Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 361: One Man Destroys the Holy Land

The foundation of the Four-Eyed Python Emperor had shifted from the body of a great demon to a cultivation of the Buddhist Mudra Lineage, achieving a Buddhist Dharma Body.
Although he had not yet formed the Perfect Bright Moon Wheel, attaining the Dharma Body of the Mudra Lineage meant both his body and spirit were fortified. The Vajra Division, one of the five divisions of the Vajra Realm, emphasized the offensive and defensive nature of Vajra essence—making his physical body especially tough.

Yet now, with the descent of purple lightning like heavenly punishment, even the Four-Eyed Python Emperor couldn’t withstand it.
His body was incredibly resilient and his vitality powerful, but still, his body was split in two and writhed in agony on the ground.
The terrifying purple lightning had not only torn his body apart but left behind searing thunderfire at the wound, continuing to burn and explode his flesh, relentlessly spreading upward.
Where his body had been split, mountains collapsed, the ground caved in, and a massive pit formed—wiping out surrounding peaks and transforming the terrain into a deep valley.

At the bottom of that valley, smoke and sparks curled upward, and a faint purple glow still shimmered.
The Four-Eyed Python Emperor twitched and struggled in pain.
From the side, the Vajra Division Commander could clearly see that the purple glow came from a sword buried askew at the bottom of the valley.
It was none other than the Tianshi Sword—Mount Longhu’s treasured True Inheritance.

“Two against one?” Tang Xiaotang let out a cold sneer. “And now? How many against how many?”

As she spoke, she raised her hand, and the Tianshi Sword flew back into her grasp.
With one sweeping strike, she finished off the grievously wounded Four-Eyed Python Emperor.
The giant serpent’s head split completely apart.

Once a mighty Nine Heavens demon, and now a Buddhist guardian of the same realm—he was utterly destroyed in body and soul.

The Vajra Division Commander wanted to intervene, but golden light had already erupted around him.

Tang Xiaotang's Great Ascension Dao Domain, the Pure Yang Realm, unfurled—an ocean of golden Pure Yang energy surged in all directions.
Because he had approached earlier in an attempt to rescue the Four-Eyed Python Emperor, the Vajra Division Commander was now caught within reach.

Though immensely powerful, under such circumstances—having walked straight into the trap—there was no easy escape from Tang Xiaotang’s Pure Yang Realm.

With a flash of golden light, a colossal golden orb, like a descending sun, engulfed the void and the entire mountain region.

Within the Pure Yang Realm, the Vajra Division Commander, Jialuotu, was now trapped.
Around him, flames of the Wrathful King blazed fiercely, resisting the surrounding Pure Yang fire and Pure Yang Celestial Lightning.

Staring at the Tianshi Sword in Tang Xiaotang’s hand, the Vajra Division Commander was momentarily full of doubt.

That earlier strike—everything about it screamed Daoist Artifact Refining Sect flying sword technique.
But the sheer power of it... even among the Nine Heavens Great Ascension cultivators of that lineage, such prowess was far from ordinary.

Thunderfire intertwined, aggressive and overbearing—it clearly wasn’t the style of the Yellow Springs Shushan Sect.

So... was it that supremely mysterious and elusive Chen Donglou of the Tang Dynasty’s Shushan Sect?

But why would the Tianshi Mansion lend the Tianshi Sword to Chen Donglou?

Even if it was a Nine Heavens Artifact Refining cultivator, flying a sword across thousands or even tens of thousands of miles shouldn’t look like that.

If they could all pull that off, they’d have long since ruled the world.

Even with that level of power, once locked on by a Daoist flying sword, a Nine Heavens Buddhist Dharma Body like the Four-Eyed Python Emperor would sense it. He wouldn’t have been caught off guard so completely.

Even Jialuotu, at the peak of the Ninth Heaven himself, didn’t have time to intercept or help once he noticed the sword's approach.

That kind of flying sword... a faint flash of insight flickered through the Vajra Commander’s mind.

But it was too late to dwell on it.

Across the golden ocean, Tang Xiaotang stood sword in hand, blade angled and pointed forward.

“B*ld monk, neither of us needs to play your stupid Vajra Division Chief anymore. As of today, your division’s got no chief!”

The middle-aged monk let out a quiet sigh.
His heart and mind returned to complete stillness and clarity.

It was done. He said no more, stowed away his ritual bell, and dismissed all other thoughts.

With a motion of his hand, the Five-Pronged Vajra Scepter landed in his grip. Calmly, he stepped forward to face Tang Xiaotang and the Tianshi Sword.

Outside the Pure Yang Realm, Master Dongda, being far enough away, was lucky to avoid being pulled into Tang Xiaotang’s Dao Domain.

