Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 489: Celestial Master Lei Pulls Up the List

In the former Song human realm, everyone was shocked.

On the observation platform inside Penglai, Lei Jun himself slightly raised his eyebrows.

Because he noticed that while he was focusing on the former Song human realm, there was a slight change occurring in the present Han human realm.

An anomaly appeared in the void, but it vanished in an instant.

Venerable Shanzhihui was indeed no ordinary person. While suffering losses on the former Song side, he was making efforts to compensate a little on the present Han side.

Kongsang had always had the potential to reopen its gateway into the present Han human realm.

However, today Venerable Shanzhihui was not bringing Kongsang back to the present Han human realm but was instead attempting to draw someone from the present Han human realm into Kongsang.

This kind of method was not applicable to just anyone.

For this to succeed, besides long-term preparation, the identity of the other party was crucial.

Lei Jun’s gaze shifted, and he saw the figure quickly disappearing into the present Han human realm, as if merging into the void.

But that identity was already on the verge of being revealed.

He was Peng Youshan, once the helmsman of the Kongsang Witch Sect’s Tianjing branch, a Great Witch at the fifth layer of the ninth heaven.

Over these years, Peng Youshan had been hunted relentlessly by the Abyssal Emperor Kelang and his men, forcing him into hiding under an assumed name, lurking everywhere.

As a Great Witch at the ninth heaven’s completion level, he had been diligently avoiding conflict and keeping a low profile.

Only now did Peng Youshan reappear, and at the moment of his return, he was heading back to Kongsang.

Originally, it was Venerable Shanzhihui, Golden Khan Ongqinfu, and the Kunpeng Demon Saint who together surrounded and killed the Kongsang Witch King.

At this time, Peng Youshan, who had been loyal to the Kongsang Witch King, was brought back to Kongsang through the methods of Venerable Shanzhihui...

Hearing this, Lei Jun’s mind flashed with many thoughts.

But since the other party had already vanished into the present Han human realm, Lei Jun did not dwell on it much.

After the Jade Pure Zhou Tian Mirror released divine light from heaven to slay Vairochana, leader of the Vajra Realm Buddha Division, a second beam of Yin-Yang Divine Radiance again shot downward.

The beam stretched from sky to earth.

The surrounding Daoist cultivators awoke and saw that the divine light descending once more was falling toward the Great Vehicle Dao scene projected by Elder Chu Kun of Mount Longhu on a distant grassland.

Fortunately, Chu Kun’s Great Vehicle Dao scene was in the process of dissipating.

Like a huge cosmic sphere, it dissolved from the top as if melting snow, cracking open at the dome and spreading in all directions.

The light beam descended, shooting inward from the opening at the top of the giant sphere.

Then those watching from afar vaguely saw that after Chu Kun’s Great Vehicle Dao scene faded, a figure seemed to be pierced by that seemingly thin but condensed and invincible divine light.

The brilliance was dazzling, making it impossible to clearly see the figure’s appearance.

But beside that figure, another person entangled with him appeared from afar to be Elder Zheng Chen of Pure Yang Palace.

However, Elder Zheng’s body was currently pierced by a long spear held by the opponent.

Fortunately, the divine light descending from heaven stopped the adversary from advancing further.

Elder Zheng’s eyes were wide open, and at this moment, he seemed like a heavenly general warding off evil, his hand rising and falling, striking the head of the opponent pierced by the divine light.

Both figures fell together.

Chu Kun’s Great Vehicle Dao scene completely dissipated as well.

In the distance, Zhu Junjie and others hurried over.

They saw Elder Zheng Chen of Pure Yang Palace drenched in blood but still standing firm, a faint golden glow enveloping his whole body.

Before him lay the fallen Azure Wolf Khanate warrior Zholigetu, his body incomplete, head shattered and bleeding.

The pale-faced and weak-breathing Elder Chu Kun of Mount Longhu was the first to reach forward and support Elder Zheng Chen.

Elder Zheng let out a long breath and first looked up to the sky: “Thanks to the Celestial Master’s intervention.”

Then he stopped Mu Chunyang, Shen Xi, and the others approaching from afar: “This old Daoist is fine. Fellow Daoists, finish off the evil.”

Mu Chunyang and Shen Xi turned their gaze toward the non-human warriors like Haritana.

Except for Haorihua of the Azure Wolf Khanate, the others began to scatter and flee.

