Lei Jun lifted his head and gazed at the sky.
Under the effects of the Celestial Ground-Through Talisman, his vision and perception far surpassed most cultivators of the sa realm.
Earlier, he could still observe the Great Celestial Jade as it ascended. However, as it continued to rise, it gradually disappeared from his sight.
At that mont, a faint glimr of light erged between his brows, shooting straight into the sky.
Though the light was subtle, it traveled a vast distance with minimal attenuation, remaining exceptionally stable.
High above in the firmant, a fine streak of light seed to descend, resembling starlight.
When the near-invisible beams intertwined and connected, they vanished from sight.
In his vision, the Great Celestial Jade reappeared, ascending high into the sky.
Then, his perspective shifted once again, as if he had been transported into the heavens, overlooking the vast mountains and rivers blanketed in night.
However, there were still many flaws in this perspective.
Unperturbed, Lei Jun casually waved his hand toward the sky.
With a flicker of starlight, the Great Celestial Jade fell back down.
He spread his palm open, catching the treasured object.
"There’s still plenty of room for improvent," he muttered.
Despite his words, he nodded in satisfaction.
Lei Jun was especially pleased with this treasure—so much so that he found himself hoping to acquire more spiritual artifacts of the sa kind.
Thinking back, though the two sides were enemies, his interest in such objects was first piqued when he witnessed Jinzhou Ye Clan's Wuyou Tribulation.
At the ti, Ye Moquan had used the Remote Celestial Light Invocation, channeling the power of the Wuyou Tribulation Ritual with the help of the Great Celestial Jade, which hung high in the sky.
By doing so, the Wuyou Tribulation Ritual could be conducted at a remote location, allowing Ye Moquan, who remained in the Ye Clan’s ancestral land, to avoid the risk of having his ritual disrupted by enemies striking at the source.
Furthermore, with the Great Celestial Jade serving as a dium in the sky, it was nearly impossible for outsiders to determine the exact location of the ritual. This provided Ye Han and the others with a significant sense of security.
Unless there was a traitor among Ye Han’s people, exposure under normal circumstances was unlikely. Lei Jun had only managed to find his way to Tianle Mountain due to an exceptionally unusual turn of events.
In fact, before heading to Tianle Mountain, even Lei Jun himself hadn’t been certain about what he would find there.
The so-called Wuyou Tribulation referred both to Ye Moquan’s contingency plan in battle and to the ritual itself being safeguarded against external threats.
Overall, though the Remote Celestial Light Invocation had assisted Ye Moquan in coordinating an offensive against Xu Yuanzhen’s Great Ascension Dao Domain, the technique primarily served a supporting and amplifying role.
Lei Jun, however, envisioned broader applications, hoping to utilize it in more ways.
His long-term goal was to integrate the Great Celestial Jade with the Yuchen True Water, refining them alongside other treasures to forge a unique magical artifact of unparalleled stability.
But there was no rush—he still had many ideas to explore.
For now, he simply continued refining the Great Celestial Jade and the Yuchen True Water.
Thus, the starlight rose and fell in an endless cycle, over and over again.
The Passing of Ti
Lei Jun remained within the sect, focusing on his own refinent while also ntoring his disciples.
As ti passed, more and more news arrived from Guanzhong.
With an increasing number of human cultivators rushing to aid the central region, the crisis there had been resolved.
The Pure Yang Palace’s two Eighth Heaven Elders, Guan Jing and Lü Jinduan, had both returned. Tang Xiaotang and Chu Yu also arrived in Guanzhong one after another.
Although Fang Jingsheng, the current patriarch of the Jingxiang Fang Clan, and Fu Dongsen, the sect master of Shushan, had not personally co, neither the Fang Clan nor Shushan Sect had slacked off in this battle.
Both factions had dispatched top-tier experts and led formidable forces to support Guanzhong.
As a result, the Great Sky Azure Wolf and other rampaging Grand Demons were forced to restrain themselves, unable to act recklessly anymore.
anwhile, the Snow Country Bear King, who led another faction of Grand Demons in besieging Chang’an, the forr capital of the Tang Dynasty, remained highly aggressive, but even he had lost the unrestrained confidence he once displayed.
Before Empress Zhang Wantong arrived, the siege on Chang’an had already been broken.
Once she stationed herself in Chang’an, she did not imdiately pursue the demons northward. Instead, she remained in place.
On one hand, this helped stabilize the morale and situation in Guanzhong.
On the other, it allowed her to receive a formal diplomatic request from the Vajra Monastery, which acted on behalf of the Vajra Division of Mount Suru, seeking an audience with the Tang Emperor.
