https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-252-251-A-Three-Star-Opportunity-Ancient-Relics-Part-1-/12587083/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-253-Lei-Daozhang-Lands-a-Big-Fish-Part-1-/12587087/
Chapter 252: 251. A Three-Star Opportunity, Ancient Relics (Part 2)
Chapter 252: 251. A Three-Star Opportunity, Ancient Relics (Part 2)
With her Nine Abyss Flame Ancestor Law Image alone, she could dive deep beneath the Immortal-Echoing Spring.
However, she couldn't find what she was looking for.
"So, it seems that half of the chapter and table are indeed within the Upper Clarity Thunder Palace Immortal Domain, and the other half is really with... Chen Yi?" Zhang Jingzhen had already prepared herself mentally, so she wasn't particularly disappointed. Instead, it confirmed her suspicions.
But how did Chen Yi obtain half of the chapter and table?
Would the other half lead to more secret transmissions of the ancient Taoist Talisman Sect?
It seemed that she would have to try to find him again... Zhang Jingzhen calmed her mind and looked around once more.
She didn't leave in a hurry but continued to search and confirm within the Immortal Domain.
After attaining the Seventh Heaven realm, Zhang Jingzhen also paid a visit to the Green Jade Immortal Mountain.
She spread open her palm, and a radiant light appeared.
The light unfolded to reveal half of a chapter and table, adorned with intricate Taoist patterns that continuously emanated from it.
However, after a long period of refinement, there were no further gains.
"Nothing, huh..." Zhang Jingzhen sighed softly.
......
Lei Jun gazed at the sky above the summit, where the Upper Clarity Thunder Palace Immortal Domain was located, veiled in purple lightning. However, his thoughts drifted to the time mentioned in his supreme lot.
Generally, if a similar lot draw involved a time constraint, it usually implied that the opportunity would be missed if not seized in time.
If he and Tang Xiaotang hadn't promptly retrieved the Mystic Void Mirror from the Green Jade Immortal Mountain, they might have lost their chance.
Given the state of the Mystic Void Mirror and the Upper Clarity Thunder Palace Immortal Domain, Lei Jun believed that missing the time limit didn't mean the treasure would be damaged or destroyed.
Instead, it might fall into someone else's hands or cause unforeseen troubles.
Considering the few days it took for Lei Jun to extract the Nine Lights from the Heavenly Master's Robe, he roughly calculated that if they had been late, they would have just missed Zhang Jingzhen's emergence from seclusion.
Moreover, after Zhang Jingzhen emerged, she went through some simple procedures and immediately headed towards the Upper Clarity Thunder Palace Immortal Domain...
Was she also after the Mystic Void Mirror?
There was a small problem with that.
Lei Jun and Tang Xiaotang had summoned the Mystic Void Mirror by combining their powers with the Heavenly Master's Three Treasures.
Although Zhang Jingzhen had also reached the Seventh Heaven realm, her cultivation and strength couldn't surpass Lei Jun and Tang Xiaotang's combined might. How could she obtain the treasure?
"Perhaps she has obtained some ancient heirloom and, through it, found a way to attract similar treasures?" Lei Jun speculated.
He recalled that the first time he entered the Upper Clarity Thunder Palace Immortal Domain, he had to choose between two lots, one of which pointed to the Immortal-Echoing Spring.
And that was where Zhang Jingzhen had appeared back then.
"Hmm... so this trip was preempted by me?" Lei Jun smiled wryly.
However, he didn't intend to delve into others' secrets.
After Zhang Jingzhen left the Upper Clarity Thunder Palace Immortal Domain, she acted as if nothing had happened and didn't mention a word about it.
Lei Jun saw this and didn't bring it up either.
Instead, he summoned his disciple Zhuo Baojie and tested his progress.
After the test, Lei Jun gave him a tender bamboo shoot from the Immortal Bamboo Forest within the Upper Clarity Thunder Palace Immortal Domain.
