The full moon was like a disk, casting a clear glow on the ground.
At night, Lao Mountain was shrouded in a thin layer of white silk.
Time passed quickly; soon it was the fifteenth.
In the Lao Mountain World, fifteen days is only an hour in the outside world.
Song Lin had not gone out, wholly absorbed in spell training.
The window in the room was open, Song Lin stood with his hands behind his back, gazing out at the night.
It wasn't that he was suddenly inspired to recite poetry.
He was waiting for a group of people.
Whoosh!
A shadow flashed over the wall, landing steadily in the courtyard.
It was a one-armed Great Han, dressed in pitch-black night attire—it was Yang Xing.
"Master, Xuan Tong has been quite active these past few days, many Jianghu people have come to the Lin Mansion, each armed with sharp weapons and holding powerful crossbows."
"Jianghu people?" Song Lin's first reaction was that Xuan Tong was finally making a move.
Flap, flap!
A white pigeon flew in from afar, bringing a message.
"A large force is coming up the mountain, eighty-five people."
Seeing this, he looked at Yang Xing and said, "Gather everyone and have them come to Lake Heart Pavilion."
Clatter!
Song Lin leapt to the top of the wall, disappearing in a few flashes.
Lake Heart Pavilion is at the center of the Taoist Temple.
Typically, the Lao Mountain Taoists train there.
If Xuan Tong chose to strike, it's most likely there.
Lake Heart Pavilion.
There was a pavilion above the lake, from which came a startled cry.
Two fireballs smashed into a Lao Mountain Taoist's body.
The fireballs broke his Vestment robe, charring the skin on his chest.
"You? Xuan Tong, what on earth are you doing?" The Lao Mountain Taoist's face was pale, disbelief in his eyes as he looked at his eldest disciple.
Just now, Xuan Tong had approached, asking to learn a spell; before the Lao Mountain Taoist could say anything, Xuan Tong suddenly launched a sneak attack.
"Master, forgive me, but Lord Grey Immortal has decreed, today you must die!"
As Xuan Tong spoke, he distanced himself, blocking the small path of the Lake Heart Pavilion.
"Aligning with demons? Bold!" The Lao Mountain Taoist looked at his disciples and said, "Everyone, attack together; today I'll clean the sect!"
Whshhh!
Dozens of talismans flew out from the Taoist's sleeves.
Releasing talismans also requires consuming True Qi and energy.
Through years of cultivation, he had developed thick True Qi, allowing him to release dozens of Fire Light Talismans simultaneously.
Dozens of talismans should be enough to kill this unfilial disciple.
Before he could release the spells, a sharp pain suddenly came from his waist.
Whoosh!
The talismans, losing their spiritual power, fell down.
"Ugh..."
The Lao Mountain Taoist stared in shock at his fifth disciple, who had driven a dagger deeply into his waist.
He collapsed powerlessly into a pool of blood.
Seeing this, how could he not know that this group of disciples had already betrayed him?
"One, two, three... eight..." The only consolation was that he did not see Song Lin among the crowd, "Unthinkable, can you tell me, what conditions made you align with the Miasma Demon?"
The Miasma Demon was what they referred to as Lord Grey Immortal.
"Master, we no longer want to live hard lives," the youngest Eighth Junior Brother said, "Eldest Brother provided us with estates, each with a thousand taels of gold."
"We have spells and should be enjoying wealth and prosperity, I don't want to spend my whole life here."
The fifth disciple, who had just stabbed the Lao Mountain Taoist, couldn't help saying.
"I see, it's my fault, my fault for not teaching my disciples well," sighed the Lao Mountain Taoist deeply, his heart filled with indescribable feelings.
He had overlooked one thing, people change.
Desire and power are one; as someone's power grows, so does the desire within their heart.
And now, finally, it backfired.
Sensing his life slipping away, the Lao Mountain Taoist no longer had the strength to act.
"I declare, the eight of you are expelled from the sect!" In his last journey of life, the Lao Mountain Taoist's heart held one final thread of stubbornness.
And he did not expel Song Lin from the sect.
Song Lin, with his natural talent and sharp mind, had already mastered most of the skills.
With his character, he must have long fled far away.
Where there are still green mountains, there's no worry about firewood; the Lao Mountain Dao will rise again someday.
Xuan Tong seemed to know his thoughts and said, "Are you still thinking about Ninth Junior Brother? Hahaha, you think I'm the only one?"
As soon as he finished speaking, flames erupted from all directions of the Taoist Temple, revealing countless figures, surrounding the entire temple.
"Hahaha, let me be honest, today I've been well-prepared, not even a fly will escape," Xuan Tong sneered, "Rest assured, when Lord Grey Immortal arrives, I'll plead on your behalf, so you and Song Lin will have whole corpses as companions in the Netherworld."
"You!" The Lao Mountain Taoist's eyes were about to burst, as his heart sank to the deepest depths.
Just as he tried to struggle, a kick landed on his back, knocking him to the ground.
Whoosh!
As soon as the words were spoken, the candlelight at the Lake Heart Pavilion flickered intensely, turning a ghostly green.
"Cackle, Changjing, I never imagined you'd have your day too!"
Raspy laughter came from all around.
Yin Wind gathered, and a green mist spread.
From within the green mist emerged an old man in a green robe, his vertical pupils tightly focused on the Lao Mountain Taoist.
"Miasma Demon, haha, hiding for so long, finally revealed? Truly befitting a rat," the Lao Mountain Taoist chuckled.
Pa!
The Miasma Demon stepped forward, kicking him, cursing, "Facing death, still so sharp-tongued, where's the other one?"
The latter remark was directed at Xuan Tong.
"The Green Forest Heroes are searching, rest assured, he won't escape."
Before he finished speaking, a scream echoed from not far away.
Everyone instinctively looked over, only to see eighteen shadows surrounding Song Lin, breaking through the Green Forest Heroes and advancing straight towards them.
"Oh? More underlings?" Xuan Tong seemed somewhat surprised.
"Run!! Don't worry about me, break out first!"
Although he didn't understand why Song Lin had so many people, the Lao Mountain Taoist was moved, yet also couldn't help advising Song Lin against being reckless.
"Oh, the deep bond between master and disciple, cackle, I've decided, I'll let you die together," the Miasma Demon laughed as he looked at Song Lin and his group by the lake.
Mere Martial Arts experts, they were of no consequence to him.
Song Lin slowly walked onto the narrow path above the lake, looked at everyone, and smiled:
"Everyone has gathered, huh? Very well."
"In light of our connection as master and disciple, here's your final advice: take your own life now, and you might retain a whole corpse."
As soon as he finished speaking, more bright firelight emerged from the dark night sky.
"Black Wind Village pays respects!"
"Qingfeng Manor pays respects to the Immortal Master!"
"Shanyang Castle pays respects!"
...
Amidst the frantic sound of hooves and a rain of arrows, the Green Forest Heroes brought by Xuan Tong perished one after another.
The night was dark and perfect for killing.
(Future updates around noon and 6 PM.)