Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 332: Xuanhuang Universe One Kills Three

Prince Zhang Rui of Huayang and Chu Peng hurried together toward the location of the Taiyi Innate Tower.

After bidding farewell to Lei Jun, Shangguan Yunbo also departed.

Elder Miaokong of Tianlong Monastery and Master Zongcuo of the Vajra Division of Mount Sumeru followed Lei Jun elsewhere.

Deep in Lei Jun’s eyes, the Celestial Ground-Through Talisman quietly activated.

Huang Xuanpu was both alert and decisive. Upon sensing something amiss, he decisively abandoned the Taiyi Innate Tower like a warrior cutting off his own arm to survive.

Though he wasn’t able to fully control the tower, his years of preparation still allowed him to unleash some impressive means.

The Taiyi Innate Tower locked down the surrounding void, dragging the woman in hemp robes and Tang Xiaotang into it. Meanwhile, Huang Xuanpu himself managed to slip away through the void.

However, this very appearance finally gave Lei Jun the opportunity to pinpoint his exact location.

Lei Jun carefully traced the flow of spiritual energy in the sea and sky around him.

Then, he arrived above a certain sea region and called out to Elder Miaokong and Master Zongcuo:

“The direction Senior Sister pointed out is here. I’m about to establish an altar. Please assist me by protecting the ritual.”

Both Elder Miaokong and Master Zongcuo nodded in agreement.

With a surge of Daoist power, Lei Jun split open the sea below. The waters parted, creating a vast hollow in the ocean.

He descended directly to the seabed. His cultivation power condensed into a shimmering three-tiered altar, manifesting as if it were tangible.

Lei Jun sat cross-legged atop the altar, eyes closed in meditation.

Starlight began to swirl around him, and within the cluster of stars, an ancient Talisman Decree emerged, glowing brilliantly.

Watching from the side, Elder Miaokong and Master Zongcuo exchanged thoughtful looks.

The principles behind this decree differed slightly from those currently passed down by the Tianshi Mansion of the Talismanic Branch.

It seemed Lei Jun and Xu Yuanzhen had obtained it from the Mortal Daoist Nation—relics of the ancient Talismanic lineage, possibly from the legendary Heavenly Palace...

Lei Jun continued the ritual in silence.

Unseen even to Elder Miaokong and Master Zongcuo, the light of the Grand Celestial Mirror above began to turn.

At the same time, vast streams of spiritual energy from the Earth Vein converged beneath the seabed, centered on Lei Jun’s altar.

Heaven and Earth’s spiritual energy wove together, forming a clear line of connection.

A key feature of the Talismanic Branch is its harmony with natural law—drawing upon the power of Heaven and Earth.

This spot was chosen precisely for that reason. The spiritual energy above and below formed a seamless flow, converging with the surrounding aura.

As a result, more information and signs began to emerge.

With the ritual’s power, traces of the Mortal Daoist Nation and Huang Xuanpu began to clearly appear before Lei Jun—revealing a distinct trail.

Lei Jun immediately lit a Thousand-Mile Transmission Talisman. A wisp of green smoke rose high into the clouds.

Far away, Xu Yuanzhen’s gaze flickered.

The black thunderclouds that had always moved like a slow glacier across the sky suddenly vanished.

She transformed into a streak of purple light and shot forward.

Shangguan Yunbo showed no obvious movement, yet his figure flickered across the sky, as if continuously leaping through space, vanishing into the distance.

Amid the parted sea, Lei Jun remained seated atop the altar, silently tracking Huang Xuanpu’s movements.

Waves of green smoke drifted upward, unending.

The ritual was complete. From now on, it was a matter of constant tracking and monitoring—until Senior Sister cornered Huang Xuanpu… Lei Jun gave a small nod.

His Grand Celestial Mirror shifted its focus, turning toward where the Taiyi Innate Tower had been.

Although when he last left, his Little Senior Sister Tang Xiaotang appeared unharmed...

That robed woman’s strength was undeniable.

And with Zhang Rui of Huayang and Suzhou’s Chu Peng both heading there...

Even though the Mortal Daoist Nation was a common enemy to both the Vajra Division and the Tang Dynasty’s Confucian noble clans, Lei Jun still remained cautious.

The current shift in the Taiyi Innate Tower’s state disrupted the surrounding void, blocking both Tang Xiaotang and the robed woman from pursuing Huang Xuanpu, while also cutting off Zhang Rui and Chu Peng from approaching.

The two didn’t force their way in. Instead, they monitored the changes around the tower while beginning to clean up the remaining members of the Mortal Daoist Nation.

The reason the tower had been discovered so quickly was because some of their people had taken refuge here, keeping it in a semi-dormant state.

Now, as the tower rose from the sea and activated, Huang Xuanpu made his escape.

The remaining members of the Mortal Daoist Nation scattered and fled.

The Mortal Daoist Nation had suffered devastating losses—Feng Yi, Zhou Peng, Wang Dongchu, Rong Guangchen, Gu Han, Wei Qiyue, Hong Jie, Guan Jing, and earlier Fu Dongsen—most of their Eighth-Heaven experts had been wiped out.

