The Tianshi Inauguration Ceremony was a grand event, widely publicized and attended by nurous esteed guests.
Representatives from the other Daoist Holy Lands, Pure Yang Palace and Shushan Sect, were among the attendees.
“Elder He, it’s been a long ti,” greeted Lü Jinduan, an elder of Pure Yang Palace, as he approached He Dongxing of Shushan Sect.
He Dongxing smiled. “Elder Lü, how have you been? How is Brother Huang of your sect?”
Lü Jinduan replied, “After the battle in the Western Regions, our sect leader suffered significant injuries. Though he has slightly improved recently, he must still rest carefully. Otherwise, he would have co in person to celebrate this grand event at Tianshi Mansion. Unfortunately, I must represent him instead.”
He Dongxing nodded. “Brother Huang is a pillar of the Daoist community. Please ensure he takes care of his health.”
“Thank you,” Lü Jinduan said modestly.
The relationship between the three Daoist Holy Lands—Tianshi Mansion, Pure Yang Palace, and Shushan Sect—was always sowhat intricate.
The sect leader of Pure Yang Palace, Huang Daozhen, commanded universal respect across the Daoist world. Even the other Holy Lands, including Tianshi Mansion and Shushan Sect, regarded him with reverence.
“How is Sect Leader Fu of Shushan?” Lü Jinduan asked.
“Our sect leader has been preoccupied with managing many affairs,” He Dongxing said. “Otherwise, he, too, would have co to Mount Longhu in person.”
“Fu Dongsen possesses extraordinary talent,” Lü Jinduan remarked. “I’ve long admired him.”
The current leader of Shushan Sect, Fu Dongsen, was a polarizing figure.
As the head of Shushan’s reformist faction, Fu had tirelessly worked to break the sect’s traditionally insular ways, encouraging greater engagent with the outside world. Over ti, Shushan Sect expanded its influence beyond Bashu, establishing increasingly frequent connections with the wider Tang Empire.
While this brought an influx of resources and talent into Bashu and facilitated the spread of its goods and culture across the empire, it also exposed Shushan Sect to external influences, which caused significant internal strife.
This tension culminated in a severe internal conflict a few years ago. Ultimately, Fu Dongsen’s reformists prevailed, resulting in a sweeping purge of the conservative faction. However, even neutral mbers found themselves divided.
Following this upheaval, Shushan Sect had since unified its voice under Fu Dongsen’s leadership, though it maintained a low profile as it recovered from the conflict.
During their conversation, Lü Jinduan and He Dongxing exchanged glances that seed to wander montarily.
They noticed a young Daoist in black and white robes, Yue Xiling, the leader of Pure Yang Palace’s younger generation, seated with a middle-aged Daoist dressed in simple hemp garnts typical of Shushan.
This middle-aged Daoist was none other than Ye Dongming, a Shushan elder and a supporter of Fu Dongsen’s reforms. Ye Dongming also hailed from the influential Ye Clan of Jinzhou.
Shushan’s engagent with the world beyond Bashu often included figures like Ye Dongming and Lin Xinran from the Lin Clan of Jiangzhou, whose dual affiliations exemplified the sect’s evolving identity.
Ye Dongming appeared completely unfazed by any controversy, chatting amicably with Yue Xiling.
“Such youth!” Ye Dongming remarked, gazing at Tang Xiaotang, clad in her vibrant nine-colored ceremonial robe. “Is she the youngest Tianshi in the history of the Daoist Talismanic Branch?”
Yue Xiling responded calmly, “The youngest in history was likely just over thirty. Tang Tianshi hasn’t officially turned thirty-one, so if she’s not the youngest, she’s a close second.”
Yue Xiling’s gaze shifted to another figure among the Tianshi Mansion’s disciples: a tall, composed man.
“Speaking of youth, there’s another young standout,” Yue Xiling said, nodding toward Lei Jun.
