Monster Chronicles: My Daoist Skill Comes from Mythology Chapter 3: Bat Night Brightness Skill (Please Follow)

Woosh!

A dizzying sensation struck, and Song Lin lost consciousness right then and there.

Upon awakening, he found himself within a residence possessing an ancient and refined style.

Song Lin approached a bronze mirror and discovered his attire had changed, though his facial features remained largely unchanged.

"Could it be that I've transmigrated once more?"

As Song Lin contemplated this, a small, dark yellow, antique booklet materialized before him, emblazoned with four prominent characters on its cover: Monster Chronicles.

The ancient tome descended into his palm as he opened it, revealing the title on the second page: Lao Mountain Taoist.

[Still the Feathered People in Danqiu and leave the Undying Old Hometown]

Beneath this, several additional lines of smaller text appeared.

[World]: Lao Mountain Taoist

[Thirty-Six Heavens]: Mortal World

[Time Flow Speed]: 1 to 365

[Descent]: Soul

[Category]: Southern Chu Land Myth, Taoist Myth, Middle Ages Myth

[System]: Chu's Taiyi God System

[Note: Each instance the Taoist utilizes essence blood, a story world may be unfurled; once opened, entry and exit are without restriction.]

[Note: In this particular world, the body serves solely as a Karma Illusion Body; its demise will not impact reality, but should it perish, this world shall permanently cease to exist, eradicating all knowledge, memories, and records pertaining to this world from reality.]

[Note: Only one world can be accessed at any given moment; a new world can only be initiated once the Karma Effect from the preceding world reaches completion. The quantity and quality of the essence blood dictate the world's tier.]

Below these lines of text, a circular black emblem was displayed.

Another line of smaller text materialized beneath it:

[Note: This represents the Karma Effect Cycle. Completing the Karma Effect permits transcendence from this world.]

[Upon entering this world, a reward of one Perfect Causality and 10% Karma Effect is bestowed!]

While Song Lin was absorbed in the information, the interior of the black circle gradually filled with a tenth of golden light.

It bore a resemblance to a battery icon, now holding one charged bar.

When the circle is fully illuminated in gold, perhaps that will signify transcendence from this world?

Concurrently, a spherical, vermillion fruit materialized in his hand.

The fruit oddly resembled a tomato, with intricate golden patterns adorning its surface. It felt exceptionally dense and possessed a weight greater than its appearance suggested.

Simultaneously, a message imprinted itself into Song Lin's consciousness, conveying that by consuming this Karma, one ability or item from this world could be transported into reality.

"I see. Now I understand." Song Lin had a rudimentary grasp of the situation.

To put it plainly, he could employ the Monster Chronicles to venture into the worlds depicted within the narratives.

The method for opening a new world required the use of his own vital blood.

Lao Mountain Taoist constituted one such story world, which he could freely ingress and egress, wherein one day in the real world equated to a full year within this one.

If he wished to unlock the subsequent story, he had to achieve the completion of the Karma Effect Cycle and transcend the current world.

As for the means to acquire Karma, Song Lin remained uncertain for the time being.

In essence, it was all illusory. Though everything he learned, practiced, and obtained here was ephemeral, the memories themselves were concrete.

"So when I return to reality, I won't possess any Taoist Realm cultivation, but I can leverage my memories to cultivate anew."

"Alternatively, I could consume Karma to extract a single ability or item from this world."

Reflecting on this, Song Lin experienced a thrill. With the Monster Chronicles in his possession, he could aspire not only to become a Taoist but potentially to achieve even loftier heights.

This artifact would undoubtedly form the bedrock of his standing in the external world.

On the subsequent page, there appeared to be an introduction pertaining to himself.

No time for further contemplation, as Song Lin's thoughts shifted, and both the Karma Cycle and the Monster Chronicles vanished from sight.

This was due to the distinct sound of footsteps echoing from beyond the chamber door.

It sounded unequivocally like someone was approaching.

At that precise moment, Song Lin finally had an opportunity to review the recollections of his Karma Illusion Body.

