Chapter 377: 376. Natural Realization, Observing All Things Wonderful

Chapter 377: 376. Natural Realization, Observing All Things Wonderful

Earth-Rising Star.

Lei Jun looked at the Tai Chi diagram and nodded in satisfaction before putting it away.

With this, the opportunity for his junior, Chu Kun, to enhance his root bones was firmly established.

Sun Li did not ask Lei Jun and Chu Kun any further questions. He simply stood quietly by Lei Jun's side, silently polishing the Sun-Wood that he had buried underground.

Under Lei Jun's watch, he saw the giant tree buried in the black soil gradually subduing its radiance, its surface also transforming into a pitch-black hue.

Compared to the charred wood, the current giant tree resembled a dense ink black.

Its spirit was also subdued, not eroded, but silently changing from within.

However, at this moment, the void within the Earthly Sea began to stir, and the spiritual energy flow underwent a violent change.

Some mysterious power was opposing the various rituals Lei Jun had set up.

"It's the Great Shaman of the Shenwu lineage...and she has likely attained the Ninth Heaven Descending God realm." Lei Jun instantly discerned the source of the change.

There was no unusual activity from Xiao Tang Tang.

With her presence, although Wen Li's clan leader, Li Zhongding, was currently the most powerful practitioner within the Nine Li, he should not have the spare energy to pay attention to Lei Jun's affairs.

Among the Nine Li folk in the Earthly Sea, besides Wen Li's Li Zhongding, the other practitioner who had attained the Ninth Heaven realm through the Shenwu lineage was Li Jin, the new clan leader of the Lu Li clan.

She was slightly inferior to Li Zhongding in terms of realm layers, but in recent years, she had newly achieved the Ninth Heaven realm, and with the Ghost God array in place, she could at least cause a localized disturbance within the Earthly Sea.

"En," said Sun Li, making a few dance-like movements and standing on the ground.

The Four Poles of the Curse-Chanting lineage, which only appeared at the Eighth Heaven perfection, reappeared, standing tall and connecting the heavens and the earth.

However, Sun Li's movements suddenly stopped halfway, as if he was quietly awaiting something.

Soon, the disturbance in the Earthly Sea caused by the sacrificial array momentarily paused.

"Hmm..." Upon seeing this, Lei Jun and Sun Li nodded simultaneously.

"Li Jin does have the advantage, but she hasn't reached the point of doing as she pleases yet.

What's more, near the Greedy Li clan's ancestral land, besides Li Xin, there are other powerhouses.

Li Xin hasn't reached the stage where she can act as she pleases, and her attempt to interrupt the rituals of the Great Tang would naturally be obstructed by others.

But now that Li Jin has laid the foundation, it can be handed over to other Eighth Heaven practitioners of the Shenwu lineage to take over.

As expected, the sacrificial array's power was briefly interrupted again.

However, compared to the initial burst, the subsequent one was undoubtedly inferior.

But in that instant, Sun Li's Four Poles once again took root.

He resumed his steps, circling the Four Poles, his mouth chanting.

In the end, Sun Li bowed in the middle of the four poles.

Suddenly, a line of fire flashed around Sun Li, who was at the heart of the Four Poles.

Then, in the blink of an eye, the fire disappeared.

Black smoke appeared in the air where the fire had been, but it too vanished without a trace, as if nothing had ever been there.

"Thousand Miles Descent, lives up to its reputation," Lei Jun nodded in approval as he witnessed this scene.

"The art of cursing within the Wu League is indeed the most enigmatic and unpredictable, its range varying with distance, and generally speaking, the means within the Curse-Chanting lineage with the longest reach in the Wu League are indeed the most intricate and unpredictable."

If Sun Li's Thousand Miles Descent was successful, he could curse an enemy to death from a thousand miles away.

He was currently taking advantage of the resonance between Lei Jun's rituals and the opponent's sacrificial array to deliver a Thousand Miles Descent.

