Monster Chronicles: My Daoist Skill Comes from Mythology -
Chapter 240 - 218: Innate Plum Blossoms, The 12 Zodiac Signs of the Ecliptic
Chapter 240: Chapter 218: Innate Plum Blossoms, The 12 Zodiac Signs of the Ecliptic
The Innate Plum Blossom Formation is a trapping array without any offensive capabilities. It cannot be forcibly broken.
It can only be resolved by following the rules of the array.
Song Lin closed his eyes and observed the plum blossom trees surrounding him.
Every array must follow some sort of pattern.
An array is a ritual laid out in a specific arrangement to draw upon the rules of heaven and earth.
However, this Innate Plum Blossom Formation appears to have no discernible pattern. If he isn’t mistaken, Master Mei Hua must have employed numerous eye-blocking techniques, making the patterns imperceptible.
Song Lin transformed into a blaze of fire, darting swiftly through the forest.
Since refining the Fire Hero’s Sword, Song Lin’s speed could traverse ten miles in an instant.
Even after flying for several dozen breaths at such speed, he still couldn’t find an exit. The plum blossom grove seemed endless.
Song Lin came to a halt.
"It seems I must use the method of divination to solve this."
With this thought, Song Lin sat cross-legged and entered the state of Heavenly Human Connection, seeking enlightenment into the mysterious Taoist techniques.
He did not seek assistance from Xing Hepu back in the story world. After all, external help is still external. Having learned a great deal during this period, he wanted to rely on his own abilities to break the Innate Plum Blossom Formation.
At the very least, he had to prove that the 100,000 dharma coins were not spent in vain.
...
Elsewhere, Zhi Xin gazed at the boundless plum blossom forest and laughed, "The same old tricks. Can’t there be something new for a change?"
With that, he lightly clapped both hands on the table.
Rustle!
The plum blossom grove split apart, revealing a pathway.
At the end of the path stood Master Mei Hua.
Master Mei Hua wasn’t surprised at all. If these petty tricks could trap Zhi Xin, now that would be truly astonishing.
Zhi Xin was the first to break the formation, followed by the disciples of Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind.
And then figures of Taoist Master levels.
They were situated on a high platform.
Looking down from above, they could faintly see individuals scattered among the plum blossom trees.
Before Zhengsi floated a jade scroll, shimmering faintly with golden light, seemingly computing at high speed.
"Golden Emperor Jade Scroll? Who is this person?"
A mere ordinary disciple with a Dao Artifact in his possession?
"This person is the son of a Heavenly Master," Zhi Xin explained.
At these words, the attention of everyone on the high platform converged on Zhengsi.
"Oh? It’s truly him!"
"The son of a Heavenly Master? I’ve heard rumors of this person’s exceptional talent. To see him today, he is indeed extraordinary."
The crowd buzzed with discussion, though some held dissenting opinions, suggesting he merely relied on the power of the magic treasure.
"Hmph, even you’ve joined the bandwagon of currying favor," Master Mei Hua grumbled, visibly displeased.
At his Flower Viewing Festival, participation was strictly limited to those he deemed worthy, regardless of their status.
"How long do you think he’s been studying?" Zhi Xin asked.
"Ten years?"
Master Mei Hua could also see that Zhengsi wasn’t relying solely on the treasure but had some foundational skill of his own.
"Ten days," Zhi Xin replied.
"What?"
Master Mei Hua raised an eyebrow, eyes filled with astonishment.
To achieve such results in ten days—he truly lived up to the name of a genius.
Perhaps in a few rounds of future festivals, Zhengsi’s attainments would become exceptionally high.
"So, is this your proudest disciple?" Master Mei Hua asked.
Hearing this, Zhi Xin merely smiled without replying, his gaze falling on Song Lin.
"If I were to choose one, I’d say he is the most fitting!"
Master Mei Hua followed Zhi Xin’s gaze to Song Lin.
He saw Song Lin working with a pile of bamboo sticks, calculating something. Not only were the table and surroundings scattered with sticks, but he even had two piles at his feet.
"Oh?"
Master Mei Hua was genuinely intrigued.
It wasn’t the bamboo sticks that surprised him—many others here were using bamboo sticks, as well as turtle shells, tiger bones, jade pendants, compasses, water droplets...
