CHAPTER 436: CHAPTER 378: INTEGRATING MAGIC VEIN, THE FOUNDATION OF THE TAOIST SCHOOL

"Overseas?"

Song Lin contemplated for a moment.

The overseas regions are exceptionally perilous; even the powerful Taoist Schools dare not recklessly venture into them.

Even if one manages to establish a foothold, it requires unceasing effort and energy to safeguard their holdings.

The island of Donghua Hidden Lineage was relatively secluded and small enough, coupled with the Right Heart Secret Method, to avoid being targeted by demons. Even when a few scattered demons appear, they have the power to deal with them.

"How many people are currently in the cultivation veins?"

Song Lin inquired.

"If we count the Cultivation Truth Temple along with the Taoists of Donghua’s main sect and the scattered Taoists in other forests, we have a total of eight hundred Qi Refinement cultivators, sixty Divine Establishment cultivators, three Core Formation cultivators, and myself as the sole Purple Mansion cultivator."

The proportion of Qi Refinement to Divine Establishment cultivators is excellent; some cultivation veins might not even produce thirty Divine Establishments from an eight-hundred-strong Qi Refinement base.

This is far from the upper limit of expansion for cultivation veins.

The characteristic of cultivation veins is the high talent requirement for Qi Refinement. While it seems like a disadvantage, it is actually an advantage.

Some individuals have exceptional talent in Qi Refinement but poor talent in Divine Establishment, and they might remain in Qi Refinement for their entire lives.

For ordinary Taoist Schools, such people would be considered average talents, just barely meeting the standards to become regular Taoists and live mundane lives.

However, for cultivation veins, they are geniuses among geniuses.

Thus, the selection pressure for cultivation veins is relatively low.

Furthermore, the entry threshold is low.

Under Guu Yuchan’s deliberate suppression, the number of Taoists is maintained at this level.

If the restrictions were lifted, this number could easily increase two or threefold.

But the cultivation veins’ consumption of Essence Qi is too overwhelming and intense.

The Taoist Temples near them often complain, as a single collective absorption by cultivation vein practitioners can take three months for the Essence Qi to recover to its original state.

Therefore, cultivation vein practitioners typically stagger their cultivation schedules or go to blessed lands.

This ensures they do not interfere with others.

"I see."

Although Guu Yuchan spoke lightly, Song Lin sensed the gravity of the matter.

It might be a precursor to brewing conflicts.

He had propagated many cultivation veins but neglected an important aspect.

That aspect being the conflict between veins.

This conflict isn’t between individuals but between cultivation techniques.

Divine Medium Arts versus talismans, Witchcraft versus Swordmen, Taoist Soldiers versus puppets, Five Qi versus Taiyin Refining, Divine Demons versus Swordmen and Thunder Skills.

When practitioners cultivate simultaneously within a certain range, mutual interference is inevitable.

Cultivation veins are even more prone to these—almost universally clashing with other factions.

And under deliberate suppression, practitioners of cultivation veins might feel dissatisfaction.

Currently, it might only be mild discontent; over time, it could become the seed for sect chaos.

The dispute over Taoist inheritance is far more terrifying than petty personal gripes.

"Should only a portion of people be sent to explore?"

Song Lin asked.

"Yes, with one Core Formation cultivator leading. Once discovered, we can recruit disciples on a large scale."

Guu Yuchan replied resolutely.

As the ancestor of the cultivation vein, he felt a responsibility towards its growth.

Previously, their lack of power deterred them from venturing forth, but now it was time to explore.

"Let’s wait a bit; there’s no rush."

Guu Yuchan couldn’t leave at this moment. In overseas territories where the heavens are high and the Emperor is distant, finding a place is one challenge; managing it post-discovery is another, as it risks splitting into two factions.

Guu Yuchan currently lacked the strength to govern independently.

As the acting Taoist of Sanhe Forest, his resources were scant, his authority minimal, and his constraints numerous.

It wasn’t that Song Lin looked down on him, but he hadn’t fully consolidated control over Sanhe Forest yet. To embark on new missions now might lead to neglect on multiple fronts.