Coming to his senses, he scanned the area with growing unease, uncertain of which powerhouse had just made a sudden move.

He waited for a moment, but no new figure appeared.

Still uneasy, Master Dongda wanted to help the Vajra Commander inside the Pure Yang Realm—but found no opening to intervene.

This senior monk of the Vajra Division could only try to contact his comrades, caught in a dilemma.

Far away, the mountainous region where Lei Jun had been was in ruins, ravaged by the earlier “flying sword” attack.
In the air, twelve talismans—Two-Element Celestial Talisman, Thunder Law Talismanic Canon, Mysterious Firmament Five Thunders Canon, and Celestial Ground-Through Talisman—had all dissipated into drifting light.

Even the talisman script in Lei Jun’s own eyes dimmed.
His mana plummeted, nearly drained dry.

Moreover, his connection with nature, drawing from all directions, had temporarily drained the surrounding Yin-Yang spiritual energy, thunder essence, and geomagnetic force.

That one sword strike, in both range and power, was the strongest move of Lei Jun’s life.

Strictly speaking, the conversion of mana to impact was inefficient—most of the energy was spent during the Tianshi Sword’s flight.

But given the target and result, it was well worth the cost.

Last time, at the Eastern Sea, his flying sword strike had taken down a Heavenly Principle cultivator—a strike from an Eighth Heaven to a Seventh.

This time, a full-fledged Ninth Heaven Dharma Body—the Four-Eyed Python Emperor—was blown apart in one hit.

It hadn’t wasted Tang Xiaotang’s effort holding him back on the Pure Yang Vessel.

The giant python had bound her, sure—but he’d also anchored himself, leaving no room to dodge or escape.

Though Lei Jun’s mana was nearly gone, he wasted no time.
From the shadow pouch his junior brother Chu Kun gave him, he took out a lustrous white jade, gripping it tight to absorb its spiritual power, while his other hand instinctively used the dark side of the Heavenly Book to cleanse the area.

Lei Jun’s Two-Element Celestial Physique already allowed fast mana recovery under normal conditions.
Now, with the jade’s spiritual energy, his depleted mana quickly surged back.

His cultivation and divine abilities were far above Chu Kun’s, so the usual items Chu Kun used for recovery couldn’t keep up with Lei Jun’s needs.
This shadow pouch had been specially prepared with high-grade spiritual items Chu Kun saved for his future breakthroughs to Eighth and Ninth Heaven.

As Chu Kun had said, this battle was too important. Resources needed to be spent where they mattered most.

Lei Jun wasn’t one for modesty. He needed fast recovery for what came next.

Just then, a light sphere flickered in his mind, followed by text:

“When the Vajra of Sumeru moves, nature guides it. From the heavens above to the depths below, the finest thread connects all.”

Then, four omens appeared.
Lei Jun raised an eyebrow.

For the first time, he saw a reference to a First-Grade Opportunity in an omen:

Supreme Good Omen: Head to the Vajra Temple in the Western Region immediately. Handle the matter well to obtain a First-Grade Opportunity. There is follow-up potential. As long as minor turbulence is handled properly, there will be no hidden dangers. Extremely auspicious!

Upper-Moderate Omen: Head to Mount Xing in Northeastern Long Region. Handle the matter well to obtain a Second-Grade Opportunity. There is current turmoil and possible karmic entanglement—handle with caution. Auspicious.

Upper-Moderate Omen: Head to Xuantian Mountain in Yunzhou. Handle the matter well to obtain a Third-Grade Opportunity. No risks, no hidden dangers. Auspicious.

Moderate Omen: If acting outside the three areas, there will be no gains or losses. Neutral.

Well now—one Supreme Good Omen and two Upper-Moderate Omens. His luck was absolutely off the charts this time... Lei Jun mused.

The third omen referred to Xuantian Mountain in Yunzhou—home of Xuanyan Temple.
With no risk and no backlash, the war in Yunzhou was essentially settled.

As for the second omen—Mount Xing in Northeastern Long...
Lei Jun didn’t know the exact location, but based on the region, it was where Tang Xiaotang and the Vajra Commander were fighting.

The Second-Grade Opportunity was clearly tied to Jialuotu.
Of course there was some risk. Jialuotu, after all, was a peak Ninth Heaven Buddhist expert.

Back in Nanzhao, it had taken the Grand Reversal Nine-Palace Immortal Formation from the Yellow Springs to trip him up.

As for the hidden danger mentioned in the omen—it remained unclear where it would manifest.

Lei Jun looked again at the first omen.

This had been part of his original plan—to pull the rug out from under the Vajra Division by going straight to their temple.