Strictly speaking, Sun Li's Thousand Miles Descent was unprepared, and it should not have been able to inflict damage on a fellow Eighth Heaven practitioner.

But with this move, the opponent's sacrificial array would be difficult to maintain.

"Your Excellency flatters me," Sun Li said, the Four Poles around him disappearing.

Indeed, the opposing sacrificial array was interrupted again.

Lei Jun's rituals resumed their stable operation.

"Your curse art is exquisite and proficient, far surpassing your peers," Lei Jun commented.

If Sun Li's previous display of the Wheel of Reincarnation Descent had indicated his exceptional talent, opportunity, and mastery over one of the most powerful curses in the history of the Curse-Chanting lineage, then his momentary release and reapplication of the Thousand Miles Descent had showcased his exquisite control.

Even without the Wheel of Reincarnation, his skill alone far exceeded most Curse-Chanting practitioners of the same realm.

Yes, and the timing of his move was... quite sinister and cunning.

"If we're talking about surpassing peers, then you're undoubtedly the first to reach the Ninth Heaven realm, and I dare not take such liberties with Your Excellency."

Sun Li: "There's no front or back in learning, and the one who achieves it first is the master. I believe you will attain the Ninth Heaven realm faster than I, and I dare not be so humble in front of Your Excellency."

Lei Jun: "You're too kind, Senior."

Sun Li smiled: "When Mo Bai mentioned you, he also called you 'Master'."

Lei Jun: "That's what makes me feel helpless."

The two exchanged a few more words before Sun Li's gaze shifted to the distance: "That direction should be where the Seven Abyssal Pools hang in the sky, one of them being the Pool of Kunqi."

The previous disturbance in the force had indeed come from that direction.

"I haven't interacted much with Li Jin of the Lu Li clan," Sun Li stroked his chin, feeling a sense of familiarity with the name.

Lei Jun nodded in agreement.

After Li Jin laid the foundation, the one who took over from her, the powerful sorcerer, didn't seem like a Ninth Heaven Great Mage.

Instead, he resembled an heir to the ancient lineage of the Dragon's Peak Clan from the Tang Empire's human realm.

With his natural wit, many things were no longer a secret in Lei Jun's eyes.

As he recalled, the various methods and details of the Eighth Heaven Great Mage gradually overlapped with a figure in his mind.

"Yuan Shanji, that traitor?" Sun Li gazed into the distance.

Lei Jun gave a slight nod.

He had only seen Yuan Shanji clash with Sang Lu and Li Tianqing shortly after arriving in the Tang Empire at the beginning of the year.

However, the person who had just taken over the ritual array had a sense of familiarity in their methods and details, gradually piecing together the clues.

Sun Li was not as sharp as Lei Jun.

However, he was more familiar with Yuan Shanji.

Speaking of which, the first time Lei Jun had observed Yuan Shanji fighting someone, he had been backstabbed by someone who was supposedly an ally.

... And the one who had backstabbed him was right by Lei Jun's side at this moment.

"I received news earlier that Yuan Shanji has also come to the Mortal Realm," Lei Jun said. "It seems that he has indeed defected to the Nine Realms, just like Yang Yuqi."

To be precise, Yang Yuqi might have still had other intentions at the beginning.

As a member of the Dragon's Peak Clan, Yuan Shanji had fewer burdens.

At this moment, he and some of the Nine Realms Great Mages were approaching... Lei Jun sensed their presence.

As an Eighth Heaven perfection Spell-Chanting Great Mage, Sun Li's senses were equally sharp.

He also detected the approach of Yuan Shanji and the others.

The previous Thousand Miles Descent was rather rushed, and although it had interrupted their Spirit God array, it did not seem to have caused any noticeable harm to Yuan Shanji.

Sun Li shook his head and prepared to engage.

Lei Jun, who was beside him, was not in the right state, and he needed to focus on maintaining the rituals.

