Chapter 502: 501. Achieving the Taiji Dao Body (Part 2)

Chapter 502: 501. Achieving the Taiji Dao Body (Part 2)

The vast national fortune dragon vein of the Great Ming, formed by various mountains and rivers across the land, seemed like a bowstring pulled taut to its limit.

But in the end, it did not find release.

Instead, it snapped in the midst of its decline.

Above the capital of the Great Ming, the black ink city still lingered.

Han Zhenning's corpse fell into it.

Below, in the imperial palace, Zhou Mingzhe's expression remained unchanged, devoid of joy or sorrow.

Emperor Han Zhenning wanted to make one last struggle, and Zhou Mingzhe was there to assist, lending his final support.

However, the result was as expected—failure.

In terms of rationality, Zhou Mingzhe shouldn't have done this. As the chief minister of the dynasty, he had staked the entire Great Ming empire on one person, and the hope was slim.

But at this moment, facing the affairs of the human realm, Zhou Mingzhe also felt a momentary confusion and uncertainty.

Sooner or later, even without Han Zhenning's dramatic attempt today, the national fortune of the Great Ming would soon be difficult to sustain, right?

Han Zhenning's failed attempt to break through to the immortal realm resulted in his death under the heavenly abyss tribulation. In this way, he ended his own life, and even wrote the conclusion for the fate of the Great Ming. Behind this madness... perhaps there was despair.

Zhou Mingzhe looked up at the ink city above.

What path should he and the countless scholars of the world take?

…………………………

The Great Ming empire was in turmoil.

While Zheng Baiyu and the Celestial Peng Demon Saint entered the Time Abyss, Jiang Fengge from the Xuan Mountains remained in the Lian Mountains, not joining them in their journey to Guizang.

But at this moment, as he looked at a book scroll in front of him, it suddenly caught fire on its own, and a realization dawned on him:

So this had been Zheng Baiyu's plan all along.

He wanted to break through to the realm beyond the third level of immortality.

Regarding the Time Abyss, he indeed knew more than others.

Not only was he wary of Gao Tian Sui and others, but he was also on guard against the powerful beings from other worlds in the Time Abyss.

So...

Why did he know so much about the world opposite the Time Abyss?

Was he truly born in this world of nine heavens and ten earths?

Putting aside his ability to reincarnate, what was Zheng Baiyu's true background?

Jiang Fengge suddenly realized that not only had the Chu clan from Suzhou misjudged him, but perhaps everyone who knew Zheng Baiyu had done the same.

If he was from another world opposite the Time Abyss, then where did he come from?

Was it the world of demons and monsters that attracted the Celestial Peng Demon Saint, or somewhere else?

Jiang Fengge gazed into the distance, deep in thought.

…………………………

Lei Jun neither confirmed nor denied the news of Emperor Han Zhenning's death.

Indeed, the timing chosen by Han Zhenning was not bad. At that moment, various experts were engaged in fierce battles, leaving no time to solidify the human realm of the Great Ming dynasty.

If Han Zhenning had truly succeeded in taking that final step forward, the human world would have gained another Scholar Sage.

But unfortunately, no matter how one looked at it, he lacked the foundation.

Forcing a desperate gamble with the already weak national fortune dragon qi, the result was the loss of the Great Ming dynasty's last bit of luck.

Lei Jun had no intention of further involving himself in the affairs of the Great Ming dynasty. It was enough for Mu Chunyang, Shen Xi, Zhang Haipeng, and others, as well as the monks Huiyin and Jianhai from the White Lotus Sect, to continue their steady progress.

Unless the Shadow Abyss descended upon the human realm.

However, from the current situation, it seemed that although Zheng Baiyu had prepared for a long time, he had not considered victory before preventing defeat, and had made the worst-case plans and arrangements.

The Shadow Abyss remained completely silent.

"The Time Abyss is unstable, and Gao Tian Sui and Zheng Baiyu's return is unknown."

Xu Yuanzhen, in Guizang, communicated with Lei Jun in the Great Rectifier through the Heaven-Seeing Earth-Hearing Talisman: "This includes Ge Xuanzhi, Zhang Wantong, and Zhao Chanyang from the Kunwu Sect.

Additionally, there might be others from the Great Emptiness Temple, or other demons and monsters, or people from other worlds, who might come over."

"Zheng Baiyu has brought some unusual changes."

As Xu Yuanzhen spoke, he seemed to smile: "He went to another world, not the world of demons and monsters where Ku Hai and the others are."

