In a certain sense, the effect of the Guiyuan Bottle was somewhat akin to the techniques of the Wu Gu lineage, like the Soul-Devouring Gu. Even in the midst of battle, when facing powerful opponents with formidable techniques, it could forcibly absorb and seize the opponent’s vital energy and spiritual power. It could even collect the opponent’s magical tools and treasures.

The seemingly fragile porcelain bottle, in fact, had a remarkably solid and reliable restriction array. Besides magical tools and treasures, the vital energy and spiritual power it absorbed could also be temporarily stored inside the bottle, allowing the owner of the Guiyuan Bottle to draw upon them later for use.

Earlier, Lei Jun had temporarily sealed the entrance to the Taiqing Duren Cave with the Tianshi Seal. If left unchecked, with Xiang Jing’s personal strength and the wonders of the Guiyuan Bottle, it wouldn’t have been impossible for him to take the Tianshi Seal away.

But in the end, Xiang Jing’s efforts came to nothing. Lei Jun used his own spiritual power to reinforce the restrictions, constantly refining the Guiyuan Bottle. Over time, he gradually altered some of its power and restrictions.

Or rather, this was also part of the Han Dynasty’s Daoist School’s “Dao Reformation.” From the Guiyuan Bottle down, all the various treasures and magical tools in the sect’s collection had to undergo such a process.

From the ancient Talisman School inheritance, a gradual transition was being made toward the current traditions of the Great Tang’s Tianshi Mansion.

After studying the Wu Gold Blade and the Guiyuan Bottle thoroughly, Lei Jun’s thoughts shifted elsewhere.

What he cared about most right now was the White Day Moonlight he had obtained from Kongsang Tianjing.

This treasure’s formation was somewhat accidental—it was a special treasure formed by a unique conjunction of natural conditions.

What Lei Jun valued was that this treasure subtly resonated with the Sea and Sky Fusang he had obtained from Penglai.

The Sea and Sky Fusang, born in the seas of Penglai, contained searing, yang-like energy—a representation of minor yang within yin.

The White Day Moonlight, on the other hand, was the exact opposite—within the bright daylight of the world, it condensed soft, yin-like power, forming a representation of minor yin within yang.

The two corresponded with each other, both deriving from different realms of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, each containing profound mysteries.

Though not as perfectly integrated as the Bi Luo Flowing Pearl and the Nine Springs Ascending Spirit Jade back in the day, they similarly fused various cosmic phenomena into one.

Together, they laid the preliminary foundation for Lei Jun’s Two Yi Immortal Body to ascend to the Tai Chi Dao Body.

There were no precedents for this path, so Lei Jun had no references to follow. But relying on his current comprehension and cultivation, combined with the Pure Vital Energy Essence, White Day Moonlight, and Sea and Sky Fusang, Lei Jun already had a clear understanding of how to achieve the Tai Chi Dao Body.

The general idea was to integrate the Four Symbols into the Two Yi, and merge the Two Yi into the Tai Chi.

Besides the White Day Moonlight, Sea and Sky Fusang, and the minor yin and minor yang treasures, he still needed to prepare two more suitable treasures: the Sun and the Taiyin.

Once he had the Sun, minor yang, minor yin, and Taiyin—these Four Symbols—he could then refine them with the Pure Vital Energy Essence at the center, elevating the Two Yi Immortal Body into the Tai Chi Dao Body.

In other words, on the foundation of the Two Yi Immortal Body, Lei Jun needed to gather five types of celestial and earthly treasures.

At present, he had three out of five.

The path to the postnatal ascension of the Tai Chi Dao Body might not be the only one, but for Lei Jun, he was already more than halfway there. He just needed to keep working.

Considering the Sea and Sky Fusang from Penglai, and the White Day Moonlight from Kongsang, Lei Jun could roughly infer that the treasures containing the Sun and Taiyin energies likely also originated from one of the Nine Heavens or Ten Earths.

Over the years, he had traveled across many worlds, including Guizang, Datong, Earth Sea, and Yellow Springs, but had yet to find a suitable target.

At present, Lei Jun was not impatient. He waited calmly for the next opportunity to arise, moving in accordance with fate and circumstances.

"Celestial treasures related to the Sun and Taiyin, huh?" Chu Kun nodded slightly as Lei Jun spoke. "I’ll keep an eye out for you as best I can, Senior Brother."

Lei Jun said, "No need to force it. The Sun and Taiyin treasures aren’t unique—there could be multiple kinds. Just like the Sea and Sky Fusang and the White Day Moonlight, there may be similar celestial and earthly treasures, but they might not all suit me."

Chu Kun replied, "I understand."

After their conversation, the two of them left the meditation chamber and walked into the grand hall.

Inside the hall, Ma Zongxiang and the other high-ranking elders of Mount Longhu were already waiting.

Besides the high elders in purple robes, there were also many elders in deep red Daoist robes—those were the Granting Talismans Elders.

Additionally, there were elders in green robes—leaders of various branches of the Talisman School lineage beyond the sect’s ancestral headquarters.

Everyone respectfully bowed to Lei Jun, their etiquette meticulous.

Yet in their hearts, their emotions were mixed—only each person knew what they truly thought.

The Dao Reformation of the Daoist Talisman School under the Han Dynasty was about to formally begin.

Recently, disciples from all directions had been coming and going at the sect’s ancestral headquarters.

This transformation would have far-reaching effects.

For new disciples just entering the sect, the impact wouldn’t be significant.

Even for young disciples who had already received the initiation but hadn’t yet been granted talismans, the effects wouldn’t be too great.

The ones most affected were the middle and upper-level disciples who had already been granted talismans.

Severing their connection with Daoist Zhou Tian wouldn’t just affect their current use of talismans—it would also impact their future cultivation and progress.