Empress Zhang Wantong approved the eting.
While she held her position in Chang’an, the Guanzhong Demon-Suppressing War continued.
The Grand Demons retreated north but had yet to cross the Great River.
Fierce battles erupted on the plateaus south of the river between human cultivators and demon forces.
The Battle Rages On
The Current Tianshi, Tang Xiaotang, wielding the Tianshi Sword, dominated the highlands.
She engaged in direct combat against a Grand Demon of Eighth Heaven strength, while also withstanding the assault of the Great Sky Azure Wolf, a Ninth Heaven Demon King from the Northern Wastes.
She was, without question, the standout figure of the battle.
Fighting alongside her, Shushan Elder Zhang Dongyuan wielded the Azure Abyss Sword, making the two of them the pillars of the human side.
Together, they withstood the overwhelming pressure from the Great Sky Azure Wolf and the Snow Country Bear King.
Another notable perforr on the human side was Chu Yu, who, with his cold, precise archery, shot down an Eighth Heaven Grand Demon, killed one Seventh Heaven Grand Demon, and wounded another.
However, his efforts were not as visually striking as Tang Xiaotang’s.
As the battle raged, neither side erged unscathed—humans and demons alike suffered further casualties.
It wasn’t until several Red-Robed Dharma Kings from Vajra Monastery arrived at the southern banks of the Great River that the demons finally abandoned their foothold on the south bank and retreated northward, back to the Northern Wastes.
These Dharma Kings hailed from the Vajra Division of Mount Suru.
Their first destination had been Chang’an, where they were granted an audience with Empress Zhang Wantong.
Few knew the details of their conversation, but what was clear was that after their eting, the Dharma Kings marched northward and assisted the human cultivators in suppressing the demon invasion.
Leading them was Jia Sheng, a reclusive master of the Mudra Tradition, possessing the cultivation of the Ninth Heaven.
When he revealed his strength, the world was shaken.
The Vajra Monastery had always been the sacred ground of the Mudra Tradition, but it had not produced a Ninth Heaven Master in centuries.
The sudden appearance of Jia Sheng sparked countless speculations about the Vajra Division and the legendary Mount Suru.
His arrival ultimately forced the demon horde to retreat north.
Even though the Great Sky Azure Wolf and the Snow Country Bear King did not fear Jia Sheng, they dared not engage the Vajra Division without fully understanding their strength.
Moreover, with Empress Zhang Wantong still in Chang’an, if she determined that the Vajra Division posed no threat and chose to lead a northern campaign, the Great River’s surroundings would be plunged into utter chaos.
Thus, the Great Sky Azure Wolf withdrew first, forcing the Snow Country Bear King to retreat as well.
The Grand Demons scattered, each returning to their own domain.
With this, the Guanzhong Demon Crisis finally ca to an end.
Fortunately, the situation did not escalate further, as the Empress stepped in to diate.
Both sides are currently locked in a dispute.
Zhang Jingzhen, a High Priest Elder of Tianshi Mansion and a mber of the Zhang-Tang imperial family, volunteered to diate and has already departed for Guanzhong for further discussions.
anwhile, Yuan Mobai and Lei Jun, the master-disciple duo, have not yet left the mountain, but they have begun making preparations in secret.
"To be fair, Little Senior Sister has a bit of an arrogant temper, but she's not like a fighting rooster, challenging everyone she sees—especially not soone who previously fought alongside us against a great demon," Lei Jun said.
If Master Sangjie truly ca with goodwill, showing proper etiquette and no ill intent, then it would be even less likely.
But if his outward politeness was just a façade, while his heart harbored other plans, then…
"There are so things that the Sect Leader knows, and we know, but they aren’t enough to convince outsiders," Yuan Mobai said. "His Majesty is in Chang'an, so there shouldn't be any major upheavals, but we should still be fully prepared."
He looked at Lei Jun. "How is Yuanzhen?"
Lei Jun replied, "I made contact with her once before. Senior Sister is aware of the recent events on land and ntioned that she would be returning from overseas soon. However, it's unclear whether she gained anything from tracking the Thousand-Leaf Butterfly King."
Yuan Mobai smiled. "Thanks to Chongyun’s continuous improvents to the Thousand-Mile Transmission Talisman in recent years, our sect can now receive information from long distances much more easily than before."
Lei Jun nodded. "Once she ventured deep into the open sea, the storms, combined with the mixture of spiritual energy and foul miasma, made it harder for to contact her. That’s why they say—there's always more to learn."