Hearing this, Lei Jun nodded slightly: "There's more than one world opposite the Time Abyss."

Aside from the world of demons and monsters where Ku Hai and the others reside, there exist other worlds.

"What Zheng Baiyu has collected is the path of Confucianism," Xu Yuanzhen spoke as swiftly as ever: "In that world of demons and monsters, Buddhism once obtained great fortune. Zheng Baiyu set his sights on another world, and it should be a new beginning for Confucianism."

Lei Jun: "His familiarity with the situation in the Time Abyss and the world opposite it makes it hard for me not to suspect that he once entered that place... or perhaps, he is from there."

Tang Xiaotang, who was also in Guizang, asked: "Then, has our world been blessed with great fortune for the Daoist path? I didn't see it, as the Five Surnames and Seven Hopes were so arrogant before."

Lei Jun: "During the end of the Han dynasty, if Master Zhuang and High Lord Gao had taken the lead, the situation would have been completely different. Adding White True Lord from the Shu Mountain Sect, if they had risen earlier than Heaven's Providence Master and North Star Scholar, they might have suppressed Confucianism."

Xu Yuanzhen: "In terms of cultivation talent, although that world of demons and monsters hasn't produced top-tier Daoist immortals, it's not as if there haven't been any ripples in its long history.

There will always be a few special existences in the world. My previous harvests in this world of nine heavens and ten earths were limited, but this trip to the world of demons and monsters has brought me an opportunity—one of the opportunities to fulfill the conditions for the Universal Immortal Body to transform into the Taiyi Dao Body.

Combined with what I've obtained before, the results are impressive, but they're still insufficient to achieve complete success."

Upon hearing this, Tang Xiaotang's eyes lit up: "I want to achieve natural enlightenment. It's basically just a step away. Who knows, maybe I can go and test my luck."

Xu Yuanzhen: "I'm interested in the world Zheng Baiyu went to, but for now, let's pause for a while. I need to organize what I've gained from this trip."

Tang Xiaotang then called out to Lei Jun: "Lei Jun, what about you?"

Lei Jun: "I won't go for now."

Tang Xiaotang: "With Gao Tian Sui and Zheng Baiyu both absent, it's rare for you to stay, and you can bear not to be tempted? I remember you were also curious about the world opposite the Time Abyss. This trip, you can look for Tang Huang and Zhao Daoyou from the Kunwu Sect, and you can also find the last thing you need for the completion of your Taiyi Dao Body."

"I am curious, but not in a rush to go immediately."

After a slight pause, Lei Jun spoke: "The last Taiyin treasure for the completion of the Taiyi Dao Body, the Wave of Hope, I just obtained it."

Tang Xiaotang on the other side fell silent.

After a while, she spoke again, but instead of asking how Lei Jun obtained the Wave of Hope, she said with resentment:

"I'll go myself. I don't believe my luck is truly this bad.

"

Lei Jun: "Junior Sister, be extra cautious. It's best to meet up with Emperor Tang and Zhao Chanyang first."

"Let's go, let's go!" Tang Xiaotang's voice echoed, and she disappeared.

Xu Yuanzhen was already accustomed to her energetic demeanor, and she had previously described the situation in the realm of demons and monsters.

She then turned to Lei Jun and said, "Are you still considering taking on disciples? I brought a child back from there. As I mentioned earlier, although Buddhism has its fate, our Daoist sect can also produce some promising seeds. However, in such an environment, they would mostly be buried. Since we have this encounter, it's a precious opportunity, so I brought him back."

Lei Jun, intrigued, asked, "You brought someone back from the Time Abyss?"

Since the child was brought back by Xu Yuanzhen for initiation into the Dao, it meant that he was young and possessed little cultivation.

The Time Abyss was indeed a special place, and for Xu Yuanzhen to bring back a child unharmed, despite her profound abilities, was an extraordinary feat.

It seemed that Xu Yuanzhen had mentioned the child's exceptional talent.

Indeed, Xu Yuanzhen continued, "He has a Purple Mansion Body."

Lei Jun understood, "That's indeed rare."

Historically, there had been cultivators with such a root bone, similar to the Forest of Spirits Body, making it one of the most suitable root bones for the Daoist Talisman School's inheritance.

The Purple Mansion Body was different from Lei Jun's Yin-Yang Body or Tang Xiaotang's Pure Yang Body. It didn't provide extra support for the cultivator's innate divine abilities at each realm in the Upper Three Heavens. Instead, like the Universe Body or the Cosmic Body, it had its unique mysteries in other aspects.

