Chapter 296: Elder Lei Speaks with Authority (Part 2)

Chapter 296: Elder Lei Speaks with Authority (Part 2)

"The mighty Tianlong of Tianlong Temple, renowned throughout the world, will probably have to change its name to the mighty Tianchong when it comes to you."

Wang Guiyuan glared at him, both annoyed and amused. "Your mouth is truly lacking in virtue!"

The two disciples laughed, and Wang Guiyuan finally sighed again. "Second Junior Brother, the path of cultivation is always filled with internal and external obstacles. If one is not careful, a single misstep can lead to unforeseen consequences."

Meeting Lei Jun's gaze, he continued sincerely, "Especially some opportunities that seem too good to be true, they may conceal immense disasters."

Lei Jun asked softly, "The Hell of Endless Suffering?"

He thought of the secret hidden prayer beads he had obtained earlier.

"Yes, Endless Suffering," Wang Guiyuan acknowledged. "I once thought it was an opportunity, but it turned out to be a calamitous relationship. Bearing the weight of Endless Suffering, every moment was a nightmare."

When Lei Jun and the others had mentioned the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands earlier, his warning to his junior disciples to be vigilant came from the heart and was based on his own experiences.

Without Lei Jun needing to ask further, he continued, "The Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha is not here, and Endless Suffering has become the most sinister place. Calamities abound, and even a slight leak into the mortal realm would bring about a massive catastrophe.

Dragon Tiger Mountain has been in peril several times, not because I didn't want to lend a helping hand, but because I was truly caught between a rock and a hard place.

If I was not careful, I might have summoned Endless Suffering upon the world, resulting in a scenario where we all perish together, with the foundation of Dragon Tiger Mountain destroyed and the surrounding mortals suffering as well."

Wang Guiyuan looked up at the sky. "It's a sin, a sin. There were a few moments when I truly entertained the thought of everyone going to hell together. What made me hesitate was that even in such urgent circumstances, Master would not want to see that happen."

Lei Jun asked softly, "If during the Battle of Liwai, the Heavenly Master's Sword had not fallen into Little Junior Sister's hands but was obtained by Li Zhengxuan instead..."

That was undoubtedly the crucial turning point of the Battle of Liwai.

Wang Guiyuan nodded. "Fortunately, it didn't come to that."

He forced a bitter smile. "After many years of hard cultivation, I had somewhat changed my perspective by then. If Tang could have waited a little longer, I would have been able to assist with the cultivation of the Seventh Heaven. But indeed, if she could have waited, she wouldn't be herself."

Lei Jun: "Mhm, after that, the first time I saw you emerge from seclusion was for Master Fa Shan of Tianlong Temple?"

At that time, Master Fa Shan of Tianlong Temple went to the Capital Academy but was attacked and killed by Master Ji Tong of Dakuang Temple.

Subsequently, Master Ji Tong was subdued by Master Weitianlong of Tianlong Temple, and his remains disappeared without a trace.

The world believed that Master Miaokuang of Tianlong Temple was responsible.

However, Lei Jun had heard Thursday and Monday discussing this matter in the Heavenly Book Universe years ago, and it was possible that Master Miaokuang was not the culprit.

Now, after so many years, he finally had a definitive answer.

"I've also gone out for other matters before, but that time it was indeed for Master Fa Shan."

Sadness flashed across Wang Guiyuan's face. "Monks are supposed to be empty of the four elements, but my cultivation was insufficient, and there are some things that I ultimately couldn't let go of, nor did I want to."

Lei Jun: "I have no intention of prying into your personal secrets, Senior Brother, but I do have a few questions about your cultivation methods."

Wang Guiyuan smiled. "There's no harm in discussing cultivation methods between us as fellow disciples."

Lei Jun: "The secret hidden prayer beads I found in the South Wildlands originated from Endless Suffering. Can the principles within help you dispel the threat of Endless Suffering again?"

Wang Guiyuan nodded. "After nurturing it over the years, I've gradually been able to exhibit the means of the Eighth Heaven. But indeed, it was thanks to those secret hidden prayer beads that I was able to exhibit the profound mysteries of the Fourth Layer of the Eighth Heaven recently.