Even among their Seventh-Heaven cultivators—Wen Zhaoqian, Liao Jie, Zheng Dongying, Guo Ling, Liu Dongzhuo—many had fallen one after another.

Now, though a few Seventh-Heaven cultivators remained, without the Taiyi Innate Tower, they couldn’t possibly resist Zhang Rui and Chu Peng, both Eighth-Heaven powerhouses.

After today’s calamity, morale crumbled.

Zhang Rui and Chu Peng focused on eliminating the leaders. The rest could surrender. As for any who escaped, their future potential would depend not on themselves, but on whether Huang Xuanpu survived this day.

…That is, unless the sudden appearance of that robed woman became a new variable.

Zhang Rui and Chu Peng both glanced back toward the Taiyi Innate Tower.

Lei Jun, through the flowing light of his Grand Celestial Mirror, was watching the same direction.

Due to the simultaneous activation of the Taiyi Innate Tower and the Taiyi Rupture Sword, the void in that area twisted and layered, obscuring the details even for Lei Jun.

All that could be seen was a flickering blaze of gold and purple.

Within the distorted space, Tang Xiaotang wielded the Tianshi Sword, purple lightning dancing. Her hair and brows had turned platinum, and golden thunderfire sparked in her eyes as she glared at the robed woman.

“You’re from the Mortal Daoist Nation of the Ming Realm? You’ve got people over there too? How’d you even cross into the Tang Realm—through Penglai? My Senior Sister went through a whole ordeal trying to get into the Ming Realm.”

She fired off questions one after another.

The so-called Western White Emperor, dressed in the typical robes of a Shushan Sect cultivator, didn’t say much.

“Huang Xuanpu is no longer here,” she replied simply.

Tang Xiaotang puffed her cheeks. “This Taiyi Tower’s got some quirks. Getting out of here will take a bit. My Senior Sister’s probably already on his tail.”

Her gaze locked onto the Western White Emperor. “You’ll do, then. You’re from the Mortal Daoist Nation too, right? You didn’t come here with good intentions toward our Ten Thousand Methods Sect Altar or the Tianshi Seal.

In Lei Jun’s words—when it comes to threats, better to eliminate one than let them be. You may be nobody here in the Tang Realm, but with your cultivation, you’re still a big deal. Let’s see if you can make it back to the Ming Realm alive.”

The Western White Emperor’s expression remained unchanged, her face veiled in cold light. She replied quietly,

“Pointless bravado. Foolish ignorance. You are no true heir of the Tianshi Mansion.”

Tang Xiaotang wasn’t offended—she just chuckled.

At the same time, her Great Ascension Dao Domain unfolded, and within the Pure Yang Domain, golden light burst forth, rapidly engulfing the surroundings to seize her opponent.

Yet the Western White Emperor didn’t move a muscle—she simply wasn’t there anymore.

She’d already slipped away from the grasp of the Pure Yang Domain using a unique void-shifting technique. Her spirit alone could relocate through space, elusive and hard to predict.

Though Tang Xiaotang hadn’t faced a cultivator of this level from the Daoist Artifact Refining Sect before, as someone from the Tianshi Mansion, her knowledge ran deep. She immediately recognized the technique.

Only a Great Ascension cultivator of the Artifact Refining Sect in the Ninth Heaven who had mastered Vast Earth Qi—a power known for bending distance and shifting space—could use such a mystical art.

Though Tang Xiaotang’s Pure Yang Domain wasn’t infinite, they were both trapped in this sealed area by the Taiyi Innate Tower’s upheaval. It should’ve been her chance to trap the opponent.

But the Western White Emperor was no pushover. Her Taiyi Rupture Sword, comparable to the Taiyi Innate Tower or the Twin Swords of Purple and Green, was currently counteracting the domain.

While it helped stabilize the tower, its chilling gleam coiled inward, blocking Tang Xiaotang’s domain from fully expanding.

Though she had no intention of shielding Huang Xuanpu or confronting Tang cultivators directly, with Tang Xiaotang pressing so hard, she wouldn’t back down either.

Just as the sword and tower entangled, her sleeve swept outward—and a shadow shot forth.

Not another sword, but a black ancient blade—no light, no glow, yet its presence was terrifying. It seemed capable of cleaving the world itself.

Short, worn, and chipped—this was the Judgment Severing Blade, the Western White Emperor’s famed life-bound treasure in the Ming Realm.

As the Taiyi Rupture Sword held the void in check, she launched the Judgment Severing Blade through the void, straight at Tang Xiaotang.

Unfazed, Tang Xiaotang met it head-on with the Tianshi Sword, its roar a blend of thunder and dragonsong, blocking the strike with a blast of violet lightning.

The two fought in blinding speed, blow for blow.

Tang Xiaotang slashed with her Tianshi Sword. The Western White Emperor unfolded her Hunyuan Elixir Robe to block the attack.

The Elixir expanded by the artifact trembled violently.