Elder Lei had already made a checklist for himself, adding an overseas expedition to study the spiritual energy veins across the sea.
In the days that followed, ssages from Guanzhong arrived one after another. Thanks to the diation and suppression efforts of the Tang imperial family, further conflicts between the Vajra Division and Tianshi Mansion were averted.
Tang Xiaotang injured soone, but no one could force her to bow her head and apologize to Master Sangjie. If they could et without another fight breaking out, that would already be a blessing.
At least Li Tianshi didn't have to personally step in.
Tianshi Mansion had Zhang Jingzhen handling negotiations with the Tang imperial family and the Buddhist sects.
Of course, Zhang Jingzhen would not apologize on behalf of her Sect Leader either.
On her way to Chang’an, she had already prepared her argunts.
Simply put, she was bringing up old grievances.
Fourteen years ago, the previous Tianshi, Li Qingfeng, perished. Mount Longhu was embroiled in battles with the Lin Clan of Jiangzhou and the Yellow Heaven Sect, with Blood River Sect and the sorcerers of Yin Mountain Grotto caught in between.
At that ti, the Tianshi Seal resurfaced, and more than one force—not just Tianshi Mansion—fought for it.
Even the Vajra Monastery’s Master Longjia had gotten involved.
Though Master Longjia ultimately did not obtain the Tianshi Seal, the fact that he interfered was an undeniable stain on the matter.
He didn’t take the Tianshi Seal, but he did obstruct Mount Longhu’s rightful claim to it, didn’t he?
So, was it really so strange for the current Sect Leader to feel agitated when encountering monks from the Esoteric Sect?
Of course, the one Tang Xiaotang attacked wasn’t Longjia but Sangjie.
Before the reopening of Mount Suru, the two likely hadn’t even t.
But right now, Tianshi Mansion only needed a justification.
This explanation wasn’t for the Buddhist sects—it was for the Tang imperial family.
And in a way, it even implicated Chu Yu, who was also currently in Guanzhong.
Fortunately, at that ti, Chu Yu had still been in Suzhou.
"His Majesty personally diated the dispute, so the situation has mostly settled down. Soon, the Sect Leader and Junior Nephew Jingzhen will return to the mountain," Yuan Mobai said.
"According to Junior Nephew Jingzhen, in the end, His Majesty generously rewarded Master Sangjie, thus resolving the matter."
Lei Jun smirked. "I trust Little Senior Sister—this Vajra Division didn't co with good intentions."
Yuan Mobai nodded lightly. "Based on reports from Guanzhong, whether it's Master Jiasheng, Master Sangjie, or the other upper-tier monks of the Vajra Division, they are all relatively young."
Lei Jun pondered. "For the past several thousand years, spiritual energy in the mortal world has been weak. But the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, isolated from the human realm, may have had a different environnt altogether. The barriers between realms had long been shut, but now that they are reopening, we cultivators must be vigilant."
This wasn’t a challenge faced by Tianshi Mansion alone.
All of Great Tang was cautiously watching the suddenly expanding Vajra Realm in the Western Regions, as well as the possibility of other realms reconnecting with the mortal world.
Yuan Mobai said, "Fortunately, the surge of spiritual energy in the human world continues to intensify, and signs of a new golden age are beginning to erge."
In such an environnt, the younger a cultivator, the greater their potential, and the more they benefited.
Those who advanced the fastest in recent years were usually the rising stars of the younger generation.
Cases like Ye Yan of the Lin Clan in Qingzhou—an old tree blossoming anew—were extrely rare exceptions.
And strictly speaking, Ye Yan wasn’t even that old.
Although he was of the sa seniority as Chu Xiuyuan, Ye Moquan, and Huang Xuanpu, he, like Yuan Mobai, Chu Yu, and Yue Xiling, belonged to the youngest group among their generation’s titans.
In this recent Guanzhong demon crisis, many young powerhouses had erged, each holding their ground.
The Empress was an exception—beyond comparison.
Tang Xiaotang, of course, also needed no further ntion—she was the youngest Eighth-Heaven expert in the world today.
Xiao Xueting, who had kept a low profile after returning to the capital from the Southern Wasteland, had recently reerged, successfully breaking into the Eighth Heaven.
She wielded the Mountain and River Sword, first assassinating the forr abbot of Vast Void Temple, Dharma King Jixiang, and then, during Master Jiasheng’s battle with the Snow Kingdom Bear King, she launched a second assassination attempt on the Ninth-Heaven demon. Her rise was nothing short of stunning.
Both she and Tang Xiaotang had reached the Eighth Heaven before turning fifty, drawing the world’s attention.
