Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 443: Taoist Master Tang Was Shook

Lei Jun remained composed despite Xu Yuanzhen's reminders.

He left the Yuyu Heaven Daoist Palace alongside Tang Xiaotang.

Lei Jun said, “According to what Bai Zhenjun of the Shushan Sect said, our new neighbor isn’t on the same side as Daoist Zhou Tian.”

Since they weren’t enemies, Lei Jun and Tang Xiaotang couldn’t just barge in uninvited.

Lei Jun drew a talisman, which turned into a stream of light and drifted out of Yuyu Heaven, vanishing into the void.

The stream of light didn’t leave Kunlun but seemed to enter another Kunlun.

It felt like a different realm, distinct from Yuyu Heaven in every way.

In this heavenly realm, a few people thrived.

They were descendants of those who migrated from the mortal world long ago, before the Great Catastrophe at the end of the Han Dynasty.

Though they had been here for ages, the population was still small.

At the heart of this realm stood a magnificent Daoist Palace, its surroundings shimmering with pure spiritual energy. Light constantly bathed the area, and the air brimmed with the essence of immortality.

Lei Jun’s talisman light traveled through the realm without obstruction, smoothly entering the Daoist Palace.

Before long, a middle-aged Daoist in a moon-white robe walked out of the Qingwei Heaven Daoist Palace, followed by several young Daoist disciples.

He stood in front of the palace, where an enormous incense burner was constantly burning incense.

A Daoist disciple handed him a stick of incense, which the middle-aged Daoist lit and placed into the burner.

A wisp of green smoke drifted upward, forming the vague outline of a portal high above the Daoist Palace.

Lei Jun and Tang Xiaotang, watching from Yuyu Heaven, immediately stepped into the portal.

They arrived before the Daoist Palace in Qingwei Heaven.

The middle-aged Daoist in the moon-white robe stepped forward.

“I am Zhang Haipeng of the Kunwu Sect. Forgive me for not welcoming you properly.”

Lei Jun returned the greeting.

“It was presumptuous of us to visit unannounced. We heard Bai Zhenjun of the Shushan Sect mention there’s a Daoist sect of the Danding lineage here in Kunlun, so we came to pay our respects. I hope we haven’t caused trouble.”

Zhang Haipeng smiled.

“Not at all. Please, come inside.”

Lei Jun and Tang Xiaotang could tell that Zhang Haipeng, dressed in his moon-white robe, was a Ninth Heaven cultivator like them.

They weren’t yet sure how many streams of Qi he had cultivated in the Danding system.

As they entered the Daoist Palace, they spoke briefly.

They learned that the Kunwu Sect followed the Daoist Danding lineage, though they weren’t part of the orthodox Pure Yang Palace.

“Kunwu Sect isn’t directly from the Pure Yang Palace?” Tang Xiaotang asked, curious.

Zhang Haipeng, the current sect master of the Kunwu Sect, smiled.

“Strictly speaking, we could barely be considered a side branch. Our founder once had the good fortune to learn from a grandmaster of the Pure Yang Palace, and that inspired the founding of the Kunwu Sect. However, we were never officially part of the Pure Yang Palace.”

Lei Jun and Tang Xiaotang noted that, based on Zhang Haipeng’s words, this likely happened around the time of the Great Catastrophe at the end of the Han Dynasty—a long time ago.

“Bai Zhenjun of the Shushan Sect also gave our sect some guidance back in the day, and we’ve always remembered her kindness,” Zhang Haipeng continued.

“Bai Zhenjun is carefree by nature and usually stays in Dachi Heaven. We don’t dare disturb her seclusion, so we only visit on important occasions. About thirty or forty years ago, she left Dachi Heaven and disappeared without a trace. Thankfully, she has resurfaced recently.”

Lei Jun said, “Bai Zhenjun once mentioned that, counting herself, Kunlun should have three Daoist immortals above the Ninth Heaven.”

Zhang Haipeng invited them to sit, and a Daoist disciple served tea.

“To be precise, those three immortals have never appeared in Kunlun at the same time,” Zhang Haipeng said.

