Neither side gave way.

In Lei Jun’s sea of consciousness, a slight change arose. It was as if ink marks had appeared upon his mind. The ink marks were not filthy, yet they were stubborn. Through the pitch-black ink marks, Lei Jun’s vision seemed to reveal another vista.

That was a world unfamiliar to him, yet its aura was very similar to that of the ink marks and the Confucian Rationalist Cultivator’s related Dharma Essence. Though he had never been there, it did not prevent Lei Jun from guessing that it was the Heavenly Principle of the current Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, once known as Guicang.

The opponent’s sacrifice, affected by karmic influence, startlingly further pulled on the karmic influence within Heavenly Principle. Thus, a huge power was formed, hindering the "closing of the gate" by the Great Tang side.

But as Lei Jun countered Taiji with Taiji, continuously twisting its variations, this sacrifice began to destabilize. The soaring black qi no longer remained focused but dispersed in all directions. This Neo-Confucian sacrifice, now without a master, but relying on its entanglement with Heavenly Principle’s karmic influence, seemed to be endowed with its own strength and will, then targeting Lei Jun for a desperate counterattack.

After the thick-ink-like black qi scattered in all directions, it then continuously augmented the cage and shackles, becoming a part of them, and in turn restricting Lei Jun.

Lei Jun did not dodge. He didn’t strike to destroy them either.

On the surface, he appeared to be resisting with all his might. In addition to the Yin Yang Twin Thunder Dragons, even the starlight of his Destiny Star God flared. But inside, after Master Lei dispelled the ascending black qi of the sacrifice, he began to hold back on his efforts.

After the Taiji had subdued Taiji, the Destiny Star God, which Lei Jun had turned into, struck the outer black cage, but was still imprisoned within it. One after another, the inky ritual restrictions accumulated, forming chain after chain, enveloping the black cage from the outside and steadily layering up until it became airtight. So much so that Lei Jun’s whole being appeared to be locked within a complete black box.

Chu Kun saw this from a distance, a flicker of surprise flashing through his eyes before quickly being replaced by realization. But his expression appeared to be one of great alarm as he cried, "Senior brother!"

Fang Yue and Master Faming saw this and were equally shocked. The group hurried over. Fortunately, Lei Jun’s voice then came from within the "black box," saying, "I am currently unharmed, Chu and my fellow daoists, please rest assured. It’s just that the opponent’s sacrifice has drawn the power of Heavenly Principle, shifting the Global Spiritual Qi. Though I strive to break it, with the backlash of karmic influence, I must face it for an extended period."

Though Master Lei seemed to be bravely sacrificing himself, his tone remained calm and composed, not at all in disarray. Influenced by his calmness, the others were no longer agitated.

Lei Jun’s voice from within the black box, however, gradually grew softer and fainter as he continued, "I am capable of protecting myself without issue. Once I resolve the backlash of Heavenly Principle’s karmic influence, I can dissolve this suppression. Chu and the rest need not worry about me. Focus on the grand scheme, safeguard our sacrifice, then I can rest assured in resolving the current crisis..."

As he spoke, his voice drifted off, fading away.

The "black box" settled into silence, without a sound, an encompassing quietude, as if fused with the rocks at the bottom of the sea. Its size was immense; from afar, it resembled a pitch-black city on the sea floor.

Master Faming brought his palms together in respect. "Elder Lei’s noble spirit is admired by my fellow monks and me. We will spare no effort to protect the Sacrificial Ritual Ceremony here. Please have no worries, Elder Lei."

Fang Yue made an attempt, only to realize that the "Black City" was akin to a Ritual Instrument like the Taoist Sect’s Contrary Heavenly Gang. Should outsiders rashly approach and touch it, they too might be caught and sealed within. At the very least, Fang Yue’s current personal strength was insufficient to aid Lei Jun in breaking free from the "entrapment."

His expression solemn, he bowed towards the "Black City." "Please be at ease, Elder Lei, I shall exert my utmost effort."

Chu Kun looked at the "Black City," his gaze carrying a trace of worry, a hint of concern.

Internally, however, he was harboring doubts.

Although his Second Senior Brother was not as entirely deceptive as his eldest, Chu Kun wouldn’t dare to claim he knew all the depths of his capability.

Yet based on what he did know, his senior brother couldn’t possibly be trapped by the sacrifice before them.

An oversight, a stumble?... Nonsense.

Unnoticed by others, Master Lei had already left. All that remained was an empty city.

At that moment, his body was enveloped in a new Magical Treasure he had forged—the Taiqing Eight Scenic Treasures Raincoat. He seemed to completely blend with the natural world, as if he had vanished entirely.

Fang Yue was a Heavenly Talent with extraordinary strength. He pursued cultivation in the Confucian Chanting Sect’s Taoist heritage, focusing on the Spiritual Soul, and his perception was keener than most cultivators of his realm. Yet even with his spiritual awareness, he failed to detect Lei Jun’s departure from the "Black City," though Lei Jun was nearby.

Because of his association with the Tang Imperial Court, Master Lei’s emergence was open and aboveboard, with nothing to hide. Upon reaching the East Sea region, he often interacted with people, and his whereabouts were also clear.

Some things are clear to those deeply involved, as being in the thick of it grants insight into the situation. Yet for others, it is the onlooker who sees clearer, stepping out of the fray to better understand the truth.

For Lei Jun, now was an excellent opportunity to move from the light into the shadows.

Everyone had seen it. The Celestial Master Mansion’s Elder Lei risked himself for the public good, bravely suppressing the sacrifice of the people of Heavenly Principle, ultimately caught in a deadlock with the sacrifice, unable to free himself for the time being.

If something were to happen afterward, it would not be my concern... 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Only Chu Kun, after Lei Jun had come out, was informed by Lei Jun himself.

Taoist Master Chu’s opinion on this was...

Second Senior Brother did a good job!

But it wasn’t perfect.

The pitfall lay in not bringing him, Taoist Master Chu, along to move from the limelight to the shadows.