The ultimate fate of top masters is loneliness. The Heavenly Master’s two wives passed away one after another. Even with nurous life-extending techniques, they couldn’t withstand the passage of ti.
Generations have multiplied over decades, and most descendants have now beco strangers without blood ties.
While reflecting on this, suddenly another thousand paper crane flew in.
Chuu Yuying opened it to find instructions from the Heavenly Master.
The order indicated that Zhengsi was in secluded cultivation, asking Chuu Yuying to provide so oversight.
"This..."
Chuu Yuying felt helpless. Having just dealt with one matter, now cos another he cannot refuse.
Though the Heavenly Master didn’t specify what or whom to deal with, the aning was clear to anyone who understood.
Chuu Yuying pondered for a mont and understood the Heavenly Master’s intentions.
First, he wanted to safeguard Zhengsi’s foundation, ensuring his record as Taoist leader remains untarnished.
Second, he didn’t want Chuu Yuying to act directly, likely hinting at using others as stepping stones. Of course, at the sa ti, he aid to prevent Donghua Jungle from any further developnt.
Donghua Jungle had been growing rapidly, and if left unchecked until Zhengsi erged from his reflective retreat, Donghua could beco an uncontrollable force.
With this realization, Chuu Yuying issued his own orders.
"Summon the Taoists of Emperor Forest and Qingyun Jungle; send word to Tianjie Master and Taisu Master."
Simultaneously, he instructed his subordinates to gather intelligence.
An hour later, a Taoist disciple delivered the report.
The Ghost Market had been occupied by unknown forces, and there was no evidence to suggest ddling by Song Lin or others.
Chuu Yuying had no intention of engaging in a tug-of-war over it.
Even if it were reclaid, unless Taoist experts were openly stationed there day and night for patrols, it would inevitably be reoccupied one day.
This situation had already displeased Weiling Jungle.
This area had long served as a buffer zone for two Taoist schools, with everyone tacitly agreeing not to claim ownership. If Shoucheng Heavenly Master raised objections, Chuu Yuying would undoubtedly beco the scapegoat.
He wasn’t going to step into this quagmire—let them deal with it however they liked.
Emperor Forest and Qingyun Jungle bordered Donghua Jungle.
Along with the previously existing i Mountain Jungle, they now ford a three-sided encirclent.
Of course, it wasn’t ant as an outright strike against Donghua Jungle, but rather as a way to halt all cooperation and prevent Donghua’s further growth.
For example, prohibiting recruitnt within their jungles and banning tasks and assignnts within their territories.
Taisu Master oversaw the Departnt of Geomancy, responsible for adjusting mountain and river terrains.
Natural disasters in Wu Country were mostly mitigated through geomantic adjustnts made by this departnt.
Floods, earthquakes, droughts—all were prevented from manifesting simply by properly managing the terrains.
If not for demons causing chaos, the population of Dawu could have multiplied several tis over.
The Tianjie Master’s role was patrolling, eliminating demons at their inception.
With these two functions removed, Donghua Jungle would have to shoulder these responsibilities independently in the future.
As for going further—such as assassinating Donghua Sect’s disciples or issuing intentional suicide missions—
Chuu Yuying reckoned he couldn’t go that far. He valued his reputation and felt what was already done was enough.
Donghua Jungle, which had just begun to rise, had now been subjected to so many bans, leaving them no choice but to retreat inward and fend for themselves.
There were rumors of collaboration between Donghua Jungle and Long Buddhist of the Weiling Sect, but Chuu Yuying had no ability to manage this. Even if the Taoist leader inquired, he could only explain vaguely.
"Ah, you can only bla it on your premature fa—your sharp edge exposed before developing a solid foundation. The jungle is not so easily severed..."
Chuu Yuying sighed inwardly.
Not just Donghua Jungle, but even the two jungles that had declared independence twenty years earlier hadn’t fared much better.
Having split off, they couldn’t inherit the original property and faced suppression from their forr jungles, surviving rely by gritting their teeth through hard tis.
Not everyone was as adept at earning money as Song Lin.
Many jungles possessed items that others could easily replicate, except in cases like Donghua’s monopolistic offerings, where certain things were irreplaceable.
So young people always assud that strong capabilities would earn them favor and that righteousness guaranteed unrestricted dominance.
In this vast system, the higher authorities always held precedence.
Unless one possessed the profound skills of soone like Long Buddhist or Master i Hua—masters whose talents and status would ensure acceptance wherever they went—even defecting from the Taoist School wouldn’t stop others from riskingously accommodating them.
But for a minor genius, submission remained the only option.
Chuu Yuying reviewed the records and noticed the dealings between Tianling and Donghua Jungle. He imdiately issued another order.
"Warn Lu Mingyang not to engage in trade with Donghua Jungle."
Three days later.
The news reached Song Lin.
Song Lin showed no concern, laughing: "Let them escalate; it doesn’t matter."
As long as trade with the Ghost Market and Long Buddhist remained unhard, Donghua Jungle’s inco was secure.
