https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-396-395-The-Separation-of-the-Immortal-and-Mortal-Realms-Part-2-/12600344/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-397-The-Heavenly-Palace-s-Relic-Part-2-/12600349/
Chapter 397: The Heavenly Palace's Relic (Part 1)
Chapter 397: The Heavenly Palace's Relic (Part 1)
Queen Zhang Wantong had freed herself from the Emperor's technique, returning to the path of Confucianism with her cultivation.
Her knowledge was unique and formed a style of her own.
However, according to Lei Jun's observations, her situation was different from Meng Shaoji's.
Interestingly, Zhang Hui seemed more similar to her in this regard.
To a certain extent, Zhang Hui might be the first heir to her legacy and the closest to her founding principles.
It wasn't that she had reservations about cultivating Meng Shaoji, but rather that their cultivation paths, or more accurately, their adherence to the Confucian school of classical learning, continued the tradition.
Meng Shaoji, on the other hand, represented a path of historical learning independent from classical studies.
Among them, Zhang Hui used classical learning as the foundation and incorporated calligraphy and painting. He integrated the Queen's historical traces, principles, and artistic realm while also involving some mysteries of the Confucian school of chanting. He communed with nature and responded to the call of the natural world.
This was the cultivation path that best suited him during his academic pursuits, and it was also vastly different from that of most other Confucian cultivators.
After freeing herself from the Emperor's technique, the Queen's cultivation had achieved perfection in certain aspects, resembling the consummate Confucian scholar of the Nine Heavens.
Though she had not entirely transitioned to the path of historical learning, she retained one of the Nine Heavens Confucian scholar's greatest mysteries upon reaching perfection in the Five Classics - the ability to ascend to the heavens with ease.
In ancient times when immortals still walked the earth, according to historical records, this was considered the easiest path to immortality.
Of course, the notion of 'easy' was always relative.
Throughout the ages, the heavenly chasm had buried countless illustrious figures and caused innumerable talented geniuses to stumble, including many consummate Confucian scholars who had achieved the ability to ascend with ease.
From the outside, the current Queen Zhang Wantong appeared reserved and her aura was not as prominent as Lin Zheng, who had the same level of cultivation in the Nine Heavens.
However, with his exceptional cultivation and insight, Lei Jun intuitively sensed that the Queen's current power, though not overtly displayed, was substantial and tangible, resembling a true world of its own.
It also encompassed unique principles and artistic realms, differing from the 'world' of other Confucian scholars who sought to bring peace to the land.
"In the past, Dragon-Tiger Mountain received a tablet related to the Heavenly Palace." Queen Zhang Wantong continued, "Recently, a urgent message arrived from the north, and unexpectedly, a seal related to the Heavenly Palace was found. I ask that you take this with you, Lord Lei, and study it together with the other Lords of Dragon-Tiger Mountain."
Lei Jun's expression remained unchanged as he replied, "I thank Her Majesty for her trust and bestowment."
After the audience, a palace maid presented him with a brocade box, which Lei Jun accepted and departed with.
Upon examining and opening the box, he found a large seal made of what seemed to be white jade.
However, as his gaze fell upon it, the jade seal seemed to come alive, vibrating gently.
Although there were no obvious changes to its appearance, Lei Jun keenly sensed that the treasure had entered a state of silent vigilance and caution.
He found this defensive mechanism intriguing, and if one failed to recognize its mysteries, they might mistake the seal as ordinary and thus, most likely, would not forcefully break it open, losing a valuable opportunity.
Lei Jun did not make any drastic moves and continued to calmly observe the treasure.
He became one with nature, and though his gaze seemed unchanged, the jade seal gradually began to relax, no longer sensing his scrutiny.
Thus, in Lei Jun's vision, the seal began to reveal countless curse seals and talismans, all originating from the Daoist Fulu School's traditions and dating back to ancient times.
With his current cultivation, Lei Jun instantly recognized that these curse seals and talismans belonged to the Fulu School's ancient traditions.
Given that the seal originated from the Heavenly Palace, it could be surmised that a senior of the Dragon-Tiger Mountain's Heavenly Master's Mansion had ascended and left these behind in ancient times.
Logically speaking, the Heavenly Palace was already a thing of the past, and the current traditions of the Dragon-Tiger Mountain's Heavenly Master's Mansion were also quite different from those ancient Fulu School times.