Similar to the Thunder Body, this body could generate profound and mysterious thunder, known as the Purple Mansion Thunder. It granted an innate advantage in the Fivefold Heaven Dao Palace realm and the Eightfold Heaven Divine Court realm.

Aside from the daily cultivation progress, another significant benefit was that even at a low cultivation level, the cultivator could use the Purple Mansion Thunder to create their own Purple Mansion within their body.

Needless to say, this made it easier for tasks like storage, artifact refinement, talisman creation, and nurturing heavenly treasures.

If faced with danger, they might even temporarily escape the real world by hiding within the Purple Mansion constructed by the thunder.

This was similar to Lei Jun's experience of temporarily hiding within the True One Altar in the Heaven Master Seal, but the current situation was not yet mature. It would require the cultivator's progress to improve.

"Xiaotang already brought along a child, and now she's acting even more unpredictably."

Xu Yuanzhen said, "This child's temperament is also incompatible with hers."

Lei Jun asked, "Senior Sister, do you still have no plans to take on a disciple to inherit your teachings?"

Xu Yuanzhen replied, "Of course not."

Lei Jun said, "Then let's send this child to Da Ju."

The person approached Lei Jun, appearing rather unremarkable.

Beneath this ordinary appearance, he was vigilant and carefully observing his surroundings.

Considering his origins in the realm of demons and monsters, this demeanor was not surprising.

"Junior, Feng Ting, pays respects to the Immortal Elder." The boy, following the etiquette taught by Zhuo Baojie, bowed to Lei Jun.

When Feng Ting first met Zhuo Baojie, he was quite surprised due to their different backgrounds and experiences. However, he kept his thoughts to himself and didn't show any reaction.

Lei Jun maintained a calm expression, offering a few words of encouragement before instructing Zhuo Baojie to send Feng Ting to the ancestral court at Mount Longhu in the Great Tang.

Although not explicitly mentioned, Zhuo Baojie's act of sending Feng Ting was enough to earn the attention of the instructors at the Daoist Academy.

Lei Jun wasn't concerned that this would make Feng Ting arrogant.

Since Feng Ting was brought back by Xu Yuanzhen, unless there was false information, the effect would be similar.

Lei Jun believed in letting nature take its course and wouldn't make any special arrangements for this matter.

The coming period would be an opportunity to further observe the child's temperament.

With Lei Jun's current cultivation, he didn't need Tang Xiaotang's ability to see that Feng Ting's emotions were clear at a glance.

However, one's personality and demeanor might change with their environment.

The foundational learning stage at the Daoist Academy was a time for the Daoist novice to adapt and for the senior disciples to observe.

As for cultivation talent, Feng Ting had no issues.

In addition to the Purple Mansion Body, his comprehension was also top-notch, not inferior to Lei Jun's second disciple, Han Xiaofei.

"Master, this... Feng Ting, will he become your personal disciple?" Zhuo Baojie asked curiously.

Lei Jun replied, "Unless something unexpected happens, he will indeed be my personal disciple."

Zhuo Baojie seemed to understand upon hearing this.

One gives birth to two, two gives birth to three, and three gives birth to all things.

Therefore, Master Yuan Mobai had already decided not to take on more disciples, and his personal disciples were Wang Guiyuan, Lei Jun, and Chu Kun.

It seemed that Lei Jun had the same idea.

However, in a sense, this time, Lei Jun was taking on a disciple on Xu Yuanzhen's behalf.

Just as Xu Yuanzhen had entrusted Lei Jun to Yuan Mobai in the past.

"Has Zhuo Baojie found a suitable disciple?" Lei Jun asked with a smile.

Hearing his Master's reference to himself, the eighth-layer Heaven Master's Mansion elder, Zhuo Baojie, remained calm and replied, "Regarding this, I have no special thoughts, and I'll follow the flow of fate and large, the process of finding a suitable disciple is one of fate and destiny.

After instructing his disciple to withdraw, Lei Jun watched as the black and white fur of his Daoist robe was exposed from the collar and sleeves. His mind wandered:

He wondered if his senior disciple would find a suitable disciple, and if so, what kind of person would it be?

...A human or a bear?

Speaking of which, the current lineage had a human, a bear, a human, and a bear. According to tradition, Zhuo Baojie should take on a human disciple.

