Chapter 525: 524. Master Lei's Disciples, A Room Full of Talents

Chapter 525: 524. Master Lei's Disciples, A Room Full of Talents



Among the various cultivation legacies, Confucianism and Buddhism are relatively unique. The former emphasizes accumulation and sudden burst, while the latter focuses on sudden enlightenment, resulting in relatively more late bloomers compared to other Taoist traditions.

However, overall, these are still extremely rare exceptions.

Xiao Chunhui's current age is still far from two hundred.

If he possesses the ability to accumulate and burst forth, he can naturally make up for the time he has lost.

If not, many things will inevitably be left in question.

With his talent and passion, becoming a Pacifying World Scholar of the Ninth Heaven is still within reach.

But if he wants to strive for the immortal realm of the Sage of Confucianism, he must seize the opportunity now.

This trip to the Confucian Thousand World will likely require some more time and years. If he fails, with another delay, time will gradually become a bit pressing.

Zhuo Baojie communicated with his master, Lei Jun, and at this moment, seeing the calm Xiao Chunhui, he thought that the other party had everything in mind.

But Xiao Chunhui still walked calmly and peacefully, which made Zhuo Baojie admire him in his heart.

Lei Jun and Xiao Chunhui had exchanged a few times, and he roughly knew the path the other party was contemplating. He was somewhat looking forward to Xiao Chunhui's trip to the Confucian Thousand World.

Xiao Chunhui was relatively restrained in his interactions with others, but in terms of cultivation or scholarly pursuits, he had a tendency towards perfectionism.

As Lei Jun knew, Xiao Chunhui had not been without achievements in the Great Ming World.

But Xiao Chunhui himself felt that he could still strive for perfection.

"When Master Guangdeng visited, he mentioned some matters about Bodhimanda Temple to me, and both Yuan Fang Master and Master Guangshu were very concerned about the Demon World on the other side of the Time Abyss, which is closely related to Buddhism," Xiao Chunhui said as he walked.

After the convergence of the human worlds, not only the major sacred sites of Taoism but also the Buddhist sacred sites faced the issue of sect convergence.

Bodhimanda Temple, or the Zen-martial lineage of Buddhism, was not much of a concern during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms World and the Two Jin World.

They were closely related to the original lineage of the Western Paradise of Saha.

For example, Yuan Feng Master of the Southern Jin Bodhimanda Temple was a direct disciple of the Western Paradise.

After the change of leadership in Mount Meru and Saha, the Buddhist disciples in both worlds suffered greatly.

Whether it was the Later Han Dynasty in the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms World or the Southern and Northern Jin in the Two Jin World, even after the convergence of the human worlds, Buddhism had already lost its influence.

The Great Song World was the same due to the previous Golden Khanate.

Therefore, the current Bodhimanda Temple mainly consisted of the convergence of the Tang, Han, and Ming lineages.

Among them, the Ming lineage was the most awkward in terms of inheritance.

They had Master Guangshu, a monk who had achieved the perfection of the Ninth Heaven's Dharma Body and was the top Zen-martial master of the current era.

However, because of the White Lotus Sect, Master Guangshu and other Ming Bodhimanda Temple monks had been close to the Great Ming Dynasty.

But after Lei Jun defeated the Ming capital and interrupted Ming Emperor Han Zhining's path to becoming the Sage of Confucianism, the Ming Dynasty gradually lost its fortune, and the Ming Bodhimanda Temple remained silent.

They still opposed the White Lotus Sect.

But towards the dominance of Dragon Tiger Mountain and Taoism, they adopted a passive attitude.

After the convergence of the human worlds, Master Guangshu, as the only Ninth Heaven Dharma Body master, took the initiative to step down.

Therefore, the current abbot of the converged Bodhimanda Temple was Yuan Fang Master from the Tang lineage.

In recent years, Master Guangshu had been low-key.

Regarding the lineage of the former Ming Dynasty, Bodhimanda Temple also assisted the Taoism and various dynasties in their joint efforts to clear them out.

Among them were Master Guangdeng and Master Guangnian, who were originally from the Ming Bodhimanda Temple lineage and participated in the battle.

