Chapter 1209 - 403: The Continuation of the Immortal Path (2)

Chapter 1209: Chapter 403: The Continuation of the Immortal Path (2)

Li Hang slowly spoke: "For example, Bluestone Drop."

The usually silent Shen Xi calmly said: "If it truly is so, everything is as fate dictates."

Yan Keji: "What Daoist Friend Shen said is not mistaken. We do our utmost, accept heaven’s mandate, and the ebb and flow of fortune, whether adversity or prosperity, may not all be tribulation."

Han Qingtao: "Shall we... go to Bluestone Drop and take a look?"

Li Hang: "Under unclear circumstances, rash actions are inadvisable."

Yan Keji and Han Qingtao slightly nodded.

Yan Keji then asked: "Regarding... the Dragon Tiger Mountain Celestial Master Mansion in the Tang Dynasty mortal realm, what do the three Daoist friends think?"

Li Hang straightforwardly said: "To be frank, I had some hope of acquiring the Celestial Master Seal before, but ultimately it ended in failure.

The Dragon Tiger Mountain in the Tang Dynasty has established its grand stance, and in my view, looking at the heavenly and earthly realms, they are leaders among the various Taoist sects, with few capable of subduing them.

To seize the Celestial Master Seal or the Altar of Wanfa Sect requires more than just the strength of one family."

Han Qingtao then said: "The Talisman Sect legacy in the Tang Dynasty mortal realm is a new sect established after the Daoist Laws renewal during the Late Han. If Bluestone Drop is truly a remnant of the Heavenly Palace, their initial intent to re-establish the Heavenly Palace’s dominion over the multitude mirrors support for the Ancient Talisman Sect legacy, even if there’s no conflict with the Dragon Tiger Mountain of Tang, it’s challenging to unify."

Yan Keji said: "Currently, everything is premature to talk about, we should consider some indirect approaches."

Han Qingtao recalled a junior who slipped away from her fingers in the Tang Dynasty mortal realm years ago.

That junior named Chen Yi, who entered Luo Yuan.

Although many years have passed, Western White Emperor Han Qingtao still recalls that when the other party escaped, the secrets they carried seemed faintly linked to the Heavenly Palace.

That might have been an opportunity, but unfortunately, she misjudged at the time and didn’t give it the highest priority, resulting in Chen Yi slipping away.

Han Qingtao pondered these thoughts, yet her face remained unchanged.

After the four conversed and decided on a general strategy, Shen Xi was the first to bid farewell and left, disappearing into Penglai.

Yan Keji, having said goodbye to Li Hang and Han Qingtao, similarly departed.

Li Hang watched the shadow of the old Taoist disappear, only speaking after a long time: "Still uncertain."

Han Qingtao nodded: "I too cannot decipher Daoist Brother Yan."

Even though Shen Xi was distant and reticent, after years of interaction, Han Qingtao and Li Hang have gained some understanding of him.

For instance, while Han Qingtao and Li Hang still aren’t sure of the specific situation of Shen Xi’s realm, in terms of historical depth, it is presumed to be lesser than the Ming Realm or the Song Realm, and the disparity might even be considerable.

Additionally, the Spiritual Energy’s surge and revival in Shen Xi’s realm occurred much later than in the Ming Realm and the Song Realm...

Yet neither Han Qingtao nor Li Hang felt they understood Yan Keji well.

Even during the lifetime of Huang Xuanpu in the Tang Dynasty mortal realm, there was a similar sentiment.

Li Hang shifted the topic, asking Han Qingtao: "Daoist Friend, how is our sect’s branch, True Martial Taoist Temple, currently faring in the Ming Realm?"

Han Qingtao: "Master Mu and True Martial Taoist Temple are facing considerable difficulties now."

Li Hang smiled: "Have you had deep conversations with him?"

Han Qingtao: "No opportunity."

But she is certain that Mu Chunyang was somewhat aware of the Taoist Nation matters in the Ming Realm early on.

And she also sensed that he did not agree with the Taoist Nation.

However, to some extent, he adopted a permissive stance.

Han Qingtao believes it is because Mu Chunyang equally was unimpressed by Great Ming Neo-Confucianism, and hence quietly allowed potential changes.

Yet under current Ming Realm circumstances, after the Taoist Nation matters surfaced, he could not remain uninvolved.

Han Qingtao does not resent Mu Chunyang for this.

But nevertheless, due to this incident, True Martial Taoist Temple might not find comfort.

Han Qingtao is now more focused on herself.

The surge of Spiritual Energy, the reopening of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths.

Also indicates the long-severed path to immortality in the mortal realm reconciling, with the possibility of the Ascension gates reopening.

......

Ming Realm.

Amidst the pristine landscapes, numerous people are camped here, diligently scouring through the mountains.

Later, soldiers reported back to the command tent, consistently failing to discover a weak spot in the void that could open a "portal" to Penglai.

