https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-230-229-The-Opportunity-to-Achieve-an-Immortal-Body-Part-1-/12587027/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-231-I-m-a-Researcher-Not-Good-at-Fighting/12587040/
Chapter 230: 229. The Opportunity to Achieve an Immortal Body (Part 2)
Chapter 230: 229. The Opportunity to Achieve an Immortal Body (Part 2)
"Zhao Shidi..."
The old Taoist priest hesitated for a long time before speaking again, his voice barely audible, "...how much longer can the altar hold on?"
In fact, in recent years, the Yellow Heaven Sect's altar had begun to show signs of weakness, and the situation was worsening.
The reason behind it was a bitter pill to swallow.
The establishment of the Yellow Heaven Sect's altar was, in essence, made possible by a founding elder who sacrificed himself, transforming his body into the very foundation of the altar.
While the altar had helped the Yellow Heaven Path establish its footing, its human origin meant that it faced the same challenges as any human.
Mortality.
The Yellow Heaven Sect's altar had a finite lifespan.
Nearly two hundred years had passed since the founding of the Yellow Heaven Path.
For an upper-realm expert, this duration was no longer insignificant, amounting to a quarter of their lifespan.
Taking into account the age of the elder who had sacrificed himself, it was inevitable that the altar would weaken and decline over time.
Under normal circumstances, this decline would be irreversible and would only worsen.
And now, with the Sect Master, Taiping Daoist, secluded within the altar for an extended period to heal his injuries, the constant draw on the altar's power would undoubtedly shorten its lifespan.
"It will remain stable for the next hundred years," Zhao Zongjie stated calmly.
The old Taoist priest spoke softly, "But we must prepare for the future..."
Zhao Zongjie remained silent, neither expressing anger nor reprimanding the old Taoist priest.
He, too, was aware that the old Taoist's intentions did not lie with the Sect Master.
As the only remaining upper-realm expert of the Yellow Heaven Sect, if anyone were to make such a sacrifice, it certainly wouldn't be the Sect Master.
The old Taoist's gaze was fixed on their rival, Qi Shuo...
"Preparing for the future is indeed necessary, but we must not act prematurely. We are not yet at our wits' end," Zhao Zongjie said indifferently. "Our primary enemy still lies beyond our gates."
The old Taoist priest lowered his head. "I spoke out of turn, Elder Zhao."
He bowed to Zhao Zongjie and withdrew.
With no one else around, Zhao Zongjie's expression turned dark and complex as he gazed into the distance at the boundless ocean.
He turned his eyes toward the direction of the mainland, toward the Central Plains.
Both he and Qi Shuo were well aware that they had received external assistance, each from their own sources.
This aid had helped the Yellow Heaven Sect weather the crisis.
However, there was no such thing as a free lunch.
Regardless of whether it was Qi Shuo or himself, they would both have to pay a price.
This made the future of the Yellow Heaven Sect even more uncertain.
……………
The spies lurking outside Dragon and Tiger Mountain were swiftly swept away by Shangguan Ning, who possessed the true teachings of the Celestial Masters Mansion.
Nevertheless, the viewing itinerary of the Crown Prince had to be temporarily halted.
Of course, the East Palace entourage still maintained their trust in the Celestial Masters Mansion, and Crown Prince Zhang Hui remained at Dragon and Tiger Mountain, opting for simplicity and caution. He refrained from unnecessary movement, with Prince Xuan'an, Zhang Mu, constantly by his side.
With the Celestial Master in residence, their safety was better assured than with any other form of protection.
News of the incident was promptly conveyed back to the capital.
Despite it being a minor disturbance, the imperial court took it seriously and immediately dispatched someone to handle the matter.
The envoy was no ordinary person but one of the female emperor's key confidantes, Chu Yu.
After previously visiting Dragon and Tiger Mountain to congratulate the new Celestial Master on his ascension, Chu Yu had traveled southwest and then to the Southern Wilderness. She had returned to the capital after obtaining information about the descendants of the former Sui Dynasty and had since been in seclusion to cultivate.
During the recent turmoil in the Southern Wilderness, Chu Yu had not participated.
It was only when the Great Empty Temple caused chaos in the south that news emerged of Chu Yu coming out of seclusion.
However, due to the unexpected events involving the Crown Prince of Zhao, she was not required to return to the south, and thus she headed back to Suzhou.
Now, with rebels from the Yellow Heaven Sect plotting against the East Palace, the impact would be extremely detrimental, regardless of the scale of the incident.
As a result, upon receiving the report, Chu Yu immediately set out for Dragon and Tiger Mountain.
"Your Highness, I hope you are well," Chu Yu said as she greeted Crown Prince Zhang Hui and Prince Xuan'an, Zhang Mu.
Zhang Hui replied calmly, "It was my insistence on leaving the capital that led to these continuous disturbances. I apologize for the trouble, Chu."
"Your Highness, you are too kind. It is my duty to serve," Chu Yu said.
She then greeted the rest of the Celestial Masters Mansion.
