Chapter 483: Chapter 423 Upper Pure Cave, congratulations from 8 directions._2
Zhengxin was still uneasy.
The seasoned veterans of the Daoist Schools, Earth Evil and Mei Hua, also noticed this issue.
Though seemingly simple, it was actually quite difficult.
The cultivation of the Spirit Treasure Heavenly Master overshadowed them; if he refused, a new conflict would likely arise.
"He won’t. I can assure you, the Spirit Treasure Heavenly Master won’t intervene in this matter."
Song Lin was confident—he had completely deciphered the Spirit Treasure’s personality.
For those with lower cultivation, the Spirit Treasure Heavenly Master’s disposition was nothing short of a nightmare, as you would never know when he might abandon you or sell you off.
He consistently showed no kindness to the weak and hardly adhered to morals.
However, for those slightly stronger, the Spirit Treasure Heavenly Master was a decent leader. If you proved valuable to him, even breaking the rules wouldn’t matter.
The incidents of fratricide within Tianhe and Weiling Sects bothered him not at all.
Moreover, even when Song Lin retaliated, there was no punishment.
Precisely illustrating the Spirit Treasure Heavenly Master’s character—now that Song Lin had value to him, he wouldn’t care about trivial matters.
Of course, Song Lin didn’t want to leave himself any leverage for future exploitation. So while maintaining the Six Mansion system publicly, he operated covertly. After all, the Spirit Treasure Heavenly Master’s swift unpredictability was notorious.
"Since you’ve made your decision, we old folks won’t meddle further."
"Haha, all of you are my seniors. The Daoist School is newly established, and we’ll rely on your support quite often."
"No need for courtesy."
The Spirit Treasure Sect hadn’t sent any notification yet, so Song Lin decided to stay behind to refine pills for the injured.
At this time, within the Spirit Treasure Nine-Realm World.
Beneath the Heaven and Earth Xuan Sect, opposite the Spirit Treasure Heavenly Master stood a middle-aged Daoist.
"What level has Song Lin’s cultivation reached?"
The Spirit Treasure Heavenly Master asked, facing Azure Dragon.
"The individual seems to possess a Pure Yang Primordial Spirit and even refined the treasure seals of the Ancient Xuanzhen Palace and Tianhe, which should make him slightly stronger than Weiling and Lingce; it appears he has received the legacy of Xuanzhen Palace."
"You didn’t test him yourself?"
Enrobed in a gray cloak, the Spirit Treasure Heavenly Master looked relaxed.
"I didn’t dare act rashly. I merely assisted in constructing the Heaven and Earth Prohibition Formation that day to open the Eight Sceneries World for him."
As the Daoist Alliance Minister, Azure Dragon naturally wouldn’t act impulsively based on mere hearsay. Indeed, he sought to claim a share for himself, thereby helping solve certain challenges to exchange for one-third of the Donghua Dao Alliance’s interests.
This was his condition for lending aid; if he had to fight, the price would at least be seventy percent.
That day, Song Lin sensed an ominous gaze from the shadows—it came from Azure Dragon.
Azure Dragon, seeing this was such a tough piece to chew, opted to observe quietly. Later, during the Xuanyu City incident in which Pure Yang confronted two Heavenly Masters, he firmly resolved to stay uninvolved.
"I see—this individual’s cultivation is rather formidable, worth seeking to recruit. Go make arrangements—we’ll hold the Ritual for Granting Talismans in three days."
The Spirit Treasure Heavenly Master nodded approvingly. Evidently, Song Lin’s cultivation exceeded that of Tianhe.
Though Tianhe perished, it brought forth Song Lin—a worthwhile exchange, and both were on the same side anyway.
Three days later.
Lingzhou, Spirit Treasure Sect Headquarters.
The entire city was decorated with festive displays—trees adorned with colorful ribbons, pink lanterns hanging high, streets rinsed clean with clear water and laden with food. Feasts were free for all until the ten-day celebration concluded.
An event like this might occur once in a thousand years, so it had to be spectacular.
Commoners didn’t understand the intricacies; all they knew was that a new Heavenly Master had been chosen, and free food was theirs to enjoy.
Beyond Lingzhou, the celebration in Yunzhou was even grander.
To mark the rebirth of the Donghua Taoist Sect, the province waived taxes for three years—elders over sixty could claim ten pounds of meat and three hundred pounds of rice; children under three received the same.
County-level offices and above hosted feasts for three days to honor the new sect and its Heavenly Master.
In an instant, Song Lin’s reputation soared.
The notion of the Donghua Taoist Sect was easily embraced, and the title "Donghua Heavenly Master" became widely known.
Waiving taxes was something Song Lin had long considered, given that the war had just ended—a timely measure to soothe the hearts of the people.
Now, both joyful occasions were addressed simultaneously.
Xuanyu City.
Its eight platforms had been extensively remodeled, and the Heavenly Master’s dojo had risen from beneath the ground into midair.
Song Lin bathed, donned clean robes, and stood alongside the assembly at the dharma altar awaiting the ritual.
The Xuanzhen Heavenly Master Seal and Five Mountains Heavenly Master Seal were handed over. At the Spirit Treasure Sect, the Spirit Treasure Heavenly Master prayed to the heavens before sending envoys to present the seals, perform a remote granting of talismans, and so forth.