“Lei Jun, or Lei Chongyun,” Ye Dongming mused. Recalling his encounter with Lei Jun in the Rainy Mountains of Bashu, he smiled. “He’s the youngest among the new elders of Tianshi Mansion, isn’t he? Mount Longhu is truly flourishing with talent—how enviable.”
Yue Xiling nodded slightly.
Historically, Lei Jun wasn’t the youngest elder in Mount Longhu’s history, but he was undeniably the youngest among the current generation. At 33, his age was second only to Xu Yuanzhen when she assud a similar position.
His peers, Zhang Jingzhen, Lin Shan, and Ke Sicheng, were all significantly older than him, their ages spanning what would be considered a full generation in mortal terms.
“I heard Lei Jun has already reached the Fifth Heaven Realm and cultivated Dao Palaces from the Talismanic Branch’s inheritance,” He Dongxing remarked. “Do we know how many Dao Palaces he’s ford?”
“In just a few years, he’s progressed from the Fourth Heaven to the Fifth,” Lü Jinduan added. “That cultivation speed may not match Tang Tianshi’s teoric rise, but it’s undeniably impressive.”
Lü Jinduan continued thoughtfully, “Lei Jun’s trajectory reminds of Xu Yuanzhen.”
He Dongxing nodded.
Unlike Tang Xiaotang, whose ascension was swift and dazzling, Lei Jun and Xu Yuanzhen followed a more gradual curve.
Initially unremarkable, they both displayed a consistent upward trend, steadily surpassing their peers. Lei Jun, much like Xu Yuanzhen, seed to face no insurmountable obstacles as he advanced.
This consistency, combined with Tang Xiaotang’s rapid rise, offered a promising outlook for Tianshi Mansion’s future.
anwhile, Yue Xiling and Ye Dongming turned their attention to another group of guests representing the Tang Imperial Court.
Among them was Chu Yu, dressed in ornate court attire.
No longer representing the Suzhou Chu Clan, Chu Yu now appeared as an imperial emissary.
“After the pacification of Wuyue, I heard Chu Yu didn’t return to Suzhou but went straight to the capital,” Ye Dongming remarked, nodding in acknowledgnt of Chu Yu, who returned the gesture with a polite smile.
The interaction drew occasional glances from others, aware of the dual identities held by these two figures: Ye Dongming as a Shushan elder and Chu Yu as an imperial confidante.
“His Majesty has established East and West Pavilions within the court,” Yue Xiling noted. “Chu Yu and Xiao Xueting oversee them, respectively.”
As the ceremony concluded in the evening, the newly appointed Tianshi, Tang Xiaotang, proceeded to the ancestral tomb’s forbidden grounds.
anwhile, Lei Jun and the other elders—Zhang Jingzhen, Lin Shan, and Ke Sicheng—along with other Tianshi Mansion elders, accompanied the High Priests Yuan Mobai, Yao Yuan, and Shangguan Ning in thanking the guests and offering formal farewells.
Lei Jun, tasked with hosting the delegation from Shushan Sect, greeted the elders He Dongxing and Ye Dongming warmly.
“Thank you for traveling such a great distance to attend the ceremony,” Lei Jun said, bowing respectfully. “Please forgive any shortcomings in our hospitality.”
Both He Dongxing and Ye Dongming were familiar to Lei Jun, given his prior interactions with Shushan mbers during his ti in Bashu. Despite recognizing certain affiliations, Lei Jun maintained impeccable decorum.
Ye Dongming smiled. “To witness another prodigious talent rising within the Daoist world is a joy and an honor.”
“You flatter ,” Lei Jun replied humbly.
Among the Shushan delegation was another familiar figure, Ji Chuan, who approached Lei Jun with a smile and handed him a miniature pouch.
“Lei Daoist, congratulations,” Ji Chuan said. “This is a small token of Bashu’s specialty goods. I hope it brings a smile.”
“Ji Daoist, it’s been a while,” Lei Jun said, expressing his gratitude as he accepted the gift without inspecting its contents.
