Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 467: Joint Journey to Mount Longhu

"The restoration of the Three Caverns and Three Heavens is truly cause for celebration." Wang Guiyuan nodded repeatedly.

Lei Jun: "There are still some key points that require further contemplation."

Before that, he needed to first treat his injuries and repair the damaged Taishang Eight Scenes Treasure Raincoat and Jiutian Xiandu Treasure Talisman.

Wang Guiyuan said: "I shall first make a trip to the Saha World. Junior Brother, you may do as you please."

Lei Jun: "How is the Silvermoon Nether Phoenix currently?"

Wang Guiyuan: "Though filled with violent energy, she remains noble and aloof in temperament. She usually cultivates in the Luo Abyss. As long as she's given her own space, she doesn't greedily seek more. Her previous conflicts with Lord Youluo and other great demons were because they refused to let her remain in the Luo Abyss."

"Now that we're leaving, she won't take further action against the Luo Abyss. Junior Brother can return safely to the Great Tang's mortal world. Though the Luo Abyss has abundant spiritual energy, its malevolent atmosphere is too strong, unsuitable for your recovery and artifact refinement."

Lei Jun's gaze swept across the cold, deathly silent yet sinister Luo Abyss world before returning to Wang Guiyuan. He transmitted his voice secretly:

"Senior Brother, you've left some backup measures here, haven't you?"

Wang Guiyuan also communicated through voice transmission, his tone matter-of-fact: "Just a small amount."

Lei Jun nodded: "As expected of you."

Wang Guiyuan maintained a composed expression: "Junior Brother, you've left Heaven-Earth Observation Talismans here too, haven't you?"

Lei Jun mirrored his expression: "The Luo Abyss easily corrodes talismans. Besides delivering items to Senior Brother, another purpose of this trip was to replenish and repair the talismans."

The two fellow disciples exchanged smiles, both feeling gratified.

"Then Senior Brother, with matters here concluded, I shall first return to our mountain sect's ancestral hall," Lei Jun bid farewell.

Regarding his senior brother Wang Guiyuan, Lei Jun had been curious about one thing in recent years.

The other intended to abandon his past incarnation as the White Lotus Sacred Lord Jingjiu, transform his current incarnation as Buddhist monk Faqing of Tianlong Temple into a new past incarnation, and elevate his current future incarnation—Daoist priest Wang Chonggui of Mount Longhu—into his new present incarnation.

As for a new future incarnation, Lei Jun believed Wang Guiyuan already had plans in mind.

The advantage of this approach was that it could partially sever the hidden dangers brought by Wujian.

Theoretically, if Wang Guiyuan could successfully reach the Immortal Realm, the Wujian problem would naturally resolve and might even become an asset.

But the contradiction was that due to his connection with Wujian, it was nearly impossible for him to push open the Immortal Gate and achieve the Buddhist Golden Body.

Hence Wang Guiyuan's idea of shedding the White Lotus Sacred Lord incarnation.

Now, having obtained the Immovable Vajra Lotus Throne, the situation had improved.

But from Wang Guiyuan's attitude, Lei Jun saw he still intended to proceed with his original plan, using the Immovable Vajra Lotus Throne as additional insurance.

However, Lei Jun noticed a minor issue with this original plan.

That was Wang Guiyuan's current incarnation as his new present incarnation being somewhat weak.

His talent in the Daoist Talismanic Sect's cultivation was indeed limited, with mediocre progress.

But through increasing exchanges about Daoist methods with Wang Guiyuan, Lei Jun gradually developed a suspicion—the other might be contemplating an even deeper understanding of the path of Emptiness and Naturalness.

Since Wang Guiyuan had his own plans, Lei Jun refrained from prying further.

He returned to the mountain sect's ancestral hall, while Wang Guiyuan temporarily left the Luo Abyss for the Saha World.

The Saha World, managed by Venerable Puguang and the Leiyin Temple lineage for years, also held considerable reference value for Wang Guiyuan.

Especially since they had specifically prepared for saving beings from reincarnation and resolving calamities from Wujian, Luo Abyss, and the Yellow Springs.

Even without any past grievances with Venerable Puguang, Wang Guiyuan would have gone to observe and study.

Lei Jun returned to the Great Tang's mortal world to quietly cultivate and recover from his injuries within the Tianshi Mansion at Mount Longhu.

…………………………

Meanwhile, in the current Han Dynasty's mortal world, an eerie calm prevailed.

Prince of Qin Xiang Sheng entered the Han Dynasty capital Chang'an quietly.

Accompanying him to Chang'an were Deng Lai, leader of the Great Han Chunyang Palace, and Chen Lingfeng, leader of the Great Han Shushan Sect.