“When the Vajra of Sumeru moves, nature guides it... the thread from heaven to abyss... a hair's breadth away.”

Could this be the final spark needed for his spiritual insight to evolve from Tranquility to Nature?
Could the treasure descending from the heavens be there?

A First-Grade Opportunity, with potential to develop further... Lei Jun began to grasp the implication.

Having made up his mind, he quickly restored his mana, donned the Supreme Purity Eight Sceneries Treasure Mantle, and began heading west.

Since it was on the way, he first stopped by Mount Xing in Northeastern Long.

He didn’t do much—just passed along his plans to Tang Xiaotang.

Then Lei Jun continued west, toward the Western Region.

As he traveled, he could feel the mountains and rivers of the Tang Dynasty trembling more and more violently.
The entire land’s geomantic veins were shifting drastically.

The battle for Yunzhou was clearly reaching its conclusion.

Yet, once he stepped into the Western Region, beyond the borders of the Tang realm, that turbulence lessened significantly.

The white light that had formed and revealed the mountains and rivers continued to undulate.

Outside Yunzhou, cultivators of both the Tang Dynasty and the Lone Eagle Khanate felt their hearts stir—this was the battlefield that would decide the fate of the northern war.

Suddenly, the mountains and rivers shaped by that gathered white light fell still.

While the lands of the Tang realm beyond Yunzhou still trembled, the white-light-formed landscape above Yunzhou itself began to dissipate.

After a momentary pause, cultivators from both sides—Tang and foreign alike—unconsciously started converging toward Yunzhou.

Chu Yu and the others, who had been stationed at the edge of the white light, were the first to cross into the Yunzhou boundary.

Surprisingly, the destruction and collateral damage here weren’t as severe as they had expected.

Soon, Chu Yu and her party encountered a group of Tang cultivators.

These were the ones who had previously withdrawn from the Yin Mountain frontline along the central route. Leading them was Abbot Ningru of Xuanyan Temple.

“I pray for all beings,” said Master Ningru, gazing toward Xuantian Mountain. “His Majesty instructed us to spread out and protect Yunzhou’s people from the ravages of war. As for the current state of Xuantian Mountain, I’m afraid we monks are still in the dark.”

Chu Yu bowed slightly. “Thank you, Abbot, and all of you. We’re all acting on His Majesty’s orders.”

She took her leave from Abbot Ningru and the others and headed straight for Xuantian Mountain.

More precisely, she went to where Xuantian Mountain used to be.

After the cataclysmic battle, the entire mountain range had vanished without a trace.

Only one person remained standing there between heaven and earth, stark and unmistakable.

She wore a simple robe, her noble beauty unmasked, her bearing regal, her gaze deep and serene.

It was the reigning Empress of Tang—Zhang Wantong.

Compared to her usual self, her face was pale, without a hint of color.

Chu Yu approached. “Your Majesty.”

The Empress turned her eyes to Chu Yu. “Is Chang’an ready?”

Chu Yu replied, “Just as Your Majesty foresaw—following the recent changes in the earth veins, the nation’s dragon vein is shifting further west toward the old capital, Chang’an. The geomantic energy is gathering there more strongly. Elder Sun, the Medicine King, is already in place and awaits Your Majesty’s arrival.”

The Empress gave a soft nod. “Good. What about the Vajra Division of Sumeru?”

Chu Yu answered, “We just received a transmission from Tianshi Lei. The Vajra Division Commander has appeared. Our Imperial Preceptor is currently engaging him in battle. Tianshi Lei is also west of the Great River. With them there, the situation should be secure. The Grand Princess and the others are also preparing to depart for the Western Region.”

Zhang Wantong said, “Then let’s head for Chang’an. Leave the northern cleanup to Xueting and the rest.”

Chu Yu replied, “Yes, Your Majesty.”

The Empress gestured to the side.

There, five severed heads—large and small—suddenly rose into the air and floated toward Chu Yu.

Two of them were enormous, each the size of a giant boulder.

One belonged to the Snow Kingdom Bear King, once a rampaging force across the northern frontiers of the Tang realm.

Years ago, during his invasion of Guanzhong, he had one eye blinded by Xiao Xueting wielding the Mountain-River Sword.

Now, even his remaining good eye was just a bloody hollow. The wound where his massive bear neck had been severed was dry and blackened with blood.

The other enormous head belonged to a giant eagle—the Sky Soaring Eagle known as Huhechagai, a state-guarding beast of the Lone Eagle Khanate.

Just like the Snow Kingdom Bear King, Huhechagai had been equivalent to a Ninth Heaven expert among humans.
In fact, he was even more powerful than the Bear King, and his position within the Lone Eagle Khanate had remained unshaken despite the latter's defeat.