But at that moment, the Taiyi Poque Sword—previously trying to stabilize and ultimately subdue the Taiyi Innate Tower—chose instead to fly back.

The already unstable Taiyi Innate Tower erupted with even brighter light, and layers of overlapping void began to stretch outward.

At this moment, the Western White Emperor finally fused with her artifact—her immortal soul merged with the Taiyi Poque Sword.

The seven-foot-long giant sword radiated a bone-chilling gleam, and wherever its sword light swept, the void itself seemed torn asunder.

A Ninth-Heaven Great Ascension expert from the Artifact Refining Sect, merged with a powerful artifact like the Taiyi Poque Sword—her strength was on full display.

The golden Pure Yang Sea was instantly torn apart by the sword light.

Even the Pure Yang Boat had nowhere to hide, forcibly sliced apart by the Taiyi Poque Sword.

"Perfect timing!"

With a sharp shout, Tang Xiaotang’s Tianshi Seal rose from her waist and hovered above her head. A phantasmal altar in purple, gold, and green enveloped her, causing her mana to surge upward. With another swing of her Tianshi Sword, a dragon-shaped bolt of violet lightning shot into the sky, meeting the Taiyi Poque Sword head-on.

Just then, a black Prison-Cleaving Blade appeared behind her and slashed at her back.

After the Pure Yang Boat was destroyed, the Qianqiu Rope also changed targets, locking onto the Tianshi Seal above Tang Xiaotang’s head.

Tang responded attack for attack, and with a resonant cry, the Divine Firmament Pure Yang Talisman and the Nine Abyss Flame Ancestor Apparition appeared simultaneously.

A golden Pure Yang Thunder Dragon and an emerald Yin Fire Tiger roared to life.

With thunder and fire colliding, they transformed into a constantly spinning gold-green Yin-Yang Taiji Diagram.

A terrifying brilliance blasted outward from behind Tang Xiaotang, blowing the Prison-Cleaving Blade away.

Then, the radiant energy swept forward with the rotating Taiji Diagram like a blade, directly slicing through the Qianqiu Rope!

The many talismans, seals, whisk brooms, and other artifacts hanging on the rope were all reduced to ash under the Dragon-Tiger Strike.

The Qianqiu Rope itself let out a wailing sound and broke into several pieces.

Only the Taiyi Poque Sword remained too fast—space and time seemed meaningless for it.

The seven-foot-long sword thrust again and again from afar, and Tang Xiaotang’s Tianshi Sword repeatedly missed.

At that moment, the swirling Nine Qi and Nine Lights of her Tianshi Robe and the triple-layered altar manifested by the Tianshi Seal above her head merged into one.

The altar began expanding outward, flashing with nine-colored radiance, sealing off the sword lights from every direction.

But just then, the Taiyi Poque Sword shifted through space, seeming to slow for a brief instant.

And oddly enough, Tang Xiaotang’s Tianshi Sword also slowed by the same instant.

In that flash of a moment, she sensed the Tianshi Sword slipping out of her control.

The fourth Qi of the Five Energies Returning to the Immortal—Divine Clarity Qi… suddenly, realization struck her.

Divine Clarity Qi, also known as Illuminated Qi, connects with the spirit of all things, comprehends the logic behind all things. It's useful for Artifact Refining Sect cultivators when forging magical items—and conversely, it can also influence the treasures of others.

Unless a treasure was already as chaotic and uncontrollable as the Taiyi Innate Tower, even the most stable artifact could be affected by the Western White Emperor’s Divine Clarity Qi.

If any of the Three Treasures of the Tianshi were to fall out of control, the Western White Emperor would rejoice.

In a rapid exchange, the Taiyi Poque Sword launched three pinpoint strikes.

Not just the Tianshi Sword, but even the Tianshi Seal and Tianshi Robe began to ripple with instability.

The swirling Nine Lights and the triple-colored altar shattered completely.

Yet Tang Xiaotang’s eyes blazed with real thunder and fire.

She didn’t take a single step back. One hand gripped the trembling Tianshi Sword, the other seized the Tianshi Seal.

Nine blazing suns appeared around her body.

This was her life-bound technique, cultivated from the core legacy of the Tianshi Mansion after mastering Stepping the Big Dipper—Nine Suns Across the Sky.

Unlike Lei Jun or Yuan Mobai’s starlit formations manifesting vast galaxies, Tang Xiaotang had only nine suns—but each one radiated scorching Yang energy.

She didn’t use them for defense.

All nine blazing suns hurled straight at the Taiyi Poque Sword like cannon blasts.

The Taiyi Poque Sword had just completed three successive strikes against the Three Treasures of the Tianshi, and though its momentum was mighty, it was now nearing its limit.

If Tang Xiaotang had prioritized defense, it would’ve given the Western White Emperor an opening for another fatal stab.

But she stood her ground, unwavering, and the nine suns smashed into the sword one after another, forcing it to a stop midair.

Among experts, victory is often decided in a single moment.

As the Taiyi Poque Sword stalled, Tang Xiaotang regained control of her Tianshi Sword and slashed with full force.

