Chapter 548: Lei Zhangjiao and Zhuo Tian Shi

Chapter 548: Lei Zhangjiao and Zhuo Tian Shi



Similar to previous birthday celebrations, Lei Jun did not seek extravagance, but he also did not reject others.

He was dedicated to his own quiet cultivation, and he did not resist social interactions.

The bustling mortal world was also a natural part of the Three Realms.

With Lei Jun's status and position, he did not explicitly refuse, so naturally, many came to visit.

It was a rare opportunity to get close to Lei Zhangjiao, who had rarely set foot in the mortal world in recent years, and many came to offer their congratulations and well wishes.

From the Scholar Forest World, renowned Confucian sages like Yan Ao Yun, Jiao Feiyang, and Shao Wenwen, even if they did not come in person, sent their disciples and students.

Long Qiu Daoist, the head of Luofu Mountain, personally traveled across the Time Abyss to attend.

On the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths side, not only did the leaders and elders of the major Daoist holy sites come, but representatives from other empires and sacred lands also arrived in an endless stream.

Since the Ten Earths reunited into one, the Earth Plane was redefined, and nearly a decade had passed.

Lei Jun often resided in the Shadow Realm of the Netherworld, and most people naturally dared not disturb him without reason, so the Shadow Realm remained quiet and serene.

Until this summer, there were finally some changes.

In the eyes of ordinary mortals and lower-level cultivators, the numerous Daoists, great Confucian scholars, and eminent monks who were revered for their otherworldly demeanor were now gathered in the Shadow Realm, and their presence brought a touch of worldly clamor and vitality.

Zhuo Baojie, the current Celestial Master of Dragon Tiger Mountain, after settling the affairs of his manor, also arrived in the Shadow Realm to celebrate his teacher's birthday. At the same time, they acted as hosts, taking on the role of greeting guests.

Zhuo Tian Shi, having attained the Fifth Level Perfection of the Ninth Heaven, with his cultivation at the Five Qi Awakening to the Profound, was among the top cultivators in the mortal world, second only to immortals. Standing in the Shadow Realm, he welcomed guests on behalf of his teacher, and everything was in perfect order.

After greeting Luofu Mountain's head, Long Qiu Daoist, and instructing his disciple An Bu Zheng to escort the guest inside, Zhuo Baojie looked towards the distance.

A white-robed scholar appeared outside the Shadow Realm.

His temperament was gentle yet ancient and upright, and he appeared to be in his thirties or forties.

"Mr. Yongshan, please forgive us for not coming to greet you," Zhuo Baojie said to the visitor.

The visitor was Fang Yue.

At the beginning of spring this year, during the Awakening of Insects, Fang Yue achieved sainthood and successfully opened the Immortal Gate, attaining the Confucian Sage realm.

Following Chu Yu of the Divine Archer lineage, he became the second Confucian Sage in the tradition of reciting and inheriting the teachings.

At this time, there was another cultivator related to Confucianism who had taken a "detour." He had been in seclusion for some time, also striving to break through to the Immortal Realm.

Wang Zhoupu of the Later Han Dynasty.

After the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths reunited, and the mortal world stabilized, he began his secluded cultivation.

He had a unique root and bone structure, possessing the Confucian trait of 'Divine Inspiration, Touching Heaven and Earth.'

However, due to various reasons, he embarked on the path of martial cultivation.

Nonetheless, this did not hinder his rapid progress, and he had achieved the Martial Sage realm of the Ninth Heaven many years ago.

Originally, his speed in breaking through to the Immortal Realm should have been close to Shen Qubing.

But fate had its twists and turns, and a Martial Immortal Pupil had helped him advance faster before, but it also planted hidden dangers.

Fortunately, Wang Zhoupu managed to stop in time.

Otherwise, he might have achieved the Martial Immortal realm even earlier.

However, under the influence of Zheng Baiyu's New Star Heavenly Pivot, Wang Zhoupu's eventual fate would likely be similar to Ren Caomu's.

