Chapter 557: Preparing to Retrieve the Daoist Patriarch's Remains (Part 1)

Chapter 557: Preparing to Retrieve the Daoist Patriarch's Remains (Part 1)





"Yan Jiangdong..." Upon hearing this, everyone from the Wu family present became solemn.

The logic Wu Hailin spoke of was understood by all present.

But if Yan Aoyun could be eliminated so easily, the new Confucian branch would not have become such a thorn in the side of the old Confucian school.

He possessed the root bone of Wenqu Star's Radiance, and at the same time, he had the innate wisdom of a scholarly mind.

With this foundation, his learning made him the most difficult Confucian cultivator to kill in the same realm, or at least one of the most challenging to defeat.

As a renowned historian, Zhang Wantong, during her time in the three levels of the Confucian Sage realm, as long as she left behind a single word or phrase, there was hope and possibility of rebirth. The more detailed her records were, the more they would be passed down by future generations, and the greater her chances would be.

However, after Yan Aoyun reached the third level of the Confucian Sage realm, not only did he leave behind an immortal monument, but he also became closely connected to the lives of all living beings in the world to a certain extent. He was already very close, and as long as any intelligent being was still alive and aware of his existence, he had the possibility of returning to life.

Such divine mystery was not entirely unbreakable, but the possibility of a cultivator of the same realm achieving this was minuscule.

Moreover, he had already reached the Confucian Sage realm.

"In the short term, the Finger Tips Realm can still be maintained. After Uncle also achieves the Sage Master realm, we can still take our time and plan," said an elder of the Wu family. "During this period, the situation may change further."

Wu Hailin gazed into the distance, and finally, a hint of worry appeared on his face. "There have been some changes... but unfortunately, it's not as good as if it hadn't happened at all!"

The Wu family members were all startled.

An elder with profound cultivation, Wu Kuang, asked softly, "Are you referring to the overall trend of changes in the void realm in recent years?"

With his relatively high cultivation, he vaguely sensed the changes but couldn't understand them. Previously, he had guessed that it was one of the chain reactions caused by the reappearance of the Celestial Realm in the Scholar Forest World.

But now, listening to Wu Hailin's tone, it seemed not to be the case.

"It's hard to say how much it's related to the reappearance of the Celestial Realm in the Scholar Forest World for now. But in my opinion, the various Great Thousand Worlds that were separated after the ancient catastrophe are showing signs of merging again," Wu Hailin said slowly.

The crowd was first shocked, and then they connected it to what Wu Hailin had just said. Everyone involuntarily had the same unsettling thought:

If the various Great Thousand Worlds were to merge, the shock would be even greater and more awe-inspiring than the reappearance of the Celestial Realm in the Scholar Forest World.

This small Finger Tips Realm might be affected by this event and have the possibility of reappearing in the world!

If all of this were to happen before Wu Hailin achieved the Confucian Sage Master realm, the situation would be extremely dangerous for the Wu family.

Everyone looked at Wu Hailin's expression.

Wu Hailin did not hide his concern.

It was rare for him to show worry, and the reason for it was precisely this.

"Whether it's a natural occurrence or a man-made arrangement, we can't be sure yet," Wu Hailin said.

If he were in the Great Thousand World, he might be able to discern something. But being in the Finger Tips Realm, with his current cultivation level and strength, it was difficult to gauge the situation. With limited information, it was also challenging to predict the reactions of Yan Aoyun, Zhang Wantong, Lei Jun, and others.

"Someone needs to take the risk of concealing their tracks and go to the Great Thousand World to investigate the situation in detail. Only then can the family make a decision."

Wu Kuang volunteered, "Sixth Brother, I'll make a trip to the Great Thousand World."

Wu Hailin said, "This matter is not trivial. The priority is to ensure the stability of the Finger Tips Realm at present. Therefore, not only can I not support you, but I also have to take measures to completely erase your connection with the Finger Tips Realm to prevent others from tracing it back to us.

Even if you obtain relevant information, it will be difficult for us to obtain it immediately. Such a delay will render the information useless, like yesterday's news."

Wu Kuang took a deep breath, "I understand, but it's still better than our current situation."

