https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-443-442-The-Great-Tang-Master-Pillar-of-the-Han-Dynasty-Part-1-/12602442/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-444-National-Teacher-of-the-Tang-Yu-Yu-Leaves-Part-1-/12602444/
Chapter 443: 442. The Great Tang Master, Pillar of the Han Dynasty (Part 2)
Chapter 443: 442. The Great Tang Master, Pillar of the Han Dynasty (Part 2)
In the human world, Han Longhu Mountain had always held the upper hand over the Lin Clan of Han Jiangzhou due to Zhou Tianyuan's presence.
It was only when Dakasa Temple rose to power and clashed directly with Han Longhu Mountain, and with Zhou Tianyuan remaining absent, that the Lin Clan of Han Jiangzhou finally caught a break and was able to recuperate during the surge of spiritual energy in the human world.
Now, Han Longhu Mountain had fallen.
For the Lin Clan of Han Jiangzhou, this should have been the best possible news.
However, the ones who had toppled Han Longhu Mountain and were now occupying the Han Empire's Jinzhou territory were another branch of the Longhu Mountain lineage.
The fact that they could defeat Han Longhu Mountain and, according to rumors, even defeat Zhou Tianyuan, who stood above the Nine Heavens, meant that their strength was truly formidable.
What was even more crucial was the attitude of the Tang Longhu Mountain lineage.
The lessons learned by the prestigious families and the Five Peaks of Datong made it difficult for anyone to harbor optimistic thoughts.
At this moment, the prestigious families of Han seemed to be falling apart due to various problems, like a loose alliance.
The Lin Clan of Han Jiangzhou, their longtime rivals, could only feel suffocated by the current situation.
"Abandon Jiangzhou," Clan Master Lin Xiaoyao, who seemed to have aged significantly, said calmly.
An elder hesitated, "The relocation of the clan's heritage is extremely difficult..."
Lin Xiaoyao interrupted, "If we take the initiative now, we may still have some time on our side. If we delay and they make a move, the consequences will be unimaginable."
A senior clan member added, "I'm afraid it's not just Jiangzhou that we won't be able to stay in. We might not find peace in other places as well."
The continuation of the clan's heritage would undoubtedly be a challenging and lengthy process.
Lin Xiaoyao instructed, "Make multiple preparations. In addition to relocating the ancestral land, immediately establish contact with the Lin Clan in the Two Jin human worlds."
The Lin Clan members all felt the weight of the situation, and they could only agree at this moment.
…………………
Chu Kun and Ma Zongxiang were the first to notice the movements of the Lin Clan of Han Jiangzhou.
Lei Jun was currently preoccupied with the restructuring and aftermath of Han Longhu Mountain, so he wasn't paying much attention to external affairs. He only instructed them to continue observing and being vigilant.
It wasn't just the Lin Clan; all the prestigious families and sects of the Han Empire were in turmoil, with internal waves of uncertainty.
Previously, when Lei Jun and Tang Xiaotang had stopped at Datong and refrained from entering the Han human world, and when Xu Yuanzhen had made only a brief appearance, the prestigious families had managed to maintain their composure.
Especially after the gateway between Datong and the Han human world was forced to close due to the threat posed by Golden Khan Ang Qin, many had breathed a sigh of relief.
Now, with the Tang Longhu Mountain causing such a huge disturbance and firmly establishing itself in the south, many felt a sense of unease, as if they were facing a formidable enemy.
At this moment, even when deciding on the new emperor, the Han Empire had to consider the attitude of Tang Longhu Mountain.
Even though Lei Jun had remained peaceful after the battle with Han Longhu Mountain, the return of Tang Xiaotang to the Tang human world and her subsequent reappearance in the Han human world sent shockwaves through the empire, causing unease among many.
Tang Xiaotang hadn't gone anywhere else but directly to Han Longhu Mountain.
"Haha!" She exclaimed with a refreshed look, "This time, I finally got rid of that scoundrel Li Yuanheng!"
Blocked by Li Tianqing and Li Jin, the former ruler of the Earthly Sea, Li Yuanheng, had his path of return impeded.
Although he had skillfully entered without directly opening a void gateway, leaving wouldn't be as convenient.