The Celestial Master’s intervention had already taken down the most troublesome ninth heaven fifth layer Great Witch Vairochana and Zholigetu, especially stopping Venerable Shanzhihui’s assistance in escorting Vairochana’s retreat.

As for the rest, no one wanted to trouble him to act again.

Although Elder Zheng Chen’s current state was worrisome, Mu Chunyang and Shen Xi still nodded: “Take care, Elder Zheng.”

They then separately pursued the non-human warriors Haritana, Hasen, and others.

Chen Lingfeng and Zhang Taigang, Great Vehicle cultivators of the Daoist forging sect, also followed.

Zhang Haipeng stayed behind to deal with the desperate battle against Haorihua, the warrior saint of the Azure Wolf Khanate.

Zhu Junjie himself, as a cultivator of the Great Song, always led by example and was at the forefront. He thus also went with Mu Chunyang and Shen Xi to chase after the enemies.

But before leaving, he entrusted Elder Yue Xiling of Pure Yang Palace of the Tang Dynasty: “Please take care of Elder Zheng and Elder Chu.”

Zhu Junjie glanced at Elder Zheng Chen with sorrow in his eyes.

He had fought alongside Elder Zheng Chen many times and had long been a pillar for the remnants of the Great Song.

While grateful to Elder Zheng, he also understood him well.

At this moment, seeing his state, the Prime Tutor of the Great Song felt a vague ominous premonition, but he had no choice but to focus on the immediate battle and suppress his unease.

Yue Xiling guarded the apparently wounded Elder Zheng Chen and Elder Chu Kun while supporting Zhang Haipeng’s firm formation, which was already assured of victory.

With Zhu Junjie participating in the pursuit, QI Yicheng, Chai Bin, and other Pure Yang Palace disciples of the Great Song stayed behind and quickly gathered in front of their senior elder.

“Great Uncle!” QI Yicheng’s face was full of concern.

Elder Zheng Chen took it lightly: “No need for such formality. Even if there are still some minor conflicts in the human realm after this battle, it will not affect the overall situation.

Our Huaxia has reclaimed its rivers and mountains with no major obstacles ahead. This old Daoist can peacefully meet the ancestors of Pure Yang Palace who fell to non-human hands.

Although today is not Ongqinfu’s day, fortunately he has long since descended to the Yellow Springs.

The Golden Khan, the Lone Eagle, the Azure Wolf, and the White Deer are all destroyed.

A once dark era has come to an end, and that is good.”

Including Chai Bin, the Pure Yang Palace cultivators were all heavy-hearted.

“Great Uncle...”

“Great Uncle...”

“Great Uncle...”

Elder Zheng Chen smiled serenely and looked at QI Yicheng: “Though the continent’s sinking has passed, the tides of the era surge forward. What the future holds still depends on our sect’s unity. The new sect leader’s position should be decided soon.

In my opinion, Yicheng is exceptionally talented, diligent in cultivation, and capable in handling affairs. He is worthy of this great responsibility.”

After speaking, Elder Zheng Chen addressed Chu Kun and Yue Xiling: “My words may be presumptuous, but please, as fellow Daoist heirs, watch over the Great Song Pure Yang Palace branch in the future.”

Yue Xiling glanced at Elder Zheng Chen and QI Yicheng, then at the others of the Great Song Pure Yang Palace, and simply said: “Elder Zheng’s words are weighty. As you said, we are all fellow Daoists. Mutual support is only natural.”

After a brief silence among the Pure Yang Palace disciples, someone quickly responded: “The disciple will faithfully follow Great Uncle’s teachings.”

The middle-aged Daoist looked at QI Yicheng: “As Great Uncle said, disciple Yicheng is a prodigy with deep potential and mature beyond his years. Fair and capable, he is the rare pillar of our sect and the rightful heir to the sect leader position.”

Chai Bin, seeing his own master who had competed with QI Yicheng for the leadership speak first, immediately followed: “The disciple will obey Great Uncle’s teachings.”

Everyone around, regardless of order, bowed to Elder Zheng Chen, who was clearly near death.

QI Yicheng did not refuse or offer modesty. He felt the heavy burden on his shoulders and the need to courageously take the lead, not to disappoint his respected Great Uncle’s earnest hopes and instructions.

Looking at the Great Uncle before him, he was overwhelmed with sorrow and momentarily speechless.

Elder Chu Kun of Mount Longhu turned his head aside, seemingly unable to bear it.

As for the truth...

Second senior brother, Senior Sister Tang, do you have no conscience?

