Chapter 482: 481. Second-Rank Opportunity, Sun Heart Blood (Part 1)

Chapter 482: 481. Second-Rank Opportunity, Sun Heart Blood (Part 1)





"Puguang, Zhou Tian, Shan Zhihui, and the others have their own capabilities, but if it were only them, it wouldn't be enough."

Tang Empress Zhang Wantong spoke and rose, walking along the lakeshore with her hands behind her back, saying, "It's mainly the people from Pure Sky who are involved, from the inside out."

Lei Jun stood by her side, "Gaotian Sui is indeed among them, which is not surprising."

After so many years, it's unrealistic to say that the former leader of the Former Heavenly Palace Subordinates hasn't done anything.

Earlier, Tang Empress Zhang Wantong borrowed the Heavenly Cycle Golden Artifact and other treasures to set up a ritual, allowing herself to become a saint instantly, preventing the seal of Pure Sky from being broken.

But now, after some years have passed, as time goes by, the Former Heavenly Palace Subordinates sealed in Pure Sky would certainly not be content to wait patiently inside.

As time passed, things gradually started to bear fruit.

As for why it is at this particular moment...

"Congratulations, Your Majesty, on your impending advancement to the next level," Lei Jun said, "Your cultivation is unique and extraordinary, and it's still progressing rapidly, which makes me admire you."

Furthermore, it should not be happening right now, but it has been prepared for some time.

Precisely because her cultivation realm might undergo another change, the concealment provided by the Heavenly Cycle Golden Artifact and other treasures is not as secure as before.

Although Zhang Wantong has not yet taken that final step, her sensitivity to the immortal realm experts in Pure Sky has already become extremely keen.

The seal of Pure Sky slightly shifted again with Zhang Wantong's movement.

This slight movement was so subtle that it was like the lock on a door slightly shaking in the air, with a magnitude so small that it could almost be ignored.

But Gaotian Sui had already keenly grasped this change and took action.

"I could have taken this step a few years ago," Zhang Wantong admitted, "I was reincarnated and restarted my cultivation, and although there are some differences in the Daoist traditions, many aspects are still the same. It would be biased to say that my cultivation is gradually recovering my past realm, but it is much more convenient than others."

It also has to do with your astonishing innate talent... Lei Jun thought to himself.

Even Zhao Chanyang might not be able to surpass Zhang Wantong in speed.

It's just that due to external reasons, she has to adjust and control the pace of her progress from time to time.

Zhang Wantong stopped walking along the lake, "I'm ashamed. The seal of Pure Sky is closely related to me, yet I'm unable to reinforce it further.

Although I can choose not to take that step, once the human realms merge, Pure Sky will undoubtedly reopen.

Judging by the activity within Pure Sky and the disturbances in the human realm, whether the merging occurs or not, as long as there's a chance, it might help Gaotian Sui make up for this final gap."

Lei Jun's face was calm, "The difference between the merging of the human realms is still significant."

The merging of the human realms means that immortal realm experts can travel freely between various places.

Lei Jun was not eager to see the early arrival of the merging of the human realms.

Although, for him, it could also be an additional help.

Lei Jun silently recalled the list that Zhang Wantong had provided to him and Dragon Tiger Mountain:

Gaotian Sui, the 14th Celestial Master of Dragon Tiger Mountain, the leader and creator of the Former Heavenly Palace Subordinates, there's no need to say more about him.

Ge Xuanzhi, the former 9th Master of Pure Yang Palace, a Primordial Immortal from the Taoist Alchemy Cauldron Sect.

Ran Qiao, the former 12th Saint Master of the Shaman Sect in Yin Mountain Cavern, a Shaman King of the Incantation Shaman lineage.

Luo Sigao, also a former Cave Profound Immortal from Dragon Tiger Mountain Celestial Master Mansion, Gaotian Sui's direct disciple, who once competed with his fellow disciple Zhuang Zheng for the position of the 16th Celestial Master of Dragon Tiger Mountain.

These few people alone are all heavyweights.

In addition, there are seven more immortal realm experts who were sealed in Pure Sky with them.

Of course, not all of them are in perfect condition.

The war at the end of the Han Dynasty resulted in heavy casualties on both sides.

The eleven people in Pure Sky, from a certain perspective, can also be called survivors.

Including Gaotian Sui, several of them were injured, and some were severely wounded.

After so many years, a group of people were sealed in Pure Sky, not to mention that Pure Sky, as one of the Nine Heavens, couldn't withstand their excessive consumption. The mere existence of the seal made it difficult for them to relax.

