https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-27-27-Xu-Yuanzhen-s-Despicable-Deeds/12586149/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-29-Safe-Passage-Through-Troubled-Times/12586151/
Chapter 28: 28. The Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment
Chapter 28: 28. The Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment
The young Celestial Master, Li Zhengxuan, and Xu Yuanzhen looked at each other.
After a moment, Li Zhengxuan's gaze narrowed, and he spoke in a deep voice, "Senior Sister, is your goal the Heavenly Scriptual Register?"
Xu Yuanzhen waved her hand dismissively, "I do have some interest in the Heavenly Scriptual Register, but I won't exchange it for Xiaotang. I have all the time in the world and can afford to be patient. I won't rush into anything."
The young Celestial Master, Li Zhengxuan, nodded, "Senior Sister's words are true. I've been too hasty these past years, focusing solely on cultivation and becoming blind to the needs of others. I failed to guide Li Ming and the others properly, and I neglected my fellow disciples. I should bear the responsibility for the situation we find ourselves in today."
Inside the room, the middle-aged Taoist priest, who had been silent by Li Xuan's side, stood up and approached Xu Yuanzhen and Li Zhengxuan.
"Shame on me, Senior Brother Li," he said. "It is I who should be blamed for not disciplining our disciples strictly enough. How can I let Zhengxuan take the fall for our negligence?"
The middle-aged Taoist priest, Li Ziyang, looked calmly at Xu Yuanzhen, "Senior Nephew Yuanzhen is right. The death of that unfilial son, Li Ming, was his own doing, and his past mistakes should not be erased because of it.
Li Ming repeatedly broke the sect rules, and he should be punished publicly to set an example for the other disciples who have suffered at his hands."
Li Ziyang was the younger brother of the current Celestial Master and one of the high-ranking elders of the Celestial Master's Mansion.
He turned to his eldest son, Li Xuan, with a solemn expression, "Not only should Li Ming be punished, but you and I must also take responsibility for our failure to supervise him properly.
To atone for our sins, starting today, we will investigate all those associated with Li Ming to uncover any wrongdoing. Anyone found guilty will be severely punished, and we will provide a satisfactory explanation to everyone in the mansion."
Li Xuan lowered his head and replied, "Yes."
Xu Yuanzhen paid no attention to Li Xuan. She looked calmly at Li Zhengxuan and Li Ziyang, the uncle and nephew, "This is good, then. You've both heard the commitments you wanted from each other."
She nodded to Elder Ziyang, "Then I'll leave the rest to you, Third Master."
With that, she turned and left.
As Xu Yuanzhen's figure disappeared, Li Xuan suddenly raised his head, "Father! Big Brother!"
"What I said just now came from the bottom of my heart," Li Ziyang said.
Elder Ziyang and the young Celestial Master calmly sat down.
"Although I am grieved by Ming'er's death, today's incident was brought upon himself," Elder Ziyang said.
"I thought you two had matured in the past two years, so I gave less guidance. It turns out that I deserved to have my shortcomings exposed by Senior Nephew Yuanzhen today," he continued.
"Ming will have to bear this infamy himself. Otherwise, the entire Li family will have to bear it for him. Although he is my son and your brother, he doesn't deserve it," Elder Ziyang added.
Li Xuan remained silent for a while before speaking, "Even so, it should be our Li family who cleans up our own mess, not Xu Yuanzhen overstepping her bounds!
She's been getting more and more arrogant these past few years. The outside world has given her the nickname 'Second Celestial Master,' and she really thinks she's the Second Celestial Master, doesn't she?"
The young Celestial Master downplayed the situation, "Our sect has been through successive internal strife, and our vitality has been greatly damaged. We cannot afford another internal conflict.
The reason people call Senior Sister the Second Celestial Master is to create division and incite opposition within our sect. We must not take it to heart, or we will fall into the trap set by outsiders."
Elder Ziyang said, "Who is the Second Celestial Master is not important. What matters is that the Celestial Master has always been a Li, and this fundamental truth is something you still don't understand today?"
Li Xuan lowered his head again, "Yes, I understand now."
Elder Ziyang's gaze shifted towards the door, "Today, what's worth noting is that aside from Senior Nephew Yuanzhen's reputation and personal strength, she also has a very efficient intelligence network within the mansion. To be able to gather so much information in such a short time is impressive.
As the saying goes, know yourself and know your enemy. We have indeed underestimated her in this regard, and that was very inappropriate of us..."
......
Although an abnormal change occurred in the Little Paradise, it brought tremendous benefits to Lei Jun and the other disciples who had entered for their trial.
Nurtured by the waters of the immortal pond, Lei Jun's cultivation base was thriving. As he inspected his body, he could see his foundation glowing with mysterious brilliance.
The foundation of a cultivator at the Initial Stage of Foundation Establishment was square-shaped, plain, and simple.
As Lei Jun continued to cultivate, a new change finally occurred in his foundation.
Around the square foundation, a city wall rose, formed by the condensation of Lei Jun's spiritual power.
Above the city wall were open gates.