Poor Zholigetu of the Azure Wolf Khanate was already crushed by Tang Xiaotang.

No matter the current injuries of “Elder Zheng” or Elder Chu, they were all just illusions.

Even more pitiful was Elder Chu Kun.

The person seemingly pierced through by the Yin-Yang Divine Radiance was actually him.

Thanks to Senior Brother’s precise technique, otherwise he would now have a huge hole in his body like Vairochana and Zholigetu.

As for “Elder Zheng’s” wounds, those were of course fake.

Only Mu Chunyang and Shen Xi might have noticed something amiss, but they had already gone far away, leaving “Elder Zheng” free to perform.

Not only the Pure Yang Palace disciples, but if Zhu Junjie, who hesitated and turned back three times just now, knew the truth, he would probably bang his head against a wall.

“Please have Elder Chu thank the Celestial Master on my behalf.”

“Elder Zheng” smiled: “Alright, this old Daoist must leave.”

QI Yicheng and the others were startled: “Great Uncle...”

“Elder Zheng” turned and floated away gracefully: “Dust returns to dust, earth returns to earth. I came into this world naked and alone, and now this old Daoist will leave peacefully alone as well.

I possess no belongings and need no one to bury me. I will return to my retreat. The human world is at peace. Do not disturb my tranquility.”

Though gravely wounded, the old Daoist laughed heartily and departed with ease, unburdened and fearless.

But as he left, the faint golden flames on his body gradually dimmed.

Not because of distance, but as if the flames were extinguishing.

Yue Xiling, QI Yicheng, Chai Bin, and other Pure Yang Palace cultivators fell silent at the sight.

“The heart of Elder Zheng is for all beings, unafraid of life and death. Seeing through the mortal world, he has attained the Daoist High Realms, inspiring my humble self.”

Zhang Haipeng, leader of Kunwu Sect, spoke from the side.

Having fought against Haorihua, the Azure Wolf Khanate warrior saint, Zhang Haipeng, together with Chu Kun, Yue Xiling, QI Yicheng, and Chai Bin, bowed in the Daoist salute toward the fading figure of “Elder Zheng.”

After bowing, Elder Chu Kun of Mount Longhu swayed slightly.

It was unclear whether it was due to his “injuries” or something else.

…………………………

At this moment in Penglai, on the observation platform, Lei Jun quietly watched as “Elder Zheng” disappeared from view, then transformed back into Elder Tang of the Longhu Tianshi Mansion.

“You deceived Zhu the Layman and the others thoroughly.” Lei Jun said, “If Elder Zheng were to enter seclusion long-term and rumors spread that he had passed away, people would more easily accept it.”

Tang Xiaotang replied: “In that case, people would quickly forget Elder Zheng, and as you said, the Great Song Pure Yang Palace might face chaos again.”

Lei Jun: “It would still not be long-lasting peace, but somewhat better.”

He waved his hand, and the Taiyi Poxue Sword beside him shimmered, then casually asked: “Junior Senior Sister, are you ready to take that final step now?”

Tang Xiaotang smiled brightly, refreshed: “Yes, after accumulating over this time, I feel ready and might as well begin.”

Having reached the ninth heaven completion realm, her accumulation was already quite profound.

The reason she had not rushed to break through the celestial tribulation to the Immortal Realm was because she had been pondering and organizing her learned skills, laying the foundation to add another immortal technique relying on the Primordial Dao Body after ascending.

In this situation, although she could not ascend in one step like Lei Jun, the difference was small.

“Junior Senior Sister, your tribulation crossing is almost guaranteed success, but since it’s not absolute, you must still be careful.”

Lei Jun said, “Such matters allow no mistakes—there is no second chance or remedy.”

Though not face to face, Tang Xiaotang waved her hand: “Rest assured, I’ll bring good news.”

Lei Jun turned his attention from the former Song human realm and focused on the Tang human realm:

“So, Junior Senior Sister, where do you plan to cultivate quietly for the tribulation?”

Tang Xiaotang smiled: “The usual place, the Earth Sea.”

“The Earth Sea?” Lei Jun was surprised.

Tang Xiaotang had broken through from the eighth to ninth heaven in the Earth Sea, using the great tidal force of the Seven Abyssal Yin Currents of the Earth Sea, but that was because she was then a Pure Yang immortal body.

Now she had attained the Primordial Dao Body, freely switching between Pure Yang and Pure Yin.

