Chapter 550: The Fate of Dragon Tiger Mountain (Part 2)

Chapter 550: The Fate of Dragon Tiger Mountain (Part 2)



"Losing once doesn't mean losing forever."

Zhuo Baojie was equally casual with his own personally taught disciple, speaking frankly, "But as of now, it's true that you've lost."

He understood An Buzheng's underlying meaning.

In theory, the head of a sect wasn't necessarily the most outstanding or the strongest among their peers, especially when the lineage was well-ordered and the sect had a deep foundation. With many elders to maintain stability, the situation was different.

Selecting the most capable and virtuous involved considering not only cultivation strength but also other aspects of suitability.

Among these, in addition to temperament, it also included but was not limited to the sect's governance, internal and external reputation, and the ability to teach and nurture the next generation.

Only in relatively extreme circumstances would they urgently need a top-notch expert to uphold the sect's reputation and unite the people. Otherwise, they would temporarily set aside other factors.

For example, when the 35th Celestial Master Tang Xiaotang took over, it was under such special circumstances.

Even so, when Tang Xiaotang took over the Celestial Master Manor, he also had the great merit of retrieving the Celestial Master's Sword and expelling the Li family, so he didn't lack achievements and reputation both inside and outside the sect.

After he took over, he wasn't a dictator, and he didn't mind the elders assisting him from the sidelines.

In the past, there might have been some issues with Tang Tian Shi behind the scenes, but in public, he never made any mistakes.

During his term, he achieved great merit, so the people inside and outside the Celestial Master Manor mostly respected him.

In a relatively stable situation, they didn't solely rely on cultivation strength as the only reference standard. Instead, they comprehensively considered various aspects and finally decided on a candidate. Historically, there were also times when things didn't go as planned.

Let's not talk about how the Celestial Master Manor handled this for now, but the neighboring Shu Mountain Sect had the examples of Fu Dongsen and Chen Donglou.

Naturally, with the Heavenly Lord Lei Jun still alive, whether it was Chi Haifeng or An Buzheng in the future, the Dragon Tiger Mountain Celestial Master Manor could remain prosperous.

The reason An Buzheng spoke today wasn't just because Chi Haifeng had already achieved the Ninth Heaven Great Vehicle Realm.

It was because his talent, comprehension, and cultivation speed exceeded An Buzheng's, and at the same time, his contributions to the Dragon Tiger Mountain Celestial Master Manor were even greater.

Over the years, An Buzheng had also undertaken numerous tasks from the sect and completed them all exceptionally well.

But An Buzheng himself was most aware that his primary focus was always on diligent cultivation and improving his realm and strength.

Regarding similar matters, whether it was Celestial Master Zhuo Baojie or others in the sect, none of them objected, and they were all happy to see his success.

The tasks assigned to An Buzheng were also meant to give him some experience and benefit his cultivation, so he wouldn't be isolated from the world.

But Chi Haifeng was the same.

Moreover, compared to An Buzheng, he was even more enthusiastic about such matters.

In the world, Chi Haifeng was filled with curiosity and the desire to explore, and he enjoyed interacting and communicating with others.

In recent years, whether it was improving and innovating Taoist methods and talismans, or refining various magical tools and elixirs, he had delved into all of them.

As time passed, his reputation both inside and outside the Celestial Master Manor rose.

Although his demeanor wasn't as steady as An Buzheng's, his outgoing and proactive attitude also united many people and established numerous merits for Dragon Tiger Mountain.

Although no one spoke of it, in the eyes of many, the current situation was already like this:

Chi Haifeng not only had better talent and cultivation, but his contributions to the sect and his reputation inside and outside the manor were also becoming more and more impeccable.

An Buzheng also had the trust of the masses, but among them, in addition to the impression that he was more steady-tempered, how much of it was because he was the Celestial Master's personal disciple, the head disciple? No one brought it up.

An Buzheng would ask himself this question.

