Monster Chronicles: My Daoist Skill Comes from Mythology

"Sorry, I refuse."

Song Lin said cleanly and decisively.

Evidently, by giving up some trivial things, one could discard past grudges and actively integrate into the Taoist School's core.

Yet these things happen to be indispensable.

If they were abandoned, then what difference would Song Lin have from others in the Taoist School?

Afraid there wouldn't be a shred of difference.

Perhaps one could pretend to let go, only to reclaim them in the future.

But it's easy to go from frugal to extravagant, and hard to go from extravagant to frugal.

While Song Lin himself might adapt easily, it wouldn't be as simple for others, and the result would be utter betrayal in days to come.

Upon hearing Song Lin's words, Yunhai paused briefly, then smiled casually.

"Alright, think it over carefully when you return."

Yunhai didn't grow angry; instead, he returned to pass the message to the Heavenly Master.

After Yunhai left, Song Lin returned to the World in the Pot and revealed the truth to everyone.

Prince Zhonghuang immediately understood and said, "That's typical of them. Seeing your outstanding talent, they want you to serve them but dislike your uncontrollable nature, so they compel you to abandon your fundamental methods."

Like taming beasts step by step, pressing you to gradually relinquish your defenses and vigilance.

"Do you need us to take action? The crucial moment is approaching."

Even Prince Zhonghuang knew that when these people failed to succeed, they would undoubtedly cause trouble for Song Lin.

If no action was taken now, there would be no opportunity later.

"No rush. Let's wait a bit longer."

Song Lin had his plans. His foresight was profound, and now was not the time to act rashly.

The disputes among cultivators aren't calculated by days.

Too many elements are involved, making them impossible to settle in a short span.

To bend and wait for the opportune moment—

That was Song Lin's approach.

More importantly, the story-world had not concluded yet.

The story-world!

A hundred years in the Western Ocean Record.

The group set sail, commanding an invincible fleet of a thousand ships and over thirty thousand men departing from the Yangtze River.

The centerpiece, a gilded nine-layered treasure ship, resembled a fortress at sea, with a displacement of twenty-thousand tons.

In addition to the Taoists' runes, it could remain afloat even in shallow waters.

Logically, such an unbeatable fleet would dominate any place with ease.

Yet one remark from Jin Bifeng dispelled Song Lin's thoughts.

The overseas realm was far more complex than the Central Plains.

The Heavenly Court's power vastly surpassed that of the Mortal World, to the point that Song Lin suspected this realm to be the Heavenly Court's genuine form.

According to Heavenly Master Zhang, the gods of the Heavenly Court could traverse between the Heavenly Court and Mortal World in an instant.

This was viewed from the mortal perspective—while an instant passes in the Mortal World, the Heavenly Court's time is far faster.

Basing the calculation on one moment in the Heavenly Court equating to forty-nine years in the Mortal World, the Spirit Official completed a round trip in fourteen-billionths of an instant of Heavenly Court time.

And this didn't account for the distance.

If considering sheer flying speed, it likely exceeds the speed of light. If Teleportation Arrays were involved, then the mana required would be extraordinary.

Additionally, the South Sea Dragon King's "Boroxuyujia Half-Ladle" could collect water from an eight-hundred-li radius.

Sumeru Mountain's Golden Wing Shell could dissolve four hundred li of Magnetic Ridge from tens of thousands of li away.

The Jellyfish Lord controlled the waters of nine rivers, eight waterways, five great lakes, and four seas.

These were merely the strong forces of the Mortal World.

This didn't even include the Heavenly Court and Western Heaven. Naturally, neither the Heavenly Court nor Western Heaven meddled here, for even Jin Bifeng, the reincarnation of Randeng Buddha, was merely one among the countless dharma images of the Buddha.

"So that's how it is."

Song Lin was momentarily shocked before regaining composure.

His mindset was still stuck on lone combat in the Real World.

This was a realm supported by forces.

It was a battle of techniques, treasures, formations, and alliances.

Not to mention the backers—Song Lin had Randeng Buddha, and even beyond him was Xuantian God.

In terms of backers and connections, Song Lin wasn't at a disadvantage.

Competing in spiritual treasures might be more challenging, as his sole Innate Spiritual Treasure was the auxiliary Eight Diagram Furnace.