Now, however, his vast wings and body—once capable of blotting out the sun—were gone.

Only the massive eagle’s head remained. Its once-sharp eyes had lost all luster.

Compared to the bear and eagle heads, the remaining three severed heads were noticeably smaller and had belonged to human cultivators in life.

One was a middle-aged man with a foreign hairstyle, his face twisted in shock and rage, though his eyes had already lost their former brilliance.

Chu Yu had seen his portrait before and recognized him immediately—Bomu Ge, the chieftain of the Sunset Tribe and former leader of the second major invasion of the Tang Mortal Realm by the foreign clans.

Back then, most of the invading Sunset Tribe were wiped out, with only Bomu Ge managing to escape.

It was precisely due to this villain's continued presence—and with the assistance of the Vajra Division of Mount Sumeru—that the void gateway connecting the Lone Eagle Khanate to the Tang Mortal Realm was reopened.

The next severed head belonged to a human master, a monk.

Chu Yu was even more familiar with him—they had crossed paths many times.

This was Master Jiasheng, a Ninth-Heaven Buddhist master from the Vajra Division of Mount Sumeru.

Once, during the chaos in Guanzhong and the Nine Li rebellion in the Southern Wasteland, he had aided the Tang Empire.

But this time, he had helped the Lone Eagle Khanate invade the Tang Mortal Realm.

The unpredictability of fate and the fickleness of the human heart—nothing more fitting than this.

The last severed human head belonged to someone Chu Yu didn’t recognize as well.

But even in death, the man’s features remained vivid, and the fierce determination in his eyes still burned bright—as though he were undead.

Only a Martial Saint at the peak of the Ninth Heaven, someone who had reached perfection in both cultivation and martial path, could remain this lifelike after death.

His identity was thus self-evident—the strongest expert of the Lone Eagle Khanate, Khan Hariger.

Yet no matter how lifelike, he was still dead—only his severed head remained.

Including him, all five Ninth-Heaven experts within Yunzhou had now been beheaded.

And below the Ninth Heaven, the many foreign elites—including Khan Hariger’s personal guards and escorts, the Khanate’s elite heavy cavalry, their roaming riders, body refiners, martial fighters, and numerous spirit beasts—regardless of strength, had all vanished completely.

Not a single corpse remained.

Only scattered armor and bloodstains throughout the area served as proof they ever existed.

But thousands of soldiers and countless beasts—ultimately, they all returned to dust.

Including Hariger, the Martial Saint of the Ninth Heaven, none survived this battle.

“The Shushan Sect—Zhang Qing was killed in battle. Is it now Ji Chuan who’s in charge?” the Empress asked Chu Yu.

Chu Yu replied, “Elder Xu Duan has arrived with the second group of disciples.”

The Empress raised her hand, revealing a Daoist sword glowing with green light. “In that case, deliver this sword to Elder Xu of the Shushan Sect.”

Chu Yu accepted the sect treasure of Shushan that had been lost after Zhang Dongyuan’s death. “I will accompany Your Majesty to Chang’an and inform Elder Xu and the Shushan Daoists of the Qingming Sword.”

The Empress gave a slight nod.

Soon after, the outcome of the battle in Yunzhou spread like wildfire.

The severed heads of Hariger, Master Jiasheng, Bomu Ge, along with those of the Sky Soaring Eagle and the Snow Kingdom Bear King, were displayed at the front lines.

The people of the Lone Eagle Khanate were struck as if by thunder.

Even the Tang cultivators, though overjoyed, were equally stunned.

No one had expected the tide of battle to turn so sharply and so violently.

The roles had completely reversed.

The bitter northern winds that had followed the collapse of the Yin Mountain defense line instantly dissipated.

The Lone Eagle Khanate was in utter disbelief, struggling to accept the harsh reality, which left them with an overwhelming chill in their bones.

Some among the fierce and brutal warriors were roused to madness, launching suicidal charges at the Tang forces, attempting to reclaim Hariger’s head and avenge him.

But others lost heart and descended into chaos.

With such disarray, the remaining forces of the Khanate struggled to regroup or mount an effective counter.

At first, even the Tang cultivators were more shocked than delighted.

Aside from driving back the Ninth-Heaven demon Sea King Ju shortly after ascending the throne, Empress Zhang Wantong had barely acted in the decades that followed.

Defeating Guan Jing of the Eighth Heaven Daoist Nation had seemed effortless for her—hardly a measure of her true strength.

Thus, no one could accurately gauge how powerful she had become over time.

They only assumed that with the support of national fortune and the advantage of terrain, she had a decent chance of surviving even against many foes.

But no one expected this—an outright and total victory.

Starting from Khan Hariger down, the enemy had been utterly wiped out.

