The Pure Yang True Fire surrounding Tang Xiaotang’s body transford into a fierce tiger, its claws reaching into the peak of Biyou Immortal Mountain without causing any damage to the mountain itself.
As the golden flas flickered, they seed to shift from extre yang and rigidity to extre yin and softness, subtly perating the rocky mountain.
Though Tang Tianshi had always fought with grandeur and boldness, it didn’t an her magical abilities lacked precision. Whether her approach was forceful or ticulous depended entirely on her intent.
At this mont, the massive fire tiger's claws flowed into the mountain rock like water.
A while later, the enormous fire tiger began to retract its claws, its movents now gentler, no longer as forceful as when it first struck. Yet, the retraction was smooth and efficient, pulling a glowing phantom-like object from within Biyou Immortal Mountain’s rock.
As the massive fire tiger’s claws opened, sothing lay quietly at their center—a round mirror.
The mirror’s fra was adorned with ancient and intricate patterns.
Both Lei Jun and Tang Xiaotang found the patterns familiar at first glance.
These markings shared a lineage with the Daoist Talismanic Branch of Mount Longhu, though there were so differences.
Despite exuding a strong ancient charm, the structure of the patterns was entirely distinct.
While the inheritance of these traditions originated from the sa source, their paths and developnts had diverged.
Lei Jun recalled the ancient texts he had browsed in the Decree Pavilion and suddenly understood sothing:
“This magical artifact... is very old. Though it originates from our sect’s legacy, it likely dates back to…”
Tang Xiaotang glanced at the ancient mirror resting in her Yang Fire Tiger’s claws and said with great interest, “Indeed, it’s ancient. The Daoist talisman inscriptions are quite different from ours today. Could this be the very magical artifact that Junior Uncle once ntioned—one that was created before the first division of our Daoist Talismanic Branch?”
In recent years, Mount Longhu’s Tianshi Mansion had suffered from repeated internal conflicts, leading to countless casualties and significant depletion of its strength.
However, long before this, there had been an even greater internal conflict in the sect’s history, though it had occurred so long ago that few spoke of it now.
This ancient strife, which escalated into civil war and division, stemd from the Daoist Talismanic Branch’s transition of its Daoist system to a new era.
Because of how distant those tis were, historical records were scarce. The Daoist scriptures and talismanic arts from before that era had beco exceedingly difficult to find.
Fortunately, Lei Jun and Tang Xiaotang had both reached formidable cultivation levels and possessed sharp comprehension.
Thus, after carefully observing and analyzing the ancient mirror, they quickly recalled the historical events.
If this mirror indeed predated the transition of the Daoist Talismanic Branch’s system, then this treasure had already existed for several millennia.
“The scattering of the Tianshi’s Three Treasures only happened in the past century. Before that, when all three treasures were still present, no one ever retrieved buried artifacts from Biyou Immortal Mountain,” Tang Xiaotang remarked with a smile.
“So, is this recent change caused by Mount Longhu’s overall shift in spiritual energy, which in turn affected the Upper Clarity Thunder Altar Grotto-Heaven?”
Her curiosity piqued, she dispersed the golden flas and carefully examined the magical artifact.
Lei Jun also stepped forward to study the ancient mirror.
He recalled the words that had appeared when he drew his last divination on—the floating light sphere had revealed the phrase: ‘Ti flows on, carrying the legacy of the past.’
Now, as he studied the mirror, a na surfaced in his mind:
[Xuanxu Mirror]
Lei Jun pondered this revelation for a mont.
anwhile, Tang Xiaotang quickly lost interest.
“I don’t like its function,” she said bluntly.
Lei Jun responded, “Hmm… I think it’s actually pretty decent…”
“Keep it, do whatever you want with it.” She waved her hand dismissively, showing clear disinterest.
Lei Jun gestured, and the ancient mirror floated toward him.
Upon flipping it over, he discovered that the mirror had two sides—one was dim and obscure, while the other shone brightly.
The dim side could conceal a cultivator’s presence, while the bright side had the opposite effect, revealing and investigating hidden things.
Xuanxu—both a veil of deception and a tool for uncovering mysteries.
Unlike Lei Jun, Tang Xiaotang had little use for magical artifacts and tools, except for the Tianshi’s Three Treasures, which symbolized her status.
The Xuanxu Mirror’s function and aning did not appeal to her in the slightest.
But to Lei Jun, it was quite useful.
Whether for scouting enemies or concealing himself, this artifact was of excellent quality.
After reaching the Upper Three Heavens stage, Lei Jun’s Wind Thunder Talisman, ‘Night Wind’, had evolved into the Heavenly Path Talisman’s ‘Shadow Walk’.