Sun Li didn't say much, as he had already taken on the responsibility of protection.

However, in the distant dim underground world, a violent streak of blood-red suddenly slashed across the sky.

The thick bloody aura instantly permeated the area, causing Lei Jun and Sun Li, who were far away, to sense it.

That streak of blood-red slashed into the group of people rushing towards them, targeting the conspicuous Xuan Yuanmin Great Mage, Yuan Shanji, among the Nine Realms Great Mages.

The Blood Blade was domineering and fierce, and even amidst a group of Nine Realms Great Mages, the crowd was split apart like a wave.

"Xing Feng?!” Yuan Shanji hastily retreated while simultaneously deploying the Spirit God array.

He was all too familiar with the blade technique in front of him.

It was the Great Dao of the Blood River Sect from the Tang Empire's human realm's Dragon's Peak Clan—the Bloody War of Rivers and Mountains.

A long-bladed blood-red blade was wielded by an extremely tall young man.

From a distance, Lei Jun could see that the young man was almost as tall as him.

The man was bare-chested, and his entire body was covered in blood-red curse patterns that pulsed with explosive power.

He was the new leader of the Blood River Sect, Xing Feng.

He swung his blade horizontally, sweeping away the other Nine Realms Great Mages who were obstructing him, and then thrust his blade forward, slashing at Yuan Shanji.

"We have no grudges, but Li Tianqing has helped me a lot. He's busy at the moment, so I'll greet you on his behalf to save you from hiding again," Xing Feng said.

Yuan Shanji's face was as calm as water, and with the help of the Nine Realms Great Mages, he had successfully deployed the Spirit God array.

In an instant, it was as if the doors to the realms of life and death had been opened, allowing the two realms to communicate, filling this realm of the living with a solemn and silent deathly aura, devoid of any sinister influence, only exuding authority, coldness, and mystery.

Nine Hymns—Great Siming.

Yuan Shanji deployed this array, borrowing the power of Nine Hymns—Great Siming, to resist and suppress Xing Feng's ferocious and cruel killing intent.

Although he had once been allies with Yang Yuqi and even Wei Ancheng, the previous leader of the Blood River Sect, Yuan Shanji had extensive experience fighting and dueling with Blood River cultivators.

But they could all see the domineering might and subtlety of Xing Feng's sword strike, simultaneously slashing through the intangible world of thoughts and the tangible world of reality.

While Yuan Shanji's Nine Hymns: Great Siming certainly opened the gates to the netherworld of life and death.

Xing Feng's sword strike, on the other hand, seemed to cut directly into the gates.

Compared to the Blood War of Rivers and Mountains style, which only attacked the physical body, this sword strike also inflicted damage on the spiritual soul.

Moreover, as an integrated offense and defense, Xing Feng's entire being seemed to enter the netherworld, and with the augmentation of his fierce and icy blade intent, he not only counterattacked Yuan Shanji's spiritual soul but also protected his own, preventing himself from being injured by Yuan Shanji's Nine Hymns: Xiang Jun.

This unexpected counterattack caught Yuan Shanji off guard.

His opponent not only navigated upstream against the current but also took a step further, rushing through the gates of Nine Hymns: Great Siming and appearing right before Yuan Shanji.

Fortunately, Yuan Shanji's cultivation was superior, and at this critical juncture, he hastily erected another array, Nine Hymns: Xiang Fu Ren.

Nine Hymns: Xiang Jun was actually spoken in the tone of Xiang Fu Ren, expressing disappointment and reproach for Xiang Jun's broken promise.

On the other hand, Nine Hymns: Xiang Fu Ren was spoken in the tone of Xiang Jun, conveying disappointment and resolution while leaving room for hope and love, a chance for redemption.

The external manifestation of this array was not only a certain degree of aggression but also decent defensive capabilities.

Unfortunately, Yuan Shanji was in a hurry and failed to stabilize the array, causing even Nine Hymns: Xiang Fu Ren to be ruthlessly cleaved by Xing Feng's blade.