Especially since he had already devoted his main energy to improving his cultivation and realm, he could barely keep up with Chi Haifeng's pace, but the gap between the two was gradually becoming more and more insurmountable.

In the initial stages of cultivation, it was normal to prioritize realm improvement and then expand later.

An Buzheng's grand-teacher Tang Xiaotang and second uncle-master Han Xiaofei both followed this path.

But Chi Haifeng was different.

From a young age, he had already explored a wide range of areas.

However, he didn't specifically slow down his cultivation progress because of this.

"It's like Chi Shidi is sailing with the current, paying attention not to the sailing but to the surrounding scenery, forgetting to return. Even though the boat is still moving fast on the water."

An Buzheng smiled self-deprecatingly, "Disciple, on the other hand, ignores a lot of the scenery along the way and tries hard to row the boat to catch up with him, but gradually can't keep up."

Zhuo Baojie nodded, "Yes, you've realized that there's no need to deliberately imitate, but you're more like your master's peer."

An Buzheng was teased by his master's black history, "Master, please spare your disciple. Disciple already knows."

Zhuo Baojie nodded, "Of course, I know you've done well these years..."

He looked at his disciple calmly, "Since that's the case, don't put so much pressure on yourself."

An Buzheng said, "Disciple has also understood this principle now."

Zhuo Baojie smiled, "I wonder how many people look at you the way you look at Chi Shidi."

"

Whether it's following Lei Jun's example or competing with Chi Haifeng, it's all the same to An Buzheng.

An Buzheng's mastery of the Primagnetic Flying Sword is equally high, and his prowess in direct combat is almost on par with Chi Haifeng, who is of the same cultivation level.

Although he has his shortcomings compared to Chi Haifeng, he simultaneously possesses the Yin-Yang Double Thunder, which is the combination of the Nine Heavenly Godly Thunder and the Xuanxiao Immortal Thunder. Under the enhancement of the Two Instruments Heavenly Origin Talisman, An Buzheng's Primagnetic Flying Sword is unparalleled in terms of range and lethality.

Zhuo Baojie wondered to himself that, when it comes to the Primagnetic Flying Sword alone, he could only surpass his disciple due to the difference in their cultivation levels.

At the same point in their cultivation, Chi Haifeng, Feng Ting, and Cheng Rongrong faced An Buzheng, and their Primagnetic Flying Swords also had no advantage.

The Primagnetic Flying Sword is just one of An Buzheng's many skills, and it's not even his strongest suit.

With the support of various talismans like the Doumu Star Deity Manifestation, the Heaven Devouring Star Abyss Manifestation, the Nine Heavens Thunder Ancestor Manifestation, and the Xuanxiao Thunder Ancestor Manifestation... Under the combined enhancement of these talismans, his physical body's life force is robust, his spirit is resilient, his cultivation of both life and martial arts is well-balanced, and his body moves with lightning speed, enabling him to use the Primagnetic Flying Sword effectively at both close and long ranges. Additionally, due to the rapid recovery of his Two Instruments Immortal Body's spiritual power, this is An Buzheng's relatively complete state for actual combat.

In fact, Chi Haifeng is also like this.

The Primagnetic Flying Sword is just one of his many interests.

Being able to guide the Shu Mountain Sword Cultivators in this aspect, his strongest suit is not the Primagnetic Flying Sword.

By simplifying the complex and constantly refining his life-force cultivation, this is Chi Haifeng's most powerful aspect.

If it weren't for this, how could they be considered the continuation of the Dragon Tiger Mountain's fortune?

"If I don't put pressure on myself, why bother leaving? I have the intention to change my previous style, and I can do it anywhere."

Zhuo Baojie looked at An Buzheng, "Is it that you care too much about the outside world's vision and evaluation? Or is it that you're ultimately dissatisfied and want to change your approach, try a different environment, and take a chance?"

An Buzheng said, "Disciple indeed has the intention to change his approach and environment, but it's not to turn the tables and reverse the defeat."

Contrary to what some people in the outside world speculate, he and Chi Haifeng actually have a very good private relationship.

