https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-104-The-Second-Opportunity-to-Enhance-One-s-Foundation/12586433/
Chapter 105: Everyone Loves a Good Scheme (Part Three, 11,400 Words)
Chapter 105: Everyone Loves a Good Scheme (Part Three, 11,400 Words)
"The situation is still unclear at the moment." Lin Shan was equally puzzled by Chen Yi's actions. "We need to investigate further. I'll look into it again later."
"Thank you, Brother Lin," Lei Jun said.
Although he was curious, Lei Jun didn't pay much attention to Chen Yi and didn't feel any particular hatred towards him.
In fact, after some time had passed, some people in Longhu Mountain had begun to change their minds about Chen Yi.
This was simply because there had been no news of Chen Yi joining the Blood River Sect.
People started to speculate whether he had only learned the secret techniques of the Blood River Sect by chance or if he was indeed a spy for the sect, as accused before. Of course, at this point, it could only remain a sigh in everyone's hearts.
On the day Chen Yi betrayed the sect, he didn't just sneak away.
He had indeed killed several fellow disciples, and there was more than one life on his hands.
In the tense environment at the time, everyone was on edge, and any small spark could have ignited a bloody disaster.
It would be difficult to simply explain away his actions and clear his name now.
Many people felt a sense of helplessness in the face of fate's whims.
Of course, these emotions didn't affect the current decision of the manor, which still deemed Chen Yi a deserter and a murderer of his fellow disciples.
All disciples of the Master Tian's Manor were ordered to capture Chen Yi on sight without the need for permission, and anyone who dared to resist would be killed without mercy.
As for why Huang Tiandao didn't take in Chen Yi, the reasons could be complex and varied.
On the one hand, during the previous battle between Longhu Mountain and Huang Tiandao, their disciples had fought in a chaotic melee, and Chen Yi had also killed quite a few of Huang Tiandao's followers.
On the other hand, although they were now facing a common enemy in the Master Tian's Manor, Huang Tiandao and the Southern Wu Sect were acting independently and had no coordination between them.
Huang Tiandao was equally suspicious and vigilant towards the Southern Wu Sect.
In some ways, even more so than the Master Tian's Manor.
Although Huang Tiandao had abandoned many of their principles due to the harsh survival environment, they were even more stubborn and proud when it came to other matters.
Lei Jun wasn't surprised by this.
Their individual actions were another matter.
For an organization to have cohesion, it must have certain rules and principles; otherwise, how could it face the harsh external environment?
It would easily fall apart.
Huang Tiandao had survived until now not just because of their grudge with the Master Tian's Manor but also because they held on to some of their own beliefs.
However, Chen Yi had neither joined the Blood River Sect nor Huang Tiandao. Relying solely on himself, he wanted to overturn the Master Tian's Manor and return to Longhu Mountain in a triumphant comeback. While it couldn't be said to be absolutely impossible, he still had a long way to go.
Let him go.
Everyone has their own path... Lei Jun remained calm.
After chatting with Lin Shan and Shangguan Hong for a while, the two parties bid farewell.
Lei Jun went to the treasure pavilion to collect the items he wanted and then returned to his residence.
His energy and interest now were focused on his cultivation and improving his magical abilities.
After successfully reaching the fourth level of cultivation, forming the Yuan Fu, Lei Jun first enhanced his innate magical abilities.
Currently, Lei Jun had cultivated three innate magic techniques.
The first technique was the God-Striking Talisman.
The second was the Wind-Riding Talisman.
And the third was the Five Thunder Talismans.
As Lei Jun's cultivation level entered the middle stage of the third level, his innate magic techniques could also undergo a transformation and take on a new form.
Standing in his courtyard, Lei Jun stood with his legs apart, his hands clasped in front of his chest.
His qi and blood surged, and his fists formed a defensive posture as he moved slowly.
At first, his movements seemed slow, but each action carried an immense weight.
As he moved, lightning and electric lights began to shine from every pore and acupuncture point in his body.
