Chapter 537: An Unexpected Invitation

Chapter 537: An Unexpected Invitation



Xiao Chunhui's current creation existed between reality and illusion.

Lei Jun and Wang Guiyuan could sense the flow of scholarly vital energy, but they were certain that the changing scenery before them was not created by the scholarly vital energy itself.

In the current world, the scholarly vital energy served more as a source of inspiration.

The world itself was more inclined towards a shared mental connection, which created the scenery.

It was not only initiated by Xiao Chunhui but also originated from Lei Jun and Wang Guiyuan.

If described from the perspective of divine techniques, it leaned more towards divine soul techniques rather than Xiao Chunhui's scholarly vital energy or the manipulation of heaven and earth's spiritual energy.

Confucian divine techniques emphasized inner cultivation and outer cultivation, focusing on self-rectification and nurturing a scholarly aura.

When confronting external enemies, their methods were primarily achieved through scholarly vital energy, and divine soul techniques were rarely used.

However, Xiao Chunhui's current method seemed different.

Given the cultivation gap between him and Lei Jun and Wang Guiyuan, it was impossible for him to reach their divine souls through his own divine soul techniques.

Currently, he was demonstrating his techniques, and Lei Jun and Wang Guiyuan were in harmony with nature.

With their cultivation strength, they blended in without causing the slightest ripple, as if they were an inherent part of the world Xiao Chunhui had created.

If they had any ill intentions or even a fleeting thought, it would instantly shatter the current world.

They remained silent, merely observing their surroundings.

After a while, the world automatically dissipated.

The spring flowers and trees vanished, and the apocalyptic scene frozen by Wang Guiyuan in the Void reappeared.

Xiao Chunhui's figure reappeared, his expression unchanged, showing no signs of strain from capturing two celestial beings.

Before them, Lei Jun and Wang Guiyuan returned to the natural world, seemingly existing between being and non-being.

Xiao Chunhui first expressed his gratitude to Lei Jun and Wang Guiyuan.

"I observe the blooming of flowers, and it is indeed the blooming of flowers," Lei Jun asked.

Xiao Chunhui replied, "Just as the Lei Zhang Jiao said."

Wang Guiyuan nodded slightly.

He was a golden body dignitary from the Buddhist vow lineage.

No wonder Xiao Chunhui sought his insights, as he was also interested in Lei Jun's understanding.

"There are many wonderful aspects," Lei Jun praised, showing genuine interest.

Over a hundred years passed in the blink of an eye, but what remained unchanged was his enthusiasm since the day he entered the path of cultivation, which was to explore and experience the various Taoist sects in this world, and to comprehend the diverse landscapes along the path of cultivation.

In addition to his own Taoist Talisman Sect's lineage, the Alchemy School, the Alchemy Casting School, and even the Buddhist Sect, the Martial Dao, the Confucian Sect, and the Sorcery Sect, Lei Jun was filled with enthusiasm for all of them.

Along the way, Zhang Wantu and Meng Shaojie's Confucian historiography, Nie Fang's Taoist automatons, the foreign tribes' riding and martial arts, Luofu Mountain's Taoist alchemy and talisman traditions, and even Chen Yi's unique path that combined the Sorcery Sect's Blood River with the Taoist Talisman Sect, as well as Confucian rationalism—regardless of Lei Jun's personal preferences, he was eager to understand them all.

Regarding Xiao Chunhui's exploration and creation, Lei Jun was even more delighted in his observation.

The Scholar Forest World had Confucian old learning and new learning, but they were more focused on ideas and aspirations, and their cultivation and studies did not exceed the scope of classical studies, recitation, and divine archery.

The current study that Xiao Chunhui was contemplating, along with Zhang Wantu and Meng Shaojie's historiography and the previous Confucian rationalism, were all truly new learnings.

Although these three studies were essentially derived from Confucian classics, they had evolved into new forms and had developed more profoundly.