Among their peers, the two of them have the most exchanges and discussions on the Dao.

An Buzheng paused for a moment and then said in a low voice, "Disciple has a vague sense that this path is more in line with my own cultivation."

Upon hearing this, Zhuo Baojie nodded, "You've already reached the Eighth Heaven's perfection. If you have this intuition, you must be more or less correct.

However, there's no need to rush. After crossing the Eighth Heaven and facing the tribulation of the Ninth Heaven, in addition to quiet cultivation, you should also gain more experience and accumulation in the Celestial Master's Manor."

Zhuo Baojie solemnly said, "As the Master teaches, disciple remembers it in his heart. Previously, Chi Shizhi invited me to travel to the Scholar Forest World. After I've traveled to various places in the future, I'll make a decision, just as you and the Master Ancestor have always taught, we cultivators should follow the way of heaven and respond to opportunities."

Zhuo Baojie nodded slightly, "Very good."

After nodding, he sighed, "Alas, in the future, when Xu Wu leaves, the Master will inevitably feel a great void."

An Buzheng said earnestly, "Disciple also looks forward to having more fellow disciples and sisters."

Zhuo Baojie waved his hand indifferently.

Where would he be so lucky as to find another Two Instruments Immortal Body disciple to attend upon him...

...

Beyond the Great Thousand Worlds, in the vast universe.

Among the sparse and desolate stars, there is a special existence.

At first glance, it looks like a twinkling star.

But within the starlight, there is a hidden paradise.

A vast expanse of whiteness, not snow, forms a white Daoist palace with indistinct outlines.

Within the Daoist palace, there is a faint green firelight.

In the middle, two people sit facing each other, a man and a woman, both wearing traditional Shaman clothing.

At this moment, the outer universe's void seems to tremble.

Then, as if there is a dark star map, a middle-aged Confucian emerges from the center of the white Daoist palace.

The man and woman who had been in closed-door cultivation open their eyes and stand up to greet him, "Master of the North Wind Mountain has arrived."

Master of the North Wind Mountain, Lian Feng, returns the greeting.

The three of them enter the main hall of the Daoist palace.

Lian Feng looks towards the rear hall, "Is the Heavenly Lord still in closed-door cultivation?"

The two Shaman Kings, Ruan Qiao and Wang Dianchen, both say, "Yes."

After the three of them sit down in the white main hall, Lian Feng shakes his head slightly, "I, Lian, have failed in my mission. This trip didn't manage to find the other half of the lost universe map."

Ruan Qiao says, "Regardless of the outcome, it's been hard work, Master of the North Wind Mountain."

Lian Feng exhales deeply.

In the outer universe's void, although Immortal experts can survive, it is not a suitable place to live.

Unless one has the intention to wander and explore, or is forced to, no one would willingly stay there for a long time.

Fortunately, Gaotian Sui is not only a talisman expert from the Daoist School but also the legendary Great Purity Dao Body.

Only then can he create this abode in the void outside the vast universe, and he can even cultivate here.

He has been in closed-door cultivation here for many years.

Unfortunately, if he could obtain the complete universe map, Gaotian Lord would probably have already achieved a level comparable to the Confucian Sage Master's Daoist Profound Truth Realm.

He is a heaven-endowed talent, and even though he has faced many setbacks in the past, just like Yan Aoyun, Wu Hailin, and Zhen Baiyu, he has the opportunity to continue breaking through solely based on his own cultivation.

It required a considerable amount of time.

After leaving the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths World, Gaotian followed the turn and secluded himself here, completely detached from external affairs.

With half of the Universe Diagram in hand, he did not linger.

Using this half of the Universe Diagram, Lianfeng and Ruan Qiao left the Scholar Forest World and traveled to the boundless void beyond the universe, where the half-unfurled Universe Diagram combined with the Daoist Palace to further stabilize it.

Lianfeng, Ruan Qiao, and Wang Dianchen could also cultivate within it.