Of course, it wasn’t that the Earth Sea was unsuitable for cultivation.

Although dark and shrouded in black mist, the Earth Sea was rich in spiritual energy.

Otherwise, the Jiuli people could not cultivate there.

The environment and spiritual energy were somewhat special.

For Tang Xiaotang, all this was naturally no problem. Lei Jun was just surprised she chose this place.

“Because you pacified the Earth Sea?” Lei Jun guessed.

Although Lei Jun had earlier slain the corpse flea king who controlled the Wenli tribe in the Earth Sea, ending the chaos there, it was Tang Xiaotang who had pursued and slain the greedy leader Li Yuanheng outside the Earth Sea.

Later, Tang Xiaotang returned to the Earth Sea to finally kill Li Yuanheng.

“One reason, yes.” Tang Xiaotang casually replied. “Another reason is that the Earth Sea is very suitable for the Eight Extremities Obscurity Brightness Pearl to function.”

Hearing this, Lei Jun immediately understood.

No wonder it’s you.

Compared to the almost guaranteed Dongxuan Ascension, Tang Xiaotang was more concerned about...

Kongsang.

“Wishing Junior Senior Sister success.” Lei Jun said. “Once there is progress, I will come join you.”

After ending the conversation with Tang Xiaotang, Lei Jun’s eyes continued to glow with the light of the Heavenly Communication and Earthly Hearing Talismans, focusing more intently as he scanned the Tang human realm.

His gaze swept over the vast ocean.

Finally, his eyes narrowed.

“It is indeed easy to hide in the deep ocean.” Lei Jun nodded slightly.

At the same time, several Two Poles Primordial Dharma Talismans hovered around him, interweaving into a massive formation.

At the formation’s center, primordial magnetic power gathered, warping the void and extending upward diagonally, forming a passage-like existence.

At the center of this Two Poles Primordial Sword Formation, the Taiyi Poxue Sword pointed upward obliquely.

Then, thunder and fire erupted, roaring, and the Taiyi Poxue Sword transformed into a sword light that flashed and disappeared above the Penglai Sea.

The sword light seemed to vanish directly into the void.

At the same time, Elder Zhuo Baojie, a senior elder of the Longhu Tianshi Mansion and disciple of Celestial Master Lei, was walking on waves in the distant ocean of the Tang human realm.

Elder Zhuo looked left and right: “The location the master mentioned should be around here.”

As he looked around, just like when encountering Feng Wensu in the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms human realm earlier, suddenly a flash of light appeared in the sky.

Almost immediately, sword light fell from the heavens, fierce and brutal, slashing into the sea before Zhuo Baojie.

Zhuo manifested his Heaven-Observing and Earth-Forming Technique to resist the raging waves.

The sword light flashed and vanished. The vast ocean seemed to pause briefly, then split rapidly to both sides, as if cut apart by an invisible force, with waves surging outward.

A huge volume of seawater instantly vaporized into steam by the endless scorching thunderfire, quickly spreading in all directions.

For a moment, it was like burning the sky and boiling the sea, and a large section of the ocean had sunken away.

Although thick boiling steam obscured the view, Zhuo Baojie faintly saw the seabed rocks in the missing part of the ocean.

At the same time, a surging evil aura burst out from the depths.

The fierce and violent aura almost swept away the white mist on all sides.

Yet, within its violent breath, despair and desperation were evident.

Before it could make a sound, the evil aura suddenly cut off.

Explosions of blazing yang thunderfire broke through the ocean’s steam and completely eradicated the evil aura.

Zhuo Baojie focused on the source of the evil aura and saw a massive creature lying on the seabed.

Its body had been sliced in two by the sword light descending from the sky.

Like a giant city split and destroyed.

After the sword light cut it apart, it further smashed open the seabed rocks and lodged diagonally in the ground. The blade was seven feet long — the Taiyi Poxue Sword.

The enormous body was a giant whale.

Though Zhuo Baojie had never fought it face to face, he had seen illustrations and heard reports allowing him to identify it as the Northern Sea Whale King, a great demon who had once been active in the Tang human realm.

A demon with strength equivalent to a ninth heaven cultivator of the human race.

Since the Tang imperial court and the Longhu Tianshi Mansion pacified the lands, the Tang human realm gradually grew peaceful.

With the surging flow of spiritual energy in heaven and earth, the evil aura also rose, benefiting the demons’ cultivation.

But the human cultivation realm had already formed its great momentum, conducting expeditions and continuous hunts that suppressed the demons, preventing their resurgence.

