Chapter 452: An Unreliable Master

Chapter 452: An Unreliable Master

"So you've dealt with Luo Yuan already?" Tang Xiatang's voice held a hint of disappointment, but her emotions didn't seem too volatile.

Although she had been impulsive when she returned to the mountain to seclude herself, she had already mentally prepared herself at that time.

With Wang Guyuan's continuous influence on Luo Yuan, they would inevitably gain some clues about his whereabouts.

After Lei Jun returned to the Great Tang world, it wouldn't be difficult for them to reopen the path to Luo Yuan.

If there was any disappointment in Tang Zhenren's voice, it was due to the fact that her seclusion had lasted a bit too long, causing her to miss out on the events regarding Luo Yuan.

"Since Wang Shixiong stayed in Luo Yuan, what about Shijie? Is she still in Kunlun?" Tang Xiatang asked.

Lei Jun replied, "Yes, our senior sister is still in Kunlun. I tried to persuade her to return to the mountain gate to rest, but it seems like she's quite reluctant to leave."

Tang Xiatang laughed and said, "I'll go to Penglai first, and then I'll visit Shijie in Kunlun later. Now that we're finally at the same realm, we can really work together!"

Lei Jun raised his eyebrows slightly at Tang Xiatang's words.

Instead of directly rushing to find Xu Yuanzhen in Kunlun, Tang Xiatang intended to make a trip to Penglai first, and this unexpected decision piqued Lei Jun's curiosity.

"Is it about the Primordial Sea?" he asked after a moment's thought.

"Only partially. If it were just this, it wouldn't be enough, and Shijie would definitely want more," Tang Xiatang replied.

"Let's not talk about Senior Sister's plans for now. You've got me curious," Lei Jun said sincerely.

"I'm more curious to see what you'll look like when you step onto the Bridge of Comprehension, especially with your ability to move instantly," Tang Xiatang said.

Lei Jun, well aware of his own cultivation level, calmly replied, "It will take some more time. I need to carefully comprehend the nature of the world and put in the necessary effort."

Tang Xiatang's thoughts jumped to another topic, "Are you currently in the Great Han Dynasty? How's the progress of the Daoist Law Reform?"

"Everything is going smoothly for now," Lei Jun assured her. "As long as there are no major accidents, we can rest assured. However, we need to maintain this for a long time."

After giving Tang Xiatang a brief overview of the situation, he noticed that her voice seemed a little distant.

"Aside from the recent ordination, will our sect conduct future ordinations for the Han mortal realm branch through the Dragon and Tiger Sect from now on?" she asked.

"Yes," Lei Jun confirmed. "After a period of stabilization, it won't be a problem for the Dragon and Tiger Sect."

He immediately understood Tang Xiatang's intentions. "At that time, if our junior sister is interested, she can come to the Great Han Dynasty and preside over the ordination through the Dragon and Tiger Sect."

Tang Xiatang eagerly rubbed her hands together and frankly said, "That's exactly what I had in mind. I believe it will be a different experience compared to the Wanfa Sect."

Lei Jun maintained a neutral tone as he said, "In fact, the next ordination at the Wanfa Sect is also approaching. Junior Sister, you can experience that first, and then come to the Dragon and Tiger Sect later for a comparison."

"Two ordinations in a row..." Tang Xiatang's voice trailed off before she continued, "Alright."

She already knew that her disciple, Cheng Rongrong, had not yet received her ordination and would be participating in the upcoming ordination ceremony at the Wanfa Sect.

As her master, Tang Zhenren might not have been the most reliable, but at such an important juncture, she wanted to be there to personally preside over the ceremony for her only disciple.

"Hua Rong has exceptional talent, but she's not an ordinary person, and her situation is the opposite of Bao Bao's. She might encounter some obstacles later, so we need to pay attention," Lei Jun cautioned.

"Rest assured, I know what to do," Tang Zhenren said confidently.

Tang Zhenren was self-aware and added, "In case I'm not by Rongrong's side at that time, I hope you and the other fellow disciples will take care of her."

"To be honest, I'm not surprised at all by your request, Junior Sister," Lei Jun said.

Tang Xiatang laughed heartily and said, "Anyway, I have a good eye for picking disciples, don't I?"