Xing Feng's blade struck true, and his swordplay flowed seamlessly as his blade shifted back to the Blood War of Rivers and Mountains style.

The savage blood blade completely shattered Yuan Shanji's layers of arrays.

Yuan Shanji stumbled back, his body swaying as wounds opened all over, staining his clothes red with blood.

Compared to Wei Ancheng, Xing Feng interacted less with the outside world.

But Yuan Shanji would stake his life on the claim that Wei Ancheng, at the same Eighth Heaven perfection, did not possess Xing Feng's current strength!

Forget Wei Ancheng; even the powerful Nine Li Grand Shamans witnessing this scene were shaken to their cores.

Their steps forward involuntarily slowed.

Xing Feng's speed, however, only increased, and he slashed at Yuan Shanji once more.

At this moment, Yuan Shanji could no longer be concerned about his original intention of seeking Lei Jun's Law Instrument. He hastily withdrew, trying to escape.

But Xing Feng pursued closely, and the blood-red blade light slashed across the dim underground world, as if cutting a wound into the darkness, disappearing in an instant.

"Does he... want to capture Yuan Shanji alive?" Sun Li asked uncertainly.

Lei Jun replied, "Yes, although he claims to be here on behalf of Li Tianqing, if given the chance, he would undoubtedly prefer to capture Yuan Shanji alive."

Earlier, Li Tianqing had faced off against the Nine Heavens Grand Demon, Nine-Winged Golden Cockroach, and subsequently pursued it far away.

It was only after this that news of Yuan Shanji's appearance in the Earthly Sea spread.

Li Tianqing did not abandon his pursuit of the Nine-Winged Golden Cockroach to turn back to the Earthly Sea. Instead, he continued his chase to prevent the Grand Demon from returning with reinforcements.

Yuan Shanji had been hiding well these past years, evading the search of the high-level practitioners of the South Wasteland Shamanistic Sect.

Now, they had finally obtained information about his whereabouts in the Earthly Sea.

Furthermore, as he intended to join the Nine Li, he naturally had to demonstrate his capabilities.

However, this also meant that his movements were no longer as unpredictable as before.

Xing Feng and Li Tianqing were close friends, so Xing Feng seized this opportunity to enter the Earthly Sea on Li Tianqing's behalf to cause trouble for Yuan Shanji, preventing him from disappearing again.

Of course, if the situation allowed, he wouldn't mind capturing Yuan Shanji alive and handing him over to Li Tianqing to deal with personally later.

However, compared to Xing Feng's formidable offensive capabilities, capturing his opponent alive was not his forte.

From a distance, Lei Jun and Sun Li watched, feeling that Yuan Shanji's fate was more likely to end in death at Xing Feng's blade...

"Was that sword strike a technique passed down by the Blood River Sect?" Lei Jun asked.

Sun Li replied affirmatively, "No, it hasn't been seen before. It's most likely a technique he created himself... Such a cold, decisive, and ruthless sword strike. He must have had some connection with Luo Yuan, Huang Quan, or Wujian."

Upon hearing this, Lei Jun nodded slightly.

The Blood River lineage of the Shamanistic Sect had a unique naming convention for their cultivation levels. At the Eighth Heaven, it was called Spirit Embryo.

Generally speaking, there was a saying that the Shamanistic Sect's five lineages inherited different aspects: the Spirit Dancing lineage inherited Shamanistic Spirit, the Blood River lineage inherited Corrupted Shaman Blood, the Ghost Dao lineage inherited Shamanistic Soul, the Gu Poison lineage inherited Shamanistic Miasma, and the Curse-Chanting lineage inherited Shamanistic Bones.

The term "Shaman" was also known as "Spirit" in ancient times, and Wu Mountain was also called Spirit Mountain.