One misstep, and not only would they fail to progress, but they could even lose their current realm.

This risk was especially severe for the Middle Three Heavens cultivators.

Though the Upper Three Heavens cultivators like Ma Zongxiang were also affected, even if they didn’t reach the Ninth Heaven Grand Perfection stage, those at the Upper Three Heavens level still had lifespans of up to 800 years. Apart from a few elders who were already advanced in years, most had time to slowly adjust.

But for Middle Three Heavens cultivators, whose lifespan limit was 400 years, the sudden loss of upward potential made it hard to stay calm.

Especially those who had once hoped to break through to the Upper Three Heavens.

The greater the untapped potential, the deeper the despair they now faced.

Particularly when the spiritual energy of the Han Dynasty was currently surging, other sects and lineages were experiencing rapid growth—making the contrast even more painful.

Younger, more talented individuals could still choose to undergo the talisman-granting ceremony again and start over from the Fourth Heaven.

That would waste some time, and a single misstep could mean missing the chance to break into the Upper Three Heavens.

Thankfully, the surging spiritual energy in the Han Dynasty somewhat mitigated the situation.

But not everyone could make such a decision.

At least they had a choice.

For those who had walked too far down this path, whose age and time weren’t so forgiving, abandoning everything now and starting over would almost certainly mean they wouldn’t make it to the Upper Three Heavens.

And these people, mostly at the Fifth or Sixth Heaven, were the current backbone of Mount Longhu’s Talisman School under the Han Dynasty.

Lei Jun had always stressed that this matter must not be taken lightly—this was why.

Unless he ruthlessly purged all cultivators at this stage—something Lei Jun was unwilling to do.

He was merciless toward confirmed enemies, but in his eyes, Mount Longhu under the Han Dynasty wasn’t full of enemies from top to bottom.

Given that, more precise measures were needed.

Fortunately, there was historical precedent for this in the Tang Dynasty’s Tianshi Mansion.

Although for various reasons, records from that period were incomplete, Lei Jun had gleaned much from the available references.

As a result, the Longhu Sect Altar shone with a radiant glow that surged straight into the clouds.

The flowing light drew Talisman School cultivators from across the mortal world toward it.

"Master." Lei Jun used the Heaven’s Eye and Earth’s Ear Talisman to communicate with the Tang side.

Far away in the mortal world of the Tang Dynasty, at the Tianshi Mansion of Mount Longhu, Yuan Mobai was presiding over the Ten Thousand Methods Sect Altar. The altar’s Dao patterns and talismanic inscriptions intertwined, also gathering a pillar of light that shot straight into the sky.

In that moment, the two sect altars of the Daoist Talisman Schools in the mortal worlds of the Tang and Han Dynasties seemed to resonate across the void.

As a result, the ancestral tablets of the same founding ancestors, enshrined in the forbidden grounds of the sects' back mountains, also began to tremble slightly, as if in shared resonance.

Beneath the heavenly light, a narrow path of destiny was opened for the Middle Three Heavens Talisman cultivators who had previously received the ancestors’ talismans.

Whether they could pass this hurdle, as the Tang Dynasty cultivators had, depended on their own cultivation and karmic fortune.

Though the path was rugged, it was at least a path—offering a slim chance for survival.

Chu Kun, Ma Zongxiang, and the others dared not take this lightly.

After this period of explanations and discussions, there was no other solution.

The Han Dynasty Talisman School cultivators who had lost their connection to Daoist Zhou Tian could only calm their minds and work hard to tread this narrow, rugged path.

Over time, some would succeed.

And some would fail.

That would be the true test for them—and for Ma Zongxiang and the others.

There was still the potential for unrest within.

But Lei Jun wouldn’t cut off this slim chance prematurely.

"If the ancestral patriarchs don’t return, then even if some try to stir up trouble, it won’t escalate into widespread chaos."

Ma Zongxiang looked at another core elder of Mount Longhu under the Han Dynasty, Fu Yuzhou.

Fu Yuzhou was silent for a moment, then finally spoke. But he didn’t respond directly to Ma Zongxiang’s words:

"The Tang Dynasty’s Tianshi—does he not plan to take precautions in advance?"

His tone was a question, but from his expression, he had already confirmed the answer.

Ma Zongxiang nodded slightly and spoke softly:

"The Sect Master, when quelling the Tang Dynasty’s mortal family upheavals, battling the Sumeru Buddhist Sect, dealing with the mortal Dao Kingdom’s members, and sweeping across the Datong Five Vistas, has been ruthless, showing no mercy—even destroying entire sects and temples outright.

But during my time in the Tang Dynasty, I also heard many other things.

While the Sect Master may seem cold, he has actually been quite lenient toward his own Tianshi Mansion and even toward other Daoist sects, with great tolerance.

What he’s doing now in the Han Dynasty isn’t unexpected.

I feel ashamed before Ancestor Zhou Tian, but if I can help preserve our sect’s legacy in the Han Dynasty, then this effort is not in vain."

Ma Zongxiang spoke frankly:

"Rather, I’m grateful that it’s the current Sect Master who holds the ancestral mantle of the Tang Dynasty."

Fu Yuzhou gave a slight nod.

As long as Lei Jun was around, they weren’t worried that the Han Dynasty’s Mount Longhu would see erratic strategies moving forward.

There was simply no need.

Rather than waver later, they might as well replace the old with the new now—wipe out a few generations of Han Dynasty Talisman cultivators, and it wouldn’t hinder the Tang Dynasty’s Mount Longhu from establishing a fresh start in the mortal world of the Han Dynasty.

Since the Tang Dynasty’s Tianshi wasn’t taking drastic action now, there would be no need to worry in the future.

From Ma Zongxiang and Fu Yuzhou’s perspective, though Lei Jun was young, his mind was calm and composed.