Zhang Haipeng knew the background of Lei Jun and Tang Xiaotang, including their conflict with Zhou Tian in Yuyu Heaven, so he kept things simple:

“Over in Dachi Heaven, there’s Bai Zhenjun of the Shushan Sect. She hasn’t returned to Kunlun for decades, but when she was here, she treated our sect kindly.

After Bai Zhenjun left, for many years, there was only one cultivator above the Ninth Heaven in Kunlun: Ancestor Zhou Tian of Yuyu Heaven.

It wasn’t until last year that Qingwei Heaven gained a new Daoist Primordial Spirit immortal.”

Lei Jun and Tang Xiaotang had already learned from Bai Mei that this new Daoist Primordial Spirit was named Zhao Chanyang.

The Kunwu Sect’s feelings toward Zhou Tian were complicated.

After Bai Mei left Kunlun, Zhou Tian essentially ruled the Three Purities Heaven unopposed.

To contest the Kongsang Witch King’s influence in the mortal realm, Zhou Tian had spent years preparing, mobilizing massive resources. Besides Yuyu Heaven, he also had his sights set on Qingwei Heaven and Dachi Heaven.

However, since Bai Mei’s disappearance didn’t rule out her return, Zhou Tian, though crossing some lines, still maintained a degree of respect.

After a new Daoist Primordial Spirit appeared in Qingwei Heaven, Zhou Tian finally began to restrain himself.

He had even considered establishing a good relationship with Qingwei Heaven’s Kunwu Sect.

Unfortunately, when Zhao Chanyang first entered the Dao, there had been conflicts between them.

Furthermore, the ritual to contest the Kongsang Witch King’s influence in the mortal world was too important for Zhou Tian, and time was not on his side. In his eagerness to secure resources from Qingwei Heaven, his actions were forceful.

Though Zhou Tian and Yuyu Heaven had been trying to mend fences with Qingwei Heaven over the past few years, it was clear this wasn’t something that could be fixed quickly.

At least in the recent conflict in the mortal world, Qingwei Heaven and the Kunwu Sect hadn’t interfered or hindered Yuyu Heaven, and Zhou Tian was grateful for that.

“Our sect simply wishes for peaceful cultivation,” Zhang Haipeng said.

Lei Jun nodded.

“That is the way for cultivators like us. The world may change, but let’s hope peace will return to the mortal world soon.”

Zhang Haipeng added,

“The Tianshi Mansion on Mount Longhu has always been a pillar of the Daoist world, admired by all.”

They chatted for a while longer.

Tang Xiaotang looked around and asked,

“Is Zhao Zhenjun not here at the moment?”

Zhang Haipeng’s expression didn’t change.

“Chanyang is in seclusion, and it’s unclear when he will emerge.”

Tang Xiaotang raised an eyebrow.

After that major battle in Yuyu Heaven with Zhou Tian, Xu Yuanzhen, and Lei Jun, how could they be sitting here so calmly?

Lei Jun, however, remained composed.

“No worries. We were the ones who came uninvited.”

They sat a while longer, then said their goodbyes and left.

Zhang Haipeng personally escorted them out of the Daoist Palace.

“Apologies for the rushed reception today. Once we are better prepared, we will visit Yuyu Heaven with gifts.”

He specifically watched as Lei Jun and Tang Xiaotang left Qingwei Heaven.

Tang Xiaotang chuckled.

“Isn’t this just like that time when Senior Sister first went to the Han Dynasty’s Mount Longhu? They retreated into the Taiqing Enlightenment Cave, not wanting to meet.”

Lei Jun paused, glancing at Tang Xiaotang.

Tang Xiaotang wasn’t angry, just curious.

“But like that old ancestor from the Shushan Sect, I don’t sense any malice from them.”

Although she had heard the other party had become an immortal, she remained confident in her own judgment.

Lei Jun didn’t comment.

“If that’s the case, then as long as both sides keep the peace, it’s fine.”

If Empress Zhang Wantong’s judgment from back then was correct, then this newly ascended immortal in Qingwei Heaven, Zhao Chanyang, likely possessed the Taiyi Dao Body.

