Monster Chronicles: My Daoist Skill Comes from Mythology
Chapter 85: The Inheritance Ceremony Within the Taoist Alliance

Chapter 85: Chapter 85: The Inheritance Ceremony Within the Taoist Alliance

Tongshou Taoist Residence.

"How is Taoist Ziyuan’s current situation?" Inside the hall, only Tongshou and Song Lin were present.

"Don’t worry, let things cool for now. You should focus on handling your own matters." Tongshou said, his bronze head revealing no expression.

"What about Wuj Ji’s side...?"

This fat man constantly watches for my weaknesses, eager to take my spot and give it to his disciple.

"You don’t need to worry about Wuj Ji. Your reputation has grown, and I’ll do everything to protect you from him."

Following this, Tongshou Taoist spoke with heartfelt seriousness:

"Song Lin, the importance of Taoist Ziyuan to you is no less than that of Patrol, being able to summon a thousand Rampant Soldiers anytime and anywhere, especially within the Taoist Temple. Do not let Taoist Ziyuan’s fostering of you go to waste!"

"Understood! I will work doubly hard to repay Taoist Ziyuan’s favor of recognizing my potential." Song Lin said solemnly, though the sincerity of his allegiance was uncertain.

"Alright, if there’s nothing else, you may leave. I must continue cultivating my spells."

Song Lin withdrew and returned to Hidden Sword Manor.

Ever since acquiring Hidden Sword Manor, he rarely went back to his previous residence at the Earth Dragon Manor.

Inside the secret chamber, Song Lin swallowed a bait pill.

An hour later, he gathered his energy and completed his qi circulation.

"It’s too slow! Even with the Tiger Suppressing Bait Pill, I can’t break through to Divine Establishment in the near term."

According to Song Lin’s calculations, it would take at least three months.

For Qi Refinement, which often stretches for several decades or even centuries, achieving Qi Refining Great Success in just a year was already extraordinary.

But at this critical juncture, relying solely on his cultivation wouldn’t suffice. Perhaps accelerating time within the story world or searching for treasures might ensure future safety during the final reckoning.

Though everything seems peaceful now, Ziyuan is bound to drag me into deeper waters eventually.

No matter which side you choose, holding an irrefutable power brings tremendous advantages.

At this moment, the Jade Talisman within the Qiankun Bag emitted a pulse of energy.

Song Lin flipped his wrist, and the Jade Talisman conveyed a message—it was an invitation to the Blessing Ceremony for newcomers.

Upon thinking this over, Song Lin’s heart stirred.

His consciousness shifted to a grand hall.

The resplendent golden hall was filled with people.

On either side sat strange figures wearing masks adorned with various motifs.

At the center towards the rear, a man was seated.

At the sight of him, Song Lin’s gaze was immediately drawn.

The man epitomized the image of a Mystical Sect master.

He wore a gray mask and robe, with a twelve-colored halo slowly rotating behind his head. It radiated an aura of divine dragons riding the winds, phoenixes dancing, and celestial grace.

Beside him stood five individuals, each donning attire of different colors.

As Song Lin appeared, the Fire God stepped forward to greet him.

"Welcome to the Blessing Ceremony. Eastern King, this is the Heavenly Venerate and his Five Ghost followers. Take your time acquainting yourself with the others."

"Eastern King, I look forward to your guidance."

Song Lin scanned his surroundings; there were quite a few attendees, nearly sixty by his count.

Apart from himself, he noticed Xuan Lady from the other day, as well as another male newcomer.

"My name is Loach. I look forward to everyone’s guidance."

At these words, the crowd’s attention instantly shifted to the short figure in the black mask.

It wasn’t about his strength; his name simply stood out.

While others bore dignified titles like Heavenly Venerate, Eastern Emperor, Western Emperor, or Red Ghost Fire God, the sudden appearance of "Loach" left many momentarily stunned.

"Alright, take your seats."

The Heavenly Venerate coughed lightly, quieting the room.

"Let’s exchange information."

"Traces of the Taihe Ten Thousand Ghost have been spotted around Inverted Spring. The Sword Leader from Xuanzong Shangqing Dao Alliance has taken people to exterminate the demon," one person said, wearing a mask with a sword motif.