His previously favored Teng Snake Bone had beco sowhat obsolete.
At the Upper Three Heavens level, unless opponents were extrely far apart, the Teng Snake Bone’s concealnt abilities had limited effectiveness.
Lei Jun no longer intended to use it in the near future, preferring to refine it later.
For now, he needed a suitable alternative to perfect his concealnt techniques—sothing that would allow him to remain undetected even by many Eighth Heaven cultivators.
The Xuanxu Mirror was perfect for this.
“Though… it’s a little worn,” Lei Jun noted as he examined the translucent mirror.
“After being buried and nurtured in the Upper Clarity Thunder Altar Grotto-Heaven for so long, it’s still not in perfect condition.”
Tang Xiaotang remarked casually, “You’ll probably need so rare celestial materials to restore it.”
Lei Jun nodded.
He then attempted to nourish the artifact using his own mana.
However, upon contact, he sensed subtle changes within the Xuanxu Mirror—so of its ancient Daoist aura seed to shift on its own.
Handled properly, there would be no future troubles…
Lei Jun imdiately recalled the words from his Supre Good On.
It was indeed an excellent divination, but according to its wording, he still needed to be cautious to ensure both present safety and future security.
As for what future troubles it referred to, Lei Jun wasn’t entirely sure.
But he suspected it had sothing to do with the historical division of the Daoist Talismanic Branch and the Tianshi Mansion’s Daoist legacy transformation.
Buried histories often leave loose ends.
Countless thoughts and speculations flashed through Lei Jun’s mind, but his actions remained swift.
Summoning the Tianshi Seal, he activated a formation of three layers of altars, enveloping the Xuanxu Mirror in flashes of purple, gold, and green light.
The Xuanxu Mirror was placed within the first layer of the altar, surrounded by Nine Abyss True Fire.
anwhile, Lei Jun himself sat atop the third altar, silently ditating and refining the artifact.
The mirror’s once-unstable aura soon beca steady.
Its Daoist lineage originated from the ancient past, differing significantly from the modern Tianshi Mansion’s teachings.
Lei Jun didn’t alter the mirror’s original Daoist essence—he rely stabilized it and brought it under his control.
Preserving its ancient Daoist Talismanic Branch inheritance would provide valuable insights for the future.
At the sa ti, he ensured that no one else could lay claim to this treasure.
Once he was done, Lei Jun withdrew the Tianshi Seal.
After briefly greeting Tang Xiaotang—who remained seated in ditation atop Biyou Immortal Mountain—Lei Jun left the Upper Clarity Thunder Altar Grotto-Heaven.
Upon stepping outside, he was t with good news:
Zhang Jingzhen had finally completed her closed-door cultivation.
Not only that, but she had successfully advanced to the Seventh Heaven—Tongtian Realm, marking her ascension as a High Priest Elder of Mount Longhu’s Tianshi Mansion.
“Senior Sister Zhang, congratulations!” Lei Jun greeted her.
Nearby, Yuan Mobai and Shangguan Ning also smiled and nodded.
Zhang Jingzhen returned the greeting:
“Congratulations to Junior Brother Lei as well.”
Seven years ago, when Mount Longhu faced another internal conflict, the final battle of the Liwai struggle ended with all four of the Li Family’s High Masters perishing. Though the outsider successor ultimately claid victory, at the ti, only four Upper Three Heavens cultivators remained on the mountain: Tang Xiaotang, Yuan Mobai, Yao Yuan, and Shangguan Ning.
Although the Tianshi Sword had returned to the mountain, the Tianshi Robe was lost once again.
Looking back at the history of the Tianshi Mansion of Mount Longhu, this could be considered one of its weakest periods.
Internally, morale was unstable, and externally, its prestige had declined—both inevitable consequences.
At the ti, no one could have predicted that, seven years later, the entire situation would be completely reversed.
Xu Yuanzhen returned, while Lei Jun and Zhang Jingzhen both ascended to the Seventh Heaven Realm one after another.
The Tianshi Mansion had finally recovered its strength.
"Speaking of which, Senior Brother, you beca a High Master before Senior Sister Zhang. That has had so... other effects too," said Chu Kun, sitting in Lei Jun’s small courtyard with a smile.
Lei Jun understood what he ant, but simply chuckled without responding.
It wasn’t just Zhang Jingzhen—Shangguan Ning could also be counted. From a lineage perspective, both of them ca from the imperial clan.
In the past, when there were more High Masters on Mount Longhu, the only representative of the Tang Imperial Court among them was Shangguan Ning.
