Chapter 413: The Heavenly Master Slays the Emperor in Penglai (One) (Part 1)

Chapter 413: The Heavenly Master Slays the Emperor in Penglai (One) (Part 1)







Penglai, one of the Nine Heavens, has enjoyed an untarnished reputation over the years.

As Lei Jun entered, it was as if he had stepped into another world—one filled with oceans.

Upon the vast and boundless Emerald Sea, countless islands of all sizes were scattered like stars.

The larger islands resembled continents, with countless immortal mountains rising above the mist, emitting a myriad of spiritual lights.

At first glance, there was a sense of desolation.

The great heavenly calamity of years past had affected not only the mortal realm but also the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands. Penglai, too, seemed to have suffered greatly from its impact.

Although it remained a wondrous immortal realm, it had not yet regained its ancient splendor as recorded in the ancient tomes.

When Master Sister Xu Yuanzhen first entered Penglai, it had also undergone great changes.

Perhaps the current state of Penglai was related to that event.

The mist and clouds hanging over the sea obscured one's vision and hindered cultivators from sensing the outside world.

However, this was not a challenge for Lei Jun.

Xu Yuanzhen had previously traversed this path and shared her experiences with Lei Jun, giving him a preliminary understanding of Penglai's environment and geographical layout.

At this moment, the Jade Clarity Heaven-Encompassing Law Mirror was also with Lei Jun, quietly turning to continue locking onto the location of the Taiyi Xiantian Tower.

Lei Jun took the lead, with Ji Dongquan and Li Miaozhen following closely behind.

With Lei Jun's guidance on direction, Ye Dongming, carrying the Beiping Godly Spear, would also arrive shortly.

Simultaneously, the light of the Heaven-Connecting Earth-Penetrating Law Grimoire shone in Lei Jun's eyes, connecting him to Master Sister Xu Yuanzhen and Junior Sister Tang Xiaotang in the Khanates of the mortal realm, to see if they wished to join him in Penglai.

Lei Jun still remembered how Tang Xiaotang had mentioned seeking out the Western White Emperor, Han Qingtao, to settle a score.

Initially, Tang Xiaotang, who had just attained the Nine Heavens not long ago, had crossed paths with Han Qingtao in the Great Tang Dynasty.

Ultimately, Tang Xiaotang succeeded in repelling Han Qingtao, but her opponent fled the Great Tang Dynasty swiftly, evading Tang Xiaotang's pursuit.

The last time Xu Yuanzhen had opened the gates of Penglai, Tang Xiaotang had been preoccupied with causing trouble for the Sumeru Diamond Department, causing her to miss Han Qingtao once again.

Lei Jun recalled how Tang Xiaotang had always regretted that missed opportunity.

Upon hearing this news, a certain Grand Tutor of the Great Tang was indeed troubled.

However, there were others who attracted Tang Xiaotang's attention more than Han Qingtao: Li Hang and the previously mentioned troublemaker, Kong Sang.

Xu Yuanzhen spoke up, "Regarding Penglai, since I'm already here, I might as well take another look. Last time I went, I felt that someone there was a bit peculiar.

Lei Jun asked, "Li Hang? Han Qingtao? Or someone else?"

Xu Yuanzhen replied, "Someone else. I recall it was someone who called himself the Central Yellow Emperor. I didn't interact with him directly, but he gave me a strange feeling. After missing him the last time, I was busy with other matters and didn't bother to go back. This time, I'll pay him a visit.

You guys go on ahead. I'll catch up with you later."

"Alright, Master Sister, suit yourself," Lei Jun ended the conversation and continued on his way.

At the same time, in contrast to the tranquil and serene Penglai, one of the Ten Lands, the Yellow Springs was suddenly in turmoil.

Lu Changpeng, a senior elder of the Lisu Mountain who had remained in the Yellow Springs, was astonished to see their recently departed Sect Master, Ji Yao, return unexpectedly.

Ji Yao had not only returned himself but had also contacted another high-achieving cultivator, Tian Lingfeng, who had left the Yellow Springs for the mortal realm, urging them to return swiftly.

He instructed the somewhat bewildered Lu Changpeng, "Immediately contact the Grand Tutor of Witchcraft in the Great Tang Dynasty."

"Does this mean there's a change in the Great Tang Dynasty, Sect Master?" Lu Changpeng asked.

Lu Changpeng dared not delay and immediately contacted the Grand Tutor of Witchcraft, Zong Han.

Previously, when the River of Oblivion had sunk the Ferry of the Forgetful, the connection between the Yellow Springs and the Great Tang Dynasty had been severed. In recent years, although the Yellow Springs had not reopened its connection to the Great Tang Dynasty, the Lisu Mountain sect had successfully reestablished contact with Zong Han.