...

Time passed.

Tang Xiaotang had been in secluded cultivation in the Penglai Sea of the Celestial Realm in the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths World for nearly two years.

One summer, Lei Jun celebrated his 207th birthday.

One day, he suddenly felt something in his heart.

He felt his Purple Microcosm Pole trembling.

Not only Lei Jun but also other Daoist Talisman School cultivators nearby had the same sensation.

Even the inheritors of the Dragon Tiger Mountain Celestial Master Mansion in the Scholar Forest World and the Demon World were affected.

All these signs indicated:

The Daoist Talisman School had produced another successful cultivator who had penetrated the profound mysteries of the Purple Microcosm and returned to purity in three days.

Since the ancient catastrophe until now, this was only the fifth such cultivator.

The fourth Daoist Celestial Master, Lei Jun, was currently standing in the Penglai Sea, calmly waiting for Tang Xiaotang to stride out from the Sanqing Sanbao Fairy Land.

"Congratulations, Junior Sister, for penetrating the profound mysteries of the Purple Microcosm and returning to purity in three days," Lei Jun smiled.

"It's good, it's good, but I'm still slower than you," Tang Xiaotang giggled as she approached Lei Jun.

On the surface, she didn't look much different from before.

But at this moment, as they stood face to face, they seemed like two complete universes drawing closer to each other.

"Senior Sister, at this moment..." Tang Xiaotang suddenly realized something and asked Lei Jun.

Lei Jun's smile remained unchanged, "Senior Sister is currently in the Scholar Forest World. She has been making preparations for that Tai Yi Great Thousand World recently, and it's a busy time for her. However, I have already passed on the news of your emergence from seclusion."

Hearing Lei Jun's tone, Tang Xiaotang knew that Xu Yuanzhen hadn't prepared any surprises for her this time.

After Lei Jun finished speaking, the brilliance of the law talisman in his eyes flashed, and then in mid-air, the light formed a shadow.

Xu Yuanzhen's figure appeared faintly in the shadow, and her voice came from within, "Is Xiaotang out of seclusion?"

Tang Xiaotang tilted her head slightly and walked around the shadow with her hands behind her back. Although it wasn't the real Xu Yuanzhen, Tang Xiaotang still felt very refreshed. As she circled, she cleared her throat:

"Yes, Senior Sister, what's the situation on your side? How long do you estimate it will take to cross the tribulation from the second level to the third level of the Immortal Realm?"

Xu Yuanzhen casually replied, "It's estimated to be within these two or three years. I'll be done with these tasks soon."

Tang Xiaotang cleared her throat again, "What is Senior Sister busy with? Can I help and deliberate on it?"

Xu Yuanzhen said, "Sure, it's up to you. But I won't need much time on my side.

Tang Xiaotang's tone was casual, as if she had punched a bag of cotton, leaving her feeling a little deflated. Since beginning her cultivation, although her progress had been rapid, Xu Yuanzhen's head start had always kept her a step or two ahead.

By the time Tang Xiaotang ascended to immortality, the gap between them had narrowed significantly. However, by then, Xu Yuanzhen had also reached the Profound Mystic Microcosm and ascended.

When they both broke through to the second level of the Immortal Realm, they were neck and neck, with Tang Xiaotang even slightly ahead.

However, Xu Yuanzhen took a giant leap forward due to the Instant Divine Water, leaving Tang Xiaotang feeling disheartened.

This time, Tang Xiaotang put in her all, and it took her seventy-eight years to advance from the Profound Mystic Purple Microcosm to the third level of the Immortal Realm.

In terms of time, it took them both around eighty years, but if one looked closely, she was faster than Phoenix Fengming and Zhao Chanyang, second only to Lei Jun, who had the Ten-Color Crane Cover.

In the past, Zhao Chanyang's exceptional talent had allowed him to ascend quickly, and Tang Xiaotang, after recovering from a setback, no longer paid much attention to comparisons with others.

The only one she still felt a bit competitive with was Xu Yuanzhen, with whom she had always felt a subtle rivalry.