Although Master Guangshu did not personally take action, it was not because he was unwilling to change his mind. As the current top master of the Bodhimanda Temple lineage, most of his attention was still on the White Lotus Sect, and he remained vigilant.

On this point, Dragon Soaring Temple and Suspended Heaven Temple had similar public attitudes.

Dragon Soaring Temple was slightly more ambiguous.

This lineage did not have a Ninth Heaven cultivation master to preside over it, and in the end, it was Master Miaoxin from the Tang Dragon Soaring Temple lineage who took on the position of abbot.

After the White Lotus Saint Master Jingjiu, the previous body of Wang Guiyuan, entered nirvana, the relationship between Dragon Soaring Temple and Master Fa Qing gradually thawed, and interactions increased in recent years.

Every year, junior disciples from the Tang Dragon Soaring Temple lineage would go to the Boundless World to pay respects to Master Fa Qing, who had already become a Buddhist sage.

Although Wang Guiyuan still had personal interactions with the White Lotus Sect's Master Huiyin, yesterday's dust returned to dust, and today's earth returned to earth. He truly no longer inquired about matters related to the White Lotus Sect.

Master Miaoxin and Elder Miaokong of Dragon Soaring Temple also tacitly agreed not to bring it up again.

It was just that when this matter fell into the eyes of others, and into the eyes of the disciples of Bodhimanda Temple and Dragon Soaring Temple, there were still some private discussions.

However, on the surface, with Dragon Soaring Temple taking the lead, Buddhism in this Thousand World had a Buddhist sage presiding over it, and Buddhism gradually showed signs of revival.

As for Suspended Heaven Temple, it was the only Buddhist sacred site of the Tang lineage that did not take over the sect.

The abbot of the Han Suspended Heaven Temple, Master Xinguan, was the only Ninth Heaven Dharma Body master of the current Suspended Heaven Temple, which followed the precepts lineage.

Master Kongru of the Tang Suspended Heaven Temple lineage became a monk in the temple and quietly cultivated.

The Suspended Heaven Temple lineage was originally quiet and self-contained, rarely involving itself in external affairs.

Their changes and arrangements were not unexpected and had little impact on the outside world.

Neither Master Xinguan nor Master Kongru paid much attention to this.

The only slightly special situation was that they were also paying some attention to the White Lotus Sect.

Lei Jun and Wang Guiyuan had a private relationship with Huixin Monk, and under his influence, Jianhai Monk and Tianshu Monk, who were originally from the Great Ming lineage, were now acting more discreetly.

"I'm sure Master Guangdeng and the others are also concerned about the White Lotus Sect and whether they have more connections with the Demon World in the South," Xiao Chunhui said to Lei Jun.

Xiao Chunhui spoke candidly, "It seems that neither the Bodhimanda Temple nor the Dragon Soaring Temple are willing to directly investigate this matter, so they are trying to gather information from various sources."

Lei Jun calmly replied, "That's right, and it's not just you, Mr. Xiao, they are also inquiring through other channels."

"There's no need for the Buddhist monks to keep guessing. There are indeed some in the White Lotus Sect who want to investigate the Demon World, but the situation there is complex, and it's not suitable to go there at the moment."

Xiao Chunhui nodded in agreement.

In that world of ten thousand realms, Buddhism once flourished.

Although it has suffered calamities, there are still numerous related sites that attract the attention of various Buddhist holy sites, including the White Lotus Sect.

However, the current situation there is indeed unsuitable for a large group to go.

Led by the Hundred Eyes Demon Tree, a large number of demons, who were originally Buddhist disciples that fell into darkness, reside there.

Lei Jun and Wang Guiyuan were both cautious and vigilant about the situation.

"Mr. Xiao Da, Mr. Xiao Er, and General Xiao."

At the brink of the abyss, Wang Guiyuan, wearing a deep red Daoist robe bestowed by the Dragon Tiger Mountain, greeted Xiao Chunhui, Xiao Xueting, and Xiao Hang with Daoist etiquette.

Xiao Chunhui and the others returned the greeting, "Elder Wang, it's good to see you well. Thank you for your efforts."

Wang Guiyuan humbly replied, "I'm not worthy of such praise. It's all thanks to Master Lei and Xu Shijie. I'm just here to maintain the facade."

