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Chapter 444: National Teacher of the Tang, Yu Yu, Leaves (Part 2)
Chapter 444: National Teacher of the Tang, Yu Yu, Leaves (Part 2)
A few cultivators made their way from the foot of the mountain to the summit, tending to a Taoist temple that looked rather crude.
This was Bai Mei's original dojo in Kunlun, and its style was completely different from that of the Qingwei Heaven Kunwu Sect and the Yutian Palace of Zhou Tian Daoist.
Lei Jun did not appear directly but quietly wandered around the Great Red Heaven to inspect the place.
Bai Mei had been at odds with Zhou Tian Daoist in the past.
After she left Kunlun, Zhou Tian Daoist did not make things difficult for the Taoist refiners in the Great Red Heaven, but he had swept through all the heavenly materials and treasures here.
Some were used for his rituals, while others were left in the remnants of the Yutian Palace.
However, just looking at the Taoist temple where Bai Mei resided, one could imagine that Zhou Tian Daoist hadn't gained much from her.
After wandering around the Great Red Heaven, Lei Jun also left Kunlun and returned to the mortal world.
The Taoist methods in the Great Han Longhushan needed to be revised, and he had to perform rituals and give lectures.
In addition, Lei Jun privately sorted out other matters.
In Yutian, although Zhou Tian Daoist and his disciples had fled, taking away everything they could, many things were still left behind.
Lei Jun was very interested in studying these remnants.
His eyes, which had reached the level of "Heavenly Vision and Earthly Insight," kept turning, analyzing the remnants.
Although there were now significant differences in their legacies, they were ultimately still part of the Taoist lineage of Fu Lu.
It didn't take Lei Jun long to figure out the whereabouts of the other Yutian cultivators, excluding Zhou Tian Daoist himself.
…………………
Luoyan.
The once cold and silent abyss of the underworld was unusually lively.
However, this change did not bring vitality to the place but instead brought more disasters and rampant death.
Whether it was the influx of the endless abyss or the restless Luoyan itself, calamities abounded.
Even a cultivator of the Ninth Heaven Realm like Mu Weizi found the situation tricky.
Youluo Sankun was focusing on calming the chaos.
In the current situation, even Gu Jiao Huang and Youming Xuan didn't dare to cause trouble for him.
With their vital energy greatly damaged, they also needed time to lick their wounds.
The same was true for Mu Weizi.
He had already done his best on this trip, pushing the Great Demon of Luoyan to invade the Great Tang world twice in a row.
But the final outcome was terrible.
Chen Yi was dead, and the Pure Gold Hall had fallen into the hands of the Great Tang Longhushan Heavenly Master's Mansion.
Several great demons on the Luoyan side, including Mu Weizi himself, had suffered heavy losses.
Empress Zhang Wantong of the Tang Dynasty had not shown herself at all, quietly cultivating, and to make matters worse, the Great Tang world had produced even more powerful beings beyond expectations.
The Living Buddha, the Holy Master of Maitreya, Mi Le Jing Jiu, actually had an intimate relationship with the Tian Shi Fu lineage of Dragon-Tiger Mountain from the Tang Dynasty.
With the allure of the Reverse Origin Heart Fruit, Mu Wei Zi successfully incited the Great Demon of Luo Yuan to invade the Tang Dynasty for a second time. However, they failed to achieve their intended goal of rescuing Zhao by diverting attention from Wei.
The Tang Dynasty remained unharmed.
The battle in the Han Dynasty had also come to an end.
Not only had Xiang Jing and Ji Dao Cheng lost, but even Zhou Tian Dao Ren had suffered a crushing defeat, forcing their retreat from Kunlun.
Upon receiving this news, Mu Wei Zi felt a sense of despair.
"Master, do you have any plans regarding Luo Yuan?" Mu Wei Zi asked, having calmed himself, as he contacted his fellow disciples who had withdrawn from Kunlun, including Jiang Nan.
Jiang Nan replied in a dry tone, "We can't seem to reach the Master. He might be resting and recuperating in the extraterritorial void at the moment."
Mu Wei Zi's heart sank further.
The situation seemed even more dire than he had imagined.