Even if they were severely injured, their cultivation and lifespan would still be affected, and after so many years, Gaotian Sui, Ge Xuanzhi, and the others might still be able to hold on, but those with lower cultivation levels might have exhausted their lifespans.

"Although that's the case, it's better to be cautious and prepare for all eleven of them," Lei Jun said.

Tang Empress Zhang Wantong nodded, "That's right."

Lei Jun continued, "The most crucial one is still that High Heaven Lord."

He looked at Zhang Wantong, "If Pure Sky is broken, does that mean that you, Your Majesty, will also...?"

The two are interconnected in a mysterious and profound way, with their fates intertwined.

Zhang Wantong's expression remained calm, "If the seal of Pure Sky is lifted, I can immediately advance further, but I'm still far from fully recovering my previous life's realm.

Gaotian Sui's injuries may not have fully healed, but he still cannot be underestimated."

Lei Jun said, "Your Majesty, I will keep your reminder in mind."

After a slight pause, he spoke softly, "In recent years, according to my observations, if Pure Sky reopens, the Great Rectangular might also be affected."

Tang Empress Zhang Wantong looked into the distance and nodded, "That's right. The success of sealing Pure Sky back then was probably related to this. Every gain and loss is predestined."

She retracted her gaze from the distance and turned to Lei Jun, "Forget about Jiang Fengge, but has there been any new news about Zheng Baiyu?"

Lei Jun replied, "There's no further information yet. According to the Wisdom Cause Master from the White Lotus Sect, the people in Youyin have been much quieter in recent years, rarely appearing in the human realm of the Great Ming."

Whether it was him, as the Celestial Master of Dragon Tiger Mountain, or her, as the Tang Empress, Zhang Wantong, when they mentioned the White Lotus Sect, their tone remained unchanged.

"Zheng Baiyu was born later, and his cultivation and strength in the past were not as good as Gaotian Sui's, otherwise, the troubles he caused might have been even greater."

Zhang Wantong resumed walking, circling the lake and returning to her previous fishing spot, "As time passes, Gaotian Sui is injured and trapped in Pure Sky, while Zheng Baiyu, on the other hand, seems to be constantly planning and preparing for something.

They may not be as closely cooperative as they were in the past, but there's still a possibility of them joining forces."

Lei Jun seemed to be deep in thought but didn't speak, as there were still too few clues to make a judgment at the moment.

Zhang Wantong sat down again and cast her gaze upon the lake's surface.

Lei Jun stood silently for a moment before bidding farewell and leaving.

...

At this moment, in one of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, within the Connected Mountains.

Xiao Jing, a member of the Datong Xiao Clan and the current leader of the Xiao Clan in the western regions of the Great Han, wandered through the mountains and rivers.

The scenery before her seemed endless and repetitive, and Xiao Jing, standing amidst it, felt lost and unsure of her location.

Suddenly, the scene before her eyes changed, revealing a seemingly ordinary village.

Xiao Jing's expression remained calm, indicating that she had experienced this before, and her composure was unwavering.

In the center of the village, a scholar dressed in white stood in front of a large house, his hands clasped behind his back, next to an empty scroll.

Xiao Jing, the renowned scholar of Confucianism who had reached the ninth level of the Five Classics and was known for her quick rise to prominence, approached and silently prepared ink for him.

The middle-aged scholar stood still, deep in thought, without uttering a word.

After a moment, he remained silent, but picked up a brush and began to write on the blank paper.

Xiao Jing stood beside him, watching the paper, feeling that she should recognize the words on it, but at this moment, she couldn't understand their profound mysteries.

This very fact made her linger, reluctant to leave.

Xuan Mountain Man Jiang Fengge, his reputation was well-deserved... Xiao Jing thought to herself.

She came from a scholarly background and had heard much about his reputation and deeds.

But at this moment, facing this Confucian literary sage, Xiao Jing still found him hard to fathom.

This former son-in-law of the Ye Clan had rebelled against the clan and even taken their Connected Mountains.

Nowadays, the Ye Clan of Qingzhou and Jinzhou in the Great Han Dynasty, as well as the Ye Clan of Jinzhou in Beijin, were struggling to survive, yet Jiang Fengge didn't turn them away.

It couldn't be called cold or harsh.

But it was even less warm or enthusiastic.

It was as if they were strangers, yet he allowed the Ye Clan and other clans like the Xiao and Lin Clans to stay in the Connected Mountains.