However, considering the relationship between Penglai and the Heavenly Palace, the emergence of the human world, and the existence of the Han Dynasty's Dragon-Tiger Mountain traditions, Lei Jun could not help but pay extra attention in this regard.
By directly entrusting this treasure to Lei Jun and the Dragon-Tiger Mountain, Queen Zhang Wantong must also be entrusting them to look into this matter.
However...
Lei Jun's situation was different from that of the other cultivators of Dragon-Tiger Mountain.
Even compared to his senior sister, Xu Yuanzhen, who had also achieved the natural layer of enlightenment, there were differences.
Lei Jun's achievement of the natural layer of enlightenment was not only related to the Heavenly Palace but also connected to the legendary Nine Heavens and Ten Realms, specifically Bi Luo and Huang Quan.
Therefore, he was relatively more sensitive to matters concerning Bi Luo and Huang Quan.
And at this moment, Lei Jun vaguely sensed that this seal, which was related to the Heavenly Palace, seemed to be connected to Bi Luo.
Among the Nine Heavens, Bi Luo was relatively unique, or perhaps it used to be.
The reason was that, according to rumors, Bi Luo had never been stably occupied by a single person or group.
Though time had passed, and people had come and gone from Bi Luo, they were all transient guests, none able to remain for long.
Lei Jun gazed at the seal, deep in thought.
His contemplations were not limited to just the Heavenly Palace and the ancient Fulu School, but also extended to the person who had given him the seal - Queen Zhang Wantong.
…………………
In the human world of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms.
In the Great Chu's Hei Qi Army's camp at Mang Mountain.
At this moment, the entire army was draped in mourning attire, and the soldiers all wore hemp cloth and cypress leaves.
However, the number of soldiers in the camp was not many.
The main force of the army was currently away with their commander, Marshal Zhou Wei, on an expedition.
Their destination was none other than the Great Chu's capital.
Marshal Zhou Wei, leading his trusted Hei Qi Army, had decided to rebel against the Great Chu.
The spark that ignited this decision was the acquisition of the legendary treasure, the Three Talents Mystical Fruit, by Marshal Zhou Wei's adopted son and subordinate, General Zhou Pu.
However, their secret was not kept well, and the news reached the ears of the Great Chu's monarch, inciting suspicion.
During Marshal Zhou Wei's secluded meditation, the Great Chu's forces captured and executed his trusted aides, generals, and even their kin.
They also searched for Marshal Zhou Wei's secluded meditation location.
Zhou Pu, who was in the army camp, responded promptly and led the Hei Qi Army to break through the encirclement.
However, Marshal Zhou Wei and Zhou Pu's kin, who were far in the Great Chu's capital, were mostly captured and executed.
And later, when Marshal Zhou Wei emerged from his seclusion, perfected and decided to rebel.
Zhou Wei led the majority of the Black Kirin Army in a full-scale charge toward the capital of the Later Chu Dynasty.
Zhou Pu, injured while leading the troops to break through the siege earlier, was a trusted commander under Zhou Wei. He now oversaw the remaining troops stationed at the Mang Mountain base camp, ensuring the Black Kirin Army maintained their last stronghold.
Within the grand camp, Zhou Pu kept his armor on and had a white silk sash wrapped around his waist. Despite his pale face, his movements were steady as he calmly practiced his martial arts.
Zhou Wei was not only his adoptive father but also his maternal uncle, their families closely intertwined.
Yet, Zhou Pu remained calm and composed, unperturbed by the recent events.
It wasn't that he was unaffected by the tragic deaths of his relatives and friends, but in this world and era, such incidents were all too common.
Having followed Zhou Wei into the army from a young age, Zhou Pu had long grown accustomed to the horrors of war.
However, familiarity didn't breed acceptance.
"This kind of world should come to an end," Zhou Pu thought to himself.
Soon, news from the front lines arrived—Zhou Wei, at the head of the Black Kirin Army's main force, was aggressively advancing and was already nearing the outskirts of the Later Chu Dynasty's capital.
The Black Kirin Army soldiers left to guard the Mang Mountain base camp rejoiced upon hearing this report.
Zhou Pu, upon receiving the news, felt his spirits lift.
However, his eyes narrowed as if he noticed something amiss.
Outside the Black Kirin Army's Mang Mountain base camp, a diverse group of people were assembling and taking action.
They were of varying ethnicities and wore different attire, but their movements were synchronized.
