When Lei Jun previously sealed the portal to the subterranean sea, he had also utilized mechanisms left behind by his senior sister Xu Yuanzhen in the former Song Dynasty's mortal realm, making the sealing process relatively special. Without this, it would have been insufficient to block the imminent arrival of the martial immortal Ongqinfu.

Due to these reasons, Lei Jun now intended to reopen the portal connecting the subterranean sea to the former Song Dynasty's mortal realm, which would also require considerable effort. Fortunately, his current cultivation and strength were vastly different from before, and he had already made thorough preparations.

Standing in the dim underground world, Lei Jun took a step forward into the air. With this step, it was as if he had stepped onto a bridge. Before him unfolded a grand Daoist vista—the Profound Yellow Universe of the Great Vehicle. Through this Profound Yellow Universe, an invisible bridge seemed to extend endlessly into the distance.

After traversing layers of void, the intangible bridge connected to Lei Jun's second Profound Yellow Universe of the Great Vehicle. This second Profound Yellow Universe no longer resided within the subterranean sea but was instead anchored in another realm.

Subsequently, Lei Jun's two Profound Yellow Universes began to shift and contract. Yet, a stable void portal had already formed, linking the subterranean sea and the former Song Dynasty's mortal realm. Lei Jun himself soon arrived in the former Song Dynasty's mortal realm.

He glanced around. Currently, he stood within a vast and eerie crater valley, its expanse extraordinarily broad. The previously dark and rugged lightless world—the Nether Valley—had completely vanished.

Lei Jun didn’t need to ponder deeply to guess that this was due to the Golden Khan Ongqinfu's arrival back then. After the subterranean sea portal was sealed, Ongqinfu had attempted to forcibly reopen it by crossing the void but failed. However, his overwhelming power had devastated the surrounding environment, altering the original landscape.

With his current cultivation, Lei Jun didn’t need to deliberately investigate. The Heavenly Passage and Earthly Penetration Talisman quietly rotated, allowing him to survey the surroundings effortlessly.

Scattered around the valley were numerous individuals—foreign martial artists and disciples of the Kongsang Buddhist Sect—likely stationed here to monitor the area.

The Jade Pure Zhou Heavenly Mirror accompanied Lei Jun, now ascending into the lofty skies of the former Song Dynasty's mortal realm to help him survey an even broader expanse. Simultaneously, thunderclouds began to gather above the subterranean sea portal.

The foreign martial artists of the Golden Khanate and the disciples of the Kongsang Buddhist Sect’s Lotus Division stationed here were all startled. Given their cultivation levels, they couldn’t detect Lei Jun’s presence. However, the commotion caused by the reopening of the subterranean sea void portal immediately drew their attention.

They were shrewd enough to attempt reporting to the higher-ups of the Golden Khanate and the Kongsang Buddhist Sect while simultaneously retreating from the portal to avoid disaster.

Yet, the thunderclouds arrived in an instant. One moment, the sun blazed overhead;

the next, darkness swallowed the sky. Countless bolts of lightning descended, blanketing the vast valley like a storm flattening a wheat field. All the Golden Khanate cultivators and Kongsang Buddhist disciples monitoring the area were struck down in waves.

Their surveillance posts were tightly arranged in layers, from near to far. Even the outermost observers stationed on distant cliffs overlooking the valley were terrified when they saw the storm of lightning pouring down like rain.

A gleam of light flashed between Lei Jun’s brows, condensing into a fine thread of Yin-Yang Divine Radiance. As he swept his gaze around, this seemingly slender light extended far without diminishing, cutting down all those who tried to flee in the distance.

In moments, distant cliffs were dotted with burning corpses, severed by the light. Lei Jun had cleared the valley and its surroundings in an instant.

He then contacted Li Tianqing, Li Jin, and others on the other side of the subterranean sea portal: "If there are changes in the subterranean sea, I’ll leave it to you, Fellow Daoists."

Li Tianqing replied, "We still rely on the Celestial Master’s guidance. Please be careful on your journey, Celestial Master."