The Martial Saint at the peak of the Ninth Heaven didn’t just lose—he couldn’t even escape.

He died in Yunzhou on the spot.

Yet, at this moment, the mood among Tang cultivators flipped from stunned joy to unbridled elation.

Their morale surged as they counterattacked the disorganized remnants of the Khanate, whose unity had collapsed.

Though the enemy still had numbers, the battle's outcome was now inevitable.

The Lone Eagle Khanate fell into one defeat after another, suffering devastating losses as they retreated northward toward the Yin Mountains, unable to stop their downward spiral.

---

Western Region.

At the gates of the Vajra Monastery.

Azure light unfurled, transforming into the vast and sublime Pure Land of Bliss, radiant and complete, inspiring serenity and joy in all who beheld it.

Inside the monastery, the high monks of the Vajra Division—Master Gongbu, Master Geluo, Master Suoyang—and the rest of the monks were silently chanting scriptures.

Outside, in the distance.

Under the Supreme Purity Eight Sceneries Treasure Mantle, Lei Jun quietly observed it all.

He held a silver awl in his right hand, gently rubbing it with the fingers of his left.

“There is indeed something unique here…” Lei Jun nodded slightly.

This silver awl had been left by his Senior Sister Xu Yuanzhen. Lei Jun had personally nurtured and refined it over time and had long since comprehended its inner secrets.

Now, what moved him wasn’t the awl—it was the Vajra Monastery’s mountain-guarding formation, which had been activated to its fullest, manifesting the Pure Land of Bliss.

Though they stood on opposing sides, it didn’t stop Lei Jun from acknowledging the ingenuity of the Vajra Division’s inheritance.

His eyes, infused with the Celestial Ground-Through Talisman, allowed him to perceive the deeper mysteries of the Pure Land far better than most.

And at the same time, he made the final adjustments to the silver awl after on-site observation.

Given the time constraints, perfection was impossible.

“Masters of the Vajra Division of Mount Sumeru… forgive the offense,” Lei Jun murmured as he released the awl, letting it float into the air.

Its tip pointed straight toward the distant Pure Land.

Then, in the next instant, it vanished.

When it reappeared, it was a streak of silver light, striking the jade-glass-like Pure Land dead center.

Though the Pure Land appeared fragile—transparent and glowing in blue light—it was, under the projection of the Akshobhya Buddha, firm as vajra, eternal and indestructible, far tougher than any mortal metal.

Yet, when hit by the silver light, the entire Pure Land shuddered.

Cracks began to form from the point of impact, spreading outward like fractures on porcelain.

The monks within the Vajra Monastery, including Master Gongbu, were all shaken. Those of lower cultivation fell over, groaning or coughing blood.

Master Gongbu, Master Geluo, and Master Suoyang were shocked but forced themselves to maintain the formation.

The Buddha's image held his left fist at his side and right hand touching the ground, halting the complete shattering of the Pure Land and stabilizing it temporarily.

But the silver light, like flowing water, seeped deep through the cracks and began dissolving the green Buddhist light from within.

The Pure Land could no longer hold.

Its light shifted from blue back to gold.

Its defensive power plummeted.

“...What is that?!” Master Suoyang exclaimed.

The Vajra Monastery had seen its share of calamities and threats—even once nearly breached by the Vast Void Temple.

But never before had they been attacked in such a strange and devastating way.

Even a Ninth-Heaven expert wouldn’t normally break through this fortified defense.

Unless perhaps it were top-tier experts like Empress Zhang Wantong, Hariger, or Sect Master Ji Yao of Inner Shushan.

But now—who was this?!

“Alert the Masters—contact Mount Sumeru!” Master Gongbu remained calm and spoke gravely.

Master Geluo added, “Our master is currently battling Tang Xiaotang of Mount Longhu and may not return soon. We must request help from Master Cimu or others—either have them come here or summon the Akshobhya Elephant Seat and the Division Matron!”

Master Gongbu nodded.

Time was of the essence. Sending a message back to Mount Sumeru would be too slow.

He pulled out a ritual flute—not to play it, but to snap it.

Instantly, the central hall of the Vajra Monastery lit up.

The gate to Mount Sumeru began to stir.

But at the same time, a massive triple-tiered altar bathed in purple, gold, and azure light descended from the sky.

The cracked and silver-corrupted Buddhist array above could no longer hold—it shattered.

The entire mountain-guarding formation collapsed.

Master Gongbu and the others all coughed blood, wounded by the array's backlash.

The radiant triple altar crashed into the main hall, sealing the passage to Mount Sumeru.

As they looked up, they saw a tall Daoist in a nine-colored radiant robe and a Primordial Crown descending with the altar.