Thunder roared across the heavens.

To her left appeared the Divine Firmament Pure Yang Talisman.

To her right, the Heavenly Radiance Pure Yang Talisman.

Pure Yang Celestial Thunder.

Pure Yang True Fire.

Nine Heavens Divine Thunder.

All of the most masculine, destructive forces in the world fused with her Tianshi Sword at this moment.

Three Suns Bring Prosperity.

Supreme Yang, Supreme Power!

A terrifying sword light tore the heavens asunder and smashed into the Taiyi Poque Sword.

Their clash ripped the surrounding space apart.

The Taiyi Innate Tower, worn down by prolonged strain, had finally reached its limit.

With a flash of light, it vanished on the spot without a trace.

As the winds dispersed and the sky changed color, the Western White Emperor’s immortal soul and her sword were forcibly separated.

Tang Xiaotang, high on battle fervor, seized the Tianshi Seal and smashed it down toward the Western White Emperor.

The Hunyuan Elixir Robe reappeared, manifesting a translucent elixir to block the blow.

But under successive impacts, the once-sturdy elixir finally cracked.

Tang Xiaotang’s Tianshi Sword slashed once more, shattering the artifact.

Unlike the Qianqiu Rope, the Hunyuan Elixir Robe was one of the Western White Emperor’s three life-bound treasures—linked directly to her essence.

With it damaged, her immortal soul wavered and she staggered in place.

Seeing the Taiyi Innate Tower gone and no more chances at the Tianshi Seal, the Western White Emperor shook her head, retracted her broken artifacts, and merged once more with the Taiyi Poque Sword.

With the spatial distortions from the tower’s eruption dissipated, the Taiyi Poque Sword flashed and ripped open the void, fleeing.

Tang Xiaotang gave a long howl, transformed into a streak of golden light, and chased after.

In an instant, both vanished over the horizon.

——————

Before the Taiyi Innate Tower had even left that sea region, Lei Jun had already been watching through the Grand Celestial Mirror, feeling a bit regretful he couldn't witness the fight up close.

Compared to the robed priestess from the Great Ming Dynasty, their current top priority remained Huang Xuanpu.

Using ritual instruments, Lei Jun continuously calculated traces of Huang Xuanpu’s movements and relayed the results to Senior Sister Xu Yuanzhen.

Their target was moving too, making it difficult to corner him completely.

Fortunately, with Shangguan Yunbo joining Xu Yuanzhen in a pincer maneuver, their net was gradually tightening.

“Hm?”

Just then, Lei Jun’s eyes flickered.

Under the Grand Celestial Mirror’s observation, he sensed two individuals approaching.

A man and a woman, both dressed as Daoists.

They looked exactly like the pair Zhang Dongyuan had mentioned earlier.

Unfamiliar faces—one from the Alchemical Sect, the other from the Artifact Refining Sect. But both held formidable cultivation.

According to Senior Sister Xu Yuanzhen, were they people from Zhenwu Monastery of the Alchemical Sect in the Great Ming Daoist Nation, and from the same Shushan Sect as the Western White Emperor?

Had they come for this location too, because of the converging spiritual energies? Lei Jun remained calm.

The two were indeed core members of the Ming Daoist Nation.

Their identities within their respective sects remained secret—respected elders in their domains.

Zhenwu Monastery’s Grandmaster Elder: Shang Nan.

Shushan Sect’s Grandmaster Elder: Xue Xingzi.

Huang Xuanpu’s unexpected moves had triggered major shifts in the spiritual forces of the Artifact Refining Sect’s treasured items.

Even with the Western White Emperor and her Taiyi Poque Sword, it wasn’t something they could resolve instantly.

With Tang Xiaotang and others now on the scene, things had gotten even more complicated.

Shang Nan and Xue Xingzi originally intended to escort the remnants of the Tang Daoist Nation to the Ming Daoist Nation.

But now, seeing the situation shift rapidly, they opted to prioritize retrieving the Taiyi Innate Tower for the Western White Emperor.

“I have a method we can try,” Xue Xingzi said, “but we must first locate a spot where the Earth Veins and natural spiritual energies converge to perform the ritual.”

Shang Nan replied, “The tower’s causing spatial disruptions—we can’t get close right now. We’ll try your method first, and I’ll guard you while you perform the rite.”

The two searched without much delay and soon found the general area.

But upon arriving, they realized the spiritual energies had already shifted dramatically—someone else had already started casting a spell.

Both frowned.

As they neared, Elder Miaokong of Tianlong Monastery and Master Zongcuo of the Vajra Division of Mount Sumeru also sensed the newcomers.

As Buddhist cultivators, their spiritual sensitivity was already keen. Master Zongcuo secretly used an Outer Binding Seal from his mudra lineage to sense external threats.

Upon detecting powerful cultivators approaching, his gaze sharpened slightly.

Elder Miaokong also sensed the disturbance and turned to look in their direction.

Lei Jun said, “Thank you both, Masters.”

