https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-206-205-A-Pleasant-Surprise-Consecutive-Blessings-of-Good-Fortune-/12587002/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-208-207-The-Dan-Ding-Sect-and-the-Fu-Lu-Sect/12587004/
Chapter 207: A Less Than Perfect Infiltration
Chapter 207: A Less Than Perfect Infiltration
"Elder Lei, have you heard any news of your sect's Xu Xianzi recently?" As they walked, Xiao Xueling casually asked, "It's been a while since Xu Xianzi disappeared after the battle at Poyang Lake."
Lei Jun replied, "Yes, it has been a long time since we last heard from our senior sister. But I believe that she is safe, and everything will turn out well for her."
Hearing his response, Xiao Xueling knew that Xu Yuanzhen's name was still present on the Divine Register of the Wanfa Zongtan, indicating that she was unharmed. Of course, Xu Yuanzhen herself should be fine.
However, the fact that Xu Yuanzhen had not returned for so long had caused some anxiety within Longhushan. They hoped that she would come back soon.
Suddenly, Shen Quibi, who was walking alongside them, asked curiously, "Elder Lei, between your sect's new Celestial Master Tang and Xu Xianzi, who is the most powerful Daoist practitioner in the Talisman sect now?"
After the previous Celestial Master, Li Qingfeng, and the former elder of Huangtiandao, Yu Qing, had passed away, the Daoist Talisman sect had gained recognition for several Octuple Heaven experts in recent years. They were Xu Yuanzhen, Tang Xiaotang, Li Song, Li Hongyu, and the leader of Huangtiandao, Taiping Daoist.
Among them, Li Song and Li Hongyu had been defeated by Tang Xiaotang, with Li Song even being killed by her personally. As for Taiping Daoist, he had long been defeated by Xu Yuanzhen.
Setting aside the inheritance of other Daoist traditions for now, the Daoist Talisman sect was indeed witnessing a generational shift, with the rising stars surpassing their predecessors.
"I can't say for sure who is more powerful between the two Triple Heaven cultivators." Lei Jun shook his head and smiled.
Although it was uncertain when it would happen, a battle between Xu Yuanzhen and Tang Xiaotang, these two proud daughters of heaven, was inevitable. Even though Xu Yuanzhen, the senior sister, had the best relationship with Tang Xiaotang among everyone in the mansion, Tang Xiaotang had been eagerly awaiting that day.
Shen Quibi, full of curiosity, asked, "I'm just wondering, since Celestial Master Tang is already so talented, is Xu Xianzi, who became famous before her, also blessed with an immortal body, a calm temperament, and profound wisdom?"
Xiao Xueling, cracking a pine nut, smiled and said, "The Lei Daoist in front of you is also a peerless genius."
"I dare not compare myself to them," Lei Jun said humbly. "I've put in some hard work in my cultivation, but I'm far inferior to the senior sisters and the sect leader. I can't even be mentioned in the same breath as the two generals."
He remained calm and avoided the topic.
Xu Yuanzhen's talent, however, was indeed quite mysterious.
Unlike Tang Xiaotang, whose reputation had spread far and wide, Xu Yuanzhen had always been more low-key, making it difficult for others to gauge her true nature.
Lei Jun had only heard people mention in passing that Xu Yuanzhen's cultivation path didn't seem to be as straightforward and rapidly ascending as Tang Xiaotang's.
Especially during her first few years after joining the sect, she even seemed somewhat "mediocre." Of course, this mediocrity was relative to those super geniuses and didn't mean that she lacked brilliance from the very beginning.
But as her cultivation deepened, her potential seemed to become more and more evident, with an endless well of potential. Unknowingly, she had surpassed her peers and countless seniors within the sect.
When she was young, she had earned the nickname "Second Celestial Master," partly due to external instigation, but also because her strength and status within the Celestial Master's Mansion were indeed extraordinary.
In fact, many suspected that if she had hidden her true abilities when she first joined the sect, she might have been able to fool some people, but it was more likely that her roots, wisdom, and talent had improved due to a great opportunity during her growth.
However, such occurrences were extremely rare, and there was a lack of evidence to support this theory. Even for the members of Longhushan, Xu Yuanzhen's specific situation remained a mystery, let alone for those outside the sect.
Lei Jun also rarely engaged in such topics, and to many, his situation seemed similar to Xu Yuanzhen's.
Of course, their guesses were correct. He had indeed improved his roots and wisdom through a fortuitous opportunity, but such matters were best kept private and not publicized.
"Star Dragon Abyss is not far ahead," Xiao Xueling said, still looking relaxed as she cracked pine nuts. "Let's sneak in and take a look."
She turned to Lei Jun and Shen Quibi and asked, "What are your thoughts on this infiltration?"
Shen Quibi said, "Let's go in first and see. If we encounter anyone on the way, it would be convenient. We can capture them and question them about what we want to know."
As long as you kill everyone who sees you, no one will be able to spread the news, and thus, we will achieve a perfect infiltration, right... Lei Jun listened calmly.