Even if some in the Han Dynasty’s Mount Longhu made mistakes in the Dao Reformation, at most Lei Jun would prune the dead branches—he wouldn’t go so far as to implicate everyone.

Unless some unimaginable upheaval occurred at the Tang Dynasty’s Tianshi Mansion.

Of course, all of this was premised on the Han Dynasty’s Mount Longhu severing all ties with Daoist Zhou Tian, Mu Weizi, and the like.

Some Han Dynasty Daoists who had aligned themselves with Ji Daocheng had already been purged.

"I wish to see the Sect Master," Fu Yuzhou said.

Was there risk in fully aligning with Lei Jun and the Tang Dynasty?

Of course.

If Daoist Zhou Tian returned and they hadn’t successfully passed the Dao Reformation, every single one of them would have their talismans revoked. Even if they weren’t utterly ruined, most of their cultivation would be crippled.

But Fu Yuzhou’s expression was calm and composed.

When he heard Fu Yuzhou change his form of address for Lei Jun, Ma Zongxiang knew the other’s decision was made:

"The Sect Master is currently presiding over the Dao Reformation at the Longhu Sect Altar."

Fu Yuzhou nodded slightly and proceeded toward the altar.

Within the altar, the pillar of light reached into the heavens, shining constantly.

The Dao Reformation of the Han Dynasty’s Mount Longhu Talisman School would continue for a long time.

Not only the internal members of the Tianshi Mansion, but other forces in the Han Dynasty’s mortal world were also watching this closely.

Meanwhile, Fanda Tuo, the Lord of the Sumeru Treasury Division, had left the Han Dynasty’s mortal world and returned to Sumeru.

At the heart of Sumeru, atop Sumeru Mountain, the Buddha’s radiance illuminated all directions, making it impossible to discern the truth within.

The youthful-looking Lord of the Buddha Division, Vimalaśa, and the middle-aged-looking Lord of the Karman Division, Jatilā, stood together at the foot of Sumeru Mountain.

After the tall and thin Lord of the Treasury Division, Fanda Tuo, arrived, he first formed a mudra in greeting toward the Buddha’s light atop the mountain, paying respects to the Venerable of Good Wisdom. Then, he saluted Vimalaśa and Jatilā.

"The Dao Reformation of the Han Dynasty’s Mount Longhu has begun," Fanda Tuo said slowly.

"If True Lord Zhou Tian doesn’t appear to stop it, there will no longer be a distinction between the Tang and Han Dynasty Mount Longhu branches in the future—it will all be unified under the Tianshi Mansion lineage of Mount Longhu."

There might be ripples during the Dao Reformation, but even the three Lords of the Sumeru Buddhist Sect believed that, under the current Tianshi Lei Jun’s leadership, this matter would undoubtedly succeed.

The only possible disruption would have been Daoist Zhou Tian—but he had already suffered a major setback.

Vimalaśa, Lord of the Buddha Division, spoke calmly:

"For the Tianshi Mansion lineage of Mount Longhu to reverse the mortal world’s decline into the immortal realm and succeed—that is truly unexpected."

Jatilā and Fanda Tuo both nodded in agreement.

Fanda Tuo then asked Vimalaśa:

"Elder Brother, what’s the situation in Saha right now?"

The Five Divisions of the Sumeru Vajra Realm each governed different mortal realms, and usually didn’t interfere with each other’s affairs.

But there were rare exceptions.

Given that the Mount Longhu Tianshi Mansion lineage had destroyed the Karman Division, killed the Lotus Division’s leader Zongga, and stirred up such massive waves in the Han Dynasty’s mortal world, they were naturally the current focus of the entire Sumeru.

Additionally, the Two Jin mortal worlds were somewhat special—because over there, there was another lineage of the Buddhist tradition, the Little Western Heaven.

Behind the Little Western Heaven was the Saha World, ruled by another branch of the Buddhist tradition from the Nine Heavens.

Although both were Buddhist sects, the relationship between the Sumeru Pure Land and the Saha World was far from harmonious.

For countless ages, throughout long history, the relationship between the two sides had, at times, been even more intense and confrontational than their respective conflicts with the Daoist and Confucian schools.

The Sumeru Buddhist Division and the Saha Little Western Heaven’s standoff in the mortal world of the Two Jins was the clearest manifestation of this.

“No matter. The Little Western Heaven of the Southern Jin currently doesn’t dare to move north.”

The Lord of the Buddha Division, Vimalaśa, said calmly, “Their relationship with the Southern Jin Dynasty is rather delicate right now.”

On a localized level, Sumeru had taken a minor loss during the Southern Jin Bodhi Temple battle back then. But in the bigger picture, the Little Western Heaven’s efforts to cultivate the Southern Jin’s Crown Prince, Cao Kong, had suffered major setbacks.

The deeper impact wasn’t really about Cao Kong himself—it was about his father, the current Emperor of the Southern Jin.

Though there was no trace left behind, Vimalaśa was certain that the one who had secretly allowed them to infiltrate the south and ruin the Little Western Heaven’s plans had been none other than the Southern Jin’s reigning emperor himself.

Just as the Sumeru Buddhist Division and Vimalaśa had a firm hold within the Northern Jin Dynasty, the Little Western Heaven had an equally unshakable grip within the Southern Jin.

Otherwise, there would never have been a Crown Prince like Cao Kong, born into a secular family yet steeped in Buddhist roots.

But for the Southern Jin Emperor, it was suffocating.

He hadn’t openly opposed them, but behind the scenes, he had likely taken action.

The Little Western Heaven and its backers in the Saha World were undoubtedly aware of this.

Tensions between the Little Western Heaven and the Southern Jin Imperial Family were bound to erupt into an intense tug-of-war.