Though occasionally a great demon would arise, they were quickly hunted down or fled to the remote sea or barren lands.

Demons like the Northern Sea Whale King no longer dared approach inland recklessly.

They could only hide silently in the deep sea and oceans, cultivating secretly with evil aura to strengthen themselves, hoping for a future comeback.

Zhuo Baojie’s knowledge of it was limited. Compared to when it was once active near the shore, its power had since improved and risen to an even higher level.

But now, everything had become an illusion to it.

A sword from beyond the heavens suddenly struck and cut the great demon in two.

It no longer had a chance to return to the human realm and wreak havoc.

The split ocean began to churn, with surrounding seawater converging to engulf the whale’s remains.

Zhuo Baojie stepped forward, saluted the Taiyi Poxue Sword, then sheathed the treasure.

He heard his master Lei Jun’s voice: “Is everything ready along the coast?”

“Yes, Master.” Zhuo Baojie replied quickly. “Senior Brother Luo is personally leading people to handle things to ensure safety.”

The sea climate was often special.

Though this was deep ocean, a sword descending from heaven slaying a great demon, whether through Lei Jun’s flying sword power or the whale’s death struggle, could cause widespread disturbances.

Resulting ocean currents and storms might affect areas far beyond the immediate vicinity.

Therefore, preparations were made along the coastline to prevent the situation where immortals fought and mortals suffered.

“Is Senior Brother Luo there? That should be no problem. We’ve troubled him again.”

Lei Jun said: “Although the great demons have not attacked the coast, they are still a serious threat. The sooner they are dealt with, the better.”

Zhuo Baojie: “Master speaks wisely. Senior Brother Luo agrees as well.”

Similar cases included the Sea King Chrysanthemum and the Hexagonal Golden Shark, other top great demons.

Lei Jun had not forgotten them, but they were hidden in the deep sea, making them difficult to locate even with the Jade Pure Zhou Tian Mirror.

But after his Dongxuan Ascension, many things changed.

So when free, the Celestial Master began pulling up a list.

The Northern Sea Whale King was first.

No other reason than it was easiest for Lei Jun to lock down.

When it broke through from eighth to ninth heaven, it had been assisted by Huang Xuanpu.

Huang Xuanpu’s talismans and rituals originated from the heavenly palace ruins within Penglai.

For Lei Jun, this was a clue to search for the Northern Sea Whale King.

After a period of searching and calibration, today he struck, killing the ninth heaven great demon in the sea with one sword.

Next, there would be other great demons. Lei Jun would slowly name them one by one.

Demons like Sea King Chrysanthemum and Hexagonal Golden Shark were harder to find than the Northern Sea Whale King.

But after this successful strike, calibrating and killing other great demons would become much easier.

The difficulty would decrease step by step.

Starting with this demon whale was for precisely this reason.

Later, besides Zhuo Baojie returning the Taiyi Poxue Sword, Chu Kun also returned the Jade Pure Zhou Tian Mirror.

Thus, the Jade Pure Zhou Tian Mirror returned to the Tang human realm and further cooperated with the Celestial River Net.

Its search capabilities had improved greatly.

After much effort, Lei Jun found another “acquaintance.”

The Hexagonal Golden Shark.

Therefore, the Taiyi Poxue Sword again broke through the void.

This time, Chu Kun retrieved the sword for him: “Senior Brother, your flying sword’s power is increasingly astonishing. This time it not only split the sea but also completely pierced the reef below. The subterranean fire and lava even erupted.”

Lei Jun self-reflected: “One inherent problem with this method is that control strength at long range still lacks.”

Chu Kun smiled wryly: “With such power and the ability to send the sword this far, stop criticizing yourself.”

Lei Jun: “Is the former Song human realm ready?”

Chu Kun nodded: “The initial foundation has been established.”

Stabilizing all human realms and eliminating enemies, besides preparing for the human realm merging, Lei Jun also had private plans.

For the Three Caves and Three Heavens Supreme Dragon-Tiger Formation.

Chu Kun’s trip to the former Song human realm was partly representing the Longhu Tianshi Mansion and partly making preparations for Lei Jun.

“The former Song human realm is basically stable. Mu Guan and Sect Leader Shen assist Zhu the Layman and the remnants of the Great Song in basically restoring the central lands.”

Chu Kun introduced the situation: “They are currently advancing northward, targeting the non-human sacred land, also the gateway of the Great Wilderness.