Enveloped in thunderous light, Lei Jun's entire body seemed to swell and grow taller.
His already tall and sturdy physique now looked even more imposing, as if he were wearing a suit of armor made of lightning, like a heavenly general descending to the mortal realm, exuding a powerful and majestic aura.
Lei Jun's expression was focused as he concentrated on his punches, and his movements gradually increased in speed, unwavering in their determination.
Thus, his figure became swifter and his strikes more fierce.
Eventually, he truly resembled a heavenly general, each punch and kick carrying tremendous power.
With the protection of the lightning, he also possessed a strong defensive and counterattack capability.
The first technique, the God-Striking Talisman, had now evolved into the Heavenly General Talisman.
Lei Jun had learned the true talisman scriptures from Yuan Mobai, which included many high-level spirit talismans that enhanced the physical body, such as the Five Ding Mountain-Opening Talisman.
One of the reasons why the talisman practitioners of the Daoist School of Talismanology were so powerful in both body and spirit, and why their physical cultivation was not inferior to the inner alchemy practitioners of the Daoist School of Internal Alchemy, who focused their cultivation solely on their inner Elixir, was due to these talismans that further strengthened their bodies, such as the Five Ding Mountain-Opening Talisman and the God-Striking Talisman.
Even Huang Tiandao, a branch of the Heavenly Masters Mansion, had, over the years, developed and refined their practices, creating a new type of high-level spirit talisman known as the Yellow Scarf Warrior Fu, which could be compared to the already renowned Five Ding Mountain-Opening Talisman.
Lei Jun's current focus was to draw inspiration from high-level spirit talismans like the Five Ding Mountain-Opening Talisman and integrate them further into his God-Striking Talisman.
At the same time, his three innate talisman techniques—God-Strike, Wind-Ride, and Five Thunders—interconnected and complemented each other.
Ultimately, he perfected an entirely new innate first technique, the Heavenly General Talisman.
For Lei Jun himself, it was a perfect match, enhancing his physical body with effects that surpassed even those of the Five Ding Mountain-Opening Talisman.
This was the benefit of refining one's innate talisman techniques.
In the future, Lei Jun could further refine and improve upon this technique, presenting it to his sect in exchange for abundant merit or precious spiritual treasures.
The Heavenly Masters Mansion had often refreshed and improved their spirit talismans over the years, and this was one of the important channels for doing so.
However, when others tried to cultivate the talisman techniques created by Lei Jun, they often found that they didn't suit them as perfectly as they did Lei Jun, and the power they could exert was somewhat diminished.
Ultimately, cultivation was a personal journey.
What suited oneself was always the best.
At least, in the Lower Three Heavens and Middle Three Heavens, this principle applied to most situations.
After mastering the Heavenly General Talisman, Lei Jun once again set up his altar and devoted himself to drawing another high-level spirit talisman.
This talisman was named the Wind and Thunder Talisman, or the Day and Night Wind and Thunder Talisman, and it could also be called the Swift as Thunder and Lightning Talisman.
When Lei Jun used this talisman technique, he could summon the Wind and Thunder Chariot.
It was an upgraded and improved version of his innate second technique, the Wind-Riding Talisman.
With the interconnection of the God-Strike, Wind-Ride, and Five Thunders talismans, the original Wind-Ride talisman underwent a unique transformation.
When driving the Wind and Thunder Chariot, one could assume two forms: Day Thunder and Night Wind.
The former was violent and fierce, while the latter was stealthy and serene.
Similarly, for Lei Jun personally, this was currently the most suitable body movement and escape technique talisman.
As for his previous innate third technique, the Five Thunders Talisman, the crystallization of its refinement was named the Yin Five Thunders Righteousness Talisman by Lei Jun.
Thus, with his cultivation elevated to the Fourth Heaven realm, Lei Jun's three innate techniques had evolved:
First Technique: Heavenly General Talisman.
Second Technique: Wind and Thunder Talisman.
Third Technique: Yin Five Thunders Righteousness Talisman.
