Monster Chronicles: My Daoist Skill Comes from Mythology

At the same time, poisonous miasma enveloped a hundred-mile radius. The water surface turned a ghastly green, with fish, shrimp, and crabs floating belly-up.

"Haha, convinced or not? The Heavenly Court Generals are merely so-so! Go call your Emperor Zhenwu over!"

"Audacious fiend! How dare you insult my master!"

The toad demon roared furiously, its body inflating like a balloon, while the red bead in its possession radiated scorching heat.

This demon intended to perish together with its enemies.

"Madness! Madness!"

The jiao-dragon hurriedly stepped forward to stop it.

Whoosh!

At this moment, two Yin Yang Flying Knives pierced through the scales on the jiao-dragon's surface and deeply embedded themselves within.

"Ah!!! Who is it?!"

The jiao-dragon was horrified and, enduring the pain, cursed angrily.

A dazzling Golden Sword came into view.

The blade was gilded, emanating a sharp and aggressive Sword Qi.

The weight of all living beings condensed into a single stream of Sword Qi, crashing down upon the demon.

Boom!

The jiao-dragon was obliterated, reduced to ash.

Witnessing such a dramatic turn of events, the toad demon stopped its actions and transformed into a human form.

He had an iron face, sharp eyebrows like swords, a tiger-headed and swallow-jawed visage, a righteous aura, and a ruddy complexion that hinted at distinguished origins as a demon cultivator.

"I am Zheng He. Many thanks to the senior for lending your aid!"

"No need for formalities."

Song Lin was slightly moved and flew forward to help Zheng He up.

The toad demon, now known as Zheng, was indeed called He.

Could it be that this was the future Ritual Eunuch Zheng He? The Grand Marshal of future Great Ming conquests?

What a coincidence; who would have thought to encounter Zheng He here?

Zheng He's cultivation level was not weak—it should be at the Purple Mansion Early Stage.

"I go by the name Song Lin, also known as Donghua. I am the Pure Yang Sect Leader. Would you care to visit my humble abode for a brief stay?"

"I wouldn't dare refuse."

Zheng He was also curious to see the origins of this mysterious expert.

The two of them arrived at the island of Wuchang Country, landing in the center where the palace and observatory were situated.

Observing the Taoists coming and going, and the displays of all kinds of bizarre and mysterious spells, Zheng He was inwardly astonished.

"Are those your disciples, senior?"

"Indeed."

"Tsk tsk! Senior, could you be an Emperor descended to the mortal world?"

Zheng He asked in amazement.

"Not at all."

Song Lin shook his head with a chuckle. Just because he knew an abundance of spells, how did that make him an ancient Emperor incarnate?

The two soon entered the World in the Pot.

As it turned out, the toad demon was originally a Divine General of Tianhe, sent down to the mortal world for training. Only after accumulating sufficient merit could it ascend back to the Heavenly Court.

"What is the current state of the Heavenly Court?"

Song Lin asked.

"Not much has changed; it's the same as always. Senior, you must be a Taiyi Loose Immortal of East Victory Divine Continent, correct?"

"I only recently descended from the mountain."

From his casual chats with Zheng He, Song Lin gradually came to grasp the vastness of this world.

Unlike the world of earlier tales, this one was not as sealed off or confined.

Far beyond, in Outer Heaven, there truly was a Heavenly Court, with the Jade Emperor presiding, all Immortals in their proper places, and no shortage of deities.

"Does the Heavenly Court often dispatch Immortals to descend?"

Song Lin asked.

If that were the case, then the power levels of this world were simply off the charts.

"Not at all. The Celestial Rules strictly forbid Immortals from descending. Even if they do, they might not come near our region. According to the Buddhist sects, this place is merely one of the many grains of sand protecting the Heavenly Court."

"Moreover, from the perspective of the Mortal World, the Heavenly Court responds very slowly. A moment in the Heavenly Court is equivalent to forty-nine years in the Mortal World."

"A moment equals forty-nine years?"

Song Lin clicked his tongue in amazement.

In other words, within less than a day's time in the Heavenly Court, the Mortal World might already be on the brink of destruction.

The events of the Western Ocean Record lasted only over a decade—less than even a second in the Upper Realm. The Upper Realm would certainly not even notice this place.

And even if they did, there was nothing they could do about Song Lin.

At worst, he would simply ascend to the Immortal ranks.

After chatting with Song Lin for a while longer, Zheng He took his leave.

Song Lin did not insist on him staying, as there was still plenty of time before the plot would officially begin.

Over the past years of exploration, Song Lin had a general understanding of this world's territorial structure.

Overall, the current power structure was fairly balanced between the overseas regions and the Central Plains.

The world was divided into Four States. North of Yanjing was called Northern Continent, while southward lay the Southern Continent.

Yanjing, as the nexus connecting these two regions, would undoubtedly become the future capital city.

To the east of the coastline was the East Victory Divine Continent, while the entire western region belonged to the Western Continent. Even the Western Regions were considered part of it.