Lei Jun responded, "Thank you for your auspicious words, Elder Brother."

With that, he departed from the subterranean sea portal and headed north.

Currently, control of the subterranean sea rested with Li Tianqing and the Jiu Li experts. What Li Yuanheng had once sought and lost still belonged to the Jiu Li.

Compared to other sorcerers, Li Tianqing and Li Jin held a significant geographical advantage within the subterranean sea. As Nine Heavens Divine Dance Great Sorcerers, with the terrain preemptively secured, their Divine Dance sacrificial arrays could even suppress the expansion of Confucian scholars’ "Nation Under Heaven" or Daoist talismanic Great Vehicle vistas.

With Li Tianqing and Li Jin in charge, their geographical advantage surpassed even that of Li Yuanheng at the peak of the Nine Heavens. If necessary, they could decisively reseal the subterranean sea portal without worrying about Lei Jun, as he had other means to leave the former Song Dynasty's mortal realm.

From the information Lei Jun had previously gathered in the former Song Dynasty's mortal realm, the portal to the Abyss had already been sealed, leaving only Kongsang connected to this mortal realm.

Venerable Shanzhihui would not lightly leave Kongsang unless absolutely necessary—both due to his own condition and the uncertain circumstances.

Having entered the former Song Dynasty's mortal realm while concealed under the Taishang Eight Scenes Treasure Raincoat, Lei Jun moved with utmost secrecy.

Without confirming the situation in the subterranean sea—especially which Tang Dynasty experts had entered the former Song Dynasty's mortal realm—the Kongsang Buddhist Sect dared not make any major moves.

Lei Jun quietly traveled north, eventually reaching the Youyan region of this mortal realm. The Golden Khanate’s capital had once been located here. However, with the collapse of their northern rule and Arslan’s retreat into the wilderness, everything had faded into history.

The Gray Wolf Khanate had not occupied this area, so the Golden Khanate’s capital had declined significantly. Still, the population remained dense, and merchants traveled frequently.

Recent news suggested that the Gray Wolf Khanate was gradually aligning with the Kongsang Buddhist Sect. If all went smoothly, the Gray Wolf Khanate might fully replace the Golden Khanate and establish dominion over the Central Plains, potentially revitalizing the capital.

Concealing his presence, Lei Jun avoided the foreign martial artists active in the area and moved stealthily.

His reason for coming here was that many years ago, the Abyssal Border had descended upon this place. Historical records indicated that when the Abyssal Border first reappeared, this mortal realm had not yet experienced the surge of spiritual energy.

Yet, the Abyssal Border had eerily returned to the mortal realm. In a sense, this could be considered an early reappearance.

Initially, with limited understanding, this didn’t seem unusual. But now, with greater knowledge, Lei Jun suspected it hadn’t been accidental.

However, many years had passed since then, and continuous warfare had erased most traces. Fortunately, with his profound cultivation and insights gained from the subterranean sea, Lei Jun gradually uncovered faint clues:

The early descent of the Abyssal Border into the former Song Dynasty's mortal realm and the opening of its portal were more likely initiated from the mortal realm’s side rather than the Abyssal Border itself. In other words, someone had deliberately opened a portal to the Abyssal Border from this mortal realm.

Zheng Baiyu… Lei Jun silently pondered. If this were true, the other party’s actions had clear purpose and planning.

Historical records of the former Song Dynasty's mortal realm noted that the Abyssal Border’s descent had posed a tremendous threat to the Great Song Dynasty, shaking its rule and causing the loss of half its territory even before the Golden Khanate’s invasion.

Later, internal strife within the Abyssal Border led to its withdrawal and the voluntary sealing of the void portal, allowing the Great Song Dynasty to briefly reclaim its lands—only to lose them again to the nomadic tribes of the wilderness.

Now, reflecting on it, had that so-called internal strife within the Abyssal Border been related to Zheng Baiyu?

Numerous thoughts flashed through Lei Jun’s mind. Compared to the subterranean sea, which he had traversed and managed multiple times, the Abyssal Border remained relatively unfamiliar. He couldn’t yet reopen its portal as easily as he had with the subterranean sea.

