Chapter 378: 377. The Twin Lotus of the Great Void

Chapter 378: 377. The Twin Lotus of the Great Void

After Ye Yao and the other members of the Qingzhou Ye family set up the ceremony for the mountain and river veins, they left for the next location to establish a similar ceremony.

The numerous locations caused a stir locally, but they remained dormant for the time being.

They formed a potential resonance with each other.

At the same time, in addition to the Qingzhou Ye family, the Cangzhou Ye family, Youzhou Lin family, Jingxiang Fang family, and Suzhou Chu family also had people making similar arrangements.

More than forty years ago, during the reign of Emperor Zhang Qilong, the major aristocratic families joined forces and had a similar understanding and cooperation.

The final outcome had a significant impact on the course of the Great Tang Dynasty over the next four decades.

Although the various changes that followed were not necessarily what the Five Surnames and Seven Hopes wanted to see.

The once-powerful Five Surnames and Seven Hopes even became a mere shadow of their former selves, and now only four surnames and five hopes remain.

However, with the changing times, they need to make preparations again.

Once the Empress recovers, the Celestial Master ascends to the Great Vehicle, or another Nine Heavens expert emerges in the central court of the Tang Dynasty, then their preparations will be in vain.

Although the current Four Surnames and Five Hopes have their own plans in this regard.

Fortunately, the national fortune of the Great Tang is declining, and the unstable mountains and rivers make it easier to plot than before...

Northland.

The elder, who was supposed to be stationed in the northern bay, quietly appeared in Youzhou at this time.

As summer was coming to an end, autumn was approaching.

Ye Moke quietly watched the distant sunset, observing the sun sinking in the west.

The current head of the Youzhou Lin family, Lin Huan, appeared and came to meet with Ye Moke: "Uncle."

Ye Moke retracted his gaze: "How are the preparations in Yujing?"

Lin Huan: "It's almost ready. But now, is it an opportunity or a danger?"

Ye Moke: "His Royal Highness King Zhao is already prepared. It will be up to His Royal Highness to make the decision at that time. If it's not feasible, we must not act rashly."

Lin Huan nodded slightly.

She asked softly, "Regarding the news from the Underground Spirit Sea, is it true that Xuan Xiaozi of Dragon and Tiger Mountain is really unwell and his injuries have not healed? But if that's the case, why is he insisting on going to the Underground Spirit Sea?"

Tang Xiatang had already gone in, taking the Celestial Master's Sword with her.

As long as she stands firm, the situation in the Underground Spirit Sea will not get out of control for the Great Tang human realm.

"Is there an existence in the Underground Spirit Sea that can help him recover faster?" Lin Huan frowned, looking towards the south.

Ye Moke: "It's possible."

Lin Huan: "How is your health, Uncle?"

"To be honest, it's not good," Ye Moke said, "But for this endeavor, I have made my preparations. I cannot afford to miss this opportunity again, as I did with Feishan."

Lin Huan rarely heard Ye Moke speak so intensely.

She vaguely sensed a different meaning in his words.

It seemed that the elder beside her had made some kind of decision.

Ye Moke looked at Lin Huan calmly: "How is your body doing now?"

Lin Huan said, "Thank you for your concern, Uncle. I am well now, but I am powerless to cross the tribulation between the Eighth and Ninth Heavens.

Unless I can return the humiliation of that day to Xu Yuanzhen, I'm afraid I will never have any hope in this life.

Unfortunately, given the current situation, whether it is His Royal Highness King Zhao or the one in the East Palace of Luoyang City who ascends the throne, they will still favor Dragon and Tiger Mountain."

Both Lin Huan and Ye Moke, as well as Fang Jingsheng, Chu Xiuyuan, and Ye Yan, were mentally prepared for this.

The Dragon and Tiger Mountain Celestial Master's Mansion had already established its dominance.

In the short term, even if King Zhao or the Crown Prince ascended the throne as the new emperor, the Great Tang National Master would still be from Dragon and Tiger Mountain.

The Celestial Master's Mansion would remain the foremost cultivation sacred ground in the Great Tang.

Whether it was the psychological tactics of the emperor or the opportunities and crises brought about by the current Nine Heavens and Ten Earthly Branches, as well as other human forces,

This situation would not change in a short period of time.

Unless the pillars of the Dragon and Tiger Mountain Celestial Master's Mansion collapse outside the Great Tang.

For the new emperor, the target has always been the one recuperating in today's Chang'an City.

The only slight suspense is the contemporary Celestial Master Lei Jun, who has not yet reached the Ninth Heaven Realm.

