https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-454-453-A-Place-More-Familiar-Than-Home/12933999/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-456-Chapter-455-The-Burial-Ground-of-Immortals/12934002/
Chapter 455: 454. Junior Brother, You're Too Corrupt
Chapter 455: 454. Junior Brother, You're Too Corrupt
Lei Jun's eyes shone with the brilliance of the Heavenly Penetrating Earth-Transcending Talisman.
As the scene before him changed, he found himself in another Daoist Palace alongside Chu Kun.
He sensed that they had entered a different world, but the talisman still received messages from Xu Yuanzhen, so Lei Jun nodded slightly.
Chu Kun removed his hands from their foreheads.
Lei Jun surveyed their surroundings as he spoke, "There's movement from the Stone Saber on Senior Sister's side. We've arrived at the Grand Rectum."
Chu Kun nodded slightly, his expression revealing understanding, "So that's it, we're at the Grand Rectum."
The Stone Saber controlled by Xu Yuanzhen originated from one of the warring kingdoms, Northern Liang, during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period.
There were other similar Stone Sabers in the human world during that time, not just one.
The royal families of other warring kingdoms, such as the Zhou Wei and Zhou Pu father and son of the Later Han Dynasty, and the Southern Yue, also possessed similar Stone Sabers.
These Stone Sabers vaguely pointed to the legendary Grand Rectum, one of the Ten Earths.
The situation was quite different now as Lei Jun entered the Grand Rectum with Chu Kun, compared to when Chu Kun had traveled alone between the two worlds.
These changes further intrigued Chu Kun, who had mentioned in recent years that the Grand Rectum had undergone transformations.
"I've visited our sect's library and even researched ancient texts in Suzhou, but the conditions in this world are vastly different from the characteristics of the Grand Rectum recorded in the ancient books," Chu Kun said.
The two senior and junior brothers left the quiet room of the Daoist Palace and looked up at the sky.
The heavens in this world appeared crimson, unlike the ordinary human realm.
Lei Jun estimated that it was morning, but the sky resembled a dazzling sunset with vibrant colors covering the entire sky.
However, compared to the legendary Grand Rectum, the spiritual energy here was relatively scarce.
Not only did it pale in comparison to the abundant spiritual energy of the other Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, but it also fell short of Guizang, which had been greatly depleted by the Ming Dynasty.
At this moment, above the crimson sky, a turbulent storm was brewing.
Without Lei Jun asking, Chu Kun explained, "When I came here alone, this situation has occurred in recent years, but it's never been as intense as it is now with you, Senior Brother."
He lowered his gaze and looked into the distance, "This world is strange. The sparse spiritual energy isn't conducive to our cultivation, but various spiritual treasures are produced here, many of which have already become extinct in the human realm."
The spiritual treasures he had obtained for his cultivation and for Lei Jun and Yuan Mo Bai were from this world.
Lei Jun gazed up at the crimson sky, "What's the situation above the Cloud Heaven?"
Chu Kun replied, "I've explored upwards, and the void is vast, but it's not the real cosmic void. There's a boundary, but it's peculiar, like a distorted abyss. I sense that space-time is different there, so I didn't venture further out of caution."
Lei Jun said, "That might be the source of the Grand Rectum's past and present transformations. Let's go and take a look."
His cultivation was far superior to Chu Kun's.
What was a perilous situation for Chu Kun might not be the same for Lei Jun.
Chu Kun hoped that his senior brother would help him understand, so he followed Lei Jun upwards, flying towards the crimson sky.
As they ascended, Lei Jun looked down and saw that the Daoist Palace, while not extravagant, was surrounded by numerous other estates and courtyards on all sides, like stars surrounding the moon.
These estates seemed to belong to different owners, each with its architectural style, and they were spaced apart from each other.
Although they surrounded Chu Kun's Daoist Palace, the estates were clearly demarcated and seemed to be in a standoff with each other.