"Hmph, demon extermination is just a pretext. I bet the real motive is seizing their land. Inverted Spring belongs to the Spirit Treasure Sect. Even the Dragon Head Master can’t simply barge in!"

"Don’t assume the worst about people. By the way, the Western Hot Valley flashed with treasure light the other day. Does anyone have news about this?"

"I do. Those interested can privately purchase intelligence from me."

"That area is rife with spies from the Western Regions Demon Country; it’s likely not that straightforward."

"The Emperor has favored the Eighth Prince, who is close to the Heaven and Earth Xuanmen Alliance. Might the next Dragon Head belong to Heaven and Earth Xuan Sect?"

"Impossible. The First Prince’s position is solid. The next Dragon Head will still come from Xuanzong Shangqing Dao Alliance."

Song Lin overheard information concerning his own Dao Alliance.

Remaining silent, he pieced together from their exchanges that most attendees were affiliated with Wu Country, particularly its southern region.

The divide between northern and southern cultivators was evident, with remarks laced with disdain for the north.

From their snippets of conversation, Song Lin painted a picture of Wu Country’s Daoist Alliance politics.

The alliances clashed frequently but within controlled bounds. The major factions’ power struggles largely projected onto the contest for the throne.

The Royal Family was relatively weak, serving as mere pawns in the celestial masters’ games.

In the throne’s contest, Taoists above a certain rank couldn’t directly intervene.

Each Emperor brought their own ministers, and the Dragon Head leader was almost always from the Emperor’s favored sect.

Such insights were impossible to glean without being in a high position.

Could this Blessing Ceremony truly just be an online Ghost Market?

Song Lin grew wary. Ghost Markets profited through commissions, yet this gathering seemed to have none. Why go through so much effort? Was it truly to encourage exchange?

Soon, the ceremony concluded, the attendees dispersing, leaving only the Water God, Fire God, and Heavenly Venerate.

Swish!

Mist arose unnoticed, enveloping the hall, transforming the gleaming grand chamber into a Netherworld ghost lair.

The Heavenly Venerate’s halo vanished, replaced by a towering illusory tree.

The pitch-black trunk stood upright, its gnarled branches grotesque in shape like demonic creatures, leafless but with numerous splits. Its black roots burrowed deep into the void, extending to unknown regions.

The Heavenly Venerate closed his eyes, his consciousness flowing through the tree roots, reaching countless corners and extracting nutrients.

Sensing his growing power, the Heavenly Venerate felt utterly exhilarated.

"Eight participants in this Blessing Ceremony have yet to learn the Void Capturing Qi Technique. Guide them diligently."

"Yes, I will work hard."

"Don’t give it away for free. Demand suitable compensation. But don’t be overly enthusiastic; make it seem like they are seeking you out."

"Understood." The Fire God suddenly remembered something and said, "Lord, you have thirty-one more meetings to attend."

"I know!"

As his voice faded, a gust of Yin Wind swept through, and the Heavenly Venerate disappeared on the spot.

In a dark and eerie illusion realm, various peculiar figures sat within.

"Welcome to the Mystical Altar. I am the Ghost Emperor!"

...

Hidden Sword Manor.

Song Lin, baffled by it all, decided to engage cautiously with them, ensuring his whereabouts remained hidden.

In the days to come, most of his time was spent in the Altar Temple World researching spells. Occasionally, he returned to the Real World to consume pills for Qi Refinement or refine Rampant Soldiers in the manor.

After fully absorbing the cassia tree trunks, he ventured into the mountains again to chop down the remaining trees at the site.

Xuanke Temple.

Inside the Master Palace.

The hall was filled with an eerie atmosphere, green mist swirling throughout.

A jade-faced Taoist sat cross-legged, his face pale as white jade, lips crimson as if painted.

With each breath, black demonic qi exhaled from his nostrils.

The demonic qi clung to half his body, forming a black-and-white dual visage.

At this moment, a green-faced yaksha emerged from the Yin Wind. The yaksha whispered something into Jiuyou’s ear.

"Settled? Hmph, too late." Jiuyou opened his eyes and smirked coldly. "Inform the entire temple and report to Mei Mountain Jungle. On the twentieth day at the Yin-time Yin Hour, the inheritance ceremony will take place, passing the position to Taixuan."