Chapter 659: 290. Renowned Far and Wide Lei Chongyun (Two-in-One Chapter)_3

"Without the External Scenery of the Divine Court, we can consider him a cultivator of the Second Layer of the Eighth Heavenly Layer. However, even among the Talisman Sect cultivators at the Second Layer of the Eighth Heavenly Layer, he’s likely still the strongest of that tier," Fu Dongsen said.

"When he was in the Seventh Heavenly Layer, he was able to cultivate two great Dharmas simultaneously. Now that he has reached the Eighth Heavenly Layer cultivation, it means three Dharmas," Fu Dongsen concluded.

The others present nodded lightly in agreement. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Hong Jie brought up another matter, "The Celestial Master Robe may have fallen into the hands of a monk from the Xumi Vajra Sect, and the Celestial Master Seal has been sought in recent years without any trace."

Rong Guangchen spoke up, "If it really comes to it, we might have to make a move on Dragon Tiger Mountain. Even though the Celestial Master Seal did not make an appearance during the battle against Li Wai, it had appeared once before when Dragon Tiger Mountain’s gates were attacked and the sect was in turmoil. Since it cannot be found anywhere else, we can only try the old method again and test our luck, especially since there’s also the Altar of Wanfa Sect."

"To ensure absolute safety, now is not the time," Fu Dongsen remarked.

Rong Guangchen let out a sigh. "That’s right, we can only wait..."

His expression became slightly complicated. The rest of those present understood why.

As time passed, instead of other news, they received word that another cultivator from the Celestial Master Mansion had reached the Eighth Heavenly Layer.

Yet, precisely at times like these, they had no choice but to remain calm. All of them were well-known figures who had weathered many storms over the years; naturally, they possessed the necessary patience. But it was undoubtedly agonizing.

Nowadays, the mortal world was turbulent, with the situation evolving every moment. Very few people still dared to claim they could accurately grasp worldly affairs.

Chu Xiuyuan, the old Patriarch of the Suzhou Chu Clan, dared not make such a boast either.

He stood by the shore of the East Sea at that moment, letting the sea breeze ruffle his white hair.

At Chu Xiuyuan’s side stood a middle-aged man, also with a graceful demeanor. He was Ye Yan, the helmsman of another great prestigious family, the Qingzhou Ye Clan.

"Dragon Tiger Mountain has been engulfed in tumultuous changes for two hundred years, and now it is accumulating a certain destiny," Chu Xiuyuan said.

The old man’s expression was calm as he spoke leisurely.

In earlier years, the relationship between the Suzhou Chu Clan and the Dragon Tiger Mountain Celestial Master’s Mansion was still acceptable. With the changing times, this relationship had cooled in recent years. However, due to the constant upheavals recently, both the Celestial Master Mansion and the Suzhou Chu Clan were more inclined to favor stillness over action. As a result, their relationship had not deteriorated further.

Currently, both the Suzhou Chu Clan and the Qingzhou Ye Clan were making efforts to improve their relations with the Tang Imperial Court. However, they had not overlooked any external signs of trouble or movement; Dragon Tiger Mountain Celestial Master’s Mansion, in particular, remained an object of their attention.

"Hmm, Xuanxiao Zi Lei Chongyun, another Talisman Sect Taoist who has reached the Eightfold Heaven Realm before the age of fifty," Ye Yan said.

"However, there’s something else I’m more interested in. Regarding Lei Jun, from the time he attained the Seventh Heavenly Layer to now reaching the Eightfold Heaven Realm, how much time has he taken in total?"

"Ten years. Even if it was slightly more, the additional time would be very limited," Chu Xiuyuan stated.

Strictly speaking, less than ten years had passed since Lei Jun publicly demonstrated his Seventh Heavenly Layer cultivation and became a new High Merit Elder of the Celestial Master Mansion. However, during the battle at Jiangzhou, he manifested the Doumu Star God Dharma. Because of this, the outside world was unable to determine how long he had spent cultivating it. Consequently, it was difficult to judge the exact time he truly achieved the Seventh Heavenly Layer. But Chu Xiuyuan was inclined to believe it would not exceed ten years by much.

"Even so, that is still incredibly fast," Ye Yan said softly. "To my knowledge, both Xu Yuanzhen and Tang Xiaotang took twelve years to go from initially achieving the Seventh Heavenly Layer to reaching the Eightfold Heaven Realm. Lei Jun might have taken even less time than them. Aside from the current Emperor’s exceptional circumstances, he is probably the fastest person to progress from the Seventh to the Eighth Heavenly Layer in recent years."

Chu Xiuyuan’s expression remained unchanged, his gaze carrying the weight of ages. "As far as this old one knows, it is indeed so."

Both men fell silent for a moment.

After a brief pause, Ye Yan spoke again.

"From entry-level to the Perfection of the First Heaven Layer, within two years.

From the Perfection of the First Heaven Layer to the Second Heavenly Layer, then to the Third Heavenly Layer, within four years.

From the Third Heavenly Layer to the Fourth Layer of Heaven, within two years.

From the Fourth Layer of Heaven to the Fifth Heaven Layer, within four years.

From the Fifth Heaven Layer to the Sixth Heavenly Layer, within six years.

From the Sixth Heavenly Layer to the Seventh Heavenly Layer, within four years.

And then from the Seventh Heavenly Layer to the Eighth Heavenly Layer..."

Information regarding Lei Jun’s cultivation progression and realm advancements had been relatively public. Thus, Ye Yan now listed these milestones as if recounting family treasures: "Overall, his speed is increasing. His progress through the Middle Three Heavens was faster than the Lower Three Heavens, and now, through the Upper Three Heavens, it’s even faster than the Middle Three Heavens."

Chu Xiuyuan replied, "The Taoist Sect’s traditions are unlike those of us scholars, who can focus on accumulating deeply before making a move. Therefore, this Master Lei’s situation is more likely due to some great fortuitous encounter, leading to an Acquired enhancement in his Root Bone, comprehension and talent. Such cases, though rare, are not entirely unheard of."

"The whims of fortune are like the tides, ebbing and flowing. The Celestial Master Mansion is like a boat sailing against the current: not to advance is to fall back," Chu Xiuyuan continued.

Ye Yan then said, "Previously, with Xu Yuanzhen and Tang Xiaotang, if they were left to struggle in the water by themselves, they might not necessarily capsize. But when it comes to steering the entire vessel of the Celestial Master Mansion forward, they are more like the sails and oars. As for this Lei Jun... I believe that, aside from being sail and oar, he also has the potential to be the rudder."

Chu Xiuyuan nodded lightly.

Ye Yan fell silent again for a moment, then finally asked, "Regarding the Imperial Court, what exactly are his views?"

Chu Xiuyuan replied, "His relations are not warm. He may not get involved in the succession of the throne, though nothing can be said for certain yet."

Ye Yan mused, "During the past battle against Li Wai, he hardly made any significant moves. However, his master, Yuan Mobai, was against the Li Clan."

Chu Xiuyuan understood Ye Yan’s concerns.

By now, Lei Jun had become renowned far and wide, an existence that no one could afford to ignore. This renown, however, was mainly due to his Cultivation Strength. Lei Jun himself still appeared to maintain a low profile.