This was a treat that Lei Jun had specifically chosen for his disciple. The tender bamboo shoots were rare even within the Immortal Bamboo Forest, and Zhuo Baojie only got to satisfy his craving occasionally.
Upon receiving the bamboo shoot, Zhuo Baojie, who usually maintained a calm demeanor, couldn't contain his excitement.
His beady eyes darted back and forth, scrutinizing his master as if searching for more treats.
"There's more." Lei Jun was straightforward, "But it depends on your performance."
The little bear immediately straightened his body, standing at attention with his short legs together. His expression turned solemn as he said, "Master, I will never slack off in the slightest!"
True to his word, Zhuo Baojie's subsequent cultivation became even more diligent than before.
As he munched on the tender bamboo shoots of the Immortal Bamboo Forest, Lei Jun couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. The taste was a reward for his diligent teaching and a well-deserved treat. However, Elder Lei, an enforcer of the law, soon interrupted his peaceful moment with a scolding for his usual laziness.
Aside from instructing his disciples, Lei Jun spent his days cultivating his treasures and delving into the intricacies of his Taoist magic. With the summer solstice approaching, his mind turned to the impending duel between his senior disciple sister, Xu Yuanzhen, and Ye Moqiu of Jinzhou. Xu Yuanzhen had yet to return to the mountain since her last departure, leaving everyone in anticipation.
On this particular day, Lei Jun's heart stirred, sensing something amiss. After giving a tender bamboo shoot to his senior disciple, he returned to his quiet room. Seated in meditation, he immersed himself in the world of the heavenly book, exploring the mysterious universe hidden within its pages.
In the white expanse of the "starry sky," ink-like "starlight" twinkled. Among them, a massive dark star expanded, its hues shifting subtly. In the pale world where black and white intertwined, a hint of distinct colors began to emerge.
Previously, Lei Jun had separated two dark stars, Luo Huo and Ji Du. While Luo Huo remained dormant, Ji Du, resembling a pitch-black moon, stirred with activity. In the darkness, a faint silver-white glow flowed like genuine moonlight, forming a ring around the dark star.
Despite being moonlight, it resembled a solar eclipse with its dark center. Within the depths of the darkness, Lei Jun, as the master of this realm, could faintly discern the presence of a human figure.
To be precise, it wasn't a physical form but more like a projection of a person's soul.
As Lei Jun watched, the figure in Ji Du gradually came into focus, and he couldn't help but be taken aback.
This was indeed...
A young scholar, his face etched with anxiety and doubt.
And Lei Jun recognized this young man.
Meng Shaoji, also known as Qingyan, was one of Crown Prince Zhang Hui's study companions. He had accompanied the crown prince on his visit to Longhu Mountain. Additionally, he had brought Lei Jun a fortuitous opportunity in the form of a spiritual object called the Dynamic Balance.
As a teacher at the Imperial College, Lin Shanchao had mentioned Meng Shaoji during a casual conversation with Lei Jun and his fellow disciples after returning from a visit to the Celestial Master's Mansion. Despite their differing paths of cultivation, with Meng Shaoji studying Confucianism while Lin taught Taoist classics, the young man's position as the crown prince's companion naturally drew attention.
Meng Shaoji had a gentle temperament and was cautious in his actions. He was diligent in both his cultivation and duties, displaying exceptional talent.
However, according to Lin Shanchao's report, Meng Shaoji's progress and talent, while outstanding among ordinary people and even among the students of the Imperial College, paled in comparison to the other companions of the crown prince. He seemed to be there just to make up the numbers.
Fortunately, Crown Prince Zhang Hui had a good personal relationship with him, and they seemed to get along well.
Who would have thought that Ji Du would end up in his hands... After his initial surprise, Lei Jun became intrigued.
He had discovered earlier that not just anyone could combine with the shadows separated from the dark side of the heavenly book.
It was evident that Meng Shaoji was suddenly faced with this unexpected turn of events, and his current state of anxiety was understandable. He dared not act rashly and chose to quietly observe the strange world before him.