Well, it wasn't entirely wrong to think that way. Theoretically, it was possible, but there might be some technical... um, minor difficulties in executing it.
"There's no need to be so straightforward," Xiao Xueling said. "Otherwise, we might end up scaring away our target by catching smaller fish."
After putting away the pine nuts, she looked at Lei Jun and asked, "What do you think, Elder Lei?"
"If we truly left the decision to Elder Lei, his suggestion would be for one of us to stand guard outside the Star Dragon Abyss for three days while the other two take turns exploring the depths.
However, this not only goes against Elder Lei's established character in front of outsiders, but also contradicts the fortune of the first-place lottery, which foretold a smooth journey ahead.
So, Lei Jun said, "I think we shouldn't draw attention to ourselves just yet. Let's descend together to scout the environment before making further plans."
He glanced at Shen Quibi, "Unfortunately, according to what General Shen said earlier, he also exposed himself at Nine Mountains Lake, and the enemy might already know his identity. Otherwise, we could have asked General Shen to impersonate one of them to gather information and find an opportunity for us to blend in, possibly allowing us to gather more intelligence."
Well, that was just a passing thought.
Even if Shen Quibi had a fresh face, given his temperament, he wouldn't be able to pull off such a task.
As for Lei Jun and Xiao Xueling, it was even more impossible, as their portraits were already circulated throughout the world, including the Southern Wasteland.
"Elder Lei, you came here to help, so I can't ask you to take risks. It's better if you stay behind to support us. General Xiao and I will go down."
Xiao Xueling stroked her pale chin and suggested, "In that case, Shen can be our vanguard, while I stay in the shadows to watch over him. This way, we won't easily startle our target."
"..." Lei Jun leaned back slightly, looking Xiao Xueling up and down.
The first sentence was quite considerate, but the latter part sounded odd no matter how he interpreted it.
Asking someone of a lower realm to be at the forefront while you, an Upper Realm cultivator, stay in the shadows? Young lady, how can you utter such icy words with that pure face of yours? With such an innocent appearance, how can your mind be so... colorful?
In their usual interactions, she seemed normal, and he never expected her to be so... meticulous, almost akin to his initial impression of her.
To be fair, Xiao Xueling's plan wasn't intended to use Shen Quibi as cannon fodder, but it did consider his skills.
Martial arts cultivators refined their bodies, merging their essence, energy, and spirit into their physical form. They were exceptionally perceptive and sensitive to external threats and killing intent, often surpassing many spiritual cultivators who focused solely on their souls.
However, their strength lay more in reaction than proactive exploration.
Hence, Xiao Xueling's proposal took this into account.
Conversely, by containing their energy within and being mindful of their auras, martial arts cultivators could also avoid detection by practitioners of other sects.
With a solemn expression, she discussed her plan with Lei Jun and Shen Quibi, "Shen, be alert. You'll need to adapt to any minor disturbances."
Shen Quibi was eager to contribute, "I understand, Third Sister Xiao. Leave it to me!"
Lei Jun added, "Since we're in this together, I'll also descend. Please take care of me, Generals."
The Star Dragon Abyss was a vast abyssal valley shrouded in mist, with flickers of starlight shimmering through the haze, creating an otherworldly scene.
The valley's depth varied, with intricate terrain that included mountain streams, dry riverbeds, waterfalls, and deep pools. Towering rocks were scattered throughout, forming a labyrinth of stone.
The entire abyss was enveloped in a mist that twisted and turned, adding to the mysterious atmosphere.
Such landscapes were common in the Southern Wasteland, each with its own complexities and secrets.
According to Xiao Xueling's prior knowledge, the abyss was once a vast lake of unknown depth. Over time, the waters receded, leaving behind the current landscape.
Lei Jun, along with Xiao Xueling and Shen Quibi, descended into the abyssal valley and continued their journey through the thick fog.
Shen Quibi, having grown up in the military, took the lead. His training in reconnaissance allowed him to move stealthily and effectively despite the challenging environment.
However, given his impulsive nature, Lei Jun quietly trailed behind, anticipating the possibility of Shen Quibi switching from stealth to a direct approach at any moment.
On the other hand, Xiao Xueling soon disappeared from view after a few twists and turns in the misty abyss. Before long, even Lei Jun struggled to locate her, despite their realm difference.
A chill ran down his spine as he realized that General Xiao was exceptionally skilled in stealth.
Even with their disparity in realms, for her to vanish so quickly was a testament to her expertise.
Lei Jun immediately recalled her initial claim to fame—disappearing from the battlefield in the Eastern Sea, only to reappear thousands of miles away, intercepting and slaying the fleeing King of Wu, who died with regret and without a chance to escape.
"Daoist Wang... This way, please..."
Suddenly, a voice echoed through the mist ahead.
Lei Jun restrained his breath and retrieved the Divine Vision Stone, peering quietly into the distance.
Within his sight was a middle-aged Confucian scholar accompanied by a Daoist in white robes and a black outer cloak, walking through the valley.
