The master and disciple raised their eyes, looked at each other, and said in unison, "...Netherworld?"

Although they had never personally encountered the Netherworld, as a High Merit Elder and his disciple, both hailing from a Taoist Sacred Land, they simultaneously recalled the legendary Netherworld. It was recorded in the Taoist Scriptures as one of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths. Most of the Ten Lands are dangerous, and some even involve secrets of the Life and Death Underworld. The Netherworld, associated with the Taoist Sect, is one such place, often mentioned alongside the Buddhist Sect’s Avici. However, the Netherworld had been missing without a trace for many years. It was unexpected that the previously lost Celestial Master Robe would have some connection to it. Compared to Kunlun and Penglai in the Nine Heavens, the Netherworld of the Ten Lands carried more dangerous and ominous undertones.

After pondering for a moment, Yuan Mobai said, "For now, just separate it and then seal it. We will study it slowly later, but do not act rashly."

Great changes were occurring in the Mortal World. The Nine Heavens and Ten Earths were returning one after another, bringing a mixture of good fortune and calamity. Yuan Mobai did not expect the Netherworld to bring any benefits or blessings to Dragon Tiger Mountain. Instead, the reason for keeping it was for caution and vigilance. Since it was a matter of vigilance, the principle of ’know thyself and know thy enemy’ was fundamental.

Lei Jun shared this perspective. Therefore, instead of using the power of the Dark Side of Celestial Book to erase the strange, dark golden aura that had turned completely black, he joined forces with Yuan Mobai to slowly separate it. Then, the Nine Heavens Divine Thunder and Nine Abyss True Fire appeared around him, manifesting the forms of a dragon and a tiger. This dragon-tiger manifestation, not currently intended for attack, coalesced into a purple-green Dragon-Tiger Talisman, which then sealed the black streams of energy within it.

After settling this matter, Lei Jun took out the peculiar Talisman Decree he had acquired after slaying Hong Jie. He then roughly described his encounters with Gu Han, Hong Jie, and Yushu the Eminent Monk.

Lei Jun remarked, "This Talisman Decree is similar to the one from Rong Guangchen."

Yuan Mobai nodded slightly. "It seems they both received them from Huang Xuanpu. It’s also because of these Talisman Decrees that Rong Guangchen and Hong Jie were able to reappear with the strength and style of their peak days. However," he added, "that strength was no longer truly theirs."

Lei Jun said, "Indeed."

Rong Guangchen and Hong Jie were not unaware of this. But since they had made their choice, they alone knew the taste of it, like one who drinks water and knows whether it is cold or warm. Now that Rong Guangchen and Hong Jie were dead, the Talisman Decree had fallen into Lei Jun’s hands.

He intended to delve into its mysteries, wondering if he could use it to further confirm Huang Xuanpu’s whereabouts.

Yuan Mobai continued, "This jade token was originally from inside the Taiyi Primordial Tower. It must have been prepared by Huang Xuanpu and Fu Dongsen to move the Altar of Wanfa Sect. It is undoubtedly a creation of the Ancient Talisman Sect."

Yuan Mobai handed Lei Jun the jade token that had scattered when the Taiyi Primordial Tower was sent flying. He also gave him the fragmented, strange Talisman Decree left behind after slaying Rong Guangchen. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

"For the time being," Yuan Mobai said, "I need to preside over the Altar of Wanfa Sect to stabilize the mountain’s earth veins. You should take these and study them closely."

Lei Jun replied, "Yes, Master."

Upon receiving the jade token, a name surfaced in his mind as if by inspiration:

[High Heaven Jade Token]

Lei Jun fell into thought as he contemplated its profound artistic conception.

The mysteries within it are as vast and mighty as the high-arching sky, seeming to cover the earth like a dome. No wonder it could initially act as a central coordinator for the Taiyi Primordial Tower and Qingxiao Manor, pacifying the Altar of Wanfa Sect. This allowed them to use the two great Magical Treasures to attempt to take away the Celestial Master Mansion’s millennia-old foundation. However, its connection to the so-called Heavenly Palace seems relatively weaker by comparison. As for other functions... wait a moment.

A thought struck Lei Jun; he remembered the Great Celestial Sky Jade he had refined.

The Great Celestial Sky Jade is currently used primarily to control the numerous Heaven’s Sight Earth’s Hearing Talismans and Thousand-Mile Sound Transmission Talismans scattered outside. However, its control is still somewhat crude. The altitude it reaches is also insufficient, making it easy for cultivators with higher cultivation to detect. This is especially true for those with strong perception and senses. But if it were to be refined together with this High Heaven Jade Token, perhaps there would be a chance to elevate it to a higher level and achieve greater utility... Lei Jun nodded slightly as he pondered this.

Strictly speaking, the Celestial Master Mansion had also suffered considerable losses this time. To inflict maximum casualties on the enemy and prevent their escape, Lei Jun and the others had effectively fought a battle on their own ground, allowing the enemy into the mountains. Never mind the outer mountain areas for now; even the Dragon Tiger Mountain Main Peak suffered the ravages of war because its Mountain Defense Array was breached. The Taiyi Primordial Tower and Qingxiao Manor, in particular, had caused an immense commotion. Fortunately, because they had been one step ahead in their preparations at every turn, there were few personnel casualties. Nevertheless, the sect gates would inevitably require large-scale reconstruction.

Fortunately, the spoils of battle were plentiful. The personal belongings of the Thousand Leaves Butterfly King, Rong Guangchen, and the others were a secondary matter. When the Taiyi Primordial Tower and Qingxiao Manor were dislodged, a vast array of items scattered. These were all treasures long collected by Rong Guangchen, Hong Jie, Fu Dongsen, and others, comprising a significant portion of the Mortal Tao Country’s assets. These Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures were naturally kept by the Celestial Master Mansion for the subsequent rebuilding of the sect gates. The Mount Shu Sect and Pure Yang Palace would have no objections to this.

This battle might not have completely eliminated the threat from the Mortal Tao Country, but it had certainly dealt it a heavy blow. Since the Celestial Master Mansion had borne the greatest pressure, it was natural for them to receive some recompense afterward. Moreover, reclaiming the North Abyss Divine Spear was the Mount Shu Sect’s greatest gain. Similarly, for the Celestial Master Mansion, the greatest victory of this battle was the return of the Celestial Master Robe. Although the Taiyi Primordial Tower and Qingxiao Manor were not recovered, the Mount Shu Sect now also had hope of doing so. As for Pure Yang Palace, they would be more concerned and preoccupied with their own internal issues moving forward.

For Lei Jun personally, aside from the High Heaven Jade Token, another major gain was the Solitary Wood Core obtained after slaying the Thousand Leaves Butterfly King. With the Dragon Form Raincoat, the Eight Scenic Winds, and the newly acquired Solitary Wood Core in hand, Lei Jun felt some of his plans could now be put into practice.