Dong, dong, dong...
As the ceremonial gongs rang, the auspicious hour arrived, and the crowd sat solemnly with unwavering focus.
Finally, dazzling golden light shone across the void, and a majestic, resounding voice echoed far and wide.
"By the mandate of heaven, the Heavenly Master decree proclaims: Receiving the treasured command, continuing the grand legacy, gracing the people with the benevolence of divine governance, and bestowing blessings. The Donghua Jungle—legitimate lineage of Dao Qi—its spellcraft communes with the divine. With virtuous wisdom and the grace of life... Today, the name Donghua Taoist Sect and the title Donghua Heavenly Master are bestowed, along with the third-rank Upper Pure Great Cave Treasure Talisman, Xuanzhen Heavenly Master Seal, and Five Mountains Heavenly Master Seal. Thus decreed!"
The golden light coalesced into a vast, ornate gate.
From within emerged two rows of Xuan Ladies and immortal children, accompanied by immortal cranes, auspicious beasts, flying dragons, and towering Zhi-lan jade trees and Miao Fa lotuses.
The golden dragon-patterned Heavenly Master Imperial Decree unfurled in midair, its cinnabar-colored text suspended for all beings to witness.
"I humbly receive the Heavenly Court’s decree!"
Song Lin stepped forward and reverently accepted the decree and talismans.
The decree dissipated into nothingness; its text rearranged to create a jade scroll, inscribed with intricate characters, illustrations, Song Lin’s name, title, rank, seal, jurisdiction, sects, and more.
The jade scroll descended alongside two seals.
As soon as Song Lin touched the seals, the entirety of Yunzhou’s geo-spiritual networks and the flow of its rivers became fully perceptible.
"It has finally arrived..."
Though mentally prepared, Song Lin couldn’t suppress his immense excitement.
The dream of becoming a Heavenly Master had finally been realized.
The cautious beginnings at the Five Elders Xuanke Temple, the triumphant establishment of Donghua’s temple, the precarious moments in Mei Mountain Jungle, and finally, the spirited confidence at Donghua Jungle.
At last, a legacy was founded.
The future held limitless possibilities!
As the saying goes, "The great qi of all heavens pulses in waves; my Dao shall flourish and thrive."
Looking at the faces of Donghua’s cultivators from all directions, each radiating joy and pride, Song Lin’s heart swelled with honor.
Donghua’s inception had weathered frost and dew, slashed through thorns, and carved out its place.
Today’s glory carried a share of everyone’s efforts, filling their hearts with deep pride.
"Fellow cultivators, endless thanks!"
Song Lin bowed deeply, and the crowd returned the gesture in kind.
Now, all eyes were fixed on this historic moment.
As the founding patriarch of Donghua’s lineage, Song Lin brimmed with ambition—this was history in the making, and he was determined to inscribe his mark generously upon it.
He then proclaimed loudly:
"Through millennia of seeking the Dao, I have soared with swords to slay demons.
Before Yuan Shi sent spirit talismans into the world, I traded black gold in turbulent times."
Wow!
There was an uproar—what audacity! What a domineering declaration!
The poem was straightforward—it flaunted his cultivation and achievements in eradicating demons. Yuan Shi referred to Yuan Shi Heavenly King of the Sanmao Heavenly Court.
Though Yuan Shi Heavenly King had yet to summon him to join the immortals, Song Lin cared not and continued to roam Jianghu with divine swords, exploring the mortal realm.
"Haha, how intriguing!"
The Spirit Treasure Heavenly Master laughed heartily.
"Indeed, this is the freedom of cultivators."
Observing from thousands of miles away, Qingchen expressed his approval. Once upon a time, he too had been so carefree.
This Song Lin was a talent, radiating the boldness and spirit of a Sword Immortal.
This poem was destined to be etched into the annals of history, and the title of Donghua Heavenly Master would likewise occupy an illustrious Chapter.
Some envied, some begrudged, some harbored hidden malice, while demons lurked in the shadows.
Nonetheless, formal congratulations were obligatory.
"Azure Dragon Minister of Spirit Treasure Sect extends congratulations!"
"Envoy of Weiling Sect extends congratulations!"
"Yuzhen Sect and Yuanfu Sect extend congratulations!"
"Xuanzong Shangqing Dao Alliance’s Red Dust Sword Immortal envoy extends congratulations!"
"Black Heaven Law Realm, Witch God Heavenly King Dao Alliance Daoist extends congratulations!"
"Jiuxiao Dao Alliance, Miao Fa Netherworld, Nine Heavens Jade Tower extend congratulations!"
This was what it meant to be a Heavenly Master—only thirty-two existed among three billion people, as masters of the mortal realm and stewards of the Great Dao.
The climax of the ceremony was marked by envoys arriving from all directions to offer blessings. It could be thousands of years before another Daoist Sect emerged; thus, even among strained relationships, envoys came nonetheless, for no one dared unnecessarily provoke a Heavenly Master.
The tenuous tension within the Wu Country Dao Alliance morphed into an oddly harmonious display.
(The Alliance Hierarch’s continuation will follow.)