Monster Chronicles: My Daoist Skill Comes from Mythology

The spells of cultivators can also cause great inconvenience for mortals.

But using spells to benefit the mortal world while refraining from interference—this is indeed the first time I've witnessed it.

Seeing the mystical devices that transmit images and sound, Fazang shook his head.

"These are instruments of restlessness and demonic temptation. Ominous."

He then saw the mechanical puppets in workshops, the massive beasts of burden on the streets, and the floating cities.

"Tricks and frivolous techniques—breeding laziness. Unfortunate."

Next, he noticed the ghost soldiers stationed at critical points in every alley and street.

"Peering into people's privacy—this is improper."

Upon hearing this, Shihui could not help but counter.

"From what I see, these ghost soldiers lack spiritual wisdom, and besides, they are placed in public areas, not private homes. This criticism doesn't seem justified."

"Hmph, who knows what they do secretly? In this monk's view, this realm is thoroughly corrupt—only Buddhist law can redeem the world."

Fazang expressed dissatisfaction with everything here. Even the newly implemented systems of free healthcare and elder-caretaking were deemed indulgent luxuries that fostered enjoyment among the common folk.

"It is said that the Demon King Bodian pulls people to decadence using gratification. This realm's Heavenly Court may not be the Demon King, but its actions bear no difference from his."

"If the Buddhist Sect were to come to this realm, these wicked and devious practices would surely be eradicated."

"Shihui, you still cannot see through it. Our master was right—your loyalty should lie with my guidance, not with your misguided improvisations, leaving yourself blind to the tricks of others."

"Senior brother, what is your perspective? The young are cared for, the old are supported, granaries are full, and the people are well-fed and clothed. Aren't the living creatures of this realm enjoying harmony?" For the first time, Shihui began doubting the Buddhist law he had steadfastly upheld.

"Such harmony is destined to be hollow. Without focusing on the afterlife, how can one transcend the cycle of suffering and rebirth? By replacing frivolous techniques with Buddhist law, this life may be harsh, but the next will grant entry into the Pure Land, where eternal bliss awaits. Do you desire fleeting enjoyment, or infinite bliss for all eternity?"

"But aren't they enjoying their lives as they are? Who is misleading them? Must learning Buddhist teachings require suffering? Even if one suffers, how many could truly transcend the sea of suffering?"

"The Buddha cultivated across thirty-six lifetimes before entering the path of cultivation. With enough karmic connection, anyone can attain Buddhahood. Suffering alone is not the sole path to cultivation, but such methods as these can never lead to enlightenment."

Quickly, Fazang silenced Shihui, preventing further questioning.

Evil demons have their own reasoning, and they will never change their beliefs.

"The sentient beings of this realm are deeply steeped in decadence, and no major calamity can be found here. Start by targeting the officials."

Fazang pulled out a string of prayer beads, the translucent amber enclosing a sinister black vapor, which writhed like worms inside the beads.

"These are dream barriers. Those afflicted by them will suffer incessant nightmares, exhausting their mental strength. Ordinary cultivators of this realm cannot decipher them."

He planned to make the officials or their family members fall ill, causing their conditions to be incurable by any means. Then, Fazang would step in, earning the officials' trust and cooperation.

When dealing with ordinary cultivators, he offered assistance and even promised benefits to lull their vigilance, allowing him to establish his foothold in this place.

"On one hand, heal illnesses; on the other, build relationships with cultivators—without letting them discover our role in spreading the dream barriers. We must not expose our motives. Proceed step-by-step, and if we encounter zealots, they can even be converted to Buddhist followers."

Fazang understood that this realm maintained certain inclusivity—it accommodated other sects, even cultivation families—as long as they did not violate the so-called Donghua rules. Everything else was permissible.

"Eastern King… That must be the one the Buddha is seeking. Well, I won't provoke you for now."

After this, the methods of planting barriers won over many hearts and minds. Cultivators developed goodwill toward these two foreign monks, as their efforts in healing diseases and exorcising demons earned them the favor of the City God, who permitted them to establish a temple within the city.

Fazang covertly attracted a significant number of fervent believers.

Thus far, this parasite had firmly sunk its teeth into the Heavenly Court of Donghua, extending roots and sprouting, poised to consume a piece of flesh.

Story World.

On this day, Song Lin meditated in seclusion, transforming into a great blazing sun, contemplating the mysteries of the cosmos.

At this moment, his Divine Thought split into billions of stars—above, below, and in every entity containing Yang Qi all possessed his Divine Thought, and any piece of information would be fed back to him.

This was the Heavenly Immortal realm: forming the Tao Golden Pill and mastering the Great Dao governing this Small Thousand World.