Although Lei Jun hadn’t interacted with him directly, his understanding and attunement with the world suggested that those with the Taiyi Dao Body were extremely hard to predict or see through.

Of course, Tang Xiaotang’s current judgment might still be accurate.

But until it was further confirmed, it was wise to remain cautious.

---

Meanwhile, inside the Qingwei Heaven Daoist Palace...

Zhang Haipeng watched as Lei Jun and Tang Xiaotang departed. Then he turned back and reentered the palace.

Deep within the palace’s meditation chamber, everything seemed shrouded in white clouds.

When Lei Jun and Tang Xiaotang left, the white clouds stirred slightly. A voice echoed from within—soft but without form:

“Dealing with people is so hard... Thank you for your efforts, Master.”

Zhang Haipeng let out a soft sigh.

“It’s not that hard, really. Especially those two—they were quite easy to talk to.”

The white clouds slowly settled again, and the voice faded away:

“No... it’s really hard.”

---

Lei Jun and Tang Xiaotang walked through Yuyu Heaven.

“You still seem to have some doubts,” Tang Xiaotang muttered. “Ever since we left, you and Senior Sister have been acting kinda weird.”

Lei Jun replied, “I’m just curious about this neighbor. But it’s probably nothing major.”

Tang Xiaotang suddenly stopped and turned to look at Lei Jun.

Lei Jun carefully chose his words.

“According to Bai Zhenjun of the Shushan Sect, this Zhao fellow from the Kunwu Sect... is currently seventy-three years old.”

Tang Xiaotang’s eyes widened.

Lei Jun gave a small nod.

“When he ascended to the Primordial Spirit realm last year, he was seventy-two. That’s even faster than Empress Zhang Wantong or Golden Khan Ongqinfu.”

And faster than both Lei Jun and Tang Xiaotang themselves.

Tang Xiaotang recovered after a moment, wanting to say something but stopping. Her eyes flickered with thought.

Lei Jun continued, “Back when Empress Zhang Wantong encountered him unexpectedly in the outer void, she had some suspicions about his cultivation and innate talent. But at the time, it was more guesswork than certainty. Now, with Zhao Chanyang reaching the Primordial Spirit realm at seventy-two, it basically confirms her earlier suspicions.”

Tang Xiaotang fell silent, circling around Lei Jun as she walked, back and forth.

Lei Jun added, “Unless something unexpected happened, he likely has an innate Dao body and extraordinary natural talent.”

Tang Xiaotang suddenly stopped in front of Lei Jun, her eyes wide.

Lei Jun gave a slight nod.

“Probably all natural gifts.”

Tang Xiaotang stood there, unmoving.

Her gaze drifted past Lei Jun, staring into the empty heavens behind him.

They had returned from Qingwei Heaven to Yuyu Heaven—crossing over from there.

Lei Jun glanced back.

Tang Xiaotang’s eyes seemed to stare straight ahead, yet they lacked any real focus.

Yuyu Heaven’s air was quiet, the only sound a faint breeze.

After a long pause, Lei Jun finally spoke again.

“Senior Sister...”

Tang Xiaotang blinked, returning to herself. She glanced at Lei Jun, then wordlessly walked away, disappearing from Yuyu Heaven, from Kunlun itself.

Though she hadn’t spoken a word, Lei Jun could almost read the meaning in her gaze:

“You and your poison mouth—better keep it shut!”

There were no void portals open, but Tang Xiaotang didn’t care.

With a flash of her Daoist artifact, the Origin Pearl, a tear opened in the Kunlun void, and she stepped through. The world rippled for a moment, then settled as if nothing had happened.

Lei Jun spread his hands, casually pulled out a piece of paper, and began sketching a few quick lines before bringing it back to the Yuyu Heaven Daoist Palace.

Xu Yuanzhen didn’t even look up.

“Xiaotang ran off?”

The talisman light in Lei Jun’s eyes shimmered.

“Yeah. She’s gone back to the mortal world and then back to the Tang Dynasty.”