Today, she had finally surpassed Xu Yuanzhen in cultivation, and Tang Xiaotang felt elated.

However, Xu Yuanzhen's calm demeanor made Tang Xiaotang feel a bit uneasy...

"Yes, I'm going to the Scholar Forest World, but before that, I want to chat with Lei Jun about something," Tang Xiaotang waved at Xu Yuanzhen's projection.

Xu Yuanzhen's projection disappeared: "As you wish."

Lei Jun's eyes lit up: "Is it the new immortal technique you mentioned before, Senior Sister?"

Tang Xiaotang's mood shifted quickly, and the disappointment from her earlier cotton-punching was forgotten. She smiled proudly: "Of course!"

Lei Jun nodded repeatedly: "I must witness it. Even just from your description, I felt it had great potential and many wonderful aspects to explore."

Their discussion wasn't limited to Tang Xiaotang's new immortal technique; it also included Lei Jun's immortal techniques, treasures, and the mysteries of the Three Caverns Three Heavens Supreme Dragon Tiger Immortal Array.

For Lei Jun, Zhang Wantong, and Zhao Chanyang, who were all top-tier cultivators, the intricacies of various sects' divine cultivation methods were, at the very least on a theoretical level, easily accessible and open for mutual discussion.

However, Lei Jun still felt that his most inspiring exchanges were with Xu Yuanzhen and Tang Xiaotang, the two unparalleled geniuses from the same Daoist Talisman School lineage of Dragon Tiger Mountain Celestial Master Mansion.

Currently, the only person he could compare to in terms of discussing the Dao was the Confucian Sage Master Yan Aoyun, but that was because Yan Aoyun had a higher cultivation level.

Now that Tang Xiaotang had reached the third level of the Immortal Realm, their exchanges, with the Purple Microcosm Pole open, resonated with each other, benefiting them both immensely.

Tang Xiaotang still wanted to show off to Xu Yuanzhen in person, so after their chat, she prepared to set off for the Scholar Forest World.

"Hua Jie will also be going with us," Lei Jun said.

After Zhuo Baojie's ascension, as the current Celestial Master, he only oversaw the general affairs of the Mansion, delegating specific tasks to other high-ranking elders.

Recently, he planned to leave the Dragon Tiger Mountain Ancestral Court and the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths World to visit the Scholar Forest World.

First, he wanted to pay a return visit to the Confucian scholars who had congratulated him on his ascension, then check on the legacy of his disciple An Buzheng's Heavenly Capital Mountain lineage, and finally, he was invited to be a guest at Luofu Mountain.

It was a regret for Long Qiu Daoren and the Luofu Mountain disciples that they couldn't invite the previous Celestial Master, Lei Tianjun, to visit Luofu Mountain.

Now, they were delighted to invite the current Celestial Master, Zhuo Zhenjun, for a visit.

Additionally, Yuan Mo Bai had already left for the Scholar Forest World last year.

As the younger generation in the Mansion matured, Yuan Mo Bai no longer needed to stay in Dragon Tiger Mountain all the time.

In recent years, he not only traveled more frequently within the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths World but also visited the Demon World and the Scholar Forest World, fully enjoying his post-retirement leisure time.

"By the way, there's something else," Tang Xiaotang said. "You and Yan Zi must have noticed it too, right? I feel like the Great Thousand World is unstable, and there are signs of another major change... similar to the previous internal changes in this world, like the merging of the human realm or the unification of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths?"

Lei Jun nodded slightly: "Yes, the various Great Thousand Worlds, after being split during the ancient catastrophe, seem to be merging again."

Being within the Great Thousand World, Lei Jun and Tang Xiaotang's senses were sharper and clearer than Wu Hailin's.

Tang Xiaotang entered the human realm and approached the Time Abyss: "It doesn't feel like a natural merger; it's more like a man-made one, similar to what Shan Zhihui, Puguang, and the others wanted to do to force the human realm to merge ahead of time."

Lei Jun: "I consulted with Yan Zi, Tianrui Scholar, and Zhao Daoyou, and we all have the same feeling. However, we're not sure who is causing it.

With such capabilities, we don't need to think much about it before Gao Tianjun and Yue Yuan Xiansheng's cultivation advances further.