Lei Jun nodded slightly to Xiao Chunhui and the others, then approached the edge of the Time Abyss.

The Time Abyss was currently in turmoil, with time and space in the abyss chaotic and disordered.

Lei Jun's actions did not further aggravate the turmoil.

His power transformed into a black and white Taiji diagram, suspended above the Time Abyss.

As the black and white Taiji diagram rotated, Lei Jun simultaneously displayed his two immortal techniques.

Above the Taiji diagram, Thunder Emperor City appeared, and the Twelve Thunder Gates of Taiji opened.

Below the Taiji diagram, the power of the Supreme Ultimate Interpretation flowed, and black and white light dust began to fall into the Time Abyss below.

Wang Guiyuan stood by, closely observing the Time Abyss.

Fortunately, Lei Jun's technique was exquisite, and the Time Abyss remained calm without any unusual disturbances.

The black and white light dust from the Supreme Ultimate Interpretation did not continue to decompose but instead gathered together, merging with the Time Abyss, and for a moment, it seemed like the abyss had extended further.

This extended part of the abyss resembled a road, stretching into the black and white Taiji diagram above.

As the black and white Taiji diagram rotated, the thunderous roar from the Thunder Emperor City above became more awe-inspiring.

Xiao Chunhui bowed to Lei Jun once more before stepping into the Thunder Emperor City.

Xiao Xueting and Xiao Hang, who had come to see him off, had some concerns as they watched his figure disappear, as if swallowed by the twisting forces of yin and yang.

Xiao Chunhui remained calm within the city.

After an unknown period of time, the scenery before him changed further, and after stabilizing, a somewhat familiar yet strange world appeared in his vision:

"It's very similar to the human world over there, but the terrain still has some differences..."

After the ancient calamity, different worlds of ten thousand realms emerged.

Overall, regardless of the Demon World or this Confucian Thousand World, the human world's terrain is generally consistent with the Nine Heavens and Ten Realms.

Especially in the beginning, they were identical.

However, after so many years of changes and transformations, the terrain and landscape have undergone drastic changes.

Not to mention the Demon World, even the Nine Heavens and Ten Realms have undergone significant changes after the human world's confluence, and they are now very different from the Han Dynasty.

"It's good that we can safely cross over from the Eighth Heaven."

Xu Yuanzhen's voice came from the side.

Xiao Chunhui bowed to him, "Thank you, Xu Zhenjun."

Their current location was not at the edge of the Confucian Thousand World's Time Abyss.

However, Xiao Chunhui vaguely sensed that a fierce battle was taking place in the distance.

"Mr. Bei Chen and the Demon-Buddha Disciple?" Xiao Chunhui asked softly.

"Yes," Xu Yuanzhen casually replied, "I still have some work to do here, and Zhang Wantu is in the Eastern Jianghuai Region."

Xiao Chunhui thanked him, "Thank you for your guidance, Xu Zhenjun."

Xu Yuanzhen stood still, surrounded by a mesmerizing flow of energy.

Xiao Chunhui had also crossed over through the Time Abyss, but with the help of Lei Jun and Xu Yuanzhen, to some extent, they had facilitated his "illegal crossing."

Over the years, as they continuously researched the Time Abyss, their cultivation and strength improved, and their understanding and control over the Time Abyss deepened.

Both of them enjoyed this endeavor.

On the other side of the abyss, in the Nine Heavens and Ten Realms.

Lei Jun put away the black and white Taiji diagram and nodded slightly to Xiao Xueting and Xiao Hang, "Mr. Xiao has successfully arrived at the Confucian Thousand World and is currently heading to meet with the Emperor of Tang."

Xiao Xueting and Xiao Hang bowed, "Thank you, Master Lei and Xu Zhenjun, for your help."

Lei Jun humbly replied, "Not at all, you're too kind."

After a short rest, Xiao Xueting and the other elder bid farewell, "Xiao Jing, Jadilo, and Uojie have been successively eliminated, but the northern border has not been completely settled. There are still many other formidable enemies. We wish to return and assist Elder Yuan of your sect."

"Thank you both for your efforts."

"Lei Jun instructed his senior disciple Zhuo Baojie to accompany Xiao Xueting and the others back immediately, and Zhuo Baojie agreed.