However, it's still best to avoid taking action if possible, as there are always risks involved!"

Lei Jun nodded slightly.

Back during the Battle of Jiangzhou.

Xu Yuanzhen, Lei Jun, Tang Xiaotang, the Heavenly Master's Seal, and the Heavenly Master's Sword were all not present.

Even so, Yuan Mo Bai still dared to test the mysterious person's identity, relying not only on his position as the host of the Wanfa Zongtan but also on Wang Guiyuan's improved physical condition at the time.

Although the mysterious man didn't know who Wang Guiyuan was, he sensed Yuan Mo Bai's probing intention and withdrew.

Of course, looking back now, that was not Huang Xuanpu himself but someone else impersonating him to make contact with Yao Yuan.

Lei Jun asked curiously, "Senior Brother, do you use the Buddhist practice of making vows to achieve a state where your life is intertwined with the workings of the universe, emulating the principles of our sect's Taoist magic, or...?"

Wang Guiyuan: "You've already guessed? Well, with Endless Suffering haunting me, my body and mind are half in the cycle of reincarnation, which has its advantages and disadvantages. I exist across multiple lifetimes, so I can cultivate different cultivation systems."

He smiled. "As you've seen, I cultivate the Taoist magic of the Talisman Sect, and it's true that I don't have much talent in this area. So, when it comes to the good intentions of you and Third Junior Brother, I'm not just making excuses, I truly don't have the capacity to accept them."

Lei Jun circled him. "The talismans you use to conceal yourself are quite ingenious."

To be honest, if it weren't for the various clues that aroused his suspicions, with his current cultivation level, insight, and perception, he would have found it difficult to see through Wang Guiyuan's disguise.

Wang Guiyuan held up three fingers. "Master, Big Senior Sister, and Big Senior Uncle, the former Clear Wind Heavenly Master, sealed me with three layers of talismans, resulting in this miraculous effect."

Lei Jun understood. "No wonder."

"Meeting Master was also a coincidence. Fortunately, Master bore the brunt of it."

Wang Guiyuan was filled with emotion. "Although Endless Suffering is a calamitous relationship, it also led me to meet all of you, a twist of fate. It's hard to fathom the workings of destiny, and because of this, I dare not be the slightest bit careless."

Lei Jun nodded, then suddenly said, "Come to think of it, Senior Brother, your actual age is probably older than Master's, isn't it?"

"..." Wang Guiyuan's heart was filled with emotion, but Lei Jun's words choked back most of it.

He laughed bitterly. "If you put it that way, you're not wrong. I joined the sect with my own skills, so it's not surprising."

The two disciples chatted for a while longer, discussing how to continue concealing Wang Guiyuan's identity.

Lei Jun watched as his senior brother left.

He truly had no intention of digging into his friend's roots and origins.

To cooperate with the plan to strike at the human realm's cultivators, Wang Guiyuan had also taken decisive action.

Although this senior brother was indeed as layered as an onion.

The simplest question was:

Although Fa Qing, the monk, was plagued by the demon within, he was so disciplined and restrained that he did not let it harm the mortal world.

Then why did he fake his death and leave Tianlong Temple, only to be reborn as Wang Guiyuan?

Lei Jun was curious but did not pry.

With the Heavenly Master's Mansion undergoing reconstruction, Lei Jun, as a high-achieving elder, had to work with Yao Yuan and Yuan Mo Bai to manage the complex affairs.

As time passed, Tang Xiaotang, Xiao Xueling, Zhang Dongyuan, and Zhang Junhai finally returned one after another.

Lei Jun, Yuan Mo Bai, and the others could finally put their worries to rest.

Zhang Dongyuan was still unable to retrieve the Qingxiao Mansion.

This treasure of the Shushan Sect had disappeared without a trace, following the earth veins.

It would take an unknown amount of time and effort to find it again.

Fortunately, the retrieval of the North Ming Divine Spear by Zhang Dongyuan was a great blessing for the Shushan Sect.

Tang Xiaotang, Xiao Xueling, and Zhang Junhai, however, failed to retrieve the Taiyi Supreme Unity Tower.

