Chapter 696: 296. The second Fundamental Daoist Magical Treasure, Taiqing Eight Scenic Treasures Raincoat (Chapter combining two into one)_4

As for what to do next, Wang Guiyuan himself could make that decision.

Likewise, when Yuan Mobai returned later, he expressed similar sentiments. He mentioned his gratitude to Monk Faqing, and he had also inquired about his previous doubts, but the monk did not provide an answer, seemingly having some unspeakable secret. Yuan Mobai did not press the matter; apart from expressing thanks for the timely help, he felt it inappropriate to inquire further.

"Is Nephew Faqing keeping an eye on the Mortal Tao Country, or, perhaps, watching Huang Xuanpu and the others?" Elder Miaoyi seemed to be asking yet also speaking to himself. After all, the timing of Monk Faqing’s appearance was rather fortunate.

"On this point, I, too, find it odd," Yuan Mobai replied. "But Master Faqing left in haste, and it wasn’t convenient for me to ask more." Yuan Mobai’s expression was sincere, and his tone apologetic. "I had the intention of retaining Master Faqing, firstly to express Our Sect’s gratitude, and secondly, considering that the venerable monks of your sect might hope to meet with him again. Alas, I couldn’t succeed, and I feel I have let down the masters of Tianlong Temple."

Elder Miaoyi replied, "Taoist Yuan is being too serious; this humble monk does not deserve such courtesy." After sitting for a while longer without any gains, he took his leave and departed.

He was not the only one with doubts. In fact, many people outside were speculating about the relationship between Monk Faqing and the Celestial Master Mansion. At the same time, they were guessing about the current relationship between Monk Faqing and Tianlong Temple.

"Why is he making things so difficult for himself?" Celestial Master Tang was somewhat frustrated with herself for misjudging the situation with Wang Guiyuan.

Lei Jun replied, "Perhaps First Senior Brother has his own considerations."

Tang Xiaotang snorted. But her temper was quick to come and quicker to go, and soon she stopped pouting. Rather, her bright eyes were roaming, as if she were contemplating something.

Seeing her expression, Lei Jun knew what she was thinking. "First Senior Brother is different from First Senior Sister," he said. "He certainly won’t tussle with you. If you really corner him, he’ll either run away or just lie down on the ground."

Tang Xiaotang’s enthusiasm instantly deflated upon hearing this, and she let out a "TSK!" of displeasure. She turned her head to Lei Jun. "You should work harder and put in more effort."

Tang Xiaotang had a general understanding of Lei Jun’s Cultivation Strength even before this battle, as the two of them often exchanged and pondered insights into Spells and Divine Skills. However, Tang Xiaotang wouldn’t be concerned about the current Lei Jun in the same way she was for Xu Yuanzhen or Wang Guiyuan. The reason was simple: Lei Jun’s current Cultivation Realm was lower than hers. But she was very much looking forward to Lei Jun’s realm advancing further. She was particularly curious about what the External Scenery of Lei Jun’s Divine Court would look like.

"In matters of cultivation, there’s no need to rush. It’s best to let things take their natural course," Lei Jun said.

Tang Xiaotang retorted, "I prefer to surge ahead, pushing forward with full momentum!" Suddenly remembering something, she said, "Oh, right, let me see the Celestial Master Robe."

Although the news about the Celestial Master Robe was still a secret at the moment, Lei Jun would not conceal it from the current Celestial Master, Tang Xiaotang. Celestial Master Tang, while somewhat regretful that the Celestial Master’s Three Treasures were finally complete and she couldn’t take them all out to dazzle people, wasn’t too insistent. She had never put much importance on Magical Treasures and Magic Artifacts. Her interest in the Celestial Master’s Three Treasures was mainly about making a showy appearance to attract attention. If she really had to pick, the Celestial Master’s Sword was the one she cared about a bit more.

Now that she had received the Celestial Master Robe from Lei Jun, she used it to closely observe the Dragon-Tiger Talisman formed by the Dharma Essence within. Directly observing the Celestial Master Robe offered much better results than looking at the illusory Dragon-Tiger Talisman formed by the Mixed Cavern Nine Lights Lei Jun had shown before.

The Celestial Master Robe encompassed the classic heritage of the Celestial Master Mansion, from the Three Caverns and Three Realms Scripture to the complete True Formula of the Great Way Scripture and the full set of the Talisman Scripture. Tang Xiaotang was now familiar with all of these. But besides its defensive capability, it was the most comprehensive treasure of Taoist Scripture heritage among the Celestial Master’s Three Treasures. Through years of accumulation, a complete and profound Tao Containment had become deeply embodied on the robe. Consequently, numerous related derivative details also stemmed from it. The more insightful and gifted the observer, the more they could be inspired.

Lei Jun and Tang Xiaotang, by observing the Celestial Master Robe and comparing it to their own heritage of Taoist Laws, both found new insights. This development, at least, made Tang Xiaotang settle down and remain on the mountain.

Since the sect gates needed to be restabilized, Lei Jun also had no plans to leave the mountain at this time. Fortunately, there were no new major developments from the Heavenly Principle side at the moment, so there was no need to worry about Senior Sister Xu Yuanzhen running into any troubles. Communication was relatively inconvenient, and information often arrived late, but at least contact was not completely cut off.

With news about Heavenly Principle arriving bit by bit, Lei Jun was able to understand what Xu Yuanzhen had referred to as the "interesting yet annoying" Confucian Sect heritage. However, is the so-called Great Ming Dynasty really limited to Heavenly Principle?

Lei Jun couldn’t help but recall the broken world he entered through the Void Gateway on the peak of Great Black Mountain. Reminded by Xu Yuanzhen, Lei Jun later made a special trip to the Zhongzhou region within the current Great Tang Realm. The topography and features of both places were nearly identical. The Zhongzhou region in the Great Tang, naturally, hadn’t been carved out and spirited away; it was still perfectly intact there. But where did that otherworldly, broken realm come from?

People from Heavenly Principle called themselves the Great Ming Dynasty. Lei Jun compared these points and contemplated, forming a hypothesis: Could it be that another Mortal World, one belonging to the Great Ming, exists? And the broken world accessed through the Void Gateway atop Great Black Mountain—from where was it torn?

With numerous doubts and scant clues, Lei Jun contemplated for a while before gradually reining in his scattered thoughts. When more information related to Heavenly Principle arrived, perhaps some of his speculations would be verified. He focused his mind more on the current situation of Dragon Tiger Mountain.

After the great battle, although the Mortal Tao Country had suffered a crushing defeat, Dragon Tiger Mountain’s own sect gates had also been shaken. It wasn’t as if everything was in ruins awaiting revival, but the reconstruction work was nonetheless complex and extensive.

As the Celestial Master Mansion was occupied with rebuilding, the world outside was not at peace either.