CHAPTER 441: CHAPTER 383: THE SECRET OF THE HEAVENLY COURT, TAIYI GOLDEN FLOWER

"Taoist friend! This world... what is the Demon Army here about..."

Song Lin had many questions, a stomach full of doubts left unspoken.

He wanted to ask about countless things, from the Taoist Alliance to the Heavenly Court, then to the other Heavenly Courts, and the Upper Pure Demon Tribulation...

Before he could voice any of this, Xiao Mao True Monarch had already stepped forward directly.

Boom!

The world exploded into chaos.

Song Lin’s vision went black, and before losing consciousness, he managed only to grab the Treasure Servant’s small hand.

It’s over!

Everyone else brings divine skills or secret techniques back with them. Song Lin, however, brought someone. How is he going to explain this now?

And it’s a person of the Heavenly Court!

Even the Spirit Treasure Celestial Master might covet this, considering he himself had yet to ascend to the Heavenly Court!

Swoosh!

While thinking this, Song Lin suddenly opened his eyes, finding himself standing before the Heavenly Law Platform, the talisman-granting ceremony already concluded.

Aside from the talisman and Treasure Seal corresponding to his cultivation level, there was also an oval-shaped piece of white jade in his hand.

Not only himself, even Spirit Treasure’s gaze was fixed on the white jade.

"How unusual. To think one could even bring back a treasure."

The Spirit Treasure Celestial Master marveled.

It was almost unheard of. This treasure, resembling neither an artifact nor a mundane item, emanated an immense aura of Nine Heavens Immortal essence. It should be a nascent magic treasure of extraordinary value.

Still, while precious, it did not hold the Spirit Treasure Celestial Master’s interest.

"Haha, pure luck," Song Lin let out a small sigh of relief.

Turns out that little girl transformed into a stone—unexpectedly related to Sun Wukong. Makes sense when you think about it: the girl is far too innocent and childlike, surely no mortal body but either born an immortal or a Nine Heavens Immortal.

"I shall take my leave now. Many thanks to the Spirit Treasure Celestial Master for the granting of talismans!"

Having acquired what he sought, Song Lin saw no need to linger.

"Mm." The Spirit Treasure Celestial Master nodded, his expression somewhat peculiar.

Song Lin exited the Grotto Heaven, ascending the Sun Jade Carriage. Golden light streaked like a meteor across the sky, vanishing into the horizon in an instant.

On the way back to Yunzhou by Spirit Treasure Sect, a small teahouse beside the official road.

"Welcome, esteemed guest! What tea would you like? We have green, yellow, red, black, white..."

"Whatever quenches thirst—not too picky. Also, fetch me three jin of fine feed for the horses!"

A traveling merchant casually tossed out a piece of broken silver.

Official roads often bustled with itinerant merchants and envoys on duty, with them all spending freely. The tea house was filled to capacity.

The waiter curiously glanced at the lone old man sitting in a corner.

The elderly figure had been seated there for nearly an entire hour.

Though the teahouse was crowded with patrons, no one sat near him, seemingly avoiding him instinctively.

Whoosh!

The waiter momentarily lost focus; the old man had vanished, leaving only a silver ingot on the table.

"This..."

Could it have been a ghost?

On the other side, Tianhe blocked the Sun Jade Carriage alone.

Song Lin stepped out from within the carriage, locked eyes with Tianhe without crossing swords at once.

"Are you certain you want to act now?"

Song Lin asked calmly.

He had little fear of Tianhe. Perhaps he couldn’t win in battle—but escaping was guaranteed.

After all, he had cultivated long within the narrative worlds.

Moreover, Song Lin had long coordinated with members of the Donghua Alliance beforehand. High-ranking support could arrive within two minutes via prepared prohibition talismans in emergencies.

"Today, you must die!"

The sky began to darken gradually.

Tianhe was a resolute individual.

Having identified Song Lin as a future calamity, he now unwaveringly sought to eliminate him at all costs.

Killing Song Lin would ensure his demise.

After all, he himself was a Celestial Master; even the Spirit Treasure Celestial Master wouldn’t dare shoulder the risk of losing another Celestial Master.

All said and done, better to make the rice cook into porridge first.

Whatever powers the Spirit Treasure Celestial Master still held were to no avail—perhaps an injury or punishment, neither unmanageable consequences.

With these thoughts pushing him on, Tianhe resolved not to waste further time and prepared to unleash his utmost strength to kill Song Lin before the Spirit Treasure could react.

Enough with the lengthy speeches; the prohibition circle had been completed.

Boom!

Thunder roared through the void; Yin winds howled ominously.

Flattened earth rose sharply, forming eight towering mountains.

The Eight Ghost Kings emerged.

With their appearance, an intangible oppressive force descended.

The sky turned gold as divine nets of heaven and earth emerged overhead.

Tianhe had truly done his homework for this encounter.

Song Lin carefully assessed the space around him.

By employing 72 Transformations, the Five Mountains True Form Map, along with Fire Dao and Wood Dao, he might open a breach for escape.

This could buy time for Donghua or Spirit Treasure allies to arrive.

Just then, a hand suddenly rested on Tianhe’s shoulder.

"You..."

A threatening signal of absolute danger flashed across Tianhe’s heart.

