CHAPTER 59: 58. CELESTIAL MASTER’S THREE TREASURES

The relationship between the Buddhist and Taoist Sacred Lands and the prestigious families of Confucian Studies had always been complex. Generally, due to the Great Tang imperial family, the Buddhist and Taoist Sacred Lands and these prominent families were in opposition. For example, the Celestial Master Mansion and the Lin Clan of Jiangzhou were sworn enemies.

However, there were exceptions. Fang Jian of the Jingxiang Fang Clan, for instance, had joined Dragon Tiger Mountain and even become a personal disciple of the Celestial Master. The Suzhou Chu Clan had also previously sent disciples to Dragon Tiger Mountain; they were currently studying at the Celestial Master Mansion, though not under the same master as Lei Jun. Given the Chu Clan disciples’ background, their choice of master would naturally be carefully considered, with arrangements made well in advance.

Chu Yu explained her purpose for visiting, then introduced the young man beside her, "This is Chu Kun, my seventh uncle’s great-grandson."

The young man, with a composed and courteous demeanor, bowed to Lei Jun and Tang Xiaotang. "Chu Kun pays his respects to the two Taoists."

Chu Yu smiled at Tang Xiaotang.

Though nothing was said, Tang Xiaotang seemed to understand her meaning.

In truth, only Lei Jun was a Taoist. The other one wasn’t... yet.

Tang Xiaotang was annoyed, but her attention was drawn to something else. "Wait, he’s your seventh uncle’s... great-grandson? Then you are his...?"

Chu Yu turned to the young man beside her.

With a serious expression, the youth bowed his head slightly to her in utmost respect. "Little Grand-aunt."

Lei Jun flexed his jaw slightly. It wasn’t the first time he’d heard that this Miss Chu was the cherished daughter of the Chu Clan’s old Clan Chief, young in age but senior in generational rank.

Suddenly, Tang Xiaotang laughed and said deliberately, "That’s normal. You’re not exactly young anymore."

Chu Yu, no longer displaying the demure appearance she had as a guest at the Transcension Ritual, said, "Xiaotang, be good. Aunty came in a hurry this time and didn’t bring you any sweets."

Tang Xiaotang’s eyes widened.

Lei Jun’s expression remained unchanged. He greeted Lu Zhaoqing, who stood slightly embarrassed beside him, and then said, "Matters in the front mountain are keeping everyone busy, so there’s no need to trouble Master Lu here. Senior Sister Tang and I can entertain our two guests."

The old Taoist glanced worriedly at Tang Xiaotang and Chu Yu, but ultimately nodded and departed.

Chu Yu and Chu Kun, both impeccably polite, bid farewell to Lu Zhaoqing and watched him leave.

Lei Jun then gave Chu Yu an appraising look. Unlike her attire as a lady of a renowned family when she visited Dragon Tiger Mountain the previous year, Chu Yu was now dressed in hunting gear, exuding a vibrant and spirited elegance. Her aura and beauty were strikingly unconcealed.

Looking at the two dazzling beauties before him, Lei Jun wondered... Could this foremost talent of the South be following the cultivation path of Confucian Classical Studies or Divine Archery?

In this world, the outward differences between Confucian Practitioners could be immense. Generally speaking, the Confucian Sect of Great Tang was divided into three main Taoist Inheritances: Scripture Studies, Divine Archery, and Chanting. Ultimately, all cultivated the Confucian Sect’s Vast Integrity Qi and Wenhua Qi, but through different paths.

The earlier Fang Yue was from the Chanting Sect. His appearance alone fit many people’s image of a scholar, and his cultivation indeed focused primarily on the Spiritual Soul.

However, the paths of Scripture Studies and Divine Archery presented an entirely different picture. Contrary to many impressions, and compared to the more "refined" Chanting Sect, these two were more adept at matters of "martial" prowess.

Both lineages were quite ancient, with Scripture Studies being the current mainstream of the Confucian Sect. All of Great Tang’s Five Surnames and Seven Noble Families had built their standing on Scripture Studies.

Confucian Cultivators from the Scripture Studies lineage, when engaging in Duels of Magic, had a style similar to the Taoist Sect’s Talisman Scriptures lineage. This was close to Lei Jun’s concept of "dual cultivation of magic and martial arts," and their image was that of the quintessential carefree swordsman. Such a style implied they cultivated both life and spirit, possessing powerful minds and equally formidable bodies.

As for the Confucian Divine Archery Lineage, it was anything but frail. As the name suggested, practitioners fortified their bodies with Vast Integrity Qi, enhancing their powerful bows and arrows. They refined their mental will with Literary Splendor Talent, making it sharper and more precise. Consequently, their archery far exceeded that of ordinary people in range, accuracy, and penetrating power. They might have been less adept at close combat, but in terms of physical build, enhanced by Vast Integrity Great Righteous Energy, they were nearly on par with Warriors of the same realm.

...Many cultivators of Confucian Classical Studies and Divine Archery prided themselves on being skilled in both literature and martial arts—swift and carefree—and looked down on Warriors who only engaged in close combat.

Many practitioners of the Confucian Divine Archery Lineage had joined the Tang Army, forming one of its core strengths. The influence of the Five Surnames and Seven Noble Families permeated every aspect of the current world.

"This isn’t the place to entertain guests, Senior Sister Tang. Shall we find another spot to receive them?" Lei Jun said.

Tang Xiaotang, her gaze still fixed on the woman opposite her, sat down directly on a rock. "I find this place quite pleasant, with a natural, unadorned charm."

Chu Yu smiled faintly, not minding the lack of formality, and nodded at Lei Jun with a smile. "On that point, I agree."

