https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-252-251-A-Three-Star-Opportunity-Ancient-Relics-Part-2-/12587084/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-253-Lei-Daozhang-Lands-a-Big-Fish-Part-2-/12587090/
Chapter 253: Lei Daozhang Lands a Big Fish (Part 1)
Chapter 253: Lei Daozhang Lands a Big Fish (Part 1)
Like Meng Shaojie, who had just entered this realm, Kang Ming also refrained from making any hasty moves and instead chose to observe the strange universe before him with a calm mind.
As Kang Ming examined his surroundings, Lei Jun was also observing him.
Indeed, through Kang Ming, Lei Jun further validated his current conjecture.
Those who could stir the shadows separated from the dark side of the heavenly book were indeed unique in body and soul.
With a cursory scan, Lei Jun discovered that Kang Ming's soul also possessed unusual traits, distinct from Meng Shaojie's yet equally extraordinary.
While Kang Ming's physical roots and talents were not outwardly remarkable, his innate gifts were more apparent in his soul.
Not everyone with an exceptional soul could merge with the shadows of the heavenly book's dark side.
Even within this small group, only a select few with the most unique qualities would have such an opportunity.
As Lei Jun observed Kang Ming, his thoughts drifted back to Meng Shaojie, and he contemplated the similarities between the two.
After spending some time in this place, Kang Ming's soul voluntarily detached itself from the pale universe.
However, after a while, he returned once more.
Through his entries and exits, it seemed as though he was experimenting and probing in various aspects.
Due to his personal experiences, most of the time, he was even more cautious than Meng Shaojie.
Yet, in certain situations, he displayed greater boldness.
As Kang Ming continued his attempts, Lei Jun smiled and touched the pitch-black moon-like Ji Du, which represented the counter-force to Luo Huo.
After a long while, a ring of silvery moonlight flickered on the surface of Ji Du.
Meng Shaojie, who was on his way back to the capital, suddenly sensed something amiss with the shadow.
After much hesitation, he finally decided to immerse his mind in the pale universe once more.
Upon sensing the activation of a ring of silvery light on the surface of Ji Du, the Luo Huo where Kang Ming resided suddenly fell silent.
However, the ring of golden light resembling an annular eclipse remained, indicating that Kang Ming had not left.
As both Meng Shaojie and Kang Ming were filled with doubt and uncertainty, light began to shine before their eyes.
The light coalesced into words, forming sentences right before them.
The golden and silvery lights on the surfaces of Luo Huo and Ji Du flickered gently.
In that moment, the hearts and minds of Kang Ming and Meng Shaojie were shaken.
Their astonishment at the words before them surpassed their curiosity about their current situation.
Lei Jun, however, had anticipated this reaction.
Given a choice, driven by both his emotions and logic, he would have preferred to follow the path of the Sun and Moon in the universe of the heavenly book's orthodox chapter—concealing his privileges and enjoying a carefree existence as an ordinary member alongside his companions.
Lei Jun had no desire to be a ruler or a controller, and he seldom gave orders to others.
Naturally, he also disliked being dominated or manipulated by others.
Being an equal member of a group allowed him to interact with his companions on a level playing field, without eliciting resistance or wariness from them.
However, things were different with Kang Ming and Meng Shaojie.
In Meng Shaojie's case, he could let it be, but Lei Jun had plans for Kang Ming.
These plans did not involve ordering Kang Ming around.
Instead, he hoped that Kang Ming would progress swiftly.
Kang Ming's advancement would be of great help to Lei Daozhang.
For this reason, Lei Daozhang was willing to invest in him.
"This... is the talisman and register techniques of my Daoist school?"
Kang Ming surveyed his surroundings for a long time but saw no one else.
After some hesitation, he decided against attempting to leave Luo Huo.
As he read the words that shimmered before him, his astonishment grew.
Although there were some discrepancies when compared to what he had learned from the Yellow Heaven Dao in the past, these talisman and register techniques possessed their own mysteries and were not distorted or erroneous.
As Kang Ming studied them, he felt a sense of enlightenment, as if he had suddenly understood something that had eluded him before.
He was a rising star being groomed by the Yellow Heaven Dao, and although the mentor who had initiated him into the Dao had passed away early, he was fortunate to have guidance from other high-ranking members of the Yellow Heaven Dao. He had sharp eyes and a wealth of experience.
Therefore, after carefully examining the talisman and register techniques for a moment, Kang Ming had a sudden realization: "This might be a classic text from the early or later period of the ancient times when my Daoist school's techniques underwent a reform."
The talisman and register techniques were not complete; there were parts at the beginning but none at the end. This left Kang Ming itching to know more.
