Seeking Fortune And Avoiding Calamity, Starting From The Heavenly Master's Mansion Chapter 444: National Teacher of the Tang, Yu Yu, Leaves (Part 1) - Novel Cool

Chapter 444: National Teacher of the Tang, Yu Yu, Leaves (Part 1)

Chapter 444: National Teacher of the Tang, Yu Yu, Leaves (Part 1)

Lei Jun remained unfazed by Xu Yuanzhen's rebuke.

Along with Tang Xiaotang, he exited the Yuyutian Daoist Palace.

Lei Jun remarked, "According to the White True Man of the Shu Mountain Sect, our new neighbor apparently doesn't follow the same path as the Cyclic Heaven Daoist."

Since they weren't adversaries, Lei Jun and his companion refrained from paying them a direct visit without prior notice.

He drew a spirit talisman, which transformed into a stream of light that drifted out from Yuyutian and vanished into the void before them.

The stream of light didn't leave Kunlun but seemed to enter another realm within it, a place with a different style from the Yuyutian they had just left.

This ethereal realm, resembling the abode of immortals, was home to a population that had migrated from the mortal realm before the Great Calamity at the end of the Han Dynasty. Here, they flourished, but their numbers remained sparse.

At the heart of this world was an equally grand and expansive Daoist palace, surrounded by pure qi and illuminated by streams of light that permeated the four directions, exuding an immortal aura.

The light from Lei Jun's spirit talisman traversed this realm unimpeded, gently entering the Daoist palace.

Shortly after, within the Qingwei Heavenly Daoist Palace, a middle-aged Daoist clad in a moon-white robe emerged, followed by several apprentices.

He stood in the palace's front square, where a massive incense cauldron burned perpetually.

An apprentice offered a stick of incense, which the Daoist lit before placing it into the cauldron.

The wisp of blue smoke rose diagonally, revealing a faint doorway in the distant sky above the palace.

Without hesitation, Lei Jun and his companion, still within Yuyutian, stepped into the doorway and found themselves before the Qingwei Heavenly Daoist Palace.

The man in the moon-white robe stepped forward and introduced himself, "I am Zhang Haipeng of the Kunwu Sect. My apologies for not welcoming you sooner. Please forgive me, fellow daoists."

"It is we who are being presumptuous," Lei Jun returned the greeting. "We heard the White True Man of the Shu Mountain Sect mention another branch of the Dan Ding Sect in Kunlun, so we have come to visit. Please forgive our rudeness."

"Not at all, not at all," Zhang Haipeng replied. "Please come in, fellow daoists."

Lei Jun and Tang Xiaotang could discern that this middle-aged Daoist, like themselves, had attained the Ninth Level of Cultivation, but they couldn't yet determine the extent of his mastery over the Five Qi.

As they entered the palace, they learned that the Kunwu Sect followed the Daoist Dan Ding tradition but was not a direct descendant of the Pure Yang Palace.

"The Kunwu Sect isn't a lineage of the Pure Yang Palace?" Tang Xiaotang asked curiously.

Indeed, Zhang Haipeng was the current sect leader of the Kunwu Sect.

He smiled and explained, "Strictly speaking, our sect can't be considered a direct branch of the Pure Yang Palace lineage. Our founding ancestor happened to receive guidance from an immortal ancestor of the Pure Yang Palace during the Great Calamity at the end of the Han Dynasty. After that, he established our sect, but he didn't formally join the Pure Yang Palace."

Lei Jun and Tang Xiaotang understood from his words that this incident likely occurred around the time of the Great Calamity, which was indeed many years ago.

"The White True Man of the Shu Mountain Sect has also guided our sect in the past," Zhang Haipeng continued, "and we've always held her teachings in high regard. The White True Man values her freedom and has been cultivating in the Great Red Heaven. We don't dare disturb her seclusion, so we only pay our respects on important occasions. However, three to four decades ago, she suddenly left the Great Red Heaven, and her whereabouts have been unknown since."

"The White True Man once mentioned that, including herself, there should be three immortal experts in Kunlun who have transcended the Ninth Level," Lei Jun said.

Zhang Haipeng invited them to take a seat, and an apprentice served tea.