The new Celestial Master, with his piercing gaze, sized up Chu Yu for a moment before commenting, "It seems your seclusion has paid off. You've reached the eighth-realm, haven't you?"
Chu Yu smiled. "The surge of spiritual energy in the world has benefited all cultivators."
Standing beside them, Prince Xuan'an, Zhang Mu, couldn't help but feel a sense of resignation as he looked at the radiant and dazzling Tang Xiutang and Chu Yu.
Tang Xiutang's age was already impressive.
Chu Yu, as the only daughter of the Suzhou Chu clan, was much younger than Tang Xiutang, but she, too, was still considered young, with a long way to go before reaching a hundred years of age.
There was also Xu Yuanzhen of Dragon and Tiger Mountain, who had gained fame even earlier than them.
Zhang Mu's emotions became even more complex as he thought of the Wu Clan's heir, Li Tianqing, Xing Feng, and the future leader of the White Lotus Sect, another major rebel group, who had all shone brilliantly during the recent Southern Wilderness incident.
The younger generation was not only gaining fame but also beginning to take center stage and make their mark.
There were quite a few others like them.
For example, Xiao Xuelin, who was often mentioned in the same breath as Chu Yu, had recently made a name for herself during the Southern Wilderness incident. Despite still being in the seventh realm, she was younger than Chu Yu, and her achievements had shaken the Great Tang Empire and beyond.
Xiao Xuelin's older brother, Xiao Chunhui, appeared unassuming, but Zhang Mu, who had interacted with him on several occasions, knew that he was not someone to be underestimated.
Zhang Mu could only describe these young talents as having unlimited potential.
The surge of spiritual energy in the world benefited young cultivators with exceptional talent the most.
The younger and more gifted they were, the more they could reap its rewards.
A sense of being surpassed filled Zhang Mu, but it was not anger he felt but rather a sense of powerlessness.
As for the female emperor of the Tang Dynasty, Zhang Mu did not consider her at this moment.
Of course, with the rise of new powerhouses, there were also those who fell.
Lin Zhen of the Lin Clan in Jiangzhou, Li Zhengxian of the Li Clan in Xinzhou, Ye Lingxi of the Ye Clan in Jinzhou, and Shangguan Peng of the Shangguan Clan...
All of them were once-promising geniuses who had now turned to dust.
A golden age for cultivators seemed to be approaching.
However, amidst the shifting tides of the world, more and more people were being left behind, both the old and the young...
"With everyone now in the eighth realm, there's no need to worry about anyone having an advantage over the other," Tang Xiutang said with a smile, looking at Chu Yu.
Lei Jun and Chu Kun, the brothers who had been standing beside them, averted their gazes, each looking in a different direction.
"Master Sister, please refrain from looking so eager to jump into action." Chu Yu's expression remained cheerful as she spoke.
"At least, this isn't an appropriate setting for such words..."
"There will always be opportunities in the future, but I have responsibilities that I cannot neglect at the moment." Chu Yu's smile was unwavering.
She was very familiar with the temperament of this contemporary Celestial Master. Without waiting for Tang Xiutang to speak, she continued, "The reason for my visit this time is not only to welcome the Crown Prince and escort him back to the capital safely, but also to discuss another matter with the Celestial Master."
Her tone turned serious, capturing Tang Xiutang's interest. "Oh?"
Chu Yu straightened her expression and said, "I received some new information from the capital. Her Majesty has instructed me to inform the Celestial Master in person. Lin Zhe, the patriarch of the Lin Clan in Jiangzhou, who was previously lost in the twisted void, is now confirmed to be in the Daheshan region of the Northern Frontier."
Upon hearing this news, Lei Jun and Chu Kun, who had previously averted their gazes, turned back simultaneously.
Prince Xuan'an, Zhang Mu, furrowed his brows at the mention of this. "The Lin Clan of Jiangzhou..."
Lin Zhe, the patriarch of the Lin Clan in Jiangzhou, had been lost in the twisted void and finally returned to the mortal realm. However, he did not appear directly in the ancestral land of the Lin Clan but emerged elsewhere before returning.
Lin Zhe had returned, but Xu Yuanzhen had not been seen by anyone.
Although it couldn't be confirmed if they had ended up in the same alternate realm, it was still a lead worth pursuing.
"The Daheshan region in the Northern Frontier?" Tang Xiutang was indeed intrigued.
After dismissing Chu Yu, Zhang Mu, and the others, her eyes sparkled with anticipation, and her eagerness to take action became even more apparent.
Lei Jun asked, "Little Master Sister?"
Tang Xiutang assured, "Don't worry, as eager as I am, I will wait until Little Master Uncle exits his seclusion."
Master Sister, you're either very considerate or very inconsiderate... Chu Kun observed her with a keen eye, quietly sitting by without saying a word.
Lei Jun said, "Master Sister might not approve of your decision."
Tang Xiutang waved her hand dismissively. "That's not important."
Well, I understand. On one hand, you're concerned about Master Sister, and on the other, you're just itching to get out there... Chu Kun lowered his head to look at his shoes.
