The four sect leaders currently stood with unwavering focus.
Though their hearts had surged upon first eting, all had now cald.
Whatever words needed saying would wait until after eting the current Celestial Master, to be discussed privately.
"Esteed fellow Daoists who have traveled far, this humble Daoist was previously in seclusion and may have been neglectful. Please forgive any discourtesy." Lei Jun received the four in the Celestial Master Hall.
All four expressed their humility.
Lei Jun looked toward Shen Xi: "How fares your esteed teacher, Elder Gongsun?"
Shen Xi slightly bowed: "My teacher fares well. We are endlessly grateful for Celestial Master's past guidance."
Lei Jun replied: "You and your teacher are too kind."
Deng Lai glanced at Chen Lingfeng, noticing his surprise.
The leader of Great Han's Shushan Sect had vaguely heard that the Shushan branch from the Two Jin realms had previously contacted Mount Longhu's Tianshi Mansion.
But until today, Chen Lingfeng hadn't realized how deep these connections ran.
Shen Xi himself had clearly t Celestial Master Lei Jun in person before.
Among the four guests present, he was the only one with this privilege.
Shen Xi maintained a tranquil deanor, yet like his cultivation strength, hidden depths suddenly revealed themselves like unexpected mountain peaks.
Compared to the Two Jin realms, the current Han realm undoubtedly had more frequent and longer-standing interactions with the Tang realm.
Yet this Southern Jin Shushan leader had moved faster than both Chen Lingfeng and Deng Lai.
Though mild in temperant, his actions proved remarkably decisive...
While Chen Lingfeng couldn't claim close kinship with Shen Xi, they bore no grudges either, leaving him only with quiet reflection.
anwhile, Northern Jin's Chunyang Palace leader Murong Minghui experienced inner turmoil.
Only her exceptional composure kept her expression steady, though her gaze involuntarily flickered between Lei Jun and Shen Xi.
Due to various reasons, Great Han's Shushan and Chunyang Palace maintained relatively harmonious relations.
To be precise, they had also frequently interacted with Mount Longhu in Great Han's early days.
The relationship between Southern Jin's Shushan and Northern Jin's Chunyang Palace, however, was... complicated.
The reason was simple - the Northern and Southern Jin had been divided and opposed for years, constantly clashing.
With Shushan and Chunyang belonging to opposing sides, following their respective Jin courts, conflicts between them were nurous.
As Daoist sacred grounds, both faced suppression from Little Western Heaven and Suru's Buddhist factions in their respective Jin realms. Yet due to the Jin courts' opposition, they couldn't unite against their common foe, instead becoming enemies themselves, each bearing the other's disciples' blood through years of accumulated grievances.
Now, the entire Two Jin realms faced monuntal changes.
Both Northern Suru Buddhism and Southern Saha Buddhism had virtually vanished overnight.
First Suru and Saha contracted, with most top Buddhist experts withdrawing.
Such tension hadn't been seen in years, yet this was only the beginning.
The final outco saw both Suru and Saha changing hands.
The Tang Dynasty's ruler, Emperor Zhang Wantong, took Suru.
While the Daoist sacred ground Mount Longhu's Tianshi Mansion assud control of Saha.
Coupled with the Two Jin realms' spiritual energy surge, this world now faced changes unseen in millennia.
Amidst this earth-shaking transformation, even others in the Two Jin realms dared not act rashly.
Though Buddhist temples still dotted both regions like stars, they'd beco rootless driftwood.
However, neither Jin court had yet made definitive moves.
Too deeply entangled, they had to carefully observe developnts, wary of Venerable Shanzhihui and Venerable Puguang's potential return.
Northern Jin's Chunyang Palace and Southern Jin's Shushan had fewer reservations, being the first to visit Mount Longhu's Tianshi Mansion.
To so extent, they also ca at their courts' behest.
Before coming to the Tang realm, Murong Minghui had an audience with Northern Jin's empress.
Being of the sa generation as Shen Xi's teacher Gongsun Daoqi, they shared so past enmity.
eting the Ninth Heavenly Layer Shen Xi here left Murong Minghui wary.
Yet she still believed her visit necessary.
Only upon learning Shen Xi had already t Mount Longhu's Celestial Master did her heart sink again.
Lei Jun, unconstrained by convention, first greeted familiar acquaintance Shen Xi before turning equally to others:
"Our sect's recent actions regarding Suru and Saha inadvertently involved various realms. Secrecy prevented prior notification.