"Indeed. They are outstanding in various aspects..." Lei Jun agreed. "...So, Junior Sister, be careful not to be killed by your disciple one day. After all, there's a hidden hand in Kunlun who might be inciting her."

Tang Xiatang's laughter grew even more cheerful, "Let them come!"

Are you implying that your disciple will side with her great-aunt against you?

Whose disciple is she anyway, yours or your great-aunt's? Lei Jun facepalmed.

Later, after ending his conversation with Tang Xiatang, Lei Jun refocused his attention and continued to quietly cultivate his own power and the Daoist laws within the Dragon and Tiger Sect's altars.

The Three Caverns and Twelve Upper True Registers, just like in the past, manifested as twelve orbs of light floating around Lei Jun, silently circulating.

However, the intent of the Daoist laws within them was gradually changing from what they had been in the past.

These twelve registers ultimately originated from the hands of the Zhou Tian Daoist, who had already ascended to the immortal realm.

Therefore, with Lei Jun's current cultivation, strength, and comprehension, altering the laws within them would also require time and experience.

The Zhou Tian Daoist had not died but was still alive somewhere.

Under such circumstances, Lei Jun, Yuanzhen, and Tang Xiatang might need to periodically nurture the registers again from time to time.

Otherwise, as time passed, even with the Zhou Tian Daoist currently slumbering in the outer void, he might still be able to influence these twelve registers subtly.

The same was true for the Dragon and Tiger Sect.

With the ongoing changes in the Daoist traditions of the Fulu School in the Great Han, the situation still needed to be maintained by the twelve Upper True Registers.

From Lei Jun's personal perspective and that of the Celestial Master's Mansion in the Great Tang, these twelve treasures were also valuable in their own right.

Lei Jun waved his hand, and one of the treasures, transformed into a sphere of light, flew to a halt in front of him.

The glowing light gradually faded, revealing a divine law tablet shimmering with scarlet red lightning, the red electricity writhing like scarlet snakes, constantly moving in all directions.

Lei Jun extended his hand, gently tapping the tablet with his finger.

Scarlet red lightning immediately condensed around the tablet, drawn by its center.

Gradually, the scarlet red lightning seemed to transform into a solid mountain.

The Nine Heavens Immortal Mountain Tablet.

Modeling the heavens and mirroring the earth, the immortal mountain of thunderous ancestors, also known as the Immortal Mountain.

One of the two major thunder techniques previously mastered by the Dragon and Tiger Mountain in the Great Han, cultivating the scarlet red Immortal Mountain Thunder.

This was a thunder technique created by the Zhou Tian Daoist after entering the Daoist cultivation of the Fulu School, summarizing some ancient heavenly palace's insights, and then using this heavenly thunder as a foundation to create his own thunder technique.

In terms of power, it was profound and vast, striking fear into the hearts of those who witnessed it.

After so many years of development, it had become quite mature.

Although their paths differed, Lei Jun, upon observing, still gained quite a few insights.

He raised his hand and formed a gesture in front of him.

From his fingertips, strands of scarlet red true lightning emerged, like electric snakes constantly writhing.

The high-level Daoist landscape of the Three Caverns and Twelve Upper True Registers, a landscape that could briefly retain and replay the opponent's divine abilities.

However, it could only do so temporarily and only within the high-level Daoist landscape.

After a short while, it would be difficult to replay them.

While it provided the benefit of 'using the other mountain's jade to polish this one', it helped with analogical reasoning and aided the cultivator's practice, but it could not be used to master the opponent's divine abilities through these insights.

Lei Jun's current manipulation of the scarlet red lightning was a result of his contemplation of the Nine Heavens Immortal Mountain Tablet itself.

With his complete divine abilities, he was currently unable to cultivate the Immortal Mountain Thunder as his own divine ability.

Generally speaking, upon reaching the Upper Three Heavens, due to time, energy, and the related divine power, cultivators usually only cultivated one divine ability per realm, which was their corresponding innate divine ability, and then they deepened their understanding and explored the most suitable variations for themselves.

People like Lei Jun and Tang Xiaotang, who cultivated multiple divine abilities, were an extreme minority.

However, Lei Jun's divine power and personal enlightenment far surpassed that of his peers.

He took the time and effort to contemplate, and although it couldn't give him an additional innate divine ability, he was still able to grasp some of the subtleties of the Nine Heavens Immortal Mountain Tablet.