As he watched the three leave, Wang Guiyuan sighed, "With the death of Wujie Khan, the nomadic tribes of the Northern Border will never again have a Nine Heavens Martial Sage."

Lei Jun replied, "In the current situation, there will be new talents in the future."

Wang Guiyuan smiled at this.

The 'new talent' Lei Jun referred to was not an enemy.

The previous human world division was closely related to the Great Wilderness, and the nomadic tribes of the Northern Border had become a significant force, influencing multiple human worlds. However, they gradually declined afterward.

The most promising rising star was actually... the people of the Tang Dynasty.

To be precise, during the Tang Dynasty's expedition against the Lone Eagle Khanate, Shen Guobing led a counterattack against the Lone Eagle Khanate in the Great Song World.

The Lone Eagle Khanate was thoroughly destroyed, and many of the smaller tribes that had previously submitted to them followed Shen Guobing and other Tang Dynasty warriors back to the Tang Dynasty world, becoming subjects of the Tang Dynasty.

They also introduced the Martial Riding lineage and numerous Spirit Beasts suitable for Riding Warriors to the Tang Dynasty.

After several decades of development, not only the assimilated nomadic tribes but also the native Tang people began to produce excellent Riding Warriors.

However, due to time constraints, the most outstanding Riding Warriors were still from the nomadic tribes.

The youngest son of the former Lone Eagle Khan, Alatan Aodu, was brought back to the Tang Dynasty by Shen Guobing in his youth and now leads a tribe of the nomadic tribes, having successfully reached the Upper Three Levels and becoming a Seventh Heaven Realm Riding Warrior.

Nevertheless, he is not the top Riding Warrior of the Tang Dynasty.

The current top Riding Warrior of the Tang Dynasty is another rising star, a female Martial Master from a small tribe named Narantuaya, who just reached the Eighth Heaven Realm last year.

Her rise has been incredibly rapid, reaching the Eighth Heaven before the age of fifty.

In the past, this was a crucial milestone for judging a cultivator's talent.

In recent years, with the surge of spiritual energy in the world, favorable for cultivators' cultivation, many previously extinct Heaven-Produced Treasures have reappeared, and the standards are not as strict as before.

But talents like Narantuaya are still rare.

Xiao Xueting, Shen Guobing, Shangguan Yunbo, and others all spoke highly of her.

After the human world confluence, the nomadic tribes of the Northern Border, originally part of the Great Ming World, were suppressed by various forces.

Among the Tang Dynasty's forces were assimilated nomadic warriors like Narantuaya and Alatan Aodu, who fought, scouted, hunted, and raided, earning great merit.

They were also active in the current battle in the eastern part of the Northern Border.

As expected, Lei Jun did not interfere with the turmoil in the human world.

He quietly studied the items brought back by Yuan Mo Bai and Zhuo Baojie with Wang Guiyuan and Chu Kun.

Compared to Zhuo Baojie, who had been traveling and training, Han Xiao Fei had reduced her outings in recent years and stayed by Lei Jun's side, attending to his needs and welcoming guests on his behalf.

Overall, it was... decent.

This was how a certain Daoist sect leader described his role as a teacher.

As for his junior disciple, Feng Ting, he was currently in seclusion, at a critical juncture of breaking through from the Sixth Heaven to the Seventh Heaven.

Compared to welcoming guests and socializing, Han Xiao Fei was more adept at assisting her teacher, Lei Jun, in guiding Feng Ting's cultivation.

Lei Jun, residing under the Ten-Color Crane Canopy, was busy with other matters while also continuously cultivating, silently accumulating and perfecting his Taiwei Realm.

Time passes during cultivation.

Time flew by.

Lei Jun celebrated his one hundred and twenty-seventh birthday.

The Northern Border war was mostly over, and Yuan Mo Bai and Zhuo Baojie had returned to the ancestral court of Dragon Tiger Mountain.

Lei Jun's third disciple, Feng Ting, also successfully passed the Heavenly Chasm Tribulation between the Sixth Heaven and the Seventh Heaven during the spring and summer of this year, achieving the Upper Three Levels cultivation.

