CHAPTER 100: 94. THE ALTAR WITH THREE LAYERS, PERFECTION IN THE THIRD HEAVENLY LAYER

After Taoist Taiping retreated, Second Senior Aunt Li Hongyu quickly returned to Dragon Tiger Mountain.

With her came further news.

Yu Qingling, the former Elder of the Yellow Sky Sect’s previous generation, met up with Sect Leader Taoist Taiping. However, they still could not defeat Xu Yuanzhen and Li Hongyu.

In the end, Yu Qingling fell, and Taoist Taiping fled.

Xu Yuanzhen and Li Hongyu split up; she continued trying to pursue Taoist Taiping, while Li Hongyu returned to the mountain to deal with other members of the Yellow Sky Sect.

The Yellow Sky Sect suffered a great defeat.

This battle ended with their failure to successfully counterattack Dragon Tiger Mountain.

However, Li Hongyu’s mood was anything but good.

Learning that the Celestial Master’s Sword had been lost, the Li Family faced a mess that was not easily cleaned up.

With the main force of the Yellow Sky Sect defeated and having fled, the Southern Wilderness witchcraft experts near Dragon Tiger Mountain also began to escape one after another.

Although Yintuo Mountain and the Blood River Sect are sacred lands for the Witchcraft Gu Techniques and Blood River lineage inheritances respectively, this conflict was not a direct confrontation between the two sacred lands and the Celestial Master Mansion. Instead, it was the individual actions of some cultivators from Yintuo Mountain and the Blood River Sect.

Now, seeing no opportunity to take advantage of the situation, they naturally would not stay longer than necessary to cover for the Yellow Sky Sect.

If it were up to Tang Xiaotang’s usual temperament, she might have pursued them all the way to the Southern Wilderness.

But this time, she returned to Dragon Tiger Mountain at the first opportunity, alongside Yuan Mobai.

Both had received news of the loss of the Celestial Master’s Sword.

"What the hell is Senior Brother Li doing?!"

The tall woman was beside herself with anger. "How could he lose the Celestial Master’s Sword in a situation that was a certain win? It’s a complete joke!"

Yuan Mobai was relatively calm, but his expression was unusually serious, no longer smiling.

"The Yellow Sky Sect originates from the same source as Our Sect. Yu Qingling was once an Elder of the previous generation in Our Sect. Other external enemies can hardly compare to them.

For so many years, the Yellow Sky Sect has been solely focused on Our Sect and has come up with some ingenious ideas that are difficult for us to anticipate."

The Banishing Gold Talisman that countered the Golden Barrier Talisman a few years ago was one example.

Nevertheless, the Golden Barrier Talisman is, after all, just a Basic Spirit Talisman, and the Celestial Master Mansion soon resolved that particular problem.

Compared to the issue with the Celestial Master’s Sword, it simply paled in comparison.

"Master, the Moon Chamber Master is still waiting outside the mountain," reported Wang Guiyuan, who was standing by.

It was an awkward situation for Chu Yu; when the Celestial Master’s Sword was lost, she happened to be nearby.

Although she had nothing to do with the matter and was caught off guard, she had, after all, previously been one of those vying for the Celestial Master Seal.

If blame were to be assigned, Chu Yu would inevitably be implicated.

Why gain nothing but attract trouble?

But she was also straightforward. Although she was in an awkward position with the Celestial Master Mansion, she did not flee but stayed to offer apologies.

"The Celestial Master Seal was lost by Our Sect first, so it’s understandable that the Chu Clan has its own ideas." Yuan Mobai said, rising. "However, Master Chu’s personal visit to Dragon Tiger Mountain made others wary of the Chu Clan’s stance. This allowed Our Sect to focus on confronting the Yellow Sky Sect and the Southern Wilderness experts.

The loss of the Celestial Master’s Sword is not Master Chu’s fault."

Most of the other High Merit Elders were anxiously searching for the whereabouts of the Celestial Master’s Sword, so Yuan Mobai went out to receive Chu Yu.

"Why are you being so nice to that woman?" Tang Xiaotang puffed up her cheeks.

Lei Jun and Wang Guiyuan glanced at each other and both sighed slightly.

If Chu Yu had directly caused the loss of the Celestial Master’s Sword, Yuan Mobai certainly would not have been so courteous.

But since that was not the case, Yuan Mobai’s intention was very clear.

With the current Celestial Master Li Qingfeng having fallen and the Celestial Master’s Sword lost, it was a turbulent time. There was no need to make additional enemies, especially not an entity as massive as the Suzhou Chu Clan.

To a certain extent, they could even be considered Our Sect’s rare ally at the moment, though this ally also had its own schemes, which was frustrating...