Chu Kun followed Lei Jun's gaze and explained, "In the Grand Rectum, there are numerous countries of various sizes. When I first arrived, I started in the territory of the Flowing Flame Kingdom. But now, I don't favor any particular side. I occasionally mediate disputes between nations, hoping to reduce slaughter and chaos, so that the people can live in peace and not be displaced by war. When I first arrived, there were frequent battles between nations, somewhat similar to the human realm you and Senior Sister mentioned, where martial warriors ruled."
Lei Jun nodded slightly.
For some reason, the Grand Rectum had sparse spiritual energy, which was not conducive to cultivation.
Although there seemed to be indigenous people in this world, it lacked top-tier cultivators.
While this world produced rare and precious celestial materials and treasures not found in the human realm, many common items from the human world were absent here.
Additionally, this world seemed to lack the top-tier lineages of various Dao Traditions.
Chu Kun's cultivation progress was not solely reliant on this world but was the result of combining resources from the Tang Dynasty and the Grand Rectum.
As his cultivation base increased, his status and influence in the Grand Rectum also grew.
However, Chu Kun didn't express any intention of replacing the ruler of the Flowing Flame Kingdom or becoming the overlord of the Four Directions.
He had always maintained a carefree and unconstrained attitude.
Given Chu Kun's temperament, he was likely cautious and vigilant, anticipating any sudden changes in the obviously peculiar Grand Rectum.
Lei Jun led Chu Kun upwards, reaching the vast crimson sky.
As they ventured deeper, a dark and obscure blackness enveloped their vision.
But it wasn't the vast universe; it seemed more like an abyss.
Within the abyss, chaotic currents surged, not just a mixture of Spirit Qi and demonic energy, but also a twisted and distorted space-time.
The Spirit Qi from the Grand Rectum seemed to be constantly flowing into this place, which explained why the world, ranked in the Ten Realms, had such a scarcity of Spirit Qi.
"I came here alone yesterday," Xu Yuanzhen said solemnly.
Chu Kun added in a low voice, "Compared to then, the changes are even more drastic now, more chaotic and intense."
Lei Jun surveyed the surroundings, "The changes here seem superficial, but the reality may have far-reaching implications."
Chu Kun stroked his palm and said, "If you feel the same, Brother, then my earlier guess was correct. The world I've been operating in is part of the Grand Rectum, but it's not the complete Grand Rectum!"
Lei Jun nodded, "I agree."
In the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms world, the martial arts lineages of the Later Han, Northern Liang, Southern Yue, and many other dynasties' royal families, though distinct, shared subtle commonalities.
This wasn't due to mutual exchange but because the martial arts cultivation in the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms world had been influenced by a common source for many years, leading to a fusion with Buddhist and Witch Sect traditions, resulting in significant changes and setting them apart from martial arts lineages in other worlds.
To some extent, it was similar to the influence the Great Wilderness had on the martial arts traditions of the Four Great Khans of Exotic Tribes.
The source of influence on the martial arts in the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms world was the Grand Rectum.
However, as Lei Jun accompanied Chu Kun to the Grand Rectum, he couldn't sense any traces of martial arts essence akin to what he had experienced.
The stone saber on Xu Yuanzhen's side had already reacted, confirming that Lei Jun and Chu Kun had indeed reached the Grand Rectum.
The more likely scenario was that the Grand Rectum had undergone drastic changes, possibly splitting into different parts or regions.
The separation between these parts might be this dark abyss beneath the crimson sky.
Perhaps this was the very rift and boundary?
Based on the current appearance of the pitch-black rift abyss, Lei Jun estimated that his cultivation was sufficient to withstand it.
However, like Chu Kun, he didn't rush in without caution.
Calling Chu Kun back to the ground, Lei Jun prepared himself.
"What materials do you need, Brother? I'll arrange for them," Chu Kun offered.
Lei Jun handed him a list.
After a quick glance, Chu Kun nodded slightly.
Without any apparent signal, a group of male and female disciples rushed out to greet them, "Welcome, Immortal Master!"