At the Zhongyuan Festival ceremony, Lei Jun personally bestowed the talisman on his disciple, and Feng Ting received the position of High Achievement Elder, changing into a purple robe.

The news spread, and while there were congratulations from all sides, everyone also sighed.

Lei Jun, the Supreme Master, was known for the quality rather than the quantity of his disciples, and all of them had become accomplished.

Not only had Zhuo Baojie, Han Xiao Fei, and Feng Ting successively reached the Upper Three Levels, but they also progressed rapidly in their cultivation, displaying overflowing talent and genius.

In the past, many people secretly lamented that compared to the previous generations of Celestial Masters, the current Celestial Master Lei, the Supreme Master, had raised the bar for accepting disciples and become more selective, which was a great disappointment.

Initially, it was just the Tang Dynasty's human world.

Later, human worlds from various forces, including the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, and after the human world confluence, everyone wanted their children to have the opportunity to enter the eyes of the Celestial Master.

However, with the emergence of Zhuo Baojie, Han Xiao Fei, and Feng Ting, everyone's thoughts gradually faded.

It was not easy to make a specific judgment without a deep understanding, but whether it was their innate talent or comprehension, Han Xiao Fei and Feng Ting far surpassed their peers.

Zhuo Baojie was not human, and like Yuan Mo Bai, it was difficult to measure him by human standards, but he was undoubtedly a genius among geniuses.

With these three direct disciples standing side by side, others with similar intentions could only give up.

'After Hua Ting has a period of recuperation and quiet cultivation, he doesn't need to rush to take on duties in the mansion,' Lei Jun instructed his third disciple, Feng Ting, 'First, go out and gain some experience. As the Confucians say, reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles; the principles are the same.'

'Yes, Master,' Feng Ting agreed.

In front of Lei Jun, he rarely hid his emotions, and a bitter smile appeared on his face.

Since joining the sect, he had mostly stayed at the ancestral court, either cultivating with his teacher, Lei Jun, or rarely venturing into the secular world.

Even with this, the reputation of Elder Feng and Master Feng had already spread far and wide in the mortal world, making it difficult for him to keep a low profile.

On this trip, his master specifically sent him out to travel, which meant he couldn't just find a scenic spot to hide away. He had to face challenges and couldn't hide his abilities, and even consider taking the initiative to confront difficulties.

Master Feng didn't intend to force a change in his disciple's behavior.

It wasn't just him; Master Lei Jun had never tried to correct the habits and traits of his disciples.

But some things required experience, understanding, practice, and training.

After gaining experience and then withdrawing, there was no harm done.

If Feng Ting truly refused, Master Lei Jun wouldn't force him.

However, some things, if one constantly avoided them, might eventually catch up, leaving one with no choice but to face them.

Feng Ting understood this reasoning well.

So, despite his wry smile, when Master Lei Jun gave him instructions, Feng Ting readily agreed.

"Don't hide from problems, but there's no need to go looking for trouble either. Just go with the flow," Master Lei Jun said with a smile. "How well you can handle it depends on your own abilities."

Feng Ting also smiled, "I'll do my best, Master."

He had just reached the seventh level of the Nine Heavens, and at present, he was nurturing his spiritual power while practicing his natal divine art, the Life Skill Human Calligraphy Talisman.

In this aspect, Feng Ting, along with his fellow disciples Zhuo Baojie and Han Xiao Fei, chose the Life Skill Human Calligraphy Talisman as their primary natal art and cultivated the Doumu Star Deity Incarnation.

This had become a tradition within their lineage, starting from Yuan Qingci, Master Lei Jun, and Chu Kun.

When Feng Ting was at the sixth level of the Nine Heavens, preparing to break through to the seventh, he had some speculations while reviewing the foundational divine arts.

These speculations were about whether Feng Ting would choose the Thunder Law Heaven Calligraphy Talisman or the Life Skill Human Calligraphy Talisman first.

Because in the art of thunder, whether it was talent or attainment, he was exceptionally gifted.

At the lower three levels of the Nine Heavens, Feng Ting's second technique of choice was the Thunder Seal.

As his cultivation progressed to the middle three levels, the Thunder Seal evolved with him and transformed into the Five Thunder Righteous Law Seal.

