This year, Qin Caiwei reported to the mansion, preparing to return to the ancestral sect for quiet cultivation.

After years of focused practice, she planned to challenge the eighth level of the Taoist Talisman Sect’s Divine Court realm. Before that, she wanted to return to the sect to make final preparations.

As the Celestial Master, Lei Jun naturally gave his full approval.

After receiving the reply, Qin Caiwei first went to Canghuan to meet with the phoenix Feng Ming and the parasol tree spirit Chaoyang.

In recent years, she had been responsible for representing the Celestial Master Mansion in dealings with them.

“Daoist Qin, your cultivation is about to rise to a new level. Congratulations. We wish you a complete success,” Chaoyang spoke kindly. “Here are some gifts as a token of our sincerity. Please do not take offense.”

Qin Caiwei hurriedly replied, “Not at all. I have made great progress in recent days thanks to the care of the seniors. After my retreat, I will return to Canghuan to express my gratitude in person.”

Feng Ming said, “We always welcome Daoist Qin to visit Canghuan. Under the leadership of Tang Zhenren and Celestial Master Lei, your sect’s atmosphere has been very proper, which we have noticed. During your retreat, other Daoists from Mount Longhu are also welcome to visit.”

Qin Caiwei said, “That is most kind. On behalf of my two senior uncles and other fellow disciples, I thank you, seniors.”

Feng Ming then slightly nodded to the azure luan bird Zhuyin beside him.

Zhuyin flapped her wings and flew off, escorting Qin Caiwei out of Canghuan.

At this moment, a middle-aged scholar stepped out from behind the massive parasol tree trunk and spoke:

“The Celestial Master Mansion of Mount Longhu truly produces outstanding talents. It must be due to great fortune.”

Feng Ming said, “Heaven helps those who help themselves.”

The middle-aged scholar, with a sword hanging from his waist, stood with hands behind his back:

“There are only about three years left before the scheduled duel between the Solar Sage Lord and the Brilliant Sage Lord.”

Feng Ming replied calmly, “Indeed.”

The scholar said, “One waits for the other’s recovery;

the other waits for further cultivation progress. Yet, it is uncertain whether either can complete this within three years.”

Feng Ming said, “We shall wait and see.”

The scholar nodded: “Daoist, you invited me today. May I ask the purpose?”

Feng Ming said, “Recently, news came from the human realm that a young woman named Xiao Xueting has achieved the ninth level of Martial Dao, the Martial Saint realm, and is active in that human world.”

“Thank you for informing me,” the scholar said with gratitude, though his expression remained calm and unchanged.

…………………………

Qin Caiwei returned from Canghuan, passing through the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms human realm, heading to the Saha world.

In Saha, she reunited with Bai Mei, who accompanied her back to the Tang human realm.

The two returned to the ancestral sect of Mount Longhu. Before Qin Caiwei entered her personal cave for secluded cultivation, Lei Jun summoned her for a meeting.

Only the three of them were present in the Celestial Master Hall. Lei Jun spoke without reserve:

“Lady Bai, I have some questions I wish to consult you about.”

Qin Caiwei had a wooden sword hanging at her waist. At this moment, the sword trembled slightly, and a vague, illusory light appeared on it, gradually forming the figure of a young woman with white eyebrows and hair.

“The Celestial Master is too polite. May I ask what it is?”

Lei Jun asked, “In Canghuan, the Solar Sage Lord was active before the great calamity at the end of the Han Dynasty. What is his view on the former celestial palace’s affiliates?”

It is rumored that the Golden Crow and the True Dragon once had a place in the ancient celestial palace.

Although the Solar Sage Lord was born after the ancient celestial palace’s destruction, his views remain uncertain.

Lei Jun had previously consulted the previous life of Tang Emperor Zhang Wantong, who was the Taoist Xian Rui Jushi He Ying, but according to Zhang Wantong, the chaotic wars at the end of the Han Dynasty spread everywhere, and although she knew the Golden Crow Solar Sage Lord early on, they never met during the calamity.

But as far as she knew, the Solar Sage Lord had contact with the celestial lord Gaotiansui, leader of the old celestial palace, though the details were unknown.

“As far as I know, the Golden Crow Solar Sage Lord dislikes conflict and has no intention toward the old celestial palace’s affiliates,” Bai Mei explained calmly. “However, possessing a treasure is a curse. The Golden Crow clan once held an important position in the ancient celestial palace and preserved celestial palace relics after its fall. Gaotiansui personally invited the Golden Crow Solar Sage Lord, but was refused. Later, they clashed. Gaotiansui forcibly seized the celestial relics and wounded the Golden Crow Solar Sage Lord.”