Therefore, even though Vimalaśa hadn’t shown himself in the Northern Jin’s territories for quite some time, the Southern Jin and the Little Western Heaven hadn’t dared to make a northern push.

“However, this only applies to the Little Western Heaven. As for the Saha World, I’ve always suspected they have other plans.”

Vimalaśa’s brows furrowed slightly. “It’s possible they’re scheming something elsewhere—maybe in another mortal world, or in some other realm within the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths. That might explain why the Southern Jin hasn’t acted much either.”

Hearing this, Fanda Tuo, the Lord of the Treasury Division, and Jatilā, the Lord of the Karman Division, exchanged a glance.

The Sumeru side had long known not to underestimate the strength of the Saha Buddhist Sect.

The two sides’ interactions in the mortal world of the Two Jins were only a small part of the picture.

Just as the other divisions of the Sumeru Vajra Realm rarely interfered with the Buddha Division, the other forces of the Saha World also seemed unlikely to step into the territory of the Little Western Heaven in the Southern Jin.

But the Saha World had more than one Little Western Heaven.

According to the estimates of the Venerable of Good Wisdom, when the Sumeru Vajra Realm Five Divisions were at their peak, the overall strength of the Saha Buddhist Sect was probably equivalent to about three divisions of the Sumeru side.

The reason the Sumeru Vajra Realm Five Divisions had been able to amass such a deep foundation wasn’t just due to chance or Sumeru’s support, but largely thanks to the Venerable of Good Wisdom’s suppression and refining of the Pixiu Demon in the past.

During that refining process, much of the Pixiu Demon’s power had been converted into vitality and spiritual energy for Sumeru, nourishing its Buddhist cultivators continuously.

Such an encounter had been a stroke of fortune.

After the great upheaval that followed, when the Pixiu Demon escaped, Sumeru lost that particular advantage.

Otherwise, the rebuilding of the Sumeru Vajra Division would have been even faster than it was now.

As it stood, the Sumeru Vajra Division’s recovery was limited, the Lotus Division had also suffered heavy losses, and the Sumeru Vajra Realm Five Divisions had been gravely weakened overall. Compared to the Saha Buddhist Sect, they no longer had an obvious advantage.

The other side might even be quietly developing Little Western Heavens in other mortal worlds.

Right now, they were likely plotting something…

“Cause and effect in the mortal world is tangled and complex. The tides of fate shift endlessly.”

The Lord of the Buddha Division, Vimalaśa, spoke calmly. “Fortunately, Sumeru is far more stable now than before.”

Fanda Tuo, the Lord of the Treasury Division, then asked, “Have you seen the latest reports from the Han Dynasty and the Tang Dynasty?”

Vimalaśa and Jatilā both nodded. “The Venerable has seen them and passed them on to us.”

In the Han Dynasty, the new emperor had yet to be decided.

The remnants of Kongsang Dudu and Kongsang Tianjing were still locked in bitter conflict.

The Tianshi Mansion of Mount Longhu had begun its Dao Reformation.

Due to the imperial succession crisis, various parties were seeking allies.

Some members of the Han Imperial Family had even reached out to the Sumeru Treasury Division in secret.

Such matters were naturally handled by Fanda Tuo.

What they, along with Vimalaśa and Jatilā, wanted to discuss was another matter entirely:

“Mount Longhu Tianshi Mansion...and the Femme Fatale Sect are on the same side!”

Vimalaśa nodded. “And...Wujian as well.”

Jatilā: “This really was unexpected.”

A great calamity swept across the lands, sparing no one—whether they cared or not, few could truly remain detached and carefree.

Even the Venerable Shan Zhihui had both gains and losses during this time.

His gain was seizing control of Mount Sumeru, subduing the Pixiu beast.

His loss, however, was the severe damage to his own condition. Even now, he hadn't fully recovered. And when the earlier ritual was interrupted, allowing the Pixiu to escape, it was like adding insult to injury.

Now, with the mortal realms shifting and karma entangling, even Shan Zhihui dared not claim he could grasp all the changes.

For now, aside from instructing Fandato, Jatiluo, and the others to continue monitoring Kunlun and the Tang mortal realm, Shan Zhihui himself was also carefully preparing for the situation in Kongsang, using clues sent back by Fandato and Master Norbu.

At the end, he gave an additional order to Vimalakirti, the head of the Buddha Division:

“Keep a close eye on the flow of spiritual energy in the Two Jin mortal realms.”

Vimalakirti bowed respectfully. “Yes, I will remember your instructions.”

Among all the mortal realms the Five Divisions of Mount Sumeru’s Vajra World had contacted, only the Two Jin mortal realms had yet to show any signs of a surge in spiritual energy.

While there could be other realms like this, for now, the Two Jin mortal realms were the top priority.

If all mortal realms experienced a surge in spiritual energy, they might converge once again, recreating the mortal world as it had been before the great calamity at the end of the Han Dynasty.

At that point, beyond the clash and merging of various mortal realms, the most important impact would be that immortals could freely stay in the mortal realm and walk around as they pleased.

“Some of the preparations you previously ordered have already been set in motion within the Northern Jin Dynasty,” Vimalakirti reported.

“It seems that Little Western Heaven is also making similar moves...”

No sign of a spiritual energy surge had yet appeared in the Two Jin mortal realms.

Since it hadn’t happened naturally, people began considering methods to artificially trigger it.

It wasn’t necessary to implement it right away, but preparations needed to begin in advance, even if they ended up being shelved.

If Sahā had any arrangements in place, Mount Sumeru would also step in to disrupt them.

The mortal realm was vast, and the heavens were infinite.

Even with the division of mortal realms, even for powerful figures like Shan Zhihui and Puguang, who had already condensed their Buddhist golden bodies, it was easy to cause destruction in the mortal realm, but extremely difficult to induce an overall change in a realm’s flow of spiritual energy.