I heard the Great Wilderness has gradually shown signs of recovery in recent years and is no longer as desolate as before.

But like the Guicang, it will probably still take a long time.”

Lei Jun: “The changes in the Great Wilderness were like draining the pond to catch fish, but not only did it produce many ninth heaven non-human martial arts masters, it also greatly influenced the non-human martial arts realms there, which in turn affected the Great Wilderness itself.”

Chu Kun pondered: “The Great Square also affected the martial arts development in that war-torn human realm, but the spiritual energy there did not decline or exhaust. Was that because no one overexploited it, or was it because of the Abyss of Time?”

Lei Jun sat cross-legged on the observation platform, slowly saying: “My current guess leans toward the latter.”

Chu Kun nodded silently.

After a moment, he recalled something else: “By the way, Senior Brother, regarding the human realm merging, though no faction has openly said it, it’s clear they have other thoughts on the matter.”

Lei Jun: “Sect branch merging?”

Chu Kun: “Yes.”

According to Lei Jun, Zhang Wantong, Xu Yuanzhen, Tang Xiaotang, and others’ speculation, after the human realm merge, the overall space would expand significantly.

But it might not be a simple edge-to-edge stitching of realms but rather overlapping fusion and then proportionally enlarged outward.

Although they had not discussed this with Zhao Chanyang of Kunwu Sect, sect leader Zhang Haipeng agreed with Lei Jun’s judgment.

This could lead to a situation.

The Shu Mountain Xiaoding of the Great Han, Tang, Southern Jin, and Ming human realms, including the desolate former Song Shu Mountain ruins and Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Shu Mountain ruins, would overlap first at the moment of merging, before the mountain formations changed.

With preparation, Chen Lingfeng, Zhang Taigang, Shen Xi, Yuan Qingci, and others would naturally respond, avoiding casualties.

But the question remained: after overlapping?

Assuming everything went smoothly and the overall Shu Mountain area expanded, the problem of space would not be worrying.

But how would people live and be arranged?

Sharing the same mountain, would the different sect branches still be divided, each occupying their own gates and caves?

Or would they merge entirely, forming a single Shu Mountain sect?

If merged, how would internal coordination be handled?

Especially... the matter of seniority?

Currently, the sect branches lived happily and called each other fellow Daoists by tacit agreement.

Though called fellow disciples, none had mentioned sect seniority.

But in fact, the problem existed.

Going back thousands of years before the late Han calamity, all worshiped the same ancestors with no issue.

But after the human realm split post-late Han, each branch had its own traditions.

All were descendants of Shu Mountain, no doubt.

But only about two thousand years had passed between the current Southern Jin and the late Han.

The Tang and present Han realms were closer, more than four thousand years.

The Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, Great Song, and Ming human realms had even longer histories.

Especially the Ming human realm, more than six or seven thousand years since the late Han.

The Ming Shu Mountain sect’s history was far longer than the Southern Jin’s.

If seniority were taken seriously, Gongsun Daoqi, Shen Xi, Li Wanqiu, and others would outrank Yuan Qingci, Han Qingtao, and Mo Qingshi by far...

Pure Yang Palace was in a similar situation.

“Internal affairs of each sect branch are decided by themselves. We need not interfere.”

Celestial Master Lei remained calm and composed.

“Wise teaching, Senior Brother.” Chu Kun bowed slightly, smiling broadly.

... The time flow between the present Han and Tang human realms was extremely close, so their Longhu branch had no such headache.

After a while, Chu Kun looked up seriously: “Senior Brother, I plan to enter seclusion for a while to refine my third fate divine ability.”

Lei Jun: “Wish you success. Let me know anytime if you have new ideas. I will continue clearing great demons from various human realms.”

After the Daoist elites united to clean the Great Song human realm, they would need time to rest.

They also had to consider the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms and Ming human realms.

Therefore, the task of clearing hidden great demons would be handled by Lei Jun in passing.

In the Great Song human realm, Shen Xi, Mu Chunyang, and others began pressuring the Great Wilderness gateway.

At the same time, the Great Song dynasty officially restored the kingdom.

Overall, the common people were joyous, almost boiling with excitement.

However, the upper classes were not so happy.

More precisely, they were of mixed feelings.

Now it was the restoration of the Song dynasty.

But after the human realm merge, what would become of the Great Song?

Only the Great Song Pure Yang Palace cultivators had no such worries.