For Lianfeng, he was well aware that if it weren't for the opportunity in Yuzhou, Zheng Baiyu, from the Scholar Forest World, he would have no chance of reaching the Confucian Sage Master's realm. His hopes were incredibly slim, even to the point of being infinitesimal.

But Gaotian had an opportunity.

Whether it was for the sake of the Heavenly Palace or for himself, Lianfeng hoped that Gaotian could succeed early on.

With Yan Aoyun having already cultivated to the Confucian Sage Master's realm and with Lei Jun, Zhang Wantong, Xu Yuanzhen, and Tang Xiaotang following closely behind, Gaotian would soon succeed, and there might not be a chance for a comeback.

But if he didn't succeed, all hope would be lost.

Even if he succeeded late, it wouldn't do.

Lianfeng, like Gaotian, had a firm determination for their vision and was unwavering in the face of setbacks.

However, he worried that if Gaotian gave up and continued to search for the complete Universe Diagram and other opportunities, turning to focus solely on cultivating and breaking through to the Daoist Profound Truth Realm above the Daoist Profound Mystery Realm, whether he could succeed and when he could succeed?

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Nevertheless, on this trip, as a Triple Immortal Realm Confucian Sage King, he quietly felt the immortal aura and spiritual power flowing within the Daoist Palace. Lianfeng's thoughts gradually settled.

He could vaguely sense that Gaotian seemed to be constantly moving forward on a path.

Although the path was still long, the endpoint was faintly visible and not out of reach.

Lianfeng observed this, and his thoughts became calm.

Ruan Qiao and Wang Dianchen patiently waited.

The Battle of the Great Calamity at the end of the Han Dynasty had a negative impact on both sides.

If it weren't for that battle, Gaotian would have undoubtedly taken that step towards the Daoist Profound Truth Realm with Zhuang Zheng, He Ying, and others.

Afterward, in the Azure Abyss, thousands of years were spent, limited by the fact that the Heaven, Earth, and Human Realms were all divided into four parts at the time, even if Gaotian didn't care about others, he would have recovered early on, and it would still be difficult to make further progress in the Azure Abyss.

With the Azure Abyss unsealed, the former members of the Heavenly Palace rejoiced, but unfortunately, under the joint efforts of Lei Jun, Zhang Wantong, and Zheng Baiyu, the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths World had become unfavorable for them to stand.

Fortunately, Gaotian's heart remained stable, unaffected, and he continued his cultivation.

He could succeed in making further progress, and for Lianfeng, Ruan Qiao, and Wang Dianchen, who received the Talismanic Decree Talisman, would all benefit.

The three of them sat in the white palace, closed their eyes, and silently nurtured themselves.

........................................................................

Time passed, and the years flowed by.

Lei Jun celebrated his 184th birthday this summer.

This year, the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths World welcomed a new Martial Expert who had pushed open the Immortal Gate.

The Eastern Han Prince, Wang, succeeded in making further progress.

The news spread, attracting attention from all directions.

The Tang Imperial Court remained stable.

Regardless of Zhang Wantong's true thoughts, she was still the contemporary Tang Emperor, and there was no indication of abdication.

If the members of the Zhang Clan were worried, it was because after Zhang Wantong and Zhang Hui, whether it was the Zhang Clan or the Shangguan Clan, neither had produced outstanding successors.

Ironically, it wasn't just Zhang Wantong; even Zhang Hui didn't care about the Zhang Clan's imperial power.

Currently, with an extremely close relationship with the imperial clan, the individual with the highest cultivation and strength was still Shangguan Yunbo.

But by the time he reached the Ninefold Heaven Martial Sage Realm, he was already over two hundred years old.

Under normal circumstances, the Fivefold Perfection of the Ninefold Heaven was his limit, and without a major accident, there was basically no chance of achieving the Martial Immortal Realm.

Moreover, at the same level, he was no match for Zhou Pu.