In terms of magic arts, Song Lin was confident. It was time to test the North Emperor's Black Law.

For arrays, he was even less concerned—he had Taoist Soldiers who could summon North Emperor Demon Soldiers anywhere, anytime.

The North Emperor's Black Law in this realm wasn't merely about calling forth ghosts and gods.

The fleet advanced into the White Dragon River.

Suddenly, the waters exploded, and hundred-zhang-high waves rushed toward the fleet.

Faced with the towering waves, even a fleet of ten thousand seemed as fragile as leaves drifting in a vast sea.

"Rise!"

Jin Bifeng pulled out a bowl.

The Golden Bowl expanded against the wind, and the giant waves surged into it.

"Roar! Who dares approach?!"

A massive white dragon appeared in the sky.

Its body stretched ten thousand zhanges long, its scales the size of millstones, and its eyes dazzling like twin suns.

The demon energy surged skyward, shaking the Three Realms.

"White Dragon King!" Zhang Yinhua recognized the demon's identity.

Countless members of the Demon Clan roared the White Dragon King's name.

Suddenly, a little demon approached for an audience.

"Who commands this fleet?"

"That would be me!"

Zheng He stepped forward.

Zheng He had a heroic countenance, an insignia hanging from his waist, and a striking red cape that intimidated the shrimp soldiers.

But recalling the White Dragon King behind them, they quickly puffed out their chests.

"My lord instructed me to tell you—if you wish to cross the river, offer five hundred living humans."

With that, the little demon departed.

"Five hundred people?" Zheng He exclaimed in shock.

Nearby, Eunuch Feng commented, "Lord, we do have five hundred people. Some soldiers fell ill not long ago—it might as well count."

"Absolutely not! These soldiers have left their homes and followed me across the seas; how could I harm their lives?"

Then Zheng He called the little demon back to negotiate, slipping him a handful of gemstones. The little demon understood and whispered:

"My lord doesn't care for numbers. Whether fifty or five hundred, it changes nothing to him."

The number was reduced to fifty.

"What does the State Preceptor think?"

"To kill without guilt violates justice, even if for the sake of the world—it is not the way of a virtuous man," said Heavenly Master Zhang.

"What the Heavenly Master said is entirely correct."

"Do the three ancestors have ways to repel the White Dragon King?"

"We do, but it's exceedingly difficult," Zhang Heavenly Master replied with furrowed brows. "The White Dragon King originally ascended to the heavens as the Yellow Emperor's steed. But for craving blood meals, he was banished by the Nine Heavens Profound Woman. He devoured Laozi's Azure Bull and injured Muu Emperor's prized horse. Now exiled to the Mortal World, he's a formidable presence."

"This old monk could take action to repel him, but with this dragon's power, our fleet would suffer severe losses."

"I have an idea."

Song Lin suddenly spoke up.

"Recruit skilled craftsmen to make human-like figures using pigskin, hemp fabric, etc., and stuff them with organs, livestock blood, and flesh..."

"Excellent plan!"

With their eyes lighting up, the group sprang into action.

The White Dragon King was so massive that tossing people into the river wouldn't be discernible at a glance.

Soon, fifty "living humans" were cast into the waters.

The White Dragon King in the sky opened his mouth and inhaled.

Whoosh!

Countless torrents mingled with the "living humans" flooded into the White Dragon King's mouth.

From afar, the White Dragon King sensed the figures bore human forms and contained blood, so he instructed his subordinates to allow passage.

The fleet set out westward, quickly approaching the mouth of the sea.

Demons lined the waves on either side, staring intently at the fleet like predators watching potential prey.

Both the Heavenly Master and State Preceptor were masters beyond compare. Had it not been for the need to safeguard the fleet, they would have fought the monster zealously for days and nights.

Song Lin, on the other hand, remained indifferent. He preferred fewer troubles over more.

The atmosphere grew increasingly tense, with demons growing in numbers.

The myriad demon army's piercing gaze made the soldiers quake with fear, to say nothing of the White Dragon King occupying the entire sky.

At this moment, the White Dragon King spotted Song Lin's face.

"Wait!"

The White Dragon King fixed his gaze on Song Lin.

"Did you once kill a Jiao-Dragon? That Jiao-Dragon was my nephew. I sense his aura lingering on your body."