The impact of him achieving the Ninth Heaven Great Vehicle is far-reaching, but he is currently half a step away, which makes people eager to take action.

For Lin Huan, who was forced to stop at the peak of the Eighth Heaven and had no hope of reaching the Ninth Heaven, this feeling was particularly acute.

But Lei Jun, just like the one recuperating in Chang'an City,

The Four Surnames and Five Hopes all hoped that these two would be completely finished.

But they must not fall into their hands, at least not in name.

Ye Moke said, "In today's situation, we must either remain still or strike decisively. If it really comes to the crucial moment, both His Royal Highness King Zhao and us will need to put in some effort. Yujing, if there is a need at that time, please make a decisive decision for Youzhou. It is better to have some regrets than to leave things undone and be filled with regret."

Upon hearing this, Lin Huan fell silent.

Ye Moke's expression remained unchanged, and he let out a long sigh: "My ancestors of the East and West Ye families once held the Linked Mountains for many years. Unfortunately, due to various reasons, they eventually missed the opportunity, and now the Linked Mountains are gone forever."

After a moment, Lin Huan said, "Datong has also changed from what it used to be."

Ye Moke smiled: "The most heartbreaking thing is that people change, and it would be better if they were still around."

Lin Huan nodded slightly: "We don't need to mention the situation beyond Longxi, but in Jingxiang..."

Ye Moke: "Yingyun is also here in the north. Go and talk to him.

In the current situation, the hidden dangers of the small sect merging with the large sect are also minor issues.

Of course, it would be best if we don't have to take that step, but it's always good to be prepared."

Jingxiang Fang's contemporary family head, Fang Jingsheng, was known as Tianliu, and Yingyun was his courtesy name.

Ye Moke's gaze turned to the south, towards the mountains and rivers of the Great Tang Dynasty, and his tone finally revealed a hint of fatigue:

"The world has changed drastically, and the vicissitudes of life have swept away countless eras and heroes. In the face of the tides of history, how can we not do our best?"

Lin Huan's expression changed slightly: "Uncle?"

Ye Moke calmly said, "Have you also paid attention to the human realms of the Great Ming and the Great Song, Yujing?"

Lin Huan nodded slightly, her expression returning to calm, but she remained silent.

Ye Moke continued: "These human realms have diverged from the Han dynasty, but the passage of time has been different. The Great Ming human realm has two thousand four hundred more years than ours, and the Great Song human realm has one thousand four hundred more years. When comparing their respective histories, there are many differences but also some similarities.

"For example, neither the Great Ming nor the Great Song human realms have the Five Surnames and Seven Hopes anymore.

Once standing tall for countless millennia, the powerful and influential aristocratic families eventually faded into oblivion.

When the Han dynasty first split, the other human realms also had their respective Five Surnames and Seven Hopes.

But as time went on, all of that became history.

Through the previous interactions with the Lonely Eagle Khanate and the Ming Court in the Tianli world, Ye Moquan and the others also obtained some information.

The major aristocratic families still have surviving bloodlines in the present Great Ming and Great Song human realms.

However, they no longer possess the might and influence they once held over a region.

'Since there are already many differences, perhaps there is a chance for change in this matter,' Lin Huan said.

Ye Moquan repeated his previous suggestion: 'Go and talk to Yingyun, Yu Jing.'

Lin Huan: 'Yes, Uncle.'

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

At the edge of the South Sea, there was Canglang Yan, a cliff by the sea.

Below the cliff and within the deep sea was a humongous black lotus, currently closed and enveloping a small world within its petals.

Several black-robed monks could be seen within the black lotus, all of them disciples of Dakuang Temple.

Among these black-robed monks were some elders from the Upper Three Heavens of Dakuang Temple.

However, from the elders to the disciples, all the Dakuang Temple monks present were lifeless and sprawled across the dark little world, creating an eerie and solemn scene.

Outside the black lotus, on Canglang Yan.

In the distant mountains, two monks who also hailed from Dakuang Temple gazed towards the direction of Canglang Yan.

'Master, if there's still no movement after such a long time, do you think something has gone wrong?' The younger monk asked in a lowered voice.

His elderly companion remained silent with a solemn expression.

They had come to look for Abbot Yuanmie and the others, and out of caution, they had sent a group to the bay below the cliff.

While the master and disciple duo remained on the shore, serving as both an outer guard and a precaution against any ambush that might be lying in wait at the bay, resulting in their net encompassing the entire area.