What amazed Master Mei Hua was that someone was actually using the most primitive methods of the I Ching’s sixty-four hexagrams combined with exhaustive enumeration.
Anyone who had perused his Mei Hua Divination techniques wouldn’t possibly use such an effort-intensive, unrewarding method.
While the sixty-four hexagrams belonged to the overarching simplicity of the Great Dao, they were inherently vague and abstract.
The hexagrams divided into primary and changing ones, with three calculations possible for each set.
The results of the three calculations differed, requiring interpretation aligned with the hexagram text and one’s personal circumstances.
This method was far too vague and had low accuracy.
Could the bone-weighing rhymes merely be a coincidence?
"Just watch a little longer," Zhi Xin said confidently.
Master Mei Hua scrutinized and soon noticed something unusual.
As the deductions continued, they drew closer and closer to the truth of the array.
"Impossible! The Innate Plum Blossom Formation theoretically has infinite variations. How could exhaustive enumeration arrive at a solution?"
"That’s incorrect. This is the Divide and Conquer Technique, a method entirely invented by Song Lin," Zhi Xin explained.
"Could you elaborate?" Master Mei Hua’s interest was piqued.
"Ha, perhaps you should ask him directly later," Zhi Xin replied with a mysterious smirk.
Soon, Song Lin emerged from the plum blossom grove, even faster than Zhengsi by a few moments.
Song Lin approached the two, greeted them with a nod.
"Impressive. The Divide and Conquer Deduction Method—regardless, using exhaustive enumeration to break the array qualifies this method for the Upper Taoist Meeting Element," Master Mei Hua declared.
The crowd was astonished.
The Taoist Method eligible for the Upper Meeting Element had already been revealed today?
And it was from someone they’d never even seen before.
In any case, Song Lin’s reputation was firmly established.
Dong!
With the ringing of a bell, the array’s time limit ended.
Only thirty participants passed the test. The rest left in disappointment, their ambitions crushed.
The remaining crowd followed Master Mei Hua into the hall.
As soon as Song Lin stepped inside, he was almost blinded by the brilliance of the massive instruments.
At the center of the hall stood a gigantic golden roulette wheel.
The roulette was divided into twelve regions, with strange text written in Cloud Seal script on each section.
"This is the Zodiac Twelve Palaces Array Disk. The first palace is Chunming Palace, which governs wealth. Located in its corresponding position... Everything has a predetermined number. Different people correspond to different destinies. Using this disk, one can track those destinies with precision. Once reversed, the array disk can alter heaven and earth!"
Boom!
As he spoke, Master Mei Hua willed the array disk to spin.
Boom!
Outside the hall, thunder and wind raged across hundreds of miles, with a clear sky suddenly darkened by roiling clouds.
Through the array disk, Master Mei Hua could manipulate the weather at will—summoning rain as he desired, even changing the destinies of individuals.
"Thus, the Theory of Constant Numbers is an unshakable truth," Master Mei Hua proclaimed to the crowd.
"Hah, yet another bizarre assertion! If everything is predetermined, why then is there a concept of defying destiny?" Zhi Xin countered.
"Because defying destiny is also part of the constant numbers. Moreover, those with strong destinies can influence the destinies of the weak. This too is a constant," Master Mei Hua retorted.
The two debated fiercely, neither able to convince the other.
The esoteric nature of their arguments left most of the audience bewildered.
Song Lin quietly committed their words to memory, believing Xing Hepu might have answers.
Perhaps Yuann Tiangang and his disciples might also have insights.
This segment was known as "discussing the Tao."
Each person presented their own perspectives, engaging the others in debate.
Some proposed new methods of divination, only to have them ridiculed and dismissed.
Everyone aspired to make their mark and establish their name for posterity.
Being listed in the Upper Taoist Meeting Element brought countless benefits.
With his newfound fame, Song Lin even managed to intimidate Fire Cloud and expand the sales of the Moon Brick.
At this moment, Master Mei Hua suddenly paused and turned to Song Lin.
"Earlier, I noticed you used numerous bamboo sticks. Might I ask how you managed to break the array?"
Zhi Xin’s earlier words had clearly piqued his curiosity.
He couldn’t fathom how Song Lin had accomplished what should have been impossible with exhaustive enumeration alone.
All eyes turned to Song Lin.
Maintaining his composure, Song Lin smiled and said, "It’s quite simple. Allow me to explain in detail."
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