"What?" Zhengsi exclaid in shock.
This person before him wasn’t even thirty years old?
Not yet thirty, and already possessed Core Formation cultivation, mastered the profound Art of Divination, and even reford the Rampant Soldier Skill.
From these several perspectives, Song Lin was indeed qualified to be considered a worthy competitor.
"A hero arises from the youth! No wonder the Lord holds you in such high regard." Taisu gazed at the young Temple Master before him with newfound respect.
"I don’t dare to accept such praise; it’s an overstatent." Song Lin cupped his hands humbly in response to the crowd’s complints and admiration.
"You possess a rare temperant," Chuu Yuying said earnestly. "But rember not to let this breed arrogance or complacency; do not crave speed. In the Core Formation stage, patience is paramount."
"Thank you for your advice. I understand." Song Lin nodded, though his mind was clouded with puzzlent.
Why did these people seem hostile toward him?
Regardless, establishing good relations with them would surely help in the future.
Chuu Yuying was the Heavenly Master’s disciple, and Zhengsi was the Heavenly Master’s son.
Both were prominent figures in the Holy Might Taoist School.
Previously lofty and unreachable, now exchanging words up close on Mingxing Peak was indeed a rare opportunity.
Of course, Song Lin wasn’t one to fawn over others; if the other party dismissed him, he wouldn’t insist on pleasing them.
The group chatted idly, exchanging polite remarks, and eventually dispersed, bidding each other farewell.
Song Lin and Zhi Xin were the only ones left behind.
"What was that all about?" Song Lin asked in confusion.
"Zhengsi wishes to take on a new master. The Heavenly Master hinted this to ."
"Isn’t that a good thing?"
"Hmph, good my foot! These people see nearing my end and can’t wait to find soone to take over."
Zhi Xin snorted coldly.
"By the way, what brings you here this ti?"
"I have a question about the Divination Skill of the Sixty-four Trigrams in the Book of Changes."
"The Great Dao is simplicity itself. This divination thod is straightforward, yet it evolves into countless magical thods. If I were to explain it now, it would take ten days and ten nights to cover everything."
"I don’t mind. This junior is not worried about exhaustion."
"Of course you’re not tired. Should my insights co for free?" Zhi Xin shot him a glance, then sat down, crossing his legs. "Ten thousand dharma coins! Ten thousand a day, that’s a hundred thousand for ten days!"
"Why didn’t you charge before?"
Song Lin was sowhat taken aback. Zhi Xin seed like a completely different person. Previously a sage-like figure with an immortal aura, now he resembled a shrewd businessman.
"I didn’t want it before; now I do. Don’t you understand that the secrets of the Dharmic path cannot be lightly passed on? If you don’t pay, I won’t teach."
"I’ll pay!"
Hundred thousand dharma coins—Song Lin could afford it.
Since unlocking the sales of the Moon Brick and benefiting from the spoils of war at Yin Mountain, the Taoist Temple had an annual surplus exceeding five hundred thousand.
A hundred thousand was bearable.
Song Lin followed Zhi Xin to cultivate on Mingxing Peak.
During this ti, Zhengsi also ca to listen. Observing outsiders present, Song Lin refrained from revealing the Magic Skills from the Yingyang Book.
While Song Lin cultivated, Xuanke Temple began a new round of recruitnt.
Halfway up Yin Mountain, a sprawling complex of palaces stood in succession.
Since the temple began generating surpluses, Song Lin had ordered its expansion.
The temple was bustling inside.
An altar nine zhang high was placed within the grand hall. Incense smoke curled upward, and the sound of chanting echoed incessantly.
Shi Yinhua, clad in resplendent robes, sat at the seat of honor.
As the Capital Managent Master and the temple’s Chief, his authority was second only to the Temple Master.
Seven other chiefs sat beside him, their deanor marked by utmost respect.
An old woman sat to his right—she was Granny Huu of the Fox Clan.
Shi Yinhua’s expression remained indifferent, neither condescending nor arrogant, conducting himself with decorum, fully embodying the deanor of a chief.
The strength of Xuanke Temple was not limited to one city or one county.
It encompassed eight counties and friendly nearby forests. Last ti, when Song Lin traveled to the Yunzhou Society and received comndation, many sent invitations for him to visit and expound on the Refining Soldiers Skill.
Beyond the Five Masters, most visits were handled by Shi Yinhua and Wang Ziyue in the na of the Taoist Temple, fostering connections with nurous high-level cultivators, breaking into the sect market, and obtaining recruitnt privileges.
"Senior Shi!"
At this mont, Guu Yuchan, Yan Jiuge, Wang Ziyue, and other inheritants of magic veins approached from outside the altar.
"The visitors outside are nearly all here. Shall we begin?" Wang Ziyue said.
At the mountain’s base, thousands had gathered, with Taoist Soldiers riding on dark clouds, bringing people from afar.
Lin Qing from the Grand Commissioner Institute approached Shi Yinhua, saying, "Currently, nearly three thousand people have been tallied. How many do you plan to recruit, Chief?"