However, at that moment, his heart was filled with more caution than curiosity.
There was no such thing as a free lunch in this world.
Moreover, in recent years, their Yellow Heaven Dao had been constantly hunted down by the court and the Celestial Master's Mansion at Longhu Mountain.
They had encountered countless ambushes and traps during this time.
Thus, instead of giving in to his curiosity, Kang Ming chose to restrain himself and refrain from delving further into the talisman and register techniques.
Below the talisman and register techniques, however, there were more words that caught his eye.
"Seek out more classics or spiritual objects that contain similar Daoist essence?" Kang Ming was taken aback once again.
Was this a task for him? If he completed it, would he receive rewards beyond the talisman and register technique classics, perhaps even ancient treasures of the Daoist school of talismans and registers?
Could this be a trap? Why use the ancient treasures of the Daoist school of talismans and registers as bait? Countless questions swirled in his mind.
Yet, the words before him remained indifferent and unchanging, offering no further response.
On the other side, Meng Shaojie found himself in a similar situation.
The task was the same, but the rewards were different.
"He who tries to cultivate a flower deliberately fails, while he who plants a willow without intention succeeds..." Meng Shaojie suddenly fell silent, deep in thought.
He who tries to cultivate a flower deliberately fails.
This was something he had experienced for several years.
At times, he even considered the possibility of accepting his true self and making peace with who he was, instead of forcing himself to keep up with Shangguan Zhengqing, Ye Song, and Zhang Ziye. Perhaps he didn't need to compare himself to them.
A step back could open up new horizons.
However, being only in his early twenties, he still had a heart filled with reluctance, fantasies, and youthful vigor.
Thus, he gritted his teeth and refused to give up.
But where was his unintentional success? "Seek ancient talisman and register classics or spiritual objects... Where do I even start looking?" Meng Shaojie found himself unconsciously pondering this question.
Luo Huo and Ji Du, one emitting a faint golden light and the other a faint silver light, added a touch of color to the otherwise monotonous black-and-white world.
Both sides remained silent for a long time.
Within Ji Du, Meng Shaojie finally snapped out of his daze. He looked at the flickering golden light of Luo Huo and hesitated before deciding against making contact. Instead, he prepared to leave this place.
"My friend?"
It was Kang Ming within Luo Huo who broke the silence, taking the initiative to speak.
Under Lei Jun's control, his voice was altered, concealing its original tone.
After much hesitation, Meng Shaojie finally responded, "Please enlighten me."
Hearing a voice coming from Luo Huo, Kang Ming glanced over, but he couldn't discern the speaker's original tone.
It seemed that everyone's identity was being kept confidential.
This caused both Kang Ming and Meng Shaojie to breathe a sigh of relief.
Kang Ming was the first to initiate a conversation.
Obfuscating his presence, Lei Jun portrayed himself as a mere emotionless task-giver, calmly listening to the dialogue between Kang Ming and Meng Shaojie.
This situation was quite similar to when Lei Jun had first arrived in the neighboring orthodox chapter universe of the heavenly book.
Kang Ming and Meng Shaojie, both wary of each other, kept their first interaction brief and superficial.
However, while maintaining their secrecy, they exchanged a significant amount of intelligence information.
For the time being, this peculiar universe didn't seem to pose any adverse effects.
Nevertheless, whether it was Kang Ming or Meng Shaojie, neither of them lowered their guard.
Later, they both "logged off."
On the outskirts of the East China Sea, near a small town, there was a hidden farmhouse.
Kang Ming stepped out of a detached courtyard, leaving the premises.
He wore his hair in a topknot and was dressed in casual clothes, giving him the appearance of a reclusive scholar. From the outside, he looked like an ordinary person.
As the sun hung high in the sky, Kang Ming looked up.
Facing the sunlight, he narrowed his eyes slightly.
It wasn't because the sunlight was too bright, but because Kang Ming was reminded of that peculiar pitch-black sun.
"Luo Huo..." Kang Ming silently mouthed these words.
This could still be a trap.
But if it wasn't a trap and there really was someone or something behind it... Could it be that there was a pre-reform era Taoist tradition of the Daoist School of Talismans and Registers that had survived to this day, and that a top expert had reappeared in the mortal world?
Such abilities could only belong to a cultivator from the Upper Three Heavens.
However, he had never heard of such a person before.
Could it be that they had been living in a different realm, separate from the mortal world of the Tang Dynasty, and had only recently returned? What was their purpose? Were they merely seeking the relics of their ancestors, or did they aim to find like-minded individuals to reform the current Taoist tradition of the Daoist School of Talismans and Registers? Kang Ming's mind raced with these thoughts.