Now, with fewer High Masters, there were suddenly two imperial representatives: Shangguan Ning and Zhang Jingzhen.
For the Tianshi Mansion, this was quite an unusual ratio.
Yet, strangely, no one in the mansion seed to mind.
On one hand, in recent years, the Tianshi Mansion had grown exceptionally close to the Tang Imperial Court.
Judging by battle results—excluding the Shangguan Clan—it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that the Tianshi Mansion had beco the Tang Emperor’s strongest enforcer.
During its weakest mont after the Battle of Liwai, the Tang Emperor personally visited Mount Longhu to show his support, intimidating external forces.
Not long after, the Tianshi Mansion crushed the Lin Clan of Jiangzhou while also severely weakening the Lin Clan of Youzhou—wielding two taphorical machetes to carve a bloody path from the Jiangnan region to the northern lands.
Compared to the early years when the Li Family aligned with the Tang Court, the current relationship between the Tianshi Mansion and the Tang Imperial Clan could only be described as a golden era.
On the other hand, disregarding the previous generation and focusing only on the younger generation, the presence of Xu Yuanzhen, Tang Xiaotang, and Lei Jun was simply too overwhelming.
With their prominence, Zhang Jingzhen’s imperial background beca far less noticeable.
"In the past, during the Li Family’s internal struggles and the Liwai conflict, the situation within the mansion was extrely complicated. Back then, Uncle Shangguan and Senior Sister Zhang bore a much stronger imperial association," Chu Kun mused.
"But now that the storm has passed, everything has settled. Still, we have to thank Senior Sister Xu, the Sect Leader, our Master, and you, Senior Brother," he added with gratitude.
"Everyone has their own thoughts, but as long as we align in the grand sche of things, we can seek common ground while respecting differences," Lei Jun replied calmly.
As they spoke, above them, at the summit of Mount Longhu, thunder roared, and light radiated.
Chu Kun looked up. "Upper Qing Thunder Altar Grotto-Heaven, huh?"
"Mm..." Now that he was a High Master, Lei Jun could clearly perceive the Upper Qing Thunder Altar Grotto-Heaven shifting. "Senior Sister Zhang just entered."
"Senior Sister Zhang has always been diligent in cultivation," Chu Kun remarked.
Lei Jun, however, only raised an eyebrow as he gazed at the surging purple lightning, deep in thought.
Draped in purple robes, Zhang Jingzhen stepped once more into the Upper Qing Thunder Altar Grotto-Heaven.
She was the only one inside.
Sweeping her gaze across this world of violet, she couldn't help but feel a wave of emotions.
Her first destination was the Xianming Spring.
Now that she had reached the Seventh Heaven Realm, she no longer needed water-repelling spiritual items—she could dive beneath the Xianming Spring using her own Nine Abyss Fla Ancestor Apparition.
Unfortunately, she still couldn't find what she was searching for.
"It seems that this scroll fragnt truly only exists in halves within the Upper Qing Thunder Altar Grotto-Heaven. The other half is really... with Chen Yi?" Zhang Jingzhen had anticipated this outco, so she wasn’t particularly disappointed—rather, it confird her suspicions.
But how had Chen Yi obtained the other half?
Could there be an even greater Talismanic Sect secret hidden behind his scroll fragnt?
Looks like I’ll have to find him again… Zhang Jingzhen steadied her mind and scanned her surroundings once more.
She didn’t rush to leave, instead continuing her search and verification within the grotto-heaven.
After achieving the Seventh Heaven Realm, Zhang Jingzhen also traveled to Biyou Immortal Mountain.
Spreading out her palm, a radiant glow erged, transforming into half a scroll fragnt filled with Daoist talismanic patterns that constantly flickered.
But after long hours of refining, there was still no further breakthrough.
"...Nothing, huh…" Zhang Jingzhen sighed softly.
Back at the summit of Mount Longhu, Lei Jun continued watching the purple lightning-filled Upper Qing Thunder Altar Grotto-Heaven, recalling his Supre Good On fortune slip—which had specifically ntioned ti constraints.
Generally, if an on contained a ti limit, it ant that the opportunity would be lost forever once the deadline passed.
If he and Tang Xiaotang hadn’t retrieved the Xuanyin Mirror from Biyou Immortal Mountain in ti, they likely would have never gotten another chance.
Considering both the Xuanyin Mirror’s and the Upper Qing Thunder Altar Grotto-Heaven’s conditions, Lei Jun was fairly certain that this wasn’t an issue of the mirror self-destructing past a certain ti.
Rather, it might have fallen into soone else’s hands or caused unexpected disruptions.
