https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-291-290-Lei-Jun-the-Famed-and-Renowned-Part-2-/12587192/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-292-Target-Dragon-and-Tiger-Mountain-s-Wanfa-Zongtan-Part-2-/12587194/
Chapter 292: Target, Dragon and Tiger Mountain's Wanfa Zongtan! (Part 1)
Chapter 292: Target, Dragon and Tiger Mountain's Wanfa Zongtan! (Part 1)
"Senior Sister is referring to the area near the East China Sea, close to Mingzhou and the outer bay of Yuhang?" Lei Jun asked, having sent his senior disciple away to continue pondering the spiritual talisman. He then went to meet Xu Yuanzhen.
Xu Yuanzhen, who was about to leave her seclusion, replied, "Indeed, that area seems rather intriguing."
At her words, Lei Jun's eyebrows lifted slightly.
Dragon and Tiger Mountain had received a message from the Tang Imperial Family in the past two days, reconfirming the appearance of a void portal in the outer bay of Mingzhou.
On the other side of the portal was a fairly large cave world, most likely one of the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands.
And there were signs of human activity within.
Currently, out of caution, the Tang Imperial Family, along with the forces of Tianlong Temple and the Chu Clan, were acting with restraint and had not made direct contact with the people on the other side.
However, all signs indicated that beyond the void portal was a place imbued with a strong presence of cultural and scholarly energy.
Confucian cultivators were likely dominant there.
What drew attention was that the cultural energy within that place manifested a state of mind that differed significantly from the traditional Confucian classics of the Great Tang.
On the other hand, it resembled the residual cultural energy in the foreign lands connected to the void portals near Great Black Mountain and Long United Island.
Xu Yuanzhen's interest was piqued, and after informing the others on the mountain, she prepared to leave once again to go and take a look.
Before departing, she instructed Lei Jun, who was seeing her off, "The items I've been refining have already taken shape, but they're still quite rough. Whoever has time, help me continue nurturing them."
Lei Jun agreed.
Black thunderclouds appeared under Xu Yuanzhen's feet, lifting her up. After leaving Dragon and Tiger Mountain, she headed east.
Lei Jun watched her leave and then made his way to a separate residence set up by Xu Yuanzhen in the mountains.
The cave abode was empty except for a single ancient-style cauldron that emitted a greenish glow.
Lei Jun approached, and inside the cauldron, instead of pill refining, there were two objects floating within the enveloping greenish flames.
One was a dust whisk, and the other was an ancient mirror.
The Nine Abyss Real Fire was excellent for pill refining and artifact forging.
The Nine Abyss Real Fire left by Xu Yuanzhen here seemed as if it would burn forever.
However, with Lei Jun's help in nurturing the spiritual objects, the fire's intensity could be subtly adjusted, making it more beneficial for nurturing.
Currently, Lei Jun was also cultivating the Nine Abyss Real Fire, which was advantageous for artifact forging, so taking over from Xu Yuanzhen was effortless.
Thus, he proceeded to combine his own Nine Abyss Real Fire with the one in the cauldron and then continued to nurture the spiritual objects.
During this process, he was also refining and cultivating his newly cultivated Nine Abyss Real Fire, striving to deepen his understanding of it.
His own Celestial True Fire and Tang Xiaotang's Pure Yang True Fire were both newly created.
While their power was impressive, there were still many subtle intricacies to explore and improve upon.
The Nine Abyss Real Fire, a legacy of his sect, had been refined and perfected over generations. Its raw power might not be much greater, but it was already very stable.
Those with the foundation and potential to cultivate the Nine Abyss Real Fire would possess a minimum level of power, and exceptionally gifted individuals would have even stronger true fire power.
As for Lei Jun's self-created Celestial True Fire, while he could wield it effectively, it would be challenging for others to replicate the same level of power that he demonstrated.
Even Tang Xiaotang, who had already grasped the Pure Yang Talisman, ensuring the continuity of her path, still had to smooth out the bumps along the new path. It would require constant refinement by her and future cultivators to transform it into a smooth journey.
The Nine Abyss Real Fire, on the other hand, didn't have such issues.