But precisely because of this, they had to prepare early and plan ahead.

Shan Zhihui wasn’t surprised that Puguang of Sahā had the same idea. He nodded slightly.

“No matter. Continue.”

Vimalakirti replied, “Yes, Venerable.”

----------------------------------------

In the Han mortal realm, Mount Longhu’s ancestral altar continued to shine with divine brilliance.

With this, the matter of the Daoist sect’s calendar reform had officially settled onto the right track in this realm.

Not only were the core disciples of the sect’s ancestral court affected, but also the many talisman branches and affiliated Daoist sects scattered throughout the Han Dynasty.

Once the situation stabilized, Lei Jun entrusted these affairs to Elder Chu Kun, Ma Zongxiang, and Fu Yuzhou from the Tianshi Mansion.

He himself returned to the Tang mortal realm.

There were still other matters waiting for him to handle there.

Senior Sister Xu Yuanzhen remained at Kunlun, so there was no need to worry about major issues arising at the Tianshi Mansion in the Han mortal realm.

As long as she didn’t go stirring up trouble, others ought to be thanking the heavens.

After returning to the Tang mortal realm, Lei Jun headed south.

On the way, he stopped by the imperial capital of Luoyang.

Tang Emperor Zhang Wantong was in seclusion, her whereabouts still unknown.

Zhang Hui, Chu Yu, Xiao Xueting, and other members of the Tang royal family marveled at the victories achieved by Lei Jun, Xu Yuanzhen, and the others in the Han mortal realm.

Beyond offering congratulations for the Tianshi Mansion’s success in uniting the Han and Tang, they were also curious about the current situation of Jingjiu, the Holy Lord of the White Lotus Sect in the Tang Dynasty—or rather, they were curious about Wang Guiyuan.

However, they didn’t press for details.

Especially Zhang Hui.

He had a certain connection and tacit understanding with the future Maitreya, Huiyin.

Though the Tang court still officially declared the White Lotus Sect a rebel force, in private, they were gradually downplaying this stance.

As long as both Jingjiu and Huiyin—the former and future Maitreya—were alive, the White Lotus Sect was unlikely to make any major moves for now.

Lei Jun remained calm.

Since they weren’t asking questions, he didn’t elaborate, simply reiterating the previous stance that his master Yuan Mobai had expressed on behalf of the Tianshi Mansion.

Although the Daoist sect held overwhelming power over the Buddhist sect in the Tang mortal realm, neither Wang Guiyuan nor Lei Jun and his master sought to flaunt this, instead choosing to act with restraint and leave room for both sides.

Representatives from Tianlong Temple, Xuantian Temple, and Bodhi Temple had previously visited Mount Longhu, but Yuan Mobai had already courteously sent them back down the mountain.

“Master, what about Senior Brother?” Lei Jun asked respectfully after returning to the mountain.

Yuan Mobai replied, “He’s resting at a separate estate outside the mountain.”

He sighed, which was rare for him.

“He’s always refused to stay in the sect’s main compound.”

Although they had Luo Yuan’s assistance and numerous Pure Yang magical artifacts and treasures as backup, forcibly summoning Wujian still had a major impact on Wang Guiyuan.

Especially since once it had been done once, it would be much easier the next time.

To stabilize his condition, Wang Guiyuan had no choice but to rest carefully for now.

After Tang Xiaotang returned to the mountain, she hadn’t disturbed him either. She immediately entered the Shangqing Thunder Palace cave to enter seclusion and cultivate.

Lei Jun had mentioned Zhao Chanyang of the Kunwu Sect while communicating with Yuan Mobai via the Heavenly Vision Earth Listening Talisman, so Yuan Mobai wasn’t surprised by this situation.

“This matter indeed affected Junior Sister’s mood, but I don’t think it’ll impact her usual cultivation,” Lei Jun said.

“With her current cultivation progress, she should be able to achieve the full mastery of the Five Qi Returning to the Primordial and ascend the Bridge to Profound Understanding within a few years, following after Senior Sister.”

Yuan Mobai smiled and nodded.

“Junior Sister Xiaotang has always been like that.”

Years ago, when she sought to become a true Tianshi disciple but was denied, missing several initiation ceremonies in a row, it was one of the rare regrets in her cultivation journey.

But it hadn’t hindered her rapid progress in cultivation.

It wasn’t that smooth sailing made her faster—it was that, despite her temperament, she could always maintain a steady mind on the path of cultivation and fully realize her potential.

If not for that, the Tianshi Mansion wouldn’t have repeatedly made exceptions for her in the past.

Lei Jun took out the talisman Xu Yuanzhen had entrusted to him.

“Junior Sister is busy in seclusion, so this doesn’t need to be rushed. I’ll give it to her when she comes out.”

Yuan Mobai examined it closely.

“Xuan Du Purple Qi? That hasn’t appeared in the mortal realm for years. Is it from Kunlun?”

Lei Jun nodded.

“Yeah, from Daoist Zhou Tian.”

Yuan Mobai said, “Just this spiritual item alone isn’t enough to fully elevate one’s clarity and comprehension. Junior Sister Xiaotang will likely need to encounter other opportunities in combination.”

Lei Jun agreed.

“Exactly. Senior Sister and I were thinking the same.”

Yuan Mobai added,

“Although Daoist Zhou Tian is still around, the Xuan Du Purple Qi itself is straightforward in its usage. It shouldn’t cause issues. But there are other things that might have far-reaching implications.”

Lei Jun nodded.

“I’ll take a look.”

He knew Yuan Mobai was referring to the pure gold hall left behind after Chen Yi’s death.