Besides them, representatives from various factions including the Great Han Langya Wang Clan and Suzhou Li Clan had already arrived in Chang'an earlier.

"Prince of Jin retreated into Sumeru with the Western Regions' Buddhist Treasure Sect. Later, the Tang Emperor personally entered Sumeru. Current reports indicate the Treasure Sect leader Vandata has died, while His Highness the Prince of Jin has been sent to Chang'an."

Wang Yan, current head of the Langya Wang Clan, bowed to Prince of Qin Xiang Sheng: "We await Your Highness's decision on how to handle this matter. However, this subject believes the urgent priority is for Your Highness to ascend the throne and inherit the imperial seal."

Though it's said a court cannot go a day without its ruler, during this special period in recent years, the Han Dynasty throne had remained vacant for an extended time.

Now, everything seemed to naturally fall into place.

Sumeru. Datong.

Venerable Shanzhihui and Martial Immortal Ongqinfu.

Tang Emperor Zhang Wantong and the Mount Longhu Tianshi Mansion lineage.

The outcomes of their conflicts would decisively determine the Han Dynasty's new ruler.

This situation naturally left Han Dynasty officials with complex emotions.

Even Prince of Qin Xiang Sheng, supported by Chen Lingfeng, Deng Lai, Wang Yan and others, could hardly claim to be filled with joy now.

He asked: "Did Sumeru only return my elder brother the Prince of Jin?"

Wang Yan, Chen Lingfeng and others replied: "Yes, Your Highness."

Xiang Sheng exhaled deeply: "Send envoys to Sumeru and Mount Longhu respectively—to congratulate the Tang Emperor on gaining Sumeru, and to invite the Tang court and Mount Longhu Tianshi Mansion to visit Chang'an."

Wang Yan and other Han Dynasty ministers responded: "We obey Your Highness's decree."

The Han Dynasty would finally establish a new ruler.

How to interact with the powerful neighboring Great Tang became an unavoidable consideration.

Deng Lai of Great Han Chunyang Palace and Chen Lingfeng of Great Han Shushan Sect left the Eastern Palace together.

Chen Lingfeng gazed southward.

That direction housed both the Mount Longhu Tianshi Mansion's branch sect in the Han Dynasty and the spatial portal connecting the current Han's mortal world with the Great Tang's.

Deng Lai looked at him: "Regarding Sumeru and the Tang Emperor, the new Son of Heaven will handle it. Currently, the Tang Emperor appears restrained, without ambitions to swallow the Han Dynasty. Comparatively, the Mount Longhu Tianshi Mansion seems even more restrained."

Chen Lingfeng nodded slightly.

Deng Lai said: "The current situation changes in an instant—this old Daoist often finds it hard to grasp."

"Though our sect's circumstances differ from that Great Tang branch, whenever I think of these chaotic times, I feel uneasy."

Chen Lingfeng looked at Deng Lai: "Has Daoist Brother decided to represent Chunyang Palace...represent Great Han Chunyang Palace in personally visiting Great Tang's Mount Longhu?"

Deng Lai's expression was calm, his gaze gentle: "This old Daoist indeed has such thoughts. Though we're not of the same sect, as fellow Daoist origins, in these contentious times we should share the same boat."

Chen Lingfeng: "There are rumors of a Pill Cauldron Sect's Primordial Spirit Immortal in Kunlun. Has Daoist Brother verified this?"

Deng Lai shook his head slightly: "Currently unconfirmed, but it doesn't affect my current decision. There may indeed be a Pill Cauldron Immortal Master in Kunlun, but they seem to cultivate detached from worldly affairs. Even if Immortal Realm experts can walk the mortal world, they likely...wouldn't easily enter mundane matters. How could this old Daoist dare disturb their quiet cultivation?"

Chen Lingfeng nodded silently.

The Great Han Shushan Sect secretly held some hope—

regarding that sword strike that had once cut through the air against the Kongsang Witch King and Daoist Zhou Tian.

Though it appeared to come from the Great Tang—the Purple Tenuity Sword's slash—it was ultimately a Shushan swordsman's technique.

But after extensive searching, Chen Lingfeng, He Yuhang, Yu Boyan and others found no real traces, gradually extinguishing their hopes.

"There's news..."

Deng Lai said thoughtfully: "The spatial portal opened by the Jiangzhou Lin Clan leading to that north-south divided mortal world—previously without surging spiritual energy—has begun changing in recent years...There's speculation that if all mortal worlds divided by historical divergences begin experiencing spiritual energy surges, the worlds may merge again!"

He almost spat out these last words through clenched teeth.

