Chapter 482: Chapter 423: Upper Pure Cave, Congratulated by Figures from Eight Directions.
"Divine Dao Earth Spirits? Palace Master, your wisdom is unmatched!"
Without needing further explanation, Zhong Mountain, an expert in Taiyin Refining, immediately grasped the implications.
"Just like the Water Master of the Yun River Water Mansion, Taoists no longer need to worry about being left adrift after death."
The Water Master of the Yun River Water Mansion is typically a ghost soldier refined from the remains of a deceased mortal. Bound by their lifespan, they usually survive no more than two or three centuries.
With Zhong Mountain’s method, it’s possible to avoid turning people into ghost soldiers while ensuring divine blessings.
It essentially grants the sect’s disciples a place to belong after death.
"But let’s wait until I formally receive the liturgy."
Song Lin let out a quiet sigh of relief in his heart.
At last, there’s a good resolution for the fallen Taoists. While they cannot carry the carefree grace of cultivators, they can guard a domain and enjoy a lifespan of a thousand years.
Of course, this method has one limitation: if someone is obliterated on the spot, with body and soul entirely annihilated, it’s impossible to perform the Taiyin Refining on them.
"Follow me."
Song Lin led Zhong Mountain onto the Sun Jade Carriage. A flash of golden light later, they had crossed thousands of miles and arrived at Donghua Jungle.
"Heavenly Master!"
"Greetings to the Heavenly Master!"
As they progressed through the route, there were fewer people, but the disciples who recognized Song Lin all greeted him respectfully along the way.
Song Lin maintained his humility, nodding slightly to acknowledge them.
The formerly grand palace complex had mostly collapsed. Many disciples were directing Taoist soldiers to move the obstructing boulders, while Rampant Soldiers carried construction materials. With each effort, a new palace rose, and Donghua Jungle gradually regained its vitality.
"A little further to that side—yes, you all level the ground properly."
Wang Ziyue was overseeing the layout of the jungle.
Nearby, Qingyu stood at the entrance with a roster in hand, inspecting the belongings of every Taoist soldier passing by.
"What is this?"
Song Lin walked over to ask.
Without standing on ceremony, Qingyu didn’t even lift her head as she directly replied, "Most of those residing in the main hall are injured. These are medicinal herbs meant for their treatment."
For safety’s sake, the Taoist School did not leave them to heal on their own but instead arranged for centralized care, with all costs borne by the sect itself.
Song Lin stepped into the main hall.
The interior was unexpectedly vast and revealed a hidden blessed land, complete with countless small cottages, rivers, and mountains. Many cultivators were seated by the banks, meditating and recuperating.
Upon seeing Song Lin’s arrival, some prepared to pay respects, but he gestured for them to remain seated.
"Everyone, you’ve worked hard. No need for formalities. You’re all heroes; I should be the one saluting you. Ha-ha."
"It’s what we should do. Without the Heavenly Master, we wouldn’t be here today."
"The Taoist speaks the truth."
Song Lin commanded immense respect, as Donghua Jungle’s new magic vein had peculiar talent requirements. Most of these people were of average aptitude, but under the new system, they became truly exceptional.
For everything Song Lin had brought to them, their hearts were filled with gratitude.
Song Lin noticed Zhengxin not far away, resting and recovering.
After consuming a Great Rejuvenation Pill, Zhengxin was almost fully recovered. He was now seated in a pavilion, playing chess with Mei Hua, while Earth Evil watched from the side.
"How are the three of you faring?"
Song Lin inquired as he approached.
"Ha-ha, we’re doing well! This Great Rejuvenation Pill truly is a miraculous treasure!"
Mei Hua laughed heartily, his voice full of vitality. Clearly, no hidden injuries remained.
"Though it’s unfortunate about our fellow Taoists."
At this, the three visibly dimmed.
Of those who perished, Yuanbo was the most advanced in cultivation, followed by Heavenly Slaughter, and then others such as Lu Mingyang, Xiao Xuan, and Pei Yu from Tianling Jungle. Among them were both second- and third-generation disciples.
In addition, casualties from the Donghua Alliance exceeded six thousand.
The death count reached two thousand, including two tribulation crossers, eleven from the Purple Mansion, thirty-two Core Formation cultivators, and three hundred sixty Divine Establishment cultivators. The remainder were in the Qi Refinement and fetal breath stages.
This marked the greatest loss for the Taoist School in a millennium.
Even if most of them were unfamiliar faces, their deaths weren’t without a sense of poignancy. None of them deserved to perish without purpose.
Earth Evil, especially, who had spent a millennium alongside Heavenly Slaughter, seemed visibly aged. The two, disciples of the same master, even bore names that complemented one another. One taller, one shorter, they had both risen to become sect masters together.
The phrase "Heaven and Earth Evil" referred to their bond.
Now, with one of them gone, Earth Evil seemed to age decades overnight.
"Fret not, everyone—I’ve already devised a plan that may bring our fellow Taoists back,"
Song Lin explained his idea, and the others’ eyes lit up with hope.
"This method is promising! If successful, it could significantly bolster the morale of the Taoist cultivators."
The greatest hurdle in the world is that of life and death.
Even the most brilliant individuals inevitably falter when faced with death’s specter.
And as for ordinary folk, the fear of death is ever-present. While it might seem inconsequential during calm times, in a life-or-death struggle, that sliver of fear could cost someone their life.
Now, with a guarantee after death, it was certain that combat effectiveness would rise.
"But if authority is relegated to the Divine Dao, what’s left for the living to oversee?"
Zhengxin asked pointedly.
"The living can focus entirely on cultivation. They don’t need too much power,"
Song Lin replied simply.
The excessive authority held by cultivators was one of the root causes of worldly chaos.
Unlike the Divine Dao, where one’s realm depends on territorial management, living cultivators drive their Taoist Realm through personal ability. To overcome their limitations, those with ill intentions often exploit their authority excessively.
The Divine Dao, being tied so tightly to land and development, ensures both preservation and responsible advancement. To grow stronger, one must protect and cultivate their domain.
It wasn’t that Song Lin distrusted people, but in comparison to the complexities of human nature, material interests were far more straightforward. Most people wouldn’t act against their self-interest.
Hearing Song Lin’s explanation, the group felt it was logical and reasonable.
"But those rights and authority belong to the Taoist Alliance. If we implement such a bold change, won’t it provoke the Spirit Treasure Celestial Master’s apprehension?"