A middle-aged man at the forefront instructed the others, "Quickly bury these beast bones according to the specified locations on the outskirts of the valley. Ensure that no one peeks at the northern valley of Mang Mountain during this period."
Under his command were direct descendants of the Wu Clan's curse lineage, known as "Jiangtou" or Curse Masters.
Together, they were preparing to cast a powerful curse.
They had chosen a site outside the Black Kirin Army's base camp, and most of them were unaware of the specific target. They were also forbidden from observing or looking toward the camp directly.
The Black Kirin Army boasted numerous martial arts experts among their ranks, and any hostile intentions directed at them would easily be sensed.
However, these martial artists were not as attuned to the subtle changes in the natural world.
"Although there aren't many elite Black Kirin Army soldiers left in the Mang Mountain base camp, they have been campaigning for years," one of the leading Curse Masters remarked. "Their scouts are active in all directions, and even with our stealth techniques, we may still be discovered."
The man who had been giving orders earlier said, "Thus, our actions must be both secretive and swift."
Before he could finish his sentence, his expression changed drastically.
He turned to see figures clad in black armor with white waistbands appearing in the wilderness—the soldiers of the Black Kirin Army.
A group of martial arts experts charged forward, shaking the earth beneath their feet. Their decisive and fierce attack caught the Wu Clan Curse Masters off guard.
The curse they had prepared was interrupted before it could take effect.
Although injured, Zhou Pu took the lead, becoming the sharpest blade that pierced through the enemy's formation, leaving a trail of defeated opponents in his wake.
The Curse Masters could only barely hold their ground, suffering casualties and retreating.
Although Zhou Pu commanded only a portion of the Black Kirin Army troops left to guard the base camp, their killing intent was palpable, like a tidal wave crashing down on their foes.
The Wu Clan cultivators soon lost their formation and began to scatter and flee in all directions.
On a distant hill, another group arrived.
They had originally thought they would be like a mantis waiting for the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.
But when they arrived, they found the unexpected—the cicada had turned on the mantis.
"Master..." The speaker was dressed in monk's robes, his head shaved, and he was a direct disciple of the Luli Zen Court, one of the sacred sites of Buddhism in this era.
The people behind him emanated a serene Buddha's light—they were all eminent monks of the Luli Zen Court.
At the forefront stood a tall but emaciated old monk.
He gazed at the distant battle in the mountains, remaining silent for a long moment.
The younger monks beside him exchanged glances, confusion evident on their faces. "Are those evil witches? Did they expose themselves through their careless actions?"
According to common knowledge, the Curse Masters of the Wu Clan's curse lineage should have been able to conceal their tracks with ease.
Yet, they had been discovered by the Black Kirin Army, who boldly launched a surprise attack despite their smaller numbers, catching the Wu Clan cultivators off-guard.
The tide of battle turned in an instant.
"This is also for the best," the old monk finally spoke. "The Later Chu Dynasty's fate is sealed, and the Wu Clan will lose a major foothold in the Central Plains."
The monks from the Luli Zen Court behind him nodded in agreement.
One of them pressed his palms together, chanting a Buddhist mantra before whispering, "Those evil witches will find it difficult to gain a foothold in the mortal realm. We must gradually eradicate their insidious influence in the human world. One day, Mount Ling will shine again, purified of their corruption."
Mount Ling, one of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, stood alongside other mythical lands like Saha and Sumeru.
In ancient times, it was first controlled by the Wu Clan cultivators.
The Ten Witches of Mount Ling were renowned for their connection to both heaven and earth.
Later, Mount Ling was claimed by Buddhist cultivators and became a sacred Buddhist land in the eyes of countless disciples.
However, it eventually returned to the hands of the Wu Clan cultivators.
The two factions had waged a protracted battle for Mount Ling, which lasted until the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths gradually closed off, severing their connections with the mortal realm.
And now, Mount Ling had reopened, connecting to the world of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms.
With the arrival of powerful witches, the slaughter and turmoil in this world intensified.
Among the many small countries where dynasties rose and fell, several were secretly supported by the powerful witches of Mount Ling.
Conversely, some small countries received aid from Buddhist masters, either openly or discreetly.
The royal family of the Later Chu Dynasty had strong ties with the Wu Clan cultivators.
As for the Luli Zen Court, they had chosen Zhou Wei, the commander of the Black Kirin Army and one of the top experts in the Later Chu Dynasty, as their candidate to replace the current ruler.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
