Chapter 331: Layer 3 of the Eightfold Heavenly Court, Divine Court Exterior (Part 2)

Chapter 331: Layer 3 of the Eightfold Heavenly Court, Divine Court Exterior (Part 2)

As long as Huang Xuan Pu was still around, Kang Ming had to remain vigilant and cautious.

However, he wasn't doing nothing either.

The Human Dao Nation was secretly and steadily eroding the Huang Tian Dao.

Kang Ming, on the other hand, was secretly preserving the vitality of the Huang Tian Dao.

But this was indeed difficult.

Chen Zi Yang wanted to find Chen Donglou, and so did he.

Every night in his dreams, he thought about the same thing: What should be the future of the Huang Tian Dao?

The owner of that bizarre, pale universe might target the Human Dao Nation.

But he might not help the Huang Tian Dao.

Kang Ming suddenly stopped in his tracks, gazing eastward.

In that direction lay Long Hu Mountain, the sacred ground and ancestral home of the Daoist Talisman Sect.

The Tian Shi Fu...

For once, Kang Ming hesitated.

In recent years, due to their mostly low-key and hidden activities, the rivalry between the Huang Tian Dao and the Tian Shi Fu had not been as intense as it used to be.

One direct consequence of this was that the newer disciples of the Huang Tian Dao did not hold as strong a grudge against the Tian Shi Fu as the older generations.

Aside from the influence of their elders' beliefs, their hostility towards the Tian Shi Fu stemmed more from their dissatisfaction with their current situation.

This was actually detrimental to the Huang Tian Dao.

If this hostility was not properly directed towards the Tian Shi Fu, it could easily turn inward towards the Huang Tian Dao itself.

Deceiving people and turning them against each other...

In this regard, they should even be grateful to the Human Dao Nation, as their presence prevented a more splintered atmosphere within the Huang Tian Dao.

However, what about the future? Kang Ming used to be extremely distrustful of the Tian Shi Fu.

In his opinion, the ways of the Li family would inevitably be repeated by the Xu, Tang, and Lei families.

But over the years, his judgment had begun to waver.

There were even signs that Tang Xiaotang might be considering stepping down directly.

The most likely successor to her position, Lei Jun, what would he be like? Both Tang Xiaotang and Lei Jun were still young.

They had plenty of time and opportunities to find partners and start their own family bloodlines.

Even if they didn't have blood relatives, they could still keep the position of the Celestial Master within the same lineage of master and disciple.

Although Tang Xiaotang's master was officially a deceased elder of the Tian Shi Fu, everyone basically acknowledged that her true mentor was Xu Yuanzhen.

Lei Jun, Tang Xiaotang, and Xu Yuanzhen, if you traced their master-disciple lineage, could all be linked back to the third generation Celestial Master, Li Bai, and his line of succession...

But what left Kang Ming speechless was that Lei Jun's chief disciple, the first one he accepted, was a panda.

...Well, at least it's better than if it were his son or daughter.

Kang Ming sighed, shook his head, and pushed these random thoughts out of his mind.

He turned away from the east and looked back at the Huang Tian Dao sect altar in Western Sichuan.

His expression was blank, his gaze indifferent.

Although he still didn't trust the Tian Shi Fu, at least the Li family was no longer in power.

If he had to choose between the Tian Shi Fu and the Human Dao Nation right now, he would make the same choice a hundred times over.

The Human Dao Nation's infiltration of the Huang Tian Dao continued.

There were some decisions he had to make, some preparations he had to undertake.

...

Time passed, and the seasons changed.

More than a year had gone by since the last initiation ceremony.

Lei Jun's sixtieth birthday was approaching.

Congratulations poured in from within and outside the Tian Shi Fu.

Lei Jun himself remained relatively calm.

He tended to the affairs of the mansion, taught his disciple Zhuo Bao Jie, and focused on his own cultivation, just as he had always done.

A slight difference was that he would occasionally visit the Wan Fa Zong Tan to adjust the ritual platform he had set up there.

