Cultivation: Fortune by Lots

Chapter 908: Chapter 341: Celestial Master, Lei Jun

341.

"In the battle with Huang Xuanpu, even the Sect Leader was seriously injured and is still recuperating. Please excuse any lack of decorum."

Lei Jun, Yuan Mobai, and Shangguan Ning accompanied Tang Xiaotang to receive Chu Yu, Zhang Mu, and others.

Xu Yuanzhen was indeed injured, but certainly not to the extent that she couldn’t meet people.

However, in similar circumstances, she always refrained from participating.

Chu Yu and Zhang Mu, representatives of the Tang Imperial Court, were likely well aware of this and wouldn’t bring it up indiscreetly.

With Tang Xiaotang, Lei Jun, and Yuan Mobai present, it was sufficient.

The Tang Imperial Court spared no generosity this time.

Directly bestowing titles upon four Taoist Masters at once.

Xu Yuanzhen.

Tang Xiaotang.

Lei Jun.

Yuan Mobai.

The quantity was unprecedented.

But as all titles went to the Dragon Tiger Mountain, there was no concern of devaluing the honors through mass conferral.

If there was any additional impact, it was to further elevate the prestige of Dragon Tiger Mountain.

Since the founding of the Great Tang Dynasty, such faith in a single great sect and sacred land was unheard of.

Even tracing back through previous dynasties, it was rarely seen.

Hence, within the inner circle of the Tang Imperial Court, there was much discussion about this particular bestowment.

An award must indeed be given.

Titles must indeed be conferred.

Confer four? No problem.

But could there be a sequence rather than granting all at once?

Ultimately, Empress Zhang Wantong made the final decision.

The four great masters of Dragon Tiger Mountain emerged.

"I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty’s favor,"

Yuan Mobai calmly said, "The Sect Leader, Yuan Zhen’s junior, and Chongyun have all made significant contributions to the realm; I, however, being an ordinary person, dare not claim such an honor bestowed from above."

Lei Jun also responded calmly, "Your Majesty’s favor makes me uneasy. The Sect Leader and Senior Master have both achieved the Mahayana Realm, worthy of being called ’Master’. My experience and cultivation are superficial and not appropriate to be on par with them."

Although there is no explicit rule regarding the cultivation realm, according to established conventions, the Tang Imperial Court conferred the title of Taoist Master to those who had attained the Ninth Heavenly Layer in the Mahayana as a High Immortal.

Aside from the recent case of Huang Xuanpu, the last Dharma Protector was the previous leader of the Celestial Master Mansion many years ago, the first Celestial Master Li Zhiyuan.

Of course, achieving the Ninth Heavenly Layer realm does not automatically grant one this title.

In theory, it should exist.

But the timing can be flexible.

Therefore, generally, only those who have made great contributions to the Great Tang Dynasty earn this honor.

Huang Xuanpu, before his true identity as the Mortal Tao Country Emperor was revealed, Xu Yuanzhen had already reached the Ninth Heavenly Layer.

However, her challenge to Jinzhou Ye Moquan, nominally a private duel,

and subsequently breaking the overseas altar of the Yellow Sky Sect, though due to enmity between the Celestial Master Mansion and the Yellow Sky Sect, could be considered a contribution to the Great Tang Dynasty, albeit slightly insufficient in weight.

In the campaign against the Heavenly Principle, she abandoned her post midway.

And with Elder Huang’s dark history coming to light, the "Master Xu" honor was thus put on hold.

However, she herself didn’t particularly care.

But now with Huang Xuanpu and the Mortal Tao Country both becoming history, the Tang Imperial Court certainly wouldn’t feign ignorance.

As for Lei Jun’s words, Chu Yu and Zhang Mu only smiled and shook their heads.

You’ve indeed been in Dragon Tiger Mountain for a short time, but Tang Xiaotang is two years younger than you, and regarding cultivation realm, it seems the current Great Tang Mortal Realm hardly views you as a cultivator of the Eighth Heavenly Layer anymore.

"Master Lei is too modest."

Chu Yu: "Eliminating the demon path practitioner Huang Xuanpu and reinforcing the foundations of the dynasty, such accomplishments have been rare since the founding of the Great Tang."

Moreover, even without considering the Mortal Tao Country affair, Master Lei, regarding your prior actions in the Earth Sea, eliminating the traitor Yang Yuqi, you have equally contributed to the Great Tang realm."

The most influential figures of the remnants of the Former Sui were undoubtedly from the lineage of Shengkang King Yang Yuqi and the powerful branch of the royal family who switched to the Witchcraft Sect, Wei Ancheng.

Without these two, even if someone used the name of the Former Sui’s Shengkang, it would be difficult to achieve anything significant.

In the great battle of the Earth Sea, Lei Jun first eliminated Yang Yuqi and then opposed Wei Ancheng.

Tang Xiaotang then personally killed Wei Ancheng thereafter.

Before concluding the Chapter of the Mortal Tao Country, the Celestial Master Mansion had already ended a Chapter of history belonging to the Former Sui.

Even without the Mortal Tao Country event, with these merits, Tang Xiaotang and Lei Jun would be deserving of the title of Great Tang Dharma Protector.

"Please, Master Yuan, do not be too humble; previously, on Dragon Tiger Mountain, the elimination of the traitorous demon path practitioners like Rong Guangchen was also thanks to your invaluable contributions."

Prince Xun’an Zhang Mu smiled: "Over many years, although you have mostly remained on the mountain, your pivotal role in stabilizing the South has been witnessed by everyone."

Yuan Mobai consistently maintained a gentle smile, unperturbed by glory or shame. After expressing humility, he did not firmly refuse.

However, after hearing Zhang Mu’s words, he glanced at his disciple Lei Jun.

Lei Jun turned his gaze.

His master’s always gentle eyes revealed a rare hint of playfulness.

Yuan Mobai himself was not attached to the title of Master, and found it amusing because, in some sense, he benefited from his disciple’s achievements.

In terms of accomplishments, Yuan Mobai was also sufficient, but since his cultivation hadn’t reached the Ninth Heavenly Layer, the Tang Imperial Court could easily wait.

But Lei Jun was sure to receive the title.

First, his merits were notable; second, he was about to succeed to the position of Celestial Master.

Such a significant event, the Tang Imperial Court would certainly not miss.

This world wasn’t strictly governed by filial piety, but naturally, it wasn’t overlooked.

Xu Yuanzhen and Tang Xiaotang no longer had anyone above them in their lineage, but Lei Jun still had Yuan Mobai.

Since Lei Jun already set the precedent for conferring the title of Master at the Eighth Heavenly Layer and Yuan Mobai also met the standards, the Tang Imperial Court decided to officially announce the four great masters from Dragon Tiger Mountain CeMaster Mansion, publicly for all to see.