Chu Kun, now tall and graceful, with the bearing of an immortal, calmly instructed, "Take some Spirit Treasures from the temple. We don't have a few of them in stock, so contact the rulers of various nations to assist."
The disciples responded in unison, "We obey the Immortal Master's decree."
Without further instructions, they divided tasks efficiently. Some retrieved items from the temple according to Chu Kun's list, while others left to post the decree on notice boards.
As the decree appeared, jade radiance flashed, and nearby estates responded promptly, sending their capable representatives.
The group exchanged glances, their eyes revealing caution and vigilance, but without conflict. After reading the decree together, they bowed in unison, "We obey the decree of Immortal Master Radiant Light!"
The group immediately sent messages back to their respective estates.
The estates, in turn, began contacting various nations across the four directions.
Eagle and dove messengers, along with swift horses, scattered in all directions:
"A message from Radiant Light Immortal Palace, report to the rulers at once!"
Lei Jun turned to look at the temple's entrance, where the words "Radiant Light Temple" were simply inscribed.
Chu Kun chuckled awkwardly, "Brother, forgive my embarrassment."
Lei Jun looked at the graceful male and female disciples and patted Chu Kun's shoulder, "Little brother, you've become quite indulgent."
Chu Kun smiled bitterly, "Most of them are children of noble families from various nations. They've only appeared in recent years, and I wanted to give them some attention."
"I understand, I truly do. You've endured decades of hard cultivation in the Tang Dynasty world, and it's only right to enjoy and relax a bit here," Lei Jun patted his shoulder again.
Chu Kun, rarely showing such audacity in front of Lei Jun, rolled his eyes, "If you say so, Brother, then your life in the Tang Dynasty world was even more challenging. Let me host you as my guest here."
Lei Jun smiled, "How could that be? I often summoned you in the Tang Dynasty."
Chu Kun fell silent.
After a brief exchange of laughter, Lei Jun steered the conversation back on track, "There seem to be a few promising disciples among them?"
"Yes, I teach them some basic Qi cultivation methods in my free time," Chu Kun explained, "But I haven't imparted the true Daoist teachings or taken them as formal disciples."
Lei Jun said, "With the upcoming changes in the Grand Rectum, the situation may differ. We'll see how things unfold and consider personal connections and the law of affinity."
Chu Kun nodded, "As you say, Brother."
Lei Jun asked, "What happened when you went to the Great Ming Dynasty earlier?"
Chu Kun replied, "Normally, when I leave the Grand Rectum, I return directly to the Tang Dynasty world. I return to the same place I departed from, but that time, I didn't return to the Tang Dynasty world. Instead, I ended up in the Great Ming Dynasty.
Fortunately, I was able to return to the Grand Rectum from the Great Ming Dynasty and travel between the two. After some time of contemplation and experimentation, I finally restored the connection between the Tang Dynasty world and the Grand Rectum."
Lei Jun: "Can you still move freely between the Great Ming world and the Great Rectum?"
Chu Kun nodded, "Yes, in recent years, as I've continued to study and comprehend, I've managed to find a way to travel between the Great Ming and the Great Rectum. However, it takes time to switch back to the Tang Dynasty."
"With the Great Rectum becoming increasingly volatile in recent times, I've chosen not to attempt it again lightly, out of caution."
Lei Jun: "If you could travel between more worlds, even as a single person, it would be quite remarkable."
As time passed, various countries from all directions, according to Chu Kun's list, began sending all sorts of heavenly treasures and earthly treasures.
Although Chu Kun had initially established himself in the Flowing Flame Country, the Radiant Light Temple was now built in a mountainous area at the border of several countries. Using this as a center, he had developed a neutral zone of considerable size as a place for Immortal Master Chu to cultivate.
Although they were delivering treasures, the rulers of three countries had personally come to visit.
"Everything is here, Senior Brother. You attend to your tasks, and I'll go meet them." Chu Kun headed towards the front hall of the temple.
He didn't hold dominion over the Great Rectum.
