https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-292-Target-Dragon-and-Tiger-Mountain-s-Wanfa-Zongtan-Part-2-/12587194/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-293-Lei-Jun-Wields-His-Sword-Cardinal-Gods-Xiao-Yin-and-Yang-Part-2-/12587196/
Chapter 293: Lei Jun Wields His Sword, Cardinal Gods Xiao Yin and Yang (Part 1)
Chapter 293: Lei Jun Wields His Sword, Cardinal Gods Xiao Yin and Yang (Part 1)
The impending changes in the East Sea were something that most in the Human Realm anticipated.
Even without knowing the specifics, they knew chaos would soon unfold.
Chiba, the great demon butterfly king of the East Sea, had already sensed something amiss long before.
Fu Dongsen and the others had quietly approached to investigate, and everyone predicted that something was about to happen.
That was why when they previously discussed Longhu Mountain's Heavenly Master's Mansion, they spoke of biding their time.
However, the sudden appearance of the Lone Eagle Khan Kingdom in the northwestern borderlands took everyone in the Human Realm by surprise.
Everyone was aware that the Great Tang Dynasty had been through a lot of turmoil in recent years, with dramatic changes occurring one after the other.
But amidst the shifting tides, it was hard to discern friends from foes.
The Human Realm already had numerous enemies, and they were always cautious, preferring to hold off on any hasty actions until the situation became clearer.
However, now that the opportunity had presented itself, they also needed to seize it without hesitation, lest it slip away.
Xu Yuanzhen headed east toward the East Sea.
Tang Xiaotang had left the mountains.
Longhu Mountain's Heavenly Master's Mansion had been relatively empty lately.
But aside from the Western Regions' Buddhist forces and other powers, the presence of Tang Huang Zhang Wantong forced the Human Realm to think thrice before acting.
Now, with the Lone Eagle Khan Kingdom approaching menacingly and pressing on the northwestern border, it drew Tang Huang's attention to the frontier rather than the inland Jiangnan region, where Longhu Mountain was located.
The Western Regions' Buddhist forces were also engaged in battle with the Four-Eyed Python Emperor and other great demons of the Southern Wastelands.
Although the overall situation could not be considered stable, for the Human Realm, this was a rare opportunity that hadn't presented itself in years.
Since that was the case, they had to seize it decisively.
"We humbly obey the Emperor's command," Fu Dongsen and the others said, bowing towards the empty space.
Gu Han, the former elder of Chunyang Palace, looked at Hong Jie and Wei Qiyue, who had come from Shushan: "How are the two of you doing?"
Wei Qiyue said, "Thanks to the Emperor's blessing and the gift of a pill, this poor Daoist is doing well."
During the great schism in the Shushan Sect, both Wei Qiyue and Hong Jie had been badly injured.
Wei Qiyue's injury was particularly severe, almost causing her immortal soul to dissipate.
She was much younger than Hong Jie, and normally, such a severe injury would have been difficult to treat, possibly taking years, and there was even a chance that her life span would be affected.
That was why she had been resting all these years.
During the turmoil in the Southern Wastelands, Wei Qiyue had also kept a low profile.
But now, with external help, she had miraculously recovered. Aside from some depletion of her vitality, she was essentially back to her peak condition.
Just this fact alone took countless people by surprise.
Hong Jie, standing beside her, maintained a peaceful demeanor, though she couldn't hide the air of duskiness that clung to her. Her old injuries had also healed, and in a way, her recovery speed was even more astonishing than Wei Qiyue's.
Although Hong Jie's injuries had been slightly less severe than Wei Qiyue's, she was older, and her condition had already started to deteriorate irreversibly.
In such a state, sustaining serious injuries would have made recovery difficult, almost permanent, and would have hastened her decline.
Whenever Hong Jie thought about this, and then considered her current state of recovery, she couldn't help but feel a surge of emotions.
"Since Hong Daoist has recovered, then today, you shall receive the Emperor's decree," Rong Guangchen said.
Hong Jie nodded slowly, "I am deeply grateful for the Emperor's grace, and I humbly accept the decree."
The four of them—Fu Dongsen, Rong Guangchen, Wei Qiyue, and Gu Han—offered their congratulations to Hong Jie.
After receiving the decree, Hong Jie would be able to revert to her prime, just like Rong Guangchen, despite her life span not increasing. Her soul, body, and mind, as well as her cultivation and strength, would all return to their peak.
After returning the bows, Hong Jie left Qinxiao Mansion and entered the Taiyi Xiantian Pagoda, which now seemed to be fused with the cave mansion above it.
Inside the pagoda, three layers of altars had been set up.
Hong Jie bathed, changed into new clothes, burned incense, and offered prayers to the heavens before ascending to the top layer of the altar.
Above the altar, a wondrous decree gradually appeared amidst the flickering light in the empty space.