It was presently the most powerful territory.

The Great Leiyin Temple was not located in the Western Continent but rather in Outer Heaven.

This was the landscape of the current world.

The first three emperors of the Zhu Ming Dynasty marked the last glory days of the Central Plains Dynasty. If, like the original narrative, the Imperial Jade Seal could not be found, then in the near future, the forces of the Western Regions would invade with great momentum, leaving behind endless sorrow and despair.

Even the demons from the Northern Continent would be able to bully them.

"The Imperial Jade Seal…"

Song Lin murmured to himself.

This world had hard battles to fight. Song Lin couldn't quite recall the exact plot of the Western Ocean Record, but there would certainly be numerous Devil Gods and barbarian generals along the way, each possessing unique skills and origins tracing back to the Three Emperors and Five Sovereigns era.

In the eighty-fifth year of the Western Ocean Record.

The Seven-Transformation Treasure Pill was finally refined.

Song Lin swallowed one, achieving the Seventh Transformation in his dharma body.

He consumed a tenth pill.

The Three Flowers gathered at the top.

Boom!

A column of golden light shot straight into the clouds.

In the Upper Realm, an enigmatic presence suddenly opened its eyes.

Could it be that such a remarkable individual still existed in the Mortal World?

Whoosh!

A gentle breeze swept by, and the figure in the great hall vanished.

Song Lin once again broke through to the Three Flowers Gathering at the Top.

Having previous experience, this breakthrough was much smoother.

"Prepare to head for the Central Plains!"

Song Lin thought to himself.

It was time to start laying plans; he could not afford to miss the opportunity.

Without the decree from Emperor Yongle, Song Lin wouldn't even have the qualifications to board the ship.

He had to plan ahead to make sure Emperor Yongle would be aware of his existence, personally summon him, or have someone in the court recommend him.

As he was pondering...

Knock, knock, knock!

At that moment, the door was knocked upon.

"Master, a Loose Cultivator seeks an audience."

Song Lin arrived at the grand hall.

A middle-aged man in a Mystic Robe stood nearby, his figure tall and straight like an old pine tree. His hair hung loose, his feet were bare, a long sword hung from his waist, his brows were sharp as blades, his eyes bright as stars, exuding a mighty aura like a warrior cloaked in a Taoist robe.

"Zhu Xuan!"

The middle-aged man cupped his hands slightly, his demeanor neither obsequious nor arrogant.

"Song Lin."

"I am a Loose Immortal of Zhongnan Mountain. I heard of a Pure Yang Great Immortal in the vicinity and came to pay my respects. I apologize if I have disturbed you."

"You're too kind, fellow Taoist. Please, take a seat."

Song Lin had a Taoist disciple arrange tea and sat beside Zhu Xuan.

"Earlier, I saw blood from a demon on the water's surface. Was that your doing, fellow Taoist?"

Zhu Xuan drained the steaming tea in one gulp.

"Indeed."

"Aren't you afraid of trouble?"

Zhu Xuan said with a faint smile.

Loose Immortals generally avoided stirring up issues out of fear of disrupting their cultivation. Even their disciples were repeatedly warned not to reveal their master's name during their mortal world training, lest they entangle themselves in karma.

"Why fear? For us cultivators, isn't slaying demons and exterminating devils our Heaven-mandated duty?"

"That jiao-dragon was the nephew of the Yangtze White Dragon King. Aren't you afraid of the White Dragon King seeking revenge?"

"Well, then I suppose I'll just help them reunite in the afterlife."

"Hahaha! I admire you! Come, let us toast with tea in place of wine!"

Zhu Xuan greatly appreciated Song Lin's straightforward response.

The two chatted enthusiastically.

Suddenly, Zhu Xuan asked, "What are your thoughts on the Buddhist Sect, fellow Taoist?"

"It's a competitor to the Taoist School. Tianzhu Buddhism cannot be trusted, but the Buddhism of the Central Plains is worth engaging and cooperating with."

This was Song Lin's honest opinion.

In this world, Buddhism had already been localized and submitted to the Heavenly Court, with the Buddha recognized as one of the "Five Directions Five Elders" of the Celestial Hierarchy.

While the Taoist School and the Buddhist Sect maintained a competitive relationship in the mortal world, in the grander scheme, they were collaborative allies with shared destinies.

Thus, Song Lin thought future collaboration with the Buddhist Sect was inevitable.

The two sides were ultimately aligned with the same cause.

"Since we share the same language and heritage, one should judge others by their character rather than their affiliation. Be it the Buddhist Sect or the Taoist School, both have their saints and scoundrels."

Even the Buddhist Sect had its charlatans, just as the Taoist School had its frauds.

Was every emperor who died from consuming pills deceived solely by imposters claiming to be Buddhists disguised as Taoists?

When faced with existential crises, they should set aside prejudices and collaborate sincerely.

"You have great insight, fellow Taoist!"

Before long, Zhu Xuan departed gracefully, leaving a parting remark to meet again in the Central Plains someday.

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