But would Zhuo Baojie break the tradition?

Lei Jun couldn't help but chuckle and refocus his thoughts on Da Ju.

The Heaven Master's Mansion at Mount Longhu gathered resources from the Great Tang and beyond, continuously transporting them to Da Ju.

With Lei Jun and Fengming Phoenix's combined efforts, they gradually stabilized the vast cracks in Da Ju.

However, like Saha, repairing it would be a long process.

Before that, although they didn't need to constantly use their spiritual power to maintain the repairs like Fengming Phoenix did initially, they still required a powerful immortal to reside in Da Ju for an extended period.

Lei Jun thanked Fengming Phoenix, who finally took his leave, returning to Cang Huan first.

Fengming Phoenix had mentioned that if Lei Jun agreed, he could contact True Dragon Huaming to see if he was interested. It would be a mutually beneficial arrangement.

Lei Jun wasn't opposed to this idea, and before that, he would remain in Da Ju.

He quietly nurtured and replenished his immortal essence and cultivation, which had been dispersed due to his frequent travels in the mortal realm.

At this moment, Lei Jun began silently refining the rare treasures he had, making final preparations based on his own circumstances.

First, he refined the essence of Primordial Qi.

Then, the pulsating Solar Heart Blood.

Followed by the Hope Wave.

And the Sea-Sky Fusang.

Five rare treasures, now finally gathered together.

After Lei Jun gradually adjusted his state, one day, within the Great Rectifier, he instructed Zhuo Baojie to take charge of external affairs.

Lei Jun himself entered seclusion for a short period.

The Celestial Master Seal manifested a massive three-tiered ritual platform, round on top and octagonal below, as large as a mountain, enveloping the surroundings.

Inside the ritual platform, it was as if a separate heavenly realm had formed, creating an independent space.

Within this heavenly realm, Lei Jun sat cross-legged, with his two Mystic Barriers on either side.

The essence of Primordial Qi appeared first before Lei Jun.

Then, the Solar Heart Blood, pulsating like a beating heart.

Under Lei Jun's control, the Solar Heart Blood combined with the essence of Primordial Qi, and the scorching hot energy was restrained.

At this moment, Lei Jun added the Daylight Moon Radiance.

Within the sun, a hint of gentle and cool energy emerged.

Next, the Sea-Sky Fusang.

The gentle and cool energy spread in all directions, but the yang energy remained, like a proud sun in the sea.

Finally, Lei Jun added his newly acquired Hope Wave.

The sunlight completely disappeared, and in the vast sea, a bright full moon rose.

Under the moonlight, a serene and cold aura dissipated.

Lei Jun's Mystic Barrier merged with it.

Inside the three-tiered pagoda, all light vanished, leaving only darkness.

But in an instant, a white light and heat emerged and expanded.

In Lei Jun's other Mystic Barrier, light and heat appeared, like a sunrise after a moonlit night, ending the darkness.

With Lei Jun's two Mystic Barriers in opposition, a massive black and white Taiji diagram appeared, filling the interior of the three-tiered ritual platform.

Lei Jun sat precisely in the center of the black and white Taiji diagram.

His two Mystic Barriers were now on either side, positioned at the 'eyes' of the yin and yang fish, in the lesser yang and lesser yin positions.

One Mystic Barrier was pitch-black and serene, like the cosmic universe.

The other Mystic Barrier began to change color, turning pure white.

Black and white opposed each other, yet they were perfectly harmonious.

Lei Jun sat on the Taiji diagram with a faint smile.

The black and white Mystic Barriers were both absorbed into his body.

Even the Taiji diagram beneath him was drawn in, merging with Lei Jun's body, completely disappearing within.

Lei Jun closed his eyes, serene and calm.

On his forehead, a small black and white Taiji diagram rotated, emitting a faint light, as if encompassing infinite principles, before rotating and disappearing without a trace.

For Lei Jun, although his cultivation realm hadn't changed, when he looked at the world before him and observed the various phenomena and principles, he felt a significant difference compared to before.

It was similar to when his enlightenment reached the level of nature, yet there were also distinct differences.

In this instant, Lei Jun felt as if he had become one with the vast world before him.

He had participated in the opening of the primordial universe before ancient times.

Especially during the moment when the heavens and earth were created and everything changed, his feelings were the clearest.

The Five Primordial Virtues of the Daoist tradition were all different.

The Taiji, the embodiment of the universe with form and substance, further evolved and formally opened up the heavens and earth, transforming from the primordial to the postnatal in an instant.