The reason why the Tang Dynasty wasn't shaken by Zhou Pu's achievement of the Martial Immortal Realm was mainly because, in addition to him, they also had Shen Gubing, Chu Yu, and Fang Yue, who had successively pushed open the Immortal Gate, while Xiao Chunhui, Meng Shaojie, and others were also closely related to the Tang Dynasty.

Even without external expansion, they could ensure safety.

In comparison, the Han Dynasty was truly shaken.

Their relationship with the Eastern Han Dynasty was already awkward, and naturally, they paid more attention.

Fortunately, Zhou Pu achieved the Martial Immortal Realm and had no further actions, everything was peaceful, and some people who had been worried gradually relaxed.

"Although the Eastern Han Prince has no intention of abdicating, he has the heart to reside in the Netherworld and handle state affairs, entrusting most of them to heavy ministers like Geng Yuan Yan and Gu Muqing." Wang Guiyuan spoke to Lei Jun in the Netherworld's Wudu about the recent rumors.

Lei Jun nodded. "Before the Eastern Han Prince secluded himself to challenge the Heavenly Chasm Tribulation, he had already established the Eastern Palace Crown Prince."

Representatives from the Celestial Master Manor, True Martial Temple, and other imperial courts and holy sites were invited to attend the ceremony.

"A heavy minister from the Han Dynasty also attended." Wang Guiyuan sighed. "Li Feiyang, the scholar."

Lei Jun slightly nodded.

Li Feiyang, the most outstanding young talent of the Li Clan in Suzhou, had long ago achieved the Ninefold Heaven Confucian Sage Realm.

Up to now, he was not only the pillar of the Li Clan but also one of the mainstays of the Han Dynasty.

Among the cultivators who frequently interacted with the Great Han Dynasty, Ke Lang and Xiang Chengyuan of Kong Sang Earth Capital were both advancing in age, their vigor fading, making it difficult for them to make further progress.

Li Feiyang, on the other hand, was the closest cultivator to the Immortal Realm among the Great Han cultivators, even surpassing those from the Shu Mountain Sect, such as Yu Boyan.

"As for the Buddhist Sect, it's Tian Shu," Wang Guiyuan said to Lei Jun and his fellow disciples, and they couldn't help but feel a mix of laughter and tears.

The orthodox Buddhist Sect of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths World had produced many talents in recent years, gradually recovering its vitality, but none of them were particularly outstanding, capable of challenging the Golden Body Realm within a short period, a talent blessed by heaven.

Although monks like Guang Shu and Xin Guan had profound cultivation, they were also advancing in age.

Among the younger experts, like Ru Yuan, the abbot of Bodhi Temple, who had already cultivated to the Seventh Heaven Dharmakaya Realm, was still far from achieving the Golden Body Realm.

In the end, the person who had reached the Fifth Layer of the Seventh Heaven Dharmakaya Realm and was approaching the Golden Body Realm was... the former future Maitreya of the Great White Lotus Sect, Tian Shu, the Buddhist monk.

When compared with the previous Wang Guiyuan and Hui Yin, it was indeed speechless.

The White Lotus Sect remained low-key, and the news was limited to a few people. If this information were to be made public, it would be hard to predict how Ru Yuan, Guang Shu, Xin Guan, and other orthodox Buddhist disciples would react.

"What does Master Tian Shu think?" Lei Jun asked.

Wang Guiyuan replied, "There's no major issue. He and Master Jianhai are currently more concerned about the situation in the Demon World."

Lei Jun nodded slightly.

The former abbot of the Great White Lotus Sect, Jianhai, was also advancing in age.

Tian Shu was the closest to the Immortal Realm among the cultivators related to the Great Ming Human Realm.

Luo Hai, although aided by the Pixiu, still had a long way to go.

As for the Confucian School of Philosophy, Zhou Mingzhe had successfully achieved enlightenment, but he was 'surrounded' by three Daoist Immortals. In the end, he was personally ended by Mu Chunya.

Chao Feng, who was still studying behind closed doors to seek a breakthrough at the time of the unification of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, was also 'surrounded' by numerous top human experts from the Ninth Heaven after the unification.

