Cultivation: Fortune by Lots

Chapter 903: Chapter 339: Celestial Master Tang Hands Over Leadership, Fully Satisfied (Double-Length Chapter)_5

He hesitated to speak.

The Vajra Sect Leader looked at him calmly.

Jiasheng Upper Master softly said, "There have been recent rumors in the court that the current emperor wishes to appoint a State-protecting Mage for the Great Tang."

The Great Tang National Master.

Upon hearing this, the Vajra Sect Leader gazed towards the east, where the Imperial Capital Luoyang was located.

Then, his gaze shifted, looking towards the southeast direction.

Towards the direction of the Celestial Master Mansion on Dragon Tiger Mountain in Xinzhou, Jiangnan.

Jiasheng Upper Master silently stood behind the Vajra Sect Leader.

The two great experts of the Xumi Sect remained quietly silent.

......

At this moment, Tang Xiaotang and Lei Jun, one bright and one dark, returned together to Dragon Tiger Mountain.

The opportunity to appear as a saint before the rescued common people had fully satisfied Tang Xiaotang’s desires.

The subsequent matter of settling the civilians and offering disaster relief was handled by the Great Tang Imperial Court and the Bashu seated Mount Shu Sect.

The task of eradicating the remnants of the Yellow Sky Sect was managed by Chu Kun and Shangguan Ning.

"This time, at least it wasn’t a wasted trip."

Overall, a certain Celestial Master was in a very good mood.

She casually tossed something she obtained from Taoist Kang An to Lei Jun:

"There’s nothing I can use, but there’s something you might want to try."

Lei Jun casually examined it and found the item Tang Xiaotang was referring to.

A group of seemingly illusory flames, appearing ghostly blue, not only did not give a sense of warmth but also made one feel a chill from the soul’s depths.

The illusory flames did not burn tangible objects but rather had the potential to scar the spiritual soul thoughts of living beings at any moment.

"Cold Flame Spirit..." Lei Jun mused.

This thing, for others, indeed had very little use.

Only experts like Taoist Kang An from the Inner Mount Shu Sect might find it useful to refine magical treasures or magic artifacts.

For human cultivators, it was rather harmful.

But Lei Jun had a particular advantage in that he had once used the Lethean Mist to purify his spiritual soul by chance.

This rare experience offered him an opportunity to further refine his spiritual soul using the Cold Flame Spirit.

At that time, the strength of Lei Jun’s spiritual soul would be, let alone compared to figures like Ding Chuan who was at the Eightfold Heaven Realm, even when facing Li Yan of the Ninth Heavenly Layer, it would be difficult for the opponent to shake Lei Jun under the attack of spiritual soul magic.

However, this Cold Flame Spirit could not be used directly.

It needed to be processed first.

Through at least the First Layer of the Ninefold Heaven Realm, using the Mysterious Spirit Primary Qi of the Taoist Talisman Sect Great Vehicle High Immortal who refined the Profound Darkness Dust to temper the Netherworld, this Cold Flame Spirit could be refined further, so Lei Jun could make use of it at the Eightfold Heaven Realm.

"I’ll help you process it later." Tang Xiaotang said casually.

"I won’t be polite with you, little senior sister." Lei Jun smiled.

This should be the Third-Rank Opportunity referred to in that moderately good lot directed towards Golden Bridge Peak.

Lei Jun then handed the Vermilion Spirit Barren Bone to Master Yuan Mobai.

Yuan Mobai was slightly surprised and pondered: "It indeed might come in handy."

Though he was an orthodox Talisman Sect cultivator, perfectly normal in cultivation like everyone else.

Yet this Vermilion Spirit Barren Bone had vicious demon energy intermingled in it.

Handled properly, it might be a significant opportunity.

"Baobao’s realm is still low and can’t suppress this bone," Lei Jun stated.

Yuan Mobai: "No rush, let me study it first, then later I’ll call Hua Jie to observe together."

Tang Xiaotang snorted lightly: "There’s nothing I can use, and places like the Netherworld... "

Lei Jun: "Don’t worry, little senior sister, there’s plenty of time."

Tang Xiaotang was still in high spirits: "Those deceptive demonic paths of the Inner Mount Shu Sect obediently behaved, or else I would have struck down to the Netherworld to see."

However, she remembered something and her eyebrows immediately showed signs of standing erect: "Yet those bald monks from the Western Regions..."

Yuan Mobai lightly shook his head: "Their evil deeds have not yet manifested clearly, and it’s not yet time for decisive action — at least not until the sect leader restrains their course."

Lei Jun looked at Tang Xiaotang: "Little Senior Sister, we naturally trust your judgment, but it’s not easy to convince others in this matter.

Just like those bald monks, whatever plans they have, they never dare to speak about them openly.

The matter of the Four-eyed Python Emperor, even though I believe the Tang Imperial Court has suspicions, he has never appeared before the public again; the Western Region Buddhism hides him well."

