As a cultivator of the Eighth Heavenly Layer realm, Lei Jun was responsible for leading the team on this journey. His companions included not only his fellow disciple Chu Kun, but also Fang Yue and Master Faming, as well as some cultivators from the Middle Three Heavens realm.

Lei Jun and his group departed from Mingzhou to set out to sea, treading the waves.

The Void Gateway connecting the Heavenly Principle to the Mortal World was not far from land, situated in the nearby sea. Lei Jun and the others quickly reached the predetermined location.

Since the main host of the related sacrificial rites was Chu Xiuyuan, a Great Scholar of the Ninth Heavenly Layer from the Tang Dynasty, the various branch points also adopted Confucian sacrificial rites. Fang Yue was in charge of the arrangements for the sacrificial rite for Lei Jun’s group. He quickly set up the sacrificial rite at sea.

Lei Jun watched quietly from the side as Literary Splendor Talent and Vast Integrity Qi converged. They gathered into a treasure light that shot up into the sky, piercing the clouds and plunging to the seabed, inducing the Global Spiritual Qi to transform along with it. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

However, at that moment, he felt a subtle stirring within and turned his head to look in another direction. In the distance, where the sea met the sky, another column of energy could be vaguely seen. It too spanned heaven and earth, standing above the sea surface. But this column was black.

It was obvious that the Heavenly Order Cultivators were opposing the Great Tang Cultivators, having also laid various schemes in the sea area surrounding the Void Gateway. The black column and the white column of light, though far apart, resonated with each other from a distance. They even began to lean towards one another. As both sides confronted each other, their vital energies also pulled at one another.

Lei Jun scanned his surroundings. The Heaven-piercing Earth-penetrating Taliscript subtly revolved in his pupils, allowing him to vaguely discern that beyond the columns of treasure light erected by the Great Tang Cultivators, there was not just one black column but several, rising in multiple locations.

The Confucian heritage of Great Tang and the Confucian Rationalism of Great Ming, despite their many differences, also shared numerous similarities. Together, they made their moves around the Void Gateway linking the Heavenly Principle to the Mortal World. Each side had its own objectives, but both relied on the surging Global Spiritual Qi in the East Sea area. Consequently, the key locations they chose were largely similar, often close or even overlapping.

The mutual interference between the two sides caused the Global Spiritual Qi in this sea region to become intricately complex. Various chaotic currents frequently interwove, making the already affected natural order of heaven and earth even more turbulent. The interfering and contesting columns of black Qi and white light, which spanned heaven and earth, quickly reached a deadlock. For a time, neither side could overpower the other.

Undoubtedly, such a scene did not align with the expectations of the Great Tang side. They had come to "close the gate," and under the current circumstances, it was naturally impossible to achieve their original strategic goal. Moreover, everyone already knew that the longer the delay, the more stable and powerful the Scholarly Cultivators’ various principles and sacrificial rites would become. Continuing this way would only further benefit the Heavenly Principle’s side.

Therefore, around the black columns of Qi and the white columns of light, fierce battles began to erupt in various places across the sea.

Lei Jun nodded slightly to Chu Kun, Fang Yue, and Master Faming, signaling them to guard their own pristine white column of treasure light that spanned heaven and earth. Lei Jun himself then headed towards the black column of Qi.

Before even getting close, Lei Jun observed the column carefully, a thoughtful expression on his face. A few ideas began to form in his mind. He first reined in his thoughts, then approached the black column.

As expected, Heavenly Order Cultivators were still guarding the vicinity; they hurried forward to stop Lei Jun. However, the highest cultivation level among those present was only the Seventh Layer of Heaven Realm. Although their strength was not insignificant, they were undoubtedly far inferior to the current Lei Jun. He subdued them effortlessly.

Subsequently, however, other Heavenly Order Cultivators approached from different directions. Moving in from the periphery, they attacked the pristine white treasure light where Chu Kun, Fang Yue, and the others were stationed. Lei Jun, however, did not turn back to reinforce them.

Chu Kun and Fang Yue can handle it themselves.

Among the newcomers was a Confucian Scholar of the Seventh Layer of Heaven Realm. Like the Scholar surnamed Su from before, this high-ranking Great Ming official, having reached the Upper Three Realms and being blessed by destiny’s fortune, could gain the upper hand against Master Faming, who was of the same realm.

However, Fang Yue then recited calmly, his voice clear and his tone tranquil, "The Hedong River flows thirty thousand miles east into the sea; lofty mountains, five thousand feet high, scrape the sky."

Suddenly, the sea surged with tumultuous waves. A vast river materialized as if from thin air, suspended high in the sky, then crashed down with a thunderous roar. Once formed, the river instantly gathered all the Global Spiritual Qi from the vast surrounding area into its waters. This created a terrifying Spiritual Qi River that even cultivators, let alone mortals, would dread. Under the river’s onslaught, its boundless and seemingly endless might fiercely shattered the opponent’s Thick Ink defenses, which were as hard as iron and as solid as a fortified city.

Great Tang Cultivators had been dealing more frequently with Heavenly Order Cultivators. With precedents like Lei Jun and others, now, regardless of who it was, whenever Great Tang Cultivators confronted Scholarly Cultivators of the Heavenly Principle, they would either not strike or, if they did, would attack with full force, aiming for a swift and decisive battle.

Fang Yue, who appeared unassuming, belonged to the Confucian Chanting Sect. With but a spoken word, he instantly slammed a Confucian Scholar of the same Seventh Heavenly Layer realm deep into the seabed. Such strength made even Lei Jun and his fellow disciple Chu Kun look on in surprise.

Lei Jun watched with great interest.

Fang Yue had achieved fame in his youth, and his name had been renowned throughout the lands for many years. Besides his rapid progress in cultivation, his prowess in Duels of Magic was also far superior to his peers. However, he had always rarely engaged in conflicts, so only limited information about his capabilities had circulated.

Years ago, Lei Jun had personally witnessed Fang Yue’s Chanting of verses. After such a long time, seeing it again now makes me nod repeatedly in approval. What’s commendable about Fang Yue’s move—or rather, his spoken technique—isn’t the sheer vastness and power of the Spiritual Energy-formed river, but the extremely fine and precise control he still maintains even with its torrential momentum.