After rapidly cultivating this technique with the help of the Earth Spirit Flame Heart, Lei Jun still felt that it held new surprises each time he studied it. In his daily cultivation, he continually discovered more subtle intricacies and profound truths.
As he delighted in this process, he constantly pondered its mysteries, not only advancing his cultivation of the Nine Abyss Real Fire but also aiding in the further improvement and refinement of his Celestial True Fire.
However, on another note...
"These two spiritual objects?" As Lei Jun nurtured the treasures with the Nine Abyss Real Fire on Xu Yuanzhen's behalf, he gradually gained a deeper understanding of them.
To be precise, while these two treasures had distinct physical forms—one a dust whisk and the other an ancient mirror—they were not the same as the Fuyao Banner or the Xuanyu Mirror, which were magical treasures or artifacts.
These two items were more similar to the treasures Lei Jun had refined during the Jiangzhou War, like the 'Rusu Wen'.
If Lei Jun wasn't mistaken, both the dust whisk and the ancient mirror were meant for one-time use, and they each had a specific purpose.
"Senior Sister is indeed persistent, but it's not entirely impossible," Lei Jun mused, reining in his wandering thoughts to focus on nurturing the treasures in the cauldron while also contemplating the fire techniques, earth techniques, and the Nine Abyss Real Fire.
In his free time, he assisted Yuan Mobai, Shangguan Ning, Zhang Jingzhen, and the others with managing the daily affairs of the mansion.
Overall, the workload was not heavy.
Over the past decade or so, the younger generation in the mansion had been gradually growing and maturing.
In terms of cultivation and strength, aside from exceptional cases like Tang Xiaotang and Lei Jun, a decade or so was not enough for a cultivator to reshape the world.
However, with the passage of time and the accumulation of experience, the number of capable individuals in the Celestial Master's Mansion had gradually increased.
This was also a reflection of the strategy of recuperation and growth.
The disciples who had entered the mansion in the same batch as Lei Jun many years ago were now mostly in their fifties.
The outstanding ones among them had already received their talismans and had mostly reached the Fourth Heaven realm, stepping into the intermediate Three Heavens stage of cultivation.
Even if they couldn't stand alone as elders, as talisman-bestowed Daoists, Shangguan Hong, Guo Yan, and the others were now competent and reliable, serving as the backbone of the sect and sharing the burden of their masters.
Even Zhang Yuan's conduct had become somewhat more steady.
As for the older ones like Fang Jian and Luo Haoran, they had reached the Fifth Heaven realm in recent years.
In terms of cultivation realm and official position, they were qualified to take on the role of elders.
And so, the Heavenly Master's Mansion was no longer as lacking in personnel as it had been a decade ago, which eased the burden in this regard.
Even so, Fang Jian, Luo Haoran, and the others were taking on more responsibilities within the mansion.
As for Chu Kun, there was no need to say more.
He, together with Lin Shan and Ke Sicheng, were now officially elders of the Heavenly Master's Mansion.
On another note, they were also the ones the mansion was currently focusing on to prepare for the breakthrough to the Upper Three Heavens.
Of course, this matter could not be rushed.
As long as the younger generation of disciples could keep up and form a continuous stream of talent, Lei Jun, Yuan Mobai, and the other high-achieving elders could rest assured.
"Senior Brother Qin is making rapid progress."
During his free time, Lei Jun chatted with the familiar Luo Haoran and brought up the latter's personally accepted disciple, Qin Caiwei.
Luo Haoran smiled and said, "She has the talent and the diligence to work hard. I believe her future achievements will surpass mine."
"To surpass and carry on the legacy, that is true succession," Lei Jun commented.
Luo Haoran nodded repeatedly.
Lei Jun asked, "I heard that Senior Brother Qin has other hobbies?"
"Yes, aside from her daily cultivation and our sect's specialty of talisman-making, her greatest interest lies in cultivating various spiritual flowers and plants," Luo Haoran replied.
"Compared to pill refining and artifact forging, she prefers the herbal garden," Luo Haoran added.
"How is her talent in that area?" Lei Jun inquired.