At this moment, myriad phenomena intertwined, creating a spectacular display.

Therefore, the profound application of the Taiji Dao Body lay in the unity and division of the two poles, constantly changing.

Lei Jun smiled and exhaled deeply.

Up to this point, in addition to his enlightenment reaching the level of nature, his roots and bones had also achieved the Dao Body.

The Taiji Dao Body.

At this stage, the mysteries of the vast world were mostly within Lei Jun's grasp, as if he could see the lines on his palm.

In this world, he didn't need to deliberately focus his thoughts; his immortal essence and cultivation power accumulated rapidly.

If he were to carefully study and comprehend, his progress would be faster than a thousand miles a day.

"With this, I might be able to break through to the second level of Dao Enlightenment sooner than expected."

Lei Jun's eyes deepened, "But I'm not sure if I can make it before the convergence of the human world..."

Xu Yuanzhen, upon hearing of Lei Jun's success, fell into deep thought, "With the Great Ease, Great Beginning, Great Primordial, and Taiji, I'm only one step away from Great Initiation. In this vast world, in this era, the Five Primordial Virtues of the Daoist tradition will be gathered."

Lei Jun said, "On the other hand, the top-tier roots and bones of other traditions are rarely seen in our world since ancient times."

For example, the Five Non-Leaking Roots of Buddhism, the Literary Star of Confucianism, and so on.

Currently, only Zhang Wantong is the Literary Star among the Observers of Past and Present, while the others are still uncertain.

Historically, there have only been occasional and sparse appearances.

The total number of times the top-tier roots and bones of other traditions have appeared doesn't even come close to the Daoist tradition.

"On the contrary, in that chaotic world of demons and monsters, after ancient times, Buddhism's Five Non-Leaking Roots have appeared more frequently, holding an absolute advantage." Xu Yuanzhen spoke.

Lei Jun smiled, "As my junior sister said, I'm also very interested in that side."

However, at this moment, he stabilized his mind and focused on his own cultivation.

Regarding the mysteries of the Taiji Dao Body, he was currently exploring with great enthusiasm.

With the Taiji Dao Body, Lei Jun's cultivation progress was incredibly fast, even if he were to ascend to the immortal realm.

However, it wasn't enough for him to immediately break through to the second level of Dao Enlightenment.

So, in addition to his daily cultivation, Lei Jun began to study the other mysteries of the Taiji Dao Body.

First, he focused on his own immortal technique, the Primordial Immortal Technique.

Within the Mystic Barrier of the Mystic Yellow Universe, Lei Jun quietly observed his Primordial Immortal Technique, the Mystic Yellow Union, as it erupted with a shocking aura, its light piercing through the universe.

As he practiced the Mystic Yellow Union, he made improvements and adjustments.

At this moment, as he re-examined his cultivation, Lei Jun had many new insights, and he continued to experiment.

After achieving the Taiji Dao Body, he would be like Tang Xiaotang, Gao Tian Sui, and Zhao Chanyang, having the opportunity to cultivate two Primordial Immortal Techniques at each level.

Lei Jun wasn't in a hurry to develop his second Primordial Immortal Technique.

He already had an idea in mind.

"Palace Master, Granduncle Shangguan has entered seclusion." The one who came to report to Lei Jun was Cheng Rongrong, a disciple of Tang Xiaotang.

She had previously entered seclusion to challenge the tribulation between the Sixth and Seventh Heavens.

She succeeded.

A new Seventh Heaven Elder was added to the Dragon Tiger Mountain Celestial Master Mansion.

But as soon as she emerged from seclusion, Elder Cheng discovered that her master was gone again.

Cheng Rongrong, however, remained calm and composed, as if it were a regular occurrence.

Without her master, her days were often happier, as she no longer had to deal with the constant tail-pulling.

If she had any questions about cultivation, she could always seek guidance from other senior members of the sect.

She spent more time listening to Lei Jun's lectures than Tang Xiaotang's classes.

Currently, Cheng Rongrong had chosen the Thunder Law as her primary divine ability, so she specifically came to seek advice from the sect leader, listening to his lectures on the Thunder Law.

"The Fifth Senior Brother is determined to take that step," Lei Jun nodded slightly.

At the current moment, the Dragon Tiger Mountain was witnessing the emergence of exceptional juniors, with an increasing number of elders in the Upper Three Heavens, restoring the grandeur of the sacred land.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end