Fortunately, both the Martial Immortal Pupil and Zheng Baiyu had become history.

Wang Zhoupu seemed to have struggled before, but now he could start anew. Standing at the threshold of the Immortal Realm, he had a high chance of succeeding in opening the Immortal Gate after Fang Yue, becoming another Martial Immortal in the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths World.

After Fang Yue achieved sainthood, someone from Dragon Tiger Mountain's Celestial Master Manor specifically came to offer congratulations.

His personal visit to celebrate Lei Jun's birthday had two reasons. Firstly, he had a close relationship with Lei Jun in the past, and this was a return gesture. Secondly, he had other considerations.

After exchanging greetings with Zhuo Baojie, Fang Yue spoke politely, "After meeting your teacher, Lei Zhangjiao, and seeking his guidance, there might be some additional matters for which I'd like to seek your advice, Zhuo Tian Shi."

Zhuo Baojie replied, "Mr. Yongshan, you're too kind."

A purple-robed Daoist emerged from the Shadow Realm, greeting them with a smile, "Headmaster, please allow me to escort Mr. Yongshan inside. The teacher is waiting."

Zhuo Baojie said, "Thank you, Master."

Fang Yue responded, "Greetings, Chu Zhenjun. I hope all is well."

Chu Zhenjun smiled, "Not bad, not good. In recent years, I've been busy with cultivation, and I've had less time to socialize with fellow cultivators. This time, I'm taking a break. With the teacher's birthday, I'm taking the opportunity to catch up with old friends. Please come in, Mr. Fang."

Aside from Fang Yue, many cultivators who had already achieved sainthood also came to offer their congratulations.

Most of them had already congratulated the newly established Fang Yue on his achievement a few months ago, so they wouldn't overshadow the main celebrant.

As the time approached, Lei Jun, dressed in a yellow silk robe, appeared alongside Zhuo Baojie, who wore a nine-colored Daoist robe.

This time, everyone's journey was not in vain.

Lei Tianjun, the leader of the Daoist School, later held a lecture in the Shadow Realm.

All attendees benefited from his teachings.

Whether considering their knowledge, experience, or cultivation level, Lei Jun's lecture directly pointed to the Great Dao.

While the various Daoist lineages gained insights, other cultivators who listened to Lei Jun's lecture also benefited greatly.

Even those who had already achieved sainthood, like Fang Yue, used this opportunity to continuously validate their personal learnings and current thoughts.

As for the Taoist cultivator Long Qiu Daoist from the Scholar Forest World, he was even more reluctant to leave.

If not for his position as the leader of a sect, burdened by the traditions of Luofu Mountain and his disciples, Long Qiu Daoist would have truly wished to reside permanently in the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths World, not missing any opportunity to listen to Lei Jun's teachings and seek his guidance.

By the time the meeting dispersed, almost everyone was still eager for more, but no one dared to disturb Lei Zhangjiao again. Thus, most of them took their leave.

However, some of the guests, upon the invitation of the current leader of the Dragon Tiger Mountain Celestial Master Mansion, Zhuo Tian Shi, decided to stay in the Earth Plane for a while longer.

Zhuo Baojie led the group away from Wudu, and in the mountains and seas outside the Netherworld Hell, they established a cave abode for their gathering.

They didn't discuss any urgent secrets but instead talked about matters closely related to the lives of the people in the mortal realm.

"Today, I've invited all of you here to continue discussing the upcoming itinerary, which will facilitate future cooperation among us all."

Zhuo Baojie gave a Taoist bow to everyone present.

The others returned the greeting.

Although there were no high-level cultivators who had already opened the Immortal Gates, there were still many influential figures among the attendees.

People like Sun Mingjing, the contemporary Medicine King with close ties to the Celestial Master Mansion, Zhang Taogang, the leader of the Eastern Peak lineage of the Shu Mountain Sect, Nie Fang, the master of the Mysterious Mechanism Temple, Qiao Yang, a Great Shaman from the Lingshan Shaman School, and the great Confucian scholars Zhu Junjie and Li Feiyang, were all cultivators from the Ninth Heaven, and most of them were leaders in their respective regions.