However, Zong Han's situation was also far from ideal.

Wei Ancheng's death had caused tremendous shifts in the power dynamics of the Great Tang Dynasty's Witchcraft over the years.

Not only had new forces like the Xingfeng and Li Tianqing emerged, causing headaches, but even old acquaintances like the Gu Technique Holy Land's Holy Master, Hu Hengyuan, had become somewhat distant.

Due to Sun Li's involvement, the internal stability of the Reincarnation Abyss seemed to have been affected as well.

However, for Zong Han, the Holy Master of the Reincarnation Abyss, Feng Gui, had also become more challenging to deal with.

The Great Tang Dynasty seemed peaceful and stable, yet Zong Han found it difficult to find a place for himself within it.

The ever-increasing pressure from new and old rivals alike had forced Zong Han to seek refuge in the desolate and barren Snowfield Plateau in recent years.

However, he had never intended to spend his entire life there.

Coming from the South Wilderness, Zong Han undoubtedly valued his own strength.

His previous collaborations with the Yellow Springs had greatly benefited his Ghostly Way cultivation.

With the surge of spiritual energy, his cultivation had gradually stabilized.

Although he was no longer young, Zong Han was confident that with the right opportunity, he could take that step forward, achieving the Nine Heavens and becoming a Descending Godly Ghostly Way Grand Witch, or perhaps even surpassing his old acquaintance, Hu Hengyuan, and Feng Gui.

All he needed was one more chance.

The Yellow Springs' outreach now gave Zong Han the opportunity he had been waiting for.

Finally, his last chance had arrived.

With this opportunity in the Yellow Springs, he just needed some time to accumulate and prepare, and he would be ready to challenge the hurdle between the Eighth and Ninth Heavens.

Inside the Yellow Springs, in the Capital of Penglai...

Tian Lingfeng asked, "What about her opponent?"

Ji Yao replied, "It should be someone from our Daoist sect, but the specifics are unclear. To avoid exposing our whereabouts, I did not get close."

On one hand, he didn't want to get entangled in that battle. On the other hand, it was for the sake of secrecy.

The fact that the Empress had left the human realm of the Great Tang unnoticed was something the Yellow Springs could take advantage of.

However, if the Empress became aware of this, she might grow cautious and find a way to return to the human realm earlier than expected, which would hinder the Yellow Springs' plans.

"The battle between the two sides is intense and protracted," Ji Yao said in a low voice. "What we need right now is speed!"

Lu Zhangpeng took a deep breath and said, "As for the human realm of the Great Tang, Zong Han, a member of the Wu Clan's Ghost Dao sect mentioned that the three top experts of the Heavenly Master's Mansion are currently unaccounted for. Not long ago, Xuan Xiaozi, the Heavenly Master, left the mountain with the three treasures of the mansion!"

Tian Lingfeng frowned. "If they're unaccounted for, then they might still be in the human realm of the Great Tang and could appear at any moment..."

"What about Chen Donglou?" Ji Yao asked.

"I heard that he hasn't shown himself in the human realm of the Great Tang for years," Lu Zhangpeng replied.

"According to what Zong Han said," Ji Yao continued, "aside from the Emperor and the four Great Vehicle cultivators of Longhu Mountain, there are several other Nine Heavens cultivators in the human realm of the Great Tang at present."

"There are two in the Tang imperial family, one named Shangguan Yunbo and the other Xiao Xuting," Lu Zhangpeng said. "The Southern Wilderness Wu Clan has three people, each from the Divine Dance, Blood River, and Curse-Chant lineages.

However, according to what we know, these five people, along with Yuan Mobai, a new Great Vehicle cultivator from Longhu Mountain, have only recently entered the Nine Heavens realm."

After a moment of thought, Ji Yao said, "Let's go to the Xiading Peak of the Great Tang's Shushan to welcome back the Purple-Green Twin Swords and other treasures to the Yellow Springs. As for Longhu Mountain... it's not part of our plan this time."

Tian Lingfeng still thought it was a bit risky.

Lu Zhangpeng agreed, "We will obey the orders of our sect master."

…………………

Lei Jun traversed the seas of Penglai, his mind suddenly stirring.

Due to the multiple layers of void separating them, it was not as convenient to maintain contact with the human realm of the Great Tang at this moment.

However, as Lei Jun focused his mind, his eyes and the Jade Pure Heaven Panoramic Treasure above the horizon began to glow as the Tian Tong Di Che divination began to circulate between them.

The combination of the two caused a radiant display of light, allowing Lei Jun to communicate with the other arrangements he had left behind in the human realm of the Great Tang.

In the human realm of the Great Tang, a faint light suddenly appeared in the distant clouds.

The light was ethereal and far from the ground, invisible to the naked eye.