Even if the sect branches merged after the realm merge, as Daoists, their position in the human realm would still be relatively aloof.

Though this depended on the Longhu Tianshi Mansion’s strong foundation.

Compared to the Daoist realm, the atmosphere of the Kongsang Buddhist sect was much tenser.

Including Hasen, leader of the Lotus Division, the Kongsang Buddhist sect suffered heavy losses this time.

Worse still, they lost Vairochana, leader of the Vajra Realm Buddha Division.

To some extent, Vairochana was the Vajra Realm’s first man under Venerable Shanzhihui.

If the Vajra Realm’s five divisions once developed separately with subtle relations, now with most masters gone and the Buddha and Lotus divisions nearly destroyed, they shared more mutual suffering.

The once flourishing Buddha hand seal lineage was experiencing a harsh winter.

Though Venerable Shanzhihui was still alive, having lost the leaders of the Sumeru and Treasure Divisions, and now Vairochana, the inheritors of Kongsang Buddhist sect felt a bone-chilling chill.

“Please convey my regards to Lord Gaotian and Patron Ruan.”

Venerable Shanzhihui sat solemnly at the center of Kongsang, calmly watching the middle-aged man before him.

The middle-aged man was no stranger to Kongsang.

He had once lived here and led the Tianjing branch.

“Thank you for your help, Venerable.” Peng Youshan was polite and courteous, showing no trace of his former loyalty to the fallen Kongsang Witch King, who had been a main reason for the Buddhist venerable’s presence.

For present Kongsang, he was now just a passerby.

He planned to go to Mount Ling.

The witch kings Ruan Qiao and Wang Dianchen were waiting for him.

Continuously escorting Vairochana and Peng Youshan was harmful to Venerable Shanzhihui’s current physical state.

Worse still, Vairochana had not yet been brought back.

Venerable Shanzhihui felt as if he had lost an arm.

Fortunately, his spiritual cultivation was strong, and his mind was not sullied by failure.

At this moment, the Buddhist venerable watched the void before him.

There, a scroll floated out of nothingness, turning pages on its own without wind.

Many words were written on the scroll’s pages.

But Venerable Shanzhihui’s attention was not on the words but on the scroll itself.

After the scroll finished flipping and closed, he still stared intently at it.

After a long while, he sighed softly and took a blue lamp.

The Abyssal Emperor was no easy opponent.

Nor were the former Heavenly Palace factions.

Before the late Han calamity, Venerable Shanzhihui tried to remain aloof, but was unfortunately affected by the chaos, missing the chance to reach the third golden body realm and suffering lingering injuries and misfortunes to this day.

Because of this, he could no longer avoid the core of the conflict as before.

The former Heavenly Palace factions were strong.

But their leader was the Daoist immortal Gaotian Sui.

Although he had escorted Peng Youshan to join the former Heavenly Palace factions, it was just a kind gesture from Venerable Shanzhihui.

He did not wish to involve himself unless absolutely necessary.

He also had deep grudges with the Tang cultivation world.

Given this, his only option seemed to be the Confucian-born Abyssal Emperor.

But this raised many doubts...

Venerable Shanzhihui silently lit the blue lamp, continuing to watch the flame and the scroll.

…………………………

Inside Penglai, on the observation platform, Lei Jun sat quietly.

At this moment, the Heavenly Communication and Earthly Hearing Talismans in his eyes kept flowing.

In the Tang human realm, after the Jade Pure Zhou Tian Mirror combined with the Celestial River Net, a large section of ocean was covered.

Suddenly, a flash of thunder appeared on the mirror’s surface.

A golden Divine Radiance Pure Yang Talisman.

A silver Divine Radiance Pure Yin Talisman.

Both talismans appeared simultaneously on the mirror surface.

Then Pure Yang immortal thunder and Pure Yin divine thunder intertwined.

The next moment, the dual Yang and Yin thunder wove into a beautiful radiance.

This radiance was not as condensed and swift as the Yin-Yang Divine Radiance Extreme Light formed by the nine heaven divine thunder and the mysterious immortal thunder, but rather light and ethereal, elegant and elusive.

Though seeming faint and intermittent, it shot down into the deep sea below.

The sea surged as a huge black shadow emerged.

Its color was pale, like countless wide ribbons continuously extending in all directions.

Each ribbon raised stirred monstrous waves.

It was none other than the former Tang human realm’s East Sea overlord, the great demon Sea King Chrysanthemum.