This wasn't a flaw in the foundation but the Eight Gates Formation of the Comprehension School.
The Eight Gates were: Du, Jing, Si, Xing, Kai, Xiu, Sheng, and Shang.
As each gate opened, Lei Jun's foundation became more profound and mystical.
When all eight gates were fully opened, it signified that Lei Jun's cultivation base had successfully reached the next level.
Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment, achieved.
Lei Jun smiled with satisfaction.
Since that day, the Mansion has been successively announcing related punishments.
Li Ming couldn't even keep his reputation intact after his death.
Many of the Li family disciples who often associated with him were punished.
Gossip spread within the Mansion, and even those outside took notice.
Tang Xiaotang was all smiles these days.
Whenever the spiritual pets of other families passed by, she would take the opportunity to pet them.
"Your silly expression says it all. If you encounter a similar situation in the future, you'll still fall into the same trap," Xu Yuanzhen teased.
Tang Xiaotang's good mood remained unaffected by the ribbing, "It's not that I'm silly, it's that you're too cunning."
Lei Jun sighed, "Senior Sister has done some terrible things."
"Can you not say that with an admiring tone and expression?" Tang Xiaotang asked.
Lei Jun spoke casually, "Senior Sister certainly has the ability to keep Senior Brother and Master Ziyang from making a scene. But it's clear that she's not satisfied with just using violence to regain her standing.
Li Ming's reputation has taken a complete turn. Those who believed the Li family's propaganda about him will now feel deceived, and it will be difficult for Li Ming to regain their trust.
It's a simple matter of swaying public opinion, but it's effective. After all, Senior Sister has locked down a lot of real evidence, and Li Ming really isn't clean."
He glanced at Tang Xiaotang, "Most people in this world are used to judging a person by their actions, rather than judging the actions themselves.
Since Li Ming is dirty, and Xiao Tian Shi was implicated by him, then you, Little Sister Tang, who was their scapegoat, will find it much easier to clear your name, at least easier than before."
"Oh?" Tang Xiaotang turned to look at Xu Yuanzhen, who was sketching on a piece of paper beside her.
Without looking up, Xu Yuanzhen said, "No need to explain it in such detail, she won't remember."
Tang Xiaotang cleared her throat lightly, "I just need to remember the most crucial part. The most important thing is that after the Heavenly Master goes into seclusion, there's no one on the mountain who can match you, Senior Sister."
She clapped her hands and laughed, "Nowadays, the spiritual energy is much richer than before. The younger generation has the advantage, as their cultivation improves rapidly and they can quickly surpass those old fogies!"
Lei Jun had heard similar things from Yuan Mobai and Wang Guiyuan before.
In recent years, the spiritual energy in this world had become increasingly lush. Not only were more blessed lands and caves being discovered, but cultivators were also advancing faster and more easily than before. The cultivation world was entering a golden age.
"Little Sister, there will be even younger cultivators after you," Lei Jun said.
Tang Xiaotang's smile froze on her face.
After a long while, she exclaimed, "Anyway, both you and Senior Sister are older than me! You're two years older, that's still old!"
Lei Jun smiled, unbothered.
Xu Yuanzhen still didn't look up, "I have a younger-looking face than you."
The tall girl immediately became even more annoyed.
However, her emotions came and went quickly, and her attention soon shifted elsewhere:
"By the way, Lei Jun, about the stories you told before. The protagonists, if they grew up in a sect, were often oppressed by antagonists within the sect, and then they would fight back. But the protagonists rarely initiate internal strife, right?"
"In most cases, yes," Lei Jun replied.
Tang Xiaotang stood up, "Since Li Ming is dead, and Senior Sister has taken care of Senior Brother and Third Master's prestige, I don't feel like arguing with them anymore. Let's go out for a walk."
Lei Jun said, "As a protagonist in a story, when they go out, they usually don't take the initiative to cause trouble. At least, that's how it appears on the surface. Often, they are portrayed as victims who fight back and turn the tables on their oppressors."
Tang Xiaotang nodded vigorously, "Yes, yes! Just like you said, after hitting the small fry, then you hit the big boss!"
...Your focus seems a bit off.
Lei Jun continued, "If possible, hold the moral high ground, or at least appear to be in the right in the eyes of some people. Out of consideration for peace of mind and effort, it's generally best to minimize enemies and maximize friends, doing good deeds to contrast with the enemies' misdeeds."
Tang Xiaotang clenched her fist, "Yes, strike when the night is darkest, but only reveal yourself when there are spectators, preferably a cheering squad of friends and family."
Lei Jun facepalmed, watching as his companion strode off confidently. He couldn't help but feel that things might take an unexpected turn somewhere down the line.
Xu Yuanzhen put down her brush and glanced between Lei Jun and Tang Xiaotang.
"Senior Sister?" Lei Jun asked.
Xu Yuanzhen said, "She can't take a big loss, but it's fine for her to take small losses here and there. As for you, you'll have some good days ahead."
"Your idea of 'good days' gives me a bad feeling," Lei Jun replied.
(End of Chapter)
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