Monster Chronicles: My Daoist Skill Comes from Mythology
Chapter 81: Blessing Ceremony, Mei Mountain Jungle

Chapter 81: Chapter 81: Blessing Ceremony, Mei Mountain Jungle

"Welcome."

The other masked individuals stood up as well.

Inside this grand hall, there were a total of five people, each wearing intricately patterned masks.

"What is this place?" Song Lin instinctively touched his face, relieved to find that he was also wearing a mask.

"This is the Illusory Realm of the Sanmao Blessing Ceremony, a place formed by illusions. We are members of the Blessing Ceremony."

"What exactly is the Blessing Ceremony?"

Song Lin was utterly baffled. How did the Jade Talisman bring him to this place?

Furthermore, he had never even heard of the Blessing Ceremony as part of any Taoist school or sect.

A man wearing a fiery red mask spoke in a hoarse voice, slowly explaining to Song Lin.

"The Sanmao Blessing Ceremony dates back to a time even before the ancients. It was a gathering where great Taoist powers would discuss Taoist Skills, interpret scriptures, and offer blessings to resist demons."

"Later, as the world was divided into countless Taoist territories, the exchange of Taoist knowledge became hindered and restricted. The Blessing Ceremony fell into decline and eventually retreated into the shadows."

"The Sanmao Heavenly Court is a collective of deities that this branch of belief revolves around."

"The Sanmao Heavenly Court reveres Yuan Shi Heavenly King as the Creator God and resides in the Golden Altar Huayang Heaven."

"Below that are the Sanmao True Monarchs: Upper Mao traverses Taiwei, undertakes Taiji, governs the Eastern Mountain, and presides over the Red Castle Jade Cavern Mansion; Middle Mao and Lower Mao are among the Nine Heroes of Earth Immortals, administering mystical powers, overseeing the hundred ghosts, and guarding the gates of Zhenyin Palace."

"They passed down miraculous skills and gave rise to numerous sects that trace their origins to Mao Mountain Taoist Skills, among them the Heaven and Earth Xuanmen Alliance to which you, Song Lin, belong."

"Besides the Sanmao, there are also Grandmasters and various revered deities of other sects."

"The so-called ’Sanmao Dharma Meeting’ is centered on the Taoist lineage of the Sanmao Heavenly Court," the man with the fiery red mask added further:

"Anyone recognized by a bestowed Jade Talisman is deemed a member. The Ceremony imposes no compulsory assignments or Dharma Assemblies. Its purpose is: to transcend sectarian divisions, foster mutual exchange and benefit, and operate without distinctions of affiliation or status." freёNovelFire.com

"In this world, Taoist skills and resources are all controlled by the Taoist institutions. Everyone is shackled within an inescapable cage. We disregard these sectarian distinctions to share knowledge and resources. Of course, the premise is an equivalent exchange."

"The clean breeze over the river, the bright moon between the mountains, the flowing streams of the land—all these belong to the people. How can they be privatized?"

"I see. I have been enlightened."

Song Lin finally understood. It was essentially an informal organization, akin to the various factions within the secular bureaucracy.

In bureaucratic circles, positions are official connections, but outside of those, there are sub-groups formed via shared hometowns, mentorships, allegiances, or family ties.

"Now that you’ve understood, are you willing to join?" the fiery red mask asked.

"I am willing."

Song Lin was eager to join such a group. He had been too passive for too long, always dependent on his Taoist Temple to act, and was completely clueless about happenings in the outside world.

"Very well. I am the Fire God, and this here is the Water God. We are regular members. Those three behind us are Lord Qingmu, the Eastern Evil God, and the Black Emperor."

The two of them walked to the side of the hall, where scattered Jade Plates hung on the wall.

"Seeking a hundred-year coffin fungus, details in private."

"Seeking any edition of the Xuan Qi Flying Sword Skill from the Shu Mountain Dao Alliance, prohibition seals must be removed."

"How many members does the Ceremony have in total?"

Wasn’t this essentially an online version of the Ghost Market, but with more functions and better concealment? Most of the items seemed to be forbidden goods.

"Not many, just over fifty. Each one is an elite or a future elite of their respective sect. Since you are a newcomer, one day the host might convene a meeting. You must attend then."

The Fire God chuckled and added: "Oh, by the way, there are many spies here. If you don’t want to get caught, it’s best to use nicknames like us."

"Uh, is it okay to say that?"