Of course, compared to rationalism and historiography, Xiao Chunhui's current study was still in its infancy, barely having a beginning, and it couldn't even be said to have a complete framework.

Even so, it still piqued Lei Jun's interest.

However, he spoke frankly, "The foundation is excellent, and cultivation focuses on the self. But when it comes to practical combat and killing, it has similar strengths and weaknesses as rationalism."

"As Lei Zhang Jiao said," Xiao Chunhui replied with a smile.

He understood his own situation, knowing that Lei Jun's words were not empty.

In actual combat, the strengths and weaknesses were similar to those of rationalism.

What kind of strengths and weaknesses?

The means of combat were primarily manifested in divine soul techniques.

And in this aspect of combat, the disparity in cultivation realms was often the most direct.

When facing opponents weaker than oneself, there was no advantage, but when facing opponents with stronger divine souls, it was more challenging to make progress.

To put it bluntly, it was like bullying the weak and fearing the strong.

"However, this is the current situation," Wang Guiyuan said with a smile. "Xiao Chunhui's new learning is just beginning. It will continue to develop further, reaching the realm of the Inner Sage and the Outer King."

Xiao Chunhui said, "I've troubled Lei Zhang Jiao and Elder Wang."

Lei Jun said, "Not at all. For such an achievement, I'm delighted to see its completion."

Xiao Chunhui had previously gained insights from Zhang Wantu and Yan Aoyun, and after seeking guidance from Lei Jun and Wang Guiyuan for many days, his understanding of his new study had been steadily improving.

Later, after thanking Lei Jun and Wang Guiyuan, he bid them farewell and returned to the Scholar Forest World to continue his secluded cultivation.

Compared to the past, where countless Confucian lineages had stood for thousands of years, although they had now dispersed and returned to nature, the environment of that world was still more suitable for Confucian cultivators to study and cultivate their scholarly aura.

Lei Jun remained in the Void, continuing to observe and research the Time Abyss for a period before returning to the human world and the Dragon Tiger Mountain's ancestral court.

Within the Three Pures and Three Treasures Cave Heaven, Lei Jun continued his silent cultivation.

The Thunder Emperor City appeared, and within it, a figure sat in meditation—none other than Lei Jun's own True Body of the Thunder Emperor.

At the other end, Lei Jun's Seeking Sound and Sensing Tai Yi Divine Body sat quietly on a lotus, beneath which a phantom netherworld seemed to condense.

Lei Jun sat motionlessly.

But under the flowing starlight, new figures began to appear, hidden and revealed.

From a distance, they resembled the Star Heaven Emperor, surrounded by countless talismans that formed a dazzling starry river, guarding him.

Lei Jun gazed at the currently illusory body before him, deep in thought. On his forehead, a black and white Taiji diagram slowly rotated.

The Heavenly Grace Horn was in his grasp, transforming into jade light that merged with his body.

As the jade light flowed, it attracted the spiritual essence and energy from the four directions, gathering them onto Lei Jun.

With Lei Jun's current understanding, cultivation, and strength, everything was in perfect harmony with his needs, following the natural flow.

The nature of the Pixiu was to gather all spirits, only taking in and never letting out, accumulating deeply.

Using this to assist in his cultivation would be greatly beneficial.

However, for Lei Jun, it wasn't entirely suitable.

Since the beginning of his cultivation, the human realm and the immortal realm had not yet merged.

When immortals entered the human realm, they would lose a significant amount of their immortal essence and spiritual power, which would return to nature.

Most powerful immortals avoided this, fearing the consequences.

But Lei Jun didn't mind.

His cultivation attitude and Taoist traditions allowed him to enter the human realm without hesitation, merging with the human world as if they were one.

Although his immortal essence and power would dissipate, a balance and cycle were established, with some of the immortal essence and spirituality flowing back to Lei Jun from the human realm.

After Lei Jun achieved the Taiji Dao Body, this balance became more harmonious and stable.