Among the beings we know are still alive, the Taiyi Shaman Sovereign and the more mysterious Imperial Garden seem to be the most likely candidates."

Tang Xiaotang withdrew her gaze from the Time Abyss and turned to Lei Jun.

Lei Jun spoke without hesitation: "Just like before, if the various Great Thousand Worlds merge within this world, returning to the pre-catastrophe state of Heaven, Earth, and Man, I have no intention of stopping it or trying to delay it. I can only help the beings in the various Great Thousand Worlds to prepare early and welcome the great changes of the times.

However, if this heavenly change is caused by someone with ill intentions, I do not agree with their methods. If they are enemies, it's even less likely that I'll let them succeed, and I might have to intervene."

Tang Xiaotang raised her eyebrows and smiled: "Regardless of whether the Great Thousand Worlds can successfully merge, under such a sweeping change affecting the entire world, many secrets will be exposed."

Not to mention the Wu family's ancestral hiding place in the Finger Tips Realm, even if Gao Tian Sui and others were hiding outside the universe, they would easily be exposed during such intense changes.

The currently sealed Imperial Garden's Great Thousand World would also be reopened by the Time Abyss.

"But, I feel it will take more than thirty years," Tang Xiaotang said after concentrating for a moment.

Lei Jun agreed with her assessment: "Without any major changes, I also think it will take more than thirty years, but not much longer.

"Tang Xiaotang waved goodbye to him, "Alright, I'll go check on the Scholar Forest World first."

He was not only going to see Xu Yuanzhen but also to observe the Tai Yi Great Thousand World and the Demon Capital.

The Confucian cultivators in the Scholar Forest World, including those from the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths World, were still engaged in fierce battles against the foreign demons from other realms.

With the Hundred-Eyed Demon Tree entering the Tai Yi Great Thousand World and the Taiyi Shaman Sovereign stationed there, Yan Aoyun couldn't easily enter that world for the time being.

Although the Great Annihilation Bodhisattva and the Demon Dragon Emperor had fled with injuries, Yan Aoyun did not take their escape as a complete victory.

On the other hand, the foreign demons from other realms also found it challenging to retake the Demon Capital and completely seal off the Tai Yi Great Thousand World.

For a while, both sides were locked in a stalemate.

Yan Aoyun could easily guess that the Taiyi Shaman Sovereign was using this stalemate to try and speed up the refinement of the Pure Yang Ancestor's remains or find other ways to change the current situation where it couldn't leave the Tai Yi Great Thousand World.

If the Taiyi Shaman Sovereign could move freely, with its strength and the Hundred-Eyed Demon Tree, even if it couldn't counterattack the Scholar Forest World, it could still completely seal off the Tai Yi Great Thousand World.

Or perhaps, it could even try to contact the Demon Dragon Emperor and the Great Annihilation Bodhisattva.

However, for the Scholar Forest World, the stalemate wasn't entirely without benefits.

Yan Aoyun had received news of Tang Xiaotang's achievement in the Profound Mystic Purple Microcosm, and he believed that Xu Yuanzhen's breakthrough would soon follow.

With Yan Aoyun's cultivation, experience, and insight, having witnessed the three True Lords of the Dragon Tiger Mountain, all at the second level of the Immortal Realm, joining forces to confront the Confucian Sage King Wu Hailin at the third level of the Immortal Realm, and even defeating him, Yan Aoyun could easily surmise that once all three of them reached the third level of the Immortal Realm, their combined strength would be even more formidable.

With close ties and mutual support between the two sides, and with Yan Aoyun directly facing the Tai Yi Great Thousand World and bearing the brunt of the pressure, Lei Jun naturally wouldn't hide anything from him.

Thus, Yan Aoyun was also aware that after obtaining half of the Cosmic Chart's crystal, Lei Jun had been constantly improving and adjusting the Three Caverns Three Heavens Supreme Dragon Tiger Immortal Array. With the help of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths World, there was hope to directly relocate the array to the Scholar Forest World or even the Tai Yi Great Thousand World to exert its power.