"To be precise," Zhang Haipeng clarified, "the three immortals have never appeared together in Kunlun."

Zhang Haipeng was already aware of Lei Jun and Tang Xiaotang's backgrounds and their encounters with the Cyclic Heaven Daoist. "The White True Man is in the Great Red Heaven," he said, "and she used to hold our sect in high regard. After she left, for nearly a few decades, the Cyclic Heaven Ancestor from Yuyutian was the only existence beyond the Ninth Level in Kunlun. It was only last year that our Qingwei Heavenly sect produced a new Daoist immortal cultivator, Zhao Chanyang."

Through Bai Mei, Lei Jun and his companion already knew that this new immortal cultivator was named Zhao Chanyang.

Zhang Haipeng and the Kunwu Sect had complex feelings toward the Cyclic Heaven Daoist and his sect. After White Mei left Kunlun, the Cyclic Heaven Daoist became the dominant force in the Three Pure Heavens of Kunlun, acting with little restraint.

The ritual he performed in the human realm to compete with the Void Witch King had required extensive preparation and resources, drawn not only from Yuyutian but also from the Qingwei Heavenly and Great Red Heavenly realms.

However, with the possibility of White Mei's return to Kunlun, the Cyclic Heaven Daoist maintained a semblance of decorum despite his overreaching actions.

It was only with the emergence of a new Daoist master in the Qingwei Heavenly realm that the Cyclic Heaven Daoist became more restrained. He had considered extending hospitality to the Kunwu Sect and fostering a harmonious relationship.

Unfortunately, there had been friction between the two sides when Zhao Chanyang first joined the Dao. Moreover, the ritual to defeat the Void Witch King and gain free movement in the human realm was of utmost importance to the Cyclic Heaven Daoist, and timing was critical. In his haste to acquire resources from the Qingwei Heavenly realm, he had acted in a rather overbearing manner.

Although the Cyclic Heaven Daoist and Yuyutian had been attempting to mend their relationship with the Qingwei Heavenly realm through more conciliatory approaches in recent years, it was evident that healing the rift would take time.

In the recent great battle between the Han and Jin dynasties, the Qingwei Heavenly realm and the Kunwu Sect had not interfered, and for that, the Cyclic Heaven Daoist was grateful that they hadn't caused any additional troubles for Yuyutian.

"There are no unexpected events within our sect. We only wish to focus on our cultivation in peace." Zhang Haipeng said.

Lei Jun replied, "This is the way of life for cultivators like us. Although the world is ever-changing, we hope for tranquility to return to the human realm soon."

Zhang Haipeng added, "The Celestial Masters Mansion of Dragon and Tiger Mountain has always been the cornerstone of the Taoist faith, inspiring admiration in all who hear of it."

After a brief exchange, Tang Xiaotang looked around and asked, "Is your esteemed sect's Zhao Zhenren not present today?"

Zhang Haipeng remained calm and composed as he answered, "Zhao Chanyang is currently in seclusion for meditation. We are unsure when he will emerge from his retreat."

Tang Xiaotang raised an eyebrow at his response.

Zhou Tian Daoist, Xu Yuanzhen, and Lei Jun had previously engaged in a fierce battle that left the neighboring Yu Yu Tian in ruins. Yet, the people here seemed remarkably unaffected.

Lei Jun, however, maintained his composure and said, "It's no trouble. We are the ones who arrived unannounced."

After staying a while longer, he and Tang Xiaotang took their leave.

Zhang Haipeng saw them off from the Daoist palace, saying, "We apologize for the haste of this visit. Once our sect has made the necessary preparations, we will return the favor and visit Yu Yu Tian with gifts."

Then, he specifically watched as Lei Jun and Tang Xiaotang departed from Qing Wei Tian.

"Is this their way of saying they don't want to associate with us because they consider themselves above us, having achieved the immortal realm?"

Tang Xiaotang laughed, "Or are they pulling the same stunt as when Sister first went to the Great Han's Dragon and Tiger Mountain, and the ones across from Taiqing Duren Dongtian avoided her?"

Lei Jun stopped and turned to look at Tang Xiaotang.