However, this very attitude made Xiao Jing feel uneasy as she watched from the side.

Even though she wasn't from the Ye Clan, she felt this way, let alone Ye Ying, Ye Zhao, and Ye Chunyu, who must have felt it even more intensely.

But at this moment, being able to stay in the Connected Mountains was all they could ask for.

However, she couldn't guess what the middle-aged scholar in front of her was thinking.

Xiao Jing was silent, her mind filled with various thoughts.

Jiang Fengge, who was painting beside her, roughly understood what Xiao Jing and the others were thinking, but he didn't mind.

For him, although Zhang Wantong's entry into the Connected Mountains had brought negative influences, everything here was still under his control.

The key was, outside the Connected Mountains... Jiang Fengge put down his brush and stared at the paper, remaining silent for a long time.

Pure Sky.

Great Rectangular.

Jiang Fengge could mostly guess Zheng Baiyu's considerations.

If the Great Rectangular that Yan Rizhong and the others had controlled back then could indeed connect with the ancient temporal chaos through the Well of Time, then there might be other great worlds...

Jiang Fengge's eyebrows furrowed and then relaxed.

If there were any changes in the Pure Sky, the Great Rectangular would surely follow.

Since this was the case, he couldn't act rashly with the Connected Mountains and could only quietly observe the changes.

...

The Connected Mountains were sealed off from the inside and out.

The Martial Saint of Youyin, Feng Wensu, had been acting more low-key in the Great Ming World in recent years.

The same was true for the disciples of Thunder Sound Temple.

Du Ming Master, hiding in a secluded place.

After a long while, his ears twitched, and then he looked into the distance.

There was no trace of anyone.

Until Bao Neng Master suddenly appeared: "Master Du Ming."

Master Du Ming clasped his hands together: "This trip has been hard on you, Master."

Master Bao Neng returned the greeting and sighed: "Some people from the White Lotus Cult in the Tang World have come over, specifically looking for us. We have to be careful."

If the opponent was simply the White Lotus Sect from the Tang World, with the cultivation and strength of Master Bao Neng and Master Du Ming, they wouldn't be this cautious.

Unfortunately, in the Tang World, although the White Lotus Sect was nominally still considered rebels, both the Tang imperial court and the other sacred sites and sects in the Tang cultivation world turned a blind eye to their existence.

This made the orthodox Buddhist disciples from Thunder Sound Temple feel bitter.

To prevent the Tang World's future Maitreya, Hui Yin, from attracting Lei Jun, Tang Xiaotang, and others, Master Du Ming, Master Bao Neng, Cen Ruopu, and Vimalakirti had to be extremely cautious in their actions, avoiding them whenever possible.

But in recent years, Hui Yin seemed to have become even more sharp-eyed, making it difficult for the Thunder Sound Temple disciples to hide, and Master Bao Neng and Master Du Ming also suffered from this.

Fortunately, the human world was vast, and they tried to find secluded places to meet.

However, this slowed down their plans to interfere with the convergence of human earth veins and spiritual energy, making it difficult to achieve their desired results.

Now, although they finally had some results, several years had passed.

For the Thunder Sound Temple disciples, the rapid rise of Lei Jun, Xu Yanzhen, and Tang Xiaotang from Dragon Tiger Mountain always felt like three heavy mountains pressing down on their hearts.

Time was not on their side.

They had to act quickly.

Earlier, there was news of Lei Jun's seclusion in the Tang World, which made them feel like they were facing a formidable enemy.

Fortunately, later rumors said that Lei Jun had come out of seclusion and was managing the Celestial Master Mansion's affairs as usual, and he didn't seem to have ascended to immortality, which relieved Master Bao Neng, Master Du Ming, Cen Ruopu, and Vimalakirti.

But the Thunder Sound Temple lineage had suffered losses in the past when they were in the Two Jin World and the Saha World, as Lei Tian Shi concealed his true cultivation.

Although all signs indicated that Lei Jun wouldn't ascend to immortality in a short time, Master Bao Neng and the others were still extremely eager to complete their plan.

"The Shaman Jia Xianting's side, after these years of preparation, has already reached a considerable scale."

Master Du Ming spoke first: "Although it's for his own cultivation, it's convenient for us, and we can also make use of his management of the human earth veins."

Master Bao Neng: "That's good. Although Jia Xianting has his own plans, with enemies surrounding us, we've established a good connection today, and when he ascends to immortality, there may still be opportunities for cooperation with the Venerable."

It wasn't that Thunder Sound Temple trusted the true shaman Jia Xianting.