Fortunately, the eerie starry universe didn't pose any immediate threats, allowing Meng Shaoji to maintain his composure.
Lei Jun, too, refrained from initiating a conversation with him.
As Meng Shaoji surveyed his surroundings, Lei Jun observed him in return, using this opportunity to validate his understanding of the characteristics of the soul in relation to the dark side of the heavenly book.
Gradually, Lei Jun gained a clearer understanding.
The starry universe derived from the dark side of the heavenly book differed from the one associated with the main text.
In the case of the main text, even if one obtained a page from the heavenly book, a certain treasure was required to trigger it before one could access the starry universe.
It could be said that the threshold was actually within the door itself.
On the other hand, the dark side seemed to require no such treasure, but the shadows would choose their master inconspicuously. Only those with exceptionally unique souls could become the masters of the dark stars.
Now, Lei Jun had a better understanding of what made Meng Shaoji so special.
This young man possessed exceptional insight and a rare root bone, especially in terms of his root bone. From the perspective of rarity, his root bone could be considered an extraordinary talent rarely seen in ancient or modern times.
His root bone quality was reflected in his soul.
Such cases were extremely rare.
Among the people Lei Jun had personally encountered, only Chen Yi's Clear Spirit Body shared a similar trait, where his root bone could reflect the nature of his soul.
However, the Clear Spirit Body was still primarily a physical quality, and its influence on the soul was a secondary effect.
As for Meng Shaoji's talent, it initially appeared to be focused on his soul.
Even so, it was highly unusual, extremely introverted, and didn't showcase his true talent in cultivation.
Lei Jun couldn't help but be amazed. Confucian cultivation emphasized enlightenment, reading, and the cultivation of literary talent and moral virtue. Even the Divine Archery lineage focused on the cultivation of the soul and the heart. Yet, Meng Shaoji's talent seemed to be misplaced in the path of Confucian cultivation.
According to common sense, his talent shouldn't have been buried.
However, the current signs indicated that this young scholar might have chosen the wrong path.
If Confucian chanting, which heavily emphasizes soul cultivation, was unsuitable for him, then what was?
The Daoist Artificers? Buddhist asceticism?
Witchcraft, or the Ghostly Dao? Lei Jun was indeed curious.
However, Meng Shaoji was from the Imperial College.
Logically, his uniqueness should not have escaped the notice of Xiao Chunhui, the Master of the Imperial College.
After all, Xiao Chunhui was a talented and experienced upper-trifecta realm cultivator with exceptional soul abilities.
Even if Xiao Chunhui had overlooked something, what about Empress Zhang Wantong?
Although Lei Jun was curious, he did not delve further into the young scholar's background, nor did he refuse his offer to combine their knowledge of the dark stars.
If Meng Shaoji reported this to the court, Lei Jun would not mind.
Meng Shaoji himself was indeed anxious and considering whether to seek help from outside sources.
Firstly, his personality was naturally averse to risk, and his previous experience with the Dynamic Balance had left him traumatized.
Secondly, as the Crown Prince's companion, he was concerned about any potential harm the dark shadow might bring to the Crown Prince.
"Should I report this to the local officials, or should I wait until I return to the capital and inform the Imperial College and the Eastern Palace?" Meng Shaoji pondered as he took a break from his duties to visit his family.
After some thought, he decided to return to the capital early.
His family bid him farewell with reluctance, helping him pack for the journey.
Thanks to Meng Shaoji, his family had gained prominence in the area.
As he listened to his family's earnest farewells, Meng Shaoji could not help but smile bitterly.
Over time, the number of companions serving the Crown Prince increased from four to eight.
Another student from the Imperial College, like Meng Shaoji, had joined the group.
Additionally, three more scions from influential families had been added to their ranks.
Strictly speaking, neither Shangguan Zhengqing, Zhang Ziye, nor Ye Song from Qingzhou, nor the new aristocratic offspring, had any conflicts with Meng Shaoji.
Everyone maintained a polite and courteous demeanor.