The Sea King Chrysanthemum struggled in the sea, with demonic aura raging in all directions.

But on its body were tender, rope-like elegant lights woven crisscross.

Though not as piercing as the Yin-Yang Divine Radiance Extreme Light, these elegant lights cut sharp and mournful wounds into the Sea King Chrysanthemum’s body.

The demon tried to escape by severing limbs to split and flee, preserving its life to await rebirth.

But the elegant light was dense and continuous, isolating surrounding seawater.

Even the ribbons that broke off from its body could not escape in a short time.

This was Lei Jun’s new method, refined by combining Pure Yang immortal thunder and Pure Yin divine thunder.

It was named Yin-Yang Existence Treasure Light, as if existing between being and non-being, exquisitely subtle.

Some mysteries were inspired by Tang Xiaotang’s Innate Dragon and Tiger Joint Strike.

Especially Tang Xiaotang’s clever combination of the Innate Dragon and Tiger Joint Strike with the Tongxuan Bridge technique gave Lei Jun much insight.

Though his current use was less skillful than Tang Xiaotang at the same realm, as a Dongxuan Ascended Celestial Master, Lei Jun’s use of Yin-Yang Existence Treasure Light was also trace-free, catching the Sea King Chrysanthemum unknowingly.

The treasure light touched its body, making it hard to escape and fixing the great demon in place for a time.

Above, the Jade Pure Zhou Tian Mirror’s brilliance continued flickering.

On the mirror surface, another two divine talismans appeared.

A reddish-golden Morning Sun Midheaven Talisman.

A jade-green Fire Dharma Earth Book Talisman.

Under the fusion of Heavenly Morning True Fire and Nine Abyss True Fire, a star as blazing as the great sun descended and smashed into the ocean below!

This time, the commotion was much greater than the previous Yin-Yang Existence Treasure Light.

The surrounding waves violently shook, and the fierce explosion broke through the ocean surface and reached the seabed.

Endless radiant heat spread in all directions, vaporizing vast seawater and enveloping the Sea King Chrysanthemum.

The Sea King Chrysanthemum’s huge body burned fiercely.

Many ribbons that broke off its body also burned, none spared.

Whether active or passive, even if the demon had countless splits and strong escape ability, at this moment it was all covered by endless flames.

Until it was completely burned to ashes.

“Hm, for dealing with great demons with division abilities and strong regeneration, like Sea King Chrysanthemum and Abyssal Moss, Yin-Yang Wuji Star Radiance is indeed the most suitable.”

On the observation platform in the Penglai sea, Lei Jun calmly summarized.

Sea King Chrysanthemum was one of the hardest great demons to capture and kill in the Tang human realm.

With its death, the Tang human realm temporarily had no powerful great demons causing chaos.

With the surging spiritual energy, evil aura would also rise. Over time, other great demons would naturally appear.

But as long as the Tang human cultivation world continued careful sweeping and patrols, they could squeeze the space for their growth.

Occasional escapees could be cleaned up by Celestial Master Lei.

Time passed.

This year, Celestial Master Lei celebrated his hundredth birthday.

After the Great Song war preliminarily ended, Daoist cultivators from many sects came to congratulate him.

Not only QI Yicheng, Chai Bin, and others from the Great Song Pure Yang Palace, but many others from various sects actively went to the Longhu ancestral grounds in the Tang human realm to celebrate Celestial Master Lei’s birthday.

Besides Daoists, people came from all directions.

“Sect leader uncle, this is Senior Zhuyin representing Canghuan.” Qin Caiwei, acting as host, guided a blue luan bird to meet Lei Jun.

Blue Luan Zhuyin spoke in a pleasant voice: “Solar Sage Lord is unwell, Fengming is in seclusion, but they instructed me to convey congratulations on the Celestial Master’s hundredth birthday on their behalf.

Also, allow me to express their gratitude.

If not for the Celestial Master, Lord Zhao, and Emperor Tang’s heroic efforts, the reopening of the Biluo sealed realm and the return of the former Heavenly Palace faction might have ended disastrously.”

Although compared to the Solar Sage Lord, Lei Jun’s age was insignificant, Blue Luan Zhuyin was very respectful in her bow.

“Nonsense, fellow Daoist. Please convey my regards to Solar Sage Lord and Dao Brother Fengming later.” Lei Jun returned the courtesy.

With no one else around, he softly asked: “Dao Brother Fengming in seclusion... Will Canghuan have a new Immortal Spirit Sage Lord soon?”