Chapter 437: The Fourth Layer of the Ninefold Heaven, Haoling Qi (Part 1)

Chapter 437: The Fourth Layer of the Ninefold Heaven, Haoling Qi (Part 1)



In the Great Vehicle Dao Scene, in addition to the Five Spirit Five Qi that Lei Jun cultivated during the third layer of the Ninefold Heaven, he also manifested a large amount of the Umbral Umbra One Qi and the Danling Three Qi.

The Umbral Umbra One Qi descended and solidified into a vast, dark landscape, resembling solid black earth.

The Danling Three Qi rose above, like a shimmering sky.

The Five Spirit Five Qi gathered around Lei Jun, placing him at the very center.

In the distant, dark, and boundless void, stars twinkled faintly, and the bright yellow circular Primordial Magnetic Stars crisscrossed each other.

Lei Jun had full control, and his Five Spirit Five Qi had reached a state of perfection.

The next step was to attempt to cultivate and refine the Haoling Seven Qi.

Under his control, the mysterious art was silently activated, and the lower Umbral Umbra One Qi and the upper Danling Three Qi began to transform.

In the black earth formed by the condensation of Umbral Umbra One Qi, a large amount of equally dark dust arose.

At the same time, deep within the earth, thunder rumbled as if buried within the land itself.

The dust of Umbral Umbra and the Nine Heavens Heart Thunder rolled and trembled together, causing the dark earth to seem like it was rising, approaching Lei Jun and the Five Spirit Five Qi around him.

Above him, the Danling Three Qi flowed and churned, giving birth to clouds and mist that shone with a three-colored radiance. Within the mist, something grayish-white loomed vaguely, seeming to be both tangible and intangible. An immense amount of Primordial Magnetic power seemed to gush out from within.

Under the influence of the Three Lights Smoke and Mist and the Two Extremes Sea Eyes, a large amount of Danling Three Qi began to descend.

The three wonderful primal energies that Lei Jun had cultivated in the Ninefold Heaven realm began to interact.

The Five-Colored Clouds and the Lone Phase Water, which came from the cultivation of the Five Spirit Five Qi, were temporarily nowhere to be seen.

At this moment, the Umbral Umbra One Qi seemed to have transformed into a cauldron, and the Danling Three Qi into a blazing furnace.

The Five Spirit Five Qi, like raw materials, were thrown into the furnace and continuously forged by Lei Jun.

It was like a sword billet before it was beaten into a sword.

This was destined to be a long and arduous process, requiring continuous refinement day and night.

Lei Jun's heart and qi were calm and peaceful as he focused on his cultivation.

Time passed unnoticed in the mountains.

After a long period of effort, Lei Jun's cultivation finally bore fruit.

One day, at a certain moment, in an instant.

A wondrous and awe-inspiring white qi suddenly burst forth from Lei Jun's extremely refined Five Spirit Five Qi.

Lei Jun, the Thunder Master, seemed like a blacksmith swinging a heavy hammer to forge a blade.

This instant was like the moment when the heavy hammer fell, suddenly sparking.

However, the white qi did not disappear like a spark but instead steadily circled within the Umbral Universe around Lei Jun's body.

He did not stop his movements or allow his emotions to fluctuate. Instead, he continued to "forge" his Five Spirit Five Qi.

Thus, one line after another of white qi burst forth and gradually accumulated in the Great Vehicle Dao Scene.

The white qi gathered and increased, not as vast and ethereal as the Danling Three Qi and Five Spirit Five Qi, but as solid as the Umbral Umbra One Qi, resembling a solid substance.

Compared to the Umbral Umbra One Qi that had condensed into a dark earth at this moment, the newly burst white qi, after gathering, seemed like a metal bar emitting a faint cold light.

This white qi was the hallmark of a Daoist Talisman Sect cultivator who had achieved the fourth layer of the Ninefold Heaven—the Haoling Seven Qi.

Lei Jun waited until his cultivated Haoling Seven Qi became stable before changing the way he channeled his energy.

No new white qi was produced.

Instead, the stabilized Haoling Seven Qi was thrown by Lei Jun into an environment resembling a heavenly furnace for further "forging."

As time passed, the Haoling Seven Qi, which resembled iron ore even more than the Five Spirit Five Qi, also began to change.

