Seeking Fortune And Avoiding Calamity, Starting From The Heavenly Master's Mansion Chapter 340: 339. Grand Master of the Tang Sect Retires Contently (Part 2) - Novel Cool

Chapter 340: 339. Grand Master of the Tang Sect Retires Contently (Part 2)

Chapter 340: 339. Grand Master of the Tang Sect Retires Contently (Part 2)

The Grand Master wasn't entirely satisfied, but overall, he was content.

He had slain Li Shushan's Elder Kang Andaoren, destroyed the White Bone Divine Boat, and even injured Li Shushan's sect leader, Ji Yao, breaking free from the siege of the Grand Yin and Yang Nine Palaces Immortal Formation.

Turning the tide of battle was what he lived for.

The only thing that dampened his mood was that by injuring Ji Yao and breaking the Li Shushan formation, he had allowed the Master of the Vajra Sect, Galta, to escape.

However, he found some solace in the death of another Ninth Heaven Realm expert from the Vajra Sect, the Venerable Rinpoche.

Zhang Taigang, Zhang Dongyuan, and the other elders of the Shu Mountain Sect, along with some Tang court monks, remembered how Tang Xiaotang had once angrily confronted Sangjie, the elder of the Vajra Sect. They quickly stepped forward to separate the two sides to prevent another battle from breaking out.

Tang Xiaotang recalled the numerous civilians still on Jinqiao Peak and temporarily suppressed her anger. Instead, she turned and left, deciding that out of sight was out of mind, and proceeded to address the issue of resettling the common people.

The great battle finally came to a close, marking the beginning of the aftermath and cleanup.

Lei Jun received news one after another. Previously, Li Shushan's monks, who had scattered to places like Qianzhou and Xiaoxiang, had caused some harm.

Fortunately, Xiao Xuiting had acted decisively and successively slain a Li Shushan elder of the Eighth Heaven Realm and two of the Seventh Heaven Realm, putting a stop to the spread of this heretical influence.

......

In Huangquan, within the capital city of Fengdu.

Ji Yao and Li Linxue reappeared.

Tian Lingfeng, another Li Shushan elder who had been left behind, wore a look of surprise on his usually desolate face. "Sect Leader, Elder Li?"

Ji Yao's face was pale, with a hint of green.

Seeing Tian Lingfeng's expression, his heart sank.

Indeed, Tian Lingfeng spoke, "The soul lamps of Elder Kang and Ding Shidi have gone out."

"None survived?" Ji Yao asked.

Tian Lingfeng nodded, his expression grim.

Ji Yao remained silent.

Li Linxue spoke up, "Elder Kang most likely perished under the Grand Master Sword of Tang Xiaotang, the Grand Master of the Talisman Sect. What about Ding Shidi and the others?"

"The soul lamps are blurry and unclear, making it difficult to discern their opponent's background. But as for An Shidi, Li Shidi, and the others... it's better not to mention them. The person who killed Ding Shidi is definitely no ordinary cultivator," Tian Lingfeng replied.

"With the Vajra Monks from Mount Sumeru, the Grand Master of the Talisman Sect, and the Tang Dynasty's human sect branch, who else could there be?"

Li Linxue asked, "Wasn't there another expert from the Tang Dynasty's human sect branch, the one who killed Zhou Zheng and Mu Sheng?"

Ji Yao replied, "According to An Shidi and Li Shidi's previous report, that person is arrogant and would likely have headed straight for the Grand Yin and Yang Nine Palaces Immortal Formation. The possibility of him acting secretly in Duanjiang Valley is low."

Li Linxue asked, "What about the Confucian scholar of the ninth heaven realm from Bashu that you mentioned earlier? Has he also arrived in Nanzhao?"

Ji Yao said, "It's uncertain at the moment. It's possible that someone else from the Tang Dynasty is acting in secret."

He stood in the capital city of Fengdu, looking up with an expressionless face. "This time, we underestimated the human realm."

What they had underestimated was not the strength of the human cultivation world, but the speed of information exchange.

Through the Wu Clan, they had opened the Huangquan Gate in the Great Wilderness.

However, the Tang Dynasty's response had been faster than they anticipated.

Otherwise, they could have easily launched a surprise attack on the Tang Shu Mountain Sect.

If the Wu Clan or outsiders had been involved, the news might have leaked beforehand.

Even now, Ji Yao was uncertain how Tang Xiaotang had been able to block Kang Andaoren and the White Bone Divine Boat so quickly and accurately on Jinqiao Peak earlier.

Only a select few from Li Shushan knew about the setup on Jinqiao Peak.

"How is the Heaven-Circling Beast and Bird Mirror?"

Ji Yao shook his head, changing the subject as he looked at Tian Lingfeng, who had been left behind.