Having reached the fifth layer of the Nine Heavens, the grand warlock of Gu poison cultivation had even begun to contemplate faking his death to leave the Underground Sea and be reborn outside of it.
However, Lei Tianqing's unexpected Nine Songs and Grand Unity Array shocked both time and space, making it difficult for Lei Yuanheng to even attempt an escape.
As he was looking for an opportunity, the Tang Imperial Preceptor rushed from the Jin Han mortal realm through the Great Tang mortal realm and then charged into the Underground Sea.
The Jin Han mortal realm was always restricted by the Ghost God Sacrifice Array of the Godwarrior lineage of the Nine Heavens, leaving Tang Xiutang feeling stifled even after winning.
Now, in the Underground Sea, with roles reversed, she could finally relish in having a Godwarrior lineage grand warlock as her teammate, restricting the enemy. It was an entirely different feeling.
Tang Xiutang finally realized her wish, slaying Lei Yuanheng, the once top expert of the Nine Li.
Back in the Jin Han mortal realm, Tang Xiutang was still flying high:
"Lei Tianqing really has some tricks up his sleeve. He recreated the long-lost Grand Unity Array of the Grand Emperor. If I wasn't in a hurry to come to Kunlun, I would've loved to witness it myself."
Lei Jun said, "Master mentioned before that Elder Sun from the South Wilderness' Reincarnation Abyss gained some opportunities by chance. He traded with Lei Tianqing, each taking what they needed. That's how Brother Lei got the means to recreate the Grand Unity Array.
Brother Lei truly has a talent for heaven's will. To have made progress in such a short time is remarkable. I also want to witness it, but we have plenty of time."
Tang Xiutang said, "Let's go to Kunlun first."
Lei Jun glanced at her and nodded. "Wait a moment, Little Third Sister. I'll give some instructions to Third Senior Brother and the others."
After taking care of matters in the Great Han Dragon-Tiger Mountain, Lei Jun and Tang Xiutang contacted Xu Yuanzhen.
In the end, they didn't need to open the Kunlun gateway. With the talisman Xu Yuanzhen left behind, their bodies rose as if reaching the high heavens.
As they ascended, their bodies began to glow brightly.
For a moment, Lei Jun felt as if his physical body and divine soul had lost their boundaries.
In the flickering light, the two of them disappeared into the vast sky.
Before their eyes, a large number of law runes appeared, eventually weaving into a brand-new world.
This world was vast and ethereal, like a fairyland.
Lei Jun remained calm and first made sure that he could leave this world at any time. Then, he connected with his Star River Heaven's Net and Jade Clarity All-Encompassing Law Mirror.
The former observed parts of the Great Tang mortal realm, but the vision was blurry.
The latter observed parts of the Jin Han mortal realm, which was clearer.
Lei Jun's eyes shone with the silently flowing Heaven-Earth Law Grimoire, and then he looked at the world before him.
At the center of this fairyland was a vast, magnificent Daoist palace.
However, the palace currently looked dilapidated.
The ethereal charm of the past was mostly gone, replaced by a strong mortal aura.
"The magic sword that Big Senior Sister refined before?" Tang Xiutang looked around curiously.
Lei Jun said, "Yes, it's Big Senior Sister's Red Dust Sword, but it dissipated after injuring Zhou Tian Daoist."
Tang Xiutang said, "It's nothing serious. Kunlun is rich in spiritual energy. With proper management, this place will recover soon."
She turned her head, her eyes scanning the distant sky like Lei Jun's.
"It's not just this world." After looking around, Tang Xiutang said, "I heard that Kunlun is a wonder where three worlds overlap, and this is just one of them?"
Lei Jun said, "The Nine Heavens and Ten Lands each have their peculiarities. Kunlun's spatial domain is unique. Not only is it hard to find from the outside, but according to ancient records, what seems to be a single world is actually a trio of wondrous lands.
After our Daoist predecessors took control of this place, they named this trio of mysterious worlds after the Three Pure Ones—Clear Microcosmic Heaven, Yu Yu Heaven, and Great Red Heaven.
It is said that when our sect first opened and managed the Upper Clarity Thunder Palace, Great Clarity Human World, and Jade Clarity Microcosmic World, they referred to the wonders of Kunlun."