Even after the realms merged and immortals could move freely in the human realm, Lei Jun didn't change his style.

His immortal essence, spiritual energy, and power continued to dissipate into nature at all times.

But nature also continuously returned spiritual energy to him.

A perfect balance was maintained, invisible to the outside world but always present.

Even if Lei Jun was in the Nine Heavens Ten Earths or the Three Pures and Three Treasures Cave Heaven, the situation remained unchanged.

In this case, even if Lei Jun obtained the Heavenly Grace Horn, he wouldn't act like the Pixiu, only taking in and never letting out.

However, with his understanding, insight, and cultivation, he could naturally utilize the beneficial aspects of the Heavenly Grace Horn for himself, achieving a different kind of harmony in diversity.

As time passed, Lei Jun calmly cultivated, accumulating his power and perfecting the Taiwei Constellation. He constantly refined his immortal techniques and divine abilities, striving for excellence and innovation.

Time in the mountains passed unnoticed.

As time quietly flowed, Lei Jun celebrated his 133rd birthday.

His senior disciple, Zhuo Baojie, had just finished his term as the head instructor of the Daoist Academy.

He wasn't in a hurry to take on new responsibilities. Besides assisting the elders in managing the sect's affairs and focusing on his cultivation, he was also teaching his disciple, An Buzheng.

"Is Xu Wu about to refine his third Primordial Talisman?" Lei Jun asked.

Zhuo Baojie replied, "Yes, Master. Xu Wu's foundation is gradually taking shape."

Like Lei Jun and his previous journey, the Talisman Sect's Four Heavens Primordial Talisman realm was divided into four layers of cultivation. With the Four Primordial Talismans completed, the foundation for the next step to the Fifth Heaven Dao Palace realm was laid.

After only a few years of entry, An Buzheng had already reached the Middle Three Heavens level and was about to begin refining his third Primordial Talisman, maintaining his rapid cultivation speed.

On the other hand, Chi Haifeng, Xin Beiyuan's disciple, had already completed the Four Primordial Talismans and was now challenging the Fifth Heaven Dao Palace realm.

On one hand, Chi Haifeng, like Lei Jun, Xu Yuanzhen, and Cheng Rongrong, had a strong curiosity and broad interests in cultivation. On the other hand, his foundation played a more significant role in the early and middle stages, so An Buzheng, with his Two Instruments Immortal Body, gradually caught up with the one-year gap since his transmission.

If their current progress remained unchanged, An Buzheng would catch up to Chi Haifeng's cultivation before the Sixth Heaven.

Zhuo Baojie wasn't concerned about the speed.

He focused on An Buzheng's mindset and mental state during this process.

Currently, his disciple seemed calm and steady, without impatience or anxiety.

As his cultivation advanced rapidly, his foundation remained solid, showing no signs of shallowness.

"Second Senior Sister encountered an opportunity during her recent travels and obtained the Forest of Ten Thousand Phenomena Essence, bringing it back to the mountain," Zhuo Baojie said.

Lei Jun remained calm, "The spiritual energy in nature is surging, and it's much richer now. We cultivators must cherish it."

Zhuo Baojie nodded, "Master is right."

The Forest of Ten Thousand Phenomena Essence assisted in the transformation of the Ten Thousand Phenomena Holy Body into the Forest of Ten Thousand Immortal Body, but achieving the Forest of Ten Thousand Immortal Body was still a distant goal.

If they couldn't obtain other opportunities and treasures, it might take a hundred or even a thousand years.

In fact, it's not just the Forest of Ten Thousand Immortal Body.

Lei Jun himself, with his innate superior root bone quality, has undergone a postnatal transformation into the Spirit Body of the Hidden Dragon, and then, through further postnatal cultivation, into the Yin-Yang Holy Body. From there, he ascended to the Two Instruments Immortal Body, and finally, through more cultivation, he achieved the Taiji Dao Body, paving a complete path of ascension.

