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Chapter 65: 65. Brave Lei Jun, Undaunted by Adversity
Chapter 65: 65. Brave Lei Jun, Undaunted by Adversity
The Grand Master of the modern era and the head of the Lin clan of Jiangzhou, both gone?
The news spread, leaving an eerie silence in its wake.
Half in shock and half in doubt, the world held its breath.
Then, chaos ensued.
On one hand, this was the third Grand Master to fall within a span of over a hundred years.
On the other, it was the head of the prestigious Lin clan of Jiangzhou, one of the esteemed Five Families and Seven Noble Houses, whose life had come to an end.
Two pillars of power in the cultivation world of the Great Tang had crumbled, shaking the very foundation of its power dynamics.
The resulting power vacuum drew the attention of countless ambitious individuals from far and wide.
Factions that had once kept each other in check, awaiting the outcome of events, suddenly sprang into action, their eyes fixed on the prize.
Turbulent times had befallen the land.
For now, Tianxu Mountain remained on the fringes of this storm.
The disciples of the Tianxu Sect had erupted into a brief but intense frenzy upon hearing the news of the Grand Master's demise.
Yet, strangely, calm was quickly restored.
It wasn't that they accepted this turn of events with equanimity, but that Tianxu Sect, though on the outskirts, was still within the storm's path.
With the head of the Lin clan fallen, numerous powerful external forces with unclear intentions were stirring, and the Lin clan had no choice but to lie low.
However, taking advantage of the Grand Master's death, the Huangtiandao launched a full-scale counter-attack.
Taiping Daoist, the leader of Huangtiandao, led his followers who had been accumulating strength for many years, and struck at their age-old rival, the Grand Master's Mansion.
Despite the initial chaos following their Grand Master's demise, the Grand Master's Mansion quickly rallied their forces once more to face the Huangtiandao.
Xu Yuanzhen's target was the mysterious expert who had ambushed the Grand Master.
On one hand, this person was directly related to the Grand Master's death, and on the other, the other high-ranking members of Longhushan couldn't afford to be ambushed again while engaged in battle with the Huangtiandao cultivators.
Fortunately, no other adversaries had appeared thus far.
The Huangtiandao had unleashed all their accumulated strength in this counter-attack, striking simultaneously in multiple locations.
Not only was Taiping Daoist leading his forces back to Longhushan to challenge the Grand Master's Mansion once more, but the Zixiao Sect and the Tianxu Sect, the offshoot branches of Longhushan, were also under assault.
Disciples on patrol from the Tianxu Sect reported that traces of Huangtiandao demons had been discovered in the Tianxu Mountains in recent days.
The winds of change were blowing, and a storm was brewing!
Amidst this turmoil, the head of the Tianxu Sect, Tu Guangyu, maintained his composure, calming his disciples and issuing commands with a steady hand.
The entire sect mobilized, preparing to defend against the impending attack.
"I will activate the Eight Extremities Mountain Guarding Grand Formation. All disciples of the Tianxu Sect, focus your minds and calm your qi. Do not panic or create disorder. Stand united and watch out for each other, and we will surely weather this storm," Tu Guangyu said calmly.
In unison, the disciples in the main hall replied, "We will heed the teachings of the sect leader!"
Lei Jun and Xia Qing, though true disciples of the Grand Master's Mansion, were currently affiliated with the Tianxu Sect, and thus naturally followed Tu Guangyu's instructions, joining the Tianxu Sect disciples in defending the mountain.
The situation at Longhushan was complex, with news changing by the day. Even if they needed people to return and help, Lei Jun and Xia Qing's cultivation at the early Nascent Soul stage wouldn't make a decisive difference. It was better for them to stay at Tianxu Mountain for now and assist in resolving the crisis here, where their skills would be of greater use.
The Eight Extremities Mountain Guarding Grand Formation of the Tianxu Sect consumed a large amount of earth vein spiritual energy, and thus was only activated in the most critical of moments.
In addition to the main peak where the mountain gate was located, eight other peaks were chosen from the surrounding mountain ranges, each establishing a sub-altar corresponding to the eight trigrams: Heaven, Earth, Wind, Thunder, Water, Fire, Mountain, and Marsh.
With one main altar and eight subordinate altars, once the grand formation was activated, the defensive restrictions would merge seamlessly, creating an impenetrable defense that ordinary enemies couldn't breach.
While the Huangtiandao was mounting a full-scale counter-attack, their core forces were also concentrated at Longhushan at the moment.
Even if enemies came to Tianxu Mountain, they wouldn't be able to break through the Eight Extremities Mountain Guarding Grand Formation.
However, the eight sub-altars, located away from the main peak, each required manpower to preside over them.
Compared to the main peak, these eight sub-altars were on the front lines of the enemy's offense, and despite the protection of the grand formation, the risk was still greater.
