Monster Chronicles: My Daoist Skill Comes from Mythology
Chapter 93: The Temple Master’s Will, Breaking Through Divine Establishment

Chapter 93: Chapter 93: The Temple Master’s Will, Breaking Through Divine Establishment

"Madman!"

Ziyuan was horrified. Even transforming one’s primordial spirit into an evil ghost—how is that any different from being an evil ghost?

The Taoist School might teach you to transform into a demon or a ghost, but it cannot truly make you a monster.

If even one’s allies become fiends, then what is the purpose of the Taoist Alliance?

Ziyuan immediately made the decision to retreat.

But it was too late.

"Jie Jie, how is my cultivation technique?" The Sheep Demon, towering thirty feet tall with its body radiating Netherworld Demonic Qi, chuckled.

BOOM!

Ziyuan’s reflexes were quick, unleashing dozens of bolts of lightning consecutively.

The originally destructive lightning shattered portions of the demonic aura surrounding the Sheep Demon but otherwise proved entirely ineffective.

After exhausting his mana, Ziyuan ordered his Rampant Soldiers to defend the rear while he turned and fled.

Witnessing Jiuyou’s transformation into a demon, not only was Ziyuan unafraid, but he was secretly pleased.

Now, he wouldn’t have to act himself.

As long as he escaped successfully and reported back to Mei Mountain Jungle, there would be someone else to handle the situation.

BOOM!

Ziyuan tried to flee, but Jiuyou would not allow it.

The Sheep Demon clenched its fist and punched Ziyuan in the back, slamming him forcefully into the ground, embedding his body deeply and creating a large crater.

Ziyuan flew up again.

The Sheep Demon’s massive size didn’t impede the extraordinary agility of its movements.

In the blink of an eye, it was beside Ziyuan, delivering a powerful slap downward.

CRACK CRACK!

The sound of Ziyuan’s muscles and bones shattering echoed continuously.

Though the attack didn’t directly claim Ziyuan’s life, the impact sent him flying out of the courtyard.

At this moment, the Evil Ghost General led Rampant Soldiers to block the Sheep Demon’s path.

"Haha, just you wait!"

Ziyuan, severely injured yet inwardly smug, knew that after this battle, he’d take over the position of temple master without lifting a finger—and completely aboveboard, too.

WHOOSH!

Just as he was plotting his rise, a streak of white light and lightning shot forth from the distance.

Off guard, Ziyuan was struck in the chest, his figure plummeting to the ground.

When he looked up, he saw Song Lin holding a red umbrella, with five hundred summoned talisman soldiers from Hidden Dragon Manor and the Erlang God trailing behind him.

At the sight of the red umbrella, Ziyuan immediately understood and hissed venomously, "So it’s you who killed Qingfeng! It seems you’ve cracked the pill’s secrets!"

BOOM!

Before his words finished, Ziyuan released a bolt of lightning, but Song Lin dodged effortlessly, having anticipated the attack.

"Old man, your opponent is me!"

Erlang God charged forward with his troops.

"Ah! Why do you block my path!!"

Trapped amidst a sea of Rampant Soldiers, Ziyuan wasn’t in immediate danger of dying but was certainly delayed long enough for the temple master to arrive.

"Haha, hesitant and afraid of losing your own flesh. Who would ever follow someone like you?" Song Lin taunted Ziyuan. "Oh, by the way, I killed Lu Qingshan as well!"

Upon hearing this, Ziyuan could no longer suppress his rage and charged straight at Song Lin.

Even an arrow in his shoulder, fired by Erlang God, couldn’t stop him.

Like a cornered beast, he was determined to kill Song Lin before coming to a rest.

Just as Song Lin was about to wield the Jade Seal.

SWISH!

The world went dark, and eleven evil ghosts surged forward, pinning Ziyuan down. The sound of grotesque chewing shattered the silence.

The evil ghosts mercilessly devoured Ziyuan alive.

