CHAPTER 41: 41. CELESTIAL MASTER EMERGES FROM PASS

This Huo Sui Yang Yu existed between the illusory and the real, nourishing both Lei Jun’s Tao foundation and physical body, as well as affecting his Spiritual Soul.

If there truly was an opposing Yin fish, and Yin and Yang were combined, could it possibly elevate a cultivator’s Comprehension?

Next, I need to pay attention to related news and intelligence...

Lei Jun became interested. Although there were no leads at the moment, he wasn’t in a hurry. First, with the help of the Huo Sui Yang Yu and Green Stone Ink, he continued to steadily cultivate and enhance himself.

Until an event from the outside world suddenly disturbed him.

He wasn’t the only one disturbed.

The entire Celestial Master Mansion was abuzz.

Because the Current Celestial Master, who had been in seclusion for many years, had finally emerged.

On that day, the sky was clear.

Yet around Dragon Tiger Mountain, the booming sound of thunder could be heard.

Above the mountain peak, a huge pillar of Thunder Light soared into the clouds, illuminating all directions.

Lei Jun and the other disciples of the Celestial Master Mansion heard the intertwined sounds of the Dragon’s Chant and Tiger’s Roar near their ears.

Later, the thunder gradually ceased, but the Thunder Light above the mountain peak lingered for a long time.

"The Celestial Master has finally emerged from seclusion."

Lei Jun and his fellow disciple Wang Guiyuan looked towards the mountaintop together.

The gentle voice of Yuan Mobai sounded beside them, "Come with your Master to the Celestial Master Hall."

Lei Jun and Wang Guiyuan immediately set off with their Master.

Upon arriving, they saw a group of Elders leading the way. Almost all the core disciples of the Celestial Master Mansion who were still at the mountain gate had gathered.

Yuan Mobai nodded at his two disciples, then advanced alone.

He and a few other Elders dressed in Purple Robes stood at the very front.

The Current Celestial Master’s uncle, former generation Elder Li Song.

The Current Celestial Master’s younger sister, Second Master Li Hongyu.

The Current Celestial Master’s younger brother, Third Master Li Ziyang.

Fourth Master Yao Yuan.

Fifth Master Shangguan Ning.

Together with Yuan Mobai and the Young Celestial Master Li Zhengxuan, they totaled seven people.

Apart from Xu Yuanzhen, their Eldest Senior Sister who was traveling far away and not on the mountain, all the current core high-ranking members of the Celestial Master Mansion were present.

These seven individuals, dressed in Purple Robes, were known as High Merit Masters or High Merit Elders. In terms of both Cultivation and status, they stood above the other Elders.

Behind the seven High Merit Masters, Talisman-bestowed Taoists in dark red Taoist Robes and transmission disciples like Lei Jun, wearing Apricot Daoist Robes, were neatly lined up.

Shortly after, the Current Celestial Master Li Qingfeng, wearing a Nine-Colored Daoist Robe, stepped onto the Altar and appeared before everyone.

"Absorbed in Cultivation, I lost track of time. I am grateful to my esteemed Uncle and fellow sect members for your efforts."

After everyone paid their respects, the Celestial Master smiled, his voice clear and bright as he spoke.

Supreme Elder Li Song spoke first, "Congratulations, Sect Leader, on achieving Perfection and emerging from seclusion."

Elder Hongyu paid her respects and then said no more, standing quietly to one side.

Elder Ziyang bowed his head. "In these years, we have been walking on thin ice, fearing we might fail the Sect Leader’s trust or tarnish the reputation of Our Sect. Fortunately, despite some turmoil, there has been no major trouble. Now that the Sect Leader has achieved Perfection and emerged from seclusion, Our Sect can advance steadily and achieve even greater prominence."

The Celestial Master looked down at the disciples below the Altar with a smile. "The surge of worldly spiritual energy heralds a prosperous era for Cultivation. The younger generation is destined to surpass their predecessors, strengthening the foundations of the Taoist Sect and the Celestial Master Mansion. The future truly depends on them."

Elder Ziyang smiled. "During your seclusion, Sect Leader, Our Sect has indeed accepted many promising new talents."

He turned around and nodded, signaling for Lei Jun and the other young disciples to step out and come forward.

In the more than a decade that the Current Celestial Master was in seclusion, a total of four Transmission Ceremonies had been held.

These four cohorts of "new disciples," those still on the mountain, lined up and advanced to pay their respects to the Current Celestial Master.

Lei Jun had never met the Current Celestial Master, Li Qingfeng, in person before; he had only seen his portraits.