Counting back to the days he spent summoning the Nine-Light Mixed Abyss from the Tianshi Robe, he realized that if he had been delayed just a bit longer, he would have coincided exactly with Zhang Jingzhen’s return.
And now, after finishing so routine procedures, Zhang Jingzhen imdiately headed to the Upper Qing Thunder Altar Grotto-Heaven…
Was she also after the Xuanyin Mirror?
That raises an interesting question.
Lei Jun and Tang Xiaotang had successfully summoned the Xuanyin Mirror only because they had nearly all three Tianshi Treasures.
Although Zhang Jingzhen had reached the Seventh Heaven Realm, her Dao cultivation and strength still couldn't surpass Lei Jun and Tang Xiaotang.
So how was she planning to find the treasure?
"Could she have already obtained so ancient relic, giving her a thod to attract similar treasures?" Lei Jun speculated.
He rembered that when he first entered the Upper Qing Thunder Altar Grotto-Heaven, he had chosen between two Upper-Moderate Ons.
The one he didn’t choose had pointed toward the Xianming Spring.
Back then, Zhang Jingzhen had appeared there.
"Huh… so I beat her to it this ti?" Lei Jun chuckled.
Still, he had no interest in prying into other people’s secrets.
When Zhang Jingzhen left the Upper Qing Thunder Altar Grotto-Heaven, she acted as if nothing had happened and never spoke of it.
Lei Jun, seeing this, remained silent as well.
That day, Lei Jun suddenly felt sothing stir in his mind.
After handing a young bamboo shoot to his disciple, he returned to his ditation chamber, sat cross-legged, and imrsed himself into the world of the Heavenly Book.
Within the mysterious, white expanse, a shadowy black star began to shift.
As Lei Jun watched, a figure gradually erged.
And when it finally beca clear, he was montarily speechless.
It was a young scholar, his face full of nervousness and confusion.
Lei Jun knew him.
ng Shaojie—styled Qingyan—a forr companion of Tang Crown Prince Zhang Hui.
Although Lin Shan taught Daoist classics while ng Shaojie followed the Confucian path, as the crown prince’s study companion, the young man naturally attracted attention.
He had a mild temperant, was cautious in handling affairs, and was diligent in both cultivation and work.
However, according to the information Lin Shan brought back, ng Shaojie’s cultivation progress and innate talent remained as before—outstanding among ordinary people and even among students of the Imperial Academy. But among the group of study companions in the Eastern Palace, he seed more like soone just filling a spot.
Fortunately, Crown Prince Zhang Hui had a good personal relationship with him, and they seed to get along well.
To think that Jidu actually landed in his hands…
After the initial surprise, Lei Jun found himself intrigued.
From his past research, he knew that not just anyone could rge with the shadow separated from the Dark Side of the Heavenly Book.
It was clear that ng Shaojie, suddenly encountering such an event, was currently quite unsettled.
He dared not act rashly and instead quietly observed the world before him.
Luckily, although this cosmic starry sky was eerie, it did not seem to cause any imdiate harm, so ng Shaojie managed to keep his composure.
Lei Jun also refrained from speaking to him first.
As ng Shaojie observed his surroundings, Lei Jun was observing him as well.
Daoist Lei had no interest in prying too deeply into others’ secrets. For now, he was simply using ng Shaojie’s case as a verification, further confirming the characteristics of the cosmic starry sky derived from the Dark Side of the Heavenly Book—particularly in terms of its connection to the soul.
Lei Jun gradually understood.
The universe spawned from his Heavenly Book’s Dark Side was different from the one on the side of the orthodox Heavenly Book.
On the orthodox side, even obtaining a page of the Heavenly Book required a rare treasure to trigger it before one could access the cosmic starry sky.
Perhaps it could be described as "a threshold that exists within the door itself"?
On the Dark Side, however, it seed that no treasure was required. Instead, the shadow itself would silently choose its host.
Only those with an exceptionally unique soul could beco the master of a Dark Star Hidden Luminary.
Now, Lei Jun had a general understanding of what made ng Shaojie special.
This young man actually had outstanding comprehension and bone structure. In fact, his bone structure was so rare that he could be considered a genius unseen in ages.
However, his bone structure manifested in a way that reflected on his soul.
Such cases were extrely rare.
Among those Lei Jun had personally encountered, only Chen Yi’s Pure Void Spirit Physique shared a similar trait, where the bone structure mirrored the qualities of the soul.
However, the Pure Void Spirit Physique still leaned more toward physical talent, with its effects on the soul being secondary.
ng Shaojie’s talent, at first glance, seed entirely centered on the soul.