Due to Huang Xuanpu's interference, they also lost track of Fu Dongsen.

Whether he could retrieve the Taiyi Supreme Unity Tower was unknown, but everyone remained vigilant.

"We don't know how Hong Jie and Gu Han are doing right now," Zhang Dongyuan said with a furrowed brow. "In addition to Master Jia Sheng, the Sumeru Kongsheng Sect actually has another master at the Ninth Heaven realm!"

Xiao Xueling said, "We have already reported this matter to His Majesty."

Lei Jun asked, "In this battle against the Human Realm, we deployed our best forces and gave it our all, but until the end, we never saw our sect's Heavenly Master's Robe..."

Xiao Xueling, Zhang Dongyuan, and Zhang Junhai looked at each other, unsure of what to say.

Earlier, when the Human Realm and the Western Regions' Buddhist Sect were arguing, both sides claimed that the other had obtained the Heavenly Master's Robe and had killed their own people.

Due to their public stance and channels of communication, the Western Regions' Buddhist Sect had the louder voice.

Most people believed that the Heavenly Master's Robe had fallen into the hands of the Human Realm.

But as Lei Jun said, in this battle at Longhu Mountain, not only did Huang Xuanpu himself join the fight, but the Human Realm also lost the Taiyi Supreme Unity Tower, the Qingxiao Mansion, and the North Ming Divine Spear. Still, there was no sign of the Heavenly Master's Robe.

This naturally led people to question who was really responsible during that argument.

"Given the current situation, Elder Lei, please be patient," said Zhang Junhai, the King of Changshan. "We will also report this matter to His Majesty."

Unlike Yuan Mo Bai's gentle nature and Tang Xiaotang's carefree attitude, Lei Jun's words were calm and steady, carrying a weight that commanded attention.

As his reputation grew and his cultivation deepened, even Zhang Junhai felt a sense of pressure.

However, with the internal and external troubles facing the Great Tang Dynasty, they could not afford to be careless, even after this devastating blow to the Human Realm.

Especially now, with the so-called Lone Eagle Khanate causing border troubles in the northwest.

Not only the Western Regions' Buddhist Sect but even the Chunyang Palace required careful handling.

Thinking of the Chunyang Palace, Zhang Junhai shook his head slightly.

Huang Xuanpu.

Did this old Taoist have anything to do with the serious injury suffered by the previous emperor, Zhang Qilong?

No wonder the current empress was ambivalent towards Huang Xuanpu and the Chunyang Palace.

Previously, some even privately discussed that the empress was not considerate enough towards Huang Laozhenren and the Chunyang Palace, favoring the unworthy and alienating the wise, which was a sign of a foolish ruler.

But now, it seemed that the empress may have had her suspicions even back then...

"In these turbulent times, we should work together to support the country," Lei Jun said. "I just hope we can get to the bottom of this matter. After all, the Heavenly Master's Robe is our sect's treasure, and its disappearance has concerned everyone in the mansion. We all hope that it can return to the mountain as soon as possible."

"Of course," Zhang Junhai replied.

After further discussion, Xiao Xueling, Zhang Dongyuan, and Zhang Junhai took their leave one by one.

Lei Jun and the others in the Heavenly Master's Mansion also maintained close contact with Shangguan Ning and Zhang Jingzhen, who were outside.

As time passed, news of the battle between the Heavenly Master's Mansion and the Human Realm spread far and wide, once again shocking the world.

…………………

In Chang'an City, Zhang Jingzhen, representing the Heavenly Master's Mansion, was waiting for the emperor's arrival with a few others.

Among them was a young scholar who looked to be in his thirties. He said, "It's a great relief that the rebels Rong Guangchen, Wei Qiyue, and others, as well as the great demon Che Yan, the Butterfly King, have all been captured. Congratulations."

Zhang Jingzhen nodded. "Thank you for your concern, Mr. Fang. This battle has eliminated a great source of chaos in the Great Tang. It is indeed a joyous occasion for the entire country."

She looked at the young scholar and said, "I have received news from my sect. Fang Daoist is doing well. He asked me to send his regards to you."

"Please thank him for me," Fang Zhu replied.