However, as the mirror light quietly flowed and condensed into a thin stream of silver-white radiance, it spread towards the distance.

The starlights connected, forming a net-like pattern that covered a vast area.

The scenes illuminated by the light, despite being separated by multiple layers of void, were successfully projected into Lei Jun's eyes at this moment.

Thus, he witnessed the turbulent void and surging grey mist in the Southern Wilderness.

The gates of the Yellow Springs had reopened in the human realm of the Great Tang.

Figures began to appear and disappear within the gates, their movements obscured by the swirling yin energy.

Recognizing the display of power from a Nine Heavens cultivator, Lei Jun calmly halted the observations of the remaining mirrors in the Yellow Springs gates.

Compared to the Jade Pure Heaven Panoramic Treasure, these mirrors excelled in numbers and coverage. However, they fell short in individual power, and their ability to remain concealed was not as exceptional as the panoramic treasure.

If one were to blatantly observe a Nine Heavens cultivator with these mirrors, they would easily be detected.

However, they had already served their purpose.

Although the Jade Pure Heaven Panoramic Treasure had been taken out of the human realm of the Great Tang by Lei Jun, the vast array of Starry River Trappings he had left behind was precisely for situations like this.

Seeing no other changes aside from the Yellow Springs gates, Lei Jun, who was in Penglai, did not rush back to the human realm.

He relayed the relevant information to his master Yuan Mobai, who had quietly returned to the imperial capital of Luoyang earlier, and then contacted the Shushan Sect.

Lei Jun himself, at a later time, redeployed the Starry River Trappings.

However, this time, the target of his observation was not the Yellow Springs' people in Longhu Mountain.

The scattered mirrors each turned, soon discovering the person Lei Jun sought.

Zong Han, the Ghost King and a member of the Southern Wilderness Wu Clan's Ghost Dao sect.

This trip confirmed that this brute was again involved, aiding the Yellow Springs in opening their gates.

Zong Han was not greedy. He often left discreetly after gaining benefits from the Yellow Springs, never staying to act alongside the Longhu Mountain sect members in the human realm.

This was why Lei Jun and the Tang imperial family had failed to intercept him on multiple occasions.

Lei Jun's newly deployed Starry River Trappings, though vast in coverage, still had its limits. Thus, he only used it to monitor key areas.

Now that Zong Han had revealed himself, it would be difficult for him to escape again.

Lei Jun specifically allocated a portion of the Starry River Trappings to keep a close eye on Zong Han's movements.

After making the necessary arrangements, Lei Jun finally turned his full attention back to Penglai.

The Jade Pure Heaven Panoramic Treasure shone brilliantly once more, resuming the search for the Taiyi Xiantian Pagoda.

Behind Lei Jun, Li Miaozhen, Ji Dongquan, and the later-arriving Ye Dongming, remained unaware of the changes in the Tian Tong Di Che divination earlier.

Their focus was currently on Penglai, the treasure they sought, and the Taiyi Xiantian Pagoda, which they wanted to locate specifically.

Lei Jun's expression was calm as he walked through the seas of clouds and mist in Penglai, his confidence unwavering.

The Taiyi Xiantian Pagoda had fled into Penglai, transforming into streams of light that seemed to vanish without a trace.

However, to him, its whereabouts were no longer a secret.

After a moment, Lei Tianshi suddenly smiled. "We've arrived."

Ye Dongming, upon hearing this, looked towards Ji Dongquan.

Ji Dongquan was holding a treasure similar to a Luo Pan in his hand.

The Luo Pan trembled slightly, and after a while, it finally stabilized, clearly pointing towards their current location as well.

The two elders from the Great Tang's Shushan Sect finally breathed a sigh of relief.

On the side, Li Miaozhen, a member of the Great Ming Shushan Sect, watched this scene silently.

A moment ago, this contemporary Heavenly Master of Longhu Mountain had displayed prowess in physical cultivation.

However, it now seemed that his soul and spirit were equally remarkable.

Although he was a Nine Heavens cultivator, while Ji Dongquan and Ye Dongming were both Eight Heavens cultivators, the fact that the Taiyi Xiantian Pagoda was a treasure of the Great Tang Shushan Sect meant that they should have had more contact and understanding of it.

As a result, this Lei Tian Shi had discovered the treasure first and was leading the way.

This person was highly accomplished in both body and soul; their divine soul and spiritual sense were equally remarkable as their physical strength and life-force.

While Li Miaozhen was deep in thought, Ye Dongming stood by with the Beiming Godly Spear in hand. After the initial excitement, he quickly calmed down and looked around. "There's no sign of Han Qingtao and the others from the Taoist country..."

Ji Dongquan said, "The Great Ming Dynasty has an endless stream of experts entering Penglai. Han Qingtao and the others won't be having an easy time either."