“Mount Longhu…” Master Suoyang murmured. “Yes, this is just like before… just like in Jiangzhou, when the Lin Clan’s ancestral grounds were wiped out!”

Master Geluo, also from the Tang Mortal Realm, trembled.

That event marked the rise of the Tianshi Mansion.

Now, was it Vajra Monastery’s turn?

He quickly steeled himself.

Master Gongbu had already rushed toward Lei Jun.

Master Geluo turned to destabilize the altar—the True-One Altar of the Tianshi Mansion.

He saw a white jade seal suspended at its center—the Tianshi Seal.

It was nearly immovable under Lei Jun’s control.

Still, he hoped that with the help of Master Cimu and other top Vajra masters on the Sumeru side, they could shake the altar and reopen the gateway.

Master Suoyang also tried to contact the Vajra Division’s elders—but was blocked by an unseen force.

His heart sank.

Master Gongbu focused all his will, confronting Lei Jun.

This was the man who, alone, had slain Mi Han, a Ninth-Heaven alien martial expert, and stunned the world.

Master Gongbu didn’t believe he could win—but he would try to delay.

He unleashed the Body Seal Realm of the Eighth Heaven Buddhist Mudra Lineage, conjuring a Buddha-tower battlefield.

He formed the Great Vajra Wheel Mudra to amplify his body and speed.

Even so, Lei Jun, transformed into the Doumu Star God Apparition, was suddenly right before him.

Master Gongbu didn’t panic and switched to the Wisdom Fist Mudra.

His Buddha-tower battlefield formed a glowing five-pronged vajra in mid-air—a symbol of full body mastery.

Empowered, he managed a teleport-like leap within the Buddha domain.

Yet even before he could breathe, Lei Jun was already in front of him again.

A punch landed—Master Gongbu held firm with the Single-Prong Mudra, but still staggered, nearly coughing blood.

And around Lei Jun’s divine form floated talismans from the Thunder Law Talismanic Canon and Fire Law Earth Canon.

The violet Yang Thunder Dragon and emerald Yin Fire Tiger emerged at once.

Between the dragon’s roar and the tiger’s howl, Yin and Yang merged into one.

A purple and green Yin-Yang Taiji Diagram spun in midair, and the powerful light it generated didn’t strike Master Gongbu, but instead blasted toward Master Geluo, who was struggling to destabilize the Tianshi Seal and summon experts from the Vajra Division of Mount Sumeru into the mortal realm.

Master Geluo let out a muffled grunt and quickly formed the Dugu Mudra to block it, but he was still no match for Lei Jun’s ferocious Dragon-Tiger Combined Strike. His monk robe began to catch fire, and his whole body looked like it was turning into a burning man.

Suo Yang and the other Seventh-Heaven monks saw this and immediately attacked Lei Jun together.

They knew full well the disparity in cultivation level and mystical abilities, so rushing in directly would be useless. Instead, everyone summoned their Daoist Tools and launched long-range attacks.

Lei Jun glanced at the incoming weapons. Each appeared ordinary on the surface—a flute, a conch, a hanging scroll, a sacred tree, a vajra pestle, a prayer wheel, an incense burner—crafted from unknown materials. But under Lei Jun’s penetrating gaze, their true forms were revealed.

He showed no expression.

The intertwined purple and green Yin-Yang Taiji Diagram dissolved, reforming into the Yang Thunder Dragon and Yin Fire Tiger.

The Yang Thunder Dragon soared upward, sweeping through the Nine Heavens and instantly forming a vast storm of purple lightning clouds. Amid booming thunder, bolts of violet lightning rained down like a torrential downpour composed entirely of Nine Heavens Divine Thunder.

The lightning rain covered the entire Vajra Monastery, bombing the temple grounds that resembled a sprawling palace complex. Fires erupted, explosions roared, and buildings collapsed everywhere.

The Yin Fire Tiger dove downward, vanishing into the ground.

Soon, the earth began to quake and collapse in sections. Each collapsed area became a sea of emerald green flames that devoured everything in their path—people, objects, structures alike.

Fire spread in all directions, growing denser until it eventually became one massive sea of flames.

Disciples of the Vajra Monastery, regardless of their cultivation level, fell one after another under the relentless storm of thunder and fire.

Temples, Daoist Tools, and sacred artifacts were reduced to ash.

Master Gongbu was overwhelmed, fending off only with great difficulty as Lei Jun pressed in with a barrage of close-range punches.

Realizing he couldn’t just sit and wait to die, Gongbu forcefully activated his internal Lion Seal, stabilizing his body and suppressing his injuries. Then, he summoned a personally refined Three-Pronged Vajra Pestle.