However, if used in combat, its power was far inferior to that of his innate divine abilities.

Fortunately, Lei Jun had other plans for this divine ability.

After contemplating the Nine Heavens Immortal Mountain Tablet for a long time, Lei Jun waved his hand, dispersing the scarlet red lightning around his fingertip.

The Immortal Mountain composed of scarlet red lightning in front of him also disappeared.

The mountain that had been formed by the scarlet red lightning also disappeared.

The Nine Heavens Immortal Mountain Tablet reverted to the same sphere of light as the other treasures, floating within the Dragon and Tiger Sect's altar.

Lei Jun left the Sect's altar and ascended into the sky above the mountain gate.

Within the vast and clear Taiqing Human Cave Heaven, there were Dragon and Tiger Mountain Heaven Masters who were cultivating.

There were those from the Great Han Dynasty, as well as those from the Great Tang Dynasty.

Since the unification of the two lineages of the Dragon and Tiger Mountain Heaven Masters, outstanding disciples from the Great Tang Dynasty had been sent to the present Great Han Dynasty one after another.

This had become an important reward for them.

Considering the vastness of the Taiqing Human Cave Heaven, it could accommodate more cultivators, and with the current initial stage of the unification of the two lineages of the Dragon and Tiger Mountain, Lei Jun had set relatively loose entry standards.

In addition to this, there were also other cave heavens and blessed lands of the Daoist School of the Fulu School in the present Great Han Dynasty, which were similar.

On the other hand, the Great Han Dynasty lineage of the Dragon and Tiger Mountain had also selected outstanding disciples who had been sent to the Great Tang Dynasty one after another.

Taiqing Human Cave Heaven had become an important site for the cultivators of the Dragon and Tiger Mountain Heaven Masters.

It had become a significant cave heaven and blessed land for the Dragon and Tiger Mountain Heaven Masters.

For the Dragon and Tiger Mountain Heaven Masters, this was a new layer of reward.

Considering the vastness of Taiqing Human Cave Heaven, which could accommodate more cultivators, and with the current initial stage of the unification of the two lineages of the Dragon and Tiger Mountain, Lei Jun had set relatively loose entry standards.

In addition to this, there were also other cave heavens and blessed lands of the Daoist School of the Fulu School in the present Great Han Dynasty, which were also similar.

On the other hand, the Great Han Dynasty lineage of the Dragon and Tiger Mountain had also selected outstanding disciples who had been sent to the Great Tang Dynasty one after another.

The next ordination of the Wanfa Sect was also approaching.

"Junior Sister, you can experience that first, and then come to the Dragon and Tiger Sect later for a comparison." Lei Jun maintained a neutral tone as he spoke.

"Two ordinations in a row..." Tang Xiaotang's voice trailed off before she continued, "Alright."

She already knew that her disciple, Cheng Rongrong, had not yet received her ordination and would be participating in the upcoming ordination ceremony of the Wanfa Sect.

As her master, Tang Zhenren might not have been the most reliable, but at such an important juncture, she wanted to be there to personally preside over the ceremony for her only disciple.

"Hua Rong has exceptional talent, but she's not an ordinary person, and her situation is the opposite of Bao Bao's. She might encounter some obstacles later, so we need to pay attention," Lei Jun cautioned.

"Rest assured, I know what to do," Tang Zhenren said confidently.

Tang Zhenren was self-aware and added, "In case I'm not by Rongrong's side at that time, I hope you and the other fellow disciples will take care of her."

"To be honest, I'm not surprised at all by your request, Junior Sister," Lei Jun said.

Tang Xiaotang laughed heartily and said, "Anyway, I have a good eye for picking disciples, don't I?"

"Indeed. They are outstanding in various aspects..." Lei Jun agreed. "...So, Junior Sister, be careful not to be killed by your disciple one day. After all, there's a hidden hand in Kunlun who might be inciting her."

Tang Xiaotang's laughter grew even more cheerful, "Let them come!"

Are you implying that your disciple will side with her great-aunt against you?

Whose disciple is she anyway, yours or your great-aunt's? Lei Jun facepalmed.

Later, after ending his conversation with Tang Xiaotang, Lei Jun refocused his attention and continued to quietly cultivate his own power and the Daoist laws within the Dragon and Tiger Sect's altars.