Xu Yuanzhen asked, “She’s gone to the ancestral hall to cultivate in seclusion?”

Lei Jun replied, “Yep. Said nothing, just left.”

As they spoke, Lei Jun handed over a few sketches to Xu Yuanzhen.

The drawings were rough, but the expressions were vivid and lifelike.

Xu Yuanzhen examined them, her lips curling into a rare smile as she studied them with interest.

Lei Jun wasn’t worried about Tang Xiaotang either.

As Empress Zhang Wantong had once teased, this might cause Tang Xiaotang some mental ripples and a bit of a shock, but it wasn’t necessarily a bad thing for her.

Besides, even if Zhao Chanyang was avoiding meeting them, word would reach Tang Xiaotang eventually.

“I’ll stay here for a while. If you want to go to Dachi Heaven, go ahead.”

Xu Yuanzhen tucked away the sketches, then casually tossed a talisman to Lei Jun.

It was a sealing talisman meant for capturing spiritual objects.

Lei Jun played with it for a moment and immediately sensed its power.

“It’s quite lively, almost sentient—this must be a Kunlun treasure? But just this alone wouldn’t be enough to elevate Senior Sister’s already refined comprehension. She’ll need other opportunities, or even many.”

Xu Yuanzhen replied, “It was one of Zhou Tian’s personal treasures. And yes, that’s exactly why he’s been reluctant to use it directly.”

Lei Jun glanced at the talisman in his hand.

“He really went to great lengths. Earlier, when I was poking around in the Yuyu Heaven Daoist Palace, if I’m not mistaken... Xiang Jing—also known as Pan Hailin’s Hunyuan Immortal Body—probably wasn’t born with that body as the Han Dynasty’s Mount Longhu claimed, but acquired it later.”

If that weren’t the case, even without much cultivation, he could have approached Mount Longhu and learned the Dao, instead of ending up like Han Emperor Xiang Chengyuan, who fell into the Kongsang Witch King’s trap.

If the Hunyuan Immortal Body had a chance to ascend, it would correspond to Zhao Chanyang’s Taiyi Dao Body.

“Perhaps,” Xu Yuanzhen said casually, “but no other information has been left behind.”

Lei Jun nodded.

“If we can determine the conditions needed to acquire the Hunyuan Immortal Body, it would become a valuable foundation for our sect.”

He stored the talisman and said farewell to Xu Yuanzhen.

“I’m heading to Dachi Heaven.”

Xu Yuanzhen waved a hand casually.

“Go ahead.”

Lei Jun:

“Senior Sister, you seem a bit off today. Maybe you should return to the ancestral hall and rest for a while.”

Xu Yuanzhen waved him off, unconcerned.

Lei Jun left the Yuyu Heaven Daoist Palace.

Since Bai Mei had already made her position clear, Lei Jun had no worries and directly traveled from Yuyu Heaven to Dachi Heaven.

Like before, it felt like moving from one Kunlun realm to another.

This place, too, was full of spiritual energy and had a small population of cultivators.

There were a few small-scale smithing sects, but no orthodox Shushan lineage.

Bai Mei, it seemed, had no intention of taking on more disciples here.

Even the Daoist Palace in Dachi Heaven was far less grand than Yuyu Heaven’s.

Lei Jun looked around and saw only a single, lonely peak rising in the center of Dachi Heaven.

A few cultivators were tending to a modest Daoist shrine on the mountain.

This was the Daoist site Bai Mei had left behind in Kunlun—a sharp contrast to the grandeur of Qingwei Heaven’s Kunwu Sect and Yuyu Heaven’s Daoist Palace.

Lei Jun didn’t show himself openly. Instead, he quietly observed the area.

Bai Mei and Zhou Tian had never gotten along.

After Bai Mei left Kunlun, Zhou Tian didn’t fully break things off with the smithing sects in Dachi Heaven, but he had definitely plundered their spiritual materials.

Some of those resources were used in his rituals, and some remained in the remnants of the Daoist Palace in Yuyu Heaven.

Judging by the state of Bai Mei’s shrine, it was clear Zhou Tian hadn’t gained much from her.