Soon after, several evil ghosts merged into Jiuyou’s form.

"Not bad, you’ve done well," Jiuyou said with blood staining the corners of his lips, grinning. "What position would you like? Speak freely."

"Uh, I’d like to request a year-long leave," Song Lin replied with an unusual demand.

"Oh? And why?"

"My cultivation of Emperor’s True Energy requires me to roam freely, seeking opportunities."

Song Lin had no interest in authority; for him, power was rooted in personal strength.

Now that his Qi Refinement had reached a breakthrough, all he needed was time for refinement rather than comprehension.

After reaching his next stage, he’d unlock the next realm.

"Not bad, ambitious. I’ll grant you leave until the end of ten years. Make sure to return by then," Jiuyou said, delighted to see his two annoying disciples leave.

"Thank you, temple master."

Song Lin thanked him and departed.

Jiuyou immediately dispatched the Evil Ghost General to quell the rebellion.

Song Lin noticed Tongshou being surrounded by two generals.

Upon seeing Song Lin, Tongshou shouted urgently, "Song Lin, get me out of here!"

Both generals cast their gaze toward Song Lin.

Song Lin circled around and smirked, "Sorry, I barely know you!"

"Ahhhh!"

Tongshou was torn apart into pieces.

Witnessing the gory scene, Song Lin felt a deep chill in his heart—internal conflicts among allies, betrayals between master and disciple.

Each Taoist School claimed to represent the Heavenly Dao, acting recklessly and arrogantly, giving themselves lofty titles.

There was none of the serene detachment of moral immortals from his past life.

"If I were the temple master, I would prioritize morality—balancing virtue alongside cultivation. Rules first, talismans later; those lacking virtue would never qualify for talismans, no matter how advanced their cultivation level!" Song Lin thought privately.

A temple united in values and discipline might not raise individuals as powerful as those fighting endlessly like insects in a jar, but over time, it would surely catch up.

A righteous and harmonious temple would only grow stronger with time, while constant infighting could destroy itself.

Xuanke Temple was essentially a sect devoted to refining soldiers. If everyone worked together to combine into military formations on the battlefield, great achievements would be made, and cultivation resources would flow endlessly.

"Forget it, I’ll enter Divine Establishment before dealing with this." Song Lin shook his head.

Only by reaching Divine Establishment would he qualify to vie for the temple master’s seat.

...

Returning to Hidden Dragon Manor, he chopped some newly sprouted cassia trees and then embarked on a journey across the world, focusing on Qi Refinement.

To ensure safety, he mainly stayed within the Heaven and Earth Xuan Sect’s regions.

The Heaven and Earth Xuan Sect governed the Southeast Dao Alliance in Wu Country, its main Taoist school being the Spirit Treasure Sect.

Song Lin first wandered across Mei Mountain County, then traveled to Yunzhou.

Whenever tired, he would lodge at nearby Taoist temples or camp in the wild.

Along the way, he encountered intriguing Taoist temples, like Caodan Temple, which cultivated Ganoderma People, Five Ghosts Temple, devoted to ghost cultivation, and others focusing on refining Outer Pills, zombies, or other mystical practices.

Of course, he couldn’t learn much from them.

As a Grand Commissioner Taoist, temples would only host him temporarily; access to sacred grounds was impossible.

Within less than a year, Song Lin had traversed a large portion of the Southeast Dao Alliance.

The world here was massive, sparsely populated, with some undeveloped wilderness.

During this time, he used Water Techniques to help many people, earning himself a fair reputation.

He encountered danger but evaded easily.

Most of his accomplishments owed credit to intelligence acquired in advance from various blessing ceremonies.

He gained substantial insight during this period, understanding the differences between this world’s Taoism and the Taoism of his previous life.

This world did have benevolent schools, but most were like Xuanke Temple.

It wasn’t entirely due to malice—it was the environment at work.