The Three Caverns and Twelve Upper True Registers, just like in the past, manifested as twelve orbs of light floating around Lei Jun, silently circulating.

However, the intent of the Daoist laws within them was gradually changing from what they had been in the past.

These twelve registers ultimately originated from the hands of the Zhou Tian Daoist, who had already ascended to the immortal realm.

Therefore, with Lei Jun's current cultivation, strength, and comprehension, altering the laws within them would also require time and experience.

The Zhou Tian Daoist had not died but was still alive somewhere.

Under such circumstances, Lei Jun, Yuanzhen, and Tang Xiaotang might need to periodically nurture the registers again from time to time.

Otherwise, as time passed, even with the Zhou Tian Daoist currently slumbering in the outer void, he might still be able to influence these twelve registers subtly.

The same was true for the Dragon and Tiger Sect.

Lei Jun nodded, "That is a prudent statement, and coupled with his exceptional talent and resilient will, he shouldn't take too long to reach the level of the Seventh Heaven."

Zhang Jingzhen nodded, "The Master's words are true."

Lei Jun slightly bowed his head in acknowledgment and bade farewell to Zhang Jingzhen. He then began to stroll within the Taiqing Human Cave Heaven.

Even without showing off his abilities, Lei Jun's casual stroll would be imperceptible to high-level elders like Zhang Jingzhen and Fu Yuzhou, who possessed the cultivation of the Eighth Heaven. Even if they were standing right next to him, they would only see Lei Tianshi casually wandering around.

What no one in the Cave Heaven realized was that as Lei Jun strolled, faint gleams of light seemed to emanate from him, spreading out in all directions with him at the center.

However, these gleams of light were so ethereal and vast that not only would ordinary people be unable to perceive them with their naked eyes, but even the most skilled cultivators would find it challenging to discern these dust-like specks of light.

Countless tiny specks of light, like stars, silently filled the four directions of the Taiqing Human Cave Heaven.

With a slight shift in Lei Jun's thoughts, these dense and minute specks of light began to transform, undulating like waves and forming a illusory, invisible galaxy.

Lei Jun raised his hand, and as the light flowed, the stars vanished as if they had sunk into the void.

He watched this scene quietly, as if admiring the scenery.

But without him controlling or commanding it, a subtle and peculiar Fulu symbol emerged and then quickly vanished in the void where the starlight had disappeared.

Lei Jun nodded slightly and then left the Taiqing Human Cave Heaven.

He returned to the Dragon and Tiger Sect's altar and continued his cultivation and daily routine as usual.

Later, when evening approached, Lei Jun calculated the days and realized that the new year was approaching in the Great Tang world.

Zhang Jingzhen emerged from the Taiqing Human Cave Heaven and took over Lei Jun's position, presiding over the Dragon and Tiger Mountain's Dragon and Tiger Sect altar in the Great Han lineage.

Lei Jun bid farewell to Ma Zongxiang, Fu Yuzhou, and others before leaving the mountain and returning to the Great Tang world.

In the Great Tang world, the New Year ceremony and the Transmission Ceremony would be held one after the other.

Upon his return to the mountain, Lei Jun first paid his respects to his master, Yuan Mobai, and his junior fellow disciple, Chu Kun, among others.

As the Celestial Master, he had numerous affairs to oversee.

However, in recent years, with the increasing number of high-level elders in the mansion, Lei Jun had delegated a significant portion of his tasks to his fellow disciples.

During his absence from the Great Tang world, the Dragon and Tiger Mountain Celestial Master's Mansion could still communicate directly with him, who was in another world, through the Heaven-Viewing and Earth-Listening Fulu.

Therefore, Lei Jun's return to the mountain was relatively relaxed, and his prolonged absence did not cause any adverse effects or a backlog of issues.

Lei Jun was delighted when some elders from the mansion came to pay their respects to him:

"Congratulations, Luo Shixiong, and congratulations, Fang Shixiong."

Luo Haoran and Fang Jian came together to report to Celestial Master Lei Jun and brief him on their duties.

Both of them still wore deep red Daoist robes, but Lei Jun had already received news that Luo Haoran and Fang Jian had, within the past year, successively crossed the heavenly tribulation between the Sixth and Seventh Heavens and attained the state of Communing with Heaven.

