Chapter 667: 292. With a sword in hand, Lei Jun combines the cardinal divine and the yin-yang (Chapter in two parts)

Most people in the Mortal Tao Country had anticipated the upheavals in the East Sea. Even without knowing the specific details, they knew great chaos was inevitable there. Previously, the Great Demon of the East Sea, the Thousand Leaves Butterfly King, had been on alert. Fu Dongsen and others had also quietly approached for investigation, and their assessments were aligning. Therefore, when discussing the Longhu Mountain Celestial Master Mansion previously, they had spoken of strategically waiting for the right moment.

However, the sudden emergence of the so-called Solitary Eagle Khanate in the northwest borderlands also took everyone in the Mortal Tao Country by surprise. Everyone knew that in recent years, the Great Tang Dynasty had been wracked by surging winds of change and a chain reaction of upheavals, both internally and externally. But amidst the ever-changing turmoil, it was difficult to distinguish friend from foe. The Mortal Tao Country, already beset by numerous enemies, had always been cautious, preferring not to act rashly until the situation clarified.

However, now that the opportunity had arrived, they also needed to act decisively, lest the fleeting chance slip away. Xu Yuanzhen had gone to the East Sea. Tang Xiaotang was not on Dragon Tiger Mountain. The Celestial Master Mansion on Dragon Tiger Mountain had been relatively vulnerable recently. Not to mention other forces like the Western Region Buddhism, the mere presence of Tang Emperor Zhang Wantong forced the Mortal Tao Country to think thrice before acting.

Now, the Solitary Eagle Khanate was bearing down furiously, their forces pressing upon the northwestern borders of Guanzhong. This compelled the Tang Emperor to divert attention to the frontier, rather than Dragon Tiger Mountain in the Jiangnan heartlands. Meanwhile, the Western Region Buddhism was at war with the Four-eyed Python Emperor and other Great Demons of the Southern Wilderness. Although the overall situation still could not be described as stable, for the Mortal Tao Country, this was a rare opportunity, the likes of which had not been seen in recent years. Therefore, they decided to seize it decisively.

"We shall respectfully abide by the Emperor’s decree." Fu Dongsen and the others bowed to the Void.

Gu Han, former Elder of the Pure Yang Palace, turned to Hong Jie and Wei Qiyue from Mount Shu. "How are you two Daoist friends faring?"

Wei Qiyue replied, "Thanks to the Emperor’s care and the immortal elixirs he bestowed, I have no more serious injuries."

In the war that split the Mount Shu Sect, both Wei Qiyue and Hong Jie had suffered severe injuries. Wei Qiyue’s injuries were particularly grave, nearly shattering her Immortal Soul. She was younger than Hong Jie, but normally, such severe injuries would have been difficult to treat, potentially taking many years and possibly even shortening her lifespan. Therefore, she had been quietly recuperating for the past few years. Wei Qiyue had not even appeared during the disturbances in the Southern Wilderness. But now, with external help, she was already much improved. Apart from some depletion of Primordial Qi, she was generally considered recovered. This alone surpassed the expectations of countless outsiders.

Beside her, Hong Jie had a tranquil demeanor. Although she inevitably still showed signs of her advanced age, her old injuries had likewise healed. In a way, the speed of her recovery was even more incredible than Wei Qiyue’s. Though Hong Jie’s earlier injuries had been slightly less severe than Wei Qiyue’s, she was older, and her physical condition had long since begun an inexorable decline. Under such circumstances, recovering from such grievous injuries would have been extremely difficult, the damage nearly permanent, and it would have only accelerated her decline. Whenever Hong Jie reflected on this, comparing her past state to her current recovery, her heart was inevitably stirred with emotion.

"Since Daoist Hong has recovered, today you shall receive the Talisman Decree bestowed by the Emperor," Rong Guangchen said.

Hong Jie nodded slowly. "I am profoundly grateful for the Emperor’s decree and accept it with awe and humility."

Surrounding her, Fu Dongsen, Rong Guangchen, Wei Qiyue, and Gu Han all congratulated Hong Jie. Once she received the Talisman Decree, Hong Jie would be able to rejuvenate, much like Rong Guangchen. Although her lifespan would not increase, her soul, mind, body, and Cultivation strength would all return to their peak.

After returning their courtesies one by one, Hong Jie left Qingxiao Manor, directly entering the Taiyi Primordial Tower above her cave mansion, which now seemed to have merged with its surroundings. Inside the tower, a Three-tiered Dharma Altar had been erected. Hong Jie bathed, changed her robes, burned incense to pray to the heavens, and ascended to the highest tier of the Altar. Above the Altar, light began to flicker in the Void, and a profound Talisman Decree emerged from within.

Below in Qingxiao Manor, Fu Dongsen said to Rong Guangchen, Wei Qiyue, and Gu Han, "In that case, we proceed according to plan. We will depart first. After Master Hong receives the Talisman Decree and sees to the evacuation of the junior disciples from the manor, she will take the Taiyi Primordial Tower and Qingxiao Manor to rendezvous with the Butterfly King."

Their objective had long been clear. They had contingency plans for all circumstances but had simply lacked the opportunity until now. Now that the chance had finally arrived, their initial agitation had subsided. Composed and confident, they only needed to proceed as planned.

"The Emperor has ordered that he will personally visit Dragon Tiger Mountain today," Rong Guangchen added.

Fu Dongsen, Wei Qiyue, and Gu Han nodded in agreement.

Fu Dongsen formed hand seals with both hands; the seals changed continuously before his chest. Above his head, a pale expanse emerged, shimmering with a faint blue light, like a sea of ice. Within this sea of ice, a long spear glowing with an icy blue radiance gradually emerged. It was none other than the North Abyss Divine Spear, one of the six great treasures of Mount Shu. As a weapon-type Magical Treasure, its lethality rivaled that of other renowned Divine Weapons like the Celestial Master’s Sword, the Ziwei Sword, the Blue Abyss Sword, the Expelling Invaders Halberd, and the Mountain and River Sword.

Fu Dongsen and Wei Qiyue both bowed respectfully to the North Abyss Divine Spear. The spear then transformed into an icy blue brilliance and merged into Fu Dongsen’s body.

The four Eighth Heavenly Layer masters of the Mortal Tao Country then departed Qingxiao Manor together. Meanwhile, the other Mortal Tao Country cultivators within the manor, having received their Orders, sprang into action. Coordinated by the remaining Elders, they began making various preparations.

「Southern Wilderness.」

The Jiuli People had not made any major moves in recent years. However, they firmly defended several areas enveloped by the spreading Jiuli black mist, preventing Mortal World cultivators from dispelling it quickly. The two sides clashed frequently, suffering mutual casualties, but neither had managed to achieve a decisive breakthrough.