The Taiyi Shaman Sovereign needed some time, and so did Lei Jun.

Now, it was a matter of who would be faster.

Therefore, Yan Aoyun wasn't being reckless. He remained vigilant of the Demon World, keeping an eye on the Demon Dragon Emperor and the Great Annihilation Bodhisattva, while also ensuring that the Tai Yi Great Thousand World wouldn't be sealed off again.

Yan Aoyun didn't interfere much with the foreign demons currently fighting the Confucian cultivators in the Demon Capital. He only occasionally took action, forcing the Hundred-Eyed Demon Tree to reveal itself and use its branches to help those demons escape, hastily retreating back to the Tai Yi Great Thousand World.

In the past, the foreign demons that invaded the Scholar Forest World through the Demon Capital were mostly at the Immortal Realm.

Most of them had 'ascended' from the Tai Yi Great Thousand World and, after a period of accumulation and careful selection by the Taiyi Shaman Sovereign, there were even some powerful demons equivalent to the third level of the Immortal Realm among them.

Hence, they had caused immense destruction in the Scholar Forest World, shaking the foundations of Confucian traditional learning.

Now, with the rebirth of the Celestial Realm in the Scholar Forest World, the opening of the Demon Capital, and the connection to the Tai Yi Great Thousand World, more demons that had been causing chaos in the mortal realm of that world, with cultivation levels below the Immortal Realm, began to flow into the Scholar Forest World.

Compared to the demons that had already 'ascended', these demons were more chaotic. In addition to wreaking havoc in the mortal realm of the Tai Yi Great Thousand World, they also started to surge towards the Scholar Forest World. However, most of them were intercepted and killed by the human cultivators of the Scholar Forest World at the Demon Capital.

Some of the 'ascended' demons became even more chaotic, while others, on the basis of their cold-blooded cruelty, possessed considerable spiritual wisdom.

Although the lower-level demons were chaotic, due to the close connection between them, they were being used as soldiers or even cannon fodder by the demons, driven and commanded by them.

In the midst of the battle, these demons were controlled by the demons, fearless of death, and kept charging towards the Demon Capital.

"Concentrate on the left side; the defense is thinner over there," a black shadow commanded from mid-air, and many demons surged towards that direction.

The black shadow showed no care or sympathy for these demons.

Their deaths here would also contribute to the Divine Venerable's ritual.

The demon Ao Lie, whose body was like a black shadow, was only making cold calculations at this moment, ensuring that these demons died in a meaningful way, using his forces efficiently.

But...

Before those demons could reach their designated position, a large amount of flame suddenly burst into the air, turning into an endless sea of fire that spread in all directions.

Verdant true fire.

Upon seeing this, the demon Ao Lie's shadow-like body trembled slightly.

This was not the scene he wanted to see.

Those demons should have been fighting with human cultivators of similar cultivation levels, resulting in mutual casualties, rather than being mowed down like wheat.

After several years of stalemate between the two sides, Ao Lie was no stranger to this verdant true fire.

It wasn't the work of Confucian cultivators but the authentic Daoist technique.

Judging by the situation, it didn't seem like a high-level Immortal Realm cultivator was personally casting the fire technique.

But...

Ao Lie's senses covered the four directions, yet he couldn't find the caster's trace at first.

How could this be?

Although his divine soul had become different from that of humans, his perception at the same level was no less than that of a Witch King or a Daoist Immortal.

Ao Lie was even more gifted, his talent far surpassing his peers.

Even an Immortal at the same level would find it difficult to escape his detection, let alone a cultivator who hadn't reached the Immortal Realm.

Ao Lie's black mist-like body spread out in all directions.

It was as if countless black dots were scattered throughout the four directions of the void, covering a vast area.

These black dots didn't need to directly touch their opponents.

Their spread was like an extension of Ao Lie's divine soul, further expanding the range of his perception.

As the black mist continued to spread, Ao Lie finally caught a faint trace of the caster.

...The distance was indeed too far.

A cultivator who hadn't reached the Immortal Realm, at such a distance, could launch such a fierce attack and wipe out numerous demons?

The method didn't seem like a Daoist flying sword either.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end