The Spirit Dancing lineage, which inherited Shamanistic Spirit, was the Shamanistic Sect's oldest lineage. Although it was not verbally acknowledged by the other lineages, many outsiders considered it the pinnacle of the Shamanistic Sect's inheritance.

The Blood River lineage, which inherited Corrupted Shaman Blood, named their Seventh Heaven cultivation level after Shamanistic Blood.

And upon reaching the Eighth Heaven Spirit Embryo, it was as if there was a heavenly will at play. Similar to the Daoist Pill Refiners, who were their most formidable opponents, the Blood River cultivators began to adopt an inclusive approach, merging and integrating various cultivation paths.

This cultivation level was named "Spirit," first merging with the Shamanistic Spirit, forming one's own Spirit Embryo, thus further enhancing regenerative abilities.

Then, by merging with Shamanistic Bones, one forged Spirit Bones, further enhancing physical defense and support.

By merging with Shamanistic Soul, one cultivated the third level of the Eighth Heaven, attaining Spirit Thought, which improved one's killing intent and intimidation, causing greater spiritual damage to enemies.

Finally, by merging with Shamanistic Miasma, one attained Spirit Miasma at the Eighth Heaven perfection, allowing one to refine the Yin and Yang energies of life and death, which were usually only attainable at the Ninth Heaven, thereby further enhancing the offensive power of one's spiritual techniques.

Xing Feng's mastery over the energies of life and death far surpassed that of other Blood River cultivators at the Eighth Heaven perfection.

Furthermore, the resilience of his spiritual soul was also far superior to his peers at the same cultivation level.

His innate talent, combined with some unique opportunities, had led to his extraordinary capabilities.

Although he was not as bloodthirsty as some of his predecessors in the Blood River lineage, Xing Feng's cultivation progress had been rapid and remarkable.

When it was time to strike, he did not hold back.

"This battle in the Earthly Sea is a rare opportunity for him."

Lei Jun said, "Although he was a bit slower than Li Tianqing, after this experience, Xing Feng should also be close."

Sun Li nodded slightly, agreeing with Lei Jun's assessment.

"The new generation surpasses the old," he smiled. "Speaking of which, I am quite grateful to this friend from the Blood River lineage, Xing Feng.

"That guy effectively helped them withstand a disaster."

Although Sun Li was not afraid of Yuan Shanji, he was not fond of fighting, and it was always better to avoid trouble when possible.

Lei Jun's ritual was stable, and the environment within the Earthly Sea was calm.

As time passed, the Sun Wood that Sun Li had been refining finally reached perfection.

He raised his hand, and the massive tree shrunk, resembling a stick that automatically rose from the soil and landed in Sun Li's hand.

The stick was pitch-black, but its surface was now covered in intricate silver patterns.

Sun Li gazed at the Sun Wood for a while before letting out a long sigh and putting it away.

"Congratulations, Senior," Lei Jun said.

Sun Li repeatedly waved his hand, "You're too kind, I should be the one thanking you..."

As he spoke, his movements suddenly paused, and his gaze shifted towards the distance.

Someone was approaching.

It was not one of the Nine Li folk.

Instead, it was Feng Gui, the current Saint Master of the sacred site of the Curse-Chanting lineage, Wheel of Reincarnation, in the Southern Wasteland of the Great Tang's human realm.

With a smile, Sun Li greeted him, "Saint Master."

Feng Gui approached and exchanged greetings with Lei Jun, "I apologize for not being present when you took over Dragon-Tiger Mountain, Feng pays his respects now. I've heard much about your prowess, and it's an honor to finally meet you in person."

Lei Jun returned the greeting, "You're too kind, Feng Gu, I've also heard much about your capabilities, and it's an honor to meet you."

After exchanging greetings, Feng Gui turned to Sun Li, "It's good to see you taking action for the sake of the human realm, with your strength, our chances of success have greatly increased."

Sun Li smiled, "I'm not good with words, but I've taken Master's teachings to heart."

Feng Gui, "Your improved cultivation is the best outcome."