Steeling himself, he said to Jiang Nan, "For now, let's endure and wait for the right moment. The situation in Luo Yuan is complex, and I will be in touch with you again later."
With the backflow of Luo Yuan, its gates were forcibly closed from within, causing great turmoil.
Yu Luo Shan Jun, who was in charge of Luo Yuan at that time, also faced a formidable challenge and bore the brunt of the impact.
His current situation was dire, and it was uncertain if he fared any better than Mu Wei Zi, Gu Jiao Huang, and You Ming Xing.
However, as Gu Jiao Huang and You Ming Xing were more closely associated with Luo Yuan at present, they had no choice but to temporarily set aside their grievances.
Not only was the external threat still significant, but the Great Demon of Luo Yuan and Mu Wei Zi also had to unite in the face of adversity.
Their attempt to inundate Dragon-Tiger Mountain of the Tang Dynasty with seawater from Luo Yuan had failed, but the Tang Dynasty would surely respond to this act of aggression.
Fortunately, it was difficult for them to breach Luo Yuan from the outside.
Previously, Xing Feng, the head of the Blood River Sect of the Nan Huang Witch Gate, had entered and exited Luo Yuan multiple times, but the loopholes were gradually being sealed by Yu Luo Shan Jun, You Ming Xing, and the others.
Nevertheless, recent developments had given rise to new threats.
Initially, Yu Luo Shan Jun, Gu Jiao Huang, and You Ming Xing had joined forces, with Mu Wei Zi's assistance, to successfully expel two other top demons from Luo Yuan—Yin Yue Ming Huang and Da Yuan Ming Gui.
However, due to their mutual distrust and hidden motives, they failed to permanently keep Yin Yue Ming Huang and Da Yuan Ming Gui out of Luo Yuan.
Now that Yu Luo Shan Jun and his allies had suffered a significant setback, the two expelled demons might seize the opportunity to stage a comeback.
They had once been formidable forces within Luo Yuan, and it hadn't been long since their expulsion.
It would be extremely challenging to prevent their return to Luo Yuan in a short period, and it would undoubtedly lead to another fierce battle.
Or perhaps, a compromise.
"I will notify you when Yin Yue Ming Huang and Da Yuan Ming Gui are about to make their move, and we can act together then," Mu Wei Zi instructed Jiang Nan.
Jiang Nan acknowledged the plan.
…………………
The battle in the Han Dynasty was drawing to a close.
A wounded Nobu Shang Ren withdrew from the battlefield.
He was met by other experts from the Sumeru Treasure Department:
"The Department Master has instructed that you should return to the Kongo-ji Temple to recuperate. We will handle the aftermath in the Central Plains."
Nobu Shang Ren understood the implications and promptly returned to the Western Regions' Kongo-ji Temple.
This place also served as the headquarters of the Sumeru Sect since the descent of Sumeru upon the Han Dynasty. Usually, experts from the Sumeru Treasure Department were stationed here.
Upon returning to the Kongo-ji Temple, Nobu Shang Ren encountered a tall and thin monk.
Nobu Shang Ren immediately paid his respects, "Master."
The tall and thin monk was none other than the master of the Sumeru Treasure Department, Fan Da Ta.
Fan Da Ta nodded slightly and proceeded to aid Nobu Shang Ren in healing his injuries.
Once Nobu Shang Ren's condition had stabilized, he bowed once more and asked, "Master, how is the Venerable One doing in the Sumeru Realm?"
Fan Da Ta replied, "Sumeru is stabilizing, and compared to before, the situation has improved significantly. Thus, I have come to preside over this realm, but for now, let's keep a low profile."
"Yes, Master," Nobu Shang Ren acknowledged.
He then took out a dharma bell and a scripture wheel that he had been carrying and presented them to Fan Da Ta, "Earlier, under your command, I secretly made some plans and achieved some results. However, due to time constraints and the presence of numerous experts, I dared not act too boldly, so I only have these meager offerings. I seek your understanding, Master."
Fan Da Ta accepted the dharma bell and the scripture wheel, examining them carefully before nodding slightly, "No, you've done well."