Tang Xiutang looked at the sky with great interest. "Let's find Senior Sister first. We'll take a look at Clear Microcosmic Heaven and Great Red Heaven later."
The two of them entered the dilapidated Daoist palace.
Xu Yuanzhen was inside.
Although the surroundings were in ruins, she looked relaxed, and the corners of her mouth even curved slightly upward.
"Zhou Tian Daoist ran away on his own. Some of his disciples who were left here also fled, so this Daoist palace is basically empty now. There are still some common folk living in some places in Great Red Heaven, and there's no immediate danger."
Xu Yuanzhen's voice was like raindrops on a jade plate—crisp and rapid, and she spoke without pause:
"I've sorted out some useful things and am looking through them. These are the earlier ones."
She casually threw a few talismans to Lei Jun and Tang Xiutang.
As Tang Xiutang browsed through the talismans, Lei Jun narrated his previous meeting with Bai Mei.
Tang Xiutang raised her eyebrows. "Even if she's not as free to move around, this Shu Mountain predecessor has been in the mortal realm for at least thirty years, right?"
Xu Yuanzhen said, "She's much better than Zhou Tian Daoist and the others."
Lei Jun said, "She's used to her carefree life and won't disturb others, but it's also hard for others to find her."
Xu Yuanzhen said, "I suppose it's because of this reason that she only observed the situation with the old subordinates of the Celestial Palace from a distance in the past."
Lei Jun took the talismans from Tang Xiutang and perused the large amount of information they contained.
Xu Yuanzhen said, "It's not accurate to say that there was internal betrayal among the old subordinates of the Celestial Palace back then."
Strictly speaking, many people had formed a loose alliance to explore the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands in the past.
Later, due to discoveries related to the ancient Celestial Palace ruins, disagreements arose within this loose alliance, eventually leading to them parting ways and even becoming enemies.
Those who wished to recreate the ancient Celestial Palace called themselves the "Celestial Palace Affiliates".
Initially, the sect with the most members during that era was actually the Carefree Sect, similar to Bai Mei.
However, the war between the two sides grew increasingly intense and widespread until it spiraled out of control.
"The leader of the Celestial Palace Affiliates... is one of our sect's Patriarchs?" Tang Xiaotang's expression turned slightly odd.
Xu Yuanzhen said, "Yes, Gao Tian Shi, who once served as our sect's 14th Sect Master."
His name was Gao Tiansui. He had ascended to the Immortal Realm, first known as Gao Tian Shi, later as Gao Tian Jun, and his Daoist name was Guang Tian Gao Cheng Yu Chen Zhen Ren.
In the internal records of the Tian Shi Mansion of the Great Tang's Longhu Mountain, he was once a highly controversial figure.
The records about him were scarce and vague.
However, one of the entries mentioned that he was a key figure who instigated the subsequent reform of the Taoist methods in the Tian Shi Mansion of the Great Tang's Longhu Mountain, although the details were unclear.
Now, it made Lei Jun and the others feel complicated.
"The key figure who parted ways with him and led the opposition against the Celestial Palace Affiliates, the original leader, was also one of our sect's Patriarchs." Lei Jun's fingers tapped lightly on the talisman.
Zhuang Zhen, also known as Zhuang Tian Shi, was the 16th generation sect master of the Longhu Mountain Tian Shi Mansion. After ascending, his Daoist name became Xuantian Chongxu Xiyou Zhenren, and he was also referred to as Zhuang Zhenren or Zhuang Tian Jun.
His generation was lower than Gao Tiansui's, and he ascended much later. He was a junior fellow disciple of Gao Tiansui.
However, when it came to the issue of the Celestial Palace Affiliates, Zhuang Zhen became Gao Tiansui's biggest obstacle.
According to the various messages obtained by Patriarch Zhou Tian, Zhuang Tian Jun had perished in the battle against the Celestial Palace Affiliates.
It was that final battle at the end of the Han Dynasty that led to the temporal turbulence and the split of the mortal realm.
"There's no mention of what happened to the other side." Tang Xiaotang said.
Lei Jun pondered, "There's a possibility that the Gao Tian Jun is in Biluo."
Xu Yuanzhen asked, "Because of Tian Rui?"
