Cultivation: Fortune by Lots-Chapter 478 - 249. Skinning and taking the gallbladder as a mount? (Two-in-one Chapter)_3

The Tang Imperial Court’s control over Jiangzhou was inevitable.

However, the Celestial Master Mansion only took over a few Cave Heavens and Blessed Lands previously controlled by the Lin Clan of Jiangzhou, making the integration process much easier. Although the population involved was small, the natural resources here were extremely abundant. It truly was a place of great benefit with few complications, rich and fertile land. It was just that at present, the Celestial Master Mansion was relatively short of manpower, so after taking over these Blessed Lands and Cave Heavens, it would need some time to stabilize and manage them.

Time gradually passed into February. Winter yielded to spring, and the new year’s spring slowly approached.

On this day, Lei Jun was in the Supreme Pure Thunder Mansion Cave Heaven, refining his Supreme Pure Jade Heavenly Immortal Bamboo. The green bamboo, flashing with purple-gold radiance, had now stabilized at six segments. Lei Jun sat cross-legged, one hand still making a spell gesture before his chest, while the fingers of his other hand flicked continuously, sending one Divine Faculty Talisman after another flying into the green bamboo. After refining it consecutively eighty-one times, Lei Jun finally paused for a moment to silently warm and nurture the Magical Treasure.

When the time reached the early hours of that night, Lei Jun put away the Magical Treasure and sat cross-legged at the peak of Biyou Immortal Mountain. His spirit entered the cosmic starry sky of the Celestial Book.

Of the seven luminaries of the heavens, all six were shining at this moment; only Shen Qubing’s Mars Fire Radiance was unlit.

"Although he left a message, there has been no response from Fire Yao for some time. Let’s not disturb him further. Six attendees will be enough for this gathering," YueYao said calmly.

Lei Jun and the others all agreed.

In the world of cultivators, a single period of seclusion could last for days, months, years, or even decades and centuries. During such times, it was not uncommon for them to be completely cut off, entirely focused on their cultivation, and refusing all contact with the outside world. Everyone present had experienced something similar.

"Then let’s begin," Riyao said indifferently. "My question remains the same: who has information on Fang Jingsheng of Jingxiang?"

Lei Jun and the others either indicated they didn’t know or remained silent.

Riyao, as usual, seemed unconcerned about not receiving an answer. After asking her question, she fell silent again, paying little attention to the questions and answers exchanged among the others.

Lei Jun gazed at the bright but silent Taiyang Riyao, pondering. Fang Jingsheng, the Clan Chief of the Jingxiang Fang Clan... If Riyao is truly the Empress, then those she has recently paid attention to can likely be considered strong contenders for breaking through to the Ninth Heavenly Layer. Even among masters who have reached Eighth Heavenly Layer completion, there can be significant differences. Some might be just one step away from the Ninth Heavenly Layer, perhaps even a hair’s breadth. Others, however, might find that Eighth Heavenly Layer completion is their absolute limit, with no possibility of further advancement. Previously, Wei Ancheng, the Sect Leader of the Blood River Sect, successfully took that step and ascended to the Ninth Heavenly Layer. What about Fang Jingsheng now?

Moreover, I can’t help but consider the opposite. My senior sister Xu Yuanzhen disappeared some time ago, wandering beyond the mortal realm. Even the Celestial Master Mansion itself was unaware of her situation. Her sudden breakthrough to the Ninth Heavenly Layer would have been very abrupt for others, making it difficult to obtain prior intelligence. Thus, it’s understandable that the Empress wouldn’t have known in advance.

And what about Ye Yan, the Clan Chief of the Qingzhou Ye Clan? He, too, had definitively taken that final step, cultivating to the Confucian Sect’s Ninth Heavenly Layer. Is the Empress focusing on Fang Jingsheng and not inquiring about Ye Yan because she previously underestimated him? Or does she already know Ye Yan has reached the Ninth Heavenly Layer, thus rendering inquiries unnecessary?

So, apart from Fang Jingsheng, what is the current status of other experts who might be attempting to break through to the Ninth Heavenly Layer?

At this moment, Saturn Earth Radiance spoke up, "I have a question for everyone."

YueYao said, "Please, friend, speak your mind."

Earth Guardian asked, "Are you all aware of the great battles in Jiangzhou and Youzhou?"

As this was the most significant recent news, everyone present indicated they knew.

Earth Guardian then continued, "I would like to ask, how were Celestial Master Tang and Elder Xu of the Longhu Mountain Celestial Master’s Mansion able to so easily break through the ancestral lands of the Lin Clans of Youzhou