Monster Chronicles: My Daoist Skill Comes from Mythology
Chapter 237 - 215: Choosing the Disciple, The Dispute Over Seniority

Chapter 237: Chapter 215: Choosing the Disciple, The Dispute Over Seniority

Mingxing Peak.

At this moment, several people approached the thatched hut.

Among them was Song Lin, someone familiar. This individual wore a Purple Gold Crown, his complexion as flawless as white jade.

This figure was none other than Chuu Yuying, the Yunzhou Society Commandery Officer.

Another man had an earthy face, a square jaw, and a pair of bright yellow eyes shining with brilliance.

As he walked, he seemed almost fused with the earth itself.

This was the Taisu Taoist, the Fourth-rank Yunzhou Bureau of Managing Qi’s Department Director from the Qi of All Mountains Prefecture.

Behind them were several high-ranking figures walking with utmost respect.

The group collectively waited as Zhi Xin tended to the fields with a hoe.

Zhi Xin couldn’t be bothered with the gathering and focused entirely on his work.

After a long while, Zhi Xin finally put down the hoe, turning his gaze toward the visitors.

"Have a seat!"

"Thank you, senior!"

The group took their seats one by one, but the Five Thunders Talisman Taoists standing behind them could only remain upright.

"Senior, your vibrant presence radiates—surely your divine skill has reached perfection!" The Taisu Taoist remarked with a smile.

"Senior remains as charismatic as ever!" Chuu Yuying respectfully offered a slight bow, neither arrogant nor servile.

"You brat..." Zhi Xin pointed at Taisu with mock irritation, "I’m no longer a Taiji Left Official—don’t bother with this political posturing."

"Heh heh, my lord will always be my superior!" The Taisu Taoist grinned cheekily.

The Taisu Taoist’s Yunzhou Bureau of Managing Qi was responsible for overseeing Yunzhou’s earth energy and mountain veins.

In layman’s terms, it was akin to being a Mountain God.

Land has its fertility, and so do mountain veins.

Places rich in Heaven and Earth Essence Qi were under his jurisdiction and management.

Natural disasters affecting the earth veins required the Qi of All Mountains Prefecture to adjust and harmonize the mountain energies.

Though his words carried levity, the Taisu Taoist undoubtedly held deep respect for Zhi Xin, knowing that most of his skills were passed down from the senior.

Zhi Xin, however, didn’t entertain his words and turned to Chuu Yuying, saying, "Send my regards to the Heavenly Master."

"Will do."

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Chuu Yuying tentatively asked, "Senior, have you no intention of returning to the position of Taiji Assistant Officer?"

"Forget it. I have no desire to involve myself in mundane affairs anymore. In the future, I’ll find an heir and quietly await the end," Zhi Xin shook his head. "If the purpose of your visit is this, you may as well leave now."

The position of Taiji Assistant Officer was difficult to compare. If translated into a typical dynasty’s hierarchy, it would be equivalent to a Cabinet Minister.

"Ah, my lord, the past is in the past—why dwell on old grievances? We Taoists should look ahead," Taisu Taoist urged.

"Back then, the Heavenly Master acted out of good intentions..." Chuu Yuying echoed softly.

"Enough. Over the years, even I’ve come to understand the Heavenly Master’s goodwill. But my mind is made up..."

Zhi Xin raised his hand, silencing the group.

In his younger years, Zhi Xin had achieved the position of Second-rank Taiji Left Official, but an incident had severely damaged his foundation, leading to his current decline.

Noticing the faint signs of anger in Zhi Xin’s expression, the group tactfully avoided pressing further.

"Right. The Flower Viewing Festival is about to begin, and the Heavenly Master asked me to deliver this letter to you."

Chuu Yuying handed over the letter.

Zhi Xin opened it and read for a moment, his brow furrowing. He spoke, "Zhengsi? The Heavenly Master’s son? Why seek me out for mentorship? The path of Divination Skill is not easy to tread."

"Senior, rest assured. Zhengsi is exceptionally gifted. At birth, he exhibited a Heavenly Human Connection, accompanied by the phenomenon of a red star falling to the world."

Zhengsi, not yet fifty, had already achieved Perfect Core Formation in cultivation.

Not only was his cultivation profound, but his combat prowess was also formidable, having slain multiple Demon Kings in the past.

"Oh?" Zhi Xin smiled faintly. "It seems I have no choice but to take this disciple."

The Heavenly Master had more than one son, but one he cherished to this extent was rare.

Moreover... Zhi Xin glanced at everyone present, recognizing many as persuasive agents.

This, too, was an invisible form of pressure.