Lei Jun wasn’t in a hurry. After calmly organizing and collecting the current clues, he quietly left the Youyan region.

…………………………

Meanwhile, the higher-ups of the Kongsang Buddhist Sect and the Golden Khanate finally received news of the upheaval in the Jingxiang region.

Hasen, the Lotus Division Master of the Kongsang Buddhist Sect, anxiously sought an audience with Vairochana, the Buddha Division Master.

Lei Jun had eliminated all the surveillance personnel in the area, so Hasen didn’t know the specifics of the Jingxiang incident. However, the most likely scenario was that the subterranean sea portal there had finally reopened—and a top-tier expert had arrived through it.

An ordinary person couldn’t have cleared such a vast area and so many monitors in such a short time, leaving no useful intelligence behind.

Based on Hasen’s knowledge, within the Tang Dynasty’s cultivation world, this essentially narrowed it down to four individuals:

Empress Zhang Wantong of Tang.

Celestial Master Lei Jun.

Former Celestial Master Tang Xiaotang.

And Xu Yuanzhen, who had little interaction with their Kongsang Buddhist Sect but was equally formidable.

Others, like Wang Guiyuan—or rather, the White Lotus Holy Master Jing Jiu—were unlikely to emerge from the subterranean sea and directly trigger the descent of the Netherworld into the former Song Dynasty's mortal realm.

Empress Zhang Wantong wouldn’t lightly enter the mortal realm, making the three from the Celestial Master Mansion the most probable culprits.

These three individuals, with their overwhelming strength and freedom to act in the mortal realm, posed an immense threat.

Hasen ordered his subordinates to remain vigilant on the periphery while urgently reporting to Kongsang.

Vairochana, the Buddha Division Master, was equally alarmed upon hearing the news. He immediately instructed those in the Western Regions and Bashu to monitor Sumeru and the Yellow Springs while swiftly informing Venerable Shanzhihui within Kongsang.

Seated calmly on his lotus throne, Venerable Shanzhihui showed no panic but instead pondered: "The reopening of the subterranean sea isn’t unexpected, but the timing suggests additional considerations."

Vairochana clasped his hands respectfully. "Does the Venerable mean… the Two Jin Dynasties' mortal realm?"

With Sumeru and Saha simultaneously changing hands, the formerly Buddhist-leaning Two Jin Dynasties' mortal realm had shifted. Regardless of north or south, Buddhist influence was being systematically eradicated.

However, Rome wasn’t built in a day. Buddhist temples and monasteries were widespread across the Two Jin Dynasties' mortal realm, which had once been the Western Regions’ most deeply cultivated territory, with numerous followers.

For a time, it would be difficult to completely root out Buddhist influence. During this period, the Kongsang Buddhist Sect could intermittently gather information from remaining followers in the Two Jin Dynasties' mortal realm.

Yet, the spatial barriers made communication extremely inconvenient. Vairochana often received only fragmented and vague messages.

The most valuable recent news was that Lianshan, one of the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands, had reappeared in the Two Jin Dynasties' mortal realm—though details were unclear.

However, based on earlier intelligence gathered when the Vajra Realm’s Buddha Division was still in the Two Jin Dynasties' mortal realm, it was likely that someone from the aristocratic families had facilitated Lianshan’s return.

Given the current Tang imperial family and Mount Longhu’s Celestial Master Mansion’s control over Sumeru and Saha, these individuals’ circumstances were predictable.

Now, it seemed they had explored Lianshan and achieved some results.

Venerable Shanzhihui mused, "If Lianshan’s commotion in the mortal realm were significant, the Celestial Master Mansion’s disciples would handle it. They wouldn’t lightly reopen the subterranean sea portal.

The current situation resembles the Tang Empress preparing to leave Sumeru—it seems she intends to personally enter Lianshan."

Vairochana asked, "Was the subterranean sea reopened to restrain the Venerable, preventing us from returning to Sumeru?"

Venerable Shanzhihui fell silent, gazing into the distance without immediate reply.