"These past two years, we can't say that the mortal realm has been blessed with favorable weather, but fortunately, food production has still increased significantly, thanks to the efforts of the Poison Technique lineage's Great Shamans."

Zhuo Baojie said, "We should also thank Master Nie of the Mysterious Mechanism Temple and the fellow cultivators from the Shu Mountain Sect."

Among the Great Shamans present, in addition to Qiao Yang from the Lingshan Shaman Sect, there was also Hu Hengyuan, the former leader of the Yin Mountain Cavern, and Tian Cheng, who had gradually taken over the leadership of the Yin Mountain Cavern in recent years.

Ever since Lei Jun had discussions with Hu Hengyuan and Tian Cheng about these matters, the Poison Technique lineage's holy land in the Southern Barbaric Shaman Sect had always focused on benefiting and supporting farmers.

Over the past century of ups and downs, Hu Hengyuan and Tian Cheng had both reached the Ninth Heaven realm, and the mortal realm and the Dharma Realm had undergone tremendous changes. Still, their commitment to these matters remained steadfast.

As the Great Tang Shaman Sect gradually established relatively peaceful exchanges and connections with the Earth Sea Nine Li, the Kong Sang Earth Capital lineage, and the Lingshan Shaman Sect lineage, more and more Great Shamans and their disciples dedicated themselves to these endeavors.

Among them, Qiao Yang, a Divine Summoning Great Shaman who had attained the Fifth Layer Perfection of the Ninth Heaven, had put in considerable effort.

Despite the earth-shattering changes of the mortal realm merging with the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, and then separating again, the mortal realm remained mostly peaceful during the rest of the time, except for the periods before and after these events.

The common people lived in abundance, and there were no mass displacements.

Although there were occasional minor frictions between the Great Tang, Great Han, Later Han, Two Jin, and Great Song dynasties, they all exercised restraint, and wars and disasters gradually moved away from the mortal realm.

The greatest manifestation of the people's prosperity was the significant population growth over the past few decades.

Fortunately, after the merging of the mortal realm and the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, the vast land could accommodate the populations of both realms.

In the past, this would have been a sign of national prosperity and people's contentment.

However, the great Confucians, led by Zhu Junjie, who cultivated the path of governing and benefiting the people, had begun to pay close attention to these matters in recent years.

The continuous increase in food production supported the population growth.

On the other hand, Qiao Yang was already the top Shaman Healer of the Lingshan Shaman Sect. In addition to assisting Hu Hengyuan and Tian Cheng in their agricultural endeavors, he also maintained contact with Sun Mingjing of the Medicine and Martial Lineage, helping to keep the people free from illness.

Apart from the Poison Technique and Medicine and Martial lineages, there were also high-level elders from the Dragon Tiger Mountain Celestial Master Mansion, Zhuo Baojie's junior sister, Qin Caimei, and Chen Ning, the current leader of the True Martial Temple.

After Mu Chunyang attained the Immortal Soul and ascended to immortality, he passed on the legacy of the True Martial Temple to Chen Ning and other younger generations.

Chen Ning had also cultivated to the Great Vehicle Realm of the Ninth Heaven in the Taoist Furnace School, and together with Jiang Yu, the leader of the Pure Yang Palace, they were both highly regarded for their cultivation, despite Chen Ning's slightly lower realm.

In addition to the numerous cultivators from various races, Qingluan Zhu Yin, who originally resided in the Heavenly Sphere, was also present.

Qingluan Zhu Yin and other spiritual beasts participated in cultivating various precious spirit flowers and herbs and refining spirit potions and miraculous medicines.

The advancement of medicine also supported the growing population.

As a result, more people began to concentrate in cities, forming urban populations larger than in previous dynasties.

Among those invited by Zhuo Baojie on this occasion were also high-ranking officials from various dynasties, such as Ling Hui and Song Hang from the Great Tang Dynasty, Li Feiyang and Wang Bujiu from the Great Han Dynasty, and Gu Muqing, one of the few high-ranking officials from the Later Han Dynasty, apart from Geng Yuan Yan.