A large amount of white qi seemed to be constantly compressed and folded, eventually emitting a faint white light.

The white light seemed to be measured precisely, neither too much nor too little, just seven parts.

Only at this moment did Lei Jun finally heave a sigh of relief.

The wonderful achievement of cultivating the Haoling Seven Qi by a Daoist Talisman Sect cultivator under the fourth layer of the Ninefold Heaven, the seven parts of white light, had now been successfully refined by him.

From the perspective of practical combat techniques, the seven parts of white light could significantly enhance the power of a cultivator's supernatural abilities, with immediate gains in combat and killing.

Like the Three Lights Smoke and Mist, the Five-Colored Clouds, and the Umbral Umbra Dust, to be precise, the seven parts of white light could indeed be used in actual combat, but their original function was still for the cultivator's daily practice.

The seven parts of white light seemed to exist between form and formlessness, between substance and insubstance, and could act on both the physical body and the soul.

The profound and sharp edge could help cultivators cut through the various obstacles, break through difficulties, and unravel confusion encountered during their daily cultivation.

To a certain extent, it helped cultivators improve their cultivation speed and reduce bottlenecks.

For Lei Jun, with his natural level of comprehension and the Two Extremes Immortal Body, the wonderful inspiration that came with cultivating the Haoling Seven Qi and the corresponding seven parts of white light had already emerged.

By now, Lei Jun even had a complete draft in mind.

The external assistance he needed was the Infallible Golden Rainbow that he had brought back from the Two Jin Dynasties, which originated from the rivalry between the Buddhist teachings of Shapo and Shumy.

However, he was not in a hurry at the moment.

The Infallible Golden Rainbow still required some additional means to be further refined.

On the one hand, this would make it more compatible and aligned with the seven parts of white light, and on the other hand, it would eliminate the potential risks brought by the source of the Infallible Golden Rainbow, the Venerable Master of Shapo.

The specific timing required careful planning and arrangement, as it needed to coincide with the actions of his senior brother, Wang Guiyuan. Therefore, Lei Jun was not in a rush.

He first calmed his mind and continued to cultivate and accumulate his Haoling Seven Qi, using it to nurture the seven parts of white light.

After this period of secluded cultivation, Lei Jun finally emerged from seclusion.

Good news came from his master, Yuan Mobai:

Xu Yuanzhen's refined magic weapon had also been successfully crafted, and it was now being quietly nurtured further.

Upon hearing this, Lei Jun became intrigued and decided to pay Xu Yuanzhen a visit.

There, in the ocean of green Nine Abyss True Fire, floated an ancient sword.

The blade of the ancient sword, which had previously been in a state of constant expansion and contraction, now appeared fixed and motionless, its length a mere three feet.

However, as Lei Jun observed the sword with his cultivated eyesight, he suddenly felt as if the blade extended infinitely. It was like a river of time flowing endlessly.

Compared to Xu Yuanzhen's "Fleeting Flow," which had slain Huang Xuanpu in the past, this sword seemed to embody not only the mysteries of time but also many other profound secrets. Through Lei Jun's eyes, the blade appeared not just infinitely long but also infinitely wide, encompassing all the phenomena of the mortal realm.

"Senior Sister, who is this sword intended for?" Lei Jun asked, his finger pointing upward.

Xu Yuanzhen replied calmly, "Thanks to Chu Sidi's 'End of World's Remnants,' this sword has finally reached perfection. However, we still lacked sufficient raw materials overall, so only a single sword could be forged. As for its effectiveness, I can only say it's passable for now, and I'm contemplating other options."

"I, too, have prepared some things," Lei Jun said. "When the time comes, I can share the burden with you, Senior Sister."

Xu Yuanzhen asked, "What of the Han Dynasty?"

"The Han branch of Dragon and Tiger Mountain has not made any moves yet," Lei Jun replied.

Although their Taoist practices had diverged significantly, there had been little direct interaction between the two sides. However, Ma Zongxiang, the high-achieving elder of the Han Dragon and Tiger Mountain, had displayed obvious hostility during their first encounter. Furthermore, they had come to observe without exchanging a word and immediately sealed off their mountain, making Lei Jun suspect that they had something to hide.

"It doesn't matter," Xu Yuanzhen said. "We'll have our answer soon enough."