Vairochana lowered his head slightly, realizing this could also be a Tang cultivation world tactic—appearing weak when strong, or vice versa.

If they assumed the enemy was vulnerable and rashly invaded Sumeru or the subterranean sea, they might step into a trap like the Golden Khan Ongqinfu.

Though Venerable Shanzhihui’s cultivation surpassed Ongqinfu’s, he was reluctant to engage unless absolutely necessary. Since his emergence, setbacks had left him unable to fully recover from his previous condition.

"This disciple will instruct all regions to gather more detailed intelligence for the Venerable’s assessment," Vairochana said.

"Proceed."

Venerable Shanzhihui added, "Moreover, the strategy proposed by Zhou Tian Zhenjun and Venerable Puguang is feasible. Begin preparations with Shedila and Hasen."

Accelerating the mortal realms’ convergence to assist the Heavenly Palace’s former subordinates in reemerging from the Azure…? Vairochana took a deep breath and bowed. "As you command, Venerable."

The reopening of the subterranean sea and the potential arrival of Tang’s top experts in the former Song Dynasty's mortal realm sent shockwaves through the region.

With Venerable Shanzhihui remaining inactive, neither Hasen of the Lotus Division nor Shedila of the Buddha Division dared approach the subterranean sea.

Though the portal from Sumeru to the former Song Dynasty's mortal realm remained open, aside from peripheral surveillance, the Gray Wolf Khanate, Golden Khanate, and Kongsang Buddhist Sect refrained from rash actions amid the uncertainty.

Lei Jun’s movements were elusive and undetectable.

His mere unseen presence deterred all from acting recklessly.

As for the Two Jin Dynasties' mortal realm, Venerable Shanzhihui and Vairochana hadn’t miscalculated.

Empress Zhang Wantong had indeed left Sumeru to personally enter Lianshan.

Lei Jun’s reopening of the subterranean sea portal served dual purposes—it also provided cover for her, deterring outsiders from rashly entering Sumeru.

Later, Lei Jun received a direct message from Empress Zhang Wantong:

It was indeed Jiang Fengge, the Mountain Man of He Xuan, who occupied Lianshan.

Jiang Fengge’s current situation resembled Venerable Shanzhihui’s earlier state—using one of the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands to construct a ritual framework to nurture himself.

Thus, Lianshan had remained sealed, never reappearing in the mortal realm under Jiang Fengge’s arrangements.

The difference was that Jiang Fengge wasn’t suppressing other existences within his ritual framework like Venerable Shanzhihui. His framework wasn’t solely for recovery but also aimed to propel his cultivation to greater heights.

Though Jiang Fengge had married into the Qingzhou Ye Clan, he had since mastered the cultural strengths of both the Eastern and Western Ye Clans.

Fang Yue hadn’t been wrong in his assessment.

Each painting was like a chess piece, meticulously arranged to form a grand scheme. Fang Yue, Lin Xiaoyi, and others stumbling into it hadn’t disrupted Jiang Fengge’s game.

But Zhang Wantong was different.

Thus, a great battle erupted in Lianshan.

The outcome was Empress Zhang Wantong being expelled from Lianshan by Jiang Fengge, with the void portal connecting the Two Jin Dynasties' mortal realm to Lianshan sealed from within.

Given Jiang Fengge’s formidable cultivation—far surpassing Venerable Puguang and Ongqinfu—and Zhang Wantong’s reincarnated state not yet matching her former glory as Heavenly Blessing Scholar He Ying, Lei Jun wasn’t surprised by this result.

What concerned him was something else.

Members of the aristocratic families—such as the Ye Clan of Jinzhou (Northern Jin), the Ye Clan of Jinzhou (Great Han), the Xiao Clan of Longxi (Great Han), the Lin Clan of Jiangzhou (Great Han), and the Ye Clan of Qingzhou (Great Han)—hadn’t been expelled from Lianshan after the battle.

While Fang Yue and the others couldn’t disturb Jiang Fengge, the opening of Lianshan’s portal and Zhang Wantong’s intrusion had ruined Jiang Fengge’s plans.

