Chapter 703: 298. Twin Dragons Emerge from the Sea, Thunder Shakes the Nine Heavens! (10,000-Word Mega Chapter)

"In that case, I am indebted to you both, Taoists," Chu Xiuyuan said.

Lei Jun then said to Shangguan Ning, "Disciple originally planned to go to sea to find and contact Eldest Senior Sister. However, the current situation has changed, and the broader picture takes precedence, so I must head to Mingzhou first. However, my Master and the Sect Leader are both highly concerned about the lack of news from our Eldest Senior Sister and would like to ask Fifth Uncle to search on their behalf."

Shangguan Ning nodded. "Alright. As for matters on land, I’ll leave them to you, Nephew Chongyun, and your group."

Xu Yuanzhen’s importance to the current Celestial Master Mansion is undeniable. Her sudden disappearance and loss of contact naturally warrant the attention of everyone in the Celestial Master Mansion. Moreover, regarding the current situation in the East Sea, Xu Yuanzhen’s whereabouts are also of critical importance.

Chu Xiuyuan had no objections to this arrangement, only hoping that the Celestial Master Mansion would also inform the Imperial Court once they had news.

The three from the Celestial Master Mansion agreed and departed after bidding farewell to Chu Xiuyuan.

Chu Xiuyuan watched the departing figures of Lei Jun, Shangguan Ning, and Chu Kun, lost in thought.

Lei Jun, Lei Chongyun... Not only is his Daoist cultivation talent extraordinary, but he is also calm and decisive—truly a pillar of talent. It is evident that the Celestial Master Mansion holds high hopes for him. Neither Lei Jun, nor Yuan Mobai, nor Shangguan Ning would actively ask the Current Celestial Master, Tang Xiaotang, to abdicate. But if Tang Xiaotang were to relinquish the position of Celestial Master, whether voluntarily or due to unforeseen circumstances, the successor would most likely be that tall young man. He is polite but taciturn, yet his bearing and authority have gradually taken root. Even Shangguan Ning, his elder, also greatly respects his opinions. This respect is not merely due to the disparity in their realms and cultivation strengths; Chu Xiuyuan can see that it also encompasses multifaceted acknowledgment and profound trust. Considering Shangguan Ning’s origins within the Tang Imperial Court’s imperial family and her myriad connections to the wider royal family, the implications become even more profound. In fact, Chu Xiuyuan himself holds Lei Jun in high regard. Although the relationship between the Suzhou Chu Clan and the Dragon Tiger Mountain Celestial Master’s Mansion is not as close as it once was, they are not currently open adversaries. However, Chu Xiuyuan now places greater importance on Dragon Tiger Mountain than before.

As for Chu Kun, who came to Yuhang with Lei Jun and is now leaving with him, Chu Xiuyuan actually feels a sense of peace upon seeing him. Others might be a different matter. But for a Chu Clan descendant like Chu Kun, who has demonstrated exceptional talent within a Taoist Holy Land, the Suzhou Chu Clan has always kept watch. For more than twenty years, not a single day of observation has been neglected. Although Chu Kun’s presence in the Celestial Master Mansion and his reclusive lifestyle limited the information the Chu Clan could gather, they have never forgotten such a prime example of ’a flower blooming within the walls, its fragrance wafting beyond.’ However, the Chu Clan has no plans to intervene. This is a strict directive from Chu Xiuyuan himself: Observe, but do not interfere. If Chu Kun actively seeks aid from the Suzhou family, then they shall provide support. If Chu Kun minimizes contact with the Chu Clan, they are to let him be. Ever since Chu Kun’s immediate kin moved from the Suzhou ancestral lands to establish branches elsewhere, Chu Xiuyuan, Chu Zhe, Chu Peng, and other Chu Clan leaders have fundamentally understood his stance. Simultaneously, they are not to interfere or obstruct him.

Chu Zhongguang... The old man pondered for a moment, then smiled faintly. "Yuan Mobai is indeed a thoughtful person. However, it is still too early to say upon which child the Chu Clan has pinned the weighty responsibility of the name ’Zhongguang’."

After the three from the Celestial Master Mansion left Yuhang, Lei Jun quietly said, "Fifth Uncle, please don’t worry. There’s news from Eldest Senior Sister. She is unharmed, merely occupied with other matters and has temporarily left the sphere of Heavenly Principle."

Shangguan Ning nodded slightly upon hearing this. "That’s a relief."

Lei Jun continued, "However, her current whereabouts are unknown, and it’s unlikely she can return to the Great Tang anytime soon. We still need to proceed with caution regarding matters in the East Sea."

Shangguan Ning said, "Mm, I understand."

After bidding farewell to their Uncle Shangguan Ning, the martial brothers Lei Jun and Chu Kun headed together to the Mingzhou coast.

Lei Jun followed the coastline, proceeding at an unhurried pace towards the vicinity of Great Qing Bay. Upon arrival, only the surging waves were visible; there was no trace of any Heavenly Order cultivators.

Lei Jun remained unperturbed and simply said to Chu Kun, "Although we have received some information, it seems no large groups from Heavenly Principle have approached Mingzhou yet. I will patrol the Mingzhou area. Junior Brother, perhaps you should first visit your relatives and arrange for them to move further inland."

Although it might seem like prioritizing personal matters over public duty, Chu Kun knew that given the current disparity in cultivation strength between him and his Senior Brother, they would have to rely on Lei Jun if a formidable enemy appeared. His main purpose on this trip was to ensure his relatives’ safety and to learn from Lei Jun, assisting him where possible.

Seeing that all was calm for the moment, he didn’t refuse. After thanking Lei Jun, he departed, planning for a swift return.

Lei Jun remained by the sea, intently observing the flow of Global Spiritual Qi, perceiving the natural changes, and discerning the underlying patterns. After a short while, the brilliance of the Heaven-piercing Earth-penetrating Taliscript flickered deep within his eyes.

Simultaneously, Lei Jun raised his hand. Several points of light flew out, scattering in all directions and covering both sea and land. Each point of light was a Heaven’s Sight Earth’s Hearing Talisman he had personally crafted.

Having done this, Lei Jun’s perception of his surroundings sharpened further. Numerous scenes from within and around the bay came into clear view, as if unfolding directly before him.

Lei Jun nodded slightly and, with his hands clasped behind his back, strolled along other coastal areas around Great Qing Bay.

Time passed.

Not a single Heavenly Order cultivator was active in the entire Mingzhou region, let alone the Great Qing Bay area.

However, the first stirrings of activity came from Yuhang. The latest news Lei Jun received reported that a large number of Heavenly Order cultivators had burst forth from a Void Gateway, launching a counterattack on the eastern coastal regions of the Tang Imperial Dynasty. Among them were many powerful cultivators.