Monster Chronicles: My Daoist Skill Comes from Mythology-Chapter 321 - 287: Mortal World’s Righteous Path, Mei Mountain Ghost Market

Tian Yuanzhi and Jin Keji were both at the Earth Immortal realm.

Having cultivated the Taiyin Refining Technique since the Northern Wei era, they underwent three rounds of Taiyin Refining and eventually achieved the Earth Immortal status.

Upon learning Song Lin’s identity, especially as a disciple of Master Zhengyang, the two displayed profound respect towards him.

"From now on, stay here and practice cultivation," Song Lin said.

"By the way, does your Taiyin Refining Technique now require an Inner Core?" Song Lin asked.

"Yes, while the ordinary Taiyin Refining Technique can bring forth rebirth, it still follows the Ghost Immortal path. However, Master Zhengyang proposed the dual cultivation of essence and vitality, wherein the physical body also undergoes cultivation, forming an Inner Core and achieving Three Flowers Gathering at the Top."

It was precisely for this reason that Zhengyang secured his place among the Immortals.

This world also needs the Three Flowers Gathering at the Top... Song Lin mused.

Yet, the Three Flowers Gathering at the Top here was significantly more advanced than in the Golden Demon World.

Thanks to Zhengyang’s dual cultivation theory, both body and soul were well-balanced, complemented further by Yin and Yang.

Dual cultivation of essence and vitality involved the cultivation of both form and spirit.

The cultivation technique Song Lin practiced was the epitome of dual cultivation of essence and vitality.

However, Song Lin was not the one who proposed this theory; instead, it was Zhengyang who explored and perfected it—leading to the concept of the Taoist Body.

The Taoist Body is the result of mastering dual cultivation of essence and vitality.

When cultivators reach the Loose Cultivator realm, they may achieve the Taoist Body.

Generally, the type of Taoist Body depends on the individual’s constitution and cultivation technique.

For example, Zhengyang possessed the Taiyin Body.

"Taoist Body..."

Song Lin muttered to himself, pondering what kind of Taoist Body would suit him.

He decided to study it thoroughly.

From then on, Song Lin and the others practiced cultivation at the Divine Residence Mountain.

Between refining pills, Song Lin planned to transform the Seven Great Saints into Little Giant Spirit Gods.

Since he was contemplating ascending to the Heavenly Court, preparation of a strong faction was essential.

Otherwise, if he ascended alone, he would be isolated and subject to oppression from all sides.

Tian and Jin, however, only knew the Taiyin Refining Technique.

They followed Song Lin to study swordsmanship and Thunder Skills.

Fifty years into the Journey to the West.

The two entered the basics of swordsmanship yet mastered Thunder Skills, studying cultivation techniques and Qi refinement methods.

As time passed, their reputations grew, attracting many admirers.

Song Lin decisively opened his sect, officially accepting disciples and spreading the Taoist teachings.

The sect’s name was Pure Yang!

During the first initiation, the sect recruited thirty-six Advanced Taoists, seventy-two Taoists, and three hundred sixty-five servants.

Divine Residence Mountain.

Before the grand hall, Song Lin donned his dharma robe and recited scripture verses.

"The Golden Que Jade Emperor of the Grand Heaven, imbued with infinite heavenly grace, responding to human wishes; divine virtues boundless, foretelling auspiciousness through mortal deeds... grant Tian and Jin the Upper Pure Three Cave Five Thunder Scripture Talisman! Grant thirty-six disciples the Child General Protective Secret Talisman, and seventy-two disciples the Child Protection Talisman!"

"Our gratitude to the Donghua Sect Leader!"

All Pure Yang disciples knelt in worship and bowed in gratitude.

Their faces radiated excitement.

"Talisman granting?"

Tian Yunzhi suddenly had a flash of insight, as if realizing a possibility, and was startled.

"Sect Leader, are you planning..."

"Correct, I intend to unify the Mortal World’s righteous way!"

Throughout history, there has never been a system like the granting of talismans.

Both Taoists of the Heavenly Court and those of the Mortal World were merely scattered individuals cultivating immortality and gathering Qi.

There was no organizational structure—Taoists traveled alone, formed small groups of three to five, or two by two.

Now the Pure Yang Sect has emerged, coupled with the talisman granting system, effectively establishing a Taoist orthodoxy.

Even the Heavenly Court wouldn’t dare object.

After all, they were worshipping the Jade Emperor!

Song Lin gazed at the sky and let out a cold inward laugh.

"Old Jade Emperor, you want to summon me to the heavens as a menial servant? Horses’ Fortune? Or some obscure position under the banner of blessings and virtue? Not possible!"