To the people of the Great Tang Realm, what is the current image of the Sumi Vajra Division?

Their origin and actions are a bit mysterious, with many experts. They are proactive in spreading the teachings of Buddhism, but their actions are relatively gentle and kind, reasonable and understanding.

Since appearing in the world, they first helped the Great Tang quell the Guanlong demon turmoil, then subdue demons and suppress evil in the Southern Wilderness, confronting the Blood River Sect, the Intermediary Path Country, and Great Demons.

This time, they rushed to assist in sealing the Luo Yuan Portal, eradicating the remnants of the Intermediary Path Country, and in the battle of Bashu, a High Monk of the Nine Heavens fell, and the Vajra Sect Leader himself was injured.

Overall, their merits are significant, though they are a bit unfortunate.

Some unusual aspects like the death of the Four-eyed Python Emperor, the presence of Master Renzhu near the Dragon Tiger Mountain battle, may raise suspicions, but there are no obvious malicious acts, lacking concrete evidence.

The dispute over the Celestial Master Robe can now be laid to rest; they previously carried the "black pot" for the Intermediary Path Country.

"But from here on, their actions might become more significant."

Lei Jun: "This time with Garuda personally coming forth, it ironically amplified your reputation, Little Senior Sister, and the blow to their spreading of teachings in the Great Tang might be greater than the fall of a High Monk of the Nine Heavens."

"He deserves it!"

Tang Xiaotang snorted, but she quickly cooled down, now showing a curious look:

"Can they truly convert the Four-eyed Python Emperor of the Ninth Heavenly Layer?"

Lei Jun: "I discussed this with Senior Brother earlier. Relying solely on the Buddhist Hand Seal Lineage’s inheritance is impossible; they should also be using certain special Spiritual Objects and Magic Artifacts, along with other special conditions, to give it a try.

Opportunities like this must be rare; otherwise, it would have become rampant. The Sumi Vajra Division needs to handle it cautiously. As for the so-called conversion, it seems more like exploiting a loophole in their movement technique to replace their entire cultivation realm with a similar level in Buddhist cultivation, rather than dual inheritance of Buddha’s teachings and the original school’s heritage."

Tang Xiaotang’s eyebrows rose: "Hearing this, it’s truly unpleasant."

Lei Jun: "Step by step."

Yuan Mobai nearby had a smile on his face upon hearing this.

Later, Senior Sister Xu Yuanzhen finally returned to the mountain.

"How are things on your side?" she asked Lei Jun.

Lei Jun took out several Talisman Decrees: "Obtained from those two Intermediary Path Country cultivators of Da Ming."

Xu Yuanzhen waved her hand, offering a Talisman Paper she had drawn herself: "I’ve also summarized some things."

Lei Jun: "Let’s go to the Altar of Wanfa Sect; there are still some things from Huang Xuanpu, Fu Dongsen, and others."

Xu Yuanzhen: "Alright."

Inside the Altar of Wanfa Sect, Lei Jun and Xu Yuanzhen sat facing each other.

They began to sort through the numerous Spiritual Objects obtained from the Intermediary Path Country.

With their refining, a large amount of radiance circulated within the Altar of Wanfa Sect, producing many Tao Containment Talismans, gathering and eventually condensing into a massive Talisman Decree over several meters tall.

However, the surface of the Talisman Decree displayed numerous cracks and missing pieces.

"Further research is needed." Lei Jun said: "Huang Xuanpu is as cunning as a fox, he should have more hiding places; finding them might yield further gains."

Xu Yuanzhen: "No matter, reaching this point has basically solved the problem, the remaining is just a matter of time and effort."

Tang Xiaotang was curious: "Can it directly lead to the Great Ming Mortal Realm?"

Xu Yuanzhen: "More likely to lead to Penglai."

Tang Xiaotang sighed in admiration: "I’ve long heard of Penglai, when I have time, I should visit."

Xu Yuanzhen: "Then think of a way yourself. If you’re always starting with a bang and ending with a whimper, who is there to blame?"

This time, Tang Xiaotang remained calm, but instead, gave a mysterious smile: "I’ll handle it myself, don’t worry. I have new insights into my search and exploration methods!"

Lei Jun showed interest: "Oh?"

Tang Xiaotang smiled: "Later, I’ll go into retreat for a while and then ponder it carefully."

She stood up, stretched her body, feeling joyful, and turned to Lei Jun:

"Overall, there were some regrets on this trip, but as Master often says, let things take their course."

The tall woman smiled: "Therefore, some matters should also happen naturally."

On this day, within the Celestial Master Mansion of Dragon Tiger Mountain, one matter was announced to the entire sect:

After the new year this winter, the current Celestial Master, Tang Xiaotang, will voluntarily step down from the position of Sect Leader.

The position of the new Sect Leader of the Celestial Master Mansion of Dragon Tiger Mountain will be taken over by High Merit Elder Lei Jun.

The message spread across the world, inviting guests to Dragon Tiger Mountain to witness the event on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month after the new year.