Elder Miaokong and Master Zongcuo replied, “Elder Lei is too kind.”

Two Daoists, two Buddhists—four Eighth-Heaven experts—collided instantly.

Though Shang Nan and Xue Xingzi had no desire to fight the Tang cultivators head-on, with the Taiyi Innate Tower and Poque Sword at stake, they weren’t about to back down.

Master Zongcuo clashed directly with Shang Nan.

One a master of Buddhist hand seals, the other of Daoist alchemy. Both were equally fearsome in close combat.

Zongcuo first used the Inner Binding Seal to observe Shang Nan’s techniques.

Then he followed up with a barrage: the Single-Bronze Seal, the Sun Wheel Seal, and the Great Vajra Wheel Seal. His moves were unpredictable and powerful, attacking from every direction.

Shang Nan appeared slow but moved with hidden speed. As he waved his hands, icy blue water surged forth.

From afar, Lei Jun’s eyes lit up.

It wasn’t the Pure Yang True Fire of the Pure Yang Palace, nor the pure Yin Ice of Jiang Yu’s Pure Yin Physique.

That icy blue water was cold and heavy, resembling the mystic might of the Northern Abyss Divine Spear and the Divine Powers of the Black Tortoise Lineage.

It was True Martial Heavy Water.

An advanced technique cultivated by Zhenwu Monastery of the Ming Daoist Nation’s Alchemical Sect.

As a Grandmaster Elder of the Eighth Heaven, Shang Nan wielded it with great skill.

While circulating the True Martial Heavy Water, he used the monastery’s secret technique: the True Martial Seven-Cut Palm.

This was one of Shang Nan’s life-bound mystical abilities.

One move, Highest Good Like Water, sealed and froze the surroundings, halting Zongcuo’s tide of attacks.

“You’re from the Vajra Division of Mount Sumeru?” Shang Nan asked mid-fight. “I’ve met monks from the Karmic Division before—but never one from the Vajra Division.”

Before Zongcuo could respond, Shang Nan abruptly changed tactics.

The heavy, chilling water surged like a tidal wave and counterattacked.

True Martial Seven-Cut Palm—unstoppable force!

Nothing in the world is softer than water—yet nothing is stronger.

The overwhelming force condensed into a tangible mass, crashing toward Zongcuo like a landslide.

Zongcuo dodged just in time using the Great Vajra Wheel Seal.

Just one move, and he already knew Shang Nan was stronger.

Still, Zongcuo had no intention of risking his life for Lei Jun.

But he soon realized Shang Nan was even tougher than expected.

As time went on, Zongcuo’s movements grew sluggish—his blood and Qi beginning to freeze.

Though not physically struck, the chill of the True Martial Heavy Water had silently seeped into him.

True Martial Seven-Cut Palm—three feet of ice is not born in a day.

It is the accumulation of cold over a thousand years.

Fortunately, Zongcuo noticed it in time and used the Inner Lion Seal to restore himself and resist the chilling invasion.

While he was busy purging the cold, Shang Nan faced less resistance—so he launched another palm strike straight at Lei Jun, who was presiding over the ritual.

Lei Jun remained seated at the altar, unmoving. But under the brilliance of the Heavenly Book Talismanic Canon of Thunder Law, a violet, masculine Thunder Dragon roared skyward, shielding him from Shang Nan.

“So this is the Yang Lightning Dragon of the Tianshi Mansion? Impressive, I’ll give you that—but you’re getting way too cocky!” A flash of sword light streaked from the distance, Snowstar’s voice closing in fast.

Unlike the Western White Emperor, Snowstar was a true sword cultivator.

She had reached the Eighth Heaven Realm, and her two life-bound artifacts—Sky Snow and Flying Star—were the source of her Daoist title.

In the distance, Elder Miaokong of Tianlong Monastery manifested the Great Mighty Heavenly Dragon Apparition, a form both powerful and balanced in offense and defense.

But Snowstar had already stepped into the third-tier realm of the Eighth Heaven in the Daoist Artifact Refining Sect. With her Spirit-Infused Sword strikes from afar, she forced Elder Miaokong to proceed with great caution.

Then, taking advantage of Miaokong's focus on defense, Snowstar suddenly abandoned her life-bound sword, the Sky Snow Sword.

Its sword light scattered and transformed into a vast icy domain, trapping Elder Miaokong within a land of snow and frost.

Although protected by the Great Mighty Heavenly Dragon Apparition, the elder was temporarily immobilized.

Snowstar hadn’t planned to defeat the monk quickly. She only needed to buy a moment—to free herself up and help Shang Nan swiftly take down Master Zongcuo and Lei Jun.

Her Flying Star Sword lunged first at Master Zongcuo.

Zongcuo hastily dodged.

Snowstar redirected the Flying Star Sword, aiming now at Lei Jun.

As Zongcuo retreated, Shang Nan seized the chance and surged forward.

The Yang Lightning Dragon shielding Lei Jun couldn’t withstand the combined assault.

Yet Lei Jun remained calm, even nodding in satisfaction. “It’s done.”