Pure Yang Sect Leader, Donghua Independent Immortal, Jade Tripod True Man!

With multiple titles accumulated, wouldn’t he at least claim the title of the Three Realms Great Master? If not, then the Pure Yang Great Venerable couldn’t possibly be summoned to heaven, nor could the righteous energy of the realm be suppressed into submission.

"Enough talk. First, I need to nurture these people!"

"The heavens roaring above, my Tao flourishes below!"

Song Lin imparted all his knowledge to his disciples.

Outer Pill Techniques, practical Taoist Skills, Taizhen Thunder Technique, Taoist Soldier Secret Techniques, Swordsmanship Dao, Cultivation Methods, Netherworld Demon Path.

This world progresses at a slow pace—it wouldn’t be resolved in even hundreds of years.

If that’s the case, he would lay everything out; perhaps these inhabitants of the realm could innovate.

Of course, innovation is difficult; Song Lin’s goal was simple; even without major breakthroughs, accumulating experience was still rewarding.

Fifty-one years into the Journey to the West.

In Yangzhou, the Pure Yang Sect flourished; curing ailments, demon extermination, and advocating righteousness gained reverence among common folk.

Fifty-eight years into the Journey to the West.

The Seven Great Saints successfully transformed into Little Giant Spirit Gods, gaining sentience.

The name of Erlang God spread across the land.

The Pure Yang Sect’s faith expanded northward, establishing itself at Zhongnan Mountain as the foremost sect in the North.

The Pure Yang disciples now exceeded three thousand.

The original thirty-six disciples all reached the Divine Establishment realm, earning the title Pure Yang Thirty-Six Human Immortals.

This world’s hierarchy comprises Human Immortal, Earth Immortal, Loose Immortal, and True Immortal.

Corresponding to Divine Establishment, Core Formation, Purple Mansion, and Tribulation Crossing.

As for realms beyond, they depend on individual Taoist progress.

The Pure Yang Sect pioneered the granting of talismans, and Song Lin’s name spread far and wide.

Shuilian Cave.

Golden Cauldron True Man sat cross-legged, adorned with a golden crown, dressed in crimson robes, a Golden Dragon as his mount, and a treasure sword placed on his lap.

A handsome young Taoist disciple in a green robe entered.

"Great Saint, the information you requested has been retrieved."

The disciple handed over a jade scroll.

Golden Cauldron True Man received the jade scroll and examined it briefly, showing slight surprise amidst his previously calm demeanor.

"Remarkable, truly remarkable..."

The Golden Cauldron uttered the phrase twice.

"Master, is this person truly so extraordinary?" the disciple inquired.

"Indeed, the Pure Yang Sect itself isn’t particularly impressive, but this talisman system is ingenious..."

The emergence of the talisman system brought immense prestige to Song Lin.

Mortal Taoists flocked to him en masse, with the system granting talismans and unifying mortal Taoists, making them proud to be recipients.

Song Lin’s status as the Pure Yang Sect Leader would rise dramatically.

"The future order is bound to change," Golden Cauldron True Man sighed.

The Heavenly Court is divided into two factions.

One faction comprises innate deities like the Dou Su Star Lord, who were born as divine beings.

The other faction includes acquired True Immortals, typically mortals who cultivated immortality—a group with no natural divine ties—often relegated to minor positions.

There’s also a group of Fude Immortals.

These individuals are despised by both factions, gaining immortality largely through Heavenly Court’s rewards, lacking combat capabilities, and often weaker than average demons.

A single decree from the Heavenly Court can strip them of their immortality, reducing them to mere mortals.

Should Song Lin ascend to the Immortal ranks, he would immediately become the leader of all mortal immortals.

"Then why doesn’t the Jade Emperor accept Song Lin?"

"The Jade Emperor loves grand recognition. Song Lin’s impressive accomplishments in the Mortal World signify he’ll undoubtedly summon Song Lin to the heavens."

"If that happens, wouldn’t the Heavenly Court’s power grow stronger? What about us..."

The disciple looked concerned.

Their faction primarily consisted of Ancient Immortals resistant to Heavenly Court’s control.

The Jade Emperor and Queen Mother were petty and arbitrary, overly colluding with Buddhist sects, leading to disdain from their faction.

"It won’t happen."

Golden Cauldron True Man smirked knowingly.

Initially perceiving Song Lin as righteous, Golden Cauldron casually guided him, aiming to cultivate stronger Mortal Realm practitioners to counter the Buddhist sect’s dominance.

