Chapter 682: 294. Celestial Master’s Robe Returns to the Mountain! (Chapter 10,300, Three-in-One)_4

At this moment, Lei Jun’s first thought was actually about the many novels he had read before his transmigration, scenes where the identity of the mastermind behind the scenes was finally revealed or turned on its head. And yet, what he was witnessing with his own eyes was so... simple and unadorned.

Therefore, his second thought was: It’s no wonder the senior sister had always been thinking of this old man...

The one who appeared before them and showed his true face was none other than the current Sect Leader of the Pure Yang Palace, previously acclaimed as the number one person of the contemporary Taoist Sect, Elder Huang Xuanpu.

The change was sudden: the Taiyi Primordial Tower flew into the sky, and Qingxiao Manor tunneled into the earth.

Fu Dongsen had a hard time stabilizing himself; forcefully suppressing his injuries, he soared towards the Taiyi Primordial Tower in pursuit.

Hong Jie, regaining her senses, immediately used the ability of Immortal Travel Underworld Sea, taking the North Abyss Divine Spear to pursue underground.

However, Huang Xuanpu was unfazed by the change. He did not leave. Instead, he moved swiftly, heading straight into the Altar of Wanfa Sect.

His target was the Celestial Master Seal. Taking this would have an effect similar to moving the entire Altar of Wanfa Sect, but it was far more convenient.

However, Tang Xiaotang also rushed forward at the same time.

In the clash, Tang Xiaotang was clearly at a disadvantage. Huang Xuanpu’s strength was not to be compared with the Thousand Leaves Butterfly King.

The Taoist Alchemy Cauldron Sect’s Ninth Heavenly Layer of the Mahayana Realm is divided internally into five levels, known as Five Qi Towards Primordial. Huang Xuanpu was known in his early years to have reached the third level of the Ninth Heavenly Layer, which corresponds to the Three Qi Towards Primordial level of cultivation. Now that he had reappeared, he was evidently even more formidable than before.

Previously, to disguise his identity, he did not even reveal traces of his own Taoist heritage, and he held back considerably in his actions. With the advantage of his cultivation realm, the variations of the Ancient Talismanic Edicts and Spiritual Treasure, and the assistance of the Thousand Leaves Butterfly King’s borrowed powers, he was able to hide his involvement even when directly facing many masters.

On the contrary, it was more difficult to feign normalcy on a daily basis when interacting with others in the Pure Yang Palace. When he was injured, he was truly injured. Luckily, he had a fortuitous encounter, and with the aid of Spirit Pills and miraculous medicines, he recovered quickly. If he could look after Hong Jie and Wei Qiyue, he could naturally take care of himself as well. Otherwise, even if he could deceive others, it would be impossible to fool the Empress and Xu Yuanzhen.

...But did he really deceive them? Never mind, at this point, there’s no need to dwell on it.

Now that Huang Xuanpu had revealed his true identity, his real level of ability became evident. In the Ninth Heavenly Layer realm of the Alchemy Cauldron Sect, when the Nascent Soul and the Great Elixir merge, it is called the Primordial Elixir. Huang Xuanpu’s Primordial Elixir was so robust and firm that he withstood Tang Xiaotang’s attacks without faltering.

Just as he was about to grab the Celestial Master Seal before anyone else, a strange beam of light from a mirror suddenly shot towards him. This light emanated from a peculiar Treasure Mirror in Lei Jun’s hands.

As the mirror’s light touched him, Huang Xuanpu’s figure paused slightly. In a battle between experts, the slightest margin of error can lead to a world of difference.

The moment he hesitated, Tang Xiaotang reached for the Celestial Master Seal and the Celestial Master’s Sword first.

Amidst the circulation of purple, golden, and azure brilliance, the Celestial Master Seal was secured at Tang Xiaotang’s waist, summoning three layers of ethereal altars to envelop her and initiating a resonance with the Altar of Wanfa Sect. Although the Celestial Master Robe was still missing, myriad Talisman Scriptures shone brilliantly skyward, as splendid as the Star River, enveloping the airspace above Dragon Tiger Mountain.

In the clouds, dense purple lightning gathered, and rolling thunder poured down.

Huang Xuanpu was struck by the thunder, his body wavering in midair.

A Great Vehicle High Immortal of the Taoist Alchemy Cauldron Sect practices Five Qi Towards Primordial. Five Qi Towards Primordial arises from the creation of the Five Elements but gives birth to endless variations. If cultivators of the Alchemy Cauldron Sect cultivate successfully, their already firm techniques of life preservation will be further enhanced, making all things and laws of the world hardly able to harm their Primordial Elixir.

There is the Solidifying Spirit Qi, also known as Bright Spirit Qi, which resists the threats of wind and thunder.

There is the Oblivious Soul, also known as Soul-Refining Qi, which resists the threats of metal and stone.

There is the Immovable Essence, also known as Life-Containing Qi, which resists the threats of death and extinction.

There is the Serene Soul, also known as Pure Soul Qi, which resists the threats of thought and intention.

These four profound mysteries correspond to the first four levels of the Five Qi Towards Primordial cultivation, and the sequence can be determined by the cultivator’s own talent and opportunities. However, each level achieved increases the difficulty of further cultivation. And with these four profound mysteries fully mastered, one further cultivates the Peaceful and Harmonious Qi, also known as Peaceful and Harmonious Qi, which harmonizes all directions, ultimately achieving the Perfection of the Five Qi Towards Primordial in the Ninth Heavenly Layer.

Huang Xuanpu had already cultivated the Four Qi Towards Primordial. This was what he had publicly revealed; despite his advanced age and signs of deteriorating health, his true condition was naturally much better than that of Rong Guangchen and Hong Jie. With the Solidifying Spirit Qi protecting his Primordial Elixir, ordinary fierce winds, thunder, fire, and lightning were no more than a gentle breeze, no longer capable of harming him in the slightest. Even the power of formidable divine skills like the Pure Yang True Fire, Pure Yang Immortal Thunder, Nine Heavens Divine Thunder, and Nine Abyss True Fire was significantly reduced against him.

...Under normal circumstances, that’s how it should have been. But now, touched by that peculiar beam from the mirror, Huang Xuanpu distinctly felt that the wondrous effects of his Four Qi Towards Primordial were not as strong as usual. The thunder, which should have posed a limited threat to him, suddenly became a significant pressure. Correspondingly, because he had cultivated the Oblivious Soul and embodied the Soul-Refining Qi, effectively reducing the threat of weapons, the danger he faced from the Celestial Master’s Sword and the Mountain and River Sword rose sharply at this moment.

"...Xu Yuanzhen?" The old Taoist dodged a furious strike from Tang Xiaotang wielding the Celestial Master’s Sword and turned his gaze toward the Treasure Mirror in Lei Jun’s hand.

Lei Jun calmly said, "The last time the senior sister visited the Pure Yang Palace, she only found Rong Guangchen. According to what she later said, she was very disappointed."

Huang Xuanpu replied unperturbedly, "Hmm, I know. She was aiming for me."

Lei Jun continued, "The Mount Shu Sect is practically becoming a sieve. You might deceive others, but you shouldn’t have been able to deceive Fu Dongsen, the Sect Leader. By the same token, with almost half of the Pure Yang Palace having issues, if you had been deceived all this time, it would seriously call into question your competence as Sect Leader. But..."

"But, Elder Huang, why go to such lengths?"