Chapter 551:

Chapter 551:

Lei Jun had similar speculations to Wang Guiyuan.

So, upon learning that Zhao Chanyang had successfully cultivated his spirit and returned to the void, Lei Jun immediately informed him.

Zhao Chanyang was a reclusive man, even considered a hermit.

However, he was decisive and straightforward, never shying away from confrontations with enemies who had grudges against the Kunwu Sect or himself.

This was evident in his past dealings with Ge Xuanzhi.

In recent years, the same was true for the Demon Dragon Emperor.

After Lei Jun received the news, although Zhao Chanyang did not personally come to the Earth Plane, he immediately contacted Lei Jun to understand the specific details.

During Lei Jun's conversation with Zhao Chanyang, he also exchanged messages with Zhang Wantong.

Xu Yuanzhen and Tang Xiaotang were currently in the Scholar Forest World, while Zhang Wantong was in the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths World.

Lei Jun invited her and Zhao Chanyang to meet up later at the Time Abyss in the mortal world to discuss further strategies face-to-face.

Wang Guiyuan listened quietly beside Lei Jun, and only spoke again after Lei Jun finished his conversation with Zhao Chanyang and Zhang Wantong:

"Don't underestimate the Demon Dragon Emperor. If it truly takes advantage of the opportunity when the Heavenly Realm of the Scholar Forest World reappears to cause chaos, it may only be about thirty years, but compared to the last time you dealt with it, its strength may be incomparable to the past."

Lei Jun replied, "You're right, Senior Brother. I have the same guess. Among the rulers of the three realms of Heaven, Earth, and Man in the Demon World, this Demon is most likely the strongest."

To be precise, although the conditions of the three great demons were not stable and perfect, making it difficult to compare them to Yan Aoyun, the genuine Confucian Sage Master, if a comparison must be made, the Demon Dragon Emperor is the most normal, or the closest to normal, among the three great demons.

However, before this, it had spent too much of its energy and time on imperial furnace treasure refining.

And the situation with the imperial furnace was special.

Lei Jun was currently guarding it, and everyone was at peace because the world related to the imperial furnace had no connection to Lei Jun.

But Lei Jun would never allow his junior, Chu Kun, or his disciple, Feng Ting, to come into close contact with the imperial furnace alone.

The Demon Dragon Emperor's treasure refining was equivalent to spending his spirit to care for the imperial furnace while also enduring the imperial furnace's continuous powerful attacks.

The Demon Dragon Emperor could endure it, but it was no different from bearing an extra burden during treasure refining.

Fourteen years ago, when the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths World's Heaven and Earth realms merged, the Demon Lord was defeated by Lei Jun, Zhao Chanyang, and others, and before he could recover, he immediately faced Yan Aoyun and was beaten so badly that he couldn't hold his head up.

Without the imperial furnace, he suffered heavy losses and abandoned his previous efforts, but after these years of recuperation, the Demon Dragon Emperor's condition must be much stronger than before, even if he is still not as strong as Yan Aoyun.

Perhaps among the three great demons, the Great Annihilation Bodhisattva is still the strongest in terms of frontal combat capability and destructive power, but in terms of overall strength, the Demon Dragon that has been occupying the Heavenly Realm for years is the first in the Demon World.

"Fortunately, Zhao Zhenjun of the Kunwu Sect has also cultivated his spirit and returned to the void."

Wang Guiyuan said, "If Fengming Saint Master can also catch up, that would be the best."

Phoenix Fengming is a spiritual beast, and his aptitude is difficult to accurately measure using the human cultivator's bone marrow and level of intuition.

However, it is universally acknowledged that he is one of the peerless geniuses, along with Lei Jun, Xu Yuanzhen, Tang Xiaotang, Zhang Wantong, and Zhao Chanyang. Among the pure-blooded phoenixes throughout history, few can be compared to him.

Previously, the time it took him to advance from the initial to the second level of the immortal spirit was similar to Lei Jun and Zhao Chanyang, both around twenty years.

Although their cultivation paths and opportunities may differ, their progress in other realms may also vary. But unless there is a major unexpected event, it can serve as a rough reference.