Although Zhu Junjie had retired from his official position, he was still a renowned Confucian scholar throughout the realm.

Gu Muqing, who came from the Later Han Dynasty, was Zhu Junjie's student and a great Confucian scholar who cultivated the path of governing and benefiting the people. He was particularly sensitive to these changes.

As for the Mysterious Mechanism Temple lineage founded by Nie Fang, the Taoist Forge Sect's holy land, the Shu Mountain Sect, and especially the Eastern Peak lineage members present, Zhang Taogang, Xie Yiying, and Cai Yu, their recent achievements in refining magical artifacts and magical tools had greatly supported Qiao Yang, Hu Hengyuan, and Sun Mingjing's various endeavors and promotions.

The Mysterious Mechanism Temple, after over a century of development, now had numerous disciples and an increasingly specialized internal structure.

Some members were enthusiastic about refining powerful magical artifacts and magical tools, more so than combat and offensive capabilities.

Some individuals were passionate about refining and creating relatively peaceful magical artifacts and tools.

Among them, some focused on practitioners, constantly refining and breaking through to elevate the related realms and effects as much as possible.

Others leaned towards simplifying and popularizing for the middle and lower-level cultivators, even extending their efforts to non-cultivating civilians.

Among the attendees at the meeting with Nie Fang was one of his personal disciples, Niu Gushou.

This Elder Niu from Mysterious Mechanism Temple was not only inclined towards simplifying and popularizing middle and lower-level magical artifacts and tools but also a representative figure in the direction of "daily civilian use" within the Taoist Artisan lineage.

Niu Gushou's contributions extended beyond agriculture and medicine, covering various related fields.

His reputation had already spread in the mortal world, accompanied by some controversies.

Nie Fang considered him a proud disciple.

Zhuo Baojie couldn't help but recall the words of his master, Lei Jun, when he and a few others, including Nie Fang, listened to his teachings:

"Practitioners in this world should empathize with the labor of the people, avoid harming the innocent, let alone engage in indiscriminate killing.

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However, it's difficult to expect those with cultivation to turn around and serve the common folk selflessly.

While enforcing rules and punishments is necessary, manipulating souls is possible, but I will not engage in such practices.

Naturally, when those above show preference, those below will follow. Even though I and Tianrui Scholar have no intention of being like the former celestial officials of the Heaven Palace or the Daoist State, if there's even a slight inclination, the mortal world will respond accordingly.

As long as it benefits the people, aligns with my heart, and doesn't disrupt heavenly harmony, I won't oppose such endeavors.

In fact, for this world, the less we interfere, the more it will change over the centuries and millennia, and even common folk may have the opportunity for long-term development."

Zhuo Baojie often sighed when reminiscing about Lei Jun's words.

Although his master was detached and serene, he had a compassionate heart.

As he had predicted, in the current world of Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, those above influenced those below. Even within the various sects, practitioners empathized with the people's labor. Starting with the younger disciples of the Celestial Master Mansion, including Hu Hengyuan, Tian Cheng, and Nie Fang from Mysterious Mechanism Temple, inspired by Lei Jun, began to help the common folk. Subsequently, numerous cultivators joined this endeavor.

However, the level of commitment and thought each cultivator put into this varied.

For the vast majority, persisting in something that brings no benefit, especially in the long term, is extremely challenging.

Indeed, unless there's a significant unforeseen event, Lei Tianjun could exist in this world for an extended period, long enough to outlive generations of mortal cultivators.

But even with persistence, there's a risk of staying on the surface.

In the future, regardless of Lei Jun's fate, whether he passes away, ascends, or completely detaches from worldly affairs, there might be a strong backlash.

Perhaps Lei Jun himself doesn't mind, but he won't allow it to happen.

It's nearly impossible to expect most cultivators to willingly serve the common people selflessly.

Unless helping others also benefits oneself, and the self-benefit outweighs the harm caused.