This marked the addition of two new high-level elders to the Dragon and Tiger Mountain Celestial Master's Mansion lineage.

The reason Luo Haoran and Fang Jian were not wearing purple robes was that Celestial Master Lei Jun had not been in the Great Tang world to bestow the robes upon them.

As Lei Jun would be returning to the Great Tang world during the New Year, it had been decided that he would present purple robes to Luo Haoran and Fang Jian during the New Year ceremony.

"Finally, I've successfully overcome the last hurdle," Fang Jian said with a smile. "In the secular world, we would have been old by now. Today, we were able to take this crucial step thanks to the opportunities and environment created by the Master, Senior Sister Yuan, and Senior Sister Tang for all the disciples of our sect."

He was deeply moved as he spoke.

Both Luo Haoran and Fang Jian were nearly a hundred years old.

For a cultivator at the Middle Three Heavens level, this was a critical juncture.

If one couldn't break through to the Upper Three Heavens before the age of a hundred, there was still hope afterward, but the path to ascending to the Seventh Heaven and beyond would become much more challenging.

Now that they had reached the Seventh Heaven before the age of a hundred, they would still be in the golden window of cultivation during the next hundred years.

As such, barring any unforeseen circumstances, the Seventh Heaven would not be their limit, and they would have the opportunity to strive for higher realms.

Luo Haoran, on the other hand, remained calm and collected.

Lei Jun smiled and looked at him, "I heard that last summer, Luo Shixiong had already successfully taken this step, attaining the state of Communing with Heaven, and then traveled to the banks of the Great River?"

Luo Haoran replied, "The Great River has been experiencing frequent floods in the past two years, and the situation is showing signs of worsening. Fortunately, it is still within manageable limits. I went there in advance to plan and reinforce the embankments to prevent disasters before they occur."

Due to the surging celestial and earthly spiritual energy and the numerous great battles that had taken place in the Great Tang world in the past, the terrain of the mountains and rivers had undergone significant changes.

The once-quiet mountains and rivers had, in recent years, started to experience more natural disasters.

Luo Haoran had long aspired to quell the floods and hoped that one day, after attaining the Upper Three Heavens cultivation, he could make a greater contribution.

Over the years, he had tirelessly dedicated himself to this cause, and there was no need to elaborate further.

Currently, it was winter, so there was no need to worry.

When summer arrived next year, he would leave the mountain again and head to the banks of the Great River.

As the years rushed by, nearly seven decades had passed since Lei Jun first entered the sect and learned of Luo Yuan's aspirations.

Sitting beside Lei Jun, recalling the past, Luo Haoran also sighed with emotion.

Come the New Year ceremony, Lei Jun would bestow the Taoist vestments upon Luo Haoran and Fang Jian.

The two of them had also chosen the first divine ability they would cultivate as their lifeblood.

Fang Jian had cultivated the Five Thunder Authentic Spell of the Manor, passed down through the generations, and Lei Jun's self-created Yin Five Thunder Authentic Spell since he was at the Middle Three Heavens realm.

Now that he had reached the Upper Three Heavens, there was no need to mention that his first lifeblood divine ability was the Nine Heavens Thunder Ancestor Law Image, achieved through the Taoist vestments of the Thunder Law Celestial Writing.

As for Luo Haoran, he chose the Nine Abyss Flame Ancestor Law Image, achieved through the Fire Law Earth Writing Taoist vestments.

In his opinion, the Nine Abyss True Fire was not as fierce and aggressive as the Nine Heavens Thunder when used in combat, but whether it was for drawing earth fire, connecting to the earth vein spiritual energy, or refining pills and artifacts, the Nine Abyss True Fire was extremely useful.

This was the divine ability that Luo Haoran had set his heart on cultivating ever since the early years when the Li family of Xinzhou still existed and the Thunder Law Celestial Writing was exclusively passed down through the family.

For the current generation of Dragon and Tiger Mountain Celestial Master's Manor successors, the choice of divine ability no longer held special significance, nor was it restricted. They could freely choose based on their strengths and interests.

When Lei Jun discussed this matter with his master, Yuan Mobai, the latter sighed with emotion:

"It's truly commendable and worthy of celebration that Heavymale Junior Nephew and Simplicity Junior Nephew have successively reached the Seventh Heaven realm."

Lei Jun nodded slightly.

