Cultivation: Fortune by Lots

Chapter 917: Chapter 342: Pivotal Influence

Looking at the tall, imposing young Celestial Master who stood like a mountain and was as composed as an abyss, the elder Fang Du of the Jingxiang Fang Clan was momentarily speechless.

He quickly collected himself, lowered his voice and said, "He is the one whom all hopes rest upon. It’s not simply his own reputation, but also the reputations of Xu Yuanzhen and Yuan Mobai that have been vested in him, creating this current atmosphere..."

Xu Yuanzhen was not even present at the ceremony at the moment, but she was currently the highest-cultivated cultivator in the Celestial Master Mansion, and in the Great Tang Realm, she was the most advanced in cultivation within the Talisman Sect.

Among Xu, Tang, and Lei, she was the oldest and also the first to gain fame.

But due to various reasons, she had always narrowly missed out on the position of Celestial Master for many years.

Nevertheless, whether in the Great Tang Realm or within the Celestial Master Mansion, her strong presence could not be ignored by anyone.

Xu Yuanzhen had no direct disciples.

In fact, according to the convention of the Taoist Sect’s discipleship from ancient times to the present, both the recent former Celestial Masters Tang Xiaotang and Lei Jun should have been her direct disciples.

Xu Yuanzhen herself passed by Celestial Master Hall without entering.

Her reputation and influence were to some extent shared by Tang Xiaotang and Lei Jun.

As for Lei Jun’s formal mentor, Yuan Mobai, although rarely showing prominence, he also enjoyed a high reputation both inside and outside the Celestial Master Mansion.

Especially back in the day around the time of Li Wai’s great battle, it was widely acknowledged that Yuan Mobai was a suitable candidate for Celestial Master from both sides.

When the Celestial Master’s position was long undecided, Yuan Mobai even temporarily took charge of the Altar of Wanfa Sect.

Due to his unique background, he too narrowly missed the position of Celestial Master.

However, because of the subsequent actions of the newly appointed Sect Leader Celestial Master Tang, most of the routine affairs within the mansion were still managed by Yuan Mobai.

It was only in recent years that the related responsibilities gradually shifted to Lei Jun.

Correspondingly, the years of reputation that Yuan Mobai had accrued also bolstered Lei Jun’s standing.

In addition to his own reputation, Lei Jun effortlessly gained even more accolades.

In fact, due to certain styles and actions of a former Celestial Master, the two major clans now have even greater anticipation with the more composed and steady Celestial Master Lei in position.

Though many decisions during Celestial Master Tang’s tenure were not solely her own.

But now an officially more reliable person has ascended to control the situation, Celestial Master Tang has stepped down to become a High Merit Elder, representing another aspect of people’s expectations in positively influencing the future decisions of the Celestial Master Mansion.

Following numerous trials and tribulations, the signs of rejuvenation in the Dragon Tiger Mountain Celestial Master Mansion are increasingly prominent, raising hopes and culminating in the most eagerly anticipated new Celestial Master in hundreds of years.

Elder Chu Peng of the Suzhou Chu Clan agreed with Fang Du’s assessment, but he interjected, "This kind of expectation, it’s likely that Celestial Master Lei can bear and uphold it."

Hearing these words, Fang Du fell silent for a moment, then nodded gently.

After Chu Peng made his statement, he also remained silent.

The two elders from prestigious families, looking at the grand spectacle of the ceremony before them, fell into silence for a moment.

After all, he is better than Xu Yuanzhen and Tang Xiaotang, not prone to madness without restraint.

Fang Du said softly, "I hope we can be granted a bit more time."

After speaking, he also spoke aloud: "Nine Heavens Xuan Yuan, Nine Abyss Returning Truth, Doumu Canxu, Xuanxiao Puhua, Heaven-connecting Primordial Guarding Law Master."

Hearing this, the disciples of the Jingxiang Fang Clan, who had varied expressions, promptly composed themselves and saluted with Fang Du.

Chu Peng then spoke: "Nine Heavens Xuan Yuan, Nine Abyss Returning Truth, Doumu Canxu, Xuanxiao Puhua, Heaven-connecting Primordial Guarding Law Master."

The disciples of the Suzhou Chu Clan also followed suit.

In the distance, Chu Yu remained calm, his gaze unwavering.

Among the Purple Robe High Merit Elders of the Celestial Master Mansion, Chu Kun glanced back before withdrawing his gaze.

Amid the guests, a middle-aged man who appeared younger even than the owner of Hui Tian Hall, Yu Cheng, observed the scene with a smile.

He too stood up and said loudly, "Nine Heavens Xuan Yuan, Nine Abyss Returning Truth, Doumu Canxu, Xuanxiao Puhua, Heaven-connecting Primordial Guarding Law Master."

As he spoke, the surrounding guests instinctively focused their attention on him.

Sun Mingjing.

The most renowned doctor among the current martial path healers in the Great Tang Realm, the Medicine King.

His actions and statements stirred the hearts of many more.

Sun Mingjing himself remained composed.

Beside him, his disciple Yu Cheng was also calm, rising to salute alongside his master.

The new Celestial Master Lei Jun stood before the Celestial Master Hall, returning the salutes to those congratulating him.

The next day, January 16th.

Lei Jun once again went to the Altar of Wanfa Sect.

Lin Shan followed closely behind.

At this ceremony, Lei Jun personally conducted the Talisman enhancement for Lin Shan.

The other party had achieved the Taoist Talisman Sect’s Heaven-connecting Realm of the Seventh Heavenly Layer, and with a fourth enhancement, he was bestowed the "Supreme Pureness Three Caverns Scripture Talisman," received a second-rank Taoist position, donned the Purple Robe, and became the newest High Merit Elder of the Dragon Tiger Mountain Celestial Master Mansion.

After enhancing Lin Shan, the formal inauguration of another grand event, also combined with this Celestial Master succession ceremony, officially commenced.

It was the every-three-years Transcension Ritual of the Celestial Master Mansion, which had arrived once again today.

This was also the first Transcension Ritual presided over by Lei Jun after assuming the position of Celestial Master.

This time’s Transcension Ritual was also special and far-reaching.

Because in this Transcension, the Yellow Sky Sect, which previously left Dragon Tiger Mountain to become independent, would officially return to the sect.

The disciples returning to Dragon Tiger Mountain’s Yellow Sky Sect were mostly young at present.

At first glance, the weight seemed somewhat lacking.

But the Yellow Sky Sect’s overseas and Chuanxi two major altars were successively destroyed; even if there were diehard factions still at large, they were no longer influential.

The Yellow Sky Sect, in the Great Tang Realm, would indeed become history.

Thus, no one would think the current actions of the Celestial Master Mansion were self-indulgent or self-deceptive.