CHAPTER 281: CHAPTER 253 EMEI SUPREME, MEI MOUNTAIN DELIBERATIONS

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There are still True Gods in this realm? This was something Song Lin hadn’t anticipated.

However, judging by Ma Jiefu’s down-and-out appearance, it seemed that Mount Tai Lady wasn’t doing much better either.

"Oh right, doesn’t the Netherworld also have King Yanluo and the Judges?"

"King Yanluo and the Judges?"

Then what role did Mount Tai Lady play?

Earlier, it was said that Mount Tai Lady was the Netherworld Lady, overseeing all affairs of the Netherworld.

"Uh, I wouldn’t know about that,"

Ma Jiefu replied awkwardly.

"Forget it, we’ll talk about it later."

Song Lin waved it off and had Ma Jiefu settle down here.

Following this, the group stayed in Jinguan City for three months.

What Song Lin saw and heard during those three months left him deeply disappointed.

Officials indulged in luxury, while the inept Emperor reigned.

Not a single person showed diligence in their duties—either they vied for power and profit or desperately looted wealth through manipulation and exploitation.

No wonder their dynasty fell so miserably.

Anyone slightly interested in doing the right thing was thrown into the Heavenly Prison.

If this continued, the regime might not even last half a year—it was just a matter of a few more months.

Recently, razor sales in Shu had skyrocketed.

The people didn’t dare to shave their heads just yet, but they prepared razors at home in case of sudden necessity.

One day, Song Lin flew to the mountainous region of Western Sichuan.

Emei Mountain was located here.

Song Lin approached the mountain gate and announced loudly, "Donghua Independent Cultivator has come to pay respects!"

Whoosh whoosh whoosh!

Several streaks of sword light flew out at once.

Leading the group was a three-year-old immortal child with bright eyes, pearly white teeth, rosy cheeks, and an intelligent glimmer in his gaze.

"What is your purpose here?"

The immortal child shouted sternly.

Song Lin frowned. Why did these swordsmen act so haughty?

Since he had come here earnestly, he didn’t wish to stir trouble unnecessarily.

"I heard that the Emei Sect holds the supreme position among humanity, so I’ve come specifically to pay homage!"

At the same time, he unleashed a sliver of his awe-inspiring Eight Sceneries Sword Intent.

"Wait here!" The Taoist disciple was drenched in cold sweat from fright.

The child ran back with his group and returned shortly thereafter.

"The Sect Leader has invited you inside."

On Emei Mountain’s Golden Summit stood a floating Immortal Island.

Immortal cranes soared around the island, their silhouettes occasionally cutting through by flashes of sword light.

The immortal child led Song Lin to the central grand hall.

Inside the hall, a green-robed cultivator stood with his hands clasped behind his back.

Hearing movement, the cultivator turned around. This man’s face was as fair as jade, his demeanor polished and scholarly, and his sharp sword brows carried a restrained intensity, exuding an aura of unfathomable depth.

"Donghua Taoist, please have a seat. I am called Chenhua. Might I ask, which sect do you hail from?"

Earlier, he had sensed an incredibly sharp Sword Qi, proof that this man’s background was no simple matter.

As they conversed, a few disciples of Emei Mountain entered the hall, curiously observing Song Lin.

These seven disciples were nicknamed the Seven Beauties.

The Emei Sect currently had four generations of disciples.

The first generation comprised Chenhua himself and the three Great Elders.

The second generation included sixteen male and female disciples.

The third generation consisted of the Seven Beauties.

The fourth generation comprised newly recruited outer sect servant disciples.

"I am unaffiliated with any sect. All my cultivation techniques are self-taught."

Song Lin secretly sized up this man.

This Sect Leader, Chenhua, had cultivation on par with his own.

That said, he dare not let his guard down.

The Emei Sect had long-standing roots, and according to what they claimed, a number of Emei’s elders were still around.

The two engaged in idle conversation for a while. Then, suddenly recalling something, Chenhua said:

"By the way, recently, Prince Rong of Jing Country was assassinated. It’s said a mysterious Sword Immortal was behind it. Could it have been you, Taoist?"

"Indeed! And not only that—I aim to restore Shenzhou. Are you interested, Taoist?"

Hearing this, Chenhua’s expression darkened, his demeanor turning cold immediately.

"We, as cultivators of the Immortal Dao, ought to prioritize our cultivation. How can we interfere arbitrarily in mortal affairs? Besides, Jing Country has promised that once they unify Shenzhou, they won’t recklessly harm the lives of the common people."

Chenhua’s words were tactfully phrased, but their meaning was clear: a warning to Song Lin to stay out of Jing Country’s business.

After all, the Emei Sect was the supreme authority of the Immortal Dao among humanity. Apart from Emei Mountain, there were other Cave Heaven Blessed Lands in the East Sea.

As representatives of the human cultivation world, such actions from Song Lin were a blow to Emei’s prestige.

"Oh? So, before they unify Shenzhou, they can freely take innocent lives?"

Song Lin chuckled.

So this was the true face of the so-called leaders of the Righteous Path.

"It’s war—casualties are unavoidable."

"Hmm, you know what the Golden Demon did in Jiangnan, don’t you?"