Regardless of his temperament or experience, Yuan Mobai seldom acted on personal likes and dislikes. Since he had no intention of making more enemies, he naturally would not treat Chu Yu poorly now.

Tang Xiaotang’s anger came quickly and dissipated just as fast. In a moment, her attention shifted elsewhere.

"Lei Jun, it hasn’t been that long since we last met? Why do I feel like you’re a bit different than before?"

Lei Jun: "Different how?"

Tang Xiaotang frowned. "It’s hard to describe, but I really feel there’s something more to you, yet it doesn’t seem like you’ve been possessed or affected by some soul-planting sorcery..."

Yes, it seems that after leaving the forbidden grounds of the Rear Mountain Ancestral Tomb, when facing the High Merit Elders of the Celestial Master Mansion, they might indeed discern something... Lei Jun’s previous suspicions were confirmed.

However, this was mainly because Tang Xiaotang interacted with him often and sensed a difference since their last meeting.

Had it been Li Zhengxuan, Li Ziyang, and others who did not interact much with him, they probably would not have noticed anything.

Still, caution was advisable.

The insight and perception of Upper Three Heavens Cultivators were indeed sharp.

When Lei Jun was still in the Tao Boy Court, carrying the essence of the Purple-Gold Ganoderma and the Dragon Horse Scales, Xu Yuanzhen had seen through him.

But that was also related to his own shallow cultivation realm at the time.

As his personal cultivation realm improved further, even Tang Xiaotang would likely find it difficult to discern his connection with the Celestial Master Seal.

Hmm, this inevitably led to speculation: had Chen Yi managed to keep his secret from his master, Yao Yuan...? Lei Jun shook his head, reining in his wandering thoughts.

Facing Tang Xiaotang, he pondered for a moment before asking in return, "Junior Sister, now that both the Celestial Master Seal and the Celestial Master’s Sword are missing, if you had the chance to search for them, which would you look for first?"

Tang Xiaotang raised an eyebrow and grinned. "Both, of course!"

Lei Jun: "I mean, if you could only choose one?"

Tang Xiaotang tilted her head back, gazing at the sky and pondering seriously for a moment. "Then it would still be the Celestial Master’s Sword."

Lei Jun: "Intuition?"

Tang Xiaotang: "Not really. Firstly, I prefer the destructive power of the Celestial Master’s Sword. Secondly, Senior Brother Li lost the Celestial Master’s Sword; if I retrieve it, it’ll showcase my abilities!"

Lei Jun: "But by obtaining the Celestial Master Seal, you could practice the Thunder Law Heavenly Scripture Talismans."

"Heh heh, I’m not particularly interested in the Thunder Law Heavenly Scripture Talismans."

Tang Xiaotang suddenly smiled mysteriously. "Of course, Our Sect’s Thunder Methods are very powerful, but who knows? Perhaps I’ll create an even more formidable Thunder Method in the future! A Divine Skill of Thunder Method unique to me!"

Lei Jun leaned back slightly, sizing up Tang Xiaotang with a glance.

He actually believed she had the ability she claimed.

But, given her personality, he was somewhat surprised she would say such a thing.

According to his understanding of Tang Xiaotang, that proud girl’s philosophy should be: You can place things before me, and I might choose not to select them, but you shouldn’t hide them away, denying me the chance to even consider them...

"Of course, if I could refer to the Celestial Book Talisman Script, I wouldn’t refuse," Tang Xiaotang said in a carefree manner.

Lei Jun nodded and then asked, "What if other members of Our Sect find the Celestial Master Seal or Celestial Master’s Sword first?"

Tang Xiaotang replied, "Then that’s their skill. Why would I fight with my fellow disciples over something? But they better take good care of the Magical Treasure. If they lose it again, I won’t be polite—what I obtain is mine, and they shouldn’t expect me to return it..."

She didn’t react at first. But as she spoke, she suddenly paused. She abruptly recalled the original topic Lei Jun had sidetracked her from—her feeling that something about him seemed a bit off...

"You..."

Tang Xiaotang suddenly turned her head, staring at Lei Jun with her eyes wide and her mouth agape.

Lei Jun spread his hands toward her, then looked to the side. "Master."

Yuan Mobai was walking in from outside, shaking his head with a chuckle.

"In the past, I admired Yuan Zhen for her profound blessings. Now it seems you are no less extraordinary."

Lei Jun replied, "It is not that I, your disciple, intentionally kept it hidden. It’s just that I myself also feel as if I’m in a dream, filled with a sense of unreality."

Tang Xiaotang stared with wide eyes at Lei Jun for a long time before she abruptly asked, "The Seal or the Sword?"

Lei Jun answered, "The Seal."