The dharma bell rang with the chanting of sutras, and the scripture wheel shone with radiant light.
Together, they faintly outlined a scene of Buddhist light.
Within the Buddhist light, the secrets of the Kong Sang Witch Gate were primarily revealed.
"I will remain in the mortal realm, but you shall return these to Sumeru and present them to the Venerable One. Then, you may rest in Sumeru," Fan Da Ta instructed.
"Yes, Master," Nobu Shang Ren replied.
He paused slightly before continuing, "Regarding the Witch King of Kong Sang Witch Gate..."
"The Venerable One will make the necessary arrangements," Fan Da Ta assured.
Nobu Shang Ren immediately paid his respects and took back the dharma bell and the scripture wheel. Through the Sumeru Sect's portal, he returned to Sumeru.
However, the gaze of the master of the Sumeru Treasure Department, Fan Da Ta, was directed towards the south.
The influence of the Daoist Gate of the Tang Dynasty, specifically the Tian Shi Fu lineage of Dragon-Tiger Mountain, was growing stronger.
Could they have possibly defeated the ancient ancestor of the Nine Heavens, Zhou Tian Lao Zu, in battle?
It seemed that their decision to seal off the void passages connecting the Earth Sea to the Song Dynasty and the Datang to the Han Dynasty had been wise.
The ancient ancestor's retreat might have been due to two reasons: caution induced by the presence of the Wise and Compassionate Sage of Sumeru and the Yin Gu Saint of Gui Ye, and perhaps a greater focus on the challenge posed by Zhou Tian Lao Zu in the Han Dynasty.
With the retreat of the Zhou Tian ancestor, one of the concerns of the Tang Dynasty's Longhu Mountain lineage has been lifted.
In this situation, the Tang Emperor is also in seclusion, striving to reach the Immortal Realm.
The cultivation world of the Tang Dynasty is indeed an opponent not to be underestimated.
Vadota, the master of the Treasure Department, instructed his other disciples to further inquire about the news from the Tang Dynasty's mortal realm.
Later, some reports were sent back.
After browsing through them, Vadota's eyes narrowed.
The words "Luo Yuan", "Infinite", and "White Lotus Saint Master" jumped out at him.
"Continue investigating. I want more detailed information."
After a long while, Vadota instructed, "Additionally, deliver this message to the Honored One in Sumeru immediately."
His disciple hurried off to Sumeru.
Vadota, the master of the Treasure Department, gazed southward, remaining silent for a long time.
…………………
Great Han's Longhu Mountain.
Within the Celestial Master's Mansion, Lei Jun stood in the Dragon and Tiger Sect's altar room.
The Four Directions White Jade Official Seal, known as the Celestial Master's Seal, hung in the air, radiating light that interwoven with the numerous Dao patterns circulating within the altar room.
In addition, twelve shining talismans floated around the Celestial Master's Seal.
After being nurtured by the Dragon and Tiger Sect's altar for a long time, the Three Caverns and Twelve Upper True Treasure Talismans were gradually regaining their vitality.
However, the Dragon and Tiger Sect's altar had undergone even greater changes compared to before.
"Senior Brother."
Chu Kun came to see Lei Jun and said in a low voice, "Someone from the Kongsang Earth Capital has quietly come to seek an audience outside the mountain."
Lei Jun: "Ke Lang?"
Chu Kun: "It's a woman who calls herself Chen Xiao."
Lei Jun: "Allow her to come up the mountain. I will meet her in the side hall."
Later, Lei Jun left the Dragon and Tiger Sect's altar and arrived at a side hall.
The woman, who had once met him at the Huaying Palace and looked like a famous performer, now respectfully bowed to Lei Jun. "Chen Xiao of the Kongsang Earth Capital, greets the Celestial Master."
For Chen Xiao, she had only met 'Wang Xu' of Dongyang Mountain, not the Celestial Master Lei Jun of Longhu Mountain.
Earlier, she had assisted Emperor Xiang Chengyuan of the Han Dynasty and had left for Kongsang before, unintentionally avoiding a calamity.
Now, representing the Kongsang Earth Capital lineage, she felt apprehensive.