Song Lin recalled his first encounter with Zheng He, where he did indeed kill a Jiao-Dragon.

"That's correct. What of it?"

"Brazen fool. End your own life now, and I shall spare the others."

The White Dragon King steadily advanced.

Demons and trolls raised their weapons, the beginnings of a grand battle stirring to life.

"Why must trouble always find me..."

Song Lin smiled wryly.

Bang!

His figure burst upward, hovering in the void.

The fierce winds whipped his robes, while demonic and ghostly energies intertwined around him.

Facing countless demons, Song Lin showed no fear. He lifted his sword fingers and recited incantations aloud.

"I am no mere mortal; I am the truth of the North Emperor. A head like black clouds, hair like chaotic stars. Reaching the sun realms above, spanning the Netherworld below. Within the Ten Directions World, deadly qi weighs heavy. Brows likened to centipedes, venomous energy shrouding. A nose like an iron bell... I bear the Black Law, presiding over ghosts and gods. Only evil yields; offenders shall perish. By the decree of the Northern Yin Xuantian Dengfeng Yujue Great Emperor, act swiftly!"

The Black Law of the North Emperor—North Emperor Black Book Tianpeng Transformation Divine Spell.

Bang!

Endless demonic energy swelled around Song Lin.

Bang!

A monumental force descended from the Nine Heavens.

It continuously eroded Song Lin's mind, battered his dharma body, and gnawed at his soul.

It felt as though his spirit might disintegrate within the next instant.

At this moment, the runes on Song Lin's brow burst with radiant light.

The demonic influence subsided.

The sinister energy dissipated, revealing a shocking sight to all.

Song Lin had vanished, replaced by a colossus of towering proportions.

Its head was like billowing dark clouds, its star-streaked hair threading across the heavens.

A physical form shrouded by poisonous mists glimmered faintly, each breath resonating like thunder.

This entity defied description—it was a Great Demon.

"No!"

The White Dragon King attempted to flee.

The Great Demon caught him with both hands, swallowing him whole. In one great inhale, it drew in countless demons along with him.

Song Lin produced the Ghost and God Token of the Black Law.

With a stern countenance, he spoke with righteous authority.

"I am the Nine Heavens Wind and Thunder True Monarch, High Judge of the North Emperor's Black Law. The White Dragon King and his followers have harmed the Mortal World, leaving citizens in despair. I hereby command the Six Palace Demon Kings to apprehend and sentence them to the Great Iron Wall Mountain! Eternal reincarnation in the Endless Abyss!"

"As you command!"

The Six Palace Demon Kings vanished.

Peace and tranquility returned, as though nothing had occurred moments ago.

The crowd was left in stunned silence.

Jin Bifeng struggled to mask his awe.

"Such a method of slaughter—it's terrifying! Xuantian God truly reigns supreme!"

Jin Bifeng pondered silently. No wonder he is considered the mightiest War God of the Taoist School!

"What remarkable skill, Taoist friend!"

Heavenly Master Zhang praised sincerely, admiration evident in his tone.

"Haha, you flatter me, Taoist friend. It was merely an exploit."

Song Lin discreetly steadied his faltering figure.

The Six Palace Demon Kings were indeed terrifying; their invocation came at a tremendous cost.

And this was just the Six Palace Kings—above them still resided the Marshal of the Heavenly Canopy at the North Pole.

Should the Marshal be summoned, wouldn't it lead to destruction on an unimaginable scale?

From this battle alone, Song Lin's standing in the two men's eyes soared endlessly, elevating him beyond the status of an ordinary Loose Cultivator.

The fleet ventured out to sea, aiming for the Western Regions.

Though the journey was fraught with difficulties, instances requiring direct intervention from the trio were few—most issues were resolved by Zheng He himself.

Countless Sea Countries were encountered along the way, yielding abundant rewards.

Occasionally, Song Lin found moments to return to the Real World.

…

The Real World.

The Sword Guard paid a visit.

"Taoist Lord, we've identified the personnel related to the Holy Might Forest."

"Good."

Song Lin contemplated, realizing it was time to prepare for a counterattack. He couldn't afford to sit idle and wait.

......

(Vote for me with monthly tickets—another chapter coming tonight at seven or eight. Eight thousand characters today!)