From the second to the third level of the immortal realm, Lei Jun advanced faster than Zhao Chanyang due to the assistance of the Ten-Colored Crane Pavilion and the Tianlu Jade Horn.

If Zhao Chanyang's progress is used as a reference, it will take about twenty years for Phoenix Fengming to reach the third level of the immortal spirit.

Ordinary third-level immortal realm experts have limited effect against a demon race great sage like the Demon Dragon Emperor, but there is some difference in the situation from the second to the third level of the immortal spirit.

However, it is unknown if there will be enough time.

Although Yan Aoyun is in charge, the changes in one world involve special existences like the Demon Capital, so the timing of the reappearance of the Heavenly Realm in the Scholar Forest World can only be roughly predicted and cannot be controlled to occur at a specific time.

"It's hard to judge at the moment; we can only hope that Fengming Saint Master will make it in time." Lei Jun said, "Fortunately, Zhao Daoyou has returned to the void. We should let nature take its course and not be too demanding."

Wang Guiyuan said, "Speaking of the Kunwu Sect's friends, whether it's Zhao Zhenjun or Zhang Zhangmen, they have no intention of recruiting disciples on a large scale in the mortal world."

Lei Jun agreed.

After the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths merged, most of the population of Kunlun also moved to the mortal world.

Dan Ding Sect immortal Zhao Chanyang stayed in the Heavenly Realm, while Zhang Haipeng and other Kunwu Sect experts eventually settled down in the Kunlun Mountains in the mortal world, becoming another holy site for cultivation.

However, compared to the deeply rooted Pure Yang Palace and the ambitious True Martial Temple, the Kunwu Sect, also a Dan Ding Sect holy site, was much more low-key. They did not open their doors wide, were relatively restrained and cautious in accepting new disciples, and were more strict in their selection.

Nowadays, the Dan Ding Sect holy site in the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths World is a bit delicate.

Those who have a basic understanding of the cultivation world's history most yearn for the Kunwu Sect.

The reason for this is the standard of the sect's reputation.

As the undisputed number one Dan Ding Sect immortal of this generation, Zhao Chanyang's legendary background naturally attracts countless young people's admiration.

He rarely descended from the Heavenly Realm and had a faint presence, just like the legends. His existence was far more elusive than that of another Dan Ding Immortal, Mu Chunyao, whose image was well-documented.

At the same time, Kunwu Sect's location was more remote and less accessible compared to Pure Yang Palace and True Martial Temple.

Moreover, Zhang Haifeng and the others had no intention of expanding the sect's influence, so Kunwu Sect never reached the level of prestige it should have.

As for the other two sects, Pure Yang Palace had a wealthy past, and its reputation still stood, but currently, they had no Immortal residing there.

True Martial Temple had a shallow foundation, but it had Mu Chunyao, the Dan Ding Immortal.

Thus, neither side could overwhelm the other.

The three sacred sites of Dan Ding seemed to have formed a subtle equilibrium.

"It's about to change. Daoist Companion Jiang from Pure Yang Palace is about to take another step forward," Lei Jun said.

Wang Guiyuan suddenly smiled and said, "The Daoists of Kunwu Sect are not proactive, and our sect is similar in that regard. This is all thanks to your personal example."

"Speaking of which, simplicity is good, but as the contemporary Supreme Master of the Daoist Gate, you don't even have a constant Daoist Apprentice by your side. It does lack a bit of grandeur."

"As the sect leader, Hua Jie can be excused, but Hua Fei and Hua Ting are just filling in when needed."

Lei Jun smiled as well, "I dare not be too grand, or my little senior sister might think of usurping my position."

The two senior and junior brothers chatted casually, without any lingering concerns.

However, to the outside world, this was a sensitive topic that had been discussed for a long time and was of interest to all parties.

Lei Jun had already stepped down from his position as the Celestial Master.

Although he was still a member of the Dragon Tiger Mountain Celestial Master Mansion, he had spent many years either high above the clouds or deep within the Nine Earths, rarely concerning himself with mortal affairs or the affairs of the Celestial Master Mansion. Instead, he imparted teachings not only to the disciples of the Mansion but to all the Daoist disciples and even practitioners from other sects.