Nowadays, Lei Jun's cultivation and status are well-known, and most of his affairs no longer require special secrecy, and can benefit the later disciples of the Celestial Master's Mansion.

However, collecting the necessary herbs is not an easy task.

The highest difficulty lies in achieving the Taiji Dao Body, so let's not mention that. Let's talk about the initial Spirit Body of the Hidden Dragon, which involves three precious items: the Purple-Gold Spirit Ginseng, the Heavenly Abyss Dew, and the Dragon Horse Scales.

The Spirit Ginseng Terrace within Longhushan suffered damage and its spiritual essence withered due to the internal conflict in Longhushan. However, with the surge of spiritual energy in the world, the mountain's spiritual veins underwent changes, and the Spirit Ginseng Terrace gradually recovered.

Later, Huang Xuanpu, Fu Dongsen, and others from the human realm attacked Longhushan with the intention of relocating the Wanfa Zongtan.

After a fierce battle, the Spirit Ginseng Terrace was completely destroyed due to the war's impact.

It was only in recent years that Lei Jun, Yuan Mo Bai, Qin Caiwei, and others managed to rebuild it.

Despite the turmoil, both the Purple-Gold Spirit Ginseng and the Pure Gold Spirit Ginseng are readily available in the Celestial Master's Mansion of Longhushan.

Finding the Dragon Horse Scales is also not a difficult task for the current Celestial Master's Mansion.

The only missing ingredient is the Heavenly Abyss Dew, which has not been harvested in recent years.

Therefore, the path of the Spirit Body of the Hidden Dragon is still not replicable at present.

Instead of finding it in the outside world, Lei Jun has been inspired by the idea of creating artificial spirit bodies as he gradually advanced in his cultivation and achieved the Taiji Dao Body.

However, as of now, he has not completely conquered this challenge.

Setting aside other factors, if Lei Jun and Gao Tian Sui, who possesses the Tai Su Dao Body, were to cooperate, they could likely achieve this goal quickly.

Unfortunately, the problem lies in the consideration of other factors.

Lei Jun is not particularly concerned about this.

He enjoys researching and exploring the various mysteries and changes in the world, rather than pursuing the mass production of artificial spirit bodies.

Indeed, most of the time, postnatal cultivation of roots and wisdom still depends on individual opportunities and luck.

The Celestial Master's Mansion can only provide the best environment for its disciples.

"Xu Wu's foundation has been gradually established, but I want to refine him further for a few more years," said Zhang Zhuo solemnly.

Lei Jun replied, "As long as you are in charge, it's fine."

Although Lei Jun has taken over the position of the Celestial Master, according to tradition, in addition to the elders guarding the Executive Hall, one elder needs to be sent out as the Patrol Elder. However, neither Lei Jun nor Zhang Zhuo feels an urgent need for this.

For now, Zhang Zhuo is focusing on cultivating An Buzheng, who will stay in the ancestral court of Longhushan for a while.

"By the way, Master, there's news that Elder Wang of the Pure Yang Palace will soon enter seclusion, aiming to achieve the Great Vehicle Realm," Zhang Zhuo said. "Also, Elder Yu of the North Peak of the Shu Mountain Sect."

Lei Jun nodded slightly.

Wang Xuan, originally from the Pure Yang Palace of the Great Tang lineage, is an old acquaintance of Longhushan.

The Forest of Ten Thousand Phenomena Essence that Xin Beiyuan used to ascend to the Forest of Ten Thousand Immortal Body was collected by Wang Xuan and given to the Celestial Master's Mansion as a gift from the Pure Yang Palace.

Wang Xuan was once the youngest high-achieving elder and the youngest Zhuque Elder in the Great Tang lineage of the Pure Yang Palace. Like Yuan Mo Bai, he achieved a high level at a young age.