The Celestial Palace Affiliates had countless experts from various cultivation traditions.
Opposing them were mainly two people.
One was the fallen Zhuang Tian Jun.
The other was a female grand scholar named He Ying, known as Tian Rui.
At that time, her whereabouts and outcome were unknown, and Patriarch Zhou Tian had always been guessing.
However, with the changes in the Han and Great Tang dynasties, he was almost certain that Emperor Zhang Wantong of the Tang Dynasty was the reincarnation of Tian Rui, He Ying.
Before her disappearance, she was involved in sealing several top experts of the Celestial Palace Affiliates in Biluo.
Now it seemed that her reincarnation had ascended, possibly reopening Biluo and freeing the sealed Celestial Palace experts.
Patriarch Zhou Tian was unsure of the specific situation in Biluo.
But Gao Tian Jun might be there.
It was just that Tian Rui, or rather, Emperor Zhang Wantong of Tang, had prepared in advance, collecting precious treasures and setting up arrays to ensure her ascension and eliminate the hidden dangers of Biluo's reopening.
However, this was relative to the normal situation, and it was hard to say if it was absolutely reliable.
"The place most deeply involved with the ancient Celestial Palace back then was Biluo." Lei Jun said, "Gao Tian Jun and the others were sealed in Biluo. Although there hasn't been any movement for so many years, we shouldn't underestimate them."
Tang Xiaotang clicked her tongue in amazement, "Our Tang Emperor is truly extraordinary."
She suddenly remembered something and looked at Lei Jun, "That Chen Yi, whom you just killed, his Golden Hall also had something to do with the Celestial Palace. Who was the person above him, Gao Tian Jun?"
Lei Jun replied, "It's not certain yet. Patriarch Zhou Tian only knows the situation of some people, and there may be similarities.
There were numerous experts in the Celestial Palace Affiliates back then, and there were also many opportunists. If it weren't for Patriarch Zhuang and Tian Rui, the Celestial Palace Affiliates would have likely succeeded."
Tang Xiaotang suddenly laughed, "Indeed, it's a mix of various forces. That self-proclaimed Beichen Xiansheng, the Chu clan's son-in-law, also caused quite a stir."
Lei Jun nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes, yes... indeed."
Beichen Xiansheng, Zheng Baiyu, also known as Chu Baiyu.
A brilliant and remarkable grand scholar from the Han Dynasty a few thousand years ago, he eventually ascended to the Immortal Realm and became a Confucian sage.
There were two major turning points in his life. One was marrying the daughter of the Chu family, and the other could be summarized in a phrase:
"The Chu clan's son-in-law devoured his master."
The Suzhou Chu clan once held control over one of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, the 'Gucang'.
However, it was Zheng Baiyu, who had entered the Celestial Palace Affiliates, that caused the Chu clan's Gucang to be lost, and it was never recovered.
What incited the most resentment from the Five Surnames and Seven Noble Houses was that Zheng Baiyu even headed a son-in-law alliance that devoured their masters.
They not only caused the loss of the Chu clan's Gucang but also made the Ye clan lose one of the Ten Earths, the 'Lianshan'.
This incident was considered one of the rare setbacks in the history of the Five Surnames and Seven Noble Houses, and it also led to subsequent large-scale conflicts, resulting in heavy casualties on both sides.
While Zheng Baiyu and the others made significant progress, they also occupied important positions within the Celestial Palace Affiliates.
Unfortunately, with the eventual failure of the Celestial Palace Affiliates, they also became yesterday's news.
Gucang remained sealed for many years, only to be reopened by the Great Ming Dynasty thousands of years later, while Lianshan has yet to reappear to this day.
"A lot of the information is still incomplete. I'll take a detailed look at it later."
Lei Jun looked around, "For now, let's go and take a look at our new neighbor?"
Tang Xiaotang jumped up, "Let's go!"
"I'm not interested. Do as you please." Xu Yuanzhen remained seated, only glancing at Lei Jun.
Although she didn't say anything else, Lei Jun understood her meaning:
She didn't care about the new neighbor.
However, Tang Xiaotang's reaction later would be worth noting and bringing back to show Xu Yuanzhen.
(End of Chapter)
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