Thus, Lei Tianjun's status in this life became even more transcendent.

He had only three direct disciples, and although he had never explicitly stated it, the public had already assumed, based on his master Yuan Mo Bai's disciples, that Elder Feng Ting was Lei's personal disciple.

Naturally, the other sects did not want their most outstanding disciples to join the Dragon Tiger Mountain Celestial Master Mansion, even if it meant becoming the direct disciple of the former Celestial Master, Lei Jun.

However, serving as a Daoist Apprentice by the side of the current Supreme Master was undoubtedly a desirable position. Not only would they receive personal guidance from Lei, but it would also greatly benefit their cultivation without hindering their progress. After leaving Lei's side, they could return to their own sects.

In this way, the sects would become more familiar with Lei and benefit from overall development.

Even if they couldn't gain the same influence as the Dragon Tiger Mountain Celestial Master Mansion, their status would still be elevated.

Unfortunately, Lei had never opened this opportunity.

Otherwise, Daoist Apprentices from various sects might have lined up from the Netherworld Hell to Dragon Tiger Mountain.

Lei Jun had no intention of actively recruiting.

Occasionally, when needed, he would ask his disciples to fill in, as he would mentor them anyway.

Despite his current cultivation level and the commotion caused by his pill refining and treasure crafting, not just anyone was suitable to be Lei's Daoist Apprentice.

Not only was a high cultivation level required, but the root, intuition, and talent should also be as high as possible.

"Everyone is busy. My little senior sister, Hua Rong, is busy, and Hua Fei is often away. Now even Hua Ting has left. At least we still have Hua Ting."

Lei Jun joked, "Busy, everyone is busy. Being busy is good."

This spring, Lei Jun's direct disciple, An Buzheng, successfully crossed the Heaven Devouring Tribulation between the Eighth and Ninth Heavens.

A new Great Vehicle Realm cultivator had joined the Dragon Tiger Mountain Celestial Master Mansion.

However, after a short period of recovery, An Buzheng accepted Chi Haifeng's invitation to broaden his horizons in the Scholar Forest World.

In the future, when he returned to the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths World, he would visit Lei Jun less frequently.

Since he had decided to establish his own sect, An Buzheng would not only travel to find a suitable mountain gate, dojo, and cave abode but also gain various experiences and make preparations.

Lei Jun did not oppose this and even had some expectations while letting things unfold naturally.

His fellow disciple from the same year, Guo Yan, had left the mountain and established a new lineage under the Celestial Master, named Jade Wave Mountain, which had already taken shape.

Last year, Guo Yan himself had successfully reached the Seventh Heaven Realm.

At less than two hundred years old, he still had the hope of advancing to the Eighth Heaven Realm.

Compared to many past disciples with similar talents and opportunities who had never surpassed the Middle Three Heavens Realm, Guo Yan had changed his destiny.

Lei Jun also had high hopes for the Jade Wave Mountain lineage to thrive.

In the future, when An Buzheng left the mountain, his cultivation would far surpass that of Guo Yan.

Lei Jun didn't mind if the other party made a big scene; as long as they understood their own hearts and were fearless, that was enough.

Just like Lei Jun at present, he was well-informed about the changes within and outside the world, but he remained undisturbed, focusing on his own cultivation and living and cultivating at his own pace.

Time passed unnoticed in the mountains.

The Nine Heavens and Ten Earths World remained stable, and the mortal realm was peaceful.

Newborn babies grew into robust teenagers in the blink of an eye.

Sixteen years passed.

The Supreme Master of the Daoist Gate, Lei Tianjun, also turned two hundred years old.

This two-hundredth birthday was celebrated in the mortal realm.

As before, well-wishers gathered.

However, after a simple celebration at the ancestral court of Dragon Tiger Mountain, Lei Jun returned to the vicinity of Time Abyss later.

He settled in the Time Abyss in the mortal realm, which seemed like a huge and desolate wound between heaven and earth, but the situation had been relatively stable in recent years.