Lei Jun pondered, “I see.”

He looked at Qin Caiwei: “Sister Huawei, during your time in Canghuan, have you heard what the Brilliant Sage Lord thinks of the former celestial palace’s affiliates?”

Qin Caiwei was somewhat hesitant: “Respectfully reporting to senior uncle, although I have interacted with some spiritual beasts under the Brilliant Sage Lord, no such information has been mentioned. I inquired indirectly with Feng Ming, Chaoyang, and Zhuyin, but none mentioned this matter. Therefore, I do not know the current views of the Brilliant Sage Lord or whether the Solar Sage Lord has changed his stance.”

Lei Jun smiled slightly: “No matter, just focus on your cultivation.”

He bowed Taoist-style to Bai Mei: “Lady Bai, you have cleared many doubts for me today.”

Bai Mei returned the gesture with a smile: “The Celestial Master is too polite.”

Without further words, the illusory figure dissipated.

After Qin Caiwei bowed to Lei Jun and took her leave, Lei Jun pondered for a moment before writing a talisman edict, sending it via the Heaven-Earth Observation Talisman to Tang Emperor Zhang Wantong.

He then continued to focus on his own cultivation.

From what Lei Jun knew, senior sister Xu Yuanzhen and junior senior sister Tang Xiaotang both had opportunities to break through the immortal gate.

However, both had their considerations.

The former was still studying the Time Abyss.

The latter was researching the Celestial Master’s three treasures, further summarizing her studies to prepare and improve her first immortal technique after ascension.

Lei Jun was also preparing accordingly.

For him, his cultivation in this lifetime had been a step-by-step process, natural and smooth.

In the past, to overcome the great chasms between major realms, he had relied on many heavenly materials and treasures to save time.

Now, approaching ascension, everything seemed uncertain.

But to Lei Jun, his mind was peaceful and untainted.

The illusory immortal gate above seemed almost within reach.

Though closed, it could be pushed open with ease.

Over the years of smooth progress, his actions seemed to align with the tide of the era, accumulating unstoppable momentum.

Lei Jun’s thoughts were clear and sharp.

Yet he bore no pride or arrogance.

He quietly continued his cultivation.

During this time, news arrived from the Great Square:

Xu Yuanzhen, after years of study and preparation, planned to personally enter the Time Abyss.

“Senior sister, be careful,” Lei Jun said upon hearing this, offering no objection, only a simple remark.

Different people walk different paths.

Xu Yuanzhen’s tone was casual: “No need to worry about me. Rather, take care while I am gone. Last time, you mentioned that Venerable Puguang and others want to hasten the merging of the human realms? I have prepared some items in the Great Square. I will have Chu Kun bring them back to you. Whether to use them or not is up to you.”

Lei Jun said, “I have laid an ethereal net across the human realms to search and interfere with the Buddhist disciples instructed by Venerable Shanzhihui and Venerable Puguang. However, there may also be Daoist or martial practitioners, or Confucian scholars acting, so it is difficult to completely eradicate them. But it will make the opponents cautious, buying us precious time.”

He could develop similar measures targeting other schools based on the ethereal net.

But that would require time and energy investment.

Compared to restraining opponents, Lei Jun focused more on his own growth.

After the ethereal net showed preliminary effects, he returned to focus on cultivation.

“Wishing you success,” Xu Yuanzhen said.

The petite woman clad in black stood before the Time Abyss.

Chu Kun stood beside her, wearing a wry smile.

After finishing his conversation with Lei Jun, she casually waved to Chu Kun and then enthusiastically stepped into the rift where time and space intertwined.

Chu Kun sighed, hearing Lei Jun’s voice nearby: “As expected.”

“Let’s just hope senior sister returns safely soon,” Chu Kun said.

Lei Jun said, “Observing your rapid progress, little junior brother, you are preparing to cross the great chasm between the eighth and ninth levels?”

Chu Kun’s spirit lifted: “The changes in the Great Square have helped me a lot. I am preparing to give it a try.”

Lei Jun said, “Wishing you success in advance.”

Chu Kun took the items Xu Yuanzhen left and returned to the ancestral sect in the Tang human realm, handing them to Lei Jun.

He was cautious, despite having great confidence, choosing to wait and continue preparations and accumulation.

Meanwhile, Lei Jun’s senior disciple Zhuo Baojie was the first to reach the second layer of the eighth level Divine Court realm.

His second divine ability, the Great Tortoise North Pole Law Talisman in the Life Fate Sky Law Talisman, had now become established.

Time passed, and Lei Jun celebrated his ninety-seventh birthday.