It seed Erlang God would need to be sent to guard the Ghost Market.
The only troubleso matter was the sanctions from the three jungles.
This compressed Donghua Jungle’s territory significantly; henceforth, they would have to take detours to move outside.
The alchemy furnace roared with vigorous flas, its heat surging, illuminating the room brilliantly.
It was clearly Chuu Yuying’s doing. Perhaps Zhi Xin could help?
Upon further thought, Song Lin reconsidered. How could Zhi Xin resolve it? By forcing others to conduct business with Donghua? What absurdity.
Song Lin abruptly settled into refining pills.
This might be the breakthrough needed.
As long as he achieved the status of Mage, his standing would soar, attracting countless cooperative opportunities.
Moreover, there was the Ghost Market.
Another ten days passed.
The narrative shifted.
Eighty-six years since Journey to the West.
The promised ascension date with the Heavenly Court was approaching.
A few months remained.
Song Lin arrived at Fla River, intending to et the Golden Cauldron.
His ascension was inevitable. The knowledge from the Mortal World was far too scarce; simultaneously, he planned a visit to the Heavenly Court to see Zhengyang and verify whether it was the Zhengyang he knew.
Beforehand, he would et with Golden Cauldron. Understanding this figure’s background was essential for peace of mind.
As he reached Fla River, a golden-robed figure ca into view, accompanied by a young Taoist disciple.
"Senior Golden Cauldron!"
Song Lin landed and greeted warmly.
Golden Cauldron turned upon hearing the greeting but didn’t respond verbally. Instead, he tossed over a spherical object.
Song Lin caught it and examined—a Qi Storage Golden Pill.
As he prepared to voice his question, he noticed the pill’s dicine power was exceptionally potent, ten tis stronger than an ordinary Qi Storage Golden Pill.
Sothing felt off. The sa materials—how was the potency so high?
"What is this?"
"Let teach you one final technique—Rejuvenation Pill."
The so-called Rejuvenation Pill referred to the technique of reverting a crafted pill back into its original Golden Sand, Lead, and rcury, followed by refining it anew.
Each ti it was reverted and refined was called one "turn."
From one turn to the highest—nine turns.
With each additional turn, the dicine power increased geotrically.
The Nine-Transformation Golden Pill was the most potent, holding unfathomable qualities.
"Nine-Transformation Rejuvenation Pill..." Song Lin exclaid in surprise. This was clearly advanced alchemy.
"Rejuvenation Pill Technique is an alchemy technique. What is spoken of as the Nine-Transformation Golden Pill in the Mortal World isn’t a specific pill but rather the thod of refinent. Any pill can undergo nine transformations to enhance its potency."
"For example, this Qi Storage Pill—it’s currently at one turn. If refined to nine turns, its potency would increase over a thousandfold."
"Please, senior, enlighten further!"
Since Golden Cauldron seed willing to explain, he was presumably willing to impart the secrets.
If Song Lin mastered the Rejuvenation Pill Technique and applied it successfully, his chances of achieving Mage status would greatly improve.
He might even secure the Mage’s position before Zhengsi concluded his retreat.
Golden Cauldron handed over two booklets—**Yuan Shi Venerable’s Rejuvenation Pill Theory** and **Nine-Transformation Golden Pill Secret Technique**.
Song Lin received them with utmost reverence.
"May I ask Senior’s esteed title?"
"My master is Master Miao Hua of Shuilian Cave, fondly referred to as the Ten Thousand Demon Lord and Great Sage Equalling Heaven!"
The young Taoist interjected.
"Great Sage Equalling Heaven?"
Song Lin was stunned. How could Sun Wukong take on this appearance?
Then, he realized this narrative followed **Mixed Play Journey to the West**, where the Great Sage Equalling Heaven was the elder brother of Heavenly Great Saint—the actual Monkey King.
"So, you are the Great Sage Equalling Heaven. I’ve heard much of your legend."
Golden Cauldron True Man flashed an enigmatic smile and asked, "Have you heard my story?"
"A little. I heard that the Great Sage practiced Taoism on Lishan."
Song Lin replied.
"Indeed, Lishan Mother is my elder sister."
"Ah, I see."
The storyline appeared consistent.
But what connection did Lishan Mother have with the Ten Thousand Demon Lord?
Moreover, Golden Cauldron True Man’s display didn’t seem demonic. In fact, his Taoist skills were remarkably orthodox, rivaling even the Heavenly Court.
Wait!
Song Lin suddenly realized Golden Cauldron True Man lacked any Heavenly Court titles. Given the Ten Thousand Demon Lord’s association with the Great Sage Equalling Heaven, could he be a rebel Immortal opposing the Heavenly Court?
If that were true, everything would add up. Rebels were often branded as demons, after all.
Golden Cauldron seed to revel in the label.
As if reading Song Lin’s thoughts.
"Your guess is correct. I am indeed not aligned with the Heavenly Court. I am a disciple of the Three Pure Ones’ Taoist lineage."
...
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