The Taoist was dressed in the standard robe of the Pure Yang Palace, the sacred site of the Dan Ding Sect of the Taoist School.
However, Lei Jun's gaze fell upon the Taoist's appearance, and he felt a slight stir in his heart.
The Taoist, who appeared to be in his forties, exuded an air of otherworldly elegance, with a face as exquisite as a jade crown and lively eyes.
Lei Jun recognized him from his portrait; he was indeed Wang Jingfang, a cultivator of the Pure Yang Palace. However, the word "former" should be added before his affiliation.
This Wang Jingfang had been expelled from the Pure Yang Palace years ago, proclaimed as a traitor with a bounty on his head. He had fled to the Southern Wasteland, and all traces of him were lost.
It was unexpected that he would now be associated with the remnants of the previous dynasty.
Lei Jun put away the Divine Vision Stone and stopped observing the Taoist.
Sensing the gaze upon him, Wang Jingfang became aware of a prying presence but couldn't pinpoint its exact source despite scanning his surroundings.
The middle-aged Confucian scholar beside him asked, "Is something the matter, Wang Daoist?"
Wang Jingfang replied, "Are there any of your sentries nearby? I felt as if someone was spying on us just now..."
The middle-aged Confucian scholar explained, "There are indeed some sentries around, but given the current tumultuous times, we are in the process of relocating to another place. Please forgive any lapses in our hospitality, Wang Daoist."
Wang Jingfang nodded slightly, "No wonder."
The middle-aged Confucian scholar continued, "Your cultivation is truly admirable, Wang Daoist."
He thought to himself that having lived in seclusion in the Southern Wasteland for many years, their interaction with the outside world had been limited. He had heard that cultivators of the Taoist School refined their physical bodies and spiritual souls, cultivating both the Great Elixir and the Primordial Infant. Their minds were incredibly agile, and their perceptions were sharp. Today's encounter with Wang Jingfang, a traitor of the Pure Yang Palace, proved that their reputation was well-deserved.
With the disappearance of the Confucian-Taoist duo, Lei Jun and his companions were now guided in the right direction.
Lei Jun quietly made his way forward, discovering several hidden guards posted by the opposing side along the way.
He did not disturb them but continued on the path that Wang Jingfang and the Confucian scholar had taken earlier, delving deeper into the Star Dragon Abyss.
Soon, Lei Jun's heart stirred slightly.
He noticed that his Upper Clarity Golden Bamboo was reacting.
Lei Jun took out the bamboo shoot, which was thick on one end and thin on the other, and observed it glowing with a faint golden light.
Upon closer inspection, he noticed that the golden light was forming illusory branches and leaves, resembling newly sprouted bamboo shoots.
Hmm, this is quite unusual, he thought. The opportunity presented here seems to be pointing me toward this bamboo... Lei Jun raised his eyebrows.
How fortunate! I've been wanting to improve my artistic style.
Lei Jun carefully put away his Upper Clarity Golden Bamboo and continued his journey through the abyssal valley.
After a while, he paused in his tracks.
Ahead of him, there seemed to be an invisible barrier blocking the way.
Not only did Lei Jun stop, but Shen Quibi also patiently remained stationary from a distance.
After an unknown period, the barrier before them rippled like water, automatically opening up a path.
Lei Jun and Shen Quibi peered forward and saw several people emerging while carrying a large number of items.
It appeared that they were in the process of relocating.
They're abandoning this place and moving elsewhere... Lei Jun's mind quickly grasped the situation.
No wonder the new first-place lottery fortune mentioned a "three-day" time limit. After this period, these remnants of the previous dynasty might not have completely vacated the premises, but the related opportunities could be lost.
As Lei Jun considered this, he suddenly saw a figure flash in the distance. Taking advantage of the commotion caused by the movement of people, the figure quickly dashed through the opened barrier.
This decisive action could only be attributed to Shen Quibi.
It could be said that his timing was impeccable, but as a result, their presence was undoubtedly exposed.
Shouts of alarm and warning immediately rang out from the other side.
Although it was somewhat laughable, the young man's prowess was undeniable as he swiftly knocked down those who surrounded him, leaving them sprawled on the ground.
The opposing side had been well-organized, with each section maintaining its vigilance even in the face of chaos. However, in just a short while, frequent distress calls rang out, and they had no choice but to repeatedly redeploy their forces from the surrounding areas.
Lei Jun watched as the path before him became unobstructed.
My apologies, my apologies, General Xiao's happiness, I can now empathize... Lei Jun shook his head, easily passing through the barrier and entering the base of the remnants of the previous dynasty in the Star Dragon Abyss.
He climbed onto a rocky outcropping to survey the valley, witnessing a chaotic scene of people and horses. A nimble figure leaped and darted through the valley, causing havoc.
Wang Jingfang, accompanied by the middle-aged Confucian scholar, emerged from the guest room. The scholar's face was grim, and Wang Jingfang, seeing Shen Quibi's agile figure amid the crowd, exclaimed, "As I suspected, someone was secretly following us!"
(End of Chapter)
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