Like Fang Jian, at the middle three levels, he also chose his master Lei Jun's Yin Five Thunder Righteous Law Seal as his second natal art. By the fifth level, his foundation in both Yin and Yang Thunder was already established.

Initially, some speculated that once he reached the upper three levels, he would continue with the Thunder Law Heaven Calligraphy Talisman and the Xuanxiao Five Thunder Talisman as planned.

But when he truly reached this level, the Yin and Yang Five Thunder Righteous Law Seal had already laid the foundation for the evolution of two Thunder Law divine art talismans.

However, Feng Ting himself wasn't torn between the choices.

Even without this foundation, his first natal divine art at the seventh level would undoubtedly be the Doumu Star Deity Incarnation.

Just as he had chosen Stepping Pole Fighting without hesitation at the fourth level.

It wasn't about strictly adhering to the sect's traditions or flattering his master and grandmaster.

His mindset was the same as that of his master Lei Jun, his uncle Chu Kun, and his grandmaster Wang Guiyuan.

The combination of the Divine Strike Talisman, Stepping Pole Fighting, and the Life Star Deity enhanced his abilities, guarded against sneak attacks, and made him adaptable to various environments and opponents.

This perfectly aligned with Elder Feng's aesthetic and expectations...

Although he was gifted in thunder arts, Feng Ting also found the Doumu Star Deity Incarnation to be a natural fit for him.

Understanding his master's good intentions and accepting them willingly, Feng Ting didn't need Master Lei Jun's urging. He nurtured his spiritual power, stabilized it, and after making all the necessary preparations, he informed Master Lei Jun of his readiness to depart.

"Perfect timing. Your first task is to go to the Southern Peak of Shu Mountain Sect. Shen Guobing has achieved Great Freedom, and Scholar Hua Wei is leading a group from the Celestial Master Mansion. You will go with them and convey my congratulations on his behalf."

"Yes, Master, I will follow your instructions."

Feng Ting agreed, but he couldn't help but be surprised, "Has Shen Guobing, the Southern Peak Master of Shu Mountain Sect, achieved immortality?"

In the art of artifact forging, it was customary to refer to the fifth level of the ninth heaven as the Small Freedom Realm, also known as the Scattered Immortal Realm.

In contrast, the true opening of the immortal gate and the attainment of immortality was known as the Great Freedom Realm, or the Celestial Immortal Realm, which was renowned alongside the Cave Profound Realm of the Seal Scripture Sect and the Primordial Spirit Realm of the Alchemy Sect.

Shen Guobing, the former Southern Peak Master of Shu Mountain Sect during the Southern Jin Dynasty, was publicly acknowledged as a genius with the potential for immortality.

However, compared to Zhao Qianran, Xiao Yumen, and Mu Chunyang, he achieved the fifth level of the ninth heaven much later, and his later success surprised many.

Feng Ting couldn't help but recall that his master Lei Jun had once mentioned that Shen Guobing might be a dark horse who would surpass others, and his prediction had come true.

As if reading his disciple's thoughts, Master Lei Jun casually said, "It's not that mysterious. Just go with the flow, and everything will fall into place naturally."

Feng Ting felt blessed, "Shen Guobing's cultivation is a result of his own efforts and also the preservation and prosperity of the Southern Jin Shu Mountain Sect."

Previously, it was mainly due to the care of his master, Gongsun Daoqi, that he received attention from Master Lei Jun.

Later, with the reappearance of Bai Mei and the confluence of the human world, the various Shu Mountain sects were able to reunite.

Although it seemed not much different from before, Shen Guobing was now free from worries.

The master of Zhenwu Temple, Mu Chunyang, not only had to deal with the crisis at Mount Meru in the past but also had the desire to preserve and expand the Zhenwu Temple's legacy in the environment of the Ming Dynasty's Neo-Confucianism.

In this regard, Shen Guobing had fewer concerns.

And his Universe Light Immortal Body was best at making up for lost time with a slow and steady approach...

Feng Ting couldn't help but sigh, and suddenly, he paused, feeling a sense of resonance with his own situation.

He took a deep breath, calmed his mind, and then bowed to Master Lei Jun, "Master, I'll be off."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end