The original proprietor of this physical form also bore the name Song Lin, a prosperous young master hailing from the base of Lao Mountain who, driven by a fervent desire for longevity, journeyed to the mountain to seek discipleship.

Unexpectedly, after a half-year sojourn, the Lao Mountain Taoist had relegated him solely to tasks of chopping firewood and fetching water. Unable to bear it any longer, the original owner adamantly requested to be taught spellcraft, to which the Taoist responded that he would impart teachings late at night.

"Foolish! This is manifestly the Taoist testing his resolve and spirit." Song Lin couldn't help but curse internally.

He had previously perused the tale of Lao Mountain Taoist, which recounted the experiences of the affluent youth Wang Sheng in his pursuit of magical arts.

In the story, Wang Sheng also couldn't bear hardship, so a Taoist imparted a Wall-penetrating Skill to him. When Wang Sheng returned home to boast a little, the skill faltered, leaving him completely ashamed.

Judging by this pattern, once a spell was learned, he would likely be expelled from the mountain.

Song Lin's gaze was fixed intently on the door.

The sounds of footsteps outside abruptly ceased.

The oppressive darkness of the night was further amplified by the vanishing footsteps, plunging the atmosphere into genuine unease and terror.

Bam!

Suddenly, a hand slapped his shoulder.

Song Lin whirled around, his heart leaping into his throat.

Standing beside him, having arrived without him noticing, was an elder Taoist robed in green.

This Taoist appeared to be seventy or eighty years old, yet his skin was as delicate as a baby's. His white hair stood out in wild disarray, resembling a bird's nest.

What truly shocked Song Lin, however, were his eyes. Crimson blood streamed from the corners of both eyes.

Such a sight was undeniably chilling.

"Young Brother, what are you staring at?" the Lao Mountain Taoist inquired with a chuckle.

"I was merely contemplating learning Taoist Skills; it made me a bit excited. I was anticipating your arrival, Taoist," Song Lin stammered, fabricating an excuse. "Uh, Taoist, aren't you going to wipe your face?"

The front of his Taoist robe was already spattered with the blood flowing from his eyes.

"No need. So, which skill do you wish to learn?" The Lao Mountain Taoist took a seat by the window.

"What skills do you possess, Taoist?"

Song Lin believed this might be his final opportunity. If he impressed the Taoist, perhaps he wouldn't be cast out.

"Haha, I know many. Chasing Stars and Seizing the Moon, Conjuring Wine from Nothing, Summoning Moon Immortal, Wall-penetrating Skill, Bat Night Brightness Skill, Qi Refining Skill. Which one do you desire?"

The Taoist spoke with effortless grace, not a hint of hesitation in his voice.

After all, his intention was merely to trick the boy. This youngster wasn't suited for the path of cultivation; a simple Eye-blocking Technique would suffice to deal with him.

Song Lin pondered for a moment.

The first three were undeniably illusionary arts, while the Qi Refining Skill likely demanded decades of dedicated effort.

At this moment, Zhang Jin was still hunting for him outside; it would be foolish to waste precious time gazing at the moon or conjuring wine. What he needed was something to address his immediate crisis.

His choice was narrowed down to either the Wall-penetrating Skill or the Bat Night Brightness Skill.

"Taoist, which skill can be mastered more quickly?"

The time-dilation ratio here is 1:365.

Ten minutes in the outside world equated to approximately two and a half days within this realm. He had, at most, two and a half days.

"The Wall-penetrating Skill requires forty-nine days. The Bat Night Brightness Skill, however, depends on your individual talent," the Lao Mountain Taoist stated, stroking his beard with a chuckle.

"Once the Bat Night Brightness Skill is mastered, you will be able to perceive objects hundreds of zhang away in complete darkness, discerning even the flutter of a fly's wings."

As expected, young individuals always gravitated towards shortcuts. They weren't truly cut out for genuine Taoist cultivation.

"Then I shall choose the Bat Night Brightness Skill!"