Contrary to expectations, she did not seem angry. Instead, she wore an expression of curiosity, "But just like that old ancestor from Shushan, I don't sense any malicious intent."

Although she had heard that the other party had already ascended to immortality, she remained confident in her judgment.

Lei Jun neither confirmed nor denied, "If that's the case, then it's best we leave each other be."

If Empress Zhang Wantong's initial assessment was correct, then the newly ascended immortal, Zhao Chanyang, residing in Qing Wei Tian, possessed the Taiyi Dao body.

Although they had never interacted directly, Lei Jun's innate understanding of the universe allowed him to sense that those with the Taiyi Dao body were incredibly difficult to fathom.

Of course, Tang Xiaotang's current judgment could still be accurate.

However, without further verification, it would be wise to treat it with a degree of skepticism.

On the other side of the Qing Wei Tian Daoist palace.

After seeing Lei Jun and Tang Xiaotang off, Zhang Haipeng returned to the Daoist palace.

In the deepest part of the palace, in a quiet room, everything seemed enveloped in a white cloud of smoke.

As Lei Jun and Tang Xiaotang departed, the white cloud stirred slightly, and a voice echoed through the room, "Dealing with people is truly challenging. You must be exhausted, Master."

Zhang Haipeng sighed softly, "It's not that difficult, especially since the two who came today are relatively easy to get along with."

The white cloud gradually calmed, and the voice, faint and ethereal, seemed to be fading away, "No, it's truly challenging."

…………………

Lei Jun and Tang Xiaotang walked through Yu Yu Tian.

"You still seem doubtful," Tang Xiaotang muttered, "From the moment we left, I could sense that you and Sister were acting strangely."

Lei Jun replied, "I'm just curious about our neighbor, but I don't foresee any major issues."

Tang Xiaotang suddenly stopped and turned to face Lei Jun.

Lei Jun chose his words carefully, "According to Shushan's Bai Zhenren, this Zhao Daoyou from Kunwu Sect is seventy-three years old..."

Tang Xiaotang's eyes widened gradually.

Lei Jun nodded slightly, "When he ascended to the immortal realm and achieved the Yuan Shen state last year, he was seventy-two years old, even faster than Emperor Tang and Golden Khan Ang Qinfu."

Faster than him and Tang Xiaotang as well.

Tang Xiaotang snapped back to reality, as if she wanted to say something, but then suddenly closed her mouth, her eyes darting back and forth.

Lei Jun continued, "Emperor Tang had previously encountered him unexpectedly in the outer void and made some speculations about his cultivation level and innate talent. However, at the time, he couldn't be sure, and his guesses were mostly based on assumptions. Now, with Zhao Daoyou achieving the Yuan Shen state at the age of seventy-two, Emperor Tang's previous speculations have essentially been confirmed."

Tang Xiaotang remained silent, her arms folded behind her back as she circled Lei Jun continuously.

Lei Jun went on, "Unless there's a major unexpected event, it should be attributed to his innate Dao body and natural understanding..."

Tang Xiaotang abruptly stopped in front of Lei Jun, her eyes wide with surprise.

Lei Jun nodded gently, "It's likely that he possesses innate talent in all aspects."

Tang Xiaotang stood still, her gaze fixed beyond Lei Jun, into the empty space behind him.

They had returned to Yu Yu Tian after leaving Qing Wei Tian.

Lei Jun glanced at her.

Although her eyes seemed to be fixed on the distance, they lacked focus.

The air in Yu Yu Tian was calm, with only a gentle breeze stirring.

After a long silence, Lei Jun finally spoke again, "Little Sister..."

Tang Xiaotang snapped out of her trance at the sound of his voice and turned to look at him.

However, she remained silent and walked away, disappearing from Yu Yu Tian and Kunlun without a word.

Although she hadn't uttered a single word, Lei Jun felt like he could read her thoughts in her eyes:

"Shut your poisonous mouth and don't say another word!"

With no portal to the void in sight, Tang Xiaotang didn't seem to mind.

She summoned the Primordial Yuan Pearl, and in a flash, a gateway to the void of Kunlun opened. She step through, and as the realms between heaven and earth shuddered, the scene swiftly returned to its prior serenity.

