Chapter 1226 - 408: Above the Ninth Heavenly Layer (Ten-Thousand-Word Epic)

Chapter 1226: Chapter 408: Above the Ninth Heavenly Layer (Ten-Thousand-Word Epic)

An Inner Attendant may also step onto the cultivation path.

Whether in the realm of the Great Tang or the Great Ming, the cultivation world boasts a long history; throughout its lengthy years, such matters have long since been commonplace.

Those with physical deficiencies may face certain inconveniences, but the path remains never entirely barred.

Even the Martial Tao, which places great importance on vigorous blood and corporeal life mastery, has corresponding branches.

Just as women practicing martial arts may achieve accomplishments.

Yet, over many years and generations, among the groups related to Inner Attendants, few excel in the path of cultivation, hence it’s seldom deliberately mentioned by people.

But currently, in the realm of the Great Ming, quite a stir has been caused.

After all, the Great Ming Dynasty and northern foreign tribes, along with the Western Regions Buddhist Sect, are engaged in a great war, gathering elite experts from both sides.

Under such circumstances, achieving victory on the front battlefield is beyond the reach of average individuals.

"In the Great Bright Palace, an unexpected talent has emerged among the Inner Attendants, and it seems they are more than one," Lei Jun remarked.

Chu Kun: "Though the noble children from the Ming Court’s royal family are numerous, few reach maturity, yet the Inner Court has cultivated experts from a different angle."

The Ming Emperor is willing to send them out of the palace to join the army on the northern expedition; this time, the Great Ming Dynasty has indeed achieved a rare unity, launching a full-scale assault.

"Senior brother, if they forcibly invade Sumi, what will be the outcome of this battle?" Chu Kun asked softly.

The Buddhist Handprint Lineage has become prominent in Sumi.

However, the opponent they face this time is unlike any from before.

The realm of the Great Ming has experienced a surge of Heavenly and Earthly Spiritual Qi for centuries, whether in terms of its duration or its current abundance, it remains unparalleled among all realms.

Previously, the Great Ming Dynasty was deeply troubled by severe internal conflict, unable even to fight its own battles, constantly undermining one another.

In facing threats from northern foreign tribes, the Guicang Little Ming Court, the Mortal Tao Country, Guixu, or the Southern Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, the greatest enemy for Ming cultivators often came from behind, within their homeland.

To some extent, in their own perspectives, they often view each other as true adversaries.

The border threats amount to mere minor afflictions.

The threat to the temples is what truly endangers the nation.

Yet when the Great Ming Dynasty finally ends its internal conflict to achieve cohesion, it stands as an indisputable colossus at the present time.

Not only Sumi’s Jiemo Division and northern foreign tribes find it hard to withstand.

The entire Five Sections of the Mount Sumeru Vajra World face a formidable challenge.

Vajra Sect Leader Garuda fell, and Lotus Division Leader Zongjia was trapped outside.

Fortunately, with full support, Sumi might still have the Lord of the Buddha Department, Treasure Department Master, and Jiemo Division Master, three great Buddhist sect masters of Ninth Heavenly Layer Perfection, leading other Buddhist sect masters in defense.

Yet on the opposing side, the Great Ming Dynasty engages equally numerous experts of Ninth Heavenly Layer.

"Grand Secretary Chen Yu has become a true leader among them this time."

Chu Kun added: "Besides current ministers and Taoist and Buddhist experts, even former elder members of the Imperial Cabinet have reemerged."

In terms of age, these elders must all be over six hundred years old, right?"

Lei Jun: "Certainly, there are even some over seven hundred."

The overall maintained system of principle constants allows scholarly cultivators to uncharacteristically sustain mighty strength even in advanced age.

In other cultivation paths, Third Heaven Cultivators aged over six hundred are inevitably growing weak.

But within the School of Principle, to some extent, this phase represents their prime.

The notion of retiring and returning home is mostly a product of political defeat in court, only a few genuinely step into the final stage of life, commencing genuine decay.

Thus, many with old bodies but youthful minds remain.

Ironically, the younger generation of cultivators in the School of Principle appears mediocre, even feeble compared to other cultivation paths.

In the Great Ming Dynasty, those who enter the Imperial Cabinet must possess at least Ninth Heavenly Layer cultivation.

Only upon entering the cabinet can they bear state affairs, achieving the Perfection of the Ninth Heavenly Layer.

The notion of retiring and returning home, as long as they settle securely, does not deprive them of their past cultivation achievements.

Therefore, the elder statesmen of the Great Ming Dynasty awaiting to make a comeback deserve serious attention.

Though in terms of longevity, they may not have much time left.

"Why do they still fight so desperately?" Chu Kun sighed.

Lei Jun: "First, their disciples and old acquaintances form a network; second, this time it’s a favorable battle, and under such circumstances, many wish to explore Sumi further."

Chu Kun listened, seemingly deep in thought.

The Buddhist Handprint Lineage has thrived in Sumi.

It may contain secrets or treasures.

Many would be interested to investigate or try their luck.

Especially through Guicang, hearing news from the Great Tang, as the realm of the Great Tang once invaded Sumi, killed Vajra Sect Leader Garuda and other experts, and withdrew entirely, dispelling some concerns on the Great Ming side.

However...

"Sumi may not be so easily accessible," Lei Jun said slowly.

Back then, when he and Tang Xiaotang invaded Sumi, they caught the opponent off guard.

Earlier, after he annihilated the Great Tang Vajra Temple, blocking the portal from the realm of the Great Tang to Sumi, looking precarious due to various considerations.

There was strength, but not abundance.

Lei Jun’s intention was to mislead those remaining at Sumi’s Vajra Division and Vajra Sect Leader Garuda in the realm of the Great Tang.

Yet, in the end, he also misled others from the other five sections within Sumi’s Vajra Realm.

Therefore, when Lei Jun and Tang Xiaotang unexpectedly killed Vajra Sect Leader Garuda and forced their way into Sumi, the four sections of Sumi’s Vajra Realm were actually quite empty.

Only Treasure Department Master Vanda?a was regularly guarding Sumi, and many of his subordinates from the Treasure Department were still in the world of the Great Han.

As for the Buddha Department, and the Lotus Division operating in the realm of the Great Song and the Jiemo Division in the realm of the Great Ming, they were fundamentally not in Sumi.