Song Lin rose to his feet and bowed deeply in respect to the Lao Mountain Taoist.

"Oh, young lad, are you certain about this?" The Lao Mountain Taoist appeared slightly taken aback.

"The Bat Night Brightness Skill necessitates the consumption of a bat's eye, the mixing of bat blood with sulfur to concoct talismanic water, and its subsequent application to your eyes. Even the slightest misstep could lead to permanent blindness. Do you possess the courage to learn it?"

This particular skill, a fusion of dark sorcery and Taoist arts, was both sinister and repulsive—an undertaking fraught with immense peril. Few were ever willing to attempt it.

"Blindness?" Song Lin paused for a beat before an idea sparked. With unwavering resolve, he declared, "I am not afraid! For the sake of my Taoist cultivation, I am willing to sacrifice anything."

This physical form was merely an Illusionary Karma Body; he had absolutely nothing to fear. Forget losing limbs—he would readily attempt it even if the odds of death were ninety-nine percent.

The Lao Mountain Taoist remained unaware of this crucial detail, but his perception of the young man underwent a subtle shift.

While his spirit might seem a tad impulsive, he undeniably possessed a core of bravery.

Of course, this could also be mere bravado—only a trial would reveal the truth.

"Very well! Should you succeed, I shall accept you as my disciple!!"

With that pronouncement, the Taoist flicked his sleeve.

Upon the table materialized an array of jars and vials, containing items such as bat eyes, bat blood, vermillion ink, and other necessary components.

"Close your eyes! Concentrate!"

The Lao Mountain Taoist picked up a calligraphy brush, lightly dipped it into the vermillion ink, and began meticulously painting a design around Song Lin's eye sockets while murmuring arcane incantations.

"Essence of Jade, born in the union of Heaven and Earth; Dragon Marks and Wind Patterns, manifest with utmost speed; celestial symbols take flight, traversing the light of the heavens—Obey My Command!!"

"Swallow it! Bat Eye!"

Song Lin fought back his revulsion as he ingested the pulped bat eye, desperately reinforcing his belief—this body is not my own, it is not mine...

"Open your eyes and apply the bat blood!"

Upon Song Lin opening his eyes, the Taoist from Lao Mountain plunged his brush into the sinister black fluid, smearing it across Song Lin's eyes.

"Ah..."

The sensation of burning within his eye sockets was akin to molten sulfuric acid being poured in—an agony beyond compare, a searing torment.

Song Lin's face turned a deep crimson, yet he staunchly resisted the urge to cry out, mentally treating the ordeal as a mere game to conquer both the physical pain and the mental anguish.

(P.S.: The protagonist's special ability, his golden finger, has finally appeared. Allow me a brief aside. My narrative is a creation steeped in mythological and supernatural lore. Since my youth, I have harbored a profound fascination for this genre of stories, tales interwoven with myths. This includes not only the familiar Taoist and Buddhist Immortals but also the Qi Cultivators of the Pre-Qin era who ingested mica and mugwort, the formidable Queen Mother of Kunlun with her leopard tails and tiger teeth, the Supreme and Minor Fate Officers who govern life and death, romantic sagas like those of Xiang Jun and Lady Xiangg, and the countless spirits and peculiar beings that inhabit mountains and rivers. From the alchemical pursuits of Emperor Qin and Emperor Wu of Han, to the schools of alchemy and unconventional warriors of the Qin and Han dynasties roaming the wilds, from the Taiyi God system of Chu to the Kunlun-style immortals of the West, and the independent sages of Penglai, extending back to the systems of the Five Emperors and ancient gods during the Shang era's Heavenly Emperor and into the West Zhou period. These narratives span regions and epochs—both vertically and horizontally—and my endeavor is to present these myths in their raw, untamed essence, free from rigid hierarchies or monolithic cultivation systems. I do not presume to claim perfection in my writing, but I sincerely hope to connect with fellow enthusiasts of mythology. Should this work capture your interest, kindly consider adding it to your collection. My gratitude to you all.)

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