Monster Chronicles: My Daoist Skill Comes from Mythology-Chapter 273 - 248: The Heavenly Master Decides, 8 Years of Spring and Autumn (2/2)

Chapter 273: Chapter 248: The Heavenly Master Decides, 8 Years of Spring and Autumn (2/2)

The Holy Might Heavenly Master’s original name was Tianhe, but he was not the true Holy Might. The legitimate Holy Might was the Thunder Striking Mountain God.

The two were ancestors and descendants. The elder ancestor seized the identity of Holy Might and suppressed the true Holy Might, trapping him on the mountain to endure the Heavenly Tribulation on his behalf.

From this matter, it became clear that the current Holy Might Heavenly Master was not a good person. Moreover, he was extremely adept in the art of Divination, proficient in Heaven-defying Fate, and possibly far surpassed both Zhi Xin and Mei Hua in this expertise.

As they ventured deeper into the city, the surrounding individuals grew increasingly formidable. The Taoist Soldiers patrolling the streets were visibly Ghost Kings, each one tall in stature and all possessing Core Formation cultivation.

The surging ghostly aura was overwhelming, resembling the Netherworld itself.

Song Lin suddenly remembered that the predecessor of the Holy Might Taoist School was the Ghost King Forest, which specialized in refining Evil Demons and Ghost Kings. This cultivation method shared similarities with the Taoist Soldier Technique.

Thus, the eerie atmosphere wasn’t surprising.

Suddenly, the ground beneath Song Lin’s feet gave way.

Whoosh!

His body plummeted, the surrounding scenery rapidly receding, leaving only streaks of colorful light—no specific sights were discernible.

A powerful sense of weightlessness consumed him.

After what felt like an eternity, Song Lin’s feet finally touched solid ground.

The ground was an obsidian surface inscribed with runes.

It formed the shape of the Innate Eight Diagrams, with the surroundings empty and desolate. Only a Golden Palace stood unmoving some distance ahead.

In the horizon loomed eight massive, pitch-black pillars.

Song Lin focused his gaze and realized—they weren’t pillars at all, but towering Ghost Kings.

There were a total of eight Ghost Kings: the Eight-Armed Ghost King, the Fish Head Ghost King, the Snake Body Ghost King, the Red-Haired Ghost King, the Bat-Winged Ghost King... and the Thunder Blue-Haired Ghost King.

If Song Lin transformed Little Giant Spirit God into its Fatian Xiangdi form, it might merely reach the knees of these Ghost Kings.

Each of the Eight Ghost Kings raised both arms, supporting a separate piece of land above them.

Song Lin’s heart stirred. Could it be that this underground location was the foundation of the city, supported entirely by the Eight Ghost Kings?

Just as he was contemplating, someone led him into the main hall.

The hall was vast and expansive, countless crimson-golden copper pillars holding up a towering dome. The floor was smooth and reflective like a mirror.

At the back of the hall was an intricately crafted folding screen.

Around the screen stood small groups of individuals.

Tianjie and Chuu Yuying were unmistakably present, along with two unfamiliar figures—one dressed in a long green robe with a flowing beard, the other clad in yellow but notably short in stature.

"Taoist Zhi Xin!"

"Earth Evil, Xuan Sha, compassionate Taoists."

Zhi Xin cupped his fists and returned the greeting, then lightly bowed toward the figure behind the screen.

"I am already aware of your matters; Fire Cloud deserves punishment for recklessly killing disciples. However, Song Lin’s actions were excessive in self-preservation, defying superiors unjustifiably. He shall be stripped of his title as temple master, his official certificate revoked, and sentenced to face the wall in Black Wind Valley for one hundred years!"

One hundred years!

Song Lin barely managed to keep his expression from breaking. A hundred years—the flowers would have withered by then. How was he supposed to cope?

Zhi Xin gave him a subtle glance, signaling him with his eyes.

"Heavenly Master is merciful. Your kindness humbles me," Song Lin bowed deeply.

Since the Heavenly Master hadn’t stripped him of his talismans, it meant he remained part of the Taoist School, just without the position of temple master.

Those familiar with the Master’s character knew that his pronouncements were absolute, leaving no room for negotiation.

The crowd quickly accepted the verdict.

Chuu Yuying also found the decision agreeable. He bore no personal grudge against Song Lin and didn’t wish to see such a talent perish needlessly.

Fire Cloud had indeed deserved his fate. Were it not for Song Lin flagrantly disregarding protocol and killing someone in public, things wouldn’t have escalated to the point of involving the Heavenly Master.

Soon after, everyone bid farewell to the Master and departed. The entire process didn’t exceed thirty minutes, and Song Lin never even saw the Heavenly Master’s face.

Outside the gates, the short-statured yellow-robed elder followed the group silently, saying nothing, merely trailing behind.

When they reached the edge of the Eight Diagrams, their forms flickered and vanished from sight.

They returned to Xuanyu City.

Zhi Xin stopped and addressed the yellow-robed elder, "Taoist Earth Evil, may I request a grace period of three days?"

"Very well. Return here in three days," Earth Evil’s figure instantly disappeared.

"He is the Master of the Spirit Prohibition Mansion of Yunzhou Blessed Land. He governs the Spirit Mountain Blessed Land, which includes Black Wind Valley under his jurisdiction. You’re lucky—though Black Wind Valley is remote, it still contains thin traces of Heaven and Earth Essence Qi. With your talent, you should be able to reach late-stage Core Formation within a hundred years."

Some isolation sites not only cut off inside and outside contact but also lacked Qi for cultivation, forcing one to simply endure a century of stagnation.

"A hundred years is far too long."

A century was enough time to accomplish innumerable tasks.

Song Lin couldn’t afford to waste a hundred years.

"No need to worry. Once I perfect my Divine Skill, I’ll help you escape immediately."

Zhi Xin could only come up with this solution for now.

The Heavenly Master’s words were final; trying to make him change his mind now was impossible.

Only sufficient benefits could sway the Master to release Song Lin early.

"For now, focus on settling down and cultivating in Black Wind Valley. No one will trouble you there."

"Understood. I’ll first return to arrange matters at the Taoist Temple," Song Lin bid Zhi Xin farewell.

"I’ll be retreating into seclusion myself. Until we meet again!"

Zhi Xin reminded Song Lin to meet Earth Evil in three days before vanishing.

Xuanke Temple.

The mountain gate remained as dilapidated as ever, though the bloodstains had been completely cleaned, and the corpses had disappeared without a trace.

Song Lin’s thoughts stirred, and he flew toward the back mountain.

There were over two hundred new graves in the back mountain.

The likes of Shi Yinhua and others lay buried here.

"Temple master!"

Everyone greeted him, each casting curious glances his way.

"The matter is resolved. I must go to Black Wind Valley for a hundred years. During this time, there’s a high likelihood I’ll return."

"A hundred years?" Wang Ziyue’s eyes widened in shock.

"Don’t worry. It won’t be a full century—ten years, at most."

Song Lin himself didn’t know how long he’d truly be confined, but it certainly wouldn’t be a full century. Otherwise, without a definite timeline for his return, morale among those staying behind would likely collapse.

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