Chapter 454: Chapter 396: 24 Cloud Seals, Master of 8 Views
World in the Pot.
Song Lin sat cross-legged on a cushion, with many jade scrolls laid out in front of him.
Most of these jade scrolls contained cultivation techniques and divine skills, while some were magic veins he himself had created but hadn’t yet had the time to cultivate, or those he’d cultivated before but abandoned long ago.
Among them were cultivation method veins, Divine Medium Immortal Skill veins, Five Qi Qimen, Divine Demon, and the North Emperor Xuantian Eight Techniques inherited by Song Lin from Xuantian God.
The North Emperor Xuantian Eight Techniques were acclaimed as the ultimate slaughter art of the Western Records Taoist School, requiring the recognition of Xuantian God to cultivate.
However, Song Lin possessed the North Pole Ziwei Dao Pattern, which made him part of the Xuantian God’s lineage; not only could he cultivate these skills himself, but he could also pass them on to others.
This divine skill was so powerful that even if he abandoned all other magic veins and focused solely on the Xuantian Skill, he would still be a top expert.
Of course, the main reason Song Lin had set aside this skill was his lack of sufficient time and energy.
At the time, there was no system like Cloud Seal to integrate numerous veins and release them with similar methods.
Due to differences in systems, Song Lin had abandoned many strong magic veins.
Now was the time to reclaim them all.
Thinking of this, Song Lin immediately began cultivation.
Cultivation Method, Five Qi Qimen, Divine Medium Immortal, Divine Demon, and the Xuantian Eight Techniques.
A total of twelve, plus the original twelve—a total of twenty-four.
The Xuantian Eight Techniques were not a single spell but rather different divine skills.
Summoning Fire Dragons, Black Flags, Black Evil Gods, Yellow Wind, Ten Thousand Blades, Thunderclaps, Hundred Mountains Demon, and Wolf Fang Iron Pillar, encompassing various functions.
"Once mastered, I can begin tribulation crossing."
Song Lin thought to himself.
In these ten years, the Eight Sceneries World should be able to take shape, and the Donghua Alliance would roughly form the Taoist School prototype through various Dharma Assemblies.
Song Lin prepared to delegate authority, letting Shi Yinhua lead the Taiyi Golden Flower Palace to manage the Taoist School while also allowing various factions of the Alliance to adapt to this approach.
This was precisely the purpose of Song Lin’s initiation of the decade-long Dharma Assembly.
In the Mortal World, Wu Yi was responsible for governance. In a few more years, the Treasure Servant would regain its memory and take over the management of mortals in the Eight Sceneries World, while also cultivating the Qiankun Treasure.
For now, governance among mortals and cultivators remained as such.
It was less than ten years until the royal succession struggle.
Time was tight, but with the experience of a narrative world, this wasn’t much of a challenge.
Afterward, Donghua Jungle announced it would enter closed-door training.
The overt and covert conflicts among the seven Dao Alliances gradually subsided, with everyone preparing for the final moment.
The seven Dao Alliances were divided into four factions: the faction of the Crown Prince supported by Xuanzong Shangqing and Nine Heavens Jade Tower Dao Alliances. The faction of the Third Prince supported by the Black Heaven Law Realm and Witch God Heavenly King Dao Alliance. The faction of the Eighth Prince from the Heaven and Earth Xuan Sect Alliance. The faction of the Tenth Prince supported by Miao Fa Netherworld and Jiuxiao Dao Alliance.
Such was the ecosystem of Wu Country.
Last time, Song Lin managed to frighten off one of the top five tribulation crossing cultivators of the Black Heaven Dao Alliance.
Currently, the feudal kingdom had the Crown Prince far ahead in the race; in this aspect, he was unquestionably the frontrunner.
The upcoming arena battles at the Imperial Earth Altar were another phase of the struggle.
This method of determining the Dragon Head Master had been passed down for thousands of years.
In the past, esteemed figures feared infighting within the human clan, particularly among Heavenly Masters vying for the Dragon Head position, which could lead to external threats exploiting this division.
Thus, they created this set of rules.
Under these rules, the victor would become the Dragon Head Master, granted the qualification to oversee all magic veins in the world.
The Dragon Head Master would sense the Great Dao and search for breakthrough opportunities.
And since Heavenly Masters were not allowed to intervene, theoretically, eachDao Alliance had an equal chance.
Since the rules’ establishment, indeed, no one dared to violate them.
However, exploiting loopholes in the rules was still something quite a few engaged in.
Xuanzong Shangqing Dao Alliance.
Sword Pond Taoist School.
By the waters of the Ten Thousand Blades Pond, Qingchen sat at Lake Heart Pavilion, sword qi swirling around him, and golden creatures floated in the void.
He and Nine Heavens Jade Tower Dao Alliance’s Celestial Master Jian Wuliang were reviewing the reports from subordinates.
"Was this season’s imperial tribute delivered to Yujue Country?"
"Yes, Sword Heart personally escorted it. The Demon Envoy shed tears of gratitude and promised not to invade within ten years."
Jian Wuliang replied.