The next question before him was that he could now select a new innate technique to cultivate.
It was customary for cultivators in the Middle Three Heavens to refer to their innate techniques as 'laws' instead of 'techniques'.
Thus, a cultivator in the Fourth Heaven could cultivate their innate first law.
A cultivator in the Fifth Heaven often cultivated a second innate law.
A cultivator in the Sixth Heaven, in addition to their first, second, and third techniques, could cultivate a third innate law on top of their first and second laws.
Over the years, countless predecessors in the Heavenly Masters Mansion had experimented and summarized their experiences, and naturally, there were classic combinations when it came to choosing innate laws.
In the Lower Three Heavens, the classic combination was "Golden Wind Thunder," which consisted of the Golden Lock Talisman, Wind-Riding Talisman, and Thunderblast Talisman, offering a comprehensive set of defense, mobility, and attack.
A significant number of disciples in the Heavenly Masters Mansion chose this combination.
Even their rival, Huang Tiandao, considered "Golden Wind Thunder" to be the most classic set.
While the Lower Three Heavens had "Golden Wind Thunder" as the most popular trio, the Middle Three Heavens favored the "Dual Thunder Fighters" trio of laws.
These were the Stepping on the Stars, Dragon and Tiger Dual Spirits, and Five Thunders Righteousness Talisman.
Among these, Stepping on the Stars and Dragon and Tiger Dual Spirits were not spirit talismans but two superior laws that had been passed down in the Heavenly Masters Mansion for many years.
The former involved moving with the stars, paying homage to the Big Dipper, with starlight swirling around the body, akin to the blessing of the starry river. It could greatly enhance one's speed and physical capabilities and made it easier for ordained disciples of the Heavenly Masters Mansion to cast other spells.
In Lei Jun's past life, gamers would call this a continuous state skill that significantly boosted various physical attributes.
It was highly versatile and, therefore, very popular.
As for the Dragon and Tiger Dual Spirits, it involved deriving the wind tiger and cloud dragon from one's spiritual power.
Although the dragon and tiger were not truly alive, they were still spiritually connected to their creator, who could command them.
Thus, they had a wide range of applications.
Even when not fighting external enemies, having the dragon and tiger accompany one during pill refining or elixir crafting could be helpful, as the interplay of wind and cloud would provide assistance. Therefore, this law was also very popular.
As for the Five Thunders Righteousness Talisman, it was renowned as the pinnacle of high-level spirit talismans in the Heavenly Masters Mansion, and its reputation spoke for itself.
Outside the sect, some even nicknamed it the "Heavenly Master's Talisman Technique."
Including Huang Tiandao, these three were the most commonly chosen sets of laws among cultivators in the Three Heavens realm of the Daoist School of Talismanology.
For Lei Jun, his current thought was...
He wanted them all!
He was spoiled for choice.
But he also had many ideas of his own.
Lei Jun shook his head in dismay. "I wish I had more slots for innate techniques."
"I'll have to be more selective," he mused.
Just then, his senior martial brother, Wang Guiyuan, arrived. "Master sent me to accompany you," he said.
Lei Jun's curiosity was piqued. "Do you know what it's about?"
As they walked, Wang Guiyuan replied, "It's probably... somehow related to that person in the capital." He made a vague gesture upward with his index finger.
The current emperor of the Tang Dynasty? Lei Jun wondered.
"How so?" he asked.
Wang Guiyuan rubbed his lips. "The emperor has issued an edict to recruit talented and extraordinary individuals from all over the land to form the 'Demon Guard' to deal with the rampant demons, monsters, and rogue cultivators causing chaos everywhere."
Lei Jun raised an eyebrow. He was intrigued by the emperor's move. "Isn't our emperor worried about the Five Noble Clans and the Seven Noble Houses meddling in this?" he asked.
"That's for the emperor and his trusted officials in charge of establishing the Demon Guard to worry about," Wang Guiyuan replied.