After surveying Dachi Heaven, Lei Jun also left Kunlun and returned to the mortal world.

There, in the Han Dynasty’s Mount Longhu, he had to oversee the new Daoist era, perform rituals, and give lectures.

Privately, Lei Jun continued studying other matters.

Although Zhou Tian and his disciples had fled Yuyu Heaven, taking whatever they could carry, much remained.

And those remnants? Lei Jun was very interested in studying them.

His eyes glowed with the talisman light of the Heavenly Comprehension Scripture.

Though their lineages had diverged greatly over time, they were all still part of the Daoist talisman tradition.

By studying these remnants, it wouldn’t take Lei Jun long to figure out the whereabouts of Zhou Tian’s remaining disciples—apart from Zhou Tian himself.

Luo Abyss

Once a cold and lifeless hellish abyss, Luo Abyss had recently become unusually lively.

But instead of bringing new vitality, the activity only bred more disasters and death.

Whether it was the chaotic influx of Inferno energy or Luo Abyss itself stirring with unrest, calamities and death reigned everywhere.

Even Mu Weizi, a cultivator at the Ninth Heaven level, found it hard to manage.

Lord Youluo was working to suppress the chaos.

Given the situation, even the Bone Flood Dragon King and the Nether Moss didn’t dare cause trouble.

Both of them, still recovering from serious injuries, also needed time to lick their wounds.

Mu Weizi was in the same boat.

He had already given his all, orchestrating two consecutive assaults by Luo Abyss's great demons into the Tang Dynasty's mortal world.

But the results had been disastrous.

Chen Yi was dead.

The Pure Gold Hall had fallen into the hands of the Tang Dynasty's Tianshi Mansion.

The major demons of Luo Abyss, including Mu Weizi himself, had suffered devastating losses.

Empress Zhang Wantong had never once appeared, quietly focusing on her cultivation.

Unexpectedly, even stronger experts had emerged within the Tang Dynasty.

The femme fatale Saint Lord Maitreya, Jingjiu, was apparently on excellent terms with the Tang Dynasty's Tianshi Mansion.

By using the lure of the Reversing Origin Heart Fruit, Mu Weizi had successfully incited Luo Abyss's great demons into a second invasion of the Tang Dynasty's mortal realm.

Yet it hadn’t managed to create a "rescue Wei by attacking Zhao" diversion at all.

The Tang Dynasty's mortal world remained safe and sound.

And the Jinhan mortal realm had already seen a decisive outcome.

Not only Xiang Jing and Ji Daocheng, but even Daoist Zhou Tian himself had been utterly defeated, forced to retreat from Kunlun.

When Mu Weizi first heard the news, he had felt a crushing sense of despair.

Mu Weizi steadied his mind and contacted his fellow Luo Abyss members, like Jiang Nan.

“Is Master planning to come to Luo Abyss?”

Jiang Nan’s voice was dry.

“We can’t reach Master. He might be... resting in the outer void.”

Mu Weizi’s heart sank.

Things were looking worse than he had imagined.

Forcing himself to remain calm, he told Jiang Nan,

“Hold on for now. The situation in Luo Abyss is complicated. I’ll contact you later.”

The Inferno energy had flooded into Luo Abyss.

Lord Youluo, who controlled Luo Abyss, had also taken a severe hit when the gates of Luo Abyss were forcibly sealed from within.

It was hard to say if Lord Youluo was in better shape than Mu Weizi, the Bone Flood Dragon King, or the Nether Moss.

But for now, the latter two could only swallow their complaints.

Not just because of their own injuries, but also because the external threats remained immense.

The demons of Luo Abyss, including Mu Weizi, had no choice but to stick together for survival.

Although the flood of Luo Abyss's dark waters into the Tang Dynasty's Tianshi Mansion hadn’t succeeded, they knew a counterattack from the Tianshi Mansion was coming.

Thankfully, the Tianshi Mansion couldn’t easily break into Luo Abyss itself.

Years ago, Master Xing Feng of the Southern Wilderness Blood River Sect had been able to enter and exit Luo Abyss at will.