But in the current environment, everyone might have the possibility of banding together or cooperating.

At the very least, they could each take what they needed for now.

"Now, we just wait for the battle between Heaven's Golden Phoenix and the True Dragon."

Master Bao Neng said: "Jia Xianting's planning can help us push for the convergence of the human world."

Master Du Ming looked towards the direction of the void gate connecting the Great Ming World and the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms World: "Send the latest news to the Venerable."

Master Bao Neng: "Alright."

He took out an incense burner and sat facing Master Du Ming, reciting sutras silently together.

Between the two monks, the incense burner automatically emitted a wisp of blue smoke that rose straight into the sky.

In the vast void, a flash of light appeared first, followed by a purple-gold alms bowl.

The bowl seemed to contain all things, carrying the invisible smoke that arrived.

A little later, a powerful will seemed to awaken from its slumber in the void.

Venerable Radiance's golden body was much smaller than usual, and at this moment, it also appeared within the purple gold alms bowl.

He silently accepted the prayers from the disciples of Thunder Sound Temple in the human world.

Unlike the situation during the Golden Khanate's Ang Qin Fu's slumber in the void, where communication between the Golden Khanate and the Vajra World's Lotus Division was difficult, requiring years of waiting for a response from Ang Qin Fu, the special purple gold alms bowl allowed Venerable Radiance to promptly receive messages from Du Ming Master, Bao Neng Master, and other disciples of Thunder Sound Temple even while he was in deep slumber in the void, and he would quickly awaken to respond.

However, unless it was absolutely necessary, Master Bao Neng and Du Ming Master would not disturb Venerable Radiance's slumber.

After silently reading through the various messages, Venerable Radiance issued a decree.

The purple gold alms bowl then disappeared into the void.

But Venerable Radiance did not immediately return to his slumber.

The vast void, in his eyes, was superior to the human world but still far from the Saha world.

At this moment, Venerable Radiance was both resisting external friction and beginning to refine a brand new treasure.

It resembled a bell.

The ancient bell gently swayed, but no sound rang out.

However, at the same time, both Buddhist and Daoist essences emerged from it, creating a mysterious and profound aura.

In the Great Ming world, Master Bao Neng and Du Ming Master received a message from Venerable Radiance.

After reading it, both were surprised and looked at each other.

"Apart from the strategy of merging with the human world proposed by the True Shaman Jia Xianting, the Venerable has other arrangements..." Du Ming Master said slowly.

Master Bao Neng said, "We will follow the decree and act accordingly."

Du Ming Master said, "Hmm, then let's contact Daoist Cen from the Daoist sect and that Feng Xianting from Youyin, and also...the other side of Kongsang."

Master Bao Neng nodded.

...

In the center of Kongsang, the leader of the Buddhist division in the Vajra World, Vimalakirti, came before the Venerable Wisdom and bowed with his palms together, "Venerable, Master Jiatiluo has informed me that the Sky Serpent King is ready and is only waiting for the war in the Celestial Realm to begin."

The Venerable Wisdom slightly nodded and said, "Be cautious and prudent in your actions, and don't force it."

Vimalakirti replied, "Yes."

He knew that due to many setbacks over the years, the Venerable Wisdom had not been able to recover her vitality.

Losing Summi was a significant loss, even though it was compensated by Kongsang.

Summi had been cultivated for many years, while Kongsang still had a long way to go.

Although the efforts in Kongsang had started to bear fruit over the years, from the perspective of the Venerable Wisdom, not only had there been no gains, but it had been a continuous investment.

However, this initial investment was something he had to do.

Therefore, unless absolutely necessary, the Venerable Wisdom would not leave Kongsang.

On the one hand, it was out of caution.

On the other hand, it was due to helplessness.

"Apart from Pure Sky and Great Rectangular, continue to closely monitor Zhang Wantong and the three Great Vehicle Perfected Immortals of the Ninth Heaven from Dragon Tiger Mountain, as well as the movements of the White Lotus Sect's Jing Jiu."

The Venerable Wisdom maintained her usual calm expression, "Also, pay attention to Youyin and Connected Mountains."

Upon hearing this, Vimalakirti seemed to have an epiphany, "Yes, Venerable, I will follow your instructions."

...

As winter passed and spring arrived, gradually turning into summer, time flew by.

Lei Jun, after passing through the Great Tang world, arrived in Penglai.

Inside Penglai, in addition to some of the Dragon Tiger Mountain Celestial Master Mansion's own disciples who were permitted to enter for training, there were also other Daoist cultivators.