Below, in Qinxiao Mansion, Fu Dongsen said to Rong Guangchen, Wei Qiyue, and Gu Han, "Since everything is in order, let's proceed with the plan. We'll set off first, and after Senior Uncle Hong receives the decree and evacuates the junior disciples from the mansion, he will bring the Taiyi Xiantian Pagoda and Qinxiao Mansion to meet with the Butterfly King."
Their goal had long been clear.
They had prepared for various scenarios, but they hadn't found the right opportunity until now.
Now that the chance had finally come, after the initial excitement, they had calmed down and were ready to execute their plan.
"The Emperor has ordered that he will personally go to Longhu Mountain today," Rong Guangchen added.
Fu Dongsen, Wei Qiyue, and Gu Han nodded.
Fu Dongsen performed a series of hand seals, his hands moving continuously as he formed a complex gesture in front of his chest.
Above his head, a pale, shimmering expanse appeared, flickering with a faint blue light.
It was like an ice sea.
Within the ice sea, a long spear emitting a dazzling ice-blue radiance slowly materialized.
It was none other than the Beiming Divine Spear, one of the six great treasures of Shushan.
As a weapon-type treasure, its lethality could rival other legendary weapons like the Heavenly Master's Sword, the Purple Micropole Sword, the Qingming Sword, the Bandit-Subduing Golden Lance, and the Mountain River Sword.
Fu Dongsen and Wei Qiyue bowed towards the Beiming Divine Spear together.
Then, the divine spear transformed into a beam of ice-blue light and merged into Fu Dongsen's body.
The four of them, all experts at the Eighth Tier of the Human Realm, then left Qinxiao Mansion.
Inside the mansion, the other Human Realm cultivators received their orders and sprang into action, making various preparations under the direction of the remaining elders.
.................
Southern Wastelands.
In recent years, the people of the Jiuli tribe hadn't made any major moves.
However, they firmly held onto several areas where the Jiuli black mist had spread, making it difficult for human cultivators to eradicate them in a short period.
There were frequent clashes between the two sides, resulting in casualties on both ends, but neither had made any decisive progress.
Officials like Shangguan Yunbo, Ye Morong, and Zhang Luo, along with the Great Tang cultivators, were still stranded in the Southern Wastelands, unable to return.
Shangguan Yunbo had received the urgent news from the East Sea and the Northwest, but there was no imperial order recalling him.
"How is the situation with the Sumeru Vajra Division?" Shangguan Yunbo asked the colonel beside him.
The colonel replied, "Just the other day, Master Jia Sheng fought a great battle with the Four-Eyed Python Emperor. With the assistance of other masters from the Sumeru Vajra Division, the Python Emperor temporarily retreated.
But now, other demons from the Southern Wastelands have joined forces with the Python Emperor, intending to engage the Sumeru Vajra Division in battle once again."
The Southern Wastelands was home to the two most powerful demons in the Nine Heavens Realm—a tree and a snake.
The former preferred peace and seldom interacted with the outside world.
In addition to its formidable strength, the latter gradually gathered the rest of the Southern Wasteland's demons under its command, forming a formidable force.
After the great war with the Snowfield Group of Demons led by the Snow Domain God Eagle, the Southern Wasteland demons mostly rested.
Now, with the Four-Eyed Python Emperor taking the lead, there were signs of the demon groups acting together again.
For the great demons, human cultivators, especially those with high cultivation, were not only delicious but also highly nourishing.
In this regard, they were even more despicable than the Blood River lineage of the Witch Sect.
Jiasheng Shangren's understanding of the Southern Wasteland was limited to what the monks of Vajra Temple had told him.
However, he knew the demons very well.
With the demons gathering in the Southern Wasteland, he did more than just remind his fellow sect members to be cautious; he remained as calm as ever, showing no signs of fear.
Compared to the Southern Wasteland, Jiasheng Shangren was more concerned about the changes in Mingzhou to the east and Yuanzhou to the north.
"Is it Tianli?" Jiasheng Shangren asked.
Beside him, Zongcuo Shangren, a high-ranking monk from the Eightfold Heaven Vajra Division of Sumeru, also replied, "It has been confirmed that it is Tianli."
Jiasheng Shangren nodded, "Is it the Lone Eagle Khanate in Yuanzhou?"
"Yes," Zongcuo Shangren replied.
Jiasheng Shangren said, "Send a message back to Sumeru and let them decide. For now, let's both avoid any contact."
Zongcuo Shangren said, "The Lone Eagle Khanate and Tianli may still get wind of our plans."
Jiasheng Shangren replied, "It won't be a big problem in the short term, and it won't affect Sumeru's overall arrangements."
Zongcuo Shangren pressed his palms together and said, "Yes, Master."
After a pause, he continued, "There's an imperial edict from the Tang court."
"Let Soyang handle it," Jiasheng Shangren said.
Although Soyang was young, he used to be the abbot of Vajra Temple.
Now that the Vajra Division of Sumeru had descended, Soyang was still one of their key proteges, holding a high position. He could act as the representative of the Vajra Division in dealing with the Tang imperial family.
