerably.

Song Lin found himself genuinely enjoying the process. It had nothing to do with attaining guidance or pursuing other interests.

By dusk, the pair finished their day’s work and returned inside. Zhi Xin sautéed two plates of green vegetables.

The two ate as though they were typical peasants.

"I figure this work will take about half a month to finish. Afterward, I’ll refine some Taoist Soldiers and head back."

Song Lin intended to depart once he secured insights on his Core Formation realm.

"You’re not staying longer? There’s much left to do on the mountain," Zhi Xin queried.

"No, I have pressing matters to attend to back home."

"Ah, you’re quick to take the opportunity and leave," Zhi Xin teased, "Many others have come here before. They’ve contributed plenty of labor, thinking it was part of some great test. I once had someone chopping wood and fetching water for eighty years..."

"And then?"

"Then I kicked them off the mountain."

"Hahaha!!"

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