Including Lei Jun, four figures gathered outside the Time Abyss, three Daoists and one Confucian.

Lei Jun, dressed in a yellow silk robe.

Chu Kun, his junior fellow disciple, wore a purple Daoist robe.

Another Daoist, Zhao Chanyang, was clad in a moon-white robe, his figure seemingly hidden amidst white clouds.

The last was Zhang Wantong, a female Confucian scholar dressed in white.

The four contemplated the changes in the Time Abyss.

Lei Jun had a formation diagram in front of him, explaining it while listening to others' opinions, occasionally making adjustments on the diagram.

Suddenly, Zhang Wantong's eyes flashed, "Xiao Xiao has succeeded."

Having rebranded herself as Tianrui Scholar, Zhang Wantong's Tang-style colors had gradually faded. She now referred to Xiao Hang and Xiao Chunhui as "Da Xiao" and "Xiao Xiao," respectively.

Xiao Xiao was Xiao Chunhui.

Lei Jun nodded repeatedly, "Becoming a saint overnight is a good thing. His new studies are gradually maturing, breaking new ground, and taking this step is a natural progression."

Although Xiao Chunhui started later than Xiao Xueling, Shen Gubing, and Fang Yue, his cultivation and progress soared after clarifying his desires and studies.

Combining the feedback from the heavens and earth with his research on Confucian texts, Xiao Chunhui's cultivation soared, making up for his previous stagnation in the Seventh and Eighth Heavens.

Like philosophy and history, Xiao Chunhui's current studies were also derived from Confucian texts. Upon reaching the fifth layer of the Ninth Heaven, he also achieved the Five Classics, ascending to the Immortal Plane and becoming a saint.

Not making a sound until suddenly surprising everyone, Xiao Chunhui's rapid progress allowed him to surpass Meng Shaojie.

Before Xiao Chunhui and after Zhou Pu, the Palace Master of the Pure Yang Palace, Jiang Yu, also advanced, cultivating his spirit and pushing open the Immortal Gate.

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Not counting the previous Ge Xuanzhi, the Pure Yang Palace lineage finally produced a Primordial Immortal after the Han Dynasty catastrophe.

After the initial merging with the mortal world, various branches of the Pure Yang Palace in the mortal realm collectively appointed Jiang Yu as the representative Palace Master.

On the one hand, this was because the Pure Yang Palace lineage was stronger during the Tang Dynasty. On the other hand, it was also because they had the closest relationship with the Celestial Master Mansion of Dragon Tiger Mountain.

Now, with Jiang Yu's ascension, his achievements were truly deserving of the title.

"I heard that Master Zhuo has recently been contemplating the mysteries of the Dao and preparing to push open the Immortal Gate as his cultivation grows," Zhang Wantong said, "I wish the same for the distinguished disciples of Master Lei."

Zhao Chanyang's figure, shrouded in white clouds, seemed to glance towards them and said, "I wish Master Zhuo a swift ascent to the Immortal Plane."

Lei Jun replied, "Thank you for your kind words."

Chu Kun, standing beside them, was also quite moved.

In the blink of an eye, many years had passed.

Recalling his early days as a disciple, Lei Jun had fed a small bear cub, opening its spiritual wisdom but not yet able to speak human language.

Now, in the blink of an eye, Lei Jun had ascended to the Immortal Plane, and the little bear had become a new Celestial Master, currently striving to reach the Immortal Plane.

Zhuo Baojie was a spiritual beast cultivating human Daoist arts, so Lei Jun's teachings were patient and thoughtful.

With a solid foundation, Zhuo Baojie's cultivation progress seemed to fluctuate, as if intentionally adjusting the pace.

For ordinary human cultivators, this could be quite disadvantageous, potentially burying talent.

However, for Zhuo Baojie, it laid a solid foundation, and his subsequent progress was steady and ascending.

Yuan Mo Bai had faced a similar situation in the past.

However, Zhuo Baojie had an advantage over his master in that the guidance they received during their cultivation journey differed greatly.