Tian Lingfeng replied, "I've been nurturing the Heaven-Circling Beast and Bird Mirror, and it's mostly ready. What we lack are the primeval souls of high-quality demons and spiritual beasts."

He paused slightly before continuing, "Ding Shidi had temporarily borrowed the Crimson Spirit Wild Bone to nurture his Dragon Bone Killing Sword, but he didn't make it back this time..."

Upon hearing this, Ji Yao and Li Linxue exchanged glances with Tian Lingfeng, all of them falling silent.

Ji Yao said, "Continue refining and nurturing the Heaven-Circling Beast and Bird Mirror. I'll be retreating for a period of time to nurture the White Bone Divine Boat. I'll leave the matters outside to Master Uncle and Tian Lingfeng."

He looked up at the sky above Huangquan once more. "For the time being, we won't be going back up to the human realm of the Tang Dynasty. Maintain communication with the Wu Clan."

Tian Lingfeng asked, "Brother Ji, their intentions are not pure, and our sect has suffered setbacks this time. Will they turn to the Tang Dynasty court instead?"

Ji Yao replied, "It doesn't matter."

Tian Lingfeng nodded. "Yes."

Ji Yao bid farewell to Master Uncle Li Linxue.

Li Linxue and Tian Lingfeng watched as his figure disappeared in the center of Fengdu City.

The Ten Thousand Souls Banner fluttered once more.

The boundless black mist resembled a sea of clouds, and within it, a white bone divine boat seemed to rise and fall.

......

In the West, at the Mountain Gate of the Vajra Temple.

Inside the temple, the Master of the Vajra Sect, Galta, sat with his legs crossed. He manifested his Vajra Body, and on it were not just one or two obvious scars.

Within the scars, gray mist and black qi intertwined, like festering sores on his bones.

Under the light of the Buddha, the killing intent and death qi were gradually drawn out and dispersed, condensing into a beam that was absorbed by the top of his head.

In front of him stood a middle-aged man with a dignified appearance—a Western Buddhist monk, none other than Master Jia Sheng, who had first come to the West after the reappearance of Mount Sumeru.

The Master of the Vajra Sect's injuries had temporarily stabilized, and he let out a soft sigh. "This time, I was careless and dragged Rinpoche into the cycle of reincarnation."

Master Jia Sheng said, "Master, please don't blame yourself. If not for your decisive action, the outcome of the Battle of Bashu would have been uncertain. The heretics of Huangquan Li Shushan are mysterious and act through the power of Huangquan, making it difficult to predict their actions."

The Master of the Vajra Sect shook his head slightly. "What about the Tang Tian Shi of the Celestial Master's Mansion? He didn't step into this calamity."

Upon hearing this, Master Jia Sheng sighed softly.

The Master of the Vajra Sect remained calm and said, "How is the Luo Yuan Sect doing?"

Master Jia Sheng replied, "It has been sealed off, but... I feel slightly uneasy, as if there might be future troubles."

The Master of the Vajra Sect nodded gently. "Be more vigilant."

"Yes," Master Jia Sheng continued. "The relevant rewards from the Tang court have been successively decided."

The rewards from the Tang court for the Western Buddhist monks this time were quite generous.

Rinpoche and Zong Cuo had both perished.

The Master of the Vajra Sect, Galta, had personally taken action and was injured in the process.

The Vajra Sect of Mount Sumeru had gone all out for the Tang Dynasty this time.

The Tang court, of course, was generous in return.

If everything had ended with the pursuit in Nanzhao, the first merit would likely have gone to the Western Buddhist monks.

Compared to the battle against Huang Xuanpu in the Cleansing of the Human Realm, it might not have been as glorious, but it could have divided the influence of the Taoist and Buddhist sects.

Especially in the Battle of Bashu, where the Master of the Vajra Sect had aided the Taoist sacred site of Shu Mountain and made the Celestial Master, Tang Xiaotang, look like a supporting role.

But now...

The Human Realm Nation had perished at the hands of the Celestial Master's Mansion.

In the Battles of Bashu and Nanzhao, Celestial Master Tang Xiaotang had turned the tide.

With these two battles, the reputation of the Celestial Master's Mansion soared.

The Master of the Vajra Sect, Galta, had personally taken action but ended up making Celestial Master Tang look good.

The contrast between the two was stark.

Rather than saying that the Vajra Sect of Mount Sumeru had made contributions, it would be more accurate to say that they had endured hardships...

The Master of the Vajra Sect, Galta, smiled and shook his head. "Never mind, it's useless to think too much about it now. My injuries have stabilized, and I'll be heading to the imperial capital of Luoyang soon to meet the current Tang Emperor."