Under such circumstances, Jiang Fengge retaining Xiao Jing, Ye Zhao, Lin Xiaoyi, and the others suggested either alternative intentions or…

He had backup measures to compensate for his losses elsewhere.

"Aside from Duan Feng in the Tang Dynasty and Xiao Jing and the others in Northern Jin, there must be others who entered Lianshan through different means to contact Jiang Fengge," Empress Zhang Wantong said.

Lei Jun mused, "I see…"

…………………………

After the battle in Lianshan, Feng Wensu didn’t remain like Ye Zhao, Xiao Jing, Lin Xiaoyi, and Ye Ying.

He returned to the Great Ming’s mortal realm.

Upon his return, Feng Wensu immediately contacted his origin—the Abyssal Border.

Like the subterranean sea, the Abyssal Border was perpetually shrouded in prolonged darkness.

The entire realm was filled with drifting black dust, merging with the sky and earth below as part of the Abyssal Border itself. Survival here was arduous for both ordinary creatures and demons.

Though spiritual energy and demonic miasma were abundant, they were wholly integrated into the Abyssal Border. Refining them required adaptation to the Abyssal Border’s environment.

Through natural selection, those who thrived here developed unique physiques rarely seen elsewhere—robust and capable of devouring and containing all things, like endless darkness swallowing light and heat.

Now, the entire Abyssal Border bowed to one individual.

Its inhabitants revered him as the Abyssal Emperor.

A former outsider who had conquered this realm, transformed his life, and ascended to a new state.

Upon receiving Feng Wensu’s communication from the Great Ming’s mortal realm, the Abyssal Emperor smiled faintly.

"Jiang Fengge remains unchanged. Though his current state is quite favorable."

As for He Ying…

The Abyssal Emperor’s smile faded slightly.

Well, now she should be called Zhang Wantong.

Her unconventional cultivation path—had she also discerned something?

The Abyssal Emperor stood, causing the entire Abyssal Border to tremble momentarily.

Fortunately, they and Gao Tiansui’s faction in the Azure couldn’t align. Thus, the reopening of the Azure would bring more benefits than drawbacks.

The Abyssal Emperor walked into a grand palace that seemed fused with the Abyssal Border—its interior and exterior uniformly black, silent yet the realm’s heart.

Alone, he surveyed the opulent surroundings calmly. "Not yet. Not yet."

But overall, the plan progressed.

Despite numerous setbacks, the next critical phase concerned the Great Square—and the Abyss of Time.

The Abyssal Emperor stood motionless.

The entire Abyssal Border fell into silence.

Yet within this stillness, countless existences awaited their sovereign’s command.

…………………………

After the void portal connecting the Two Jin Dynasties' mortal realm to Lianshan was sealed, Empress Zhang Wantong returned to Sumeru.

With her back, Lei Jun also returned to the subterranean sea.

However, he had no immediate plans to reseal the subterranean sea portal.

In the former Song Dynasty's mortal realm, remnants of the Great Song Dynasty began gathering near the subterranean sea portal once more.

The Kongsang Buddhist Sect, Gray Wolf Khanate, and Golden Khanate cautiously monitored the situation but took no major actions.

Besides informing Empress Zhang Wantong about the Abyssal Border’s developments, Lei Jun also shared the information with Li Tianqing and the Jiu Li tribesmen.

Later, he re-entered the Two Jin Dynasties' mortal realm.

First, to personally investigate the now-sealed Lianshan portal.

Second, to visit the Southern Jin’s Shu Mountain Sect.

Shen Xi, after recent travels, had returned to the Southern Jin’s Bashu region with new insights. His accumulation was profound, and achieving the Five Energies Converging to Immortality—the fifth layer of the Great Vehicle’s Nine Heavens—was imminent.

For someone of his caliber, attaining a loose immortal’s physique would yield even greater rewards.

Lei Jun’s discreet visit to the Southern Jin’s Shu Mountain Sect was also to return the Ethereal Jade Qing.