As for Jiasheng Shangren of the Ninth Heaven, even if he could get away now, he would soon find himself entangled again.
If it were another opponent, or even the people of the Nine Li, Jiasheng Shangren and the other Buddhist masters from the Western Regions might consider lending their strength to the Tang Dynasty in exchange for the court's support.
Just like how he had previously rushed to Guanzhong to help quell the demon chaos, and later fought alongside the Witch Sect's Blood River lineage, Wei Ancheng, and the Four-Eyed Python Emperor in the Southern Wasteland.
However, Tianli and the Lone Eagle Khanate were relatively special cases.
It was best to avoid contact for the time being, as it involved deeper plans of Sumeru.
"With these two major disturbances in Mingzhou overseas and Yuanzhou's mountains and rivers, the impact will surely be far-reaching, and many situations may change because of this," Zongcuo Shangren said softly.
Jiasheng Shangren said, "The major families in Qingzhou, Suzhou, Cangzhou, Youzhou, and Jingxiang probably won't make any big moves. If there are changes, we'll have to watch the Nine Li, the so-called 'Country of the Human Dao', and the White Lotus Sect."
After a moment of thought, he spoke again, "Let's invite Master Ren Zhu to come out of the Western Regions and act in secret to coordinate our efforts."
"Yes," Zongcuo Shangren thought for a moment before asking softly, "As for the heretics of the White Lotus, if the Country of the Human Dao makes a move, will it be against the Tang Dynasty or the three orthodox sects of the Daoist tradition?"
Jiasheng Shangren said, "If they cause chaos in the Tang Dynasty, we can take the opportunity to assist the Tang court in quelling the chaos and gain more support from the court. If they target the three sacred sites of the Daoist tradition, we don't need to rush. Everything will be up to Master Ren Zhu's discretion."
Zongcuo Shangren nodded slightly, understanding his intentions.
..................
On Longhu Mountain, in the Celestial Master's Mansion.
Yuan Mobai and his disciple, Lei Jun, were sitting opposite each other, going through various reports.
While Shangguan Ning was in Yuhang, Zhang Jingzhen had also set off for Guanzhong to meet with the emperor.
On the one hand, she represented the Celestial Master's Mansion in expressing their support for the Tang court and coordinating their efforts.
On the other hand, with the shocking changes in the northwest and the threat to the Tang Dynasty's northwest border, Zhongnan Mountain's Pure Yang Palace, located in Guanzhong, was also within the range of danger.
Earlier, the three sacred sites of the Daoist tradition had agreed to stand united and support each other, sending representatives to each other's sites.
At the moment, although the Pure Yang Palace was not under threat from the Country of the Human Dao, the Celestial Master's Mansion still needed to show their support.
Of course, since no one from the Country of the Human Dao had shown up yet, Yuan Mobai, Lei Jun, and the others were temporarily staying put, leaving the task of representing them to the high-achieving elder, Zhang Jingzhen, who had reached the Seventh Heaven realm.
"Elder Huang of the Pure Yang Palace will be staying in Zhongnan Mountain this time," Yuan Mobai said as he looked at the report. "Elders Guan and Lu have already gone to the Yuanzhou area."
Lei Jun looked thoughtful upon hearing this.
After a moment, he looked up and asked, "Master, I heard that the current emperor intends to head north personally?"
"There are rumors to that effect," Yuan Mobai replied.
Lei Jun picked up another report and browsed through it while asking softly, "Master, what do you think of Jingxiang and Cangzhou's sincerity?"
According to the latest news, the entire Tang Dynasty was basically in motion.
With simultaneous troubles arising in the Southern Wasteland, the East China Sea, and the northwest border, the Tang Empire was being tested on three fronts.
In addition to the imperial family's experts, several prominent families who had recently been working to repair their relationship with the imperial family also expressed their support.
Fang Jingsheng, the patriarch of the Fang family in Jingxiang, who had previously been ordered by the emperor to aid Bashu, personally headed north this time to meet with the emperor in the old capital of Chang'an.
As for the Ye family of Cangzhou, although Ye Moken claimed that he was old and frail and that the old wounds he had sustained in the Jinzhou battle had not healed, he did not go west himself. However, the current patriarch, Ye Wei, along with some of the family elders, went to Chang'an to express their support.
At the same time, Ye Jong, the military representative of the Ye family of Qingzhou and a peak expert at the Eighth Heaven realm, led his elite direct descendants to the northwest.
Ye Yan, the patriarch of the Ye family of Qingzhou, also left Qingzhou and headed south to meet with Chu Xiuyuan, the elderly patriarch of the Chu family in Suzhou, and joined the imperial envoy to deal with the waves caused by Tianli's descent in the East China Sea.
Only the Lin family of Youzhou made a smaller move.
However, they expressed their willingness to follow the orders of Prince Zhao and guard the northern border to prevent further disturbances in the north and east.
"They definitely have sincerity, but it's impossible for them to risk their lives," Yuan Mobai said.
(End of Chapter)
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