Throughout history, the various major cultivation sects often had extensive peripheral and downstream industries deeply rooted in the mortal world, resembling a great tree drawing nourishment from its branches.

However, in the eyes of Zhuo Baojie and Nie Fang, the efficiency was too low and too rudimentary.

Even the imperial art of attracting the people's hearts, strengthening the nation's fate, and the dragon veins' blessings were too crude.

As these industries became more sophisticated, systematic, concentrated, and extensive, they could provide stronger support to cultivators, encouraging them to care more about the common folk and even proactively invest in them.

In the current mortal world, the Celestial Master Mansion of Dragon Tiger Mountain, Shu Mountain Sect, Mysterious Mechanism Temple, Yin Mountain Cavern, and Return to Paradise, had already started showing signs of this trend.

More and more mortals were engaging in these sects' peripheral industries, moving beyond simple manual labor like planting, harvesting, and mining.

Mysterious Mechanism Temple, in particular, had established numerous metalworking workshops over the years.

A few of these workshops were no longer managed by cultivators from the temple but still produced various equipment according to the temple's needs.

Metalworking methods and furnaces unrelated to cultivation were constantly being innovated.

Eventually, Niu Gushou's improvements to these furnaces benefited mortals by increasing their fire power.

Regarding the controversies surrounding Niu Gushou, Nie Fang had always protected and supported his proud disciple.

People like him were still a minority.

Nie Fang also understood the problem of over-exploitation.

Therefore, under his leadership, Mysterious Mechanism Temple purchased or acquired the output of these workshops.

As the output of the numerous workshops at the foot of the temple increased, not only meeting the temple's demands but also starting to sell externally in recent years.

Zhuo Baojie hoped that this situation would become more common.

Perhaps, with his master's presence, it could continue.

But this brings us back to the earlier question, what if Lei Zhangjiao is no longer around?

Zhuo Baojie hoped that with the passage of time, more and more people would reach a consensus and eventually work together to maintain a stable framework.

He recalled that his master Lei Jun, Master Lei Jun, Master Lei Jun simply started the initiative, but by choosing cultivation, forging, and agriculture-related aspects, perhaps it was because these were closely related to the cultivators' own cultivation, allowing for mutual support and advancement.

"Zhuo Tian Shi has a calm and composed mind, and Lei Zhangjiao has a worthy successor," Fang Yue, who was still in the Shadow Realm of the Netherworld and had not left, said as he gazed towards the distant mountains and seas in the darkness.

Lei Jun: "Regarding some matters, they originated from my personal musings, so please forgive me for any laughter they may cause, Fellow Daoist Fang."

All of these things may go through a long process of repetition and ultimately fail to come to fruition; that is also a possibility.

History changes, and it has its own momentum. We do not force it, but Huajie has the heart to govern and benefit the people. I will not stand in his way, and for him, this is also a valuable experience.

Since Zhuo Baojie succeeded as the Celestial Master, he rarely took his own initiatives and advocated more for following the established rules and continuing to promote his master Lei Jun's previous initiatives.

Occasionally, there were rumors in the outside world that Zhuo Tian Shi was merely a mouthpiece for Lei Zhangjiao.

Or perhaps, Zhuo Tian Shi, knowing that his qualifications and prestige were not outstanding, did not take the risk of establishing new initiatives to solidify his authority. Instead, he actively chose to continue his master Lei Jun's previous arrangements to further inherit his mentor's reputation.

Even though Zhuo Baojie, as a Great Vehicle High Sage of the Ninth Heaven Perfection, was already one of the top experts in the mortal world, with an unlimited future and the Immortal Realm within reach.

Zhuo Tian Shi remained calm and composed in the face of the outside world's rumors.

In Fang Yue's opinion, Zhuo Baojie, as the new Celestial Master after Lei Jun, had nothing wrong with following in his predecessor's footsteps.

If Lei Tian Shi's previous initiatives did not have major issues, then it would be best for Zhuo Tian Shi to continue them.