Having received offerings from various countries, there were times when he would also take on the role of mediator, resolving disputes.
Lei Jun waved goodbye to his junior disciple and remained in the rear hall, refining the various heavenly treasures and earthly treasures himself.
He wore the Profound Purity Eight Scenery Treasure Cape, and each of the cape's strands resembled a dragon, spreading out in all directions.
These strands had been further refined by Lei Jun, imbuing them with temporary transformative properties.
After preparing everything, he called out to Chu Kun and silently ascended into the crimson sky once more.
Passing through the turbulent sky, Lei Jun arrived before the pitch-black abyss.
The Profound Purity Eight Scenery Treasure Cape around his body expanded in all directions, resembling flying enraged dragons.
In the hazy rain and mist, the mist seemed to turn crimson, filling the pitch-black abyss.
Within the abyss, space and spiritual energy twisted together, creating a terrifying suction force that devoured everything around it.
However, the crimson mist seemed to condense and persist, like solid soil filling the four directions.
Under its influence, the entire world began to tremble.
Not only the crimson sky above but also the vast land below seemed to experience a slight earthquake at that moment.
The tremors weren't intense, but they were evenly distributed in all directions, with no distinction between strong and weak, as if the entire Great Rectum was affected.
Immortal Master Chu's expression remained calm as he explained to the rulers, "Please don't worry, I'll go and investigate."
He ascended into the sky, approaching Lei Jun, and saw that beneath the crimson rain and mist, the abyss seemed to have temporarily solidified, resembling a crimson glacier. Its exterior was calm, but its interior was filled with turbulent undercurrents.
"Senior Brother..." Chu Kun looked into the crimson crystal and saw countless intricate and diverse images, each with its own unique brilliance.
In the distorted space-time, it seemed as if multiple worlds coexisted within.
But only fragments remained.
"The Great Rectum has indeed split, but not now; it happened a long time ago."
Lei Jun gazed at the countless shattered scenes, as if countless worlds and histories were unfolding before him: "The implications are even more extensive and profound than what my senior sister and I had anticipated. No wonder the Tang Emperor said that this place and the Azure Abyss were the origins of the ancient Celestial Palace."
Chu Kun looked around, "Senior Brother, can your current method only sustain you for a short time?"
Lei Jun nodded, "That's right, this is the limit for now."
He pointed towards the distance, "As for the Great Rectum, since it has split, this side is one half, and the other half is over there."
Chu Kun stared intently, and because the crimson mist had temporarily solidified the abyss, it seemed to fill the gap caused by the split. This allowed him to see, in the distance, what seemed like the Other Side.
Lei Jun's eyes shone with the light of the Heavenly Penetrating Earth-Transcending Talisman:
"As expected, my senior sister has sent word. In the human world where that martial warrior holds power, an unstable passage has opened between their world and the Great Rectum, similar to your situation. A few people can now enter the Great Rectum using the Stone Saber."
Chu Kun looked towards the distance, "Are they on the other side?"
Lei Jun: "Exactly, let's go and see what's on the other half of the Great Rectum."
He didn't remove the Profound Purity Eight Scenery Treasure Cape but instead, centered on himself, opened up the Great Vehicle Dao Scenery Profound Yellow Universe.
A massive pitch-black celestial body appeared above the crimson sky.
At the same time, an identical, enormous, opaque black sphere appeared on the "Other Side" of the abyss.
The two Great Vehicle Dao Sceneries appeared simultaneously, each occupying one end of the abyss.
Lei Jun and his junior brother calmly emerged from the "Other Side" of the second Great Vehicle Dao Scenery and arrived at the other half of the Great Rectum.
Unlike the area where Chu Kun had been active, this place was desolate and uninhabited, devoid of any signs of life.
However, chaotic spiritual energy and powerful martial intent permeated the air.
Lei Jun looked around, his eyes glowing with the light of the Heavenly Penetrating Earth-Transcending Talisman, "There are remains of an Immortal buried here."
(End of Chapter)
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