Senior Sister Xu Yuanzhen and Shangguan Yunbo had closed the gap on their end, successfully intercepting Huang Xuanpu.

Deep in Lei Jun’s eyes, the Celestial Ground-Through Talisman sparkled as he looked calmly at Shang Nan and Snowstar. “Your Emperor fled.”

The Grand Celestial Mirror reflected the scene into Lei Jun’s vision—showing the Taiyi Innate Tower disappearing, and Tang Xiaotang chasing after the Western White Emperor.

Both Shang Nan and Snowstar were visibly shaken.

At that moment, they also received the White Emperor’s command: retreat immediately.

But simultaneously, they, along with Master Zongcuo nearby, heard Lei Jun’s voice ring in their ears:

“She screwed you over.”

His tone was flat—neither mocking nor triumphant.

It was simply a matter-of-fact statement.

With it, a vast, dark void glittering with starlight expanded outward.

This starry universe instantly enveloped Shang Nan, Snowstar, and Master Zongcuo.

Snowstar’s instincts kicked in—she tried to escape using her Spirit-Infused Sword technique and the Eighth Heaven's Daoist Ocean-Walking method.

But the Flying Star Sword faltered midair, reappearing from the void—it hadn’t gotten far at all.

Snowstar was horrified to find, deep within the black starry sky behind her, a flash of brilliant yellow light.

An immense suction force emanated from it, drawing the Flying Star Sword irresistibly into its core.

Over the ocean, Lei Jun’s halted ritual caused the illusory triple-tiered altar to vanish, and the sea rushed back, flooding the seabed.

But above the water now floated a colossal, opaque black sphere.

Starlight rippled along its surface, ever-shifting—it resembled a miniature cosmic celestial body.

It was Lei Jun’s Divine Court Manifestation.

The Xuanhuang Universe—Open!

Within this miniature universe, thunder and fire raged, but quickly diverged.

One portion rapidly condensed at the brilliant yellow core, making it glow even brighter.

The other streamed into the cosmic void in all directions, merging into scattered starlight.

Snowstar’s spirit was still linked to her Flying Star Sword, but now it felt like she was being dragged into that radiant yellow core by an unstoppable force.

The Flying Star Sword plunged into what looked like a golden sea.

But it wasn’t water.

It was endless primordial magnetism.

The Primordial Magnetic Sea.

Within it, the Flying Star Sword trembled violently.

If not for the immense effort, time, and rare treasures Snowstar had poured into forging this sword—and her spirit currently fused within it—a lesser blade would’ve already been twisted into scrap by the magnetic currents.

Even so, the Flying Star Sword quivered uncontrollably, on the verge of distortion.

Snowstar, trapped along with her life-bound sword, couldn’t escape the Primordial Magnetic Sea.

Even trying to withdraw her soul from the sword brought sharp, agonizing pain.

The overwhelming magnetic force was so intense that even her spirit struggled to endure it.

This man’s mastery of such a technique... aside from top-tier treasures like the Twin Swords of Purple and Green or the Taiyi Breaking Blade, anything forged with refined metal would be trapped here too... The elder from the Ming Dynasty’s Shushan Sect was shaken.

Master Zongcuo looked around and was utterly stunned.

What kind of Divine Court Manifestation is this?

The Divine Court Manifestation was the Daoist Talismanic Branch’s ultimate expression of one’s Dao arts.

But Lei Jun’s version—both in scale and intricacy—was far beyond anything they had imagined.

“Elder Lei... allow me to assist…” Zongcuo’s throat felt dry.

In the center of the Xuanhuang Universe, a Yin-Yang Taiji Diagram rotated silently. Lei Jun stood atop it, hands behind his back.

The diagram carried him directly toward Shang Nan.

He shook his head at Zongcuo. “No need.”

Zongcuo’s sense of foreboding peaked instantly.

Without hesitation, he formed the Wisdom Fist Seal—a powerful Buddhist mudra known to shake the void, ideal for breaking free of a Divine Court universe.

The dark void quivered.

But didn’t break.

Zongcuo’s face changed.

A moment later, a flash of violet lightning lit up his face.

The roaring Yang Lightning Dragon returned.

But this time, it wasn’t alone—a massive green tiger, as tall as a mountain, emerged beside it.

“The Yin Fire Tiger?!” Zongcuo cried out in shock.

Everyone knew that Elder Lei Jun of the Tianshi Mansion possessed three major life-bound divine abilities: the Destined Star Avatar, the Yin Lightning Dragon, and the Yang Lightning Dragon.

But now the Yin Fire Tiger appeared too, which meant—

Dragon-Tiger Combined Strike!

From the bright yellow center, purple divine thunder streamed out, while green earth fire erupted from the dark starry void—meeting in the middle.

Dragon roars and tiger howls echoed.

A swirling Taiji Diagram of violet and green emerged, unleashing a cataclysmic burst of light that engulfed Zongcuo.

Now pushed to the brink, Zongcuo unleashed everything he had.

Forming the Vajra Seal, he summoned a golden Demon-Subduing Vajra Scepter to protect himself.