As the two martial brothers chatted, they arrived at Yuan Mobai's mansion. "I heard that an imperial decree has been sent to all the sacred sites. Although it's not mandatory, they are recruiting capable individuals from each sect to go to the capital to take up official positions," Wang Guiyuan said.
A wry smile played on his lips as he added, "There's also a rumor—I don't know if it's true—that the Demon Guard will be divided into two branches, the Northern and Southern Branches, each with different responsibilities. It's unclear how they will be organized."
...This felt strangely familiar.
Lei Jun was speechless for a moment.
"Instead of the Northern and Southern Branches, it might be more appropriate to call them the Open and Secret Branches," he mused.
The Tang Imperial Court already had a secret network in place to monitor the Four Directions.
Lei Jun guessed that the emperor's establishment of the Demon Guard at this time was not because he was dissatisfied with or had lost control of the existing spy network, but rather, it was a move to expand his power.
The Lin Clan of Jiangzhou and the Celestial Masters Mansion of Longhu Mountain had been locked in a struggle for over a millennium, and among the traditional noble houses, they were already at a disadvantage.
With the death of the Lin Clan's patriarch, Lin Qun, the power struggle within the clan had yet to settle.
A key piece was missing from the noble houses' chessboard.
In this imbalanced situation, the emperor might be seeking to expand his gains or have some other plan in mind.
"By establishing the Demon Guard, he will further gather talented individuals from all over the land under his direct command," Lei Jun speculated. "The Open Branch will be used to deal with the sand in the gears of the Five Noble Clans and the Seven Noble Houses, while the Secret Branch will be the ones getting their hands dirty."
A question arose. Although the various cultivation sites had close ties with the Tang Imperial Court and stood together against the noble houses, there probably weren't many who would willingly walk in the shadows and become the emperor's assassins.
Lei Jun and Wang Guiyuan exchanged a glance. "Is the emperor going to recruit talents regardless of their background and without discrimination?" Lei Jun asked.
While the various sacred sites upheld orthodox teachings, there were bound to be some marginal figures, or even those who had defected and become rogue cultivators or members of the demonic path.
It wasn't impossible that they would recruit some people from Huang Tiandao or similar forces.
If they broadened their horizons even further, there might be extraordinary individuals or solitary cultivators in the frontier regions of South Wildlands and North Wilderness...
"Quite a scheme," Lei Jun commented dryly.
However, it didn't concern him directly.
He was content to sit back and watch the show.
As for someone like Chen Yi, perhaps he would try to join the Demon Guard and secure a position?
"In response to the emperor's decree, the mansion has decided to send disciples to the capital to participate in the establishment of the Demon Guard, to support the people and the nation," Yuan Mobai said, his tone still gentle.
Lei Jun and Wang Guiyuan remained calm and collected.
Yuan Mobai was well aware of their personalities.
He wouldn't force them to obey the edict and go to the capital.
"Master, will the mansion's disciples be sent to the Open or Secret Branch?" Lei Jun asked.
Although the edict didn't mention anything about open and secret branches, Yuan Mobai understood Lei Jun's implication.
"Both," he replied slowly.
Lei Jun was slightly surprised. "Who will go to the Secret Branch? Did they volunteer?"
"I believe it was decided after discussions, and the person in question is very calm and not at all reluctant," Yuan Mobai said. "Initially, three people have been chosen, the first being Senior Martial Brother Li Chongxuan..."
"Pfft!"
Wang Guiyuan, who had been about to take a sip from his cup, sprayed the contents out.
"Master, please forgive my rudeness," he said, astonished. "Did you just say Senior Martial Brother Li Chongxuan?"
Yuan Mobai nodded slowly. "Yes, Senior Martial Brother Li Chongxuan."
His Taoist name was Li Chongxuan.
His birth name was Li Xuan.
He was the eldest son of Elder Ziyang.
"Hehe," Lei Jun chuckled. "He's quite the schemer, too."
PS: Here's the third and final update for today, a bit later than usual. Apologies for that.
(End of Chapter)
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