After a silent moment, Chen Lingfeng said quietly: "Daoist Brother's words are likely true. I've heard similar rumors."

He made a Daoist salute to Deng Lai: "When Daoist Brother journeys to the Great Tang's mortal world, please send word—allow me to accompany you."

Deng Lai returned the gesture: "Having a fellow Daoist accompany me would be most welcome."

They first sent word to the disciples of Mount Longhu Tianshi Mansion's Han Dynasty branch to communicate.

Lei Jun's chief disciple Zhuo Baojie, currently in the current Han's mortal world, was the perfect liaison.

Zhuo Baojie, Fu Yuzhou, Ma Zongxiang and others soon responded:

The current Celestial Master was in secluded cultivation and could only receive guests later.

Chen Lingfeng and Deng Lai thus first went to the Great Tang's mortal world, visiting the Great Tang Shushan Sect and Great Tang Chunyang Palace respectively, planning to visit the current Celestial Master later.

Lei Jun's seclusion didn't last too long.

Great Tang's Medicine King Sun Mingjing was collaborating with Mount Longhu, Shushan Sect, and Xuanji Temple on new medicines.

When Lei Jun returned to the mountain to recuperate, Sun Mingjing also examined him.

Though Sun Mingjing's current cultivation at the eighth level's fourth layer was inferior to Wang Guiyuan's simulated Medical-Martial Dao Martial Sage through Buddhist vows, his detailed treatments surpassed it.

"Thank you, Elder Sun," Lei Jun expressed gratitude.

Sun Mingjing smiled and shook his head: "The Celestial Master is too polite. This old man should thank you for broadening my horizons by showing me wounds inflicted by a Martial Immortal."

Lei Jun understood: "As long as Elder Sun gained something, that's good."

Sun Mingjing was frank: "In recent years, this old man often hesitated, looking before leaping. But the rapidly changing situation has actually helped me reach a decision."

Though advanced in age, his Medical-Martial cultivation's unique characteristics prevented visible decline.

Sun Mingjing had once considered attempting to reach the ninth level of the Medical-Martial tradition, becoming its new Martial Sage.

But at his age, with the chasm tribulation blocking the path, failure was more likely.

Attempting this hurdle might lead to new realms, but more probably to death.

Not attempting it meant surviving to research more herbs and treat more patients in his remaining years.

Sun Mingjing knew clearly that with such heavy concerns, the chasm tribulation would be even more dangerous, eliminating even that slim hope.

But as Golden Khan Ongqinfu and Tang Emperor Zhang Wantong successively ascended to immortality, with the mortal world's situation constantly changing—and Immortal Realm experts like Venerable Shanzhihui, Daoist Zhou Tian, and Venerable Puguang successively influencing the mortal world—Sun Mingjing gradually changed his original stance.

"This old man's knowledge has successors. In these turbulent times, not trying would leave greater regrets."

Sun Mingjing smiled at Lei Jun: "Medicine and martial arts are inseparable. Though a physician, besides calm meticulousness, one must also have the determination to cut through thorns fearlessly."

Lei Jun made a Daoist salute: "May Elder Sun advance further from an already lofty position."

He smiled: "It wouldn't do for this poor Daoist to be your last patient—that reputation would be somewhat awkward. I sincerely hope Elder Sun won't give me this opportunity."

Sun Mingjing also laughed: "Celestial Master needn't worry. This old man also hopes to avoid that outcome."

Lei Jun instructed his second disciple Han Xiaofei to see the guest out.

Then his chief disciple Zhuo Baojie, returned from the current Han's mortal world, entered: "Master?"

Lei Jun: "Have the guests arrived?"

Zhuo Baojie: "Yes."

Lei Jun nodded slightly and left his quiet room: "Receive them in the Celestial Master Hall."

Zhuo Baojie acknowledged and withdrew to guide the guests to the Celestial Master Hall.

Though Chen Lingfeng and Deng Lai appeared calm, their emotions were somewhat stirred.

During the Celestial Master's recuperation seclusion, they had been guests at the Great Tang Shushan Sect and Chunyang Palace. While waiting, they encountered the second group of visitors to Mount Longhu and now traveled together.

The newcomers were also two Daoists.

One appeared as a young man in plain clothes and hemp shoes—a Shushan cultivator's attire like Chen Lingfeng.

The other was a middle-aged female Daoist in black-and-white robes—a Chunyang Palace cultivator's attire like Deng Lai.

But these two weren't from the current Han's mortal world.

The former was Shen Xi, current leader of the Southern Jin Shushan Sect.

The latter was Murong Minghui, current leader of the Northern Jin Chunyang Palace.