By this year, Qin Caiwei, who had previously secluded herself to challenge the eighth level Divine Court realm, had succeeded.

Thus, Mount Longhu’s Celestial Master Mansion added another high-level elder at the eighth level.

Meanwhile, Tang Xiaotang’s direct disciple Cheng Rongrong had also advanced from the fifth level Daoist Palace realm of the Talisman Sect to the sixth level Daoist Seal realm.

Recently, Tang Zhenren had dutifully fulfilled his role as master, seriously instructing Cheng Rongrong alongside his own cultivation.

Compared to his other disciple Han Xiaofei, Lei Jun did not assign Cheng Rongrong duties in the mansion.

Not out of favoritism, but because his little panda junior niece was truly mature beyond her years and needed no further tempering. She was currently arranged to focus solely on cultivation to break through to the upper third heaven realm.

Of course, neither Lei Jun nor Tang Xiaotang forced this.

Cheng Rongrong herself was interested in gaining experience through mansion duties.

“The little one is determined,” Tang Xiaotang said with a smile as she watched the disciple bow and leave, showing no displeasure, rather a hint of pride.

Lei Jun nodded: “Junior niece Hua Rong is certainly a pillar of the sect.”

He then turned to Tang Xiaotang: “Junior senior sister, how is your comprehension of the Dao now?”

Tang Xiaotang raised her hand and swept it in midair: “There are some clues.”

With her motion, an imprint, a sword, and a robe appeared in midair.

Their shapes resembled the Celestial Master’s three treasures but were not the actual treasures.

The imprint, sword, and robe Tang Xiaotang displayed were transparent and intangible, only vaguely outlined by the flow of energy.

Clearly, all were manifestations of her Primordial Qi.

Lei Jun’s face showed amazement.

Tang Xiaotang had never forged talismans or magical weapons before, and still did not, but as her cultivation deepened and she studied her Primordial Dao body, she achieved something new.

With Lei Jun’s keen insight, it was obvious her current method was only a prototype.

Primordial Qi is originally formless and intangible.

Using it to simulate tangible objects is actually reversing the underlying mystery, diverging from the core principles.

Tang Xiaotang understood this well.

But under her control, the Primordial Qi shaped into the Celestial Master’s three treasures was immensely powerful.

Currently, this was just one stage of her summarizing, refining, and elevating her knowledge.

Although recently returned from the Great Square, when she previously observed the Time Abyss, she had also gained much that suited her.

“Since I took the Celestial Master Seal, will it hinder your cultivation, junior senior sister?” Lei Jun asked.

Tang Xiaotang laughed and waved her hand. The Primordial Qi-formed three treasures dissipated in midair: “No worries. I have finished this stage and won’t need the three treasures anymore…”

She suddenly paused mid-sentence, turned to look at Lei Jun, appraising him from head to toe.

Lei Jun stood still, calmly accepting her scrutiny.

Their auras were both perfect and complete, like two exiled immortals.

“You caught up to me!”

In an instant, Tang Xiaotang scrunched her face in a way unbecoming of an immortal: “Maybe senior sister and I will be overtaken by you this time.”

Despite saying this, her mood was calm.

Soon, she asked curiously: “You haven’t waited for the chance to perfect the Tai Chi Dao body?”

Lei Jun said, “Go with the flow. You didn’t wait for the natural enlightenment either.”

Tang Xiaotang puffed her cheeks: “It would be better if it came sooner, but it just won’t.”

Lei Jun smiled: “So we just follow fate.”

“Looks like you are confident?” Tang Xiaotang asked.

Lei Jun said, “I dare not say I’m completely sure. This path must be truly walked to know if my thoughts and learning are correct.”

Tang Xiaotang looked him over again for a while, then asked, “From the Great Square, or from the Ming and former Song human realms? Or maybe the Saha world?”

“From the Great Square,” Lei Jun said calmly. “I will also go see the Time Abyss again. During my absence, junior senior sister and master take care of affairs at the mansion.”

Tang Xiaotang waved her hand: “Go with peace of mind!”

Lei Jun took the Celestial Master Seal and bid farewell to Tang Xiaotang before going to see Master Yuan Mobai.

Junior brother Chu Kun was currently at Yuan Mobai’s residence.

Seeing Lei Jun, Yuan Mobai’s smile was as gentle as spring breeze but carried some sighs:

“After the great calamity at the end of the Han, our Taoist Talisman Sect had many ups and downs. Now we finally see dawn and will gain another true Daoist immortal of the Dongxuan ascension.”

Lei Jun bowed: “All thanks to the teachings of our sect and masters over the years.”

Yuan Mobai shook his head: “Nonsense, the sect leader has surpassed his master.