Knowing of Ji Chuan’s arrival beforehand, Lei Jun had prepared a batch of custom talismans in return, which he now presented. “Let host you properly and offer a small token of my own.”
Ji Chuan shook his head with a chuckle. “I’ve long admired Mount Longhu, but this ti, unfortunately, I won’t have the chance to explore its splendor. We must return to Bashu promptly after the ceremony. Perhaps next ti.”
“So soon?” Lei Jun asked, surprised.
Ji Chuan nodded, his smile fading into a serious expression. “Bashu has been restless lately, and we must tread cautiously. Lei Daoist, have you heard of the Shengkang King?”
Lei Jun’s brow furrowed. “I know little, only fragnts from our sect’s records, but those verge on legend.”
The so-called Shengkang King was not a title conferred by the Great Tang but referred to the Crown Prince of the Sui Dynasty’s Shengkang Emperor, who had disappeared after the dynasty’s fall.
According to legend, following the Sui Dynasty’s collapse and the rise of the Tang, the Shengkang Crown Prince vanished, allegedly retreating to the southwest. While these tales persisted over centuries, most believed the prince had long since passed into history, leaving behind only scattered rumors of descendants—commonly called the "Shengkang King."
Ji Chuan, however, revealed a troubling developnt. “This ti, it’s different,” he said, frowning. “There are signs of covert support within the Tang heartlands, and disturbances are also stirring in the Southern Wastelands.”
Lei Jun nodded thoughtfully.
Ji Chuan continued, “The Empress has tasked our sect with investigating these matters. Shushan cannot afford instability spreading to Bashu, so the sect leader has ordered a team to head into the southwest mountains for an inquiry.”
Lei Jun offered a Daoist salute. “Thank you for sharing this, Daoist Ji. Our sect will also keep an eye on any developnts from the Southern Wastelands.”
Ji Chuan bowed slightly in gratitude. “Your vigilance is much appreciated.”
Elsewhere, Chu Yu, representing the Tang Imperial Court, prepared to leave.
Lei Jun approached her with a ssage: “The Tianshi wishes to invite you to stay a while longer to reminisce.”
Chu Yu’s expression betrayed a knowing smile. “If I had no pressing matters, I wouldn’t mind staying to accompany your Tianshi. Unfortunately, I have obligations that cannot wait. Perhaps another ti.”
Standing nearby, Yuan Mobai nodded. “Chu Zhaizhu is bound for the southwest under imperial orders.”
Lei Jun silently noted the connection between Chu Yu’s mission and Ji Chuan’s earlier concerns, reflecting on the growing disturbances.
Tang Xiaotang, erging from the ancestral tomb, seed visibly disappointed as her “mont of triumph” over Chu Yu slipped away.
Yuan Mobai turned the conversation to pressing matters. “The incident at Bodhi Monastery has finally been resolved.”
Responsibility for the monastery’s destruction was laid squarely on Daikong Temple, a rival sect. Not only was Daikong Temple blad for obliterating Bodhi Monastery, but it was also accused of inciting the northern demon chaos and colluding with Wei Ancheng of the Blood River Sect.
The Tang Imperial Court refused to bear the sha of Bodhi Monastery’s fall or its association with the demon outbreak in the north. Noble clans like the Ye Clan of Jinzhou and the Lin Clan of Youzhou, which had stepped forward to suppress the chaos, erged unscathed, their reputation intact.
Daikong Temple, already infamous, took on the additional burden of these accusations. Though the charges carried so truth—Daikong Temple indeed had ties to northern demons—the situation further exacerbated its isolation.
anwhile, Bodhi Monastery was left devastated, its Zen Martial Arts lineage reduced to near extinction. While a few wandering disciples survived, their numbers were negligible, and the monastery’s sacred texts and relics were heavily scattered or lost.
In terms of calamity, Bodhi Monastery’s plight far exceeded that of other devastated factions, such as the declining Xiao Clan of Longxi after the Western Region Demon Wars.
