CHAPTER 428: CHAPTER 370: SCHEMES AND TRICKS, PREPARING FOR TRIBULATION CROSSING

Song Lin heard someone calling him from behind, hastily turned around, and saw it was a spirited and valiant woman.

"Yun Xiao?"

Song Lin immediately recognized her and smiled, "Taoist Yun Xiao, it’s been a long time."

It had probably been twenty or thirty years since they last met. As the personal disciple of the Spirit Treasure Celestial Master, Yun Xiao had entered the Purple Mansion Realm at an early stage.

She was accompanied by a team of uniformed Taoists. Song Lin remembered that Yun Xiao belonged to the Sun, Moon, Five Star Mansion, which was in charge of patrolling the land. She should now be the Department Director of that sect.

"Taoist, please, this way. That area leads to the Spirit Treasure Forest, while the Taoist School is in another location."

Yun Xiao began leading the way.

During their journey, the two chatted idly. "I never expected you to achieve things at this level," Yun Xiao said with a mix of admiration and surprise.

She couldn’t help feeling emotional; it was as if she had watched Song Lin grow step by step to his current state.

Once, her own status had been something Song Lin looked up to, but now, Song Lin had become a pivotal figure in the major events of the Taoist Alliance.

"Just luck, really," Song Lin replied modestly.

He rarely discussed his path of cultivation, as it was very easy to reveal flaws in his story.

Although Zhengxin had obscured his Heavenly Mechanism, it was still better not to speak of such matters.

Yun Xiao guided Song Lin to a secluded place.

Nearby stood the opulent Spirit Treasure Forest.

It was surprising to see the immense wealth of just one Spirit Treasure Forest. The accumulation of riches by the Taoist Alliance far surpassed that of ordinary Taoist Schools.

Calculating based on the occurrence of the Demon Tribulation every ten thousand years, the Taoist Alliance of Spirit Treasure had already lived through two or three Upper Pure Demon Tribulations.

Song Lin and Yun Xiao traversed nine worlds and finally arrived at the ultimate destination, the Heaven and Earth Xuan Sect.

Atop the Heavenly Law Platform, near a lotus pond, scattered groups of Taoists could be seen drinking wine and admiring the flowers.

Among them, a plain-looking Taoist, whose age was indeterminable, was particularly striking.

If Song Lin guessed correctly, that person must be the Spirit Treasure Celestial Master.

There was no need for him to exhibit any Divine Skills or assert his identity; the effortless aura he emanated was sufficient to confirm who he was.

Seeing someone else arrive, the Spirit Treasure Celestial Master lifted his head, pointing to a pavilion by the lake, and said:

"Have a seat wherever, eat a little, let’s chat. No need to be overly formal."

"Pardon my intrusion, elder."

Song Lin responded courteously, then descended and walked into the pavilion.

He casually chose a spot to sit down.

Next to him sat a painted-face Taoist. The so-called painted face was covered in greasepaint, resembling a theatrical mask, faintly forming a pattern of a White Crane. His vertical pupils glimmered with a piercing light.

"Greetings."

Catching Song Lin’s gaze, the painted-face Taoist looked back. His face pattern subtly shifted with his emotions, eventually assuming the guise of a Taoist Bai Mei.

Lo and behold, it turned out to be the person who had once transmitted messages to him.

After a round of conversation, Song Lin learned that Bai Mei’s real name was Bai Zhen, and he was the Taoist of the Spirit Treasure Forest.

Not far away, a middle-aged man, with a green Jade Pendant hanging at his waist, was observing the koi in the pond with great interest. He was named Azure Dragon.

He served as the Heavenly Mechanism Minister of the Central General Record Palace of the Taoist Alliance, overseeing its affairs entirely.

The young, chubby, kind-faced Taoist was named Taixuan, a disciple of the Yuanfu Taoist School and the Head of the Heavenly Dao Bureau, doubling as the Taoist Alliance’s Taiji Left Minister.

He was an expert who had mastered the Perfection of the Heavenly Tribulation.

Additionally, he would be one of the leading figures in this campaign for succession.

Engaging in lively conversation with him was a silver-haired, handsome Taoist named Xuan Hee, and the ruggedly built Taoist, Ling Xun.

Both were seasoned masters of the Heavenly Tribulation, key figures cultivated by the Spirit Treasure Sect.

Also present were the scheming, sharp-eyed Five Kill Taoist of the Weiling Sect, the Left and Right Supervision Prefecture Director Zhou Zhi, and a disciple of the Yuzhen Sect.