But now, looking at the situation...

'Do you think something has happened to the Abbot as well?' The young monk's face filled with shock.

The elder made a swift decision. 'We're not going down there. Let's leave this place immediately!'

The master and disciple duo turned to leave the mountain range immediately.

However, just as they turned around, they saw a young monk standing behind them.

As one of the two major heretical sects of Buddhism, the first adversary that came to mind when facing Dakuang Temple was none other than Tianlong Temple.

Thus, the elderly monk immediately recognized the young monk before him as Faqing of Tianlong Temple, despite his absence from the human realm for a long time.

'Faqing, is that you?!' The elderly monk took a deep breath. 'Our Abbot and the other senior and junior disciples... '

His opponent remained silent, but as the Buddhist light flowed, a golden vajra appeared in his hand.

It was said that Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva had made a great vow to save all sentient beings undergoing transmigration in the Six Paths, and thus, he often manifested himself in the Six Paths, assuming different names and forms.

Among them was the Holding-the-Ground Ksitigarbha, who was depicted with his left hand holding a golden vajra and his right hand forming the mudra of granting wishes.

The master and disciple duo of Dakuang Temple were far inferior to Faqing of Tianlong Temple in terms of cultivation and strength.

As soon as the mudra of granting wishes was formed, the duo fell to the ground.

Then, with another wave of the vajra, they were captured by Faqing and pulled into the vajra.

Faqing carefully inspected the surroundings once more, and finding no one else, he returned to the massive black lotus.

Looking at the Dakuang Temple monks who had fallen earlier, Faqing shook his head and collected their remains, after which he joined his palms together and began reciting sutras.

After the recitation, he started walking within the black lotus.

As he walked, golden Buddhist light filled the small world within the black lotus.

Part of the light supported the black lotus, while the other part converged at its center, forming a golden vase that stood about ten feet tall.

With the appearance of the vase, the Buddhist light flowed endlessly.

However, the golden light did not clash directly with the black lotus.

Instead, the two forces entered a brief state of mutual restraint and balance.

From the outside, the black lotus remained unchanged.

Lei Jun had previously caused the malevolent and violent energies within the black lotus to calm and subside.

Faqing's actions now further stabilized the situation, with the outer black lotus restraining the inner golden vase and preventing any changes from manifesting externally.

After completing this task, Faqing left the black lotus and remained in the vicinity of Canglang Yan for some time, ensuring that no further changes occurred before quietly departing from the area.

He concealed his presence and secretly made his way to the entrance of the Nethersea in the South Wilderness, passing through the void gate and arriving at the Nethersea.

Due to the restless and turbulent nature of the void gate connecting the human realm and the Nethersea, one's presence and movements would inevitably be exposed and noticed during times of instability.

Thanks to Lei Jun's arrangements in both the human realm and the Nethersea, which had restrained the spatial fluctuations to a certain extent, Faqing was able to move between the two realms without revealing his trail.

Following the clues left by Lei Jun, Faqing concealed his presence and made his way to a certain location in the Nethersea.

'Big Brother, over here.'

Lei Jun did not revert to his original appearance as Wang Guiyuan, maintaining his youthful monk form as he faced Faqing: 'Is this the Twin Lotus of Great Emptiness?'

This place was one of the Seven Abyssal Pools, the Pool of Boqi.

The pool hung upside down, and within it were numerous islands.

Lei Jun and Faqing were currently on one of those islands, and along with the inverted pool, they appeared upside down to the entire world.

A certain area on the island was concealed by Lei Jun's mystical powers, shielding it from external perception.

From the outside, there appeared to be nothing amiss, with mist shrouding the area just like in other parts of the Earthly Sea.

However, beneath this deceptive appearance lay a strange pond, its surface rippling with warping energies.

The pond was devoid of water, its depths empty and desolate.

Within, space seemed to be in constant flux, twisting and distorting as if it were alive.

The chaotic pond mirrored the turmoil of time and space, its waters ever-shifting like the sands in an hourglass.

And within this chaotic pond, a twin lotus blossomed, its petals gradually unfurling to reveal a dazzling display of colors.

"I had thought it would be born in the heavens above or perhaps in the void beyond the realm, yet here it is, blooming in the Earthly Sea."

Lei Jun remarked, "It's finally about to reach its full bloom."

"I believe that once the treasure matures, it would be safer for you, Celestial Master, to bring it back to the ancestral court of Dragon Tiger Mountain and sequester yourself in secluded cultivation," Faqing suggested.