Dongxuan ascension has precedents in our sect’s history, with notes and scriptures passed down.

But it is more about the cultivator summarizing their life’s learning and then elevating it, a deeply personal matter.

Even the True Unity Great Dao Scripture only has seven volumes of human Dongshen, without true Dongxuan transmission.

Or rather, each Dongxuan person’s true transmission differs.

Fortunately, the sect leader has a clear plan.”

Lei Jun said, “I have studied the scriptures and notes left by the founders many times, gaining much insight, which is why I am daring to try now.”

The human realms have not merged yet, and immortal realm masters find it hard to move freely in the mortal world.

But cultivators like Lei Jun, who have perfected the ninth level, are overwhelmingly powerful beyond common understanding.

In some ways, his not ascending makes his movement freer than if he ascended.

His threat to opponents is even greater.

To those who have not achieved immortal realm, his threat is almost equal to an immortal, yet he can move freely among humans.

As for delaying or waiting, Lei Jun was not procrastinating.

He always followed natural order.

Now that he had glimpsed the path, he would step forward and explore.

The unstoppable tide moves forward, aligned with his body and will.

“Wishing you success, sect leader,” Yuan Mobai said, rising and bowing with a smile.

Lei Jun stepped aside and returned the bow.

Chu Kun, also bowing, smiled: “Since you have made up your mind, senior brother, let’s depart.”

Lei Jun nodded.

Chu Kun stepped forward, pointing one finger to his forehead and another to Lei Jun.

The scenery before them blurred and changed, and in an instant, they arrived beneath the crimson sky of the Great Square.

Compared to before, when Xu Yuanzhen and Tang Xiaotang had ravaged the Time Abyss multiple times, it was now more stable.

Its scale had even shrunk considerably but was deeper.

After Xu Yuanzhen entered, the abyss of time and space seemed frozen, showing signs of stillness.

Lei Jun and Chu Kun stood silently, observing.

Time seemed meaningless at this moment.

After an unknown period, Lei Jun finally withdrew his gaze.

Chu Kun seemed to awaken and nodded: “Senior brother, all is well here.”

“Then let’s return,” Lei Jun said.

Together, they returned to the Tang human world.

Without a word, Chu Kun bowed to Lei Jun and Yuan Mobai before retreating to his villa for secluded cultivation, preparing to challenge the great chasm between the eighth and ninth levels.

Lei Jun bowed to Yuan Mobai and then quietly descended Mount Longhu, disappearing without a trace.

Yuan Mobai, having arranged everything with him beforehand, told outsiders that the current Celestial Master was in retreat.

Lei Jun’s figure seemed to exist between presence and absence.

He silently entered the Saha world.

Since the change of ownership of Saha, seven years had passed.

Lei Jun’s gaze swept over this realm where the lotus, bodhi, and stupa treasures of the Buddhist sect had vanished.

Yet in his vision, the figure of Venerable Puguang, the golden body venerable of the Thunderclap Monastery, seemed to reappear, as if the past was playing in reverse.

Lei Jun quietly watched Venerable Puguang leave Saha.

Besides Thunderclap Monastery, many other Buddhist temples remained in Saha.

As long as they no longer connected with Thunderclap Monastery, Mount Longhu’s Celestial Master Mansion had no intention of wiping them out.

However, many still secretly prayed.

Fortunately, more and more common folk no longer resisted the Dao.

Lei Jun quietly observed the myriad living beings without interference or revealing his presence.

After some time, he entered the deep valley beneath the ruins of Thunderclap Monastery.

Wang Guiyuan was cultivating here.

Known for his calm and steady demeanor, he said little upon seeing Lei Jun, simply bowing Taoist-style: “Wishing the sect leader success.”

His cultivation, insight, and vision were exceptional, and Lei Jun had communicated with him many times.

Wang Guiyuan understood this was the best path for Lei Jun now.

“Thanks for the blessings, senior brother,” Lei Jun returned the bow and quickly entered the Yuqing Miluo Grotto-Heaven.

He sat cross-legged inside, his magical power transforming into pure energy, condensing three layers of magical platforms beneath him.

Lei Jun sat atop the platform with closed eyes, seemingly resting.

Many talismans in the grotto glowed and flickered automatically.

Unlike the Yuqing Miluo Grotto-Heaven, where no one was present, here many Mount Longhu disciples moved about.

Yet due to Lei Jun’s influence, they all ignored the grotto’s changes.

After a long period, Lei Jun opened his eyes.

The scene before him seemed to replay the Battle of Mount Longhu in the Han Dynasty.

He saw then-Han Celestial Master Ji Daocheng.

He saw the Han Crown Prince Xiang Jing.