It emitted a translucent Vajra Radiance, clear as crystal, shielding him inside.

For a moment, it truly seemed indestructible, like diamond.

But under the light of the Dragon-Tiger Strike, even this began to erode, layer by layer.

Zongcuo could only hold on in desperation as the brilliance of the Taiji grew brighter and brighter.

Once Zongcuo was pinned and unable to escape using the Wisdom Fist Seal, Lei Jun turned away without sparing him another glance.

His eyes now locked on Shang Nan, as the Taiji Diagram carried him forward.

The second-in-command of the Ming Dynasty’s Mortal Daoist Nation met Lei Jun’s gaze and let out a quiet sigh. “Please, show me what you’ve got.”

Gone was the reserved style he used when facing Zongcuo. Now he drew in True Martial Heavy Water and launched a dominant first strike.

Lei Jun’s entire body shimmered with starlight. Backed by the Spirit Officer Talisman and Heavenly Travel Talisman, and aided by the Doumu Star God Apparition, he transformed into a towering starborn deity—unflinching, he punched forward to meet Shang Nan’s Seven-Step Palm of True Martial head-on.

In the distant cosmic void, stars began shifting toward the battlefield.

Flames flickered at their edges, forming the image of blazing suns.

Strands of stellar fire rushed toward Lei Jun, strengthening him further, making his already imposing figure even more ferocious.

Unmatched in strength and blazing with intense heat, he collided with the icy, mountainous force of Shang Nan’s water-infused martial arts.

In that moment, the “unstoppable” met the immovable—but this time, the immovable struck back harder!

Lei Jun’s punch shattered the ice-blue tidal wave.

Shang Nan staggered, his martial posture nearly broken.

He was stunned.

As a cultivator at the peak of the Eighth Heaven Realm in the Daoist Alchemical Sect, how was he losing in hand-to-hand combat to a Talismanic Branch cultivator?

Even within Lei Jun’s Divine Court, his physical power was far beyond that of an average Tianshi Mansion heir.

Lei Jun pressed the assault—each punch chaining into the next. Shang Nan had no time to reflect, only to defend with everything he had.

They fought in a blur. What shocked Shang Nan most wasn’t Lei Jun’s fists—it was his speed.

He felt like he was facing a martial artist at the pinnacle of physical combat.

Within just a few exchanges, Shang Nan was forced back repeatedly. Defense overtook offense, and more than half his moves were desperate counters using Supreme Waterlike Defense.

True Martial Cold surged continuously.

But the starlight flowing over Lei Jun’s Destined Star Avatar suddenly ignited like blazing suns.

Fiery Yang Flames covered his body, allowing no opportunity for Shang Nan to unleash the full freezing power of Three Feet of Ice.

Shang Nan’s tenacity held firm. Though on the back foot, he didn’t give up looking for an opening.

He used Dripping Water Wears Stone, one of the Seven-Step Palm’s most precise strikes, to target Lei Jun’s vital points again and again.

But Lei Jun’s body was surrounded by a river of talismans, each like a drifting star. One shattered, another formed—constant regeneration.

The longer they fought, the more talismans encircled him.

Then, a flash emerged from the Primordial Magnetic Sea.

Snowstar’s spirit finally tore free from the Flying Star Sword, enduring the magnetic pain to escape.

At that same moment, Shang Nan concentrated all his True Martial Heavy Water around himself—

And unleashed its full, frigid power.

The mighty and heavy torrent finally froze over completely in that instant.

Within the layer of ice, a flash of blue light suddenly appeared.

The blue light condensed into an eight-sided hammer the size of a mountain peak, crashing down toward Lei Jun with a thunderous roar!

It was the secret art of the Zhenwu Monastery—

Zhenwu Demon-Cleansing Hammer!

Lei Jun acted as though he hadn’t even noticed it.

Black Yin Thunder sprouted from the golden-yellow Primal Magnetic Sea.

Golden-red Yang Flame leaped forth from the dark starry cosmos.

The two surged toward each other, converging in the void between Lei Jun and Shang Nan.

The Heavenly Sun Ascendant Talisman and the Mysterious Firmament Five Thunder Talisman shone together in radiant brilliance.

The Heavenly Sun Flame Ancestor Apparition and the Mysterious Firmament Thunder Ancestor Apparition stood silently opposed.

The ferocious Yang Fire Tiger intertwined with the shadowy Yin Thunder Dragon in the cosmic expanse.

Not to mention Shang Nan, who faced the attack head-on—even Xue Xingzi and Master Zongcuo, who were already in a sorry state and struggling to keep themselves safe in the distance, were left dumbfounded. They stared blankly into the distance, momentarily forgetting their own peril.

This Lei Jun…

How many Talismanic Apparitions has he cultivated?

The Doumu Star God Apparition.

The Nine Heavens Thunder Ancestor Apparition.

The Nine Abyss Flame Ancestor Apparition.

The Mysterious Firmament Thunder Ancestor Apparition.

And now, there’s even a fifth one?