"We've basically located the Tai Yi Xian Tian Tower." Lei Jun said to Xu Yuanzhen and Tang Xiaotang, "Although the location of this treasure is often unpredictable, it remains stationary for more than half the year."

The loss of the Qing Xiao Mansion had no impact on the Tai Yi Xian Tian Tower, but it greatly affected the Human Dao Nation.

Previously, with the two treasures combined, their base could be moved at will.

Now that only the Tai Yi Xian Tian Tower remained, they were constrained in their efforts to protect the members of the Human Dao Nation.

"However, we lack clues to find Huang Xuan Pu himself." Lei Jun furrowed his brows, "The only certainty right now is that he's in the Great Tang realm and hasn't gone elsewhere. Judging from his condition, he might be in closed-door cultivation or perhaps he has already successfully reached the pinnacle of the Nine Heavens, the fifth Qi layer of the Daoist Dan Ding Sect."

At this point, it wouldn't be difficult to capture the others from the Human Dao Nation.

However, as of now, the greatest threat to the Human Dao Nation was Huang Xuan Pu himself.

Xu Yuanzhen said, "We're not in a hurry. The key is to find him, and this time, we can't let him get away again."

Lei Jun asked, "Master Sister, you mentioned refining something to deal with Huang Xuan Pu before. Have you made any progress?"

Xu Yuanzhen replied, "Yes."

As she spoke, she flipped her wrist and produced a short sword no longer than a foot.

The sword looked ordinary, but both Lei Jun and Tang Xiaotang, with their keen eyes, could sense that the light flowing on the sword was extraordinary.

Tang Xiaotang, who was not particularly interested in refining artifacts, was also curious, "Sister, does this have something to do with the 'Flowing Water Dust' that Lei Jun gave you before?"

"Yes," Xu Yuanzhen affirmed.

Lei Jun pondered for a moment, "Master Sister, do you have any remaining materials from the ancient mirror you used against Huang Xuan Pu before? Could we make a second one?"

Xu Yuanzhen replied, "Not much left, probably not enough. Even if it's enough, Huang Xuan Pu won't make the same mistake twice."

She turned to Lei Jun, "Do you have any new ideas?"

Lei Jun said, "Through the dark side of the heavenly book, I have an idea. I want to modify your ancient mirror, innovate, and improve it. Although I don't think it will be enough to deal with Huang Xuan Pu, it's better to be prepared. In a critical moment, if it can delay him for a moment, we might have an unexpected surprise."

Xu Yuanzhen tossed a miniature projection pouch to Lei Jun, "Okay, let's give it a try."

Lei Jun caught it and began to quietly refine the artifact.

His creation was a pair of identical ancient mirrors.

The two mirrors looked exactly the same, their surfaces dark and dull.

As mirrors, they were undoubtedly defective.

However, the Taoist principles and concepts contained within them were unique.

"To be effective, it mainly targets the Nascent Soul and the Spirit Body. If Huang Xuan Pu's physical body and Golden Core are still intact, he will most likely be unafraid." Xu Yuanzhen commented after glancing at it, "It's just a minor idea, but it's still a form of preparation..."

As they were talking, Lei Jun sensed movement in his dark heavenly book universe.

Kang Ming finished the second half of his sentence, "...it can be used in the right place, or it could have a surprising effect."

Ro Hun, the Dark Star, conveyed all the information he knew about the Human Dao Nation to the owner of the Pale Universe, seeking help.

He hoped that the owner of the Pale Universe, who had once helped him escape Wen Zhao's attempt at soul-stealing, would be an enemy of the Human Dao Nation.

He wanted the other party to collect information related to the ancient Fulu Sect because of this.

But unfortunately, the outcome disappointed Kang Ming.

The owner of the Pale Universe did not show any obvious hostility towards the Human Dao Nation, nor did he intend to protect the Huang Tian Dao.

However, he remained consistently fair.

Kang Ming provided a wealth of information about the Human Dao Nation related to the ancient Fulu Sect, and the owner of the Pale Universe responded.

The reward was a magical artifact.