Above the sky, the faint figure of Daoist Zhou Tian appeared.

Ji Daocheng and Xiang Jing’s images quickly vanished.

Between the clouds, the face of Daoist Zhou Tian seemed to form.

A breeze blew, dispersing the cloud face instantly.

Lei Jun calmly watched all this, then left the grotto and Mount Longhu.

He then traveled throughout the present Han human realm.

After the new Han emperor Xiang Sheng ascended, the court was temporarily stable.

Most noble families fled to the Two Jin realms, then further to Lianshan.

Those remaining in the Han human realm were actively splitting themselves apart.

The Langya Wang family was the most thorough.

The Suzhou Li family and the prominent Jingxiang Fang family of the former Han also followed suit.

Lei Jun walked silently.

He saw Fang Junmei and Fang Xiwu of the Jingxiang Fang family.

He saw Li Feiyang and Li Tingyu of the Suzhou Li family.

He saw Wang Yan, Wang Bujiu, and Wang Jianan of the Langya Wang family.

Wang Jianan’s branch had already relocated to Shu.

Now, Wang Jianan was traveling east to Zhejiang to visit Wang Bujiu’s branch.

Lei Jun quietly watched them travel without revealing himself or speaking.

He seemed merged with time itself, silently watching the changes of the world.

“Seventh brother, have you seen Sixth uncle again these years?” Wang Jianan asked quietly when meeting Wang Bujiu.

The two sat quietly for a moment.

Wang Bujiu shook his head: “Since our last parting, I have not seen Sixth uncle. Recent inquiries about him have yielded no news.”

Wang Jianan pondered silently.

Wang Bujiu looked calmly at him.

“Sixth uncle’s judgment was correct,” Wang Jianan sighed softly. “The tide of the times and fortune are as such. We can only go with the flow. I worry only about Sixth uncle’s safety, as his injuries have not fully healed.”

Wang Bujiu said, “I believe Sixth uncle is fine. The current situation is peaceful, and he can now find comfort in mountains and rivers. As for us, whether Sixth uncle is present or not, we must keep moving forward.”

Wang Jianan nodded lightly.

Their concerned Sixth uncle, Wang Xu, was now above the mansion, quietly listening to their conversation before silently departing to continue roaming the human realm.

Lei Jun strolled without a specific destination.

Leaving the Han human realm, he headed northwest to Penglai, one of the Nine Heavens.

The parasol tree branches were nourished in the Penglai sea, growing larger with many new branches and leaves.

Passing beneath the parasol tree, Lei Jun came to the Observatory Platform.

Mist gathered and dispersed over the Penglai sea.

The faces of the Western White Emperor Han Qingtao and Southern Red Emperor Li Hang appeared before Lei Jun briefly before vanishing.

Finally, the Central Yellow Emperor Yan Keji, whom Lei Jun had not faced directly, lingered longer.

The face soon transformed into that of the Buddhist venerable Puguang.

Lei Jun’s gaze was peaceful as he walked past.

The mist cleared.

Lei Jun returned to the Observatory Platform.

But now he did not summon the Yuqing Celestial Mirror.

He calmly observed the surroundings.

The Tang human realm, Two Jin human realm, former Song human realm, Ming human realm, and Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms realm all appeared in his vision, neither entirely real nor illusion, profoundly mysterious.

After many days of sitting on the Penglai Observatory Platform, Lei Jun finally rose.

Leaving Penglai, he entered the Di Sea, traveling through the dark, misty underground world.

Suddenly, he stopped.

The scene before him seemed to replay his decisive battle in Di Sea, slaying the great demon corpse flea king who controlled the Wenli clan leader Li Zhongding, and driving away Li Yuanheng, leader of the Ganli clan.

But Lei Jun paid little attention here.

His gaze roamed.

That way was probably toward the Mistake Break Abyss, one of the Seven Abysses of Di Sea… Lei Jun thought.

He smiled knowingly.

That was where junior senior sister Tang Xiaotang had broken through the ninth-level Great Ascension.

In past years, as an eighth-level cultivator, he had protected her there.

Lei Jun did not disturb the cultivators of the Tang or the Jiuli people here, calmly roaming about.

His steps gradually quickened.

After crossing Di Sea, he headed to Datong.

Under the former great battle, the silhouettes of Lin Zheng, leader of the Lin Clan, Su Guang, leader of the Su Clan, and Fang Xi, Fang Xing of the Datong Fang family appeared and vanished one by one.

Lei Jun revisited the place until he saw the confrontation between the armies of two nations inside Datong and slowed his steps.

A glance told him it was a conflict between Rong State and the imperial fiefdom.

