Cultivation: Fortune by Lots

Chapter 924 - 344: Recognition from the Enemy (First Update)

Jiasheng Upper Master and Lei Jun exchanged glances.Moments later, he said, "There might be a misunderstanding, much like your sect’s previous misunderstanding regarding the Celestial Master Robe."

Lei Jun: "I hope so too."

Standing aside, Chu Yu and Prince Xun’an Zhang Mu, upon hearing Lei Jun’s words, seemed contemplative.

The Western Regions and Snowy Plains are vast and sparsely populated, so the Great Tang Dynasty’s control over there is relatively limited.

The few areas suitable for ordinary people’s residence and reproduction were previously under the protection of the Buddhist Sect’s Sacred Land, Vajra Temple, to prevent attacks from Great Demons.

After the descent of the Sumi Vajra Division, there’s no need to elaborate further.

However, that area has become even more mysterious.

The court’s reports from that region, although mentioning bits and pieces, are unclear in details.

Thus, when Chu Yu and Zhang Mu heard Lei Jun’s words today, they were slightly surprised.

However, they did not express this outwardly, maintaining their usual composure as if they were merely witnesses, observing silently from the side.

"Although the Master is in seclusion, and Senior Brother Renzhu has perished, our sect will not lose discipline over its disciples."

Jiasheng Upper Master stood up to take his leave: "I will personally pay attention to related matters."

He left the congratulatory gifts brought on this trip, no longer participating in the ceremony, and descended the mountain.

Referring to going further, possibly related to the Taoist treasures connected with the Netherworld, was no longer mentioned.

Returning to the Sumi Vajra Division, Jiasheng Upper Master gathered his wandering thoughts, met with the Vajra Sect Leader, and reported the events of this journey.

The Vajra Sect Leader Garuda currently appeared with no anomalies from the outside; his previous injuries no longer evident, but the previously radiant and solid Buddhist light surrounding him was now slightly dimmed.

Upon hearing Jiasheng Upper Master’s words, he nodded slightly: "You’ve worked hard."

Jiasheng Upper Master: "Unable to achieve the pre-arranged goals, I am ashamed of letting down the Master’s trust."

Vajra Sect Leader: "Do not force it; do not let it weigh on your mind."

Jiasheng Upper Master quietly said, "The Great Tang Court does not outwardly show clear tendencies, but judging by the current situation, things don’t favor our sect."

The situation in Great Tang has continuously changed, with internal and external troubles flaring up one after another.

Therefore, compared to when Sumi had just returned, now the Tang Imperial Court has relaxed significantly towards them.

But correspondingly, the Sumi Vajra Division now also faces the strong opponent of Huangquan Li Shushan, not to mention the stronger emergence of Great Tang’s local Taoist Holy Land.

If forced to choose between the Great Tang Dao Sect and Western Region Buddhism, in the current situation, the latter lacks confidence in itself.

The rumors about the Great Tang National Master have already spread widely.

The Great Tang Dao Sect, or more precisely, the Daoist Talisman Sect Sacred Land Celestial Master Mansion, currently holds a clear lead over the Sumi Vajra Division by one or even several positions.

There are discussions emerging within the Tang Court, and the suspense of who will ultimately prevail is more due to the interactions among several top experts within the Celestial Master Mansion.

"Previously, taking down Bashu could have barely tied the score, but without seizing Bashu, there’s no chance left."

The Vajra Sect Leader smiled and said, "This is my oversight, can’t blame others, just a pity for Renzhu."

Jiasheng Upper Master bowed his head.

In the current Tang Imperial Family’s perspective, they find it challenging to regain prominence.

The Tang Imperial Family isn’t united as one, that’s true.

But whether it’s the young man in Luoyang’s Eastern Palace or the old Prince in Northern Lands Youzhou, both have close connections with the local Great Tang esteemed Confucian families.

They have had contact with the Sumi Vajra Division, but also have exercised restraint.

Moreover, at least under the current Great Tang circumstances, in the royal court’s view, Jiasheng still favors the current Tang Emperor more.

"The Celestial Master Mansion’s understanding of our side is deeper than expected," the Vajra Sect Leader said thoughtfully.

Jiasheng Upper Master quietly said, "I feel the same."

The Vajra Sect Leader pondered silently.

Jiasheng Upper Master quietly asked, "Master, if the Celestial Master Mansion refuses our sect’s kind offer, then what about the Biliu Pearl connected with Bluestone Drop and the Netherworld?"

Vajra Sect Leader: "Let’s keep it in Sumi for now; although this treasure is a Taoist item, its mystery is profound, and might prove useful later."

Jiasheng Upper Master bowed his head: "Understood."

......

Cangzhou Ye Clan Ancestral Land.

Currently, Ye Clan Chief Ye Wei, along with the visiting Youzhou Forest Clan Chief Lin Huan, walked through the winter gardens.

The former clan chief Ye Moquan was waiting.

"Shi," Lin Huan stepped forward to greet.

"Yujing is here," Ye Moquan invited them to sit: "How is the cultural pulse of Youzhou currently?"

Lin Huan: "Twenty years of hard work has finally shown initial results, but we’re still far from restoring the former glory."

Ye Moquan: "Being able to reconnect the cultural pulse is good; related matters cannot be rushed."

Lin Huan: "The Shi speaks wisely."

Ye Wei softly said from the side: "The Celestial Master’s inheritance ceremony at Dragon Tiger Mountain was held as scheduled, with Xuanxiao Zi Lei Jun taking over the portal of Celestial Master Mansion, becoming the new Celestial Master."

Ye Moquan: "Although there are currently two Ninth Heavenly Layer and two Eighth Heavenly Layer individuals, the court’s one-time consecration of the four Great Celestial Masters at Dragon Tiger Mountain is quite fitting and well-deserved."

Ye Wei: "The momentum of Dragon Tiger Mountain has already formed..."

Ye Moquan: "Unfortunately, we lost that Chen Yi."

Lin Huan: "Have you heard about the Celestial Master Mansion and Mount Shu Sect, and Hui Tian Hall collaborating in alchemy and medicine for disaster relief, Shi?"

"I’ve heard; it’s said that it’s the initiative of that young new Celestial Master." Ye Moquan nodded: "With the court’s involvement, also from Heavenly Principle, and participation from the newly established Taoist Engineer Master Lineage, Mystery Observatory."

Lin Huan seemed thoughtful.

Ye Moquan asked, "Yujing, what are your thoughts?"

Lin Huan: "Under the rule of this new Celestial Master, Dragon Tiger Mountain Celestial Master Mansion currently exhibits a style relatively calm and introverted, but the Taoist sect as a whole, with its four legacies, shows an outward expansion and upward posture, and the other major Taoist legacies all need attention..."