Chapter 503: 502. Cultivation, Each Has Their Own Tribulations

Chapter 503: 502. Cultivation, Each Has Their Own Tribulations



"Master."

Afterward, Xiahou Po privately visited Kang Ming, "Disciple wishes to stay and guard the Yellow Sky Altar with you."

Kang Ming seemed unsurprised, but he shook his head, "I stay because this is the path we have always followed, but you young ones should have your own future. You are talented and should not be buried."

Xiahou Po spoke softly, "Master, regarding the Celestial Master's Mansion on Dragon Tiger Mountain in the human realm of Great Tang, I have heard a lot about it over the years, including news of Senior Brother Xin Beiyuan and others."

Kang Ming looked at him calmly.

Xiahou Po continued, "Most of Senior Brother Xin and the others' master-disciple relationships have undergone changes. Although it's only a few generations ago, the same ancestor remains, but by the time it reaches our master and grandmaster's generation, most have changed."

Kang Ming said, "There's no need to blame Beiyuan and the others. Before Beiyuan returned to the sect, he also mentioned this matter to me. But it was a necessary step.

It's unfair for you to bear the grudges of the previous generation, but the current Celestial Master is a magnanimous and just person. The environment after returning to the sect is more suitable for Beiyuan and the others to cultivate."

"Since you've heard about it, you should know that Beiyuan's Ten Thousand Phenomena Holy Body successfully transformed into the Immortal Body of the Ten Thousand Deities under the Celestial Master's guidance."

Xiahou Po said, "Disciple is not blaming Senior Brother Xin and the others. It's just... I don't want to change my master-disciple relationship."

Kang Ming spoke, "I have no intention of forcing you to change your sect. However, I don't want you or any other disciple to choose to stay because of me. That's not my true intention."

Xiahou Po said softly, "Disciple understands, but I've had this intention for a long time, not just today."

He looked up and stared at Kang Ming, "Dragon Tiger Mountain has obtained great fortune, and even if I'm stubborn, I have to admit that it's difficult for us to compete with them.

As you said, we lost, and we lost thoroughly... But we lost, not erred. We did nothing wrong."

Kang Ming sat cross-legged, his expression calm, "It doesn't matter. Whether it's you or the other young disciples, going or staying, follow your hearts.

If you stay now and want to leave in the future, you can do so at any time.

But remember, if you leave now, don't consider coming back later.

For those who stay, let's forget about each other and have no further involvement.

At this point, Senior Master Chen and the others won't have any other thoughts. If the Celestial Master's Mansion on Dragon Tiger Mountain pursues the matter, I'll lead people to escape."

Xiahou Po bowed to Kang Ming, "Disciple's decision is made. I'm willing to serve by your side and follow in your footsteps."

But Kang Ming didn't reply, gazing into the distance.

He was still young, not even a hundred years old.

Chen Ziyang was around the same age, not much older.

If he didn't ascend, both sides would have a lifespan of around eight hundred years.

Since Kang Ming chose to stay at the Yellow Sky Altar, he was essentially becoming a guardian of the tomb.

Xiahou Po was only a few decades younger than him.

At first glance, they seemed like two generations with a significant age gap.

But looking back in a few hundred years, they would be like companions in old age.

Kang Ming retracted his distant gaze and looked at Xiahou Po, his only direct disciple. The usually calm Xiahou Po finally sighed.

Subsequently, the Dragon Tiger Mountain branch in the Great Han began to welcome some special Talisman Sect cultivators.

These Talisman Sect cultivators were all disciples of the Yellow Sky Dao.

Most of them were young, having joined the Yellow Sky Dao after its relocation to the human realm of the Great Han.

As news of their arrival spread, it attracted attention from all directions in the human realm of the Great Han.

The high-level elder leading the Dragon Tiger Mountain branch in the Great Han didn't take it lightly, but he didn't react intensely either.

Although the Celestial Master's Mansion on Dragon Tiger Mountain still publicly denounced the Yellow Sky Dao as rebels, the pursuit wasn't as severe as before.

Especially since there was a precedent of Yellow Sky Dao disciples like Xin Beiyuan returning to the sect during the time in the human realm of Great Tang, the elders of the Dragon Tiger Mountain branch in the Great Han simply gathered and examined these visiting Yellow Sky Dao disciples, keeping them under watch, and immediately sent a message to the Dragon Tiger Mountain ancestral court in Great Tang.

Although these Yellow Sky Dao disciples were of lower cultivation levels due to their recent entry into the sect, their background was special.

Therefore, upon receiving the message, the Dragon Tiger Mountain ancestral court in Great Tang didn't delay and immediately sent a message to the current Celestial Master Lei Jun.