Song Lin’s expression turned cold.

"Regardless, you must no longer meddle in mortal affairs!"

"If our paths diverge, we cannot journey together!"

Song Lin waved his sleeves and rose abruptly, his Evil Qi so intense it frightened the surrounding disciples, who quickly moved away.

As he reached the door and was about to leave—

"Your heart is not in the right place!"

Chenhua moved as if to stop him.

Swoosh!

Song Lin transformed into sword light, vanishing into the horizon.

"Don’t provoke me. Don’t cause trouble!"

He left behind a single warning.

"What terrifying Sword Qi!"

Chenhua’s pupils contracted.

His speed was so fast that even the Mountain Protection Array had no time to activate.

At this moment, a disciple entered from outside the hall.

"Sect Leader, the elders are requesting your presence."

Chenhua nodded.

He, too, wished to inquire—

Why had such a powerful swordsman suddenly appeared in this world, wielding such formidable and unpredictable Sword Qi that had never been heard of before?

......

Jinguan City Inn.

Song Lin returned to the Dragon Mansion Jade Gourd.

Seeing Song Lin return, Ma Jiefu eagerly approached him.

"How was it? Did the Sword Immortals of Emei agree to help?"

Ma Jiefu asked with some anticipation.

If Emei’s Sword Immortals mobilized en masse, at least the Shu region could be preserved.

"They’re unwilling, and they even tried to detain me."

Song Lin sneered.

But he didn’t need the Emei Sect anyway.

In that case, he’d just do it himself!

Starting from scratch.

The last time he had killed Prince Rong, the accrual of Karma had increased slightly. It was evident that Karma was tied to the restoration of Shenzhou.

Since Nanli couldn’t be relied upon, he would have to establish his own faction.

Coincidentally, he had the Emperor Seal—granted the position of the Heavenly Emperor’s chosen son.

After unlocking it, he could claim the Emperor’s position and also access the Magic Treasures from that realm.

In the Upper Immortal World, when he had accidentally activated the Dragon Qi and unlocked the Emperor Seal, he wondered if claiming emperorship here would allow him to unlock even greater potential.

Song Lin summoned Gongsun Jiuniang and shared his plans with them, intentionally leaving out his intentions of becoming emperor.

There was no need to discuss such matters explicitly. As long as his military was strong enough, there would naturally be people begging him to ascend the throne.

Upon hearing about recruiting righteous militias, Ma Jiefu hesitated.

"But we don’t have money."

"That’s not an issue."

Song Lin took out the Heavenly Demon’s Stomach.

With a swish, he poured out mountains of gold, silver, and copper.

These materials were practically free in the real world—typically used by cultivators for Artifact Refining, Alchemy, or Array construction.

"Perfect! I know quite a few people—I could probably convince them to join us."

Ma Jiefu had a knack for making connections, having befriended many humans and demons alike.

Only those with righteous hearts could gain his trust, allowing him to forge many bonds.

"And what about me?" Gongsun Jiuniang asked.

"Once you’ve mastered the Qi Sword, we’ll establish a sect of our own. Let’s not let Emei monopolize all the prestige!"

"What will we call the sect?"

"Qionghua!"

...

The next day, a merchant named Ma Sheng, along with Song Lin, presented the Luminous Pearl as a tribute.

The Emperor was elated and conferred the title of Ningyang Marquis and General Dingyuan upon Song Lin, while Ma Sheng was appointed Bazhong County Magistrate and granted the title of Bazhong Baron.

These appointments cost Song Lin over thirty luminous pearls and five coral towers.

The Emperor and the eunuchs were overjoyed by the gifts.

Selling official titles and ranks had become routine, but they never expected someone willing to pay such a high price.

Stamping a few seals was all it took; as for any promised stipends—they would only find those in their dreams.

The two wasted no time in mobilizing recruits and preparing for action.

First, Song Lin commanded the Taoist Soldiers to disguise themselves as ordinary people and reclaim wastelands, using spells to accelerate the growth of crops.

Then, funds were poured out generously to recruit troops. With the promise of lucrative salaries, masses of displaced people from all directions were quickly drawn in, forming a standing army.

Two months later.

Jing Country dispatched its grand army into Shu.

Surrender or face massacre!

Wherever they advanced, cities fell without resistance.

The general at Jianmen Pass defected immediately upon contact.

In a moment of crisis—

Song Lin led his 20,000-strong army in a surprise attack, reclaiming Jian’nan Pass and halting the enemy’s momentum.

The two sides were locked in a standoff for half a year.

During this time, no mysterious forces intervened.

Song Lin waited patiently, as did they.

In this stalemate, Song Lin found himself with unexpected leisure.

In the real world, ten days had passed.

During this time, a new cycle of Taoist Method Meetings had been announced.

Song Lin had accumulated five Chapters of Taoist Method Meeting texts.

He officially attained the title of Refiner and was only waiting for the Taoist School to deliver his official certificate before he could inaugurate his Naming Hall.

In the Mei Mountain Jungle.

Zhengsi emerged from seclusion, officially breaking through into the Purple Mansion realm, and immediately called for a council meeting, summoning everyone without exception.