Rong State was one of the Sixteen States of Datong and had grown prosperous.

The imperial fiefdom belonged to the Zhou emperor of Datong or the Zhou king, symbolic before but gaining real influence recently.

The heirs of Rong State Duke Qiu Ming and Zhou King’s son Xin Lu both cultivated in Mount Longhu’s Celestial Master Mansion.

Conflicts occurred occasionally between the two, but mostly restrained.

Other remaining states in Datong were similar.

They traded and toured more than fought.

Lei Jun watched the opposing sides without much concern for the outcome and turned away.

He returned to the Tang human realm.

Wearing the Yuqing Eight Scenes Treasure Raincoat, Lei Jun arrived in the Tang imperial capital Luoyang.

The dragon vein’s earth qi had dispersed, and Tang Emperor Zhang Wantong was not present.

The tension of the Luoyang battle was long gone.

The faces of Prince Zhao Zhang Teng, Jingxiang Fang clan leader Fang Jingsheng, Qingzhou Ye clan leader Ye Yan, Jinzhou Ye clan leader Ye Moquan, and Suzhou Chu clan leader Chu Xiuyuan appeared before Lei Jun.

They and their clans seemed to cover the land like a vast painting.

But soon, the giant painting was neatly cut apart.

More invisible blades sliced it into pieces, shattering it into dust and nothingness.

The sky above Luoyang cleared again.

As one of Tang’s most prosperous cities, it showed great splendor with bustling industries and constant traffic.

Lei Jun walked with the people on the street, blending seamlessly with the mortal world.

He looked around.

He saw the clinic led by Yu Cheng providing medicine and healing.

He saw Martial Saint Shen Qubing guarding Luoyang.

He saw the royal family’s Princess Zhang Wanying and her husband Shangguan Zhe receiving Prince of Changshan Zhang Junhai and his daughter.

“Recently, some reckless ones are causing trouble again,” said Zhang Junhai.

His tone was calm, without anger.

Zhang Wanying and Shangguan Zhe exchanged glances.

Zhang Wanying said, “Is it because of the news that immortal realm cultivators cannot remain long in the human world after ascension?”

Zhang Junhai and Zhang Ziyin nodded.

“Do they think that because His Majesty, Celestial Master Lei, Tang Guoshi, and Master Xu do not often appear, they can act recklessly?” Zhang Junhai snorted coldly. “How foolish. If that were true, wouldn’t His Majesty and Celestial Master Lei have foreseen this and cleaned up first?”

Zhang Wantong and Lei Jun were young enough to suppress anyone in the Zhang and Tang imperial families for hundreds of years.

Zhang Wanying and her husband both looked calm.

“They cannot overturn the heavens, so it will not come to that.”

Zhang Junhai said, “Let’s hope no fools dare act wildly.”

On a distant street, Lei Jun withdrew his gaze and walked with hands behind his back.

Leaving Luoyang, he headed west.

In the Western Regions, Lei Jun gazed upon the ruins of the Diamond Vajra Temple, which he had personally destroyed.

The figures of Vajra Chief Galuotuo and San Chun Palace leader Zhao You’an flickered like phantoms overhead.

Lei Jun looked on calmly.

Suddenly, lights flashed above the Vajra Temple.

Lei Jun showed no surprise and calmly entered.

In the next moment, he arrived in Sumeru.

This time, someone noticed his arrival.

By a pond, Tang Emperor Zhang Wantong, fishing, looked up at Lei Jun.

Lei Jun bowed Taoist-style and thanked him for the invitation into Sumeru.

Zhang Wantong nodded but said nothing, simply gesturing for Lei Jun to feel at ease.

Lei Jun spoke little and calmly strolled along the Ganges River in Sumeru.

He reached the former Sumeru mountain site, but no spiritual peaks remained.

After Zhang Wantong’s remodeling, Sumeru was vastly different.

However, Zhang Wantong only removed traces of the Buddhist Vajra Realm, leaving little personal arrangement.

After a circuit, Lei Jun sat cross-legged beside Zhang Wantong by the water.

The emperor ignored him, quietly watching the fishing float.

Lei Jun said nothing and closed his eyes to rest.

Many days passed like this.

One day, without farewell, Lei Jun stood and left, and Zhang Wantong showed no reaction.

Lei Jun left Sumeru and returned to Mount Longhu’s Celestial Master Mansion.

From the Celestial Master Hall to the Ten Thousand Laws Altar, then to the ancestral forbidden grounds in the back mountain, Lei Jun was silent.

The disciples were busy, unaware their sect leader, supposedly in retreat, was now at the ancestral tombs.