Early Taoism on Earth had deep ties to witchcraft, stained by the brutality of ancient magical practices, only refined gradually over generations of Heavenly Masters.

In contrast, this world’s root problem stemmed from powerful demons.

The influence of such an environment meant Taoist skills inevitably pursued extreme destructive power, intertwined with demonic energy and violence. Coupled with internal struggles, distrust became widespread.

Since the various Taoist schools were equally matched in power, no supreme figure capable of restoring balance had emerged.

A year and a half passed.

On his way back to the temple, an epiphany struck Song Lin, revealing a breakthrough opportunity.

That night, the forest was bathed in intense moonlight, illuminating the entire mountain peak.

The temple at the base of the mountain investigated, finding no treasures but noticing vegetation had doubled in size.

...

Hidden Sword Manor.

Song Lin meditated in a secret chamber, his body glowing white, surrounded by dense Moonlight Power.

When he finished his cultivation, he opened his eyes, a gleam of joy flickering within them.

"Finally, I’ve broken through!"

Name: Song Lin

Realm: Divine Establishment Period

Taoist Realm: Forty years

Divine Skills: [Moon Cultivation Great Witch][Temple Emperor Blessing]"Guang Chengzi’s Qi Gong""Taiyin Secret Technique""Temple Taoist Skill""Peace Xuanke Refining True Qi Technique"

Items: Temple Emperor Seal, Cassia tree, Taiyin Bone Mirror, Red Umbrella, Heavenly Demon Stomach, Nine Yang Sword Talisman...

After over a year of cultivation, he finally achieved Qi Refinement Great Success, and refined First-rank Emperor’s True Energy, advancing to the Divine Establishment period, securing a top-tier status within the Taoist Temple hierarchy.

The future was boundless!

After Divine Establishment is the Core Formation stage.

Divine Establishment, like Qi Refinement, requires external energy to purify the soul, achieving the transformation from yin to yang.

In doing so, the three treasures—Essence, Qi, and Spirit—are completed, enabling the Foundation Establishment breakthrough to achieve Golden Core.

No need to rush now; stabilizing his realm is the priority.

...

Master’s Hall.

Jiuyou looked at Song Lin standing in the hall with a sparkle in his eyes.

"You’ve cultivated Emperor’s True Energy?" Jiuyou asked in astonishment.

This man’s cultivation speed surpassed even Shi Yinhua’s.

"Fortune was on my side," Song Lin replied modestly.

"Impressive. I heard of your deeds through the temple—’Healing the world, Mr. Donghua.’ Well done, you bring honor to the temple."

"It was a minor contribution, not worth mentioning."

This was deliberate on Song Lin’s part; by establishing his reputation, even those who sought to harm him would reconsider.

"You’ve entered Divine Establishment and can now visit Mei Mountain Phoenix Platform to receive the Alliance Power Talisman."

Jiuyou considered briefly and added, "Let’s postpone the ritual to next month. It coincides with the Five Thunders Heavenly Master’s Conference, where you can network with peers—it’ll benefit your future."

"Understood!"

"In the meantime, don’t remain idle. I appoint you as Patrol Housekeeper, responsible for temple security inside and out. If manpower is insufficient, you may borrow or recruit freely. I grant you authority to act at your discretion."

"Yes!"

Song Lin withdrew.

Returning to Hidden Sword Manor, his eyes became resolute.

Indeed, it’s time to establish a following.

Entering Divine Establishment meant gaining the Alliance Power Talisman and the qualifications necessary to ascend in the temple’s hierarchy.

To climb step by step toward the top, he must first create a loyal and capable base of supporters.

The next day, news of Song Lin’s return to the temple spread far and wide, with his mastery of First-rank Emperor’s True Energy causing shockwaves throughout the Taoist circle.

While Song Lin had previously kept a low profile and knew few people, now, there wasn’t a single soul in the temple unaware of his presence.