Although the Earth Capital and the Sky Capital were opposed to each other, the Kongsang Witch King was too powerful, and many people, including Emperor Xiang, had been quietly eroded, their lives controlled.
Earlier, there had even been a case of an Earth Capital elder ambushing Tang Xiaotang in the Former Song Dynasty's mortal realm.
As a result, the other cultivators of the Great Han Dynasty also held deep distrust toward the Kongsang Earth Capital.
What about the Longhu Mountain Celestial Master's Mansion of the Tang Dynasty?
"The previous incident of an Earth Capital elder attacking your sect's Tang Zhenren was not the wish of the Earth Capital but the doing of those eroded by the Witch King, pretending to be the Earth Capital and secretly assisting the Sky Capital."
Chen Xiao respectfully offered various apologies to Lei Jun: "The Saint Master and all of the Earth Capital feel very guilty about this matter and have specially sent me to ask for your forgiveness, Lei Tian Shi and Tang Zhenren."
Although she said this, Chen Xiao was uncertain.
It was true that an Earth Capital elder had been eroded by the Witch King in the past.
The problem was, how could they guarantee that others weren't in the same situation?
Ke Lang and the other Earth Capital higher-ups were also quite wary of this.
"Tang Zhenren herself does not pursue this matter further, so I, as a poor Daoist, will not interfere." Lei Jun's attitude was very peaceful.
Seeing this, Chen Xiao finally let go of most of her worries.
Lei Jun then calmly asked, "What will your sect do next?"
Chen Xiao cautiously observed Lei Jun's expression: "Our sect hopes to establish ourselves in the Great Han Dynasty's mortal realm..."
Lei Jun's expression remained unchanged.
Chen Xiao continued to explain, "Lei Tian Shi, please allow me to explain. Our Earth Capital, at this moment, truly has no way of returning to Kongsang..."
In the past, the Earth Capital lineage and the Sky Capital lineage had confronted each other in Kongsang, right under the Witch King's nose.
One reason was that the Earth Capital lineage possessed important treasures of the Witch Gate, and the other was that the Witch King's arrow, once shot, could not be recalled, as most of his energy was spent on preparing the ritual for his descent upon the mortal realm.
Especially after being hindered by Wang Xu of Dongyang Mountain in the early years, the Kongsang Witch King had also been affected.
Even so, the Witch King had still secretly influenced and eroded many people in the Earth Capital lineage, including some who had reached the Ninth-Tier God-Descending Realm.
Now, with the Witch King's plans in disarray and his dream of descending upon the mortal realm crushed, he had also sustained severe injuries from the astonishing assault of the White Blade Purple Macrocosm Sword, which had obliterated the ceremony.
With no more hope for the mortal realm, the Witch King, who was forced to seal off Kongsang, could finally focus all his attention on dealing with the internal affairs of Kongsang.
In this situation, the people of the Earth Capital had to face the Witch King's full pressure.
Ke Lang, seeing the change in the situation, had made a quick decision and arranged for the disciples and related people of the Earth Capital to leave Kongsang and settle in the mortal realm of the Han Dynasty to escape the Witch King's retaliation.
Although they had suffered many losses, had the mortal enemy of the Sky Capital, and were guarded by the Han Dynasty cultivators, the Kongsang Earth Capital still had Ke Lang, a Ninth-Tier Perfected Great Witch, sitting in town, along with many other powerful subordinates, so they were not without a chance to establish themselves in the mortal realm of the Han Dynasty.
On the other hand, the Longhu Mountain lineage of the Tang Dynasty, which had been much quieter after the war, was an attitude that the Kongsang Earth Capital could not afford to ignore.
Chen Xiao, in order to show her sincerity, frankly said, "Celestial Master, if you don't mind, our Saint Master hopes to bring another person to visit Longhu Mountain in person later."
She spoke a little softer: "The current emperor of the Great Han Dynasty was destroyed by the Witch King and Xiang Jing's ritual. Fortunately, a sword from outside the heavens cut off the ritual, and the emperor was able to be reborn through the secret method of the Witch Gate, but he is currently very weak and only has his soul left."
(End of Chapter)
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