Zhang Jingzhen had brought the hall back to the mountain but hadn’t taken anything from it. It was handed over entirely to the sect for processing.

Yuan Mobai had done a rough inventory and stored it away, waiting for Lei Jun and the others to return and decide how to handle it.

Lei Jun also entered the Shangqing Thunder Palace cave.

Since Tang Xiaotang was in deep seclusion, Lei Jun didn’t disturb his junior sister.

He stood before the pure gold hall, which had now fully taken form.

Inside, treasures like the Reverse Origin Heart Fruit were neatly arranged.

The Reverse Origin Heart Fruit was currently sealed by Yuan Mobai, lying quiet, as if its heartbeat had stopped.

This treasure was only useful for demon beasts cultivating demonic aura and foul energy.

For beings like Yuan Mobai, Zhuo Huajie, Cheng Rongrong, or even other spirit beasts on the mountain cultivating spiritual energy, it was of no benefit.

Still, Yuan Mobai hadn’t directly destroyed it.

With the great demon Luo Yuan already repelled, this rare treasure might still be of use elsewhere.

Lei Jun, too, hadn’t destroyed the Reverse Origin Heart Fruit—he simply placed it aside.

Aside from the Reverse Origin Heart Fruit, the hall also housed rare items like Dark Nether Amethyst and Heavenly Zephyr Vermilion Stamen—extremely rare treasures.

Over the years, Chen Yi had traveled far and wide, accumulating a considerable collection of precious items.

As for the reason...

Lei Jun stood before the pure gold hall, observing it closely.

He remembered that back in the Deep Sea, although he hadn’t directly touched the item, he could sense it—behind it likely lurked a powerful presence.

That oppressive aura could only belong to a being beyond the immortal realm, with extraordinary strength.

It wasn’t necessarily that this presence was the true master of the hall, but undoubtedly, it was the hall’s previous owner.

For some unknown reason, the hall had fused with Chen Yi, granting him various extraordinary abilities thereafter.

But now, within the Shangqing Thunder Palace cave, Lei Jun could no longer feel those eyes watching from behind the hall.

The connection between the other party and the pure gold hall seemed to have been severed.

This probably wasn’t the work of the Shangqing Thunder Palace cave itself.

More likely, it was the result of the Tang Empress Zhang Wantong using treasures like the Heaven-Severing Tribulation Gold and other ritual tools to cut off the connection, in order to isolate the old ties from the Jade Heaven Palace.

Thus, any potential hidden dangers that might have existed were now resolved.

At least for a considerable time, until any new changes arose, there would be no hidden risks.

The connection between the hall’s former owner and the hall wasn’t absolutely close, as if constantly monitoring every detail.

Otherwise, when the connection was severed, the other party should have sensed it, or even deduced Chen Yi’s and the hall’s current state and circumstances.

Since no new karmic signs had been triggered in Lei Jun’s mind, it indicated that for a long time, the other party had no knowledge of the current situation.

In that case, the hall’s previous owner was likely not the same as the Jade Heaven Palace remnants Zhang Wantong sought to guard against.

Which wasn’t too surprising. Even without considering figures like Zhuang Tianjun and Tianrui Jushi, who had parted ways with the Jade Heaven Palace, the old forces of the palace itself were diverse in character and intention.

This meant the other party likely wasn’t someone Zhang Wantong’s past self, Tianrui Jushi He Ying, had sealed in Biluocheng.

Lei Jun composed himself and carefully examined the pure gold hall again. Confirming no major issues, he stored the Tianshi Seal and the Shangqing Yuchen Immortal Bamboo within his soul, then slowly allowed his soul to touch the pure gold hall.

Fortunately, the Empress’s ritual was strong enough—the hall was currently clear and purified.

As Lei Jun’s soul came into contact with it, the grand pure gold hall began to change, shifting from solid to illusory, as if it wanted to merge into his soul.

Lei Jun stopped it.

The hall transformed into golden light, swirling around his body.

With his higher cultivation and insight, Lei Jun could already grasp the general purpose and some of the origins of the pure gold hall just by observing it.

The hall truly originated from the real ancient Heavenly Palace, a part of its grand architectural complex.

If Lei Jun's deductions were correct, this hall was originally part of the Heavenly Palace's Treasury Division, used for storing, collecting, and gathering treasures.

Therefore, once it merged with Chen Yi’s soul, it developed a certain exploration function, allowing him to sense significant treasures nearby.

Lei Jun recalled their past experiences together at Mount Longhu, and everything lined up perfectly.

Chen Yi had been exceptionally sensitive to the presence of spiritual items and opportunities in his surroundings.

Of course, the risks and hidden dangers tied to these opportunities were things he couldn’t foresee.

Still, there was no doubt it had greatly helped Chen Yi.

The higher his cultivation, the stronger the golden hall’s ability to sense and gather treasures from all directions.

Even after he left Mount Longhu’s Tianshi Mansion, it didn’t hinder his cultivation—in fact, it even helped him blaze a brand-new path.

It went without saying that, as time passed and various opportunities accumulated, Chen Yi’s foundation, comprehension, and potential had far surpassed what he’d had when he first entered the sect as an initiated disciple.

His ability to innovate techniques, merging the Blood River arts of the Shaman Gate with the talismanic methods of the Daoist sect to create an entirely new cultivation system, wasn’t just a result of his own postnatal growth and comprehension—it was also partially aided by the golden hall.

The spiritual essence from the ancient Heavenly Palace had helped Chen Yi navigate the most difficult early stages of his journey.

The price was significant—so much so that the spiritual essence of the golden hall had been somewhat diminished.

But the rewards were immense.

Had he not forged a new path, he would have had to start over entirely, or worse—ended up trapped in the Third Heaven Realm, with his talismans sealed by the myriad sects, never to advance further.