He solemnly bowed to the ancestral Celestial Masters enshrined there.

He did not leave immediately.

Before his eyes appeared the scene of his initial appointment as Celestial Master.

Looking at the ancestral tablets, his mind suddenly recalled the earlier vision of the Time Abyss.

After pondering, he collected his spirit and left the shrine.

In an instant, more than thirty years had passed.

“Hmm, longer than junior senior sister’s term, so at least I won’t be the shortest-serving Celestial Master in history…” Lei Jun smiled wryly.

He shook his head lightly and waved.

The pure gold hall he received from Chen Yi appeared.

Lei Jun studied it calmly. Though the faint eyes previously seen were absent, he now guessed:

Abyssal Emperor Zheng Baiyu.

Is that you?

What are you waiting for?

Lei Jun’s eyes were calm and unreadable, his mind heavy like a cloud.

He leisurely left the mountain, drifting west, then east.

He first went to the Huangtian Sect ruins in the snow mountains of western Sichuan.

The fragmented soul of Huang Xuanpu seemed to still drift over the snowy peaks.

But with a mountain wind, all vanished.

Along with them went Fu Dongsen, Wang Dongchu, Wei Qiyue, and Rong Guangchen.

Leaving the snow mountains eastward, Lei Jun went beyond the East Sea.

From here, he entered Guizang.

Once renamed Tianli, it was reverted to the original name under Lei Jun’s directive.

As one of the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands first controlled by the Tang cultivation world, Guizang had been cultivated for nearly thirty years, surpassing the lifespan of an ordinary mortal generation.

Newcomers replaced the old, and the early scenes were gone.

Only a few destitute old men, drunk, would curse the times, lament moral decline, and declare the day would come when righteous forces reclaim Tianli.

Then some young people hurriedly came to take their elders away.

Those left behind were quickly driven out by tavern owners, who scolded their staff to keep a better watch on the door.

Lei Jun quietly wandered Guizang, observing the different facets of the human world.

He did not enter the Ming human realm.

He left few traces there.

He planned to visit in the future.

Now he left Guizang, returning to the Tang human realm, heading north to Jinzhou and Zezhou, stepping through the old lands of the Jinzhou Ye clan.

He then headed south, arriving at the old ancestral site of the Lin clan in Jiangzhou, across the river from Mount Longhu’s location in Xinzhou.

This was where he first made a name for himself with real battle achievements.

Despite many achievements credited to others, he still became well-known.

Lei Jun’s face showed no emotion as his gaze shifted from the Lin clan’s old site to the endlessly flowing great river.

Time seemed to carry everything away.

Crossing the river, Lei Jun returned to the Celestial Master Mansion.

He stopped at the mansion and no longer ventured out frequently.

Celestial Master Lei finally entered a proper retreat.

The flow of time twisted and turned strangely.

Scenes of internal strife in Mount Longhu and the great battle with Li outside reappeared.

The four middle third-level cultivators Li Song, Li Hongyu, Li Zhengxuan, and Li Ziyang were seen.

The face of Li Xuan, whom Lei Jun had personally killed, and Jinzhou Ye clan disciple Ye Chifeng appeared briefly.

But quickly vanished with the wind.

Lei Jun quietly stayed in Mount Longhu.

Until a sudden message arrived.

Elder Guo of the mansion was about to enter retreat to prepare for the sixth level breakthrough.

Elder Guo Yan was a true disciple of the Celestial Master Mansion, entering the mansion with Lei Jun in the same generation during the succession ceremony.

At that time, there were also Chen Yi, Li Ying, and Shangguan Hong.

Shangguan Hong succeeded in reaching the sixth level last year.

By age, they were all over ninety.

Breaking into the upper third level before one hundred was impossible;

only in the plateau period from one hundred to two hundred could there be a slim chance.

Shangguan Hong had extraordinary insight, and Guo Yan had spiritual root constitution.

According to past experience, if no accidents occurred, cultivation at the second and third levels usually took ten and twenty years respectively, totaling thirty years, so they could reach middle third-level longevity before fifty.

But cultivation at the fourth and fifth levels normally took about thirty and forty years each, totaling seventy years, making sixth-level breakthrough before one hundred almost impossible.

Thus, seventh level was hardly hopeful;

in the best case, sixth level capped, or only fifth level if unlucky, while seventh required great fortune.

Though harsh, most cultivators stuck at lower third levels.

Fortunately, Mount Longhu’s Celestial Master Mansion had soon risen from the low point.

With increasing human realm interactions and the return of the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands, lost treasures, spiritual flowers, and strange fruits reappeared.

Coupled with surging spiritual energy, all aided cultivation.