Inside the command tent, Yu Zan, the imperial official overseeing the search here as Governor, silently waved his hand, and the reporter quickly withdrew.

Inside the tent, only Yu Zan, who appeared scholarly but wore a general’s robe, and a middle-aged official in court attire remained.

The middle-aged official stood with his hands behind his back, silent.

Yu Zan saluted from behind him: "Grand Secretary..."

One of the Grand Scholars of the current dynasty, Chao Feng, finally spoke: "Search once more."

Yu Zan: "Yes, Grand Secretary."

After pausing, he said: "Grand Secretary, I believe that for the rebel Han Qingtao to escape, there must be someone secretly aiding him, giving him a helping hand..."

Grand Secretary Chao turned his head: "You mean... Master Mu?"

Yu Zan: "Exactly."

Chao Feng: "The True Martial Taoist Temple’s Sect Leader Mu was personally appointed as a master by the Emperor himself, how could he associate with such traitorous figures?"

Yu Zan: "This rebel Han Qingtao did have a somewhat special status in the past."

"When put this way, it’s not entirely impossible." Chao Feng mused: "Find some censors to report this situation back to the capital. Since the matter is not yet clear, we need not report it ourselves for now."

Yu Zan: "What the Grand Secretary desires is very reasonable. I believe the Emperor and the Grand Secretary will surely uncover the truth."

On one hand, Han Qingtao’s escape meant someone had to take the blame.

On the other hand, if this matter is reported, Mu Chunyang will return to the capital to see the Emperor to avoid suspicion, and Mr. Liu Chong wouldn’t be able to use his help anymore.

"Speaking personally, I still want to believe in Master Mu." Chao Feng commented as he took his seat: "The Emperor has always been benevolent and magnanimous, and he should give Master Mu an opportunity. It is said that in the northwest, the barbarian invaders and the demon monks of the Western Regions have become increasingly troublesome lately."

Yu Zan: "What the Grand Secretary said is very true. Over the years, there have been reports that the demon monks of the Western Regions have entrenched themselves in Sumi. It’s not just the Jiamu Department; the scriptures suggest that all Five Vajra Sects are present.

Judging from the scale of the Jiamu Department, the remaining four departments are likely similar, suggesting they’ve become quite a force."

Chao Feng: "Hmm, especially with their further collusion with the barbarian invaders, this isn’t like any normal affliction. If our dynasty wants to completely quell the unrest in Sumi, it will involve a comprehensive effort and careful planning."

The surge of Heavenly and Earthly Spiritual Qi in the Ming Realm has lasted for hundreds of years, with profound foundations.

The places where its power is hindered are often internal...

Yu Zan: "The Grand Secretary must have a comprehensive plan."

Chao Feng nodded slowly.

......

Returning to the Earth Sea, Lei Jun could already feel that the pressure from the Ming Realm on Guicang was visibly beginning to lighten.

Was their opponent strategically preparing a powerful strike, or simply performing another traditional show?

Lei Jun chose not to concern himself for the moment, only ensuring there were no chances for the Ming Realm to pass through Guicang.

His junior sister, Tang Xiaotang, was still in the Khanate Mortal Realm with the invaders. Once things settled down there, Lei Jun would consider visiting the Ming Realm himself when he had the opportunity.

Although the Earth Sea had not entirely settled down yet, it was unlikely to cause significant upheaval.

The chief of the Ju Li Clan, Li Bin, was leveraging the Earth Sea’s geographical advantages to arduously evade Li Tianqing’s pursuit.

Li Tianqing, inheritor of the Witch Dance Lineage, had the distinctive challenge of requiring time to conquer an opponent of the same hierarchy.

However, once he solidified his victory, his opponent was almost guaranteed to suffer a total defeat, equating failure with death, leaving little chance for escape.

Just like the time of the Nine-winged Golden Centipede.

Xing Feng was sealing off the Void Gateway connected to Luo Yuan leading to the Earth Sea.

This incident revealed to Lei Jun that Wei Ancheng’s successor as the Blood River Sect Leader was no ordinary individual either.

Although not entirely unfettered, this individual could traverse the path to Luo Yuan alone and frequently...

Currently, both sides were not opponents, so Lei Jun did not pry into how Xing Feng accomplished this.

His attention was on another matter.

The Ju Li clan had ancient origins.

However, regarding the current naming of the Ju Li tribes, Lei Jun harbored doubts.

These names corresponding to celestial names such as Greedy Wolf, Broken Army, Giant Gate, Left Assistant, and Right Assistant — from what Lei Jun understood since entering this world, their history did not appear as ancient as the Ju Li themselves...

So, when did the names Tanli, Poli, Julli, Fuli, and Bili amongst the Ju Li tribes originate?

Who gave them these names?

"Celestial Master."

In the Earth Sea, Shen Qubing greeted Lei Jun and introduced the woman beside him, a member of the Ju Li lineage: "This is Li Ying, the chieftain of the Wu Li tribe."