Turning around abruptly, he found the Spirit Treasure Celestial Master standing behind him with a cold smile.

"Celestial Master..."

"You never cease to court death, do you? Song Lin is under my protection; how dare you try to harm him?"

Spirit Treasure Celestial Master’s gaze turned frigid.

Tianhe froze, recalling the Eight Ghost Kings, and the sky reverted to daylight once more.

Song Lin descended from the carriage and flew over, bowing respectfully before the Spirit Treasure Celestial Master.

"Prior to the throne competition, you must not engage in conflict or face my wrath!"

Spirit Treasure Celestial Master pondered briefly and proposed a compromise.

"In eleven years, the Emperor’s final deadline for abdication arrives, and the arena battles will commence. Though there may be disputes beforehand, internal conflicts must not arise. Let’s do this—fifteen years later, you will compete, wagering the Three Realms Heavenly Master Seal: if Song Lin loses, he dies; if Holy Might loses, he forfeits the Heavenly Master Seal."

"Fine, I agree."

Song Lin promptly accepted.

Tianhe, sensing defeat this time, realized the difficulty of taking Song Lin’s life in the future.

Still, he viewed the fifteen-year mark as the ultimate opportunity.

With this in mind, Tianhe agreed as well.

"Holy Might, you’re sentenced to reflect in solitude for ten years. Go and carry out your punishment. I rarely show leniency—it will not happen again."

Spirit Treasure Celestial Master stated flatly.

"Understood!"

Tianhe bowed low and retreated to his domain for seclusion.

The Spirit Treasure Celestial Master neither placed restrictions nor surveillance over him. Tianhe could leave freely if he wished.

Outwardly appearing as leniency, Tianhe knew the Spirit Treasure Celestial Master was delegating life-or-death decisions to him.

Should he violate the master’s orders again, the repercussions would be dire.

Tianhe dared not risk it further. Such was the terrifying nature of equivocal control.

After Tianhe departed, Spirit Treasure Celestial Master turned to Song Lin.

"Do well. I favor no one—handle it yourself fifteen years hence."

"Understood."

Song Lin agreed.

Soon Spirit Treasure Celestial Master vanished as well.

Song Lin resumed his journey.

The day’s events revealed the master’s interest in throne competitions.

Legend suggests Spirit Treasure Celestial Master aims for leadership of the courts, leveraging it to break through Harmonization.

Unknowingly arriving at Donghua Jungle, Song Lin immediately gathered his people.

He withheld news of conflict with Tianhe—it wasn’t the time to announce such matters.

"I have obtained talismans! Later, after breaking through the Purple Mansion, those seeking them may approach Spirit Treasure Sect representatives for assistance. Furthermore, Taoist School systems will henceforth be restructured."

"The systems for Liqi, Blessed Land, Yun River, and Black Prison Four Mansions remain unchanged. Positions of Heavenly Slaughter, Earth Evil, Yuanbo, and Lord Zhengxin remain fixed."

"Qingyun, Tianling, Sanhe, Five Qi, Qimen, and Donghua Six Forests will undergo adjustments: Qingyun Forest renamed Heavenly Sword Forest with Yan Jiuge as Taoist; Sanhe Forest renamed Cultivation Forest with Guu Yuchan as Taoist."

"Five Qi and Qimen consolidate into Yin Fu Forest, appointing Guu Ling as Taoist and Fei Hong as Chief."

"Donghua Forest assigns Wang Ziyue as Taoist."

"Taoist... I’m afraid I am unworthy."

Wang Ziyue stood abruptly, visibly stunned.

Despite recent ascension to Purple Mansion during the last battle, his experience felt insufficient.

Further still, his receiving such a title implied displacement of Donghua Taoist’s esteemed rank.

Song Lin spoke firmly—his tone brooked no refusal.

Of course, newly appointed Taoists predominantly acted in interim capacities.

Official recognition required Phoenix Platform Dragon Throwing rites within procedure—it was all just bureaucratic formality.

Through Song Lin’s maneuvers, the six Taoist groups reduced to five.

Five Qi and Qimen merging realized the dream of ancient Yin Fu lineage.

"Additionally, to strengthen interconnections among Mansions and Forests, I’ll establish one palace: Taiyi Jinhua Palace, with myself as Palace Master. I’ll appoint Shi Yinhua as Envoy to oversee routine business among territorial factions, ensuring equitable exchange between mansions."

"Shi Yinhua!"

"Disciple present!"

"You’re tasked with drafting plans for reconstructing the forests and establishing Taiyi Jinhua Palace. Present a proposal within ten days; other matters await further arrangements."

With orders given, Song Lin waved his hand expansively.

"Dismissed!"

Thus, he delegated reconstruction challenges to Shi Yinhua.

Rebuilding the sect and laying Taoist foundations were no trivial matters tangled with interests galore, requiring at least three years for budding outcomes.

That said, Song Lin’s direct involvement was limited while Shi Yinhua handled execution.

World in the Pot.

Song Lin retrieved the Sheep Fat White Jade; the Treasure Servant had yet to reappear—perhaps she lacked Essence and Qi?

Attempting to infuse True Qi into the jade...

A brilliant flash of light.

The white jade transformed into a young girl.

The Treasure Servant blinked her big, curious eyes, scanning the surroundings inquisitively.

"What is this place?"