The tall woman stood up, turning around twice on the spot before steadying herself. "What kind of dog’s luck is this? All my life, others have only ever envied me. Today is the first time I’ve ever been envious and jealous of someone else!"

Yuan Mobai’s expression was no longer as serious as before, his smile even more pronounced than usual.

"Regardless, the return of the Celestial Master Seal to Our Sect is an immense joy."

Lei Jun said, "Possessing such a treasure, I too feel uneasy. Moreover, the current state of the Celestial Master Seal seems somewhat improper."

Hearing him say this, both Tang Xiaotang and Yuan Mobai became interested.

Only then did the two of them project a fraction of their Mana to investigate the matter.

"The Celestial Master Seal has bonded with your Spiritual Soul, and for the time being, I am unable to separate them," Yuan Mobai pondered. "However, it shouldn’t pose a major issue to you and might even aid your cultivation."

Tang Xiaotang frowned. "There’s something that has tainted this treasure. It feels like a technique from the Witchcraft Sect of the Southern Wilderness, but quite ingenious."

Yuan Mobai added, "It’s not surprising. Although the Witchcraft Sect is plagued by severe infighting, it has a long history and sophisticated lineage, often producing unexpected techniques. Otherwise, our Sect Leader wouldn’t have been plagued by illness for many years. He has only recently seen some relief and was thus forced to take a risky gamble."

Tang Xiaotang suddenly laughed again, looking at Lei Jun. "A false alarm, wasn’t it? Not to mention the inability to extract the Three Realm True Scriptures Talisman, you can’t even unleash the full divine might of the Magical Treasure right now."

"Is there a way?" Lei Jun asked.

"Cultivate diligently," Tang Xiaotang patted his shoulder like an elder. "You’re not far from reaching the Original Talisman realm now. If you can achieve the cultivation of the Middle Three Heavens, you might have a chance to unlock the first layer of the True One Altar first."

Upon hearing this, Lei Jun let out a long breath of relief.

Yuan Mobai added from the side, "Regarding the tainting of the Magical Treasure, if there’s an opportunity later, let’s go to the Southern Wilderness to seek a cleansing method. But there’s no need to rush."

He paused briefly before adding, "Let’s keep this matter quiet for now."

Lei Jun understood implicitly. When Yuan Mobai and Tang Xiaotang mentioned that the Celestial Master Seal couldn’t be separated from his Spiritual Soul, they must have been referring to conventional methods that wouldn’t harm him.

If they disregarded his life and death and resorted to some drastic measures, the outcome would be uncertain...

"Chongyun, the return of the Celestial Master Seal to Dragon Tiger Mountain fills me with great comfort," Yuan Mobai suddenly sighed again with emotion.

Lei Jun replied solemnly, "I, Lei Chongyun, upon first entering the mountain, took refuge in the Three Treasures, forever a disciple of the Taoist Sect. After undergoing the Transcension Ritual into the Mansion, I am forever a disciple of the Celestial Master Mansion. Having divided the ring and broken the contract with my esteemed Master, I am forever his disciple."

Yuan Mobai nodded with a smile. "Soon, you’ll add one more status: being Talisman-bestowed and listed in the Heavenly Registry."

Lei Jun also smiled.

A Tao Boy at the side grumbled, "Junior Martial Uncle, are you two singing in harmony just to deliberately annoy me?"

Lei Jun and his master laughed even more heartily.

After a few jokes, Yuan Mobai pondered for a moment and instantly performed an altar rite to add another layer of concealment for Lei Jun.

Consequently, even Tang Xiaotang could no longer discern the unique nature of his soul.

The commotions both within and beyond the mountain seemed to no longer concern Lei Jun.

He simply focused wholeheartedly and once again began to cultivate seriously.

And so, on the Tao Foundation Altar Field within Lei Jun, the Altar itself astonishingly began to form a third layer.

The first layer, a square Altar.

The second layer, an Octagonal Altar.

The third layer, a circular Altar.

At this moment, the third circular Altar layer was no longer a blur of light and shadow but was firmly established, crystal clear.

With all three layers of the Altar complete, Lei Jun’s body seemed to form its own universe.

Specks of light ignited, like stars, giving rise to a wondrous phenomenon as they revolved around the Altar.

This was known as: Embodying the Law of Heaven and Earth, Arraying the Dipper and Circling Stars!

This signified Lei Jun had reached the Third Layer of the Altar realm, achieving Perfection in the Third Heavenly Layer!

After a period of Warming and Nurturing, Lei Jun went to see his Master, Yuan Mobai, once more.

By coincidence, Yuan Mobai was not present at the time.

However, there was another piece of good news:

Senior Sister Xu Yuanzhen had finally returned to the mountain.