"There are many eyes on me, so it's better to give the impression of being elsewhere while I'm actually here," Lei Jun replied.

"I usually adhere to the principle of less is more, but since I've already made an appearance as Faqing, I don't mind lending a hand myself this time," Wang Guiyuan added.

The current situation was unpredictable and complex, hence even Wang Guiyuan found it difficult to step out.

Although they had always believed in minimizing risks, now that Wang Guiyuan had already revealed himself as Faqing, he didn't mind joining forces with Lei Jun and Tang Xiatang.

With their combined efforts, the situation in the Earthly Sea would soon undergo a significant transformation.

However, compared to the Earthly Sea, Lei Jun was more concerned about the various changes unfolding in the Great Tang Empire.

Even if they were to eventually engage in an all-out conflict with the Nine Li tribes of the Earthly Sea, Lei Jun preferred to wait until the Great Tang Empire had stabilized.

As one of the Ten Realms alongside the Underworld and the Abyss, the Earthly Sea was a place of profound mysteries and formidable dangers.

Lei Jun had recently experienced the formidable might of the Underworld firsthand.

Currently, with the conflict between the Greedy Li Tribe Leader, Li Yuanheng, and the Literary Li Tribe Leader, Li Zhongding, there seemed to be no dominant force in the Earthly Sea comparable to the Shushan Sect in the Underworld.

However, if the situation in the Earthly Sea were to undergo a drastic change, and the threat posed by Lei Jun, Tang Xiatang, and Wang Guiyuan became too great, there was a possibility that the Nine Li tribes would set aside their differences and unite against them.

Whether it was an enemy of their enemy or a friend was difficult to predict, especially in the case of the Nine Li tribes.

However, the Literary Li Tribe Leader, Li Zhongding, had a personal grudge against Tang Xiatang, which had led to the direct involvement of the Great Tang cultivators in the internal strife of the Nine Li tribes.

If not for this personal enmity, most of the Great Tang cultivators would have likely remained as spectators of the conflict between the Nine Li tribes.

"Things are getting interesting, and the winds of change are blowing. General Xiao Xieting has suppressed the demons that emerged from the Luoyuan Gate, and the situation is currently stable," Faqing reported. "Thanks to Elder Sun of the Cycle of Reincarnation secretly heading to Dragon Tiger Mountain, even if something unexpected happens, as long as she stands firm, the situation in the Earthly Sea won't spiral out of control for the Great Tang Empire."

"Have there been any special developments in the Great Tang Empire lately?" Lei Jun inquired.

Of course, it wouldn't escape the scrutiny of high-level cultivators up close.

However, with Lei Jun's previous modus operandi, he doesn't need to have much contact with others going forward.

Regarding fa yi, Lei Jun had already communicated with Wang Guiyuan, and he could handle it himself.

There is a distinction between Daoist and Buddhist fa yi.

Although Wang Guiyuan's Daoist cultivation is insufficient, he is a top expert in the Buddhist tradition of making vows.

He can rely on his Buddhist vow cultivation to imitate Lei Jun's moves.

While Wang Guiyuan may not be able to replicate the subtle intricacies and the power of Lei Jun's divine abilities, Lei Jun had previously been "injured," right?

When Lei Jun displayed his powers in the Earthly Sea, he appeared to be lacking in strength.

So, it's perfect for Wang Guiyuan to imitate him.

He carries Lei Jun's Heaven-Listening and Earth-Seeing Talisman.

As long as Lei Jun isn't in a closed meditation, he can personally participate in conversations with others remotely.

By stabilizing the void realm between the Great Tang human realm and the Earthly Sea, not only can Lei Jun leave the Earthly Sea without a trace, but it also facilitates his communication with Wang Guiyuan and Tang Xiatang, including speaking through the Heaven-Listening and Earth-Seeing Talisman on Wang Guiyuan.

After leaving the Earthly Sea, Lei Jun returned to Canglang Yan by the South Sea.

Following Wang Guiyuan's instructions, he avoided the various arrangements left by his senior martial brother before his departure and reentered the sea below Canglang Yan, entering the gigantic black lotus.

This was the secluded cultivation site Lei Jun had prepared for himself.

Normally, the environmental conditions here are far inferior to those of his Dragon Tiger Mountain ancestral court.

But with the help of the black lotus rooted here, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth gathered in large quantities, nourishing it silently without alarming the outside world.

With the golden vase left by Wang Guiyuan harmonizing with the inside and outside of the black lotus, the world within the black lotus was isolated from the outside world.