Although it was a one-time-use item, its intricacies delighted Kang Ming.

As he was now a practitioner of both the Fulu Sect and the Dan Ding Sect, he could immediately discern that this ancient mirror was particularly effective against Dan Ding Sect cultivators, especially those with Nascent Souls.

This restraint was not only applicable to Eightfold Heaven cultivators but might even be used against Ninefold Heaven cultivators.

It could be used against Huang Xuan Pu...

However, this single artifact was far from sufficient.

After his initial surprise, Kang Ming quickly regained his composure.

He had much to consider and prepare.

He wished that the owner of the Pale Universe could provide more assistance.

Unfortunately, he had no more information about the ancient Fulu Sect to exchange.

Kang Ming frowned and then relaxed his expression.

His next steps were clear: continue to collect information about the ancient Fulu Sect and, at the same time, use this magic mirror as a foundation to make other preparations.

Lei Jun watched as the other's figure disappeared into the wind and snow of the Sichuan-Western Mountains, then quietly left and returned to his Dragon-Tiger Mountain.

As soon as he returned to the Celestial Master's Mansion, his master, Yuan Mobai, summoned him for a discussion.

"A great battle broke out in the East China Sea," Yuan Mobai said calmly. "It started with a conflict between the Cangzhou Ye Clan and the monks of Dakuji Temple."

Lei Jun asked, "Was it because of Lei Yan and the others from the Nine Li Tribe?"

Lei Yan and his companions from the Nine Li Tribe had launched a surprise attack on the ancestral land of the Cangzhou Ye Clan, resulting in the deaths of several members of the Ye Clan, including Ye Feishan.

Subsequently, they made their way back to the gateway to the Underground Sea in South Wild, returning to their homeland.

Their successful escape was largely due to their connection with Haiwangju, the great sea monster of the East China Sea.

The link between the two sides was the Dakuji Temple.

From the perspective of Dakuji Temple, this move was likely intended to preserve a few enemies for the Great Tang Dynasty.

As for the monks, their relationship with the Confucian School had already been strained due to Chu Taoyuan's death.

Now, they seemed to be in a precarious situation.

However, the conflict between Dakuji Temple and the Cangzhou Ye Clan had spiraled out of control, and the outcome was beyond what either side had anticipated.

"The battle between the two sides destroyed a separate courtyard cave belonging to the Cangzhou Ye Clan, and a person was hidden there," Yuan Mobai continued calmly. "Chen Yi was there."

Lei Jun asked, "Did he actively break free from the Cangzhou Ye Clan?"

Yuan Mobai replied, "It's hard to say if it was intentional..."

The course of events was quite convoluted.

Initially, the conflict between Dakuji Temple and the Cangzhou Ye Clan exposed Chen Yi's whereabouts.

Then, Liu Dongzhuo, a high-ranking elder of the Shushan Sect, appeared, intending to capture Chen Yi.

Unfortunately, times had changed.

Compared to when Chen Yi was on Fish Star Island in the East China Sea, he had gained new experiences over the years, and his cultivation level had improved dramatically, allowing him to reach the Seventh Heaven.

"Chen Yi's current cultivation method is rather peculiar," Yuan Mobai remarked. "It's hard to say if it belongs to our Daoist Fulu Sect or the Shamanic Blood River."

Lei Jun nodded.

Chen Yi's current state was different from that of future practitioners like Mile and Kang Ming, who cultivated different Taoist traditions simultaneously.

Strictly speaking, he was similar to Nie Fang from Heaven's Mandate, a fusion-type practitioner.

However, while Nie Fang studied the incomplete yet systematic art of the Reclining Master, a new branch of Taoism independent from the Talisman, Elixir Cauldron, and Refining Sects, Chen Yi was still in the process of discovering his own path.

Regardless of Chen Yi's relationship with the Celestial Master's Mansion, his breakthrough to the Upper Three Heavens meant that he had established his own unique path in the realm of cultivation, a remarkable achievement.

Hmm, it was no wonder that his journey had been filled with twists and turns, sparks, and lightning...