As the saying goes, touching one hair moves the whole body - though unintended, the resulting waves disturbed all realms. I beg your forgiveness.
Fortunately, Suru and Saha are now settled. May calm return swiftly to all realms."
He looked toward Shen Xi and Murong Minghui: "We cultivators follow Heaven's will. Since our sect already has a branch in Great Han, and our Two Jin lineage was severed by fate, we'll let nature take its course with no plans to reestablish there.
However, we hope to organize our predecessors' legacy there, sending disciples to Mount Longhu for seasonal morials. This may trouble you both - my thanks in advance."
Both Shen Xi and Murong Minghui responded: "Celestial Master flatters us. We'll certainly assist."
Murong Minghui pondered: Judging by Mount Longhu's restrained influence in Great Han despite their capabilities, Lei Jun's words held truth.
Yet Saha's gate remained open.
However low-key Mount Longhu appeared, the Two Jin realms' future couldn't ignore their stance.
As Murong Minghui witnessed en route, Great Han's new monarch's establishnt proved this perfectly.
Without Mount Longhu's explicit support, at least avoid their opposition - the Two Jin realms' fates hung in this balance.
This realization cast shadows over Murong Minghui whenever she glanced at Shen Xi.
Reflecting on Lei Jun's words, she grasped their essence:
"May calm return swiftly to all realms..."
This was the crux.
Though this Mount Longhu Celestial Master spoke modestly without arrogance, his legendary past suggested dire consequences for ignoring his words.
Northern Jin's aspirations must account for Tang's emperor and Mount Longhu.
Murong Minghui's eyes flashed.
Currently, Northern Jin held slight advantage over Southern Jin.
With Buddhism gone, Northern Jin's Confucian aristocratic clans boasted more experts - not just Longxi's Xiao Clan leader Xiao Chan, but also families migrated from current Han realm.
Yet Murong Minghui knew these figures likely counted against them in Tang's emperor and Mount Longhu's eyes.
Ironically, so Great Han aristocratic families had fled to Two Jin realms precisely to avoid Tang's cultivation world.
Lin Xiaoyi and others must be furious - having barely settled in Two Jin realms before this upheaval.
Handling these migrants posed another challenge Northern Jin must resolve...
Taking a deep breath, Murong Minghui bowed to Lei Jun:
"With realms divided, we Daoists long suffered Suru Buddhism's suppression until this turnaround.
Though Suru retreated, their return remains possible. As Northern Jin Chunyang Palace's leader, this troubles constantly.
Celestial Master's righteousness moves and my sect. Thus I make an impertinent request - to receive Mount Longhu's talismanic registry as in ancient tis, facilitating our future connection.
Should Suru Buddhism return, we could swiftly alert Celestial Master.
I apologize for this abrupt request."
Chen Lingfeng and Deng Lai exchanged glances.
These Two Jin visitors proved full of surprises - each outdoing the last.
Shen Xi's prior connection with Lei Jun was one thing.
But Murong Minghui and Northern Jin Chunyang Palace should be first-ti visitors to Mount Longhu.
Yet this was practically kneeling at first sight!
Though Chen Lingfeng and Deng Lai were first-ti visitors to Mount Longhu's ancestral grounds, Great Han's Shushan and Chunyang had interacted with them for years.
They'd already reached certain decisions before coming.
But this Northern Jin Chunyang Palace leader's decisiveness was extraordinary.
Even she recognized her request's impropriety at first eting!
Beside her, Southern Jin Shushan leader Shen Xi remained composed.
Whether Suru or Saha Buddhism, both had lood like storm clouds - now finally clearing.
His sect could breathe easier in Two Jin realms.
As for receiving Mount Longhu's talismanic registry, Shen Xi had no objections - it might prolong his teacher Gongsun Daoqi's life.
He understood Murong Minghui's decisiveness too.
Compared to Great Han's Chunyang and Shushan, Two Jin Daoism's environnt had been far harsher.
Even now, Two Jin realms' future remained unpredictable.
In such tis, Murong Minghui and Northern Jin Chunyang Palace's reaction wasn't surprising.
"This humble Daoist wishes to bring Mount Longhu's registry to Southern Jin Shushan, with Celestial Master's permission." Shen Xi ignored Murong Minghui, calmly bowing to Lei Jun with Daoist etiquette.