She's always been one who can't sit still.
Lei Jun and his disciple had their adventurous journey to the Southern Wilderness, making Master Sister even more eager to explore the world herself.
To be fair, there was no rule stating that a Celestial Master had to remain confined to the mountain gate and ancestral hall without ever venturing out.
However, given the current weakened state of the Celestial Masters Mansion, as the highest-ranked disciple of Xu Yuanzhen, who was still in seclusion, Tang Xiutang had no choice but to stay put and guard the mountain.
Considering her free-spirited nature, the fact that she had patiently remained on the mountain for so long already exceeded Lei Jun's expectations...
If Yuan Mobai successfully broke through his cultivation barrier and achieved the Eighth-Realm, Tang Xiutang, the Celestial Master, would definitely be unable to stay put any longer.
Of course, she wouldn't mind temporarily transferring the control of the Wanfa Zongtan and the Celestial Master Sword to Yuan Mobai before her departure.
As for the Northern Frontier and the Daheshan region... Lei Jun fell into deep thought.
With the possible assassination attempt thwarted, the Crown Prince's journey came to an end.
Under the protection of Chu Yu and Zhang Mu, the East Palace entourage descended from Dragon and Tiger Mountain and began their return journey to the capital.
Peace and tranquility returned to the Celestial Masters Mansion.
Lei Jun put aside all other concerns for the time being and continued his routine of guarding the Chishu Pavilion, cultivating, and researching spells.
Regarding the Balance of Dynamics obtained from Meng Shaoji, Lei Jun had studied it together with Tang Xiutang.
With her higher cultivation realm, Tang Xiutang quickly grasped its key principles and explained, "It's not limited to the concept of yin and yang. The true essence of this treasure lies in the balance and transformation between the two sides of all things, delving into the minutiae of the universe, making it truly extraordinary."
Lei Jun nodded in agreement.
After contemplating the Balance of Dynamics, he shared similar insights with Tang Xiutang.
Action corresponds to yang, while stillness corresponds to yin.
On some level, the concept of two opposites could be generalized as yin and yang. Action and stillness were no exception.
However, the Dao was simple yet all-encompassing, and there might be more nuanced and distinct interpretations.
For example, Lei Jun's Yin-Yang Sacred Body manifested the transformation of yin and yang in harmony, and it could also lead to pure yang or pure yin, although not as extreme as Tang Xiutang's and the pure yin girl's cases.
The key principle of the Balance of Dynamics lay in the word "transformation."
It represented the transformation between the two opposites.
In terms of principles and intentions, it shared similarities with Lei Jun's Yin-Yang Sacred Body and complemented each other, enhancing their respective strengths.
After studying this treasure, Lei Jun made another discovery in connection with Meng Shaoji's experience.
While the Balance of Dynamics could shift between the ethereal and tangible realms and move between a person's physical body and spiritual soul, it tended to lean towards the physical realm.
Normally, it would merge with Meng Shaoji's physical body and blood.
When stimulated by external factors, it would retract into his spiritual soul.
This was the case when the imperial physicians examined him earlier.
Later, when Tang Xiutang's thunderous voice startled him, it happened again.
Therefore, Lei Jun had a hypothesis, and he sought Tang Xiutang's confirmation.
"A similar type of divine body to the Yin-Yang Sacred Body?" Tang Xiutang began to scrutinize Lei Jun from head to toe. "Well, it doesn't seem entirely impossible..."
Lei Jun explained, "According to my research in the ancient texts, there has been a divine body in history that shared similarities with the Yin-Yang Sacred Body, known as the Two Extremes Divine Body."
Of course, that was an innate divine body, and one couldn't simply wish to attain it.
After achieving the Yin-Yang Sacred Body, Lei Jun had specifically searched for related records in the Chishu Pavilion.
Whether he would have the opportunity to attain it was one thing, but Lei Jun had already set his heart on it.
As he and Tang Xiutang had discussed before, he wanted to experience the same joy and completeness that his little master sister had found.
That page from the heavenly book also expounded on the yin and yang principles of the universe.
As a result, Lei Jun often contemplated it, gradually forming some ideas.
However, that page from the heavenly book couldn't serve as a catalyst to enhance his root bone and aptitude. Hence, Lei Jun had been unable to make any breakthroughs.
Now, with the Balance of Dynamics, he felt that his ideas might be feasible.
"Yes, it's called the Two Extremes Divine Body, but it's not an evolution of the Yin-Yang Sacred Body. Therefore, there are no precedents to follow for transforming the Yin-Yang Sacred Body into the Two Extremes Divine Body."
Tang Xiutang nodded vigorously. "You're indeed blessed with incredible luck! This Balance of Dynamics seems like it could be quite useful."
However, she quickly shook her head. "But relying solely on the Balance of Dynamics to complement your Yin-Yang Sacred Body is insufficient."
Lei Jun nodded. "I understand, but at least now I have a starting point."
The third enhancement of his root bone and aptitude.
The opportunity to achieve a divine body.
PS: 7k5 chapters
(End of Chapter)
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