As he spoke, his immortal soul shed its human form and merged with the compass-like treasure in his hand.

Then, the compass flew out, turning into a stream of light that shot into the sea below.

After a moment, the sea began to surge, and beams of light shot out from it. Then, strands of clear qi rose, turning into a mist that began to part the sea.

As the mist swirled, a six-layered treasure tower emerged from the seabed and slowly rose.

It was one of the Great Tang Shushan Sect's town mountain treasures, the Taiyi Xiantian Tower.

Not only had this treasure disappeared with Fu Dongsen and the others when they left Xiaoding, but it had also been missing from the Great Tang's overseas territories for about twenty years.

How could Ye Dongming not feel emotional?

Not just him, but Li Miaozhen of the Great Ming Shushan Sect also felt a sense of resonance.

In a sense, their current situation was probably not as good as that of their Great Tang sect members back then...

Upon finding the Taiyi Xiantian Tower, Lei Jun made no other moves and simply smiled as he stood there with his hands behind his back.

Suddenly, a thought occurred to him, and he tilted his head slightly upwards.

In the clouds above, there seemed to be a faint ray of sunlight.

But it wasn't coming from the actual sun; it was from some kind of spiritual object.

"In this position, it seems to be mutually restraining the Taiyi Xiantian Tower. This object appeared because of the Taiyi Xiantian Tower, and the tower remained here because of it..." Lei Jun thought to himself.

His spiritual power turned into white qi, like a swimming dragon, and plucked the source of the sunlight from above.

It was a strangely shaped piece of essence gold that shimmered with a faint golden light. It was perfectly round, like a miniature sun.

[Xihe Flowing Gold]





It had a certain resemblance to the Shouxi Flowing Gold that Lei Jun had obtained earlier.

The refined and solid-looking essence gold seemed to be constantly flowing and changing.

However, the Shouxi Flowing Gold contained thunder and lightning essence, while this Xihe Flowing Gold contained a warm and harmonious qi, like the rising sun.

What caught Lei Jun's attention was that the spirituality of the Xihe Flowing Gold seemed to have something in common with the spirituality of the Xuanming Water Marrow he had obtained earlier.

Lei Jun used the Xihe Flowing Gold to guide the spiritual power of Penglai, nurturing his Five-Colored Clouds.

The Xuanming Water Marrow, which originated from the Ruins, was its opposite, and it continued to nurture the Lone Water.

One was warm, the other was extremely cold.

One was stable and unchanging, while the other was heading towards the end.

At this moment, they were both being cultivated in Lei Jun's Great Vehicle Dao Scene.

Without unfolding the Great Vehicle Dao Scene, it seemed as if a separate universe had been created within Lei Jun's body.

In this universe, vast amounts of the Five Elements and Five Qi surged, simultaneously revolving the Five-Colored Clouds and the Lone Water.

Gradually, the two sides began to reach a balance, and they became increasingly harmonious and perfect.

Lei Jun's expression was calm as he watched Ji Dongquan and Ye Dongming collect the Taiyi Xiantian Tower.

Inside his body, in this universe, changes were also taking place.

It was only at this moment that the Five-Colored Clouds, which he had cultivated using the Five Elements and Five Qi, had officially established a corresponding and profound phenomenon—the Lone Water.

Lei Jun calmed his mind and quietly nurtured his spiritual power while once again circulating the Jade Clarity Heaven-Revolving Divine Art, scanning the surrounding Penglai seas to continue searching for Han Qingtao and the others.

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

In the Penglai Archipelago.

On a celestial mountain, the Southern Red Emperor, Li Hang, appeared.

The Central Yellow Emperor, Yan Kejie, had a solemn expression as he looked north. "There are two Ninth Heaven scholars who are closely pursuing Han Daoist into Penglai. If my senses are correct, there are also other experts entering Penglai. Although I've tried to remedy the situation, I can only delay it for a while."

Li Hang said in a deep voice, "This is the second time!"

The last time, Xu Yuanzhen had intruded into Penglai and even opened a void passage connecting Penglai to the Great Ming Dynasty, causing turmoil in Penglai. And it all started with the Western White Emperor, Han Qingtao.

Now, this was the second time.

Even when the Northern Black Emperor, Huang Xuanpu, had fallen in the Great Tang Dynasty, he hadn't brought such trouble to Penglai, implicating others.

Li Hang himself had tried to obtain the Celestial Master's Seal in the Barbarian Khanates but had failed to bring Lei Jun, Tang Xiaotang, and the others into Penglai.

Han Qingtao had done it again and again, and although Li Hang didn't say it outright, he felt a killing intent towards her at this moment.

On the surface, they seemed to get along as usual, but it was hard to say if they shared the same goals, and they even kept a wary eye on each other.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end