Lei Jun nodded slightly, and the light of the Taoist Talisman, capable of seeing through heaven and earth, shone in his eyes.

Messages were transmitted from the Tang Dynasty's imperial capital, Luoyang, to Dragon and Tiger Mountain.

"...Your Majesty, the Empress, is about to leave the mortal realm of the Tang Dynasty once more?" Lei Jun inquired, noting the coincidental timing.

"Has the 'Heavenly Calamity Gold' that she needs fully matured?" Xu Yuanzhen asked nonchalantly.

"I believe so," Lei Jun answered.

In other words, the Empress was about to begin her preparations for seclusion and ascension to the immortal realm.

"I shall go to Luoyang," Lei Jun decided.

Xu Yuanzhen casually waved her hand and continued to nurture the ancient sword in the emerald green sea of fire.

Lei Jun departed for the imperial capital, Luoyang, to meet with the Empress.

Empress Zhang Wantong was also aware of the current situation in the Han Dynasty's mortal realm. However, she could not afford to delay when it came to the Heavenly Calamity Gold. Whether left unattended or kept in storage, it needed to be used within a short period, or this rare gold would lose its spiritual power. On the other hand, even if used, it wouldn't last long.

"Your Majesty, what will happen after your ascension to the immortal realm?" Lei Jun asked.

Zhang Wantong replied, "I will need to re-refine it after my ascension to maintain its effectiveness for an extended period."

After a moment of contemplation, Lei Jun finally asked directly, "Your Majesty, you mentioned before that this treasure is not for your own cultivation but for someone else... a former subordinate of the Celestial Palace, is that correct?"

Zhang Wantong replied matter-of-factly, without hiding anything, "Yes, it is for Biluo (Falling Water)."

Countless thoughts flashed through Lei Jun's mind. If Zhang Wantong wasn't deceiving them, the implied meaning was clear: there was some existence within Biluo that would manifest upon her ascension. It could break free from its seal, awaken from its slumber, or even be reborn. And this presence would remain a threat, even with Zhang Wantong's ascension.

For now, it seemed that the best course of action was for Empress Zhang Wantong to re-refine the Heavenly Calamity Gold after ascending, thereby sealing off Biluo for an extended period and containing the potential threat. Furthermore, from previously gathered fragments of information, it was known that Biluo had belonged to a former subordinate of the Celestial Palace...

Lei Jun fell into a contemplative silence.

Empress Zhang Wantong stood up and said, "I can only entrust the mortal realm to you, fellows. There's no harm in the Dragon and Tiger Mountain fellows going to the Han Dynasty's mortal world. As for the Tang Dynasty, I will rely on Moxiong and the others."

"Your Majesty, the mortal realm of the Tang Dynasty is much different from what it used to be," Lei Jun said. "If my fellow disciples and I were to leave before your return, I will make the necessary arrangements."

"Thank you for your hard work, Lei Zhenren," said Zhang Wantong with gratitude. Without further ado, she departed.

Lei Jun returned to Dragon and Tiger Mountain.

Upon hearing the news, Tang Xiaotang pouted and expressed her suspicion. "The timing is too coincidental. Do you think someone is manipulating things behind the scenes?"

"We can't be sure yet," Lei Jun replied. "For now, we don't need to rush to the Han Dynasty. Let's continue to observe the situation."

At that moment, a slight smile curved Xu Yuanzhen's lips. "Is Zhang Wantong... trying to prevent the former subordinate of the Celestial Palace in Biluo from rising again?"

"Based on the information we currently have, it certainly seems that way," Lei Jun said. "However, we can't be certain of the accuracy of this information or if there are other hidden truths."

"Let's assume that what she said is true," Xu Yuanzhen said. "In that case, how did she come to be so closely linked to Biluo?"

Lei Jun replied, "Senior Sister suspects that the former senior of Shushan mentioned that the former subordinates of the Celestial Palace played a significant role in the Han Dynasty's great calamity, which ultimately led to the fall of the Celestial Palace. One of those who turned against the Celestial Palace is our current Tang Emperor, isn't that right?"

Xu Yuanzhen nodded, "It's not entirely impossible for some individuals in the immortal realm to reincarnate and regain their past wisdom under certain circumstances."

"Since the person in question hasn't spoken about it directly, let's wait and see for now," Lei Jun suggested.