Additionally, he discussed the conceptual framework of a detection network with Gongsun Daoqi and Shen Xi.

Though only at the Eight Heavens, Gongsun Daoqi was a master artificer—the Ethereal Jade Qing was his creation.

"Thank you for your magnanimity and guidance, Celestial Master. This old Daoist is deeply grateful," Gongsun Daoqi, now in more stable health, personally expressed his thanks.

Lei Jun returned the courtesy. "You flatter me, Elder Gongsun."

Besides the Ethereal Jade Qing, Lei Jun brought numerous other artifacts crafted by the Tang Dynasty’s Mystic Mechanism Observatory and Shu Mountain Sect.

Gongsun Daoqi and Shen Xi examined them with admiration.

"Upon first hearing of this concept, I found it profoundly ingenious. Now, seeing it materialize through collective effort is truly inspiring," Gongsun Daoqi remarked. "I hope to exchange more with Tang Dynasty colleagues in the future."

Lei Jun said, "Given that your sect’s Ethereal Jade Qing is currently the most mature, I plan to initiate it first in the Two Jin Dynasties' mortal realm as a prototype. Once similar frameworks are established across other mortal realms, the demand for such artifacts will undoubtedly surge."

Shen Xi activated the Ethereal Jade Qing while setting up an array. "The Two Jin Dynasties already have a foundational structure. As more artifacts are added, coverage can expand progressively."

Lei Jun assisted in the adjustments.

Numerous bell-like constructs, centered around the Ethereal Jade Qing and interconnected by faint threads of light, formed an enormous net.

"I leave this mortal realm in your capable hands," Lei Jun said.

Shen Xi replied, "On the contrary, our sect thanks the Celestial Master for helping prevent past events from recurring."

He summoned Li Wanqiu, a Southern Jin Shu Mountain Sect elder, to instruct him.

A peculiar web began spreading across the Two Jin Dynasties' mortal realm.

Currently limited in scope, the web was discreetly maneuvered by Southern Jin Shu Mountain Sect disciples.

Wherever it passed, remaining Buddhist cultivators were exposed.

Lei Jun didn’t force Buddhists to convert. Shen Xi shared this perspective.

Thus, most detected Buddhists were spared.

Except for a select few.

One day, in Northern Jin territory, an abbot secretly prayed, attempting to send a message to Kongsang.

Suddenly, a clear bell chime rang in his ears.

Soon after, the melodious sound of the Ethereal Jade Qing followed.

Then, a man’s voice spoke as if beside him: "Seize him."

Li Wanqiu of the Southern Jin Shu Mountain Sect stood in the monastery courtyard, gesturing to his disciples, who promptly apprehended the monk.

"Don’t disrupt his ritual. Carefully preserve it and return it to Xiaoding," Li Wanqiu instructed, adhering to Lei Jun and Shen Xi’s directives.

The detection web, centered on the Ethereal Jade Qing, shifted to another region.

Many monks were found, but unless suspicious, they were released.

Even if some might slip through, the web would sweep the area again, expanding over time.

In the next region, instead of monks contacting Kongsang, they discovered individuals sent by the Thunderclap Monastery to covertly manipulate the Two Jin Dynasties' mortal realm’s earth veins.

These individuals were likewise apprehended on the spot.

"This feels somewhat anachronistic…" Lei Jun muttered to himself.

Gongsun Daoqi, hosting Lei Jun while Shen Xi was in seclusion, didn’t catch his words. "Celestial Master?"

Lei Jun: "…It’s nothing."

This counter-espionage vibe really didn’t fit the era’s aesthetic…

Firmly denying any responsibility for this tonal shift, the Celestial Master reined in his wandering thoughts and focused on analyzing the materials Li Wanqiu’s team had retrieved, studying the Buddhist cultivators’ communication methods.

Using these findings, he refined his detection network.

Acknowledging the Southern Jin Shu Mountain Sect’s foundational contribution, Lei Jun named it the Ethereal Net.

As auxiliary bell artifacts accumulated, a second Ethereal Net began taking shape, destined for deployment in the Great Ming’s mortal realm.