Although Chu Yu had taken longer to reach the Eighth Heaven, he had still entered the Seventh Heaven before turning fifty.
Tang Xiaotang, having recently observed Chu Yu’s techniques up close, remarked that he seed sowhat different from before, though the specifics were difficult to discern in a short period.
The Shushan Sect had also sent powerful figures to Guanzhong.
Leading them was Elder Zhang Dongyuan, an Eighth-Heaven Artifact Refining Sect expert, who fought fiercely with the Azure Abyss Sword.
Among the younger Shushan cultivators was Zhang Taigang, the most outstanding talent of the Daoist Artifact Refining Sect’s younger generation.
Though still in the Seventh Heaven, many—including Tang Xiaotang—believed that, barring any setbacks, Zhang Taigang would soon break through to the Eighth Heaven.
After the demon forces retreated north, Zhang Taigang did not accompany Zhang Dongyuan to Chang'an but returned directly to Shushan, sparking rumors that he had entered secluded cultivation to make his final push to the Eighth Heaven.
A similar situation applied to Fang Zhu, the eldest grandson of the Fang Clan in Jingxiang.
He had perford outstandingly in the battle to pacify the demon crisis in Guanzhong. Unlike Zhang Taigang, however, he had followed his elders to Chang’an for an audience with the emperor before heading ho.
Across all major factions, the younger generation’s prodigies were now striving toward the Eighth Heaven.
The two exchanged a few more words about teaching matters before Fang Yue took his leave.
However, just before leaving, he hesitated for a mont, as if wanting to speak but holding back.
Xiao Chunhui said, "If you have sothing to say, speak freely. There's no need for hesitation between us."
Fang Yue nodded. "Sir, I was wondering… should we reconsider the situation with Qingyan?"
Xiao Chunhui responded calmly, "Hmm, I’ll give it so thought."
Fang Yue imdiately bowed. "Sir must have already weighed the matter. I was being presumptuous." With that, he took his leave.
Xiao Chunhui watched him go, his expression shifting slightly.
It seed that speaking of soone was a sure way to summon them.
Just as he and Fang Yue had been discussing ng Shaojie—ng Qingyan—here he was, requesting an audience.
"Sir," ng Shaojie greeted with a respectful bow.
"No need for formalities," Xiao Chunhui smiled. "I recall you had returned ho for a family visit. You’ve co back early? Has the Eastern Palace approved your leave?"
ng Shaojie respectfully replied, "I have already reported back to the Eastern Palace. Currently, I haven’t received any new assignnts, so I ca to see you first."
After saying this, he fell into silence.
His eyes flickered, as though struggling with an intense internal debate.
Xiao Chunhui noticed but did not press him.
After a long pause, ng Shaojie finally spoke again. "Sir, I have sothing to report—sothing confidential."
The Empress had left the new capital, Luoyang, for the old capital, Chang’an.
For now, the imperial city of Luoyang was under the regency of Crown Prince Zhang Hui.
The senior officials of the Eastern Palace—such as the Chamberlain and the Imperial Lecturers—remained in place. However, companions of the Crown Prince, such as Shangguan Zhengqing, Ye Song, and others, had been assigned low-ranking positions to serve as assistants to Zhang Hui.
ng Shaojie was among them.
Yet, the Eastern Palace already had a sizable number of such companions. Among them, ng Shaojie was neither outstanding in cultivation nor particularly skilled in political affairs—he was just another face in the crowd.
It was an invaluable experience, but ng Shaojie himself was not particularly passionate about court matters.
Though he was close to Crown Prince Zhang Hui personally, Zhang Hui's current role as regent carried imnse weight. ng Shaojie knew he couldn't contribute much, so he had little enthusiasm for getting involved.
But keeping a distance from the Crown Prince also ant distancing himself from the palace’s layers of security.
This made ng Shaojie recall that eerie, pale universe—the strange encounter he had experienced—the na "Jidu."
If this had no bearing on the Crown Prince’s safety, if it didn’t endanger his own family, then ng Shaojie found himself… intrigued.
He had little to lose.
Originally, he had many reservations.
But then, the Empress left for Chang’an, and Crown Prince Zhang Hui was thrust onto the political stage earlier than expected.
A massive shift in the empire had begun, rippling outward, altering the fate of countless individuals—ng Shaojie included.
He had simply gone ho to visit family. Upon returning, he found the world around him had changed.
As if fate itself had stripped away his hesitations.
Given the circumstances, perhaps it was worth taking a chance on Jidu?
He was still a young man, after all. His heart was restless.