At that moment, the real Three-Pronged Vajra Pestle merged with the illusionary Five-Pronged Vajra Pestle formed by the Monastic Altar of Master Gongbu.

Golden Buddha Light turned green, and the Indestructible Vajra Will gathered to its peak, manifesting the profound essence of invincibility to block Lei Jun’s devastating Doumu Star God Apparition strike.

Then, the vajra pestle thrust forward, counterattacking!

Lei Jun, with the power of the Divine Court surging within him, didn’t dodge—he took it head-on.

Back during the second incursion of the Lone Eagle Khanate, the Vajra Division's movements had yet to be exposed. However, the Tang Imperial Court had recorded the battles between Lei Jun and the foreign experts Mi Han, Zhuo Le, and others—showing Lei Jun using only the Tianshi Robe to tank their attacks.

Master Gongbu was now gambling on survival with one desperate move.

Seeing that no Nine-Colored Radiance appeared around Lei Jun, Gongbu was overjoyed.

The Tianshi Robe wasn’t on him?

Did he give it to Tang Xiaotang, as a precaution against the Vajra Division Chief?

No time to worry about his leader, Gongbu focused all his strength into driving the vajra pestle toward Lei Jun’s chest.

Vajra means both impenetrable and unbreakable—it excels in both offense and defense. Of the five branches of the Vajra Realm, the Vajra Division was the most formidable on both ends.

And yet...

A violent flash of green light erupted, but didn't vanish. Still, the pestle failed to pierce Lei Jun’s chest.

Gongbu was dumbfounded.

In terms of sheer attack power, he might not match Mi Han, especially while injured. But this Talismanic Branch Daoist just took his full-power strike without the Tianshi Robe?

How?!

Could it be… this Lei guy also cultivated the Daoist Alchemical Sect’s Grand Elixir Path?

As he stood there stunned and failed to land the blow, Gongbu found himself face-to-face with Lei Jun.

With a swift palm strike, the Doumu Star God Apparition smacked Gongbu’s head straight into his chest cavity!

Already injured, Gongbu had poured all his Vajra Will into that one desperate attack. When it failed, he had no defense left and couldn’t withstand Lei Jun’s follow-up strike.

At the same time, the Yang Thunder Dragon and Yin Fire Tiger continued their rampage.

Once one of the Four Great Buddhist Holy Lands of the Tang Dynasty, the Vajra Monastery now looked like the apocalypse had descended upon it.

The surviving monks could no longer hold out. They scattered and fled.

Lei Jun watched coldly, with no intention of showing mercy.

While finishing off both Master Gongbu and Master Geluo, he raised his hand toward the sky.

Dozens of Magnetic Sword Pellets appeared, floating in the air.

With his cultivation growing stronger, only items like the Tianshi Sword or Seven-Star Sword could withstand his power and serve as proper "ammunition."

But this time, there was no need to use such heavy hitters to swat flies.

Small ones would do.

Even with reduced power, the lethality was still overflowing.

Which also meant he now had more options.

Around him, invisible Magnetic Force had long spread throughout the area.

That’s why Suo Yang and the others had been cut off from the outside—the area had already been enveloped in a massive Magnetic Sword Domain.

Inside this domain, Lei Jun’s Magnetic Sword Pellets floated silently.

A buzzing hum erupted like a swarm of bees.

Then, all the pellets vanished simultaneously.

Next instant—they reappeared in every direction, each hunting a life.

“Whew… that felt a little better. Time to get back to work,” Lei Jun muttered with a shake of his head.

He still had important things to do.

First, stabilize the Tianshi Seal and seal the Void Gateway—but also leave a faint opening for the other side.

As he tidied up the remnants at the scene, he took out two identical Ninth-Grade Sun-Devouring Lotus Thrones—one above, one below.

He unfurled a Taiji-style formation diagram, which expanded as its light dimmed, seemingly vanishing.

The two black lotus thrones slowly sank into it, merging into the formation like a perfect puzzle.

The Taiji Diagram began to shift and fold harmoniously after absorbing the lotuses.

A moment later, both the diagram and the lotuses disappeared.

Lei Jun remained calm and focused, making subtle adjustments.

At the same time, he turned his gaze.

There stood a strange, transparent Buddha Tower—a time-shifting artifact used by the Vajra Division Chief to warp the Nine Consciousnesses.

Feeling its flowing radiance, Lei Jun now understood the earlier omen.

The Vajra Division truly possessed a treasure capable of descending from Heaven to Yellow Springs—an unparalleled treasure to any Daoist cultivator.

However, the Division Chief had tampered with it, turning it into a flowing illusory river spanning from High Heavens to the Underworld.