After escaping past difficulties, the mansion developed steadily, allowing disciples to cultivate peacefully.

The younger generation welcomed new opportunities.

Like Guo Yan and Shangguan Hong, they could reach the sixth level in their prime before one hundred.

Thus, they still had hope to break through to the seventh level after one hundred, though less likely than before.

In contrast, older elders like Zuo Li and Du Yu had no such hope.

As for third-level Lu Zhaoqing, he had already passed away early.

Recently, Lei Jun heard that Tu Guangyu, leader of the Tianxu Sect and acquainted with Master Yuan Mobai, intended to challenge the seventh level as a final effort.

Lei Jun was calm as still water, seemingly detached from his own perception, observing everything from a transcendental perspective.

News circulated frequently in the mountain.

The biggest recent news, and the greatest event in Tang human realm, was the death of Feng Gui, the current Holy Lord of the Southern Wilderness Witch Sect Reincarnation Abyss.

This peak eighth-level great witch of the curse lineage had recently attempted to break into the ninth-level Spirit Descension realm but failed, perishing between the eighth and ninth levels’ great chasm.

Unable to cross that step, the result was death and extinction.

All former achievements and glory turned to dust.

Lei Jun remained calm upon hearing this and finally descended the mountain again.

This time, he stayed for a long time at the Daoist Children’s Academy at the foot of the mountain.

Later, with Yuan Mobai’s help to cover him, Lei Jun quietly left Mount Longhu again.

In the end, he arrived at a place he had not set foot in for many years.

The green mountain where he first came to this world.

After all worldly changes, the mountain no longer looked the same.

Yet Lei Jun still followed the location and entered the mountain valley.

He dug into the soil and buried the Celestial Master Seal.

Lei Jun sat quietly upon it.

After an unknown time, a familiar breeze blew again.

Lei Jun smiled.

Since he had announced his retreat and journey to the Great Square, exactly one year had passed.

He had just passed his ninety-eighth birthday.

He dug up the Celestial Master Seal and set off to return to Mount Longhu’s Celestial Master Mansion.

After returning, Lei Jun continued to quietly cultivate at his own pace.

During this time, various news came in.

There was the bad news of Holy Lord Feng Gui’s failure to break through the ninth level in the Reincarnation Abyss.

But also good news from the imperial capital Luoyang:

Tang Medicine King Sun Mingjing, despite his advanced age, risked crossing the eighth to ninth level great chasm and succeeded.

The Tang cultivation world gained a martial saint with medical and martial inheritance.

At over four hundred years old, such cases were rare.

Special examples like Qingzhou Ye clan leader Ye Yan and now Sun Mingjing would be remembered in history.

Sun Mingjing was highly respected, and his success cheered Tang inside and out.

As Mount Longhu’s current Celestial Master, Lei Jun sent his direct disciple Zhuo Baojie to congratulate Sun Mingjing.

He had a close friendship with the old Medicine King and greatly admired his medical skill and virtue.

Lei Jun was happy for Sun Mingjing’s achievement in the ninth level.

However, just as with the bad news of Feng Gui’s failure, the good news did not affect Lei Jun’s current cultivation.

Everything proceeded smoothly and steadily, as time passed day by day.

About half a year later, Lei Jun suddenly felt a rare unrest in his mind.

Such feelings were uncommon for him.

He quickly calmed his thoughts, his spirit seemingly detached, reflecting from a transcendental viewpoint.

Gradually, he discovered the cause.

The source of his unease was not in the human realm, but beyond the heavens.

Precisely, in another world within this vast universe.

Bilu.

Lei Jun’s insight naturally ascended from quiet to nature, related to various coincidences.

A key point was the alignment of Bilu’s descent with the Yellow Springs and the Yellow Springs’ rise with Bilu, cycling the heavens and earth as one.

Now, the problem lay here.

The Yellow Springs under Lei Jun’s control showed no abnormalities.

The answer could only be in Bilu.

Unfortunately, Bilu’s current situation was special.

Though faintly connected, Lei Jun could not discern its exact location.

He was not anxious and settled his mind to continue steadily, focusing on his cultivation.

After some time, he set out again, leaving Mount Longhu and heading northwest to the Western Regions.

At the Vajra Temple ruins, Lei Jun was guided by Tang Emperor Zhang Wantong back into Sumeru.

Inside Sumeru, Zhang Wantong sat by the water as usual but was resting with eyes closed this time.

Upon Lei Jun’s arrival, she opened her eyes.

Meeting Zhang Wantong’s gaze, Lei Jun asked calmly, “Has Your Majesty made any special discoveries recently?”

Zhang Wantong said, “There may be changes inside Bilu.”