However, Meng Shaoji always felt like an outsider among them.
This feeling did not stem solely from his background but also from the gap in their cultivation progress.
The newly arrived student from the Imperial College was selected from the best of the best, and his cultivation progress far outpaced Meng Shaoji's.
As time passed, the gap between them did not narrow but only widened.
Whether the Crown Prince was present or not, Ye Song, Shangguan Zhengqing, and the others did not treat Meng Shaoji disrespectfully or try to sabotage him.
Yet, Meng Shaoji always felt like he could hear a voice whispering in his ear:
"You are not like us."
The young scholar sometimes wondered if he was being overly sensitive and insecure, projecting his own insecurities onto others.
However, the current environment made him feel oppressed.
If not for his close personal relationship with Crown Prince Zhang Hui, he would have felt even worse.
For now, everyone was still young, and things were manageable.
But what about the future?
Meng Shaoji had no desire to become a mere sycophant, relying solely on the favor of others.
What should I do? The young scholar was at a loss.
Thinking of the dark shadow and the eerie pale starry universe, Meng Shaoji hesitated.
He knew he had to report this, to ensure the Crown Prince's safety.
But... could this be an opportunity? And if so, am I ready for it?
............
Lei Jun did not interfere with Meng Shaoji's side, choosing instead to observe quietly.
Until he noticed that the other dark star he had separated, Luo Huo, was also undergoing a transformation.
A faint golden light appeared around the outline of Luo Huo, which had previously resembled a dark sun, set against the pale universe.
It looked like genuine sunlight.
Similar to the changes that had occurred with Ji Du earlier.
The ring of true sunlight, surrounded by the dark sun's ink-like "sunlight," gave the impression of witnessing a real annular solar eclipse.
And within the darkness at the center of the eclipse, a figure gradually emerged.
Lei Jun looked at the face of the figure within the darkness.
At first glance, this person seemed relatively unfamiliar.
However, after a moment of recollection, Lei Jun realized that he was also familiar with this face.
To be precise, he had never met this person face-to-face.
What he recognized was a portrait.
This person was named Kang Ming.
His identity was... a disciple of the Yellow Sky Dao.
And he was one of the Yellow Sky Dao's recently emerged outstanding successors, a rising star.
Lei Jun was unsure of the exact time of his initiation, but his fame came about after the Yellow Sky Dao's recent counter-offensive against Longhu Mountain.
During that time, the Yellow Sky Dao's leader, Tai Ping Dao Ren, had been severely injured and gone into hiding, and their Grand Elder, Yu Qing, had perished. The Yellow Sky Dao suffered a heavy blow and was forced to retreat once more, with many of their bases destroyed and their disciples scattered.
Kang Ming was one of the young disciples who emerged after this incident, with impressive cultivation talent and potential. He gained fame when he broke through a siege by the imperial court during one of their crackdowns on the Yellow Sky Dao's bases.
He achieved fame in this battle, but it also exposed his identity.
As Lei Jun looked at Kang Ming's face, he immediately recognized his affiliation.
Had this man also obtained one of the dark stars that I separated? Lei Jun wondered, intrigued rather than upset.
According to the information he had gathered, Kang Ming was a cultivator of the Daoist Artificers sect, having reached the sixth level of the Three Heavens realm, known as the "Imprint of the Heavenly Dao."
At such a young age, his cultivation was impressive, and he was likely one of the Yellow Sky Dao's key disciples being specially groomed for greatness.
In other words, he had the opportunity to go to the Yellow Sky Dao's Grand Altar for secluded cultivation, striving to break through to the seventh level of the Three Heavens realm.
The Yellow Sky Dao's main headquarters had always been shrouded in secrecy, known only to a select few within the sect.
Only by maintaining such secrecy could they have endured for over a hundred years without being exposed or destroyed by the imperial family or the Celestial Master's Mansion.
"And now..." Lei Jun watched Kang Ming quietly.
PS: 8k chapter
(End of Chapter)
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