Now, the Celestial Master was indistinguishable from his portrait; the past decade or so had left no trace on his appearance.

The Celestial Master looked the same as he had before his seclusion years ago: appearing to be around forty, with three strands of a long beard, a refined and handsome face, and an ethereal, dignified bearing.

He spoke warmly, encouraging the disciples, and his words ignited fervor in the hearts of the young crowd.

Afterward, transmission disciples like Lei Jun were instructed to leave. Only the seven High Merit Elders and a group of Talisman-bestowed Taoists remained.

After they departed, Lei Jun asked Wang Guiyuan, "Didn’t see Little Junior Sister?"

Wang Guiyuan replied, "Junior Sister Tang can be a bit flighty in her daily life, but when it comes to Cultivation, she’s very capable of focusing her mind. Especially when she’s engrossed in seclusion, she truly embodies being ’undistracted by external matters.’

"Of course," he continued, "the Sect Leader Master emerging from seclusion was such a major event, and it didn’t stir her. It’s possible she’s at a critical juncture in her Cultivation right now."

He glanced back. "Don’t worry. Not only our Master, but the other Elders and our Eldest Senior Brother will report Junior Sister Tang’s situation to the Sect Leader Master at the first opportunity."

Lei Jun nodded.

The Celestial Master Mansion had already made so many exceptions for Tang Xiaotang.

Given her qualifications, the Current Celestial Master probably wouldn’t mind making another exception, forgoing the set Transmission Ceremony date to accept her as a disciple directly.

However, Yuan Mobai’s words took Lei Jun and his brother disciple by surprise. "The Sect Leader’s intention is not to rush things," he said. "Coincidentally, January fifteenth of next year is the date for the next Transmission Ceremony. Since Xiaotang is also in seclusion, we’ll wait for the official ceremony to arrange for her to participate in the Transcension Ritual to enter the Mansion."

Though it’s merely a formality, and in reality, there isn’t much difference now, but...

Lei Jun didn’t fully understand the Current Celestial Master’s temperament, so he didn’t comment further. Instead, he asked, "What about Little Junior Sister then?"

Yuan Mobai replied, "Since the Sect Leader has made arrangements, and Xiaotang is at a critical moment in her Cultivation, let’s allow things to take their course and not disturb her for now."

Lei Jun and Wang Guiyuan nodded together.

The emergence of the Current Celestial Master did not involve any grand or sweeping actions.

For Lei Jun and the other young disciples, everything in the Mansion seemed to proceed as usual.

If there was any change, it was that Xu Yuanzhen, their Eldest Senior Sister who was always traveling and rarely home, finally returned to the mountain upon hearing the news of her Master’s emergence from seclusion.

"Eldest Senior Sister, the Sect Leader Master has emerged from seclusion, yet you seem... not very happy?" Lei Jun remarked, looking at the pale-faced young woman before him.

Xu Yuanzhen didn’t answer. She left immediately to meet with the Celestial Master first.

After she returned, she sat in contemplation for a moment before suddenly speaking:

"It would have been normal for Master to stay in seclusion for as long as he wished. But over two years ago, he himself set a date for emerging and then postponed it, which is quite abnormal."

Lei Jun turned his head to look at his own Master, Yuan Mobai.

Yuan Mobai’s smile remained gentle as ever. "The Sect Leader must have his own arrangements."

Xu Yuanzhen said, "What worries me is that Master might be overthinking things."

She shook her head, her gaze returning to Lei Jun as she changed the topic. "Compared to before... have you changed somehow?"

Xu Yuanzhen was evidently not referring to the growth in Lei Jun’s Cultivation realm since she had left the mountain.

Lei Jun nodded. "Thanks to our Master’s blessing, I received a Huo Sui Yang Fish. I’m currently nurturing it in my Tao Foundation Altar. It nourishes my Mana and also has the effect of Warming and Nurturing my Spiritual Soul."

"What do you think, Master?" Xu Yuanzhen turned to look at Yuan Mobai.

Yuan Mobai replied, "There’s still room for further advancement, but it will depend on fortuitous opportunity."

Xu Yuanzhen nodded, then turned to Lei Jun. "Since ancient times, enhancing one’s Comprehension has been more difficult than improving one’s Root Bone, with fewer chances.

If you want to utilize that Huo Sui Yang Fish, you’ll need at least one complementary Water Marrow Yin Fish, plus a Spiritual Object to harmonize Yin and Yang. Only by combining all three will there be a chance to attempt it."