Song Lin and Chuu Yuying, both from the Holy Might Taoist School, were among the company as well.

The five Great Taoist Sects of the Heaven and Earth Xuan Sect had all gathered.

Judging by their auras, Song Lin was the weakest, followed by Chuu Yuying.

In recent years, Tianhe had taken care to avoid revealing his true identity and rarely participated in struggles related to the Taoist community.

Thus, most high-ranking positions were occupied by members of other Taoist Sects.

This time, they initially intended for Yunhai to attend, but Yunhai was too impulsive and prone to conflict with Song Lin, easily falling into traps.

The Yin King, tasked with maintaining overall stability, was uninterested in such matters.

Therefore, the more mild-tempered Chuu Yuying was sent instead.

While Song Lin observed the others, they too were evaluating him and Chuu Yuying, with particular attention lingering on Song Lin.

Clearly, they had heard of the Shadow Heavenly Master’s reputation.

Once everyone had arrived, the Spirit Treasure Celestial Master descended into the pavilion, and the scattered people around followed suit.

"Alright, everyone should be clear about the purpose of this meeting. Our collective goal is to support the Eighth Prince. Now, regarding the fighting among the cultivators, who should take the lead?"

The Spirit Treasure Celestial Master asked.

Song Lin had anticipated a fierce showdown, yet the scene proved unusually serene.

Taixuan of the Yuanfu Sect spoke first, "I have no particular preference. Since there’s been an addition of governance for the feudal territories, let’s focus on managing those first."

"I agree," said the Five Kill Taoist of the Weiling Sect in a gravelly voice.

"Doesn’t matter to me. Let’s take care of our own affairs first," Zhou Zhi remarked with indifference.

Each of them had feudal domains tied to princes, and rather than arguing pointlessly, it was better to mind their own concerns.

Seeing this consensus, Song Lin also expressed no objections.

Noticing the lack of dissent, the Spirit Treasure Celestial Master smoothly concluded, "Since no one has objections, we should at least designate a liaison. This isn’t to manage you, but simply to ensure coordination in crucial matters."

Scanning the crowd, the Spirit Treasure Celestial Master’s gaze fell on Xuan Hee, saying, "Let’s make it Xuan Hee. He will act as the liaison moving forward."

"Thank you, Celestial Master," Xuan Hee accepted without hesitation.

No one objected. Song Lin found the decision somewhat arbitrary but chose not to stir up trouble, merely going along with the crowd.

However, noticing the subtle dissatisfaction in the eyes of Taixuan and others, he quickly pieced things together.

So that’s how it was!

Realizing the underlying motives, Song Lin couldn’t help but find the situation both amusing and ridiculous.

Having spent much of his time in the Great Zhou Dynasty, Song Lin had inadvertently adopted their way of thinking.

All these ceremonies and assemblies—weren’t they always prearranged? The Spirit Treasure Celestial Master personally extended the invitations and hosted the meeting within the Spirit Treasure Dao’s headquarters.

With a Heavenly Mechanism Minister and a Taoist overseeing the event, it was evident this gathering was no platform for debate. The purpose of this magic meeting, in essence, was to ascertain whether they recognized the chosen leadership.

If they agreed, all would proceed smoothly; if not... Song Lin could only imagine the consequences.

But it likely wouldn’t be pleasant.

The Spirit Treasure Celestial Master, being bold enough to defy public criticism to protect Tianhe, would undoubtedly employ shrewder and harsher methods if necessary.

Soon, the meeting concluded.

Song Lin exchanged a glance with Chuu Yuying, understanding that both of them grasped the true nature of this gathering.

The two then boarded the Sun Jade Carriage and left the Spirit Treasure Sect.

"The journey back should be smooth. Should we visit the Celestial Master..." Chuu Yuying began to say but abruptly stopped.

She had intended to invite Song Lin to her residence, but not following the Celestial Master’s directive now made her unsure of what to say.

Song Lin didn’t seem to mind and replied, "There are matters to attend to within the sect. Let’s meet another time."

The two parted ways.

Song Lin headed toward the Donghua Jungle.

The jungle was sparsely populated, as most had gone to participate in the Dharma Assembly.

Inside a hidden chamber.

Song Lin didn’t immediately immerse himself in cultivation but instead fell into deep thought.

"It’s time to start considering the wind tribulation."

Once he crossed the wind tribulation, he would ascend to Fire Tribulation True Person status, and his combat prowess would rival that of those who had achieved Thunder Tribulation Perfection.

Before that, he intended to test the waters by simulating tribulation crossing within the story world.