However, if that were the case, it would explain why this Tang Emperor often gave the impression of being unreliable... Unreliability stemmed from doing as one pleased, and doing as one pleased meant not taking things to heart. If she had opposed the revival of the Celestial Palace in the past, it stood to reason that she cared little for the mortal dynasty as well. The only discrepancy was that this reincarnated immortal had been reborn into the royal family of the Zhang and Tang dynasties.

"If she never regained her past wisdom, it wouldn't matter," Xu Yuanzhen said, a rare smile on her face, "but if she has, then I wouldn't be surprised by anything she does."

Tang Xiaotang asked curiously, glancing at Lei Jun and Xu Yuanzhen, "Are there others like her?"

Lei Jun spread out his palm and said, "The three of us have cultivated to this realm. If there are any mysteries from the time of our birth, involving past lives and reincarnation, we would have been aware of it by now."

Tang Xiaotang nodded in agreement.

......

In the Yu Yu Heaven of Kunlun, Mu Weizi's body suddenly trembled violently, and his eyes shone with a strange light.

He felt as if his soul was coated with a layer of golden light.

But the golden light quickly faded and disappeared, leaving no trace.

Mu Weizi lowered his head to look down.

The jade pendant hanging at his waist was glowing with a faint golden light.

Mu Weizi stood still, his mind in a daze. After a long while, he suddenly cried out loud, losing his composure.

When he came back to his senses, Mu Weizi hurried to see Zhou Tian Laozu.

Inside the Dao Palace, Jiang Nan, another disciple of Zhou Tian Laozu, was guarding his master. Like Mu Weizi, he had embarked on the path of cultivation in Kunlun, not in the Han Dynasty's mortal realm.

Seeing Mu Weizi's panic, Jiang Nan was surprised, "Senior brother, what happened?"

Mu Weizi hurriedly said, "I must see Master!"

Jiang Nan said, "Master instructed that we must not disturb him at this critical juncture..."

Just then, a voice as deep and resonating as a grand bell sounded in their ears, "Come in."

Mu Weizi apologized and bid farewell to Jiang Nan before hurrying into the main hall of the Dao Palace.

Inside the hall, the furnace was surrounded by a brilliant cloud of colors.

Zhou Tian Laozu was no longer lying on his side but standing in front of the furnace with his hands behind his back, "What is it?"

Mu Weizi took a deep breath to calm his mind, "Disciple has found the traitor from back then!"

Zhou Tian Laozu turned his head to look at him.

Mu Weizi continued, "In the Great Tang Dynasty, Emperor Zhang Wantong! She has indeed reincarnated and is preparing to break through to the immortal realm!"

Zhou Tian Laozu's eyes narrowed, "If she breaks through to the immortal realm, it means that the Seal of the Blue Heaven will be revived."

Mu Weizi shook his head slightly, his expression grave as he presented the jade pendant at his waist, "She has set up a ritual involving the Heaven's Tribulation Gold, the Spirit-Sealing Divine Fire, and other treasures. The Seal of the Blue Heaven cannot be revived or reopened."

Finally, Zhou Tian Laozu's full attention was drawn away from the furnace.

He held the jade pendant in one hand and waved the other hand in the air.

The Dao Palace instantly transformed into a universe of stars and seas.

Zhou Tian Laozu closed his eyes in thought for a moment, then his brows furrowed, "Cannot pinpoint the exact location."

Mu Weizi said, "If she is in the mortal realm of the Great Tang Dynasty or somewhere related to the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, it would be fine. But if she has gone to the outer void, we truly cannot find her."

Zhou Tian Laozu's furrowed brows relaxed, and he turned back to look at the furnace, "In that case, let's focus on the Great Han Dynasty for now."

Mu Weizi knew that Zhou Tian Laozu had been working on the Great Han Dynasty for a long time and had even ordered the Dragon and Tiger Mountain lineage to seclude themselves for over a decade.

If they were to find out the location of Emperor Zhang Wantong or the ritual she had set up right now, Zhou Tian Laozu might make an exception.

But for now, nothing could sway him.

"You two find an opportunity to go to the mortal realm of the Tang Dynasty and confirm the location of the Emperor's seclusion." Zhou Tian Laozu instructed, "Later, I will go there myself."

