Chapter 702: 297. The Five Great Dharmas, Unprecedented (Two Chapters Combined in One)_5

If it weren’t for today’s incident, she had originally planned to devote some time to quiet cultivation.

Since Xu Yuanzhen was not in danger, and she lost the opportunity to rescue and mock him at the earliest moment, Tang Xiaotang lost most of her interest.

She had always preferred action over stillness, but when it came to cultivation, she was always able to sit still when necessary.

On a normal day, she might look for trouble even when there was none, but now, Celestial Master Tang actually hesitated.

Seeing this, Lei Jun said, "In that case, Master, allow me to make this trip."

Yuan Mobai had intended to make the trip himself, with Lei Jun remaining on the mountain to cultivate in peace and to assist Tang Xiaotang with matters inside the Celestial Master Mansion, gaining more experience in the process.

But since Lei Jun himself was interested, he nodded. "That’s fine. Be careful on the way."

Yuan Mobai had always found this second disciple reliable; thus, he did not overly caution him and immediately contacted his senior martial sister Shangguan Ning and the Tang Imperial Court.

"Master, I wish to travel to the Land of Wu and Yue with Senior Brother," Chu Kun, the third disciple, volunteered to Yuan Mobai.

Yuan Mobai asked, "To visit family?"

Chu Kun replied, "Firstly, I do wish to visit my family, and secondly, I hope to gain more experience from this."

He hailed from the Suzhou Chu Clan, but his parents’ cultivation was not particularly high.

In recent years, Chu Kun’s parents and some members of the clan had moved out of their ancestral lands in Suzhou to find a new place to take root and flourish.

Thus, when Chu Kun now went back home to visit family, he no longer had to return to Suzhou.

On the other hand, as his Cultivation Realm steadily increased, some matters of cultivation could no longer be advanced through mere secluded, arduous training.

Engaging with the world and then returning to seclusion, one complementing the other, was more conducive to cultivation.

His earlier acceptance of an Elder position ahead of schedule to help handle the affairs of the Celestial Master Mansion was for this very reason.

"Hmm, convey my regards to your family," Yuan Mobai said with a smile.

Lei Jun said, "Then, Junior Brother, make your preparations. We shall depart."

Chu Kun chuckled. "Senior Brother has prepared everything for me, as if I’m moving house!"

Lei Jun replied, "Hmm, that’s about right..."

"Chongyun," Yuan Mobai instructed, "just in case, you and Zhong Guang, on this eastward journey, please take the Celestial Master Seal with you. But do not draw attention to it."

The Celestial Master Seal was a target for Huang Xuanpu and the Mortal Tao Country.

Normally, to prevent any unforeseen dangers, the Celestial Master Seal should not leave the mountain.

However, compared to the Celestial Master’s Sword and Celestial Master Robe, the Celestial Master Seal had one rather unusual aspect.

With the Celestial Master Seal away from the mountain, the Ancestral Courtyard of the Sect could use the Altar of Wanfa Sect to send the Celestial Master’s Sword and Celestial Master Robe to its location, connecting them through the True One Altar derived from the Celestial Master Seal, thus achieving the effect of providing support at any moment.

Lei Jun and Chu Kun were heading east. Considering the many mysteries still surrounding the Heavenly Principle and the Great Ming Dynasty, Yuan Mobai still preferred that they take the Celestial Master Seal with them.

It was precisely because Xu Yuanzhen had mentioned that the Great Ming Dynasty possessed a separate domain and ruling power that extra caution was warranted.

Of course, the primary consideration was that it was better to be safe than sorry.

Lei Jun was an old hand at working with the Celestial Master Seal, so he immediately agreed solemnly, "Please rest assured, Master. I will safeguard the Sect’s precious treasure."

Undoubtedly, secrecy is always one of the most effective means of protection.

Therefore, Yuan Mobai and Tang Xiaotang would maintain the illusion within the Celestial Master Mansion that the Celestial Master Seal was still there.

Before departing, Lei Jun pulled his foremost disciple before him, habitually gave him a good playful ruffling, and then instructed, "While I am away from the mountain, if you encounter any difficulties in your cultivation, seek advice from your Grandmaster."

Gungun looked at his master, his eyes filled with a resigned look that seemed to convey, When will you ever grow up?

He straightened his attire. "Please rest assured, Master. I will diligently pursue my cultivation."

Lei Jun said, "Take it easy during Duels of Magic and practice sessions. Pay attention to unity among your fellow disciples."

Zhuo Baojie scratched the fur on his head. "Rest assured, Master. I had some mishaps before because I was still unpracticed with the Devouring Spirit Talisman, but I’ve got the hang of it now."

Their lineage, spanning three generations, showed a clear line of succession in their choice of Life-Bound Magic Arts.

Zhuo Baojie’s life-bound First Art was also the Divine Strike Talisman.

Then, his life-bound Second Skill, just like his Master Lei Jun and Grandmaster Yuan Mobai, was also the Wind Riding Talisman.

Only when it came to his Lifebound Third Skill did Zhuo Baojie choose his self-created Devouring Spirit Talisman.

In Actual Combat Spellcasting, his style leaned more towards that of his Grandmaster Yuan Mobai, a path of pure Corporeal Life Mastery and close combat.

While his attacks were heavy, powerful, and swift, he used the Devouring Spirit Talisman to protect himself, creating a seamless offense and defense.

However, because the Spirit Talisman was newly created, it was difficult for him to control its power when sparring with a few of his fellow disciples. It often drained them until they cried out in distress...

Lei Jun guided his disciple in refining the spell, and Zhuo Baojie’s efforts had indeed borne significant fruit.

After ruffling his disciple’s fur—no, scratch that—after instructing his disciple, Lei Jun made arrangements for the Celestial Master Mansion’s affairs. Then, along with Chu Kun, they left the mountain and headed east.

「They first arrived at Yuhang.」

There, they met their Martial Aunt Shangguan Ning, and the Suzhou Chu Clan’s elderly and highly respected Clan Chief, Chu Xiuyuan, who was advanced in years and tasked with providing support from the rear.

"Greetings, Elder Chu." Both Lei Jun and Chu Kun, the latter with a calm demeanor, paid their respects to Chu Xiuyuan according to Taoist Sect customs.

Chu Xiuyuan returned the greeting calmly. "Your efforts in traveling so far to assist us are much appreciated, Taoists."

Lei Jun and Chu Kun exchanged a few polite words.

As for Xu Yuanzhen’s whereabouts and situation, they naturally feigned complete ignorance, their faces showing expressions of confusion, concern, and anxiety.

After Chu Xiuyuan and Shangguan Ning further elaborated on the situation regarding the Heavenly Principle, Lei Jun planned to take Chu Kun to the East Sea to investigate.

However, before they could even set off, news arrived: the Void Gateway had been recaptured by Ming Dynasty cultivators.

An unknown number of Ming Dynasty cultivators had also invaded the Great Tang Realm from the Heavenly Principle, and sightings of them had already been reported in coastal areas.

"So far, we have received reports from two locations," Chu Xiuyuan said slowly. "One is near Mingzhou, and the other is right here, near Yuhang."

Lei Jun remained composed, neither hurried nor agitated. "Elder Chu, you are the mainstay anchoring Yuhang; you should spare yourself the exertion of travel wherever possible. Therefore, let my junior brother and I go to the vicinity of Mingzhou to investigate."