https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-473-472-Unexpected-Smooth-Sailing/12934038/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-474-Failing-to-Meet-the-Enthusiasm-of-the-Bystanders-Part-2-/12934051/
Chapter 474: Failing to Meet the Enthusiasm of the Bystanders (Part 1)
Chapter 474: Failing to Meet the Enthusiasm of the Bystanders (Part 1)
Lei Jun accepted the Zen Staff and Alms Bowl passed to him by Wang Guiyuan.
The Heaven Penetrating Earth-Through Talisman in his eyes flickered.
The Jade Purity Heaven Mirror that accompanied him and had come to this world also shimmered with light.
Beside him, Wang Guiyuan, who resembled Dharmapure Monk, said, "Although I did not witness it firsthand, from your descriptions and the ruins of Thunder Sound Temple, Venerable Puguang’s Alms Bowl is quite unique."
Upon hearing this, Lei Jun turned to look at him. "It wasn’t refined by Venerable Puguang himself; could it be an ancient relic?"
Wang Guiyuan nodded. "Apart from collecting Thunder Sound Temple, it might have other uses. This treasure has deep ties to the mortal world."
He took back his Alms Bowl from Lei Jun’s hands and said thoughtfully, "I imagine Venerable Puguang used it to exert some influence. If we plan well, this could be a clue to find him. However, the difficulty lies in what happens after we find him..."
Lei Jun: "From the previous situation, even if Venerable Puguang is concerned, he won’t easily return to Sappho."
In Sappho, the Dharma rituals still exist, and the Jade Purity Mirococosm has not been separated.
Because there’s a gap in Sappho, to prevent further damage to the entire world, Lei Jun and his companions took a relatively gentle approach.
This left Venerable Puguang a glimmer of hope.
Lei Jun guessed that the other side hadn’t given up.
The mysterious appearance of Canghuan, re-emerging in the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms world, might not have been directly caused by Venerable Puguang and the monks of Thunder Sound Temple, but they are highly suspect.
A bit of luck with the other side of the business sometimes has a bit of psychological insight.
Lei Jun had previously used this to temporarily hide the fact that he had ascended the Bridge of Supreme Understanding, giving Venerable Puguang a hard blow, leading to the Three Caves Three Heavens Three Bridges connecting to Sappho.
But when the situation truly unfolded, Venerable Puguang was decisive and cautious, immediately exiting Sappho and fleeing.
In the end, this Buddhist Venerable regretted his decision, stopping in the Sea of Suffering, stranded between two shores.
But the hope of using Sappho to lure him back is slim.
Without sufficient confidence, Venerable Puguang won’t show himself.
As the winner, Lei Jun, who has control over Sappho and the Jade Purity Mirococosm, naturally doesn’t care about the loser’s feelings, but he doesn’t believe in constant vigilance.
"Not just Sappho, but the other Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, especially those already connected to the Great Tang, he won’t easily step into them," Wang Guiyuan said.
Venerable Wise Wisdom lost Summi, and Golden Sweat Ang Qin Fu died in the Yellow Springs.
If Venerable Puguang hears about this, he will surely be cautious.
Even if his cultivation lineage is not afraid of places like the Yellow Springs, Luo Yuan, and Hell.
"Right, so we need to prepare in other ways," Lei Jun said.
The Great Vehicle Dao Scenery of the Taoist Talisman School cultivators forms its own world, isolating the outside, both to secure a favorable position for themselves and to limit the opponent’s movements.
In cultivator battles, there are various outcomes: a draw, a defeat, or a kill.
For an opponent like Lei Jun, if captured by his Great Vehicle Dao Scenery, it often means they can’t escape, and defeat means death.
But facing an enemy like Venerable Puguang, the situation is different.
The Bridge of Supreme Understanding and other divine techniques are the foundation of Lei Jun’s confidence and capital when facing Immortal Realm experts.
While the Great Vehicle Dao Scenery has many wonders, it is somewhat... thin when facing Immortal Realm experts.
At least, it’s not enough to trap an Immortal Realm level powerhouse like Lei Jun used the Yellow Springs to trap Ang Qin Fu.
If Lei Jun ascends to Immortality, the Great Vehicle Dao Scenery transforming into the Immortal Dao Scenery Xuan Yuan would be a different matter.
But before that, if Venerable Puguang is determined to break out and leave, no Great Vehicle Dao Scenery of any Taoist cultivator can ensure trapping him.
"Are you confident?" Wang Guiyuan’s gaze fell on the Paulownia Divine Tree Branch in Lei Jun’s hand.
Lei Jun: "I have some ideas."
He looked around. "Although Sappho is one of the Nine Heavens, it’s not suitable to mend the gap. Let’s choose another place."