Lei Jun's response was to carefully examine them according to the precedent set years ago.

The high-level elder dispatched by the Dragon Tiger Mountain ancestral court in Great Tang to assist in handling the matter in the human realm of the Great Han was none other than Xin Beiyuan.

After receiving the Celestial Master's decree, Xin Beiyuan remained calm as usual, without any delay. He quickly settled his affairs and headed straight for the Dragon Tiger Mountain in the Great Han.

After giving the order, Lei Jun, the current Celestial Master, didn't inquire further and waited for Xin Beiyuan and the others to submit the final results.

He continued his cultivation and instruction of his new third disciple, Feng Ting.

Later, Phoenix Fengming returned to the Time Abyss.

"I'm ashamed," he said, "I couldn't come to the Time Abyss."

The True Dragon Huaming fought a battle with the Golden Crow Haoyang.

But the relationship between the True Dragon Huaming and Phoenix Fengming was still good.

He was just feeling a little sentimental.

In the past, his eyes were only fixed on the Golden Crow, Haoyang.

Several decades ago, after achieving his immortal body, the reason why a war did not immediately break out between the two sides, from a certain perspective, was because both were extremely proud.

The True Dragon, Huaming, was waiting for the Golden Crow, Haoyang, to recover from his injuries.

The Golden Crow, Haoyang, on the other hand, was waiting for the True Dragon, Huaming, to advance further and reach the second level of the Immortal Realm.

Finally, over a decade ago, both sides could sense that the other was gradually approaching their goal, and so they set a seven-year battle agreement.

Using Lei Jun's evaluation, it could also be considered a mutual pursuit.

However, during this period of waiting, the Phoenix, Fengming, gradually rose to prominence.

A pure-blooded Phoenix, compared to other spiritual beasts, was naturally gifted.

But when compared to the True Dragon and the Golden Crow, Fengming's previous performance was not particularly impressive.

...But was that truly the case? Over the past few years, the True Dragon, Huaming, had more than once questioned this.

And now, the facts had proven that his initial intuition was correct.

However, unlike the Golden Crow, Haoyang, the True Dragon, Huaming, had no intention of fighting the Phoenix, Fengming.

He was not a belligerent person, and the Phoenix, Fengming, was even more uncompetitive.

In fact, to be fair, he had no grudges with the Golden Crow, Haoyang, it was just that both were proud individuals.

Just like now, the True Dragon, Huaming, refused the Phoenix, Fengming, not because of any conflict between them, but because he was unwilling to rely on the Great Rectifier.

Even if he was in the Great Rectifier, it would be beneficial to both sides.

For this reason, he was willing to reside within the earth's veins.

Lei Jun could easily guess the True Dragon, Huaming's thoughts, as he wanted to occupy a corner of the world for himself, just like the Golden Crow, Haoyang, who was the master of the Cang Huan.

"Since I couldn't invite Holy Sovereign Huaming, I've come to take his place and complete the task," the Phoenix, Fengming, said.

Lei Jun invited the Phoenix, Fengming, to meditate and recuperate in the Great Rectifier, restoring his lost immortal essence from crossing the human realm:

"For the kindness of Holy Sovereign Fengming, I, on behalf of the people of the Great Rectifier, express our gratitude. However, there is currently a way to achieve both goals. The master of Ling Shan is willing to come to the Great Rectifier for recuperation. In these troubled times, I believe that if Holy Sovereign Fengming can free himself to act freely, it will be more beneficial for the Great Rectifier, Cang Huan, and Ling Shan."

Upon hearing this, the Phoenix, Fengming, asked, "Does the Shaman King not intend to return to Ling Shan for the time being?"

Lei Jun nodded slightly.

This was a suggestion made by the awakened Shaman King, Huangfu Qi, after her recovery.

Her injuries were not fully healed yet, and she still needed rest.

Although Lei Jun had already cleaned up Ling Shan, they were currently facing a problem.

The Time Abyss still had the potential for anomalies, and not only was Guizang unsettled, but the other Nine Heavens and Ten Earths might also face the crisis of randomly selecting a lucky person to become the next target of the Time Abyss.

In this situation, the places that had already been ravaged by the Time Abyss and had fragile void realms were actually the least likely to be targeted again.

At least in the next few times, the Time Abyss was unlikely to return to the Great Rectifier.

This was the shared assessment of Lei Jun, Xu Yuanzhen, Tang Xiaotang, and others.

Lei Jun believed that even if Gao Tian Sui and Zheng Baiyu were found, they would have the same opinion.