Moreover, with the golden hall’s help, Chen Yi was able to better attune himself to the natural world, both in his cultivation and in battles against enemies.

This was the reason why, by drawing in so many opportunities and rare treasures, he had managed to progress at a breakneck pace, surpassing even many well-known and deeply nurtured true disciples from the sacred lands.

“Definitely a fine thing—no wonder it previously registered as a Second-Grade Opportunity,” Lei Jun nodded slightly.

This trip, despite the constant travel, had yielded rich rewards.

Besides the Second-Grade Opportunities of the Daylight Moonlight and the golden hall, the Taiping Duren Cave Heaven, if quantified, likely also counted as another Second-Grade Opportunity.

And there were the Guiyuan Bottle and the Wu Jin Dao—they were all top-notch treasures.

The Three Caves Twelve Supreme Talisman Seals were the same.

With the complete set of twelve talisman seals, the Daoist calendar reform had gone so smoothly.

As for the Reverse Origin Heart Fruit, Dark Nether Amethyst, and other rare items—there was no need to even mention them.

The only real downside was that Senior Brother Wang Guiyuan had been forced to reveal his true form.

...Well, that might sound a little inappropriate, but seeing Wang Guiyuan’s true face—it gave Lei Jun a tiny bit of surprise, and a tiny bit of glee.

Not much. Just a little.

You old onion, you’ve finally shown your core...

Lei Jun reined in his wandering thoughts, took the golden light with him, and left the Shangqing Thunder Palace cave.

He went to the sect’s ancestral tombs behind the mountain.

Fourth Uncle-Master Yao Yuan was there.

When Yao Yuan saw Lei Jun approaching, he greeted him first: “Sect Master.”

Lei Jun returned the courtesy: “Uncle-Master.”

Yao Yuan watched as Lei Jun offered incense to the ancestral masters and sighed.

“Our sect’s union of the Han and Tang realms has made us stronger than ever—this is indeed a joyous occasion, surpassing even the days when we welcomed back the Yellow Heaven Sect.”

Lei Jun replied,

“For now, it’s still only the beginning. We must proceed quietly—there’s still a long road ahead. Once the overall situation is firmly established, we can hold a proper ritual to honor the ancestral masters.”

Yao Yuan nodded. “Sect Master’s concerns are well-placed.”

The golden light swirling around Lei Jun paused.

Yao Yuan’s gaze followed the golden light.

“I didn’t visit the Shangqing Thunder Palace cave myself, but Junior Brother Yuan explained the general situation to me.”

Lei Jun pointed, and the golden light transformed into the projection of the massive golden hall.

Yao Yuan’s expression showed some emotion.

“So this was Chen Yi’s greatest secret... I had my suspicions back then, but didn’t know the details.”

He looked at Lei Jun.

“When Zhang Junior Nephew was in danger, you and Junior Brother Yuan stepped in to save him—that was entirely understandable.”

Lei Jun replied,

“There were misunderstandings back when he was expelled, but after everything that’s happened, there’s no turning back. Time moves on... it’s just a pity for the bond you had with him as master and disciple.”

Yao Yuan gazed at the shimmering projection of the hall for a long time before letting out a wistful laugh.

“Looking back, I really don’t know if bringing him into the Dao back then was fated by this hall... nor do I know how much he truly saw me as his master.”

Yao Yuan shook his head gently.

“No matter. Sect Master, you need not dwell on it.”

The hall’s projection once again transformed into golden light, swirling around Lei Jun.

He bid farewell to Yao Yuan and left the ancestral tombs.

Outside, his own master Yuan Mobai was waiting.

Lei Jun bowed respectfully.

Yuan Mobai returned the bow with a solemn expression.

A moment later, his gaze shifted past Lei Jun to the direction of the ancestral tombs.

Lei Jun said,

“Master, don’t worry—Fourth Uncle-Master is fine.”

Yuan Mobai nodded slightly.

“Fate plays its tricks... such is the way of the world.”

The two of them returned to the front mountain together.

The golden light around Lei Jun began to revolve around Yuan Mobai.

“This treasure will stay at the sect for now. If necessary, it can be taken out, but it must not leave the Tang mortal realm.”

Yuan Mobai nodded.

“Let’s hope Her Majesty can successfully overcome the final tribulation of the Ninth Heaven and achieve sainthood.”

If the Empress ascended, it would not only make her the first to achieve the immortal realm in the post-Han Calamity era, but also ensure that the ritual formations built with treasures like the Heaven-Severing Tribulation Gold could continue to be maintained.

Judging by the karmic signs and the Empress’s character, Lei Jun believed she was confident in taking this final step into the immortal realm.

Otherwise, he might have considered leaving the sect with the golden hall to seek another place for safekeeping.

“I’ll go see Senior Brother.”

After bidding farewell to Yuan Mobai, Lei Jun left the sect’s ancestral grounds and headed to the separate estate where Wang Guiyuan was resting.

Inside the secluded Daoist cave residence, Wang Guiyuan still looked like a young Daoist in a deep red robe—the appearance that best stabilized his connection to the Abyss.

Lei Jun said nothing upon arrival, simply scrutinizing Wang Guiyuan from head to toe.

Wang Guiyuan, now composed, calmly endured Lei Jun’s gaze.

After a long moment, Lei Jun finally spoke.

“Thanks, Senior Brother. Next time I meet the future Maitreya, I’ll have gained a whole new generation.”

Wang Guiyuan chuckled.

“Life is full of uncertainties—what else is new?”

Lei Jun asked,

“Senior Brother, you mentioned before that there was someone you once wanted to take as a personal disciple. Was it the future Maitreya?”

From what Lei Jun knew, the future Maitreya, Huiyin, wasn’t actually the personal disciple of the White Lotus Holy Lord Jingjiu, but their ideals aligned. Huiyin had long been cultivated by the Holy Lord and designated as the future Maitreya.