Yet he was not reckless. Instead of diving headfirst into the unknown, ng Shaojie chose to consult Xiao Chunhui first.
Once he started speaking, he held nothing back, recounting his strange experience in full. He spoke of the pale cosmic void, of the existence of another entity besides himself—"Luohu."
Xiao Chunhui listened in silence, only occasionally interjecting with a question.
When ng Shaojie had finished spilling everything he knew, Xiao Chunhui did not respond imdiately. Instead, he lowered his gaze in contemplation.
ng Shaojie, feeling uneasy, studied Xiao Chunhui’s expression.
Despite appearing like a man in his late twenties or early thirties, Xiao Chunhui had begun to show traces of ti. Though his face remained youthful, strands of silver had begun to appear at his temples.
His expression remained tranquil, neither intimidating nor oppressive. Instead, his composed deanor seed to influence ng Shaojie, gradually easing his nerves.
At last, Xiao Chunhui smiled slightly. "Qingyan, what do you think?"
ng Shaojie tensed up again.
But Xiao Chunhui rely chuckled. "There are always hidden dangers in the world. The Tang Empire faces countless threats each day. Besides, not everything is necessarily an enemy."
ng Shaojie took a deep breath. "Sir… I feel tempted."
Xiao Chunhui nodded. "If you are tempted, then why not give it a try?"
ng Shaojie looked up in surprise.
"This is your opportunity," Xiao Chunhui said. "The choice to accept or reject it is yours alone. You ca to today—so I will do what I can to ensure your safety. But nothing in this world is guaranteed."
He smiled. "Your mysterious acquaintance may be an unknown force, but that doesn’t an he is an enemy of the Tang Empire. Alliances shift constantly. Who’s to say cooperation isn’t possible? You stand at the crossroads—no need to worry just yet."
ng Shaojie straightened his posture. "Understood, Sir!"
Then, after a mont of hesitation, he bowed deeply. "Sir, thank you for your guidance."
A hint of guilt crossed his face. "I… I am dull-witted. I have not lived up to your teachings. My studies have stagnated, and now I seek shortcuts… I…"
Xiao Chunhui observed him in silence before speaking gently:
"Every person has their strengths, Qingyan. There are tis when talent remains hidden, simply because one has yet to find the right path."
He looked at ng Shaojie aningfully. "That mysterious figure told you that ‘an unintended seed may still take root.’ That phrase fits your situation perfectly—it’s a hint for you to try a different path. How do you interpret it?"
ng Shaojie froze. "I… I did consider shifting from scholarly studies to divine archery or recitation… but I feel lost."
Xiao Chunhui smiled. "You already have a path—it’s just that it hasn’t fully taken shape yet. But it suits you. I believe you will find success there.
"The reason I never told you before was not to withhold knowledge, but because this path requires a steadier mind. It is best embarked upon at the right ti. If I had told you earlier, it would have hindered your growth."
Your Majesty, so things I must tell him in advance.
But regardless of what happens, your land will soon bear soone else’s crops… Xiao Chunhui mused silently.
ng Shaojie looked stunned.
Xiao Chunhui picked up a brush, wrote a single word on paper, then sealed it in an envelope and handed it to ng Shaojie.
"Don’t open it just yet," he instructed. "The Tang archives contain relics of the ancient Daoist Talismanic Branch. I will request permission to retrieve one for you. You may present it to this mysterious acquaintance."
ng Shaojie’s eyes widened. "Sir…"
"Since there will be rewards," Xiao Chunhui said with a smile, "why not test him? See how he responds to your offering, then compare your options and choose your path."
ng Shaojie looked down at the envelope, took a deep breath, and bowed. "Yes, Sir!"
A few days later, at Tianshi Mansion on Mount Longhu.
Lei Jun, in the midst of refining the Great Celestial Jade, suddenly sensed sothing.
He focused his mind, delving into the shadowed universe within the Heavenly Book.
There was no reply from Luohu Kangming yet.
But Jidu—ng Shaojie—had returned, asking for guidance on offering a newly discovered artifact possibly linked to the ancient Talismanic Branch.
He also inquired about which cultivation path would suit him best.
Lei Jun raised an eyebrow.
It wasn’t surprising that ng Shaojie had made a decision.
But finding such a relevant artifact so quickly? That was unusual.
Was it rely luck?
Given ng Shaojie’s personality, he had likely reported this to his superiors.
Was this a genuine offering or a subtle probe from the imperial court?
Lei Jun didn’t particularly care.
After contemplating, he responded with two simple words.
In the dark cosmic void, Jidu stared blankly at the glowing ssage:
"Historical Studies."
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