Lei Jun was glad they felt that way; it meant they could dispense with formalities like serving tea.

"Your father, Elder Chu of Chu State, was on par with the previous Celestial Master and shared a friendship. You’re now reaping the benefits, as the current Celestial Master and your Master don’t treat you as a junior. Are you still pushing your luck?" Tang Xiaotang said bluntly. "Your grandnephew—you brought him to be apprenticed to our Master, clearly aiming to take advantage, aren’t you?"

Chu Yu replied, "How would I dare? I have always admired Elder Yuan’s profound Taoist Laws. If Chu Kun is indeed fortunate enough to be accepted by Elder Yuan, he will become a member of the Taoist Sect. Aside from returning home for ancestral rites, all other affiliations will be considered separate." She turned to the young man beside her. "If there weren’t some karmic affinity between Chu Kun and Elder Yuan, how could I have the audacity to bring him for a visit?"

"Karmic affinity?" Tang Xiaotang was curious.

"I wasn’t aware you’d be at Qingxiao Mountain, so I only prepared three Cosmic Coordinate Boxes. Please forgive me." Though Chu Yu said this to Tang Xiaotang, her tone held little apology. She nodded to Chu Kun, who quickly produced three brocaded boxes and handed them to Lei Jun.

Chu Yu continued, "These are mere tokens of incense and modest treasures, just a small gesture of goodwill. One is for Elder Yuan, one for Master Lei, and the other I’ll ask Master Lei to take back to Dragon Tiger Mountain another day for Elder Yuan’s other distinguished disciple, Taoist Wang."

The Cosmic Coordinate Box was a Spiritual Treasure crafted by the Confucian Sect, its name implying it contained the essence of heaven and earth. They were comparable to the Taoist Sect’s ’universe in a sleeve’ and the Buddhist Family’s ’mustard seed containing Mount Sumi’—all Spiritual Treasures capable of holding vast quantities of items within a tiny space. Such items were typically found only among distinguished and noble families like the Five Clans and Seven Families.

Without opening the boxes to inspect their contents, Lei Jun stated, "This matter must be decided by my Master. As a disciple, I have no place to interject."

Chu Yu said, "If that day comes, and Chu Kun is accepted, I hope Master Lei and Taoist Wang, as his senior sect brothers, will look after him."

Lei Jun replied, "Mutual support and camaraderie among disciples of Our Sect are expected."

"In that case, many thanks," Chu Yu first thanked Lei Jun, then smiled at Tang Xiaotang. "And thank you as well, Fellow Taoist Tang."

Tang Xiaotang frowned, her gaze finally shifting from Chu Yu to the young man beside her.

「 」

Yuan Mobai was receiving guests that day: members of the Jingxiang Fang Clan, including elders of Fang Yue and Fang Mingyuan. Later, he met with the Chu pair.

That night, Chu Yu and Chu Kun stayed at Qingxiao Temple, planning to leave the next day.

In the courtyard of their guest lodging, Chu Kun listened obediently to his Little Grand-aunt’s instructions. "Wang Guiyuan and Lei Jun are both extraordinary individuals, especially Lei Jun. If you can successfully become Elder Yuan’s disciple, you should make an effort to interact more with your fellow senior sect brothers."

Chu Kun hesitated, then couldn’t resist saying, "Little Grand-aunt, Uncle Shiwu also mentioned that you seem to regard Lei Jun somewhat differently..."

"Shiwu has poor judgment. Lei Jun overcame two tribulations in less than five years, advancing from Qi Refinement to the Altar realm. Isn’t that worthy of special regard?" Chu Yu said casually.

The young man before her grimaced. "Little Grand-aunt, you yourself advanced much faster than that..."

"Alright, let me put it another way. My brother—your great-granduncle—once sparred with Elder Yuan and was outmatched." Chu Yu didn’t shy away from the topic. "I also had an encounter with Xu Yuanzhen and came off slightly worse. So, if Yuan Mobai and Xu Yuanzhen, who rarely agree, both think highly of the same person, isn’t it reasonable for us to pay him more attention?"

Chu Kun sensed a dangerous aura from his Little Grand-aunt and immediately straightened up, nodding like a chicken pecking at rice. "Reasonable! Entirely reasonable!"

Chu Yu waved her hand dismissively, and the young man quickly made his exit.

Besides Yuan Mobai and Xu Yuanzhen, now... do we need to add Tang Xiaotang to the list as well? Chu Yu mused, sitting alone in the courtyard, a smile playing on her lips.

「 」

Meanwhile, Yuan Mobai was chatting idly with Lei Jun and Tang Xiaotang in his private meditation room.

"That child indeed shared a karmic bond with me around the time of his birth," he stated simply, offering a brief explanation. "At that time, I was traveling and unexpectedly received a clue about the Celestial Master Seal. While searching for it, I chanced upon a couple from the Chu Clan, and thus our connection was formed."

"The Celestial Master Seal?"

Lei Jun and Tang Xiaotang exchanged glances. As disciples of the Celestial Master Mansion, they were certainly familiar with it.

It was widely known that the Celestial Master Mansion possessed countless treasures. But among them, three treasures and one altar were considered supreme, renowned throughout the world.

One was the Altar of Wanfa Sect, the orthodox seat governing all Talisman Scriptures in the world.

The three treasures—the Celestial Master Seal, the Celestial Master’s Sword, and the Celestial Master’s Robe—were all supreme Magical Treasures renowned in the Taoist Heritage for thousands of years.

But... there was a small problem.

Just a tiny one.

The foremost of the three treasures, the Celestial Master Seal, had been lost some years ago.