But should he inform others from the Yellow Heaven Dao? Should he tell his sect leader, his master, or the high-ranking elders, Qi Shuo and Zhao Zongjie?
At this moment, Kang Ming hesitated.
Was this a trap or an opportunity?
As for traps, there was no need to mention them.
But if it was an opportunity...
Kang Ming lowered his head slightly, no longer looking up at the sky.
Currently, the Yellow Heaven Dao was strained in every aspect.
It was only because they received secret support from multiple factions that they were able to sustain themselves.
However, compared to the well-established Celestial Master's Mansion, the Yellow Heaven Dao lacked resources and support in every way.
As a result, they had to be selective in their allocation of resources.
Kang Ming's talent was not bad.
But within the Yellow Heaven Dao, there were other young geniuses, and the competition was fierce.
Chen Ziyang and Han Wuyou were both outstanding young disciples of the Yellow Heaven Dao who had entered the sect, cultivated, and gained fame before him.
One of Kang Ming's biggest disadvantages was that all of his master's elders had passed away, and his mentor had perished during the tribulation of crossing from the Sixth Layer of Qi Refining to the Seventh.
Chen Ziyang, on the other hand, was a direct disciple of the sect leader, Tai Ping Dao Ren.
And Han Wuyou was a personal disciple of the high-ranking elder, Qi Shuo.
Previously, Kang Ming had been closer to another high-ranking elder, Zhao Zongjie.
But in recent years, Zhao Zongjie had taken on a new, young personal disciple who was progressing rapidly...
"The Yellow Heaven Sect Forum will be held soon, but this time, only one person can attend." Kang Ming took a deep breath.
Unlike the Longhu Mountain Ancestral Court's Wanfa Sect Forum, which could suppress the sect's fortune for nearly ten thousand years, the Yellow Heaven Sect Forum had a limited lifespan.
On the contrary, it was similar to a human lifespan and had already entered its "old age." This was not a secret within or outside the Yellow Heaven Dao.
Moreover, they had to be extra vigilant to prevent it from being destroyed by external forces.
Considering various factors, including conservation and confidentiality, the Yellow Heaven Dao would only select one of the most outstanding young disciples at the Sixth Layer of Qi Refining to attend the Sect Forum for secluded cultivation.
For everyone else, this delay could mean falling behind at every step from then on.
Kang Ming felt the pressure weighing on him.
Due to their environment and experiences, every disciple of the Yellow Heaven Dao had to walk a tightrope between the traps and temptations set by external enemies.
When luck presented itself, one had to seize the opportunity, or their fate could drastically change for the worse.
Kang Ming's journey had been full of such moments.
Now, another opportunity, which could potentially be a trap, presented itself to him.
What path should he choose? Kang Ming raised his head again, gazing directly at the rising sun.
.................
At that moment, on Longhu Mountain, Lei Jun also withdrew his consciousness from the dark side of the heavenly book.
Looking at the serene dark side, he shook his head slightly.
It was a bit unfortunate that he couldn't completely track the whereabouts of the separated shadows.
However, it was unlikely that Sunday would be able to confirm the location of the scattered pages of the heavenly book using half of the orthodox chapter.
As for other methods...
As Lei Jun's eyes opened and closed, a brilliant light seemed to condense into talismans in the depths of his eyes, flickering incessantly.
Between his eyebrows, a faint light also seemed to emanate from within.
At the position of his earlobes, talismans appeared, shimmering with a faint light.
As for Meng Shaojie, that was fine, but if he could get his hands on a Thousand-Mile Sound Transmission Talisman made by Kang Ming himself, then within a large area, Lei Jun would basically be able to locate and even eavesdrop on him at any time.
Later, he could pay attention to this aspect.
He could also further study the mysteries of the Heaven-Earth Penetrating Talismans and make further improvements and refinements.
Lei Jun sat upright, and apart from the Heaven-Earth Penetrating Talismans, various other talismans from different Taoist techniques also appeared around his body at this time.
First was the Xuan Xiao Five Thunder Talismans.
Black thunderbolts condensed in the air, forming an array, and within it, five-colored thunderbolts began to generate.
And above the black thunder array, another thunder array appeared, also shimmering with five-colored thunder light, but this one originated from the orthodox Five Thunder Right Law passed down by the Celestial Master's Mansion.
After the Yin-Yang Five Elements Thunder Arrays had condensed during the Dao Seal realm, they appeared once again, facing each other from a distance.
However, under Lei Jun's deliberate control, the two arrays did not merge but instead seemed to oppose each other, forming a confrontation.
(End of Chapter)
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