Master Yuan Mobai's eyes held a hint of reminiscence.

Lei Jun could guess what he was thinking.

His senior fellow disciple, Li Qingfeng of the previous generation, had several close disciples, including Li Zhengxuan, who had passed away many years ago. Up to now, all of them had successfully crossed the threshold from the Middle Three Heavens to the Upper Three Heavens, attaining the Seventh Heaven realm.

Aside from Li Zhengxuan, who had perished, the remaining Zhang Jingzhen and Fang Jian had gradually become the pillars of the Manor.

As for Xu Yuanzhen, there was no need to say more.

"In addition to Luo Shixiong and Fang Shixiong, Huoyuan Shidi and Huayu Shidi have both reached the Six Heavens Seal realm, and their progress is evident," Lei Jun said with a smile.

Hearing this, Yuan Mobai's face also lit up with a smile. "Although it will take some time for them to consolidate their cultivation, as long as there are no major accidents, they will also have a promising future. They are outstanding among the new generation."

Ever since Qin Cawei and Xu Rui and others successfully advanced to the next level, the two with the most rapid progress among the new generation of Dragon and Tiger Mountain Celestial Master's Manor successors were Zhang Xiuyang, who was currently with Zhang Jingzhen in the Han world, and Xin Beiyuan.

Among them, Xin Beiyuan's progress was even more remarkable, and he was likely to be the next potential candidate to challenge the Seventh Heaven realm.

Han Xiaofi and Cheng Rongrong had greater talent, but as they entered the sect later, there was no need to rush at the moment.

"How is Huoyuan's preparation for the Senluo Immortal Body coming along?" Yuan Mobai asked thoughtfully.

Lei Jun replied, "According to the method left by that ancestor from long ago, we currently have a sixty percent chance. If we can obtain another rare heavenly treasure, we will have the opportunity to further improve Huoyuan Shidi's foundation and transform his Senluo Sacred Body into a Senluo Immortal Body."

Yuan Mobai nodded slightly. "Although it's better to do it as soon as possible, it's best to go with the flow and adapt to the situation."

"Yes, Master," Lei Jun agreed.

Not long after the New Year ceremony, on the fifteenth day of the first month, it would be time for the next Transmission Ceremony.

And by this time next year, it would be the next Vestment Conferring Ceremony.

After presiding over this year's Transmission Ceremony, Lei Jun took care of all the affairs in the Manor and then entered the Upper Clarity Thunder Palace Cave Heaven.

He bypassed the various wondrous lands within the Cave Heaven and went straight to the core, the Green Jade Immortal Mountain.

Countless purple thunderbolts filled the sky above the immortal mountain, resembling a thunderous sea.

Lei Jun stood at the peak of the Green Jade Immortal Mountain.

Once again, countless illusory specks of light appeared on his body, as if the vast starry sea was spreading out in all directions with him at the center.

The countless specks of light condensed in the air to form a radiant river of light that was indiscernible to mortals. The light river undulated and gradually took on the form of a massive Taoist vestment.

The Taoist vestment flashed in the air and then disappeared in the blink of an eye.

The Upper Clarity Thunder Palace Cave Heaven began to undergo changes.

In Lei Jun's perception, the Upper Clarity Thunder Palace Cave Heaven of the Great Tang world seemed to establish a connection with the Far-reaching Human Cave Heaven of the Han world.

The two Cave Heavens resonated with each other.

But this was just the beginning.

As the two Cave Heavens resonated, invisible forces extended into the vast void, searching for the other Cave Heaven.

The Jade Clarity Mirage Cave Heaven.

It would be difficult to find it without a clue.

Lei Jun focused his attention on the Two Jin worlds.

He had been there before and left behind some arrangements.

Now, he took it a step further and helped the Upper Clarity Thunder Palace Cave Heaven and the Far-reaching Human Cave Heaven locate the Jade Clarity Mirage Cave Heaven.

In the Two Jin worlds, a sword light flashed across the vast sky.

The sword light stopped, revealing a young Daoist clad in plain robes.

It was none other than Shen Xi, the current head of the Shu Mountain Sect of Southern Jin.

He had not forgotten his promise.

During this period, he had been helping Dragon and Tiger Mountain search for the Jade Clarity Mirage Cave Heaven.

At this moment, Shen Xi suddenly sensed that something was amiss with the world.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end