After losing the Time Abyss, the Great Rectifier temporarily lost its appeal to the other top experts in this world, at least in the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, it would rank among the lower positions.

For her, this was the most suitable place to continue her recuperation.

Although Huangfu Qi was severely injured, her foundation in the Celestial Realm was still intact.

With the Phoenix, Fengming, and Lei Jun taking care of the Great Rectifier, daily life was no longer a concern.

With Huangfu Qi here, it was enough to maintain stability.

This way, both Lei Jun and the Phoenix, Fengming, could leave the Great Rectifier.

As for Ling Shan, Huangfu Qi entrusted it to Lei Jun.

Not only her, but all the shamans of Ling Shan would not return to Ling Shan for the time being.

Zhao Chanyuan, Qiao Yang, Lei Lei, and other great shamans would accompany Huangfu Qi to move from Guizang to the Great Rectifier.

"In that case, it is indeed a good way to achieve both goals," the Phoenix, Fengming, nodded slightly.

Lei Jun said, "Thank you, Holy Sovereign Fengming, for your efforts."

Gao Tian Sui, Zheng Baiyu, Ge Xuanzhi, and even the Celestial Peng Demon Sage had all entered the Time Abyss.

The Pure Land, Linked Mountains, Dark Expanse, and Primordial Abyss were all currently sealed off.

This world was temporarily safe from any threats to the Great Rectifier.

If Gao Tian Sui and the others did not return within a short period, Lei Jun and the others would not feel pressured.

As time passed, their situation might become more relaxed.

The Golden Crow, Haoyang, was quietly healing and recuperating in the Cang Huan.

The True Dragon, Huaming, was located in the earth's veins, and although his recovery speed was slower than the Golden Crow's, he was also constantly resting.

Compared to the two of them, who were more ethereal and difficult to measure, the current leader of the Great Ming Mountain Sect, Bai Mi, was refining treasures in the Kunlun Great Red Heaven, and according to Qin Caiwei, was making progress.

However, the Time Abyss in Guizang was still causing trouble from time to time.

The Sea of Suffering Venerable and others were the first group to come to this side from the Demon World, but they were not the last.

In the past few years, there had been a continuous stream of demon and Buddhist disciples, as well as other types of demons, who had come to this world of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths through the Time Abyss.

However, no one as powerful as the Sea of Suffering Venerable had appeared yet.

Xu Yuanzhen was currently stationed in Guizang, continuing to study the Time Abyss while casually dealing with some of the demons that had seeped through.

Not only the Ling Shan Shaman Sect, but other Great Tang cultivators from Guizang also began their relocation, supervised by the Dragon Tiger Mountain Celestial Master's Mansion and the Tang Imperial Court.

Similarly, the residents of Guizang were also being relocated on a large scale, finding new places to settle.

Migration was difficult, and resettling was even more challenging.

This was destined to be a massive and tedious undertaking.

However, now that they knew the Time Abyss might face such turmoil again, this move was necessary.

Even in the other Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, places with larger populations like Datong, Saha, and Sumeru began to address these matters one by one.

There were many factors to consider, and even Lei Jun and the others had to plan carefully.

Fortunately, before this, the Great Song and the Two Jin Dynasties were relatively stable, both in the human world and the Han world.

This provided more room for maneuver.

However, this move, purely for precautionary purposes, seemed like an inefficient use of resources.

Later, after Huangfu Qi and the Ling Shan Shaman Sect made arrangements in the Great Rectifier, Lei Jun did not return to Penglai but headed to Guizang first.

Here, he consulted with Xu Yuanzhen, hoping to gain a deeper understanding of the Time Abyss.

"Has Kunwu Sect's Chief Master Zhang returned to Kunlun?" Xu Yuanzhen casually asked.

Lei Jun replied, "Yes, Chief Master Zhang has returned to the Qingwei Heaven of Kunlun."

Zhao Chanya usually appeared indifferent and easygoing, but during the battle in the Great Rectifier, when facing Ge Xuanzhi, he didn't hesitate at all. He pursued relentlessly, following his opponent straight into the Time Abyss.

This was a rare first since his birth.

His master, Chief Master Zhang Haipeng of the Kunwu Sect, was deeply worried upon hearing the news.

Although Zhao Chanya had exceptional talent and formidable strength, he rarely ventured outside.

According to Xu Yuanzhen's description, the Demon World was even more bloody and chaotic than the human world during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period.

If Zhao Chanya's strength could hold up in that world, it would be fine.

But in the Demon World, there were terrifying beings like the Great Annihilation Bodhisattva, the Demon Dragon Emperor, and the Hundred-Eyed Demon Tree.