Mu Weizi said, "In the mortal realm of the Tang Dynasty, the lineage of the Dragon and Tiger Mountain Celestial Master's Mansion still exists."

Zhou Tian Laozu said, "They will come to the mortal realm of the Han Dynasty. Although the boundary is currently closed, someone will open the door for them."

Mu Weizi said, "If that's the case, I will go to the mortal realm of the Tang Dynasty later."

He was not worried about the Dragon and Tiger Mountain lineage from the Tang Dynasty causing trouble in the Han Dynasty.

Zhou Tian Laozu had made special preparations, and whether it was the Sorcerer King of Kongsang or the Dragon and Tiger Mountain lineage from the Tang Dynasty, they would be helpless in the face of his plans.

"Wait for news here." Zhou Tian Laozu instructed Mu Weizi.

After Mu Weizi retired, he called his junior disciple, Jiang Nan, as instructed by Zhou Tian Laozu.

Zhou Tian Laozu turned his attention back to the furnace in front of him.

Soon after, Jiang Nan entered the hall and paid his respects to his master.

Zhou Tian Laozu instructed, "Leave the other matters to your senior brother. You go to the Taiqing Duren Cave Heaven and assist Ji Daocheng and the others. Later, you will act according to my orders."

"Yes, Master," Jiang Nan replied.

......

At Dragon and Tiger Mountain in the Tang Dynasty, Lei Jun silently adjusted his Starry Sea Heaven-Trapping Formation.

Later, when he went to the mortal realm of the Han Dynasty, he would bring the Jade Clarity Heaven-Rounding Law Mirror with him and leave the Starry Sea Heaven-Trapping Formation in the Tang Dynasty's mortal realm.

"I have already sealed the void portal connecting the hidden world to the mortal realm of the Ming Dynasty."

Lei Jun said to his senior martial brother, Wang Guiyuan, and his third junior martial brother, Chu Kun, "Later, I will go to inspect the Western Regions and the North Sea."

Mount Meru and Luo Yuan had previously established spatial portals in the Western Regions and the Northern Seas, respectively, within the mortal realm of the Tang Dynasty.

Although they had been sealed before, firstly, Empress Zhang Wantong had already dissipated the mountain river national fortune of the Zhang Tang royalty, and secondly, she was not currently in the mortal realm of the Tang Dynasty. There was still a possibility that these void portals could be reopened.

It was difficult to reinforce a void portal that had already been sealed, so Lei Jun's trip was mainly to leave warning measures in place. If there were any changes, he could grasp the situation as soon as possible.

Other similar places included the area around the old capital, Chang'an, as well as the large and small Guan Mountains and Guyuan in the northwest.

Wang Guiyuan sighed softly, "Just like when you and Junior Martial Brother entered Penglai before, the Tang Dynasty's mortal realm is now too empty."

This made Wang Dao long feel very insecure.

Lei Jun said, "As long as it's not an immortal descending to the mortal realm, most situations can now be handled by the cultivation world of the Tang Dynasty's mortal realm. Master and Senior Martial Brother are also here at the mountain gate."

Chu Kun, standing by his side, reached out and grabbed Wang Guiyuan's hand tightly, "Master also said before that in case of any accidents, we must rely on Senior Martial Brother."

"...Wang Guiyuan lowered his head to look at the deep red Daoist robe he was wearing, then raised his head to look at the purple robe on Chu Kun.

Lei Jun said, "We have accumulated a lot over the years, so I dare not guarantee it, but we should be able to hold out for a while."

Wang Guiyuan smiled bitterly, "How long is a while? That's the problem."

Although the situation in the Tang Dynasty's mortal realm was different now, but...

Chu Kun was curious and asked, "Second Senior Brother, how is the situation in the mortal realm of the Han Dynasty now?"

Lei Jun said, "The number of casualties is increasing, and they have started to use their true fire. But the main event has not yet begun. The Dragon and Tiger Mountain of the Great Han has not yet appeared, and the Sorcerer King of Kongsang has not made any further moves."

In the fierce battle amidst Guanzhong, the Great Han cultivators found themselves in a dire strait.

Ye Zhao and other top experts from the Great Han had rushed to the aid of Guanzhong.

Chen Lingfeng, from Shu Mountain, presented one of their treasures, the Nine Heavens Primal Sun Ruler.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end