Within his body, the Tao Golden Pill began to liquefy, resembling a golden droplet of water.

Heavenly Water, Nature, Innate Golden Qi, Innate Wood Qi, Innate Eight Diagrams

Respectively progressed to perfection, perfection, seventy percent, ten percent, and ten percent.

The Innate Wood Qi originated from an artifact granted by Hou Yi, believed to be the Dao left by Ju Mang himself.

Since Song Lin had designated him as one of the Four Spirits, Ju Mang's Wood Dao also transformed into an Innate Dao.

"Exhale... finally broke through ten thousand."

Song Lin reviewed his personal records.

Name: Song Lin

Realm: Harmonization Stage (Quasi Heavenly Immortal)

Taoist Realm: Ten Thousand Years

Divine Skills:

Yang Qi Dao (Perfected), Heavenly Water Dao (Perfected), Natural Dao (Perfected), Innate Golden Qi (Seventy Percent), Innate Wood Qi (Ten Percent), Innate Eight Diagrams (Ten Percent), Three Emperors Secret Seal Principle, Star Immortal Nine-Transformation Mystical Skill (Third Transformation), Qiankun Treasure—Twelve Yuan Chen...

Newly acquired: Innate Eight Diagrams and Wood Qi.

Nature, Yang, Wood, Gold, Water… Equipped with multiple Great Daos, Song Lin appeared akin to an omnipotent Divine King—able to control any Dao connected to him.

If he were to complete Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth as the Five Elements, the Acquired Five Elements would pale in comparison to the Innate Five Elements. Struggling against Emperor Yi would no longer be a concern.

Of course, with just three Innate Great Daos, even Emperor Yi wouldn't pose a threat.

West Zhou—Eight hundred years.

The coalition forces once again reclaimed half of the Witch God's Small Thousand World.

In the star domain where the Real World's Nine Yang World was located, the coalition headquarters resided.

Song Lin summoned Hou Yi and handed him a vial.

"Inside is a drop of Heavenly Water. Pass it down to your descendants; I will retrieve it in the future."

"The future?"

"Hmm… I appear from time to time, but my stay isn't long-lasting. One day, we shall reunite in the future."

The Cultivation World harbored no shortage of bizarre phenomena; originating from the future was hardly unusual.

However, the ability to traverse story worlds at will—Song Lin decided against revealing this detail. Such power was typically reserved for top-tier Great Powers. If it manifested in a mere Heavenly Immortal like himself, it would inevitably provoke covetous intentions.

"Understood, Master."

Upon mention of the future, Hou Yi grasped many truths. Likely, only one from the future could possess such clarity regarding so many matters.

Song Lin arranged solely for this. Anything more would serve no purpose.

In the Real World, the only useful item he had uncovered was this—and perhaps countless treasures left behind by himself, but time likely destroyed them across the ages.

Less than a hundred years until the Demon Tribulation began in the Real World—three thousand years in the Story World.

Within those three thousand years, Song Lin aimed to achieve the Heavenly Immortal Realm.

As Song Lin's Taoist Realm advanced.

From then on, the coalition scored continuous victories, even extending to the Ancestor Star, forcing the Witch God and Emperor Yi to retreat in humiliation to Emperor Yi's Small Thousand World.

Alongside the West Zhou World, the coalition now controlled three Small Thousand Worlds.

The streak of success made the coalition lose themselves in their triumph.

Be it a prolonged campaign or swift warfare, they maintained all advantages—what could possibly result in failure?

"Do not grow complacent. While their losses aren't devastating, the next battle may well be the ultimate showdown."

Song Lin timely cautioned the group.

The group hesitated to charge into Emperor Yi's world, while the enemy refused to emerge, leading to another stalemate.

Meanwhile—in the Real World.

Shi Yinhua made her report.

"Heavenly Emperor, we may have been infiltrated by an extraterritorial world."

Song Lin's expression shifted in surprise. "Who? When did this occur? Have hostilities broken out?"

"No. There's only two of them. They've operated covertly for several years. However, due to a falling-out between them, one departed, allowing Senior Divine Turtle to detect traces of their influence."

Song Lin reviewed the report and roughly grasped the sequence of events.

"Four cities, one hundred seventy thousand followers, fifteen million visits from incense-offering pilgrims, and over three thousand cultivators as secret disciples. Hmm, even among them are cultivators."

"It seems years of peace have dulled some people's vigilance."

Song Lin sneered coldly.

"Should we send people to apprehend them?"

"Do they realize they've been exposed?"

"No."

"Then let them continue for now."

Song Lin crushed the jade scroll containing the records.