"After the previous memorial, the current Emperor has issued an edict summoning you for an audience after the war," Master Jia Sheng said.

He hesitated for a moment, then continued, "There has been news circulating in the court recently that the current Emperor intends to appoint a National Master of the Tang Dynasty."

The National Master of the Tang Dynasty.

Upon hearing this, the Master of the Vajra Sect's gaze shifted to the east, toward the imperial capital of Luoyang.

Then, he turned his gaze to the southeast, toward the direction of Longhu Mountain in Jiangxi, where the Celestial Master's Mansion was located.

Master Jia Sheng stood quietly behind the Master of the Vajra Sect.

The two great masters of the Vajra Sect of Mount Sumeru remained silent.

......

At this moment, Tang Xiaotang and Lei Jun were returning to Longhu Mountain together, one openly and the other secretly.

Tang Xiaotang had already had her fill of displaying her powers to the rescued commoners.

The subsequent resettlement of the refugees and the distribution of relief supplies would be handled by the Tang court and the local powers of Bashu, such as the Shu Mountain Sect.

As for the capture and cleansing of the remaining members of the Yellow Sky Dao, Chu Kun and Shangguan Ning would take care of it.

"At least this time, I didn't come in vain."

Overall, the Celestial Master was in a good mood.

She casually tossed the item she had obtained from Kang Andaoren to Lei Jun.

"There's nothing I can use, but there's something you might find useful."

Lei Jun took a quick look and found what Tang Xiaotang was referring to.

It was a cluster of illusory flames that were a faint blue color. Instead of giving off a warm feeling, they caused a chill to arise from the depths of one's soul.

These illusory flames didn't burn physical objects but could scorch the souls of living beings at any time.

"Cold Soul Flame..." Lei Jun mused.

This item was indeed not very useful to others.

Only a master like Kang Andaoren from Shu Mountain could use this strange spiritual object to refine magical treasures and artifacts.

For human cultivators, it was more harmful than beneficial.

However, Lei Jun had a unique advantage. He had once accidentally tempered his soul with the smoke of the River of Forgetfulness.

This rare experience gave him the opportunity to further temper his soul with the Cold Soul Flame.

Once Lei Jun's soul was tempered by the Cold Soul Flame, even if he faced someone like Li Yan, a Ninth Heaven Realm expert, he wouldn't be easily shaken by his soul-shaking techniques.

However, the Cold Soul Flame couldn't be used directly.

It needed to be processed first.

It had to be refined by a Taoist master of the Xuanling Qi, at least at the first level of the Ninth Heaven Realm, using the Xuanming Dust to temper it before Lei Jun could use it at the Eighth Heaven Realm.

"I'll help you with that later." Tang Xiaotang said casually.

"I won't stand on ceremony with you, Junior Sister." Lei Jun smiled.

This should be the three-star opportunity mentioned in the upper-middle sign, pointing towards Jinqiao Peak.

Lei Jun then handed the Crimson Spirit Wild Bone to his master, Yuan Mobai.

Yuan Mobai was slightly surprised and pondered briefly, "It might indeed come in handy."

Although he was an orthodox Talisman Sect cultivator, his cultivation was almost indistinguishable from that of a human.

And this Crimson Spirit Wild Bone was intertwined with vicious demonic qi.

But if handled properly, it could be a great opportunity.

"I'm not strong enough to suppress this bone yet." Lei Jun said.

Yuan Mobai: "Don't worry, I'll study it first, and later we can invite Hua Jie to join us."

Tang Xiaotang let out a soft snort, "Nothing useful for me, and that place of Yellow Springs..."

Lei Jun: "Don't worry, Junior Sister. We have plenty of time."

Tang Xiaotang was still in a good mood, "Those heretics from Shu Mountain are cunning. Otherwise, I would have gone straight to Yellow Springs to take a look."

However, she suddenly remembered something, and her eyebrows furrowed again, "But those bald donkeys from the West..."

Yuan Mobai shook his head slightly, "Their evil deeds have not been revealed, at least not explicitly. Please ask the Grand Master to hold back for now and not act too hastily."

Lei Jun looked at Tang Xiaotang, "Junior Sister, we naturally trust your judgment, but it's not easy to convince others. Just as those bald monks don't dare to reveal their true intentions, the incident with the Four-Eyed Python King may have aroused suspicions, but the Tang Imperial Family has never mentioned it again. The Western Buddhist monks have hidden him well."

To the world of humans in the Tang Dynasty, what was the current image of the Sumeru Vajra Sect?

Their origins and actions were somewhat mysterious, they had many powerful experts, they were proactive in spreading Buddhist teachings, but their specific actions were relatively gentle and reasonable.