When Tu Guangyu and the other Tianxu Sect elders assigned personnel, they chose to keep Lei Jun, Xia Qing, and other true disciples of the Grand Master's Mansion at the main peak.
But at this moment, Lei Jun's mind lit up once more as the glowing sphere projected new words:
"The Eight Extremities Formation is breached, with calamity arising from the center. The earth veins are shifting, foreboding midnight disaster."
Subsequently, three fortunes appeared within the sphere:
"Upper-middle fortune: After the shocking event at the main peak, enter the belly of Qiantian Peak before midnight to obtain a fourth-grade opportunity. Thereafter, you may bear the consequences of entanglements, so act with caution for good fortune."
"Lower-middle fortune: Stay at the main peak and encounter a startling event to obtain an eighth-grade opportunity. However, amid the disaster, you will find yourself in peril, and the likelihood of injury or death is uncertain, spelling doom."
"Lower fortune: After the shocking event at the main peak, enter the belly of Qiantian Peak after midnight. The shifting earth veins will bring about another great calamity, a sure death trap with no escape, signifying great doom!"
Lei Jun quickly distilled three key points from these fortunes:
Calamity arises from the center.
Qiantian Peak.
Midnight and its vicinity.
The Eight Extremities Mountain Guarding Grand Formation of the Tianxu Sect might be breached by the enemy, and the problem doesn't lie with the eight sub-altars but rather the seemingly safer main peak?
Among the eight sub-altars, the Qiantian Sub-altar at Qiantian Peak is relatively unique.
The timing of midnight and its vicinity is crucial, serving as the watershed between an upper-middle auspicious fortune and a lower-grade ominous one.
Before midnight, there is an opportunity to obtain a fourth-grade opportunity within the mountain's belly.
However, if one delays and remains beyond midnight or goes there after that time, it would be akin to stepping into the jaws of death...
Numerous thoughts flashed through Lei Jun's mind, but he maintained a calm demeanor and approached Tu Guangyu, the leader of the Tianxu Sect. With a resolute expression, he said, "Master Tu, I humbly request to be dispatched to guard the sub-altar."
Tu Guangyu and the other high-ranking members of the Tianxu Sect were taken aback by Lei Jun's request.
Xia Qing, who was standing at a distance, also turned to look at him.
"These past few days, I have taken refuge in Tianxu Mountain, grateful for the care of all the senior uncles, senior brothers, and fellow disciples," Lei Jun continued, his voice filled with gratitude.
"Now, facing this crisis, I am determined to exert my utmost efforts to assist Tianxu Mountain in weathering this perilous situation," he added, his tone resolute.
After a brief pause, he lowered his voice slightly and said, "With the invasion of the Huangtiandao demons, we need the collective effort of everyone in the sect, setting aside personal differences to unite against the enemy. I dare not lag behind."
Tu Guangyu and the other elders of the Tianxu Sect fell into deep thought upon hearing Lei Jun's words.
The Huangtiandao was a unique adversary for the Longhushan lineage, be it the main branch or its offshoots.
Tracing back its roots, the schism that created the Huangtiandao stemmed from the dispute between the Li clan and the outsiders.
Now, with the Grand Master's Mansion in turmoil and the Tianxu Sect filled with apprehension, showing favoritism towards certain individuals would indeed be detrimental to unifying their ranks.
"Master Tu, I am ashamed," Xia Qing stepped forward as well. "In this time of crisis, we should set aside our differences and unite as one. I dare not lag behind."
She glanced at Lei Jun, not resenting him for dragging her into the matter.
Instead, her eyes held a hint of appreciation.
"Since you are so determined, Lei Jun, you shall go to the Qiantian Peak sub-altar, and Xia Qing, you shall go to the Kundie Peak sub-altar," Tu Guangyu said with a sigh. "You have shown your dedication this time. Be vigilant."
Although this was the arrangement, Tu Guangyu left room for flexibility, not pushing Lei Jun and Xia Qing to their limits.
Qiantian and Kundie were the front and rear hubs of the outer eight sub-altars, and they were relatively the most important, sturdy, and safe among the eight.
Lei Jun was pleased that he had been directly assigned to the Qiantian Peak sub-altar without the need for further requests or fuss.
However, after the crowd dispersed, he sought out Tu Guangyu for a private meeting.
"Master Tu, although I am young and lack experience, I have had dealings with the Huangtiandao demons on two occasions in the past," Lei Jun began.
"One of those encounters left a deep impression on me. It happened when I was still a Daoist apprentice at the academy," he continued. "An elder of the Grand Master's Mansion colluded with the Huangtiandao demons, manipulating and inciting apprentices to commit crimes to divert attention while he secretly stole artifacts from the mountain..."
(PS: Thanks to "Flying Zhu Yupa" Alliance Leader for the reward. I can't update too quickly during the new book period, but I will remember this, and I will add more chapters after it's on the shelves. Thanks also to other friends who have rewarded this book!)
(End of Chapter)
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