However, a great calamity befell the Pure Yang Palace, which greatly damaged Wang Xuan's vitality.

Although he escaped and gradually recovered his vitality, his progress in cultivation was interrupted.

Despite some sadness, Wang Xuan quickly regained his composure and devoted himself to the reconstruction of the Pure Yang Palace after the calamity, assisting Jiang Yu, Lu Jinduan, and Yue Xiling, among others. The Great Tang lineage of the Pure Yang Palace gradually emerged from its low point.

Today, Wang Xuan is over two hundred years old.

However, given his temperament, since he has made such a decision, he must have a high degree of confidence.

Although his cultivation speed has slowed down significantly as he entered the platform period, Wang Xuan still has the potential to make progress.

The Pure Yang Palace lineage is about to add another Great Vehicle High Immortal to its ranks.

The Daoist Talisman Sect's lineage has its holy site in the Longhushan Celestial Master's Mansion, which is well-known.

After the merging of the human realm, the Shu Mountain Sect's lineage also merged, gathering at Shu Mountain.

Here is a list of the three main branches of the Daoist Alchemy Sect's lineage, along with their respective roots and the products or results they are known for:



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3

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The Pure Yang Palace, the original source of the Daoist Alchemy Sect, currently lacks a Yuan Shen True Lord to preside over it, which is quite regrettable.

Fortunately, the Pure Yang Palace has many talented younger disciples, a stable overall environment, and the potential to rise again in the future.

Among the Great Vehicle High Immortals, Yue Xiling, one of the older ones, is not even two hundred years old yet.

Jiang Yu and Qi Yicheng, who recently broke through to the Nine Heavens Realm from the Great Song lineage, are even younger.

Although it's not as effortless as Lei Jun and Xu Yuanzhen, they still have the hope of reaching the Immortal Realm.

In recent years, Elder Yu Boyan of the Northern Peak of Shushan Sect, who was preparing to break through to the Ninth Heaven realm just like Wang Xuan, was in a similar situation.

Yu Boyan was once a representative figure among the younger generation of the Han Shushan Sect, highly regarded by Chen Lingfeng and He Yuhang as a talented individual capable of leading the sect. He had already reached the Eighth Heaven realm in his early years.

Only recently, he began his attempt to break through to the Ninth Heaven, later than many had anticipated, causing concerns about his potential stagnation.

Yu Boyan himself remained calm and unperturbed by these speculations.

"In recent years, Elder Yu has been engaged in exchanges with the Eastern Peak of Shushan Sect regarding alchemy techniques, and he seems to be busy gathering materials for his newly refined treasure," Zhuo Bao Jie explained.

The Eastern Peak lineage of Shushan Sect originated from the Tang Dynasty's Shushan Sect.

Over the past century, they have had extensive interactions with the Celestial Master's Mansion on Dragon Tiger Mountain, the Xuanji Pavilion, and even the Pure Yang Palace of the Tang Dynasty. These exchanges have led to numerous innovations and breakthroughs in alchemy techniques, methodologies, and processes.

After Chen Donglou's transmission of the Yuan Magnetic Sword Art and alchemy techniques back to the Tang Dynasty's Shushan Sect, the sect has been diligently studying and refining these teachings.

With the reunification of the four lineages of Shushan Sect, the new Southern Peak Sect Master Li Wanqiu, along with the Eastern Peak's Zhang Taogang, Ji Chuan, and Xie Yiying, have had the most exchanges and sought the most guidance.

Yu Boyan's progress in his cultivation has been relatively slow over the past few decades, largely due to his gradual reform and improvement of his original ideas and approaches.

Although Daoist cultivation doesn't possess the profound accumulation and sudden breakthrough of Confucian studies, Yu Boyan's current situation could be likened to sharpening the blade while not neglecting the firewood.

"Is Senior Sister Zhang currently planning to seclude herself for cultivation?" Lei Jun asked.