Unexpectedly, Song Lin grew significantly, earning admiration from Golden Cauldron.

Nonetheless, the revival of their faction didn’t hinge on Song Lin.

"Let’s go, return to Lishan to see elder sister."

Golden Cauldron True Man patted the disciple’s shoulder, and the two vanished.

Golden Cauldron True Man’s true identity was the Ten Thousand Demon Lords Great Sage Equalling Heaven of Lishan.

The elder sister was Lishan Mother, and the second sister was Wuzhiqi.

Although labeled Demon Lords, it was a title imposed by the Heavenly Court.

While some of them were indeed demons, the majority were Immortals persecuted by the Heavenly Court.

In truth, their lineage belonged to the Three Pure Ones, most deriving from Yuan Shi Tianzun’s tradition, which explained Golden Cauldron True Man’s profound Taoist skills.

"Song Lin..." Golden Cauldron uttered the name.

Initially intending to offer guidance and retreat without revealing his presence.

Now, Song Lin’s capabilities suggested eligibility to learn of deeper secrets.

So be it—Golden Cauldron resolved to meet him in forty years.

Time gradually passed, and the Pure Yang Sect continued steady development.

Fifty-nine years into the Journey to the West.

On this day, Song Lin formed the Silver Flower, elevating Essence, Qi, and Spirit to their peak.

At the same time, his mastery over Outer Pill techniques grew increasingly refined.

After breaking through, Song Lin returned to a phase of steady progress.

...

Reality, the World in the Pot.

A tripod with three legs and two handles stood before Song Lin.

He refined Spiritual Pills within the tripod, with Erlang God supervising the flame.

Compared to the Erlang God of the story world, the one in this realm indeed lacked some spirit.

Bang!

Soon, the lid of the tripod flew open, and a spiritual pill emerged.

Song Lin handed the pill to Erlang God to consume.

This was the tenth pill.

Soon, Erlang God would transcend the Taoist Soldier status, marking the emergence of a Purple Mansion expert in Donghua Jungle.

Flap, flap!

A thousand paper cranes flew in.

Song Lin extended his palm, allowing the crane to land.

It carried a letter from Shi Yinhua.

The letter mentioned the discovery of the Ghost Market in Mei Mountain Jungle.

"Not bad..." Song Lin’s gaze turned distant.

The Mei Mountain Jungle was about to face retaliation from Donghua Jungle.

Back when economic strategies obstructed Donghua for so long, had it not been for Zhi Xin’s help, even the Yin Merit wouldn’t have passed smoothly.

The matters of the story world had concluded.

Now it was time to handle affairs of the real world.

Zhengsi was punished with ten years of closed-door cultivation.

When that fellow emerged, he would discover that Mei Mountain remained as a desolate jungle.

Thinking of this, Song Lin departed the World in the Pot, heading toward the gap between Yunzhou and Qingzhou.

True Ghost Markets are neither small trade regions within Taoist Temples nor mere areas with minor transactions.

Proper Ghost Markets are highly concealed, welcoming individuals from all directions to engage in trade.

Though free in form, the market was indeed governed by unseen forces, collecting shop rents, stall fees, and transaction commissions—resulting in sizable profits.

With the bustling traffic of a proper Ghost Market, sellers rarely worried about their goods remaining unsold.

Even if Song Lin held grudges, he didn’t fear revenge from others.

More importantly, due to Ghost Market’s covert nature, Song Lin could discreetly sell Outer Pills brought from the story world.

Such Ghost Markets were independent of the Taoist School; located at the fringes of Taoist influence, they avoided conflicts by remaining ambiguous, with Mei Mountain Jungle merely supporting a faction in shadows.

Thus, Song Lin could openly seize control without violating Taoist protocols or giving rivals leverage.

By this point, Shi Yinhua and Gu Yuchan were nearly at the Ghost Market called Smoke Cave.

Song Lin flew for three hours.

Arriving at a shadowy mountain region.

A basin unfolded beneath with cliff walls dotted with numerous cavities on either side, resembling honeycombs from which smoke occasionally emerged.

This was Smoke Cave.

Situated in a power vacuum between Weiling Sect and Holy Might Taoist School, its hidden location deemed it an ideal clandestine trade route.

Smoke Cave hosted nearly everything, including stolen goods linked to murder and arson.

Even Song Lin, upon arriving here, took caution.

After all, the objective wasn’t to challenge the entire Ghost Market but rather its management faction.

Two figures arrived nearby.

"Tao Master!"

The newcomers were Shi Yinhua and Gu Yuchan.

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