Chapter 669: 292. Lei Jun with a sword in hand, Cardinal Divine Xiao Ying-Yang (Chapter combined two into one)_3

Apart from the elite experts of the Tang Imperial Court, several prestigious families, who had recently begun to repair relations with the imperial family, had also made their intentions known.

Previously, following an imperial decree, the Clan Chief of the Jingxiang Fang Clan, Fang Jingsheng, had led his forces to aid Bashu. This time, he personally set out northward to the Old Capital Chang’an to pay respects to the emperor.

As for the Cangzhou Ye Clan, although Ye Moquan claimed he was old and frail, with lingering injuries from the battle in Jinzhou preventing him from traveling westward in person, the current clan chief, Ye Wei, together with several clan elders, went to Chang’an as a gesture of allegiance.

Meanwhile, from the Qingzhou Ye Clan, their renowned military representative, Ye Jiong—a Great Scholar of the Divine Archer Realm at the summit of the Eighth Heavenly Layer—led his loyal elite northwestern bound.

The Qingzhou Ye Clan Chief himself, Ye Yan, also departed southward from Qingzhou, heading toward the region of Suzhou and Hangzhou to join up with the elder clan chief of the Suzhou Chu Clan, Chu Xiuyuan, along with the imperial envoy, to jointly face the disturbances arising from the descent of the Heavenly Principle in the East Sea.

Only the Youzhou Forest Clan remained somewhat quiet in their actions.

But they declared that they would obey the orders of Prince Zhao, holding fast the Northern Border to defend against further incidents from the north or east.

"They do have sincerity, but it’s still impossible for them to sacrifice themselves without hesitation."

*Yuan Mobai said,* "The North—according to rumors, the people of the Solitary Eagle Khanate are brutal in their methods, fierce as wind and fire, clearly hostile."

Yuanzhou was soon trampled flat by them.

These outsiders were used to sending scouts far and wide, not only fierce but swift and flexible as well.

After seizing Yuanzhou, instead of arrogantly forging south of Little Guan Mountain, they turned north and trampled over Lingzhou next.

Even putting aside their advantage against Confucian studies, the people of the Solitary Eagle Khanate still demonstrated formidable strength when clashing with cultivators of other lineages.

The great Confucian families of Great Tang, after a decade of honing and reform, were no longer so obviously restrained by their martial Tao, but should they truly fight to the death in a head-on clash, the losses would be incalculable.

Still, as Yuan Mobai said, under the present circumstances, they were displaying at least some sincerity.

At the very least, they would not hold back the Tang Imperial Court.

"As for Senior Sister on the eastern front, things are not so easy to tell..." Lei Jun frowned slightly.

Yuan Mobai said, "The main issue is that our knowledge about what’s happening beyond the Void Gateway is limited."

The Solitary Eagle Khanate’s incursion into Great Tang’s northwestern territory had left the land devastated.

However, since it was Tang territory, the court could easily obtain information from all sides.

Yet over in the East Sea, the contest at the moment was focused on the Void Gateway through which Heavenly Principle sought to enter the mortal world.

And due to Xu Yuanzhen’s actions, there had already been a counteroffensive into the internal domain of the Heavenly Principle.

To a certain extent, this constituted fighting on foreign soil, so information here was even more scarce.

*That made the situation all the more likely to be shaped by unpredictable changes.*

"Has the order gone out to instruct the mansion’s disciples to avoid descending the mountain for the time being?" Yuan Mobai finally asked.

Lei Jun said, "You may rest assured, master, the order has already been passed down. Our brothers and sisters on the mountain have reduced their comings and goings, and those currently traveling abroad need not rush back to the mountain gate but are to temporarily stay and cultivate at various branches scattered throughout the land."

Yuan Mobai gave a slight nod, "Let us hope we are simply worrying too much."

Lei Jun suddenly fell silent. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

In the depths of his pupils, the Heaven-piercing Earth-penetrating Taliscript emerged, shimmering with light.

Seeing this, Yuan Mobai likewise fell silent, his expression turning more solemn.

Within Lei Jun’s twin pupils, the brilliance of the Heaven-piercing Earth-penetrating Taliscript flared brighter and brighter.

He was in contact with an array of Heaven’s Sight Earth’s Hearing Talismans he had previously scattered in the areas surrounding Dragon Tiger Mountain.

These Spirit Talismans were usually hidden away in the wilds, nearly undetectable, serving as Lei Jun’s warning system in crucial moments.

Now, in this very instant, he sensed faint, almost imperceptible shadows stealthily approaching the Celestial Master Mansion on Dragon Tiger Mountain.

The sensation was extraordinarily subtle.

Even with the wondrous power of Lei Jun’s Heaven-piercing Earth-penetrating Taliscript, he could only detect the barest traces.

The signs were so wispy and illusory that one might almost mistake them for hallucinations.

But precisely for that reason, the threat was all the greater.

For these faint shadows originated from the Thousand Leaves Butterfly King’s handiwork, one of the existences Lei Jun guarded against the most.

Back when he acquired a leaf the Thousand Leaves Butterfly King left behind from Xu Yuanzhen, Lei Jun had scrutinized it carefully in his studies.

If not for this, he might have been fooled today as well.

At the very least, he would not have detected them from such a distance.

Because those approaching were all of exceptionally high cultivation.

With the Thousand Leaves Butterfly King’s divine skills and artistic conception shielding them, they were almost impossible to perceive.

Still, every advantage had its cost; because Lei Jun had taken special precautions and studied such methods, he was able to become alert at once.

But just at this moment, a sphere of light flashed within Lei Jun’s mind, and writing appeared:

[Ancient and present Talisman Scriptures converge at Dragon Tiger, as three sects meet, the winds and clouds shift.]

Then, four lots shot forth, and Lei Jun read them carefully:

[Perfectly neutral lot—If one leaves the mountain immediately by any direction other than northwest or southeast, one may avoid the immediate storm; there is no extra gain or loss, all is calm.]

[Perfectly neutral lot—If one holds fast within the mountain, the winds and waves will surge with some risk, but there is a chance for two Third-Rank Opportunities. Yet karmic entanglements may follow, so proceed with caution; all is calm.]

[Moderately unlucky lot—By departing northwest, one falls into dire straits, but has a chance to gain a single Fourth-Rank Opportunity. However, dangers abound; utmost caution is needed. Ominous.]

[Moderately unlucky lot—By departing southeast, one may encounter tremendous crisis, with peril hidden deep; utmost caution is needed. Ominous.]

Judging by these lots, the Mortal Tao Country was indeed coming with overwhelming force this time.

Of course, they might not act at all.

But if they did, the strike would be like a thunderbolt—swift and sure to hit its mark.

Regarding the Mortal Tao Country, at least on the surface, there were five Taoist experts at the Eighth Heavenly Layer: Fu Dongsen, Rong Guangchen, Hong Jie, Wei Qiyue, and Gu Han.

Meanwhile, they wielded three supreme treasures: the Taiyi Primordial Tower, Qingxiao Manor, and the North Abyss Divine Spear.