He summoned his eldest disciple, Zhuo Baojie, and handed him the Paulownia Divine Tree Branch. "Take it to Penglai and carefully cultivate it."
As he spoke, Lei Jun drew several talismans in the air and gave them to his disciple. "When the time comes, stick these talismans on the branches."
Zhuo Baojie replied, "Yes, Master."
Lei Jun added, "You can eat a few leaves, but if you’re greedy, be careful your butt splits into eight pieces."
Zhuo Baojie carefully picked a Paulownia leaf from the branch and said solemnly, "Master is joking. I’m not the same as before."
"Anyway, this Paulownia Divine Tree Branch is for my array."
Lei Jun waved his hand. "If something is missing when setting up the array, I’ll put you in it as a stake. Think about that."
Zhuo Baojie, now a high-ranking elder of the Celestial Master Mansion at the Eighth Heaven, didn’t change his expression but subconsciously shrank his neck.
He quickly straightened his posture, bowed to Lei Jun, and respectfully left to cultivate the Paulownia Divine Tree Branch in Penglai.
The items needed for Lei Jun’s array are far more than just the Paulownia Divine Tree Branch.
He himself remained in Sappho, continuing to cultivate his Qingling Nine Qi, while also writing and drawing numerous spirit talismans for future use.
Time quietly passed.
Summer arrived, and Heavenly Master Lei passed his 92nd birthday.
During this period, the Dragon Tiger Mountain Celestial Master Mansion lineage received good news.
Zhang Xiongxiao, a disciple of Zhang Jingzhen, successfully overcame the tribulation between the Sixth and Seventh Heavens.
The Dragon Tiger Mountain Celestial Master Mansion lineage added another high-ranking elder of the Upper Three Heavens.
"Young talents are growing. In the future, it will be the turn of Sect Leader’s second disciple, Hua Fei, and Sister Tang’s disciple, Hua Rong."
In Sappho, Fang Jian sat below Lei Jun.
Qin Cuwei was mainly responsible for communication with Canghuan, so Fang Jian took over to manage affairs in Sappho.
Lei Jun said, "New talents emerge with each generation; this is a good thing. Has Senior Brother Fang met any young talents?"
Fang Jian smiled. "Let it be as fate decrees."
Although he had no direct disciples in his early years, he had always been dedicated to teaching his junior, Xu Rui.
Later, Xu Rui became accomplished, surpassing his teacher, and could practice independently or seek guidance from Lei Jun, Yuan Mo Bai, and others.
In his heart, compared to the long-departed Li Zhengxuan, Fang Jian was more like a mentor.
Fang Jian himself had been dedicated to his cultivation and had never taken on disciples.
In recent years, he had been traveling more, which prompted Lei Jun's question.
"In a world of war, the Daoist teachings are not flourishing, and many talented cultivators must have been buried over the years."
Fang Jian spoke, "Later on, I plan to explore the world, and perhaps I'll encounter someone with a predestined connection."
Although the Dragon Tiger Mountain Celestial Master Mansion had already gained significant influence in the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms realm, it was suspended high in the air and had not deeply penetrated the mortal world.
However, Lei Jun had never prohibited the Celestial Master Mansion's disciples from traveling within the realm.
Hearing Fang Jian's words, Lei Jun nodded slightly, "In that case, I wish you success in advance, Brother Fang."
As he spoke, Lei Jun remembered something, "In that realm, our sect's memorial ceremony at the former site of Dragon Tiger Mountain?"
Fang Jian nodded, "It's already been completed. The Hermitage Ritual Site has been set up, and there are people specifically assigned to guard it."
Lei Jun said, "That's good."
Fang Jian added, "The Southern Wu Sovereign has some lively thoughts..."
The entrance to the void portal connecting the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms realm to the Sappho realm was located within the borders of Southern Wu.
The former site of Dragon Tiger Mountain in that realm was also within Southern Wu.
However, the Dragon Tiger Mountain Celestial Master Mansion had not deeply developed in the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms realm.
Although it was suspended in the Sappho realm, and compared to Ling Mountain and Cang Huan, it had driven away the Thunder Sound Temple's inheritance, at this moment, the Sappho realm was more like a generalized concept of the Daoist teachings in the eyes of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms realm.
The ones who had deeply developed in the mortal world were the True Martial Temple lineage of the Alchemy Cauldron Sect.
The True Martial Temple was located in the Later Han Dynasty.
This was partly because Mu Chunyang had high hopes for Zhou Pu.
On the other hand, it was also because the former site of the Pure Yang Palace in that realm was currently within the borders of the Later Han Dynasty.
Southern Wu, which had once been quite prosperous and comfortable when the Buddhist sect was in control of the Sappho realm, now felt somewhat embarrassed.