Cultivating spiritual flowers and plants, just like pill refining, artifact forging, and talisman-making, also depended on one's talent.
Personal interest was one thing, but having talent was often another matter.
Lei Jun had no intention of forcing others to give up their hobbies, but he remembered Qin Caiwei's peculiarities, so he asked this additional question.
Luo Haoran answered, "Her talent is extraordinary. Master Xie from the herbal garden has praised her greatly."
"It's a blessing to have talent in one's hobby," Lei Jun remarked.
"Indeed," Luo Haoran agreed. "By the way, there's something I'm considering doing for Hua Wei. I plan to apply for a small plot of land in the herbal garden for her exclusive use. If her merit is insufficient, I'll deduct it from my own."
Qin Caiwei was of the same generation as Zhuo Bao Jie. According to the naming convention within the Heavenly Master's Mansion, the generation word 'Hua' was used in their Taoist names. Hence, Luo Haoran gave her the Taoist name Hua Wei.
Within Dragon and Tiger Mountain, spiritual energy was abundant, but the range of the mountain peaks was vast, so there might be subtle differences in certain areas.
The herbal garden was located in the most lush and vibrant area of the Dragon and Tiger Mountain's main peak.
Qin Caiwei could also cultivate a spiritual field in her own residence's yard, but the quality would definitely not be as good as the herbal garden.
Thus, she pleaded with her master, Luo Haoran, to request a small plot of land for her in the herbal garden.
Such a request was not excessive, as the herbal garden already had similar areas specifically set aside, divided into plots for sect members to "contract".
However, Qin Caiwei had only recently joined the sect, and most of her time was spent practicing Taoist techniques, so her accumulated merit was insufficient.
That was why Luo Haoran, as her master, stepped in to make the application on her behalf.
"There's no harm in that. For those with talent, the mansion should provide convenience," Lei Jun said.
Although Qin Caiwei was young, she had already begun to show signs of promise within the Heavenly Master's Mansion.
The sect elders naturally focused their efforts on nurturing such young geniuses.
Even if her personal interest was farming...
If she were as astonishingly talented as Tang Xiaotang, who had shocked everyone from the moment she joined the sect, then it wouldn't be impossible to make an occasional exception and give her special treatment.
However, Luo Haoran did not want to break the sect's rules so easily, so he was willing to use his own accumulated merit to make up for his disciple's shortfall.
Qin Caiwei was overjoyed when her application for the spiritual field was approved, and she repeatedly thanked her master, Luo Haoran.
"The Heavenly Master's Mansion is truly a wonderful place," the female Taoist, dressed in apricot-yellow robes, said with delight as she carefully planted a spiritual flower and then tended to it.
Outside the herbal garden, Lei Jun quietly observed the spiritual flower that Qin Caiwei had planted, but he did not notice anything unusual about it for the time being.
After a while, he withdrew his gaze.
As long as it did not endanger those around her, it was fine for her to have some small secrets.
After all, they were currently in the midst of a great wave of change sweeping through the world, and the heavens and earth were in flux.
It was uncertain who would gain what kind of opportunity.
To some extent, Lei, the Taoist master himself, was also someone else's opportunity.
Luo Huo Kangming, having obtained the Yuan Tianmu Crystal, had already begun his secluded cultivation, aiming to break through to the seventh-level of the Daoist Dan Ding sect's Heaven's Core realm.
Ji Du Meng Shaoji also focused on his studies with renewed vigor, aided by the Hao Ran Yun Hui.
His mind had become even more agile and sharp under its influence.
Over the years, he had devoured countless books, continuously accumulating knowledge, and in recent years, his progress had become increasingly evident.
For Confucians, cultivating their qi through studying could, to a certain extent, lead to rapid breakthroughs if done over a sustained period.
Meng Shaoji's cultivation had been rapidly increasing in recent years.
In fact, his momentum was growing stronger, and his rate of progress was accelerating.
In other words, he had reached a breakthrough.
Lei Jun did not disturb him.
With Xiao Chunhui and even Empress Zhang Wantong supporting him, Meng Shaoji lacked neither a renowned teacher nor the necessary cultivation resources.
"Is the court also building the third academy in Jianye?"