For the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, these were top-tier experts who hadn't appeared since ancient times.

Zhang Haipeng's claim of not being worried was a lie.

However, at this moment, he was powerless to assist Zhao Chanya.

Perhaps, for Zhao Chanya, who had previously walked the path of immortality without worry or fear, this was the real tribulation he had to face in his cultivation and life.

For Zhang Haipeng, since the admission of this outstanding disciple who had surpassed his master, this was perhaps his first real tribulation and test.

Zhang Haipeng admitted that he needed a quiet mind and a calm heart to soothe his turbulent emotions.

Neither Lei Jun nor Mu Chunyang and Yuan Qingci would be harsh on him.

Therefore, Zhang Haipeng returned to the Kunwu Sect in the Qingwei Heaven of Kunlun, calming his mind and cultivating.

Fortunately, although Zhao Chanya himself hadn't sent any news, Tang Xiaotang, who had also arrived in the Demon World, sent a message to Lei Jun and Xu Yuanzhen, assuring them of her safety and mentioning that she had met Zhao Chanya.

However, at that time, Zhao Chanya wanted to go to the Celestial Realm, while Tang Xiaotang stayed in the Human Realm to search for the heavenly treasures she desired.

This news allowed everyone to relax a little.

But Tang Xiaotang didn't meet Tang Huang Zhang Wantiang in the Demon World.

Zhang Hui, who had been eagerly awaiting news, looked at Lei Jun with a worried expression.

Lei Jun comforted him, "I've sent a message to Senior Sister Tang, asking her to keep an eye on the news and whereabouts of the Tang Emperor."

Zhang Hui sighed and bowed, "My gratitude to the Celestial Master, Tang Zhenjun, and Xu Zhenjun."

After he left, Xu Yuanzhen spoke, "Zhang Wantiang might have encountered some trouble, big or small."

Lei Jun nodded slightly.

Perhaps not as skilled as Lei Jun in the Heaven and Earth Penetrating Talisman, which excelled in communication, Zhang Wantiang was also an expert in this field.

Confucian scholars were already adept at conveying messages through words, and Zhang Wantiang was among the best in her cultivation realm.

If pushed to the limit, she could even project some of Lei Jun's divine abilities.

In theory, if she had the time, she should have sent a message to Zhang Hui, Chu Yu, Xiao Xueting, and others to assure them of her safety.

In the current situation, it seemed she had indeed encountered some trouble.

However, her rebirth abilities were powerful.

Although she wasn't yet at the level of eternal existence as long as someone knew her secret, her abilities were already extremely exaggerated.

Some Shaman Kings of the same cultivation realm who specialized in rebirth might not be as skilled.

According to Zhang Hui, the various backup arrangements left by Zhang Wantiang hadn't been triggered and showed no signs of being destroyed or tampered with by external enemies.

It was just that there had been no news, which worried Zhang Hui.

The Sea of Suffering Venerable, a Triple-Body Great Venerable, was also an extremely important figure in the Demon World, serving under the Great Annihilation Bodhisattva.

Apart from him, the Absolute Sage Venerable and the Enraged Wrath Venerable, both Golden Body Venerables, had also entered the Demon World.

The Enraged Wrath Venerable had already escaped back but was driven back to the Demon World by Xu Yuanzhen, who had received Lei Jun's message, and eventually met his end in the Time Abyss.

The entire lineage of the Demon-Buddha cultivators who had crossed the Time Abyss to this side was annihilated.

Not only had Zhang Wantiang and the Sea of Suffering Venerable fought, but the Absolute Sage Venerable and others were also killed by Tang Xiaotang. Even if the Celestial Peng, who had no relation to them, had gone to the Demon World, according to the Great Annihilation Bodhisattva's style, they might have been directly slapped first.

The Hundred-Eyed Demon Tree and the Demon Dragon Emperor were not exactly known for their pleasant dispositions.

However, several years had passed since the shocking change in the Time Abyss, and neither the Great Annihilation Bodhisattva nor any other powerful members of the Demon Buddha lineage had crossed over from the Time Abyss to this side.

Later, after receiving Tang Xiaotang's second message, Lei Jun, Zhang Hui, and the others could finally relax a little.

No wonder the Great Annihilation Bodhisattva had no time to spare for the Sea of Suffering Venerable's affairs.

In recent years, the Human Realm and the Earth Realm were engaged in a fierce battle, with the Great Annihilation Bodhisattva facing off against the Hundred-Eyed Demon Tree.

The battle between the two sides was so intense that it went beyond the description of mountains of corpses and seas of blood.

Over there, the Human Realm and Hell seemed to have merged.