Reflecting on this, Song Lin said, "Let’s not rush. For now, relocate the cultivation veins conflicting with yours in Sanhe Forest to Donghua Forest."

"Yes."

"Also, take me to Sanhe Forest."

Song Lin boarded the Sun Jade Car with Guu Yuchan.

The Eight Horses hadn’t been brought to this realm, but the speed of the Sun Jade Car was still extraordinary.

In no time, they arrived at Sanhe Forest.

Sanhe Forest was located upstream of three convergent rivers.

The city rested along the interlacing riverbanks. Viewed from above, dense mist enveloped the entire forest, with watery vapors revealing numerous shrimp soldier and crab general Taoist Soldiers patrolling.

"The spiritual energy here is excellent."

Song Lin stepped out of the carriage and closed his eyes, a halo of green light appearing behind his head.

This was the hallmark of the Ju Mang Wood Emperor Skill.

He meditated, visualizing the surrounding cloud aura coalescing into green light and gathering by his side.

Emperor’s House Technique!

The green light transformed into a fiery red tree.

Its shape resembled a banyan tree, but it bore no leaves—instead, clusters of human-sized fruits resembling red peppers with intertwined talons covered it.

The interior of the red pepper fruits was hollow, emitting thick Essence Qi.

The tree was an aggregation from his visualization, not yet manifest in the real world.

Song Lin opened his eyes and moved his thoughts.

A stream of green light plunged into the ground.

The commotion startled the forest residents, who soared into the skies to investigate.

Upon recognizing Song Lin’s presence, their aggressive postures faded instantly.

Crack, crack!

Suddenly, the earth emitted sharp snapping sounds.

Looking down, they saw a verdant plant bursting through the soil.

In seconds, it had grown into a towering tree.

The tree’s appearance mirrored the one from Song Lin’s visualization.

This was not all—nine more streams of green light fell consecutively.

From below sprouted ten identical trees, each producing three hundred fruits—a total of three thousand fruits altogether.

"Taoist, what is this?" Guu Yuchan asked in astonishment.

"This is the Miracle Wood Emperor House Tree. Cultivating within the red pepper fruits grants abundant Heaven and Earth Essence Qi. You can expand to accommodate three thousand practitioners, and once talent is cultivated, set out to expand overseas."

Song Lin’s complexion appeared pale.

The Real World’s Wood Emperor Technique wasn’t as profound as the story world’s Taoist Realm; using such wood-summoning abilities took a toll on him.

With these trees, cultivation veins no longer need to worry about impacting others during cultivation.

When strength has fully accumulated, pursue overseas exploration for treasure lands.

"Thank you, Taoist. Taoist, you are merciful!"

"Taoist, you are merciful!"

The cultivation Taoists below overheard Song Lin’s words and burst into cheers.

The recent days of constrained cultivation had frustrated them immensely.

"You handle the arrangements."

Song Lin left behind these words and departed the area.

Upon returning to a secluded chamber, Song Lin did not immediately return to the Real World.

He contemplated deeply for a long time.

Today’s events suddenly reminded him of a critical factor he had overlooked.

The previous Taoist School structures were no longer suitable for the current Donghua.

Too many cultivation veins had emerged, and having different veins within the same forest inevitably led to conflicts.

Add to that, the Donghua Alliance was still managed using an outdated forest-based model. Despite supervision from the Evil Exorcism Altar, cooperation between them was lacking, rendering them inferior to traditional Taoist Schools.

"It’s time to reforge the various houses and forests. Donghua needs to embody the structure of a Taoist School."

Song Lin pondered.

To lay a solid foundation for the eventual establishment of a Donghua Taoist Sect. The time to act was now; it couldn’t be postponed further.

Now, having broken through to the Fire Tribulation realm, he was unmatched in his level. Who could oppose him?

However, Song Lin did not have the authority to act solely at his convenience. He still needed the approval of the Spirit Treasure Celestial Master; otherwise, such action would be unlawful.

Very well, when granting the Three Cave Five Thunder Talisman and Great Master Talisman, he would discuss this matter with the Spirit Treasure Celestial Master.

He set the timing for the end of the month. Until then, Song Lin would first meet with Ju Mang and the Fire God Zhuu Rong.

...

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