"The Southern Han Shu Mountain Sect's Sect Leader Chen recently sent Daoist friend Yu Boyan to visit and investigate the former disciples of the Shu Mountain Sect in that realm," Fang Jian said. "However, the former site of Shu Mountain Cloud Peak is located on the border of Later Shu."
In the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms realm, Later Shu was established with the support of the Spirit Mountain Witch Sect.
Lei Jun said, "Contact the Spirit Mountain Witch Sect's Daoist friends, and just make an introduction for both sides. The rest will be up to them to discuss."
Fang Jian replied, "Yes, Sect Leader."
After seeing Lei Jun off, Lei Jun fell into deep thought.
One of the ten witches of Spirit Mountain, Witch Lei, returned to the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms realm to investigate the descent of Cang Huan to the mortal world.
During her investigation, she discovered some unusual situations and reported them to Spirit Mountain, and also informed the Dragon Tiger Mountain Celestial Master Mansion:
The void portal connecting the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms realm to the Great Ming realm had opened.
After some contemplation, Lei Jun sent a message to Mu Chunyang, the master of the True Martial Temple.
...
Meanwhile, in the Great Ming realm.
In the capital, the Prime Minister's residence.
Zhou Mingzhe, the Prime Minister of the Great Ming, sat in the capital, deep in thought.
Standing by his side was his personal disciple, Nie Song.
After Xi Zhichang's unexpected death in Penglai, the talented Nie Song became Zhou Mingzhe's most valued young disciple.
After a long silence, Zhou Mingzhe spoke, "Daoist Mu Chunyang is still alive."
Nie Song was not born in the Great Ming realm, but since coming here, he had thoroughly familiarized himself with this world's lifestyle and studies.
He knew who Mu Chunyang was and was even more aware of the True Martial Temple's past.
Mu Chunyang had not used his real name to spread his teachings in the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms realm.
However, the reputation of the True Martial Temple lineage and the characteristics of its Daoist teachings were very real.
In this situation, as a cultivator at the Ninth Heaven realm, or even one who had already achieved the Five Qi Toward the Origin, the locals might not know his true identity, but when the news reached the Great Ming realm, although Zhou Mingzhe and his disciple couldn't confirm it, they immediately thought of Mu Chunyang.
"Teacher, did Daoist Mu intentionally fake his death to avoid something, or..." Nie Song said softly.
The existence of the void portal connecting the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms realm to the Great Ming realm could not be hidden for long, and it was likely that the portal had only recently been opened.
The related news that Zhou Mingzhe and his disciple had received was that in that realm, the Daoist teachings had replaced the Buddhist teachings and were confronting the Witch Sect.
The reason why the Daoist teachings had such influence was due to the Dragon Tiger Mountain Celestial Master Mansion, not the True Martial Temple.
The relationship between the True Martial Temple and the Dragon Tiger Mountain Celestial Master Mansion in the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms realm could be imagined.
Nie Song himself was from the former Tianli, now known as Guicang.
The establishment of Guicang was closely related to the Dragon Tiger Mountain Celestial Master Mansion's lineage in the Great Tang realm.
This made it hard for him not to think that, many years ago, Mu Chunyang and the True Martial Temple had already colluded with the Dragon Tiger Mountain Celestial Master Mansion.
In the past, Mu Chunyang had even participated in the attack on Guicang but returned without success.
After that, during the battle at Summi, Mu Chunyang faked his death.
How did he travel to the Great Tang realm?
At that time, Summi was still under the control of the Western Buddhist sect.
"Teacher, I will send a letter home, asking my father to investigate the entrance to the Tianli portal in the southwest?" Nie Song asked softly.
"No need, at least not for now," Zhou Mingzhe shook his head slightly.
He looked at Nie Song, "For now, let's keep this information under wraps, and if we can, let's delay spreading it."
Nie Song quickly replied, "Yes, Teacher."
After the Tang court took control of Summi, they proactively sealed the portal connecting Summi to the Great Ming realm from the inside, suppressing their own edge and showing no intention of further contact with the Great Ming court.
On the contrary, news came from the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms realm regarding the True Martial Temple and Mu Chunyang, and the messenger's intentions were unclear, perhaps even intending to provoke a conflict between the Tang and Ming dynasties to take advantage of the situation.
Overall, the Great Ming court was firm in their stance, and their words were even firmer.
Once the situation escalated, with public sentiment rising, even the Prime Minister Zhou had to be cautious.
Especially now, when the Ming Emperor's thoughts were becoming more and more complicated.
The Confucian rituals and regulations always emphasized the ruler's authority over their subjects.
(End of Chapter)
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