From the Great Tang's Shu Mountain Sect, Ji Chuan and Xie Yi Ying, both at the Eighth Heaven Realm, were currently in Penglai.

The Purple-Blue Double Swords were also present.

After Ji Chuan achieved the Eighth Heaven Immortal's Realm of the Daoist Artificer Sect, Lei Jun arranged for him to retrieve the Qingming Sword.

However, recently, he had come with Xie Yi Ying and the Purple-Blue Double Swords to borrow the spiritual energy of the Penglai Sea from the Dragon Tiger Mountain Celestial Master Mansion to nurture the two flying sword treasures.

Lei Jun readily agreed.

Also present was a Daoist Artificer Sect cultivator at the Ninth Heaven Great Vehicle Realm.

Yuan Qing Ci, the current leader of the Great Ming's Shu Mountain Sect.

After Han Qing Tao's passing, the Great Ming's Shu Mountain Sect finally had a cultivator at the Ninth Heaven Realm.

Yuan Qing Ci's recent visit to Penglai was to nurture the Hanging Heaven Whip, the Void Crossing Shuttle, and the Three Mountains Flaming Barrier of the Great Ming's Shu Mountain Sect.

These three treasures had been stored here, and only the personnel were regularly replaced for nurturing.

Lei Jun and the Dragon Tiger Mountain Celestial Master Mansion could also use them if needed.

Even after achieving the Great Vehicle Realm, Yuan Qing Ci had no intention of bringing the three treasures back to the summit of the Great Ming's Shu Mountain.

The Great Ming court, for various reasons, reluctantly acknowledged Yuan Qing Ci as a Ninth Heaven Daoist cultivator, but their vigilance towards the Great Ming's Shu Mountain Sect was even stronger than before.

In the current situation, Yuan Qing Ci still wanted to maintain a low profile and slowly plot for the recovery of the Qiankun Sun and Moon Flask and other treasures of the Shu Mountain Sect that had been taken by the Great Ming court.

"Thank you, Celestial Master, for your care over the years," Yuan Qing Ci bowed to Lei Jun.

Lei Jun raised his hand to stop him, "Yuan Sect Master, there's no need for such formality. We are fellow Daoists, and it's only natural to help each other."

Yuan Qing Ci expressed his gratitude again.

At the same time, his gaze shifted to the other side.

There, a Daoist cultivator from the Alchemy Cauldron Sect was practicing.

A mature and steady young Daoist, dressed in the attire of a Zhenwu Temple disciple, named Chen Ning, was a new generation genius favored by Mu Chunyang, an old acquaintance of Yuan Qing Ci.

Zhenwu Temple, a branch in the Great Tang, would most likely be passed down to Chen Ning in the future.

The other Daoist guiding Chen Ning's cultivation was a legitimate successor of the Purity Yang Palace and, like Xie Yi Ying and Ji Chuan, was from the Great Tang.

Yuan Qing Ci could tell that this young elder of the Purity Yang Palace from the Great Tang, named Yue Xi Ling, was also not far from the Ninth Heaven Great Vehicle Realm and could cross that final step at any time.

This time, Yue Xi Ling had specially pleaded with Lei Jun and was granted permission to enter Penglai for secluded cultivation, with the expectation of breaking through the heavenly chasm between the Eighth Heaven and the Ninth Heaven.

For Yue Xi Ling, this place held some special significance.

Yuan Qing Ci had heard about Yue Xi Ling's master, the Northern Black Emperor Huang Xuanpu, who was once on par with Han Qing Tao in the human Daoist Kingdom.

The events of the past no longer hindered Yue Xi Ling's steps but instead sharpened his edge.

Yuan Qing Ci could somewhat gauge Yue Xi Ling's depth.

However, the current Celestial Master, younger than Yue Xi Ling, was someone Yuan Qing Ci couldn't understand at all.

At some point, he had observed Lei Jun, whose name seemed to reflect his nature, like heavy clouds shrouding the sky, making it difficult to fathom.

But now, as Yuan Qing Ci looked at the Celestial Master of Dragon Tiger Mountain, he no longer felt like he was gazing at the heavy clouds in the sky but rather...

gazing at the vast sky itself.

"Is Chapter Leader Zhang also preparing for the Ninth Heaven?" Lei Jun asked his acquaintance Ji Chuan.

"It seems he's planning to enter seclusion around the same time as Elder Yue from Purity Yang Palace," Lei Jun replied.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end