In the end, the severely injured Chao Feng was personally ended by Yuan Qingci, the former Sect Leader of the Great Ming Shu Mountain Sect.

The three inherited treasures of the Great Ming Shu Mountain Sect, the Qiankun Sun and Moon Pot, the Xianxiao Bell, and the Duxu Shuttle, were confiscated by the Great Ming Court due to the chaos caused by Han Qingtao. This was the doing of Chen Yu, the former leader of Wu Dang, Chao Feng's mentor.

"This also resolves a past connection," Lei Jun nodded.

Wang Guiyuan also nodded in agreement.

Suddenly, Lei Jun's eyes flickered, and in his pupils, the Two Instruments Heavenly Origin Talisman quietly circulated: "Hmm... Kunwu Sect's Zhang Sect Leader just sent a message. Zhao Daoyou has successfully completed his cultivation and emerged from seclusion."

Wang Guiyuan was delighted to hear this: "Has Zhao Zhenjun cultivated his spirit and returned to the void?"

The Daoist Talisman Sect was accustomed to calling cultivators who had reached the third level of the Immortal Realm as 'Three Heavens Xuan Yuan Returning to Truth', also known as 'Cave Profound Returning to Truth'.

Daoist cultivators who had reached the third level of the Immortal Realm in the Dan Ding Sect were called 'Three Flowers Ascending to the Apex', meaning 'Cultivating Spirit and Returning to the Void'.

"This is truly a joyous occasion," Wang Guiyuan sighed. "Fortunately, the tribulation caused by the Demon World and the Demon Dragon Emperor didn't have a significant impact on him."

Lei Jun agreed, "Yes."

Eighty-one years had passed since Zhao Chanyang initially attained the second level of the Immortal Realm.

Although the tribulation was resolved, the additional twists and turns caused his cultivation time to be slightly longer, around eighty years.

"You didn't break your junior brother's record," Wang Guiyuan teased Lei Jun.

Lei Jun replied, "Thankfully, thankfully."

Zhao Chanyang was one hundred and seventy-three years old, slightly older than Lei Jun when he reached the third level of the Immortal Realm at the age of one hundred and seventy.

Wang Guiyuan brought up this matter not to mock Zhao Chanyang but rather to joke with Lei Jun.

After all, Zhao Chanyang had ascended to the Immortal Realm at the age of seventy-two, much younger than them.

Lei Jun's later success was greatly attributed to the Ten-Colored Crane Pavilion, and Zhao Chanyang had also played a part in it.

After a brief conversation, Lei Jun sent a congratulatory message to the Kunwu Sect regarding Zhao Chanyang's return to the void, and he continued chatting with Wang Guiyuan: "Zhao Daoyou has returned to the void, and there's something I'd like to inform you about. There's news from the Scholar Forest World that their heavenly realm is showing signs of reappearing."

Wang Guiyuan pondered upon hearing this, "Has the time come?"

Lei Jun nodded, "According to Yan Zi's judgment, it will happen within twenty years at most."

Wang Guiyuan responded, "I see..."

He thought of the foreign demons and the Demon Capital in the Scholar Forest World.

If the heavenly realm, which had been missing for many years in the Scholar Forest World, were to reappear, it would likely have an impact on the Demon Capital.

Whether or not this would prevent future invasions from foreign demons, new changes and complications might arise when the time comes.

At first glance, this matter seemed to have no direct connection with the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths World, except for the presence of Xu Yuanzhen and Tang Xiaotang there.

However, Wang Guiyuan thought of another aspect.

The Scholar Forest World was about to undergo significant changes, which would inevitably draw the attention of Yan Aoyun and might even involve him.

Consequently, the three major demons of the Demon World might become restless.

Although the Hundred-Eyed Demon Tree and the foreign demons might be related, the Demon Dragon Emperor and the Great Annihilation Bodhisattva would most likely not directly interfere.

However, taking advantage of Yan Aoyun's distraction, it was hard to predict whether they would make other moves.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end