Even Tang Xiaotang at the Eighth Heaven stage had only cultivated four Apparitions.

Is Lei Jun really only Eighth Heaven?

Unbothered by their shock in the slightest, Lei Jun stood at the center of a new black-and-red Yin-Yang Taiji Diagram, formed by the fusion of the Yang Fire Tiger and the Yin Thunder Dragon. A blinding light erupted.

Another Dragon-Tiger Combined Strike.

The intense light didn’t block Shang Nan’s Zhenwu Demon-Cleansing Hammer.

At that moment, it was a pure clash of offense versus offense.

The radiant burst from Lei Jun’s Dragon-Tiger Strike struck the icy glacier formed by Zhenwu Heavy Water and blasted it apart completely.

Meanwhile, as the colossal Zhenwu Demon-Cleansing Hammer fell, a cloak suddenly materialized on Lei Jun.

As it spread open, it looked like furious dragons raising their heads, shrouded in mist and clouds, graceful and unfathomable.

The powerful defensive force allowed Lei Jun to take the full force of Shang Nan’s all-out hammer strike head-on without flinching or dodging.

The result? Only strands of cloak straw fluttered in the air.

Lei Jun didn’t retreat but instead stepped forward, punching straight for Shang Nan’s chest.

The dazzling brilliance of the Dragon-Tiger Strike not only shattered Shang Nan’s protective Zhenwu Heavy Water ice shield but also tore through the defensive move "Supreme Goodness Like Water" from his Zhenwu Seven Segment Palm, breaking through his form and technique by sheer force.

As Lei Jun’s fist neared, Shang Nan found himself out of options.

With a long sigh, he finally activated his Unified Core, a perfect fusion from his Fourth Transformation Nascent Soul Stage.

At that moment, he gave up all thoughts of counterattack and focused entirely on defense.

Lei Jun’s punch landed on the Unified Core with tremendous force—but it only caused a slight tremor, not a single visible crack on its surface.

Inside the translucent golden core, Shang Nan calmly met Lei Jun’s gaze.

He was confident that among all mortal realm cultivators in the current Tang Dynasty, aside from the still-doubtful Chen Donglou, who had slain Fu Dongsen, no one below the Ninth Heaven could forcefully break his Unified Core.

It now came down to a battle of endurance.

Would Lei Jun’s Divine Court Manifestation last longer?

Or would his Unified Core hold out longer?

As a Daoist Alchemical Sect cultivator, he was known for vast and deep reserves of mana. With the added resilience from cultivating Zhenwu Heavy Water, he had every reason to be confident.

“Buzz—”

Just then, a humming sound rang out in the distance.

A sudden sense of unease bloomed in Shang Nan’s heart.

Xue Xingzi turned around in horror, only to see streaks of sword light shooting out from the golden Primal Magnetic Sea behind them.

The sword lights weren’t fast, but they moved smoothly and gracefully, sketching arc after arc through the cosmos—like a shower of meteors.

Lei Jun stood calmly at the center of the starry sky, the sword lights orbiting around him.

Within his own Divine Court Manifestation Universe, he could finally imitate the sword control of a Weapon-Refining Sect cultivator—

—at least, when not attacking.

But when used offensively…

“Buzz!”

“Buzz!”

“Buzz!”

With ear-piercing sword cries, the lights blinked once in the void—then vanished.

When they reappeared, they were already crisscrossing and crashing down upon Shang Nan, Master Zongcuo, and Xue Xingzi like a skyfall.

Master Zongcuo’s defensive artifact had already been shattered by the Dragon-Tiger Strike. Left with only the Solitary Cobalt Seal, he could barely hold his ground. Now, with sword lights raining down, he couldn’t even twist like Rain Tree Master once did to dodge.

A spray of blood burst from his body.

Xue Xingzi’s Immortal Soul wandered, but Lei Jun targeted her with the densest sword rain.

Within the Profound Yellow Universe, the sword lights moved freely, pausing or striking at will. No matter how desperately she dodged, she could escape for a moment—but not forever.

One sword struck. Her form froze mid-air.

Then came more. In a blink, she was pierced by many blades.

Shang Nan had the strongest defense.

So Lei Jun used other swords on the other two, saving the full set of Seven-Star Swords for Shang Nan.

First sword—his core trembled.

Second sword—violent shockwaves, but it didn’t break.

Third sword—cracks finally appeared in the Unified Core.

Fourth sword—shattered completely!

“Not bad. Took one more hit than Rong Guangchen from the Mortal Daoist Nation,” Lei Jun said as he passed by Shang Nan.

“Considering I’m even stronger than I was back then, your shell really held up.”

Seven swords in succession—flesh and soul, both slain.

Far off, Xue Xingzi’s immortal soul was also riddled with sword light, igniting into nothing before she could even shatter completely.

Master Zongcuo, barely clinging to life, looked up at Lei Jun with resentment. “You… Chen Donglou… and so many others…”

Lei Jun calmly replied, “Trying to convert us? How about I save you first?”

Sword light flashed. Master Zongcuo drew his last breath.