Had they fought directly in Apricot Mountain, the Division Chief’s power could’ve severed the river, diminishing the treasure’s worth—hence only rating as a Second-Grade Opportunity.

But since Lei Jun arrived at the Vajra Monastery first, and the local monks lacked that power, he now had a chance to claim the entire treasure by taking control of the artifact.

With him stabilizing this end, there was no fear of the Division Chief severing it later.

Still, collecting the river and reforming the treasure would take some work.

Lei Jun wasn’t in a hurry. He calmly stood watch over the unstable Void Gateway and the Tianshi Seal.

A Black Yin Thunder Dragon flew out, coiling around the Buddha Tower—guarding and suppressing it.

Suddenly, Lei Jun’s eyes flickered.

From the Great Celestial Mirror, he noticed a group quietly approaching.

They were from the Tang Imperial Court—a small but elite group.

Leading them was Princess Zhang Ying of Shanyang, an Eighth-Heaven Confucian Cultivator.

With her was Xiao Hang, the young clan leader of the Xiao Clan of Longxi, also Eighth-Heaven, though slightly weaker in realm.

Lei Jun could faintly sense that despite being one step behind Zhang Ying, Xiao Hang’s scholarly aura was even more overwhelming.

As the clan leader, he had likely brought the Haoran Sword, the most prestigious Confucian sword, on this trip.

The Haoran Sword, one of the Seven Great Swords of Tang, was often mentioned alongside the Tianshi Sword, Mountain-River Sword, and the Twin Swords of Purple and Green.

He hadn’t used it during the last Lone Eagle Khanate Incursion as he was only an observer at Pure Yang Palace.

But this time, it was the real deal.

Everyone with them was elite.

Clearly, they were also here for the Vajra Monastery.

Before leaving, Lei Jun had informed the imperial court, but hadn’t shared details of his movements.

Knowing the Vajra Division Chief had left the monastery, the Tang Court decided to strike at the root.

Had the Myosei Realm still been unbroken, even Zhang Ying and Xiao Hang combined might not have breached it quickly.

So…

Lei Jun noticed that as they neared the mountain gate, the group began taking out ritual tools and ceremonial artifacts.

Hah, looks like besides us folks from Mount Longhu's Tianshi Mansion, Her Majesty the Empress also prepared a “gift” for the Vajra Division.

Add in some arrangements from Yunzhou, and it’s clear that while the Tang Court appeared spent, they were saving a surprise for the enemy.

Unfortunately, they were late.

As Xiao Hang and the others approached the Vajra Monastery, they saw what could only be described as doomsday.

Even calling it a ruin was being generous.

Not since Bodhi Monastery nearly got wiped out had they seen such devastation.

“One of the Four Great Buddhist Holy Lands… another one wiped out,” Xiao Hang murmured.

Even though their mission was to do just this, they hadn’t expected it to be so… thorough.

Who had done it?

The group approached cautiously.

From afar, they saw a towering three-tiered altar glowing with purple, gold, and green lights—a jarring contrast to the surrounding wasteland.

They had a strong guess.

Wasn’t the National Preceptor and Tianshi Lei supposed to be fighting the Vajra Division Chief?

As they got closer, they saw a Black Thunder Dragon coiled silently beneath the altar.

And standing there with hands behind his back was a tall, young Daoist.

“Tianshi Lei,” Zhang Ying and Xiao Hang relaxed slightly, stepping forward to greet him. “We also came for the Vajra Monastery, unaware the Tianshi Mansion had arrived first.”

Lei Jun returned the gesture calmly: “Your Highness, Mr. Xiao, no offense was intended. Due to the urgency, I didn’t inform you all in advance.”

Princess Zhang Ying smiled: “No, no, the Tianshi Mansion cleansing the Western Rebellion and wicked monks is a great service to Tang. The entire court is deeply grateful…”

As she spoke, she looked around. “May I ask where the National Preceptor is? And where is Vajra Division Chief Garuda, that fiendish monk?”

Mid-sentence, Zhang Ying paused. Something felt… off.

Xiao Hang noticed it too.

There weren’t any other Tianshi Mansion cultivators here.

Not even Xu Yuanzhen, Tang Xiaotang, or Yuan Mobai?

Which meant… all of this… was done by…

Zhang Ying turned back to Lei Jun, stunned.

Xiao Hang opened his mouth, wanting to ask something, but no words came out.

The other Tang cultivators, at first relieved, now exchanged looks, each realizing the same terrifying truth.

One person.

One person?!

One person destroyed the Vajra Monastery, a Buddhist Holy Land?!

Lei Jun’s expression remained unchanged as he replied to Zhang Ying’s earlier question:

“Senior Sister Tang is currently battling Garuda in Eastern Longxi. I came here first—to cut off his retreat.”