Lei Jun spread his hands helplessly and took out a piece of drawing paper, sketching a few strokes before returning to the Yu Yu Tian Daoist palace.

Xu Yuanzhen, who had remained behind, didn't even lift her head, "Xiaotang ran off?"

The radiant light of the Tian Tong Dichi Falun (Heavenly Communication Earth-Penetrating Law Scripture) gleamed in Lei Jun's eyes as he answered, "She departed for the mortal realm and then came back to Grand Tang."

Xu Yuanzhen asked, "Did she run back to the mountain gate ancestral hall to seclude herself for cultivation?"

Lei Jun nodded, "Yes, without a word, she just left."

As he spoke, he handed over several sheets of drawing paper to Xu Yuanzhen.

The painted portrait was crude, but the expression on the subject's face was vividly captured.

Xu Yuanzhen took it and examined it carefully, a rare smile tugging at the corners of her mouth as she found it intriguing.

Lei Jun was equally unconcerned about Tang Xiaotang.

As Empress Zhang Wantong had once teased, this matter might cause some psychological waves and impact on Tang Xiaotang.

But given Tang Xiaotang's consistent temperament, knowing about this might not be a bad thing.

Moreover, although Zhao Chanyang was avoiding them, the news would inevitably reach Tang Xiaotang's ears sooner or later.

"I'll stay here for a while. If you want to go to the Great Red Heaven, go ahead by yourself."

Xu Yuanzhen put away the sketch that Lei Jun had given her and casually tossed him a talisman used to seal spiritual treasures.

Lei Jun played with it for a while, quickly understanding its intricacies: "It's quite lively, as if it has its own thoughts. It's exceptionally active. Is this a treasure from Kunlun? Just this one item is not enough to further elevate Xiao Shimei's already serene level of enlightenment. Other opportunities or even many opportunities are needed."

Xu Yuanzhen said, "This is one of Zhou Tian Daoist's private collections. It is precisely because of the reason you mentioned that this treasure has been preserved until now, and Zhou Tian Daoist is reluctant to refine and use it directly."

Lei Jun looked at the talisman in his hand and said, "He's quite calculating. I just took a walk in the Yutian Palace, and if I'm not mistaken, Xiang Jing, or Pan Hailin's Hunyuan Fairy Body, may not have the innate root bone as publicized by the Great Han Longhushan lineage in the early years, but may have been elevated later on."

If this weren't the case, even if he failed in both literary and military endeavors, he could still try to contact Longhushan to learn the Dao and avoid following in the footsteps of Han Emperor Xiang Chengyuan, who fell into the big pit dug by the Witch King of Kongsang.

If the Hunyuan Fairy Body had the opportunity to advance further, it would correspond to Zhao Chanyang's Taiyi Dao body.

"That may be the case, but there's no more information here," Xu Yuanzhen said casually.

Lei Jun nodded, "If we can determine the various conditions required to achieve the Hunyuan Immortal Body in the latter stage, it will also be a new accumulation of depth for our sect."

He put away the talisman and bid farewell to Xu Yuanzhen, "I'll go take a look at the Great Red Heaven."

Xu Yuanzhen said, "Okay, do as you please."

Lei Jun said, "Dashi Mei, you don't seem to be in the best condition. Why don't you return to the mountain gate ancestral hall to rest later?"

Xu Yuanzhen casually waved her hand.

Lei Jun left the Yutian Palace.

Since Bai Mei had already expressed her stance, he had no worries and directly traveled from Yutian to the Great Red Heaven.

Just like when he went to Qingwei Heaven earlier, Lei Jun felt as if he was traveling from one Kunlun realm to another.

This place was also vibrant with spiritual energy, and some people lived and thrived here.

It had even given rise to some small-scale legacy of refining artifacts, but without the orthodox Shu Mountain Taoist orthodoxy.

Obviously, Bai Mei had no intention of taking on disciples here in the past.

Even the Taoist palace in the Great Red Heaven was not as grand as the one in Yutian.

As far as Lei Jun could see, there was only a solitary and steep peak standing tall in the center of the Great Red Heaven.

(End of Chapter)

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