He was the eldest son of Fang Huan, the head of the Fang family in Jingxiang.

He was also the biological brother of Fang Jianyi, who was a disciple of the Heavenly Master's Mansion and the eldest son of Fang Zhu's mother.

This time, he had come to Guanzhong with his uncle, Fang Jingsheng, the head of the Fang family in Jingxiang.

Zhang Jingzhen then turned to the young abbot of Vajra Temple, Suo Yang, and said gently, "Regarding the whereabouts of the Heavenly Master's Robe, I implore the venerable monks to lend us their power."

"Please rest assured, we will do our best to help," Suo Yang replied solemnly. "The Heavenly Master's Robe is a treasure of your sect, and we will do everything we can to bring it back."

As he spoke, Suo Yang's heart was heavy with sighs.

In the battle at Longhu Mountain, the Western Regions' Buddhist Sect could barely be considered spectators, and they ended up losing badly.

Rain Tree Master, an Eighth Heaven master, had perished.

Additionally, the Ninth Heaven cultivation of Master Ren Pearl had been exposed.

Now, they had to bear the blame for the Human Realm's actions.

Suo Yang felt stifled, and the two figures approaching from a distance were not in a good mood either.

After apologizing to Zhang Jingzhen and Suo Yang, Fang Zhu went to greet them.

One of them was Fang Jingsheng, the current head of the Fang family in Jingxiang.

The other person was Ye Jong, a top figure of the Ye Clan in Qingzhou and a general of the Shence Army of the Great Tang.

The group had just returned temporarily from the northern front and were back in Chang'an to meet with the emperor.

The vanguard of the Lone Eagle Khanate had been demoralized and dared not act as brazenly as before, but there were signs that they were gathering more troops.

On the other hand, the Great Tang had to slow down their offensive due to the sudden changes in the Chunyang Palace caused by the affairs of the Human Realm, to avoid creating chaos within their own ranks.

Fang Jingsheng and Ye Jong walked side by side after their audience with the emperor.

Through various channels, they gradually pieced together the details of the major battle at Longhu Mountain.

Many things had turned out to be unexpected.

The Butterfly King, Che Yan, was dead.

Rong Guangchen was dead.

Wei Qi Yue was dead.

The Taiyi Supreme Unity Tower and the Qingxiao Mansion had been lost.

Hong Jie was injured, and the Shushan Sect had regained the North Ming Divine Spear.

Fu Dongsen was injured.

Gu Han was injured.

After such a massive battle, Huang Xuanpu was left almost empty-handed.

This outcome was even more surprising than the fact that Huang Xuanpu was the leader of the Human Realm.

And the source of these surprises was...

"Tang Xiaotang, Yuan Mo Bai, and Lei Jun."

Ye Jong said softly, "Although we don't know what happened in Tang Xiaotang's divine court, just based on what we know, Tang Xiaotang and Yuan Mo Bai's strengths are firmly above Hong Jie and Rong Guangchen, while Lei Jun defeated Wei Qi Yue and Gu Han."

Fang Jingsheng said, "Tang Xiaotang against the Butterfly King, Yuan Mo Bai against Rong Guangchen, and Lei Jun against Wei Qi Yue, they were able to break through so quickly, and the key may actually lie with Lei Jun, who has the lowest cultivation realm among them."

Having the advantage to win and completely annihilating the opponent are two different matters.

"More likely, it's the Heavenly Master's Seal." Fang Jingsheng walked with his hands behind his back, "The Heavenly Master's Seal has returned to Longhu Mountain. If not for that, Huang Xuanpu and Fu Dongsen wouldn't have lost the Taiyi Supreme Unity Tower and the Qingxiao Mansion."

"The Heavenly Master's Seal..."

Ye Jong looked into the distance, "When did it return to Longhu Mountain? Who brought it back? How did they bring it back?"

…………………

On the other hand, Shangguan Ning, as the representative of the Heavenly Master's Mansion in Yuhang and the East China Sea, also received various messages from the mountain sect at this time.

With her were the old patriarch of the Chu Clan in Suzhou, Chu Xiuyuan, and the abbot of Tianlong Temple, Miaoxin. They congratulated her together.