Chen Lingfeng and Deng Lai, steadying themselves, followed suit:
"In these turbulent tis where situations shift instantly, we Daoists must unite. Mount Longhu leading Daoism benefits all. Thus we emulate ancient predecessors, requesting your registry for our sects. We apologize for our presumption."
"Previously, seeking Daoist unity, I accepted Great Tang Chunyang Palace leader Jiang Yu and others' similar request, unaware other Dan Ding lineage experts survived." Lei Jun then told Murong Minghui and Deng Lai: "Kunwu Sect of Kunlun Qingwei Heaven preserves Dan Ding lineage traditions, including Perfected Lord Zhao who achieved Yuanshen."
Both Deng Lai and Murong Minghui showed surprise - Deng Lai confirming rumors, Murong Minghui hearing this for the first ti.
Lei Jun nodded: "Should you wish to visit Kunlun, I can relay your requests."
He'd similarly inford Jiang Yu and Mu Chunyang without concealnt.
Regarding Shushan, he omitted Bai i's existence, having t her and understanding her preferences to maintain secrecy.
Having less interaction with Zhao Chanyang and Zhang Haipeng, and given their reclusive tendencies without clear stances, Lei Jun left decisions to Dan Ding lineage mbers after informing them.
In recent years, both Mu Chunyang and Jiang Yu had visited Kunlun - neither eting Zhao Chanyang.
Zhang Haipeng and Kunwu Sect, learning of Great Han Chunyang Palace's survival, similarly declined returning to the human world.
"Visiting Perfected Lord Zhao in Kunlun would be ideal. Our thanks, Celestial Master." Deng Lai replied after initial surprise: "Simultaneously, we still hope to receive Mount Longhu's registry."
Murong Minghui shared this intention.
From what she knew, whether during Great Han's recent wars or Suru/Saha's upheavals, Perfected Lord Zhao never appeared.
Despite his Yuanshen cultivation, he clearly followed a reclusive path.
Such a figure's intervention when Dan Ding lineage faced extinction was questionable, let alone assisting Northern Jin Chunyang Palace specifically.
Thus while paying respects was necessary, regarding Northern Jin Chunyang Palace and Two Jin realms' fates, Tang's emperor and Mount Longhu held decisive influence.
"Since all have carefully considered this, I'll reluctantly agree." Lei Jun nodded: "As you said, in these unpredictable tis, we Daoists must unite.
When ti permits, revisit Great Tang as my guests - I'll arrange etings with Great Tang and Great Ming's forging and Dan Ding lineage Daoists."
Chen Lingfeng and Deng Lai solemnly agreed: "Exactly our wish. Many thanks, Celestial Master."
Observing the composed, even indifferent Celestial Master, they simultaneously thought:
Mount Longhu indeed embraces non-interference.
Murong Minghui found Lei Jun increasingly profound and inscrutable the more she observed him.
Later, all four sect leaders received talismanic registries from Lei Jun.
Southern Jin Shushan's Shen Xi, concerned for teacher Gongsun Daoqi, departed for Two Jin realms after thanking Lei Jun.
Great Han Chunyang Palace's Deng Lai requested Mount Longhu's assistance visiting Kunlun Qingwei Heaven's Kunwu Sect.
Though anxious to return to Northern Jin's brewing storms, Northern Jin Chunyang Palace's Murong Minghui decided to first visit Kunlun, sending disciples ahead with ssages.
Great Han Shushan's Chen Lingfeng remained briefly.
"Xuanyuan Temple's Abbot Xinguan and other Great Han Buddhist leaders previously sought to summon Saha to the human world." Chen Lingfeng explained: "With Saha's ownership changed, they've gone quiet... harboring so doubts toward your sect."
Lei Jun remained calm: "My thanks for this information, Leader Chen."
Abbot Xinguan, Great Han Xuanyuan Temple's leader and top Buddhist expert, had recently achieved Buddhism's Ninth Heavenly Layer Precept Body realm amidst spiritual energy surges.
Compared to Great Tang's Buddhist sacred grounds, Great Han's Buddhist foundations ran deeper despite Daxiong Temple's presence.
Given White Lotus Holy Master Jing Jiu's history, their wariness toward Mount Longhu was unsurprising.
Lei Jun didn't mind - he never expected universal popularity.
Indifference was normal.
Should hostility arise, with Saha's ownership changed, it might reveal clues about Venerable Puguang's whereabouts.
…………………………
Later, another guest visited Mount Longhu to et Lei Jun - Great Ming Zhenwu Temple's forr leader, Mu Chunyang.