Lei Tian Jun's tenure as the Celestial Master of Dragon Tiger Mountain was indeed too short.

Not to mention that he had already ascended to immortality, even if he were a cultivator from the Upper Three Heavens, a hundred years would still be a short term without any major surprises.

Because he was still alive, his influence might be limited.

Or perhaps Lei Jun himself didn't mind.

After Zhuo Baojie took over, he continued to promote and carry forward Lei Jun's previous initiatives, further deepening and implementing them until the foundation was finally solidified and completely stabilized, thereby attracting more and more later cultivators to voluntarily follow and maintain them.

In this situation, if Zhuo Tian Shi wanted to establish his own presence and constantly came up with new ideas for his own sake, then Fang Yue would not look favorably upon him.

"On the contrary, Fellow Daoist Fang intends to do something unconventional and rebellious this time," Fang Yue said slowly.

Lei Jun nodded: "Although I live in seclusion in the Netherworld, I have also heard that you, Fellow Daoist Fang, have the intention to further adjust the curriculum of the academies?"

Fang Yue: "Exactly."

The academies established by the Great Tang Dynasty had already existed for more than a hundred years.

After Xiao Chunhui, Fang Yue took over the matter, and he had been in charge for even longer than Xiao Chunhui.

Under his leadership, the major academies were no longer limited to states and provinces but further penetrated into prefectures and counties, gradually replacing the previous Great Tang official schools.

Even after the integration of the mortal world, Fang Yue continued to steadily promote all of this.

Furthermore, he had extensive exchanges with Fang Junmei of the Great Han Dynasty, Geng Yuanyan of the Later Han Dynasty, and others.

Although the relationships between the various dynasties were complex, academic exchanges were quite smooth under the mutual restraint and tacit consent of each other.

Zhuo Baojie, Nie Fang, Sun Mingjing, Qiao Yang, Zhang Taogang, Hu Hengyuan, Zhu Junjie, and others were all people that Fang Yue had in mind to introduce more agriculture, mathematics, craftsmanship, medicine, and other related subjects into the academies.

Similar disciplines, including those related to Buddhist and Taoist cultivation, were already present in the academies.

Fang Yue now had the intention to take it a step further and continuously increase their emphasis.

Regarding this matter, he had already consulted with Zhang Wantong.

After meeting with Lei Jun, Fang Yue still had the intention to visit Han King Zhou Pu after his ascension and seek an audience with Han Emperor Xiang Sheng.

"If there is anything you need, Fellow Daoist Fang, you can go and discuss it with Huajie and the other Daoist friends," Lei Jun said.

Fang Yue: "I have heard from Zhuo Tian Shi and Nie Palm Gate that many of their ideas originated from Lei Zhangjiao, so I hope to seek further advice from you on this matter."

Lei Jun: "I dare not accept your request for guidance, as each profession has its own specialization, and learning is boundless. Many things I know are just the tip of the iceberg. We can slowly discuss them."

Fang Yue: "Thank you, Lei Zhangjiao. Since that's the case, I'll go and discuss with Zhuo Tian Shi, Nie Palm Gate, and Qiao Elder to set a general plan."

After bidding farewell to Lei Jun and Chu Kun, he also headed towards the mountains and seas.

"After Fellow Daoist Fang, it will be His Highness King Zhou Pu of the Later Han Dynasty," Chu Kun asked Lei Jun.

Lei Jun nodded lightly.

After Zhou Pu, the person closest to the Immortal Realm in the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths World was Jiang Yu of the Pure Yang Palace.

However, Xiao Chunhui and Meng Shaojie's new learning had received positive feedback from nature, and with the assistance of Confucian scholars and their accumulated knowledge, their upward momentum was strong.

In the next few decades, they, together with Yue Xiling, Zhang Taogang, Kang Ming, Nie Fang, Zhuo Baojie, and others, formed the next batch of cultivators striving for the Immortal Realm.

"During this period, there are two dark horses that started late but are catching up at a rapid pace," Lei Jun said.

Chu Kun understood and said, "Xu Hai and Xu Wu."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end