But now, those vulnerabilities had been slowly patched up by Lord Youluo and the Nether Moss.

Even so, new threats were emerging.

Years earlier, Lord Youluo, the Bone Flood Dragon King, and the Nether Moss had joined forces—alongside Mu Weizi’s support—to expel other top-tier demons from Luo Abyss, such as the Silvermoon Nether Phoenix and the Nether Tortoise of the Abyss.

Yet, because of mutual mistrust and scheming, they hadn’t been able to destroy those two completely.

Now that Lord Youluo and his allies had suffered major losses, those expelled demons could return at any time.

Both the Silvermoon Nether Phoenix and the Nether Tortoise of the Abyss had once been major powers within Luo Abyss, and it hadn’t been long since they were ousted.

Restricting their return in the short term would be extremely difficult, and another massive battle was inevitable.

Or... perhaps a compromise.

“If the Silvermoon Nether Phoenix and the Nether Tortoise of the Abyss show up, I’ll notify you all. We’ll act accordingly,” Mu Weizi told Jiang Nan.

Jiang Nan agreed.

The Jinhan Mortal Realm

The great war in the Jinhan mortal realm was drawing to a close.

Nobu Shangren, injured, withdrew from the battle.

Other experts from the Sumeru Treasure Division arrived to assist him.

“The Division Master has ordered you to return to the Vajra Temple for recovery. We’ll handle the aftermath here.”

Nobu Shangren understood and swiftly returned to the Sumeru Vajra Temple in the Western Regions.

This was the Sumeru gate in the Jinhan mortal realm, where Sumeru experts were stationed daily.

When Nobu Shangren arrived at the temple, he met a tall, thin monk.

Nobu Shangren bowed.

“Master.”

This was Fandata, the head of the Sumeru Treasure Division.

Fandata nodded slightly and helped Nobu Shangren heal his injuries.

Once Nobu Shangren had stabilized, he bowed again and asked,

“Master, regarding the Honored One in Sumeru?”

Fandata replied,

“Sumeru still needs to stabilize, but the situation has improved. That’s why I’m here in the mortal world. For now, keep this quiet.”

“Yes, Master.”

Nobu Shangren presented a Dharma bell and a prayer wheel.

“Following your orders, I have been working in secret to gather information. It wasn’t easy, and I couldn’t act openly with so many experts around. But I’ve managed to collect some things. Please forgive me if it’s not much.”

Fandata accepted the items, examined them closely, and nodded.

“No, you’ve done very well.”

The Dharma bell emitted a faint chant, and the prayer wheel radiated a soft glow.

Together, they projected an image of Buddhist light.

In that light, the various secrets of the Kongsang Witch Gate were revealed.

“I’ll remain in the mortal world. Take these back to Sumeru and present them to the Honored One. Then, rest and recover in Sumeru,” Fandata instructed.

“Yes, Master.”

Nobu Shangren hesitated briefly, then asked,

“That Kongsang Witch King...?”

“The Honored One will have a plan,” Fandata replied.

Nobu Shangren bowed deeply, took the Dharma bell and prayer wheel, and traveled through the Sumeru Gate back to Sumeru.

Meanwhile, Fandata’s gaze turned southward.

The Tang Dynasty's Tianshi Mansion

At the Tianshi Mansion in Mount Longhu, Lei Jun was in the Daoist ritual hall.

The Tianshi Seal, shaped like a large white jade seal, floated in the air, shimmering with light.

It resonated with the countless Daoist inscriptions and talisman arrays that filled the ritual hall.

Surrounding the Tianshi Seal were twelve luminous talismans, the Three Caves Twelve Supreme Talismans, slowly regaining their vitality after years of nourishment by the ritual hall.

But the ritual hall itself had changed dramatically from before.

“Senior Brother.”

Chu Kun approached Lei Jun quietly.

“Someone from the Kongsang Dudu is outside seeking an audience.”

Lei Jun asked,

“Ke Lang?”

Chu Kun replied,

“No, it’s a woman named Chen Xiao.”