Shi Yinhua pondered for a mont before responding, "How many are there in the temple now?"
"A hundred fifteen Qi Refining Taoists, seven hundred fifty-five Taoist disciples, of which three hundred one are advanced disciples, and two thousand one hundred servants. Among them, there are fifteen Divine Establishnts."
"Recruit eight hundred more servants, relax the standards a little, sign five-year contracts. Outstanding individuals can choose to renew for another ten years, and a third renewal will make it lifelong."
The servants not only perford duties within the temple but also tended farmlands, raised horses, planted trees, built houses, and assisted in the basic operations of the Taoist School.
"Also, direct relatives of temple servants are to be given priority for recruitnt."
Shi Yinhua added another note.
The stockroom manager Lin Yang, a portly man, chuckled, "Recruiting eight hundred people? They’re going to fight tooth and nail for it this ti."
Many believed becoming a servant was undesirable, yet countless others eagerly desired such a role.
Under Song Lin’s initiative, regulations and resources ensured that Taoist disciples and temple servants were protected from being used to test techniques or alchemical concoctions.
Serving within the temple provided security—stable food, shelter, dical care, and salary. Upon reaching sixty, retirees even received a stipend and ten acres of land, allowing them to return ho in dignity.
The most crucial incentive was the opportunity to practice magical skills.
Every year, nurous ordinary folks sought entry, desperate to seize such a chance.
"As for Taoist disciples, recruit over two hundred to make it an even thousand."
"Understood!"
Wang Ziyue and others returned to the base of the mountain.
They announced the rules to the crowd.
Wang Ziyue gestured toward the winding green stone path leading up the mountain.
"This path has 1,999 steps. Walk up this path to complete the Taoist disciple assessnt. Reaching halfway qualifies for the servant assessnt."
At the announcent, the crowd surged madly up the mountain.
Wang Ziyue returned to the temple, enthusiastically joining others in watching the scene unfold.
The path contained subtle enchantnts—it was not a simple staircase climb.
Crafted with heart-affecting spells, every sensation of fatigue was exponentially amplified, testing one’s resilience.
The last hundred steps featured Illusion Techniques, drawing aspirants into an Illusion Realm that tested their willpower. Those who passed were deed qualified.
"There are excellent prospects this ti. I wonder if we can et the recruitnt numbers," Wang Ziyue remarked.
Despite the crowds, recruitnt always fell short.
Because the Temple Master’s standards for heart and mind were stringent.
"If we fall short, we’ll recruit next ti. Better to lack than to settle." Shi Yinhua smiled. "By the way, this ti, our Divine dium Immortal Departnt selects first."
"Hmph, the Taoist Soldiers remain the foundation—we should select first," Wang Ziyue retorted coldly.
A woman standing beside him chuckled, "No need for either of you to contend. This ti, the Temple Master has decreed that Guu Yuchan and Yan Jiuge select first."
Shi Yinhua looked at the two and asked, "Are you being sent out to beco Temple Masters elsewhere?"
"Precisely. Once the Temple Master returns, we will assu our positions."
Guu Yuchan would beco the Master of the Qi Eating Temple, advancing the cultivation path; Yan Jiuge would beco the Sword Peak Master, spreading the Swordman Dao.
This was a decision previously set by Song Lin.
Previously, Yan Jiuge had not yet entered the Fire Hero Realm, and other disciples were still uninitiated, resulting in delays.
"Very well. Select your talents first; they’ll accompany you and provide support when you’re stationed below."
...
Mingxing Peak, atop a cliff.
Song Lin sat cross-legged in ditation, his five points aligning with heaven.
A Spirit Sword composed of fire road freely around him.
This was the Fire Divine Establishnt Realm.
The Swordman Technique treated the body as a forge and one’s breath as the sword.
In essence, it was a form of Inner Refining thod that honed the five vital organs.
Ren Water was a byproduct of refining the five organs, allowing Song Lin to simultaneously wield his sword and nourish his pill.
Once he reached the Core Formation Wind Hero Realm, he would likely advance to the Core Formation Middle Stage.
Unlike his last cultivation session, this ti, Song Lin entered the state of Heavenly Human Connection.
It was as if his entire being lded with the heavens and earth.
This was the enlightennt borne from ten days of cultivation.
After ten days, Song Lin did not leave. Instead, he remained at the cliff edge, cultivating for so ti.
Through the aid of the Heavenly Human Connection, he significantly advanced his cultivation.
The Flower Viewing Festival was scheduled for tomorrow.
Zhengsi and Zhi Xin bore witness from the sidelines.
The two watched with great interest, Zhengsi marveling at Song Lin’s unconventional thods, particularly in using such techniques to nourish his pill.
"He’ll likely reach the middle stage within a year," Zhengsi remarked to Zhi Xin.
"It depends on his luck," Zhi Xin replied.
At that mont, Song Lin awoke from his ditation with an air of calm.
"All right, tomorrow is the magic eting; co with to the i Hua area."
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