Since their emergence, they had first helped the Tang Dynasty quell the demon chaos in Guanlong, then subdued demons and monsters in the Southern Wilderness, faced off against the Blood River Sect, the Human Realm Nation, and powerful demons.

This time, they had traveled far to help seal the Luo Yuan Sect, and they had also taken part in the cleansing of the Human Realm Nation's remnants. In the Battle of Bashu, a ninth-level monk had fallen, and the leader of the Vajra Sect himself had been injured.

Overall, they had worked hard and endured much, but they had also been unlucky.

Some anomalies, such as the death of the Four-Eyed Python King and the appearance of Master Ren Zhu near Dragon-Tiger Mountain, might arouse suspicions, but there was no clear evidence of evil deeds, and there was a lack of proof.

As for the controversy surrounding the Celestial Master's robe, it could now be concluded that they had previously helped the Human Realm Nation shoulder the blame.

"But from now on, their actions might become even more drastic."

Lei Jun: "This time, Galta took action personally, which has inadvertently boosted Junior Sister's reputation. The blow to their efforts in spreading Buddhist teachings in the Tang Dynasty may be even greater than the loss of a ninth-level monk."

"He deserves it!"

Tang Xiaotang snorted, but her anger came and went quickly, and she now looked curious:

"Can they really enlighten the Four-Eyed Python King, a ninth-level cultivator?"

Lei Jun: "I discussed this with Senior Brother earlier. Relying solely on the Buddhist handprint lineage is not enough. They must also use some special spirit objects and artifacts, combined with other special conditions, to have a chance.

The opportunities are probably not many, otherwise, it would have become widespread. The Sumeru Vajra Sect also needs to be cautious. As for enlightenment, it's more like exploiting a loophole in the body and spirit unity, transferring the cultivator's accumulated power and realm to an equivalent or similar Buddhist cultivation, rather than having them cultivate both Buddhist and their original sect's teachings."

Tang Xiaotang's eyebrows furrowed, "It still doesn't sound pleasant."

Lei Jun: "Let's take it step by step."

Beside them, Yuan Mobai smiled.

Later that day, Senior Sister Xu Yuanzhen finally returned to the mountain.

"What's the situation on your side?" she asked Lei Jun.

Lei Jun took out several talismans, "Obtained from those two Great Ming Human Realm Nation cultivators."

Xu Yuanzhen waved her hand, adding a talisman of her own, "I've also summarized some things."

Lei Jun: "Let's go to the Wanfa Zongtan over there. There are also some things from Huang Xuanpu, Fu Dongsen, and others."

Xu Yuanzhen: "Okay."

In the Wanfa Zongtan, Lei Jun and Xu Yuanzhen sat opposite each other.

The two of them sorted through the numerous spirit objects obtained from the Human Realm Nation.

Under their ritual refinement, the Wanfa Zongtan shone with brilliant light, giving birth to numerous Taoist principles and talismans, which then gathered and finally condensed into a huge talisman that was several zhang tall.

However, there were cracks and missing parts on the surface of the talisman.

"We still need to continue our research." Lei Jun said, "Huang Xuanpu is a crafty rabbit with three burrows. He should have another hideout. Let's find it and we might have further gains."

Xu Yuanzhen: "It doesn't matter. At this point, we've basically solved the problem. The rest is just a matter of time."

Tang Xiaotang asked curiously, "Can it directly lead to the Great Ming Human Realm?"

Xu Yuanzhen: "It's more likely to lead to Penglai."

Tang Xiaotang's eyes lit up, "I've heard about Penglai a long time ago. I'll go take a look when I have time."

Xu Yuanzhen: "Then figure it out yourself. If you miss out on something, who are you going to blame?"

Tang Xiaotang was calm this time, and instead, she smiled mysteriously, "I'll do it myself, don't worry. As for my method of tracking and exploration, I've made some new discoveries!"

Lei Jun became interested, "Oh?"

Tang Xiaotang smiled, "Later, I'll go into seclusion for a while and think about it carefully."

She stood up, stretched her body, and was in a good mood. Turning to Lei Jun, she said,

"Overall, there are still some regrets, but as Junior Uncle often says, let nature take its course."

The tall woman smiled, "So, some things will fall into place naturally."

On that day, an announcement was made to the entire Dragon-Tiger Mountain:

This winter, after the New Year, the current Celestial Master, Tang Xiaotang, will voluntarily step down as the sect leader.

The new leader of the Dragon-Tiger Mountain Celestial Master's Mansion will be Elder Lei Jun.

The news spread throughout the world, inviting guests to come to Dragon-Tiger Mountain on the 15th of next month to witness the ceremony.

PS1: 9k chapter.

PS2: I'll continue working hard on tonight's chapter this afternoon.

(End of Chapter)

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