Even so, it remained peculiarly restrained, making his true potential in cultivation hard to discern.
Lei Jun clicked his tongue in fascination.
Confucian cultivation emphasized enlightennt, nurturing one’s energy through reading, and transforming scholarly aura into righteous energy. Even the Divine Archery lineage focused heavily on spiritual and ntal refinent, let alone the Recitation and Classical Studies traditions.
Logically speaking, ng Shaojie should not have been overlooked.
Yet, all signs suggested that this young scholar had chosen the wrong path.
If even the Recitation lineage, which prioritized soul cultivation, was unsuitable for him, then what was?
The Daoist Artifact Refining Sect?
The Buddhist Precepts Tradition?
The Witch Sect’s Gu Mastery? The Ghost Dao?
Lei Jun was indeed curious.
However, ng Shaojie was from the Imperial Academy.
His uniqueness should not have escaped the notice of the Academy Chancellor, Shangguan Chunhui.
After all, Chancellor Shangguan was a prodigious genius with extraordinary experiences and was particularly skilled in matters of the soul.
Even if Shangguan Chunhui had overlooked it, what about Empress Zhang Wantong?
Lei Jun remained curious but did not delve too deeply into ng Shaojie’s background.
Nor did he resist the young scholar’s rging with the Dark Star Hidden Luminary, Jidu.
If ng Shaojie reported this to the court, Lei Jun no longer minded.
At this mont, ng Shaojie himself was hesitant about seeking external help.
For one, his personality was naturally averse to risks, and his recent experience with the disturbance in Heng had already left him shaken.
For another, as the crown prince’s study companion, would this shadow pose a threat to His Highness?
“Should I report it to the local authorities, or wait until I return to the capital and inform the Academy and the Eastern Palace?”
ng Shaojie had taken a leave of absence to visit his family.
After thinking it over, he decided to return to the capital early.
Though reluctant to part with him, his family could only help him pack.
Because of ng Shaojie, his family enjoyed a mont of prominence in the region.
Listening to their affectionate words of farewell, ng Shaojie could only smile bitterly.
Over ti, the number of study companions in the Eastern Palace had increased from four to eight.
Another Imperial Academy student had joined—soone even more exceptional than ng Shaojie.
anwhile, three more sons of nobility had also entered the ranks.
Strictly speaking, ng Shaojie had no conflicts with Shangguan Zhengqing, Zhang Ziye, or Ye Song from Qingzhou, nor with the newly added noble sons.
Everyone remained courteous on the surface.
Yet, amidst them, ng Shaojie always felt like an outsider.
This feeling did not stem entirely from his background but also from the widening gap in cultivation progress.
The new student from the Academy had been carefully selected, and his cultivation speed surpassed ng Shaojie’s.
As ti passed, the gap between them all did not shrink—it only grew.
Even when the crown prince was absent, Ye Song, Shangguan Zhengqing, and the others never ordered ng Shaojie around or sched against him.
Yet, in the silence, he could almost hear a voice whispering in his ear:
You are not one of us.
At tis, the young scholar wondered if he was simply being too self-conscious, mistaking his own insecurity for others' judgnt.
But the current environnt truly felt suffocating.
If not for his close friendship with Crown Prince Zhang Hui, he would have found it even harder to bear.
Right now, they were all still young, so it was manageable.
But what about the future?
ng Shaojie had no desire to be a re sycophant relying on royal favor.
What should I do…?
He felt lost.
Thinking about that shadow, that pale and eerie cosmic expanse, ng Shaojie suddenly hesitated.
He would report it, of course—he had to ensure it posed no danger to the crown prince.
But…
Could this be an opportunity?
And if so, was he ready for it?
———
Lei Jun did not interfere with ng Shaohua’s situation and rely observed in silence.
Until—
He noticed another Dark Star Hidden Luminary he had previously separated undergoing a change.
Rahu.
The previously pitch-black dark sun, Rahu, reappeared in the pale universe.
This ti, its outline was surrounded by a faint golden radiance—reminiscent of real sunlight.
Much like Jidu before, a true solar ring now ford around it.
And within the dark center of the eclipse, a figure gradually took shape.
Lei Jun looked at the figure’s face.
At first glance, the person seed unfamiliar.
But after a mont of recollection, Lei Jun realized he had seen this face before—
Not in person, but in a portrait.
He rembered this man’s na—Kang Ming.
A disciple of the Yellow Heaven Sect.
And not just any disciple—one of their rising stars.
This man… had obtained one of Lei Jun’s shadows?
Lei Jun was not displeased.
On the contrary, his interest deepened.
“Now then…”
Lei Jun quietly watched Kang Ming.
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