The surge of Heavenly Earth Aura, the initial merging with the mortal world, subsequent interactions with other worlds, and the numerous innovations led by the Celestial Master Mansion of Dragon Tiger Mountain all contributed to environmental improvements.

Nearly thirty years after reaching the fifth layer of the Ninth Heaven and the Five Qi Ascend to the Divine Realm, Zhuo Baojie's accumulation became increasingly profound, and the once vague Immortal Plane gradually became clear and within reach.

"After Wang Hou, Jiang Daoyou, and Xiao Jushi, not only my young disciple Hua Jie, but also many outstanding individuals in our world are approaching the Immortal Plane. I believe we will witness a collective surge in the next few years," Lei Jun said.

Zhou Pu, who should have ascended to the Immortal Plane around the same time as Shen Gubing, had been delayed due to his defeat by Wu Xian Tong. He ascended after Shen Gubing, Chu Yu, and Fang Yue.

From another perspective, he could be considered the pioneer of a new batch.

In the sixteen years that followed, Jiang Yu and Xiao Chunhui ascended one after the other.

This seemed a bit sparse.

However, the next wave was about to arrive in full force.

In addition to Zhuo Baojie, the Confucian scholars Zhu Junjie, Li Feiyang, and Meng Shaojie, the Buddhist monk Tian Shu, and the Daoist Talisman School's Great Vehicle Realm cultivator Huang Tian Dao Kangming were all making their final preparations to break through to the Immortal Plane.

As Lei Jun said, the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths world would soon witness a new wave of Immortal Plane experts.

The three Daoists and one Confucian exchanged glances.

Even Zhao Chanyang's eyes flickered as if he had thought of something, and he did not continue the conversation.

The recently ascended Xiao Chunhui, along with other cultivators striving for immortality, are either from the White Lotus Sect or have backgrounds in Confucianism or Daoism.

Despite establishing a new school, Xiao Chunhui and Meng Shaojie still maintain close ties to the Confucian Scholarly Canon Studies.

Zhu Junjie's studies focus on practical matters, emphasizing the betterment of society, but he, too, belongs to the realm of Confucian Scholarly Canon Studies.

Li Feiyang, on the other hand, is the most orthodox and traditional Confucian Scholar of the Ninth Heaven, a Great Scholar who brings peace to the world.

Their commonality lies in the ability to achieve remarkable advancements after reaching the pinnacle of the Ninth Heaven.

Zhuo Baojie and Kang Ming, both masters of the Daoist Talisman School, have attained the Five Qi Ascend to the Divine Realm and gained access to the Mystic Bridge to Enlightenment.

These two paths, Confucianism and Daoism, theoretically offer the least challenging route to immortality.

Two or three hundred years ago, the era and environment made it difficult for anyone to ascend to immortality, so there's no need to elaborate on that.

However, in the current environment, the advantages of Confucian Scholarly Canon Studies and Daoist Talisman Studies are genuinely starting to manifest.

Of course, the majority of people still struggle to open the Gate to Immortality.

Some people are quite entangled in this struggle.

Lei Jun has heard that Li Feiyang's attempt to ascend to immortality has caused a stir in the Great Han Empire, comparable to the impact of Wang Zhoupu's ascension to martial immortality during the Later Han Dynasty.

The reason lies in the fact that the current emperor of the Great Han Empire, Xiang Sheng, is one of those who struggle the most.

And after Li Feiyang, the person most likely to open the Gate to Immortality is not him.

The Great Scholar Wang from the Langya Wang family, and Yu Boyan, a high-level cultivator from the Great Han Shushan Sect, both originally from the mortal world, are more favored.

This brings to mind the incident where Xiang Sheng had to give up the Heavenly Emperor Technique's Imperial Furnace empowerment.

If Xiang Sheng had received the empowerment, he wouldn't be struggling so much.

Unfortunately, there are many others in the royal family who share his plight, but there's nothing they can do.

As Lei Jun converses with Zhang Wantong and Chu Kun, his hands are busy.

The array is filled with numerous intricate and exquisite talismans, shimmering with a faint glow.

"The time is approaching. The Scholarly Grove should have already started," Lei Jun says, and as his voice trails off, his eyes gleam slightly.