"What organization doesn’t have spies?"

"Alright, just call me the Eastern King from now on."

With a thought, Song Lin’s white mask morphed into a bird-patterned design.

The Eastern King was a figure of many identities, rumored to be the reincarnation of Taiyi, the East Lord of Chu Territory, the overseas Fusang Emperor, and the Taoism-associated Emperor Donghua.

"Eastern King? What an interesting name. If you have something to trade, you can post it on a plate. Once someone claims it, they can contact you through your Jade Talisman."

"I’ll think about it next time."

Following the Fire God’s instructions, Song Lin exited the place.

Back in the real world, Song Lin suddenly opened his eyes.

He found himself still standing in the same spot, the Jade Talisman clutched in his hand.

"The Blessing Ceremony..." Song Lin muttered, calculating the pros and cons in his mind.

This place was relatively concealed to a certain degree.

He had memorized numerous Taoist skills within the story world, some of which were useless or of little benefit to him. Disposing of these could potentially bring him significant profits.

It would be even better if he could exchange them for Qi Refinement Pill Recipes.

While pondering, he unconsciously arrived at Merlin County.

The city had ten times the population of a county town, bustling with people, shoulder to shoulder.

From afar, he could see the grand and imposing palace.

The palace was gilded and shimmering under the sunlight.

The entire Taoist Temple was enveloped in a faint mist, but Song Lin’s sharp eyes could faintly see figures flying here and there.

The power of the Mei Mountain Jungle was undeniable. It was said to house three thousand Taoists.

Song Lin approached the main gate.

"Halt!"

The Yellow Turban Taoist Soldiers at the gate blocked his path.

"Please relay this message. I am a Taoist from Xuanke Temple," Song Lin presented his credentials and temple documentation.

The Taoist Soldier glanced at them before turning to enter the temple.

Before long, a young man in a green Taoist robe emerged.

"Song Lin, junior brother, may you be blessed with compassion. Welcome to the temple. I am the Guest Steward, Green Sheep," the young man saluted with clasped hands.

"Green Sheep, senior brother, may your Taoist Energy endure!" Song Lin returned the gesture.

"Compassion" and "Taoist Energy endure" were common greetings here, unlike the phrase "Infinite Venerable" from his previous life.

After all, this world had many Taoist sects, and you never knew if someone subscribed to a particular deity. Saying that phrase would be akin to invoking Amitabha Buddha in front of a Christian priest.

"Come, please take a seat at Yunshui Hall."

The Green Sheep smiled warmly, exuding a calm dignity particular to a prominent Taoist Temple.

After all, the Mei Mountain Jungle governed a dozen or more Taoist temples and was the ruler of Merlin County, home to ten million people.

The two passed through many corridors.

Along the way, they encountered many Taoists practicing various Taoist Skills.

They rained talismans like a storm, their breaths formed clouds.

Taoist skills such as the True Demon Temple’s Demon Refining Method, Xuanke Temple’s Rampant Soldier Technique, and Chaozhen Temple’s Spirit Shell Technique were all being practiced here.

In terms of both cultivation atmosphere and quality, it was leagues above the smaller Taoist temples.

Eventually, the two arrived at Yunshui Hall, the reception area for visiting Taoists.

"Junior brother, please wait here." The Green Sheep Taoist served tea and snacks before excusing himself and exiting the room.

Shortly after, an elderly Taoist arrived.

"I am Cheng Ming, a bureaucratic Taoist. Junior brother, may I see your credentials?"

Cheng Ming collected the documents and the Qiankun Bag before smiling at Song Lin, gesturing for him to wait. He then departed.

Song Lin couldn’t help but sigh. Such large Taoist temples had so many formalities; being unaccustomed, his first interaction with them felt quite disorienting.

Soon, Cheng Ming returned with another Taoist.

The Taoist carried a palm-sized Qiankun Bag.

"Taoist friend, inside are one thousand units of Extremely Yin Corpse Bones. Please check the receipt and verify the quantity."

Song Lin received the Qiankun Bag, scanning it with his Divine Thought, confirming the amount.

"The quantity is correct?"

"Will you be staying or dining here?"

"No, thank you."

After exchanging pleasantries with a few individuals, Song Lin left.

He initially thought of exploring the Mei Mountain Jungle, but it seemed it wasn’t open to outsiders today. It would be better to return, focus on his tasks, and delve deeper into the Ceremony and Qi Refinement matters.

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