So within the Tianshi Mansion joked grimly that the only solace for Bodhi Monastery lay in the Li Clan, who could share their misfortune as “bald brothers”—both had suffered imnsely in recent events.
Despite the support of the Tang Imperial Court, the once-glorious Bodhi Monastery saw little hope for revival.
In contrast, the Xiao Clan of Longxi, devastated during the Western Region Demon Wars, began showing signs of recovery.
Yuan Mobai spoke solemnly:
“The external turmoil has subsided temporarily, but hidden currents are stirring. The initial signs are already visible in the south. Our sect must first stabilize itself before acting cautiously according to circumstances.”
Tang Xiaotang, arms crossed before her, muttered, “The Tianshi Robe…”
Yuan Mobai glanced at her and said, “The sect leader cannot leave the mountain lightly. Once the situation here is secure, I plan to leave and search for the Tianshi Robe myself.”
Tang Xiaotang’s eyes lit up with an idea, but Yuan Mobai rely smiled knowingly and chose to say nothing further.
He turned to Lei Jun. “With the ceremony over and so stability restored to the Shangqing Thunder Altar Grotto-Heaven, this might be a good ti for you to venture inside. What do you think?”
Lei Jun nodded. “I was just about to propose the sa.”
The Shangqing Thunder Altar Grotto-Heaven was difficult to access, reserved for the Tianshi, the High Priests, and certain elite disciples. Even Sixth-Heaven Daoists and the Tianshi’s direct disciples typically only entered once a year.
However, Lei Jun had earned his place through rit.
His greatest contribution was his pivotal role in eliminating the Three Caves Desolation God Tribulation, a secret weapon of the Yellow Heaven Sect. This alone cented his position as the top contributor among the mid-tier cultivators during last winter’s internal conflict.
Although his accomplishnts had gone unaddressed due to post-war rebuilding efforts, Yuan Mobai had already discussed the matter with him: all rewards would be granted after the July 15th Tianshi Inauguration Ceremony.
Now that the grotto-heaven had stabilized, Lei Jun was prepared to venture inside and claim his rewards.
Tang Xiaotang casually offered, “I’m heading to the Biyou Immortal Mountain. Want to co along?”
Lei Jun’s interest piqued.
The Biyou Immortal Mountain, located at the heart of the grotto-heaven, was a place of imnse spiritual energy but also potential danger for mid-tier cultivators. Lei Jun had yet to explore it. With Tang Xiaotang as his guide, he eagerly accepted the opportunity.
Thus, the newly appointed Tianshi and elder entered the grotto-heaven together, heading straight for its core.
Thunder bood as they approached, with streaks of lightning illuminating the surroundings in a dazzling violet glow. The entire mountain seed bathed in a sea of purple energy.
Yet, as Tang Xiaotang arrived, the thunder softened, and the lightning parted, forming a path directly to the mountain's summit.
Lei Jun followed her across the sea of lightning and landed at the peak of the Immortal Mountain.
Tang Xiaotang casually took a seat at the summit and gestured. “Go ahead, explore as you like. Just don’t wander beyond the main peak.”
“Got it.” Lei Jun waved as he began to wander the mountain.
The density of spiritual energy on the Biyou Immortal Mountain far surpassed other areas of the grotto-heaven, even outshining the Immortal Bamboo Grove.
As he walked, Lei Jun practiced his breathing technique, drawing in the rich energy with each step.
The light sphere in my mind isn’t reacting… I wonder if there’s any opportunity here? he mused.
Suddenly, a subtle sensation caught his attention.
Without the need for his Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Calamity guidance, his own senses detected sothing unusual—a spot where the spiritual energy was especially concentrated.
Approaching cautiously, Lei Jun found himself confronted by an unexpected phenonon. Thin, vine-like tendrils erged from the ground, slithering toward him with a clear intent to entangle.
What is this now? Lei Jun thought, readying himself for whatever challenge the Biyou Immortal Mountain had in store.
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