Zhuo Bao Jie replied, "Senior Brother Zhang hasn't expressed such intentions yet."

Zhang Jingzhen is also at the fourth layer of the Eighth Heaven realm, having reached the peak of the Eighth Heaven several years ago.

Currently, within the Celestial Master's Mansion on Dragon Tiger Mountain, apart from those who have already ascended to immortality like Lei Jun, the older generation of high-achieving elders such as Yuan Mo Bai, Shangguan Ning, Yao Yuan, and Liu Xiao, have gradually withdrawn from the mansion's affairs to focus on their personal cultivation.

Chu Kun, Zhang Jingzhen, Lin Shan, Luo Haoran, and Fang Jian, along with their peers, have taken on the responsibility of managing the mansion's internal and external affairs as the middle generation.

However, during the crucial junctures between great realms, they would temporarily "take leave" for secluded cultivation. Even if they don't seclude themselves, they would still relinquish their primary duties within the mansion.

Of course, this largely depends on personal choices.

As the master and disciple conversed, Lei Jun didn't hide anything from Zhuo Bao Jie, and the heavenly light of the divine talisman appeared in his pupils, shining brilliantly.

Upon seeing this, Zhuo Bao Jie immediately fell silent.

After a moment, the divine light in Lei Jun's pupils faded, and he said, "His Majesty the Emperor of Tang has overcome the heavenly tribulation of the great chasm and returned to the third level of Confucian Sage."

Zhuo Bao Jie exclaimed, "That's fast!"

Even with the extraordinary wisdom of Confucianism and the root of the Scholarly Star, it would typically take many years to advance from the second level to the third level of Confucian Sage.

Zhang Wantu's restoration of her cultivation realm could be considered a recovery of her strength to some extent. However, as she pioneered a new path by combining the root of the Scholarly Star with the study of historiography in this life, she still needed time and effort to explore some new aspects.

From her initial cultivation of the second level of the heavenly realm to her current return to the Confucian Sage realm, it took thirty-four years, which was still shorter than expected.

"Although she lost half of the Universe Diagram, she did gain something in the Scholar Forest World," Lei Jun said.

"According to her message, she is expected to return to the Nine Heavens Ten Earths World soon," Lei Jun explained.

Zhuo Bao Jie thought for a moment, "Will she return as the Scholar of Heavenly Auspices or as His Majesty the Emperor of Tang?"

Lei Jun replied, "It doesn't make much difference to us, but after she returns, we'll know soon enough if we need to change our address."

Apart from Zhang Wantu's return to the third level of the heavenly realm, Xiao Chunhui has also successfully cultivated to the ninth level of Confucianism in the Scholar Forest World.

With her research and creation of the new learning, the initial foundation has been laid, making future progress much smoother.

Similar to historiography, her new learning is derived from Confucian studies and possesses the ability of accumulation and sudden breakthrough. Xiao Chunhui's personal cultivation progress is not a concern, even after years of delay.

As Lei Jun and his senior disciple were chatting, his third disciple, Feng Ting, arrived from the human world's ancestral hall: "Master, did you call for me?"

Lei Jun nodded, "You were planning to go to Kunlun's Yuyu Heaven, right? Take this with you and deliver it to Zhao Daoyou of the Kunwu Sect in Qingwei Heaven."

Previously, Zhao Chanyang had proactively reached out to the outside world, engaging in discussions with Lei Jun and requesting him to condense the Taiji True Intent for reference. He had even sent a Kunwu Sect disciple to Dragon Tiger Mountain to receive it.

Since Feng Ting was already planning to go to Kunlun, Lei Jun decided to have his third disciple deliver the item.

Lei Jun used his own spiritual power to condense the Taiji True Intent, transforming it into a talisman with a black and white Taiji diagram.

After bidding farewell to his master, Feng Ting immediately set off.

Unexpectedly, Lei Jun soon received another message from Zhao Chanyang, inviting him to Kunlun.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end