"Brother Mu, long ti no see. I trust you've been well?" Lei Jun welcod him.
Mu Chunyang smiled: "Traveling broadened my horizons to worlds beyond Great Ming.
Having recently returned to Great Tang to examine disciple Chen Ning's progress, I thank Celestial Master for your guidance."
Lei Jun smiled: "Young Chen is diligent and talented - you needn't worry."
Chen Ning, a young disciple of Great Tang Zhenwu Temple branch, possessed Pure Yin Immortal Body like Great Tang Chunyang Palace leader Jiang Yu. Training in Zhenwu Temple's techniques, his progress was remarkable.
Recently, he joined Cheng Rongrong and Han Xiaofei as Great Tang cultivation world's rising geniuses.
"Thanks to Celestial Master and Leader Jiang's guidance." Mu Chunyang smiled.
Zhenwu Temple and Great Tang Chunyang Palace had extensively exchanged Daoist texts recently.
Not only Chen Ning but Jiang Yu benefited - though she might not surpass Yue Xiling in breaking through the Eighth to Ninth Heavenly Layer barrier, her rapid progress attracted widespread attention.
After discussing younger generation mbers, Mu Chunyang grew solemn: "I ca regarding Suru's major changes."
Lei Jun: "Has Great Ming seen movent too?"
Mu Chunyang: "Yes. One of Vajra Realm's five divisions - Karma Departnt - returned to Great Ming, drawing attention. Only then did people learn Suru had changed hands."
Lei Jun: "From what I know, Tang's emperor has no designs on Great Ming."
"Having spent years in Great Tang, I recognize Tang's emperor isn't warlike." Mu Chunyang sighed: "However, after Karma Departnt's return, they only reunited with northern tribes without imdiately opening Kongsang's portal..."
Lei Jun understood.
Though Tang Dynasty appeared restrained, to outsiders their recent decades showed rapid expansion.
Even excluding Mount Longhu, Tang's imperial influence now extended far beyond its borders - involving Guizang, Underground Sea, and Datong, plus now Suru and Saha.
Objectively, this created an image of advancing while preaching peace.
Given their past Guizang conflict, Great Ming's court now felt Tang's pressure at their doorstep.
Even Suru Buddhism's past aggression felt less threatening than fellow imperial Tang's proximity.
Karma Departnt leader Shedila and others wisely kept to northern borders, avoiding opening Kongsang's portal and alarming Great Ming's court with Venerable Shanzhihui's presence.
Though Great Ming still feared Venerable Shanzhihui, imdiate concerns overshadowed distant ones, focusing attention westward on Tang Dynasty.
"Great Ming's White Lotus rebellion won't be fully suppressed soon." Mu Chunyang continued: "Fortunately, many powerful demons were eliminated, easing border threats."
Lei Jun knew from other sources that Great Ming's White Lotus uprising, ongoing for years, had waned after initial intensity until Future Maitreya Huiyin from Great Tang's White Lotus Sect arrived, causing disturbances.
Though Huiyin had little direct contact with Great Ming's White Lotus, rumors spread of him slaying Ninth Heavenly Layer demons.
His presence hindered suppression efforts until Suru's upheaval diverted Great Ming's attention westward, allowing White Lotus rebels to recover sowhat, though still confined to Qingzhou and Xuzhou regions.
"The court's situation grows delicate." Mu Chunyang shook his head: "The young emperor has matured in cultivation and statecraft, altering his dynamic with Chief Minister Zhou.
Suru's changes ironically stabilized Chief Minister Zhou's position."
Lei Jun: "What are your plans, Brother Mu?"
Mu Chunyang: "With demon threats reduced though still present, plus Karma Departnt and Venerable Shanzhihui in Kongsang, I ca seeking Celestial Master's insight regarding Kongsang's future."
Lei Jun: "Senior Tang is thoroughly investigating this."
"Command anyti, Celestial Master and Senior Tang." Mu Chunyang understood Lei Jun and Tang Xiaotang had further plans for Kongsang.
After further discussion where Lei Jun ntioned Great Han and Northern Jin Chunyang Palace leaders Deng Lai and Murong Minghui, Mu Chunyang said:
"Though different branches, we share ancient roots. Given opportunity, I'd welco reuniting our lineage. My thanks, Celestial Master."
Though familiar with Lei Jun, Mu Chunyang still marveled:
This Celestial Master's magnanimity was extraordinary.
While implicitly becoming Daoism's leading figure, he actively facilitated forging and Dan Ding lineages' reunification.