Though Zhi Xin had retreated from the world, his elevated status didn’t mean he could disregard everything.

He was no stranger to the internal darkness within the Taoist School.

"Of course, this is entirely up to you, senior. The Heavenly Master stipulated that this is not a mandated task from the Taoist School," Chuu Yuying quickly replied, before turning his gaze to a streak of light in the distant sky. "Zhengsi is here."

Swoosh!

A beam of light descended. A young man in white, holding a folding fan, landed gracefully.

His appearance was strikingly handsome. His demeanor brimmed with noble pride, and his aura was sharp, like an unsheathed treasure sword.

"Disciple Zhengsi greets Master!"

"Heh, no rush. For now, you’re young and accomplished. Whether this path suits you or not is uncertain. Call me teacher for now and start as a student attending lectures."

"I, an old man with limited energy, will only take one student in my lifetime. This cannot be taken lightly. I hope you understand."

Zhi Xin’s tone carried a faint sense of rejection.

A teacher and student relationship differed vastly from that of a master and disciple.

Students could have many teachers; disciples could only ever have one master.

"Understood."

Zhengsi maintained a faint smile on his handsome face, though dissatisfaction flickered in his heart.

He couldn’t comprehend why his father was so insistent on him taking this man as his teacher—weren’t there far more powerful figures within the Taoist School?

If he had to take a master, he’d rather seek out Master Mei Hua.

Already feeling some discontent, Zhengsi’s irritation grew as he observed Zhi Xin’s reluctant demeanor, fueling an inner flame.

At that moment, another streak of tunneling light shot across the sky.

Song Lin landed and, seeing the scene before him, appeared somewhat confused.

When had Mingxing Peak drawn such a crowd? Could it be that Zhi Xin was planning to reemerge?

"This is my other student, Song Lin, head of the Rampant Soldier Method and Master of Xuanke Temple."

Rampant Soldier? Temple Master?

Hearing these terms, a peculiar feeling arose among the group.

A gathering of this nature... and even a temple master attended?

It wasn’t that they looked down on Song Lin. The sentiment was akin to a county magistrate mingling with provincial governors.

Chuu Yuying and Taisu observed Song Lin a bit more closely.

Two students, one of whom might become the lone disciple.

Could it be a choice between these two?

There’s no way Zhengsi would lose to this humble temple master, right?

Zhengsi’s self-assurance mirrored these thoughts.

"Brother Song Lin, a pleasure long overdue."

"Taoist, may your compassion flourish," Song Lin returned the greeting.

Song Lin never imagined that the man before him was Fire Cloud’s stalwart backing.

Zhengsi, too, had no prior knowledge of Song Lin. He had merely handled a minor conflict without caring much about those below.

Song Lin greeted each person in turn.

Chuu Yuying responded politely but detachedly, his attitude formal rather than warm.

"Sit, everyone," Zhi Xin said, waving a hand as a set of stone tables and chairs emerged. Yellow Turban Warriors appeared from nowhere, carrying wine and refreshments.

Everyone took their seats.

"The two of you will accompany me to the Flower Viewing Festival," Zhi Xin said, addressing Zhengsi and Song Lin. Then, reconsidering, he added, "No, correction—Zhengsi will come with me."

"What about Song Lin?" Chuu Yuying asked curiously.

"He has an invitation from Mei Hua Taoist; Mei Hua invited him personally."

"Oh?"

The group turned to Song Lin in surprise.

Zhengsi’s gaze revealed undisguised astonishment.

There was no need to elaborate on the difference between being personally invited and merely being taken along by someone.

Chuu Yuying now viewed Song Lin with genuine interest, resolving to investigate him thoroughly upon returning.

Zhengsi smiled and said, "Brother Taoist, your spellcraft is truly impressive. I am in awe."

The term "Brother Taoist" carried a subtle undertone—others might look at it as self-lowering in rank.

Given Zhengsi’s lofty status, however, addressing someone as "Brother Taoist" wouldn’t damage his reputation.

Even when facing those with lower cultivation realms, he frequently called them "Brother Taoist."

It was a way to flaunt his youth and brilliance.

Others might rely on centuries of life to refine their Taoist Skill. He, under fifty, relied purely on innate talent.

They had only lived longer—that was all.

After being subtly undermined by Zhi Xin just now and now seemingly outshone by his senior student, frustration brewed within Zhengsi.

"Wait a second!" Zhi Xin suddenly let out a sly smile, more like that of a calculating old fox. "Mingxing Peak has no strict formalities, but hierarchy cannot be disregarded. Song Lin should call you ’Brother,’ for he’s twenty years younger than you."

"What?"

...

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