Yuan Mobai continued, "Liu Dongzhuo failed to capture Chen Yi, and as the mantis stalks the cicada, the oriole arrives. Both Chen Yi and Liu Dongzhuo nearly fell into the hands of another party."

He turned his gaze westward, "Master Jia Sheng of the Sumeru Vajra Sect, along with several other high-level practitioners, arrived under the pretext of assisting the imperial court in pursuing rebels from the Human Dao Nation."

Lei Jun asked, "Their accurate information suggests that they must have been preparing for a long time and didn't act on a whim."

Years ago, in the Shilin of Nanzhao, Chen Yi had not exactly become famous overnight, but due to Zhang Jingzhen, many of his secrets were exposed, ultimately leading to his fame.

For the Sumeru Vajra Sect, capturing Chen Yi and obtaining the secrets of the Celestial Palace, which were connected to the Human Dao Nation, the Celestial Master's Mansion, and even the imperial family of the Tang Dynasty, would undoubtedly give them a significant advantage.

With thorough preparation, their move was extremely precise.

However...

"Master Jia Sheng failed," Yuan Mobai said, looking at his disciple. "Another powerful figure intervened, using a great dan (pill) to block Master Jia Sheng, causing the Sumeru Vajra Sect to fail at the last moment."

"Hmm?" Lei Jun asked, "A Dan Ding Sect practitioner? A Ninefold Heaven cultivator?"

While Dan Ding Sect practitioners were indeed known for their formidable defenses, Master Jia Sheng was a Ninefold Heaven cultivator himself, a Buddhist master of the Great Handprint technique.

Even if an Eightfold Heaven cultivator from the Dan Ding Sect might not be able to defend themselves against Master Jia Sheng, they certainly wouldn't be able to protect Chen Yi and Liu Dongzhuo.

Currently in the cultivation world of Great Tang, there was only one Dan Ding Sect cultivator who possessed such capabilities.

The Emperor of the Human Dao Nation, Huang Xuan Pu.

"Did I misjudge the situation?" Lei Jun furrowed his brows.

Even without going to the Wan Fa Zong Tan to check, Lei Jun was aware of the state of his ritual platform.

There were no changes in the signs of the platform.

Normally, even if he couldn't pinpoint Huang Xuan Pu's exact location, the other party would not be able to completely conceal their spiritual energy when making a move, and there would be a reaction on the platform.

"Are you sure it was Huang Xuan Pu?" Lei Jun wasn't entirely confident that his ritual platform couldn't be wrong, perhaps Huang Xuan Pu was skilled enough to completely shield himself from detection.

Yuan Mobai understood Lei Jun's thoughts and shook his head slightly. "We can't confirm it, but that person appeared and disappeared in an instant, and Liu Dongzhuo was taken away by him."

Lei Jun: "In that case, it might not be Huang Xuan Pu."

He thought of the two unfamiliar cultivators that Zhang Dongyuan had mentioned before.

Could they be related to those two?

Are they from the Ming Dynasty's Human Dao Nation?

"But Chen Yi escaped."

Yuan Mobai: "That mysterious Dan Ding Sect master and the Sumeru Vajra Sect were unable to capture him. According to rumors, all signs indicate that he used a strange treasure to open a void portal, and the world on the other side is most likely Luo Yuan, one of the Nine Heavens and Ten Realms."

Luo Yuan was infamously known alongside Wu Jian and Huang Quan.

Among the Ten Realms, it was notorious for its abundance of disasters.

Chen Yi had not shown such abilities before.

Currently, it was uncertain if this ability was unlocked as his cultivation improved, or if he had gained some fortuitous encounter during his time overseas.

Lei Jun remained calm and commented, "Regardless, he's quite the escape artist."

Yuan Mobai nodded. "The Cangzhou Ye Clan, Qingzhou Ye Clan, and the Sumeru Vajra Sect are all monitoring the portal to Luo Yuan in the East China Sea, and people from the imperial court have also rushed over. As for the mysterious Dan Ding Sect master who took Liu Dongzhuo away, his whereabouts are unknown."