"That's a regular occurrence over there," Xu Yuanzhen said.

Lei Jun gazed at the Time Abyss, deep in thought.

He had heard Xu Yuanzhen describe some of the events.

Over there, even if one tried to help the weak and save the common people, there was no saving them.

Those saved today might die elsewhere tomorrow.

Xu Yuanzhen would still lend a hand when she could.

But she wouldn't stand guard in one place, nor would she lead people forward or escort them to other places.

The next day, upon arriving at a different location, she heard that the entire village she had saved the previous day had been devoured by a Great Demon. Yet, this didn't weigh on her mind.

However, her views on this Demon World aligned with Lei Jun's.

She didn't like that Demon Megaverse or the current state of affairs there.

"You can stay in Guizang for a while. On this trip back, I haven't had the chance to travel around or revisit old places," Xu Yuanzhen said.

Lei Jun turned to look at her.

Xu Yuanzhen understood his intention but didn't offer further explanation. Instead, she left Guizang and entered the Human Realm, demonstrating her actions.

As Lei Jun watched Xu Yuanzhen leave Guizang and enter the Human Realm, her figure seemed to merge with the void.

It was as if she had become one with the Human Realm.

When other Celestial Realm experts walked in the Human Realm, their bodies seemed to shed light and dust, dissipating their immortal essence and power. However, this phenomenon was completely absent from Xu Yuanzhen.

Tang Xiaotang, Gao Tian Sui, and Zhang Wantiang, when walking in the Human Realm, experienced significantly less dissipation of their immortal essence compared to other immortals. As a result, they could stay in the Human Realm for longer periods, and even briefly withstand clashes with powerful enemies.

Lei Jun, on the other hand, further studied the Primagnetic Flying Sword and the Jade Purity Heavenly Law Mirror, allowing him to interfere with human affairs without physically entering the Human Realm.

If he were to walk in the Human Realm, his immortal essence and power would dissipate rapidly, surpassing most other immortals but falling short of Tang Xiaotang and Gao Tian Sui's endurance.

However, Lei Jun didn't mind the dissipation of his immortal essence and power.

On the contrary, through his profound cultivation, he could recover a small portion after dissipation, creating a cycle.

Although he couldn't fully recover, it allowed him to travel in the Human Realm for extended periods, reducing his losses.

After achieving the Taiji Dao Body, his abilities in this aspect further improved.

After all, he had planned his path according to the characteristics of the Taiji Dao Body, and everything was now falling into place.

Thus, although his immortal essence and power dissipated rapidly, a large portion returned in a cycle, so when Lei Jun entered the Human Realm, his dissipation was minimal, just like Tang Xiaotang and Gao Tian Sui.

Aside from them, the only other person capable of this was Zhao Chanya.

Due to the characteristics of the Tai Yi Dao Body, Zhao Chanya experienced the least dissipation when not engaging with powerful enemies.

However, he couldn't match Xu Yuanzhen's ability to walk in the Human Realm without any dissipation of her immortal essence and power.

Xu Yuanzhen indeed lived up to her earlier words; even without the Human Convergence, she could still move freely in the Human Realm after ascending to immortality.

Lei Jun, as an observer, couldn't help but applaud.

After watching for a while longer, he had a rough estimate and silently calculated in his mind.

Later, the time matched his estimate, and Xu Yuanzhen returned to Guizang.

Her expression was neutral as she met Lei Jun's gaze and nodded slightly. "There's still room for improvement."

When she entered the Human Realm, she could completely prevent the dissipation of her immortal essence and power for a certain period, but she couldn't maintain this state indefinitely. Over time, she would be unable to sustain her initial condition.

Lei Jun asked, "What if you engage in battle?"

Xu Yuanzhen replied, "It won't affect it."

Lei Jun nodded. "Then there's no major issue. It's indeed practical, as expected of Senior Sister. Once you achieve the Tai Shi Dao Body, you'll be completely free from time constraints."

Xu Yuanzhen shook her head. "That would be relying on luck."

Lei Jun understood her meaning. "The Human Convergence should be approaching soon."

Xu Yuanzhen agreed. "Yes, it's within the next decade or so, no more than twenty years."

Lei Jun turned to look at the Time Abyss.

It was still uncertain when Gao Tian Sui, Zheng Baiyu, and the others would return.

Instead, the Time Abyss was about to leave Guizang and relocate to a new point in the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths. If they didn't consider the actions of the other Demon Megaverses, and only observed the opportunities in the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths Demon Megaverse, perhaps the moment of Human Convergence would be the time for the Time Abyss to move... Lei Jun pondered.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end