Cultivation: Fortune by Lots

Chapter 923 - 343: New Heavenly Master, New Atmosphere

Listening on the sidelines, Chu Yu and Prince Xun’an, Zhang Mu, remained silent, their expressions unchanged.The Sumi Vajra Sect had previously labored hard, and the Tang Imperial Court had decided to reward their efforts.

The Sumi Vajra Sect will not enter the core areas such as Guanlong and the Central Plains, but will operate on the outskirts of the Western Regions. The court will not obstruct or interfere this time.

However, it will also not explicitly support them.

The extent to which they succeed depends on the Sumi Vajra monks negotiating with other local forces.

The first opponent the Sumi Vajra Sect must face is the currently influential Longhu Mountain Celestial Master’s Mansion.

Although the Celestial Master Mansion does not operate in the western frontiers, the Mount Shu Sect does.

Currently, the Great Tang Mount Shu Sect, in terms of both influence and power, naturally cannot compare to the Sumi Vajra Sect.

Who is the more capable ally seems not difficult to choose?

Although there were some unpleasantness and disputes earlier, the current momentum of the Celestial Master Mansion is established. No matter the Sumi Vajra Sect’s current view of them, opposing the Celestial Master Mansion now is no easy task.

Given this, it might be better to make friends, to ease relations, in order to deal with other forces in the Tang Realm.

Just as the leadership of the Celestial Master Mansion is about to change.

Lei Jun’s cultivation realm, though temporarily lower than Tang Xiaotang’s, will undoubtedly represent the attitudes of Longhu Mountain as he assumes the Celestial Master’s position.

Compared to Tang Xiaotang, who has an inexplicably strong personal aversion to the Western Region Buddhism, Lei Jun’s ascension is an opportunity to improve the relationship between the two sides.

Under the rule of the Great Tang Dynasty, the Sumi Vajra Sect always needs a strong opponent to exist.

Only then can the Tang Emperor be at ease.

"Concerning the Netherworld, our Sect accumulated slight clues in the early years. But since these are related to the Taoist Sect, our Sect hasn’t gained much over the years. If your Sect’s high-ranking members investigate, it might be greatly beneficial." Jiasheng Upper Master continued slowly.

The implied meaning was more like some heavy and actual Taoist treasure.

This time, the Sumi Vajra Sect seemed prepared to make a significant investment.

However...

Lei Jun’s tone remained calm and steady: "Since this is in Bashu, Chuanxi, relevant Daoist friends from the Mount Shu Sect should be invited to discuss this matter together."

Jiasheng Upper Master observed Lei Jun.

Lei Jun’s expression was peaceful, his eyes profound, calm as waves.

Yet beneath the Abyssal Sea, it seemed like hidden thunder, making it hard to meet his gaze.

The Sumi Vajra Sect intends to spread scriptures and establish branch monasteries in Chuanxi, Bashu, and Nanzhao, inevitably squeezing local forces.

But Lei Jun’s words clearly supported the Mount Shu Sect, rejecting the Sumi Vajra Sect.

He chose the obviously weaker, but Tao-affiliated Mount Shu Sect.

Avoiding the formation of a Buddhist-Taoist alliance, thus considering the views of the Tang Imperial Court... Jiasheng Upper Master pondered.

At least for now, it won’t happen.

The Celestial Master Mansion and the Sumi Vajra Sect are currently strong, but the Tang Imperial Court can still accommodate them.

Even without mentioning the original prestigious Confucian families of the Great Tang, compared to the Celestial Master Mansion and the Sumi Vajra Sect, the likes of Huangquan Li Shushan, Earth Sea Jiu Li, and False Ming are more likely to become threats.

"Regarding the Western Regions, your Sect’s Vajra Sect Leader is recuperating from injuries, and you, Master, went overseas earlier, which may have led you to overlook nearby matters."

Lei Jun: "Your Sect’s disciples might have been imprudent, and Master, you may need to regulate them somewhat."

Jiasheng Upper Master was taken aback.

Lei Jun calmly said: "The Western Regions and Snowy Plains are vast and sparsely populated, yet local people still live and prosper, though the practice of keeping serfs is common there.

In the past thousand years, the Vajra Temple has gradually regulated and improved, which is gratifying.

However, in recent years, the trend of local nobles keeping and mistreating serfs seems to be on the rise..."

He looked into Jiasheng Upper Master’s eyes: "Master should look into this."

At that moment, Jiasheng Upper Master, a Buddhist expert in the Nine Heavens Realm, felt as though he was facing not a deep Abyssal Sea, but a towering mountain reaching into the clouds.