“Mm, Huiyin’s spiritual roots and comprehension surpass even mine,” Wang Guiyuan nodded.

“But by the time I got entangled with the Abyss, for various reasons, I couldn’t take him on as a personal disciple. It’s one of the regrets of my life.”

Lei Jun once again sized up Wang Guiyuan.

“Senior Brother, you joined the sect with skills already in hand. Looking at you now, you’re older than Master—by a lot, actually.”

Wang Guiyuan remained calm on this topic.

“Titles and relationships are set—age doesn’t matter.”

Lei Jun asked,

“So what’s your next move, Senior Brother? Gonna reincarnate again and come back as a junior disciple for me and Third Brother?”

Wang Guiyuan grinned.

“Yeah, no. Not giving you that chance to turn the tables.”

Lei Jun thought for a moment.

“If you can only maintain three incarnations simultaneously, then if you reincarnate again, would the White Lotus Holy Lord’s incarnation be entirely extinguished? Meaning, Tianlong Temple’s Master Faqing would become your past body, the current you your present body, and the next one your future body?”

“You’re sharp,” Wang Guiyuan nodded, his smile fading as he spoke seriously.

“I wouldn’t mind giving up the White Lotus Holy Lord body, but for now, with the Abyss still unstable, I need to hold on for a few more years. No rush.”

Lei Jun said,

“Maybe a change of environment would help you deepen your connection and stabilize the Abyss.”

Wang Guiyuan’s expression immediately soured.

“...What are you planning now?”

Lei Jun answered matter-of-factly.

“Luo Yuan tried to flood our sect’s mountain with the Abyss. Even though you blocked it with the Abyss, that’s not the end of it.”

Or as Senior Sister Xu Yuanzhen would say:

Nobody from our side died, so we’re definitely going back to settle the score.

“I’m not against taking Luo Yuan down, but shouldn’t we wait for Senior Sister to return and Junior Sister Tang to come out of seclusion before we act?”

Wang Guiyuan sighed.

“Constantly risking the Abyss isn’t exactly stable, you know.”

The Lord of Youluo Mountain himself was equivalent to a peak expert at the fifth level of the Ninth Heaven in human terms.

Although he’d taken a heavy hit from the Abyss at Mount Longhu, with the ability to draw upon the full power of Luo Yuan without competition, the Lord of Youluo Mountain’s strength was not to be underestimated.

Without the ability to bring the Three Caves Three Heavens Supreme Dragon-Tiger Immortal Formation into Luo Yuan, if Lei Jun stepped in alone, the opponent’s home field advantage was no small thing.

Calling him a demon saint above the Ninth Heaven might be an exaggeration—but to underestimate him and waltz in solo was asking for trouble.

Lei Jun wasn’t as cautious as Wang Guiyuan, but he wasn’t reckless either—he had his own preparations.

Since opening the Yellow Springs and the Forgetting River would leave him with a mess to clean up afterward, he figured he might as well borrow the Abyss from Wang Guiyuan again.

With Luo Yuan and the Abyss locked in mutual restraint, Wang Guiyuan would have more room to maneuver.

“Junior Sister Tang also said she wants to go after Luo Yuan. Let’s wait for her to come out of seclusion and go together, okay?” Wang Guiyuan tried to hold his ground.

Lei Jun replied,

“Daoist Zhou Tian’s disciple Mu Weizi has been in contact with Jiang Nan. Luo Yuan might experience a shift soon.”

Wang Guiyuan said,

“Junior Sisters Hua Fei and Hua Rong have made great strides in their cultivation. Since Junior Sister Tang is in seclusion and they’ve been waiting for you to return, you should oversee their progress.”

Lei Jun agreed.

“Yeah, they’re both prodigies—advancing quickly. Waiting five years to grant them talismans might actually slow them down. If necessary, we might have to make an exception for them like we did for Junior Sister Tang.”

As he spoke, he condensed a Heaven-Through-Earth-Talisman and handed it to Wang Guiyuan.

Wang Guiyuan accepted it with a helpless expression and returned the Golden Rainbow of No-Leaks to Lei Jun.

Lei Jun casually took it and continued,

“No need to worry about Fei’er and Rongrong’s cultivation. I already checked on their progress and assigned new tasks when I returned to the sect. And with Hug-Hug watching over them—even though their cultivation methods differ, Hug-Hug can guide them on the basics.”

Wang Guiyuan smiled wryly but still obediently pressed the Heaven-Through-Earth-Talisman to his forehead.

His eyes gleamed with a myriad of disaster markers, all stemming from the Abyss.

At the center of his forehead, the talisman glowed like a third eye, radiating light.

The light soon flowed into the void, where faint ripples appeared.

As Lei Jun had asked him to do before, Wang Guiyuan had been preparing.

While Lei Jun presided over the Daoist calendar reform in the Han mortal realm, Wang Guiyuan had already made some progress.

The Abyss had infiltrated Luo Yuan, leaving a subtle thread of connection between them.

Now, with Lei Jun’s Heaven-Through-Earth-Talisman, that thin, intangible connection transformed into a tangible pathway.

Similar to when Xu Yuanzhen entered Kunlun earlier.

It wasn’t a fully formed void portal, but it was enough to allow a few individuals to move back and forth.

At the end of this hazy path, the air was cold and oppressive—like a deep hellish abyss.

“Junior Sister Tang is still in seclusion—did you bring the Tianshi Sword and Tianshi Robe?” Wang Guiyuan asked as they prepared to set off.

“I did.”

Lei Jun rested a hand on Wang Guiyuan’s shoulder.

“Senior Brother, you said it yourself—those juniors need to focus on their cultivation. Let’s get this over with quickly.”