"Congratulations to your sect on the return of the Heavenly Master's Seal." The old man from the Chu Clan smiled and said.

The Heavenly Master's Seal was of extraordinary significance.

It was not only a protective treasure but also contained the complete Three Caverns and Three Realms True Classics.

The return of the Heavenly Master's Seal to Longhu Mountain meant that the lost Thunder Law Heavenly Scripture had been regained by the Heavenly Master's Mansion.

At the same time, with the Heavenly Master's Seal and the True One Law Altar, even if the Wanfa Zongtan in Longhu Mountain was truly destroyed, they would still have their foundation intact.

Chu Xiuyuan said, "Congratulations to your sect for having another outstanding disciple like Lei Jun, following Xu Daozhang and Tang Tian Shi."

Hong Jie and Fu Dongsen were both at the Great Perfection realm, yet Hong Jie, armed with the North Ming Divine Spear, was no match for Lei Jun's sword techniques.

After that, he killed Wei Qi Yue, who was at the second layer of the Eightfold Heaven realm. This battle alone shocked the world.

Shangguan Ning said, "The troubles caused by the Human Realm are endless, and they threaten all parties. We ask the Chu Clan and the monks of Tianlong Temple to help us clear them out."

"Of course," Chu Xiuyuan smiled.

Abbot Miaoxin of Tianlong Temple also agreed.

However, he was thinking about Fa Qing.

Previously, Elder Miaoyi had already gone to Xinzhou Longhu Mountain to try and find out the truth about Fa Qing.

The dispute over the entrance to the Heavenly Principle in the East China Sea was heating up.

After a brief rest, Chu Xiuyuan left Yuhang and returned to the sea outside of Mingzhou.

Chu Yu was also there.

However, Chu Xiuyuan did not see his youngest daughter first but met with Ye Yan, the patriarch of the Ye Clan in Qingzhou, who had withdrawn from the Heavenly Principle Void Gate.

Both Chu Xiuyuan and Ye Yan had personally experienced the Heavenly Principle.

On the one hand, it was to express their stance to the Tang imperial family, and on the other hand, it was to understand the specifics of the Heavenly Principle.

"Chi Yuan is back." Chu Xiuyuan didn't beat around the bush, "How does it feel?"

Ye Yan said, "It is indeed rare to see a dynasty that can gather a portion of the country's fortune outside of the mortal realm."

After dealing with the Heavenly Principle for a long time, the Great Tang had gradually gained some insights into the other side.

As a result, a lot of the information they obtained was surprising.

For example, within the Heavenly Principle, there was also a dynasty.

But this didn't make sense in the context of the mortal world.

To gather the fortune of a country and its rivers and mountains, one could be called an emperor, but not a king, and this required a vast expanse of land and a large population.

The former Jiucang, now known as the Heavenly Principle, may contain countless rare treasures and abundant spiritual energy.

However, in terms of size and population, it could not compare to a true mortal realm.

In this situation, it lacked the foundation to gather the dragon veins and fortune of a great dynasty.

But the people of the Heavenly Principle called themselves the subjects of an emperor.

Their dynasty was named the Great Ming.

Neither Chu Yu, Shangguan Ning, nor Ye Yan and Chu Xiuyuan had ever heard of such a dynasty.

But this dynasty had indeed gathered a portion of the country's fortune, although it was somewhat lacking.

Generally speaking, this often meant that the mountains and rivers were deficient, but it did not mean that they did not have the qualifications to be called an emperor.

The previous foundation was still there, but it was incomplete.

"I didn't come into contact with the so-called Ming Emperor." Ye Yan continued, "But I discovered another strange thing."

He looked at Chu Xiuyuan, "The so-called Great Ming dynasty's fortune is closely related to the literati and Confucian scholars."

It wasn't one or two scholars, or even the descendants of the imperial family who practiced Confucian traditions.

Instead, it was all the literati as a whole, and surprisingly, they carried the fortune of the mountains and rivers of the Heavenly Principle.

This situation was completely different from that of the Great Tang.

Chu Xiuyuan's pair of snowy white eyebrows rose slightly as he said, "The sage-emperor rules by non-action?"

PS: 10,000-character chapter

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end