Lei Jun had the Heaven Master Seal with him, and entering the True One Law Altar grotto-heaven was also a stable place for secluded cultivation.

However, if he were to attempt to break through to the Ninth Heaven Great Vehicle realm, it might trigger a resonance between the Heaven Master Seal and the True One Law Altar grotto-heaven, which would then be sensed and discovered by the outside world.

With this extra layer of the black lotus, Lei Jun could create as much disturbance as he wanted within it without any worries.

This was the purpose of leaving this black lotus here.

Inside the world within the black lotus, Lei Jun sat quietly in the center of a lotus platform, with a gigantic golden vase a yard and a half tall by his side, left by Wang Guiyuan.

Lei Jun sat calmly.

The Twin Lotus of Great Emptiness, which he had only obtained not long ago, now floated in front of him.

Under Lei Jun's control, the twin lotus fully unfolded.

The colorful radiance within the petals faded away, leaving only a nearly transparent and vaguely outlined lotus that seemed to merge with its surroundings.

In Lei Jun's perception, if left unattended, this twin lotus would soon fade into the void and disappear without a trace.

He reached out and touched it lightly.

But the nearly transparent twin lotus expanded again.

Within the lotus seemed to be a self-contained world, which expanded at this moment.

Compared to a simple expansion of space, the void realm trembled as that world seemed to split into two.

Lei Jun nodded slightly.

The Jing Xuanhuang Universe on his spiritual palace also unfolded at this moment.

A huge, opaque black sphere appeared in the world within the black lotus, but it did not expand excessively, maintaining a relatively small size while its power neither increased nor decreased, remaining as refined as before.

Under Lei Jun's control, the twin lotus, which had unfolded to form a dual world, merged with his Xuanhuang Universe·Two Extremes Microcosm.

The surrounding void was affected and constantly trembled at this moment.

After the two merged, the space did not expand further.

Instead, the Xuanhuang Universe that Lei Jun had released outside began to shrink.

The originally non-gigantic opaque black sphere seemed to shrink to the size of a speck of dust.

Lei Jun sat quietly, and that speck of dust revolved around him endlessly.

There were fluctuations within the speck of dust.

Within millimeters, the speck of dust underwent subtle changes that were indescribable to the outside world.

During this process, Lei Jun also accelerated his final accumulation in the fourth layer of the eighth heaven of the spiritual palace, gradually approaching a state of perfection.

…………………

Northland, Great Tang human realm.

Zhao Wang Zhang Teng held a knife in his hand.

Before him stood the Great Demon Black Mountain Lord, a being equivalent to a human Nine Heavens cultivator.

However, Zhao Wang's gaze was directed towards the south.

Southwest direction.

The direction of the ancient capital of Chang'an, where the Great Tang was once located.

He gripped the long knife in his hand, tightened his fingers, retracted his gaze without changing his expression, and continued to focus on fighting the Great Demon Black Mountain Lord.

Zhao Wang swung his knife forward, and Black Mountain Lord quickly dodged.

This knife move felt very strange to the Black Mountain Lord, but it was difficult to pinpoint exactly what was strange about it.

After the knife move, it seemed ordinary again, making the Black Mountain Lord almost doubt if he had just imagined it.

…………………

At the same time, in the Guanzhong region, near the ancient capital of Chang'an in the Great Tang.

The void suddenly split open, and an immeasurable amount of heavy and silent death energy poured out like a flood.

Numerous powerful demons appeared in the human realm.

A huge figure with blood-red eyes and a body shrouded in darkness emerged from that world, which resembled the Prison of Death, and arrived in the Great Tang human realm.

He didn't need to do anything, and the countless beings around him perished in his presence.

"My king." A great demon stepped forward: "The one who opened the void gate here may not have good intentions."

The red-eyed figure in the darkness remained calm and cold: "We each have our own goals. We do what we must."

The group of demons acknowledged, their voices devoid of emotion, carrying only a chilling killing intent, like a howling icy wind.

On that day, an urgent report came from Chang'an.

The second Luo Yuan gate had opened, located near Chang'an.

A new wave of demons surged forth, targeting Chang'an first and foremost.

The news shook the world.

The Luoyang side immediately dispatched people to head west to aid the emperor.

A representative rushed to Dragon Tiger Mountain to contact the Celestial Master Lei, the National Master Tang, or perhaps the Immortal Zhen, requesting their return to the human realm as soon as possible.

　PS1: 7k2 chapters

　PS2: With the new alliance leader, thanks to the "Wzl" alliance for the reward!

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end