Lei Jun said,

“Let her in. I’ll see her in the side hall.”

Later, in the side hall, Lei Jun sat and watched as a woman—whom he had briefly encountered at the Huayin Palace—bowed respectfully.

“Disciple Chen Xiao of the Kongsang Dudu greets the Tianshi.”

Chen Xiao had only met the Eastern Mountain Hermit, Wang Xu, before.

She had never seen Lei Jun, the Tianshi of Mount Longhu.

Having once assisted Han Emperor Xiang Chengyuan, Chen Xiao had returned to Kongsang after some events, narrowly avoiding disaster.

Now, she represented the Kongsang Dudu in meeting Lei Jun, though she felt a bit uneasy.

After all, Kongsang Dudu and Kongsang Tianjing had been at odds for years.

The Kongsang Witch King had been a tyrant, quietly corrupting many people, including Xiang Chengyuan himself.

There had even been instances where Kongsang Dudu elders ambushed Tang Xiaotang in the mortal world.

No one in the Han Dynasty trusted Kongsang Dudu.

And what about the Tang Dynasty’s Tianshi Mansion?

Chen Xiao bowed deeply and presented a variety of apology gifts.

“Regarding the earlier incident when an elder from Kongsang Dudu attacked Daoist Tang, it was not our intent. It was orchestrated by those under the Witch King’s influence. The Saint Lord and the entire Dudu deeply regret the matter and have sent me to express our apologies to the Tianshi and Daoist Tang.”

Her words were humble, but Chen Xiao wasn’t confident.

After all, the fact remained: a Kongsang Dudu elder had been corrupted by the Witch King.

How could they be sure others hadn’t been as well?

Even Ke Lang and the Dudu’s top ranks were cautious about this.

Lei Jun, however, spoke calmly.

“If Senior Sister Tang doesn’t pursue it further, I have no reason to interfere.”

Chen Xiao finally relaxed a little.

Lei Jun asked,

“What are your sect’s plans going forward?”

Chen Xiao carefully observed Lei Jun’s expression.

“Our sect hopes to establish a foothold in the Han Dynasty’s mortal world...”

Lei Jun’s face remained unreadable.

Chen Xiao continued,

“Tianshi, please understand. The Kongsang Dudu has no way to return to Kongsang anymore...”

Once, the Dudu and Tianjing had fought within Kongsang, under the Witch King’s gaze.

Part of the reason they could survive was their control over certain Witch Gate treasures.

Another was that the Witch King, committed to preparing the ritual for his descent into the mortal realm, couldn’t spare the energy to crush them outright.

Especially after the Eastern Mountain Hermit Wang Xu thwarted him, it had weakened the Witch King’s position.

Still, many within the Dudu had been corrupted, even some of their top-tier Grand Shamans.

Now that the Witch King’s plan had failed—his chance to walk freely in the mortal world destroyed—and Bai Mei’s devastating Purple Star Sword had shattered the ritual, the Witch King had suffered a major backlash.

With his hopes in the mortal realm dashed, the Witch King, furious, could finally turn his attention back to consolidating power within Kongsang.

This left the Dudu with no choice but to flee.

Ke Lang, recognizing the shift in the situation, had quickly arranged for Dudu disciples and allies to escape to the Jinhan mortal world, hoping to avoid the Witch King’s retaliation.

Although they had suffered significant losses and remained wary of both the Tianjing faction and the Han Dynasty’s cultivators, the Dudu still had Ke Lang—a Ninth Heaven Grand Shaman—and other experts, giving them a chance to establish themselves.

But the attitude of the Tang Dynasty’s Tianshi Mansion was critical.

Chen Xiao, eager to demonstrate sincerity, said,

“If Tianshi is willing, our Saint Lord hopes to visit Mount Longhu personally, accompanied by one other.”

Her voice dropped.

“The current Emperor of the Han Dynasty, though his physical body was destroyed by the Witch King and Xiang Jing’s ritual, was fortunate enough to be reborn through Witch Gate methods after Bai Mei’s sword strike severed the ritual. However, he is extremely weak—he exists now only as a remnant soul.”