The so-called imperial tribute was actually a payment made by the two Dao Alliances to the demon clan under the name of the Emperor of Wu Country.
It included various cultivation materials and mortals.
Though unpleasant to speak of, it was referred to as a "grant." This way, it appeared as if they were proactively dominating the demon clan.
This arrangement was quite practical, exchanging ordinary goods and people for a brief development opportunity.
Qingchen held grand ambitions; as long as he secretly accumulated power, one day, he would reclaim everything that had been lost.
The statement was entirely sincere!
"Good. Who holds the greatest hope in this royal succession race this time?"
The Qingchen Heavenly Master asked.
"The first must unquestionably be your third disciple, Sword Heart. Sword Heart has the Innate Pure Heart and has cultivated the Ancient Sky Dao Sword Intent that only one person in this era can master, achieving a state where the heart aligns with the stars and Divine Illuminates the Netherworld. For this competition, Sword Heart has intentionally restrained his realm, making him the undeniable leader."
"The second is Jiuxiao Dao Alliance’s Xiang Liu. This individual has reached the ’Ancestor Blood Observation’ realm, possessing all the divine skills and blood essence of the mutant beast Xiang Liu, with an unparalleled physique."
"The third is likely our own Qu Ying, who has mastered the Nine Heavens Moonlight Sword Pills... However, I personally believe there’s another who deserves the third spot in strength."
"Who?"
Jian Wuliang’s expression was peculiar, and he said:
"Song Lin from the Heaven and Earth Xuan Sect Alliance. Though he has yet to cross his Fire Tribulation, he defeated Lingbao Dao’s top disciple Xuan Hee and even drove away Black Heaven Dao Alliance’s Tie Zhen. This man possesses a Vajra Body, rendering him invulnerable even in the Primordial Spirit Realm."
"Rumor has it he is now preparing to close-door training for tribulation crossing. If successful, his strength will likely rank in the top three. We must inform Sword Heart and the others in advance so they can prepare early."
"Oh? Such a Golden Body?"
Qingchen was unmoved, casually tossing feed to the Yin Yang Fish in the water.
"But you underestimate the Ancient Sky Dao. No matter how hardened the body, if there are flaws in Taoist Realm, Taoist Heart, or willpower, everything can be severed!"
"Indeed. This man is barely a hundred years old, and his mental state must naturally be lacking."
Upon Qingchen’s explanation, Jian Wuliang agreed he might have overthought.
They then spoke of other Dao Alliance Heavenly Masters.
Their strengths, shortcomings, and why they held little regard for them were discussed thoroughly.
Interestingly, the two seemed to have grasped all intelligence in advance.
"You will be the next Dragon Head Master."
Qingchen patted Jian Wuliang’s shoulder, speaking earnestly.
"Our strategy must remain unchanged—trade space for time. No matter how much pressure is exerted by demons, we must stay steadfast! The future of the human clan is what matters most!"
"Remember, the demon clan believes it is devouring us bit by bit, but we are secretly growing stronger ourselves."
"If their demands grow increasingly excessive, we might even agree to them, feigning weakness and creating the illusion that we are easily manipulated."
"When dealing with other Dao Alliances, blend light with dust; avoid interfering with their operations as much as possible."
"In a distant future, we will assimilate other Dao Alliances, uniting the human clan. Then, we can completely exterminate the demons! This is a millennial plan!"
Qingchen imparted wisdom, sharing his experience as Dragon Head Master.
"Also, remember to be willing to bear notoriety..."
Jian Wuliang’s body shuddered as he looked up at his elder brother, realizing his temples were already streaked with gray.
"Brother, I understand."
"Alright, off you go now."
Qingchen closed his eyes, contemplating something unknown.
He was not attached to power nor willing to bow to demons.
But upon his shoulders rested the future of 3 billion people, the future of the Taoist School, and even the survival of the human clan.
For the more distant future, some matters required submission, toleration, and withdrawal.
Some accused him of being a shameless scoundrel; others mocked that under his rule for centuries, the nation had weakened instead of growing stronger.
But who truly understood his thoughts?
After all, he too had once been the "Red Dust Sword Immortal" who "cleaved the great whale with a single sword, staining the sea red for three months."
...
Spirit Treasure Dao.
The Spirit Treasure Celestial Master was likewise reviewing intelligence on various masters.
Upon learning Song Lin was in closed-door training, the Spirit Treasure Celestial Master issued orders.
"Send someone to deliver 1 million dharma coins, 10 bottles of top-grade spiritual pills, and 100 bottles of top-grade pills to Donghua Jungle."
"Also, dispatch a team to guard Xuanyu City’s Tianhe River. Don’t let this young man ruin everything."
Ten years passed quickly.
And on one particular day, the 5-year-old Divine Embryo Wu Chen unlocked memories of his past life.
Eight Sceneries World.
Song Lin temporarily emerged from closed-door training. Beneath the lush, vibrant Mother Tree of All Things were the Nine Tripods and a delicate little girl.
"Long time no see."
Song Lin took Wu Chen’s small hand, pointing at the 3 million mortals beneath the clouds.
"From now on, you are the Lord of the Eight Sceneries!!"