Across from him, Zhang Wantong nods in agreement, "Yes, it has begun."

As time passes, Yan Aoyun, Xu Yuanzhen, Tang Xiaotang, and others in the Scholarly Grove World are gradually pinpointing the exact date of the Heavenly Realm's reappearance.

It is this year.

Furthermore, it is during this very period.

Therefore, upon Lei Jun's invitation, not only does Zhang Wantong come, but Zhao Chanyang also descends from the Heavenly Realm, gathering outside the Time Abyss.

Today, another significant change occurs in the Scholarly Grove World, right on schedule.

"It's a pity that we won't be able to witness Fengming, the Saint Master, and the senior sisters, Tang, ascend to the next level," Chu Kun expresses his admiration and regret.

Fengming Phoenix, Xu Yuanzhen, and Tang Xiaotang ascend to the second level of immortality around the same time, with Fengming Phoenix being slightly earlier.

They are all individuals with exceptional natural talent, making rapid progress, and their steps towards the third level of immortality are also drawing near.

However, it seems that none of them will catch up with this opportunity today.

Fengming Phoenix has already begun preparations, and according to their estimates, it will take around five years for Fengming Phoenix, and about ten years for Xu Yuanzhen and Tang Xiaotang.

"The affairs of the world are often unpredictable, so let's focus on what's in front of us," Lei Jun says calmly, gesturing to Chu Kun.

Chu Kun nods, not lingering, and directly returns to the human world, the Dragon Tiger Mountain Ancestral Court.

At the same time, in the Penglai Sea of the Heavenly Realm and the Netherworld Mansion of the Earth Plane, Yuan Mo and Wang Guiyuan sit in meditation.

Zhang Wantong and Zhao Chanyang stand beside Lei Jun, gazing at the Time Abyss of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths World, which remains unchanged.

Across from them, in the Scholarly Grove World, the Time Abyss, which also spans the human world, is temporarily sealed by Yan Aoyun, the Confucian Sage Master, just as he did when he temporarily ventured into the Demon World.

After temporarily sealing the Time Abyss to prevent the invasion of powerful demons from the Demon World, Yan Aoyun's primary attention is directed upwards towards the heavenly sphere.

There, the Heavenly Realm, which had disappeared for about ten thousand years, one of the three realms of this world, suddenly reappears, stirring the cosmic sphere.

Yan Aoyun gazes up at the heavens, his expression solemn.

The other Great Scholars in this world share the same solemn gaze.

In the past, after the ancient great calamity, the Confucian cultivators here received a great fortune.

Once, a cultivator from the Qi Lu Qiu family ascended to the Sage Master realm, later known as Qiu Zi by future generations.

This Sage Master became the founder of Confucian studies, successfully establishing rules and principles that lasted for tens of thousands of years.

Since then, this world has had numerous prestigious families surpassing the Five Surnames and Seven Great Families, enduring for thousands of generations.

It was also from that time that the Scholarly Grove World lost its Heavenly Realm.

Qiu Zi seemed to have left the Scholarly Grove World, and there has been no news of him since.

And now, there is a new Sage Master in this world.

With the reappearance of the Heavenly Realm, the foundation of Confucian principles has been thoroughly destroyed.

Xu Yuanzhen watches with great interest, and Tang Xiaotang's eyes sparkle with curiosity.

The reappearance of the Heavenly Realm shakes the cosmic sphere.

The once blurry gateway becomes clear at this moment.

The Demon Capital.

"Thank you, Brother Jiao and the two True Lords, for your assistance in ensuring everything is in order," Yan Aoyun says, addressing Jiao and the two True Lords.

The matters related to Confucian studies have been concluded.

As the Demon Capital shakes, Yan Aoyun takes the opportunity to settle an old grudge from years ago.

The former Sage Master Yan Zi, who was both a mentor and a friend to Yan Aoyun, suffered a severe injury due to the Demon Capital years ago and ultimately passed away prematurely.

Today, Yan Aoyun, now a Sage Master, personally shatters the Demon Capital.

(End of Chapter)

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