Currently, the forging lineage boasted at least three Ninth Heavenly Layer experts - Shen Xi, Chen Lingfeng, and Chen Donglou.
"In Great Ming, Shushan's Leader Yuan will soon attempt Ninth Heavenly Layer breakthrough." Mu Chunyang added: "With Great Ming's sudden changes and internal troubles, court pressure on Shushan has eased."
Though Dan Ding lineage currently only had Mu Chunyang as Ninth Heavenly Layer cultivator, other realms' Chunyang Palace included several Eighth Heavenly Layer experts preparing for breakthroughs.
Given ti, their numbers might surge.
Of course, Mount Longhu remained dominant - besides Xu, Tang, and Lei's three Five Qi Converging experts, Yuan Mobai had also reached Ninth Heavenly Layer.
Moreover, battles in Great Han, Kongsang, and Saha proved their strength surpassed ordinary Ninth Heavenly Layer standards.
Yet interacting with Lei Jun, Mu Chunyang sensed calm confidence rather than pride in overwhelming power.
Even knowing Mu Chunyang's Creation Immortal Body competed with his Two Forms Immortal Body for Taiji Dao Body advancent, Lei Jun showed no concern.
"Great Ming currently isn't suitable. I plan to visit another realm." Mu Chunyang said frankly: "A warrior-dominated realm originally balanced between Buddhism and shamanism, now further disrupted by Saha's changes. I intend to travel there openly."
Lei Jun showed no surprise.
Mu Chunyang had previously traveled incognito to that Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms realm.
Now he planned open activity there since Mount Longhu assud control of Saha.
Lei Jun knew this because...
Mu Chunyang had contacted newly enthroned Han King Zhou Pu.
Though unable to monitor Zhou Pu's daily activities through the Dark Universe's celestial script, Lei Jun learned of Mu Chunyang through Zhou Pu's intelligence exchanges with Great Ming's ng Shaojie.
In Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms realm, Daoism and Confucianism had long been weak.
Unlike most martial-oriented rulers, Han King Zhou Pu who succeeded Zhou Wei sought orderly governance and rejected Buddhism and shamanism.
With Confucianism struggling there, and given his connection to Lei Jun through Dark Lunar Purple Qi, Zhou Pu saw Mu Chunyang as potential support.
Previously, Saha Buddhism and Mount Ling shamanism's dominance under Venerable Puguang and Witch King Huangfu Qi deterred Zhou Pu and Mu Chunyang.
Now with Saha's changes, circumstances differed.
Buddhist-supported states risked collapse - either submitting to Mount Ling's Great Witch Jia Xianting or seeking other patrons.
Mount Longhu stood available, though seemingly disinterested in expanding influence there.
"Brother Mu establishing Zhenwu Temple's branch there is fine by ." Lei Jun maintained the sa hands-off approach toward Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms as with Two Jin realms, not insisting on reestablishing Mount Longhu's lineage there.
Zhenwu Temple's presence there posed no issue - Saha would simply provide endorsent.
As for Great Witch Jia Xianting, Mu Chunyang could handle him.
Actually, Jia Xianting's situation was similar.
Witch King Huangfu Qi herself wasn't warlike, rarely interfering in human affairs.
In fact, Zhou Pu's exceptional talents and fortune as a Martial Saint, though slightly below Ninth Heavenly Layer perfected Jia Xianting, made assassination attempts like against Zhou Wei unlikely to succeed.
But governing Later Han with unification ambitions, Zhou Pu couldn't wander battlefields alone.
With Daoist support from Mu Chunyang, he could stabilize his rule.
Unaware of Lei Jun's connection to Zhou Pu, Mu Chunyang frankly disclosed plans to establish Zhenwu Temple's branch in Later Han's territory.
Though Saha's portal wasn't in Later Han's borders.
Currently, seven warring states comprised Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms realm:
Southern Yue, Later Shu, and Southern Han supported by shamanism.
Mount Ling's portal lay in Southern Han's southern reaches near southern wilderness.
Later Han Dynasty (replacing Later Chu) had shifted from shamanism to Buddhism. Besides them, Northern Liang, Southern Chu, and Southern Wu were also Buddhist-supported.
Saha's portal was in Southern Wu's territory - interestingly, where Mount Longhu's severed lineage had been located geographically.
"However, I believe Later Han's Zhou Pu can stabilize this realm, ending its bloody chaos." Mu Chunyang declared.
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