Lei Jun quietly observed, refraining from interrupting.

When he had first arrived in the Southern Wasteland, it was during the South Wasteland War instigated by Wei Ancheng. Back then, he could already tell that Sun Li, as an elder of Wheel of Reincarnation, often acted on his own accord.

Now, with Sun Li's improved strength and capabilities, he wasn't sure what Sun Li was thinking.

However, he noticed that Feng Gui seemed to hold some wariness and caution towards Sun Li.

He wondered what Sun Li was planning.

"Do you require assistance in maintaining your ritual, Tian Shi?" Feng Gui asked, turning to Lei Jun.

Lei Jun shook his head, "The ritual is almost complete, and we don't need to stay any longer. You, as the leader of Wheel of Reincarnation, have important responsibilities, and there's no need to delay because of me."

Feng Gui glanced at Sun Li beside Lei Jun before withdrawing his gaze, bidding farewell to Lei Jun, "As you say, the situation is still unstable, so I shall take my leave first. Once the turmoil in the Earthly Sea settles, I will pay you a visit."

Lei Jun, "Please take care, Feng Gu."

Sun Li did not leave with Feng Gui. Instead, he smiled and bid him farewell, "Take care, Master."

After Feng Gui's figure disappeared, Sun Li let out a soft sigh, "He's thinking too much."

Lei Jun did not comment on that statement, only saying, "Senior, since I'm currently in the Earthly Sea with Tang Shijie, and Xuanyuan Min is not in the human realm, the situation in the human realm is rather complex and ever-changing. To be safe, may I trouble you to return to the human realm and oversee things for a while?"

Sun Li, who usually minded his own business, rarely involving himself in others' affairs, nodded, "No trouble at all, since I've benefited from your fortune, and now have the confidence to ascend to the Ninth Heaven, I shouldn't be idling about anyway. It's just that I'm not familiar with the current situation in the human realm, so I might need to ask around for some information."

Lei Jun, "That's wonderful, Senior. Xuanyuan Min is currently in the Earthly Sea with us, so the human realm is indeed lacking in manpower. With your help, we can rest assured."

After a slight pause, Sun Li continued, "I'll head back to the human realm first. Once I've settled some matters there, I'll pay you a visit in the Earthly Sea."

Lei Jun, "Please do, Senior."

Sun Li did not linger and quietly took his leave, returning to the human realm.

Because he had been traveling with Lei Jun, his connection with Tian Shi Manor was no longer a secret.

However, instead of heading straight to Dragon-Tiger Mountain to visit Yuan Mobai, he chose to stay in a secluded cave within the mountain range surrounding the main peak.

In the Earthly Sea, Lei Jun was headed to the location where Tang Xiotong had mentioned finding the Twin Lotus of Great Emptiness while also contacting someone, "Big Brother, where are you now? I've arrived at the location Tang Xiotong mentioned. Have you found the Twin Lotus?"

Wang Guiyuan's voice echoed in his ears, "I've reached Canglang Yan and seen the black lotus you left behind."

........................

In the Great Tang's human realm, in a valley near the Central Plains that was usually deserted, there was now a lot of activity.

The valley was shrouded by an invisible force.

An immeasurable amount of ink had formed a massive ink lake within the valley.

The ink had solidified, turning into a solid.

The valley now seemed to have an additional massive black chess piece.

Qingzhou's Ye Clan's Ye Yao held a scroll in her hand, with a group of Ye Clan disciples following behind her.

Ye Yao led the group, performing a remote ritual towards the scroll. The scroll hovered in midair as they bowed towards it.

The scroll glowed with the essence of literature and talent, transforming into streams of light that flowed into the massive black chess piece.

The black chess piece trembled, and the tremors extended deep underground, intertwining with the earth veins and spiritual energy, spreading in all directions.

There were other sources of tremors that joined and amplified the effect.

...

PS: 7k1 Chapter

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end