Upon hearing this, Lei Jun fell into deep thought.

…………………

At this moment, in the depths of the ocean.

Amidst the heavenly winds and torrential rains, a radiant light flickered.

A female cultivator dressed in hemp robes, known as the Western White Emperor, appeared.

Surrounding her body was a radiant light that resembled the Grand Chariot Elixir cultivated by Dan Ding Sect masters.

However, it was not a true Grand Chariot Elixir.

Instead, it was a natal treasure being refined by a Ninefold Heaven master of the Refining Sect.

The Revolving Heaven Dan Robe.

With this, she could conceal her identity and avoid exposing her true capabilities.

However, in order to maintain her disguise, she could not use her full strength, and the appearance of Luo Yuan was completely unexpected, causing her to reveal Chen Yi's escape while blocking Master Jia Sheng.

Nevertheless, she gained something else.

Liu Dongzhuo was captured by her.

Merely having this person was insufficient to locate the Tai Yi Xian Tian Tower.

But she was different.

Shang Nan and Xue Xingzi stepped forward and greeted, "Your Majesty."

Western White Emperor: "Prepare yourselves."

As she spoke, she waved her hand.

Another treasure appeared in the air.

A seven-foot-long, broad sword with countless inscriptions engraved on its surface, causing the sword to appear transparent as the talismans transformed into cold light and flowed across it.

The Emperor's Tai Yi Breaking Sword was finally refined... Shang Nan and Xue Xingzi exchanged glances, their eyes filled with joy.

The Western White Emperor formed a hand seal in front of her, while her other hand pointed towards the distance.

Liu Dongzhuo's soul could not maintain its human form and transformed into a stream of light, which was then absorbed by the seven-foot-long sword.

Subsequently, the giant sword trembled in the air, and its tip shifted direction.

In the next moment, the sword flashed and disappeared from its original location, as if traversing through the void.

The Western White Emperor followed suit with her hands behind her back.

Shang Nan and Xue Xingzi trailed closely behind.

The seven-foot-long sword did not teleport directly to its destination but reappeared after traversing a section of the void, hovering in the air momentarily.

After some time, the sword tip trembled again, and the sword once again pierced through the void and disappeared.

Gradually, the Western White Emperor and her companions were guided towards another treasure that contained a vast amount of void mysteries, the Tai Yi Xian Tian Tower.

However......

At the same time, on Dragon-Tiger Mountain, Lei Jun's eyes narrowed, and the profound Heavenly Communication and Earth Penetrating talismans flowed within his pupils.

He arrived at the Wan Fa Zong Tan and observed his ritual platform, "Someone else has found the Tai Yi Xian Tian Tower as well."

Upon hearing the news, Xu Yuanzhen, who had rushed over, narrowed her eyes, "Huang Xuan Pu wouldn't let others take advantage of him so easily, would he?"

Lei Jun: "On the contrary, this might be a chance to lure him out, unless he is currently in closed-door seclusion."

If it were just the Tang imperial court and the Tian Shi Fu moving against him, Huang Xuan Pu might choose to endure and not expose himself.

But if it were outsiders from the Ming Dynasty's Human Dao Nation taking advantage of him, would Huang Xuan Pu just let them have their way?

Tang Xiaotang rubbed her hands together eagerly, "No need to say more, let's go and see for ourselves."

Lei Jun: "We can't rule out the possibility of the Human Dao Nations from both Great Tang and Ming Dynasty working together."

Xu Yuanzhen and Tang Xiaotang turned to look at him simultaneously.

Lei Jun remained calm, "The sect's headquarters must not be left unattended. Master and Senior Brother should stay in the mansion.

As for the portal to Luo Yuan in the East China Sea, even though the Tang imperial court is already aware of it, we should still inform them and coordinate our actions to avoid any mishaps.

As for me, I will go with you.

Just as Senior Sister said before, we must find Huang Xuan Pu this time and not let him escape again.

If there is a trap set up, we will break it."

　PS: 10,000-word chapter

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end