One day, as Lei Jun was handling affairs with Yuan Mobai, Shangguan Ning, and Zhang Jingzhen, a message was delivered to Dragon and Tiger Mountain.
"In recent years, the major aristocratic families have been keeping a low profile, and the influence of the Court's Ministry of Rites and the Interior Affairs Hall has been growing. The expansion of the academies has once again been brought up, and the construction of the third academy in Jianye is now on the agenda," Zhang Jingzhen explained.
Jianye was essentially the number one city in southern Great Tang, having once been the capital of the previous dynasty.
Although it might not have been as renowned as Su or Hang in recent years, its importance could not be overlooked.
After the imperial capitals of Luoyang and Chang'an, the third academy was expected to be established in Jianye, which was generally in line with everyone's expectations.
"The Grand Academician is personally going to Jianye," Yuan Mobai said after reading the message. He then passed it to Lei Jun, who was sitting beside him.
Lei Jun quickly scanned the message.
The current Grand Academician, Fang Yue, obviously attached great importance to the establishment of the Jianye Academy, hence his personal trip to the south.
"Fang Jiaju requested that our sect send a favored disciple to Jianye." Lei Jun and the others were discussing related matters when Shangguan Ning's expression suddenly changed. She took out a Thousand-Mile Sound Transmission Talisman, usually indicating an urgent and important report.
The news also came from the Tang Imperial Family. In the outer sea near Mingzhou, someone had entered the Great Tang world through the void portal, and they were indeed a Great Tang cultivator. A conflict had occurred, and the local atmosphere had become tense, with both sides on the brink of war.
"They are indeed Confucian cultivators," Shangguan Ning said in a low voice, "but their teachings differ significantly from the Confucian classics currently prevalent in the Great Tang Dynasty. They resemble the decadent cultural energy in the foreign lands connected to the void portals near Great Black Mountain and Long United Island, but there are also some differences."
Yuan Mobai said, "According to Yuan Zhen's account, the two worlds beyond those portals have broken mountains and rivers, and their cultural energy has also withered."
Shangguan Ning continued, "We don't know the specifics yet, but the court has already sent reinforcements, and representatives from Qingzhou and Suzhou have also been dispatched."
Although they were all Confucian cultivators, the classics passed down by the prominent families of the Great Tang Dynasty differed significantly from those of the newcomers. Even if they were identical, the simultaneous transmission of the classics in Qingzhou and Suzhou, combined with local influences, would have created distinct powerhouses.
They would not tolerate incursions from Buddhism or Taoism into their interests, nor would they welcome others. At least for now, they wouldn't feel like they had found like-minded companions.
Of course, they wouldn't risk their lives for the Tang Imperial Family either. Their current true intentions seemed to be observation and information gathering.
"Those visitors from overseas call themselves the 'Heavenly Principles,'" Shangguan Ning finally said.
Lei Jun pondered this new information.
"I believe the court will soon send more detailed reports," Yuan Mobai said.
The other three nodded in agreement.
Lei Jun tried to contact his senior disciple, Xu Yuanzhen. However, the connection was not smooth, which was unusual given his recent breakthrough to the Eighth Heaven, enhancing the effectiveness of his divine talismans, including the Heaven-Earth Connection Talisman, the Thousand-Mile Sound Transmission Talisman, and the Heaven-Seeing Earth-Hearing Talisman.
The current situation suggested that Xu Yuanzhen might be attempting to enter the Heavenly Principles.
As expected, after finally establishing contact with Xu Yuanzhen, her voice came through intermittently: "Interesting... but also displeasing in some ways... I'll go in and take a look."
Lei Jun remained calm, unsurprised by his senior disciple's impulsive behavior. While she had a sense of responsibility, it was not always reliable.
Or perhaps it was half-reliable.
Later, as expected, a more detailed report arrived from the Tang Imperial Family, highlighting four key points.
Firstly, the so-called Heavenly Principles did include cultivators of other disciplines, but they were predominantly Confucian, and their teachings, though distinct from the mainstream Confucian studies of the Great Tang, contained many fascinating aspects, and they had no shortage of powerful experts.
(End of Chapter)
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