The Taoist Scripture Master Treasure Seal struck down on Chi Hai’s corpse, one blow after another.
With the strikes, his brain matter splattered, and blood flew everywhere, staining Huoyun’s Taoist robe completely. He then put away the Treasure Seal, stood up, clapped his hands, and wiped them on his clothes.
Song Lin felt conflicted inside.
Such childish theatrics?
The so-called rules, the so-called morality, the so-called Taoist School’s laws—in the end, they could not outweigh the power of a fist. Wasn’t it just a joke?
In this world, it is always the fist that speaks reason.
Song Lin had originally thought so as well, but he believed there should still be so adherence to rules.
He hadn’t expected human depravity to know no bounds. Even when cloaked in finery, the stench of scum remained detectable.
Indeed, strength is the most important thing...
"Chi Hai succumbed to his own demonic cultivation and died instantly," Huoyun explained to Song Lin with a calm expression.
Without waiting for Song Lin to reply, Huoyun continued speaking to himself:
"The Fire Palace is my Magic Treasure. As long as I want, not even a fly can escape. Originally, I planned to reconcile with Chi Hai today. Who knew he would refuse? I had no choice but to execute the second plan, luring both Chi Hai and you here and then killing him."
"Such resolve—impressive. But how will you deal with the Heavenly Master?" Song Lin snapped out of his daze.
Since this guy had already said so much, he likely wouldn’t dare to kill him.
"The details of this cannot be disclosed for now. You just need to know that my return ca at an imnse cost, and that Chi Hai isn’t even on the candidate list. Since he’s not a candidate, the Heavenly Master naturally won’t pay attention."
The cost was significant—so significant that Huoyun could barely endure it.
But the outco was favorable.
"Since the candidate has changed, were you planning not to let Chi Hai survive from the outset?"
As he spoke, Song Lin surveyed his surroundings.
"Wrong! I wasn’t planning to let you survive either!"
Whoosh!
As soon as the words fell, crimson flas surged from the heavens and earth.
The flas extended vicious claws, rushing toward Song Lin.
The air burned hot, space twisted.
Song Lin stood unwavering.
The flas halted on their own.
Huoyun’s expression was complex, a mix of venom and slight hesitation.
"You’re lucky. I was planning to kill you today. Unfortunately, a few days ago, I received news of your ascension to the Taoist thod eting Elent..."
Actually, this wasn’t much. Plenty of Taoists who ascended to the Taoist thod eting Elent had died inexplicably.
But if Song Lin were to die within just a few days, the key point was that he’d spent half a month staying at Taoist Zhi Xin’s place before coming here.
This made Huoyun wary.
Chi Hai had no background and his death could still be concealed.
Zhi Xin, however, had once been a grandmaster holding the title of Second-rank Taiji Left Official.
If Zhi Xin inquired, these petty tricks wouldn’t hold up.
Thus, Huoyun chose to spare Song Lin.
Huoyun changed into a brand-new set of clothes.
"Let’s go, ti to vote again."
Leaving this statent behind, Huoyun returned to the main hall.
Song Lin said nothing, but his expression showed acceptance.
There was no other choice. What was done was done; protesting was futile.
Huoyun had killed Chi Hai right before his eyes and spared him—not because Huoyun was foolish.
It was a clear warning: cooperate or et Chi Hai’s fate.
Huoyun had already exposed such a massive secret. Whether it was overt or covert, it was a blatant stance.
The terms were simple: align with him, or face mutual destruction.
Song Lin naturally chose the first option.
His life was long, and there was no need to engage in a suicidal struggle.
"Haha, it turns out it’s so simple. I understand now!" Song Lin murmured softly, a aningful smile forming on his lips.
Huoyun... started this wicked example, but will things truly end so easily?
If you could do it, why couldn’t others?
A fleeting thought passed, and Song Lin followed Huoyun.
"Everyone!"
Huoyun approached the central dharma altar and loudly addressed the crowd surrounding him.
"There was a slight mishap just now. Our fellow Taoist Chi Hai suddenly succumbed to demonic deviation and has passed away. I deeply regret his loss. For the greater good, let’s proceed with a new round of voting, shall we?"
"Dead?"
The crowd erupted instantly.
Impossible!
How could he have died so easily?
Huoyun Daoist clearly treated the crowd as fools. What "demonic deviation" and "instant death"? It was evident he had killed Chi Hai.
Even though everyone knew the truth, they dared not say it out loud now.
If Huoyun could act so brazenly, he must have so backing.
Once again, silence blanketed the room; no one spoke up to break the tension.
Most hoped the Copper Dragon would step forward to uphold justice.
This figure, however, seed utterly indifferent: eyes lowered to his nose, his nose lowered to his heart, as if he were lifeless wood.
Seeing this, the crowd’s hearts sank.
At this mont, Huoyun added, "By the way, Song Lin was present at the scene. He can serve as a witness."
"Indeed! I am a witness."
"Exactly, exactly. So regrettable that our fellow Taoist Chi Hai is gone. Let’s proceed to vote again."
Huoyun’s faction chid in, steering the topic elsewhere.
"Precisely! The Taoist Master election is crucial. Let’s move forward and wrap it up."
The atmosphere, laden with various agendas, gradually shifted to a more lively energy.
The assembly restarted.
Huoyun Daoist secured unanimous votes and was elected as Taoist Master.
Huoyun, brimming with pride, bowed deeply to the crowd: "Thank you, fellow Taoists, for your trust."
As for the ensuing Phoenix Platform Dragon Throwing ceremony, Song Lin couldn’t be bothered to watch.
Having been built up for so long, discussed for years, Song Lin had assud it would be magnificent.
In reality, it was just a perfunctory process.
Rather than paying attention to such trifles, it was better to focus on the developnt of his Taoist Temple.
Since Song Lin had reford the laws, the Taoist Temple had steadily flourished—disciples grew stronger by the day, and three more Taoist Temples had chosen to affiliate.
The montum continued to grow.
With his foundation expanding, future clashes with Huoyun seed inevitable.
Ultimately, it would be a confrontation between him and Huoyun; there would be no other path.
Song Lin had formulated a clear roadmap for growth.
First, he would utilize the Taoist thod eting Elent to enhance his influence.
He would lead the Taoist Temple to actively participate in activities hosted by the Taoist School, not only fighting for resources but also elevating the temple’s reputation along the way.
After all, none of the highly esteed Taoist Masters—or even those beyond—lacked stellar reputations.
So individuals, possessing high Taoist accomplishnts, were even crowd-funded by other Taoists to take up the seat of Taoist Master.
If i Mountain Jungle couldn’t be secured in the future, there would always be other jungles to choose from.
Of course, the most critical focus was improving cultivation.
The next Phoenix Platform Dragon Throwing ceremony was sixty years away.
Adding in the Little Golden Altar Cave Heaven, it totaled close to one hundred and twenty years.
Breaking through to Core Formation within one hundred and twenty years should be achievable.
However, caution against Huoyun’s machinations was paramount during this ti.
The magic eting concluded, and Huoyun announced plans to throw a banquet, which Song Lin politely declined, returning to cultivate instead.
Huoyun gazed at Song Lin’s departing silhouette, his eyes unreadable.
With the Taoist Master title firmly secured, now was not the ti for a reckoning.
Nevertheless, Song Lin must die.
With Huoyun’s sharp insight, he could already see that Song Lin would inevitably beco a formidable enemy in the future.
Moreover, Song Lin was privy to his secrets.
If this man did not die, Huoyun’s heart could not rest.
Huoyun exchanged glances with Copper Dragon, who nodded knowingly.
"Rember to hand over the item," Copper Dragon transmitted secretly.
Soon, the banquet comnced, and everyone clamored to toast Huoyun.
Through this incident, the crowd had recognized Huoyun’s might and dared not harbor dissent in the future.
If he could kill soone as prominent as Chi Hai, what else could he not do?
In a private room, Copper Dragon and Huoyun were rejoicing together.
"I beg Taoist Brother to report to the Lord. I am willing to serve faithfully and pledge allegiance to the death."
...
Xuanke Taoist Temple.
Upon returning, Song Lin instructed his disciples to purchase the latest Taoist thod eting transcripts.
As expected, upon opening it, his theoretical insights on the Rampant Soldier thod lineage were prominently featured.
This theory caused a sensation, stirring countless debates.
So agreed, others refuted.
There were even those who ca seeking imdiate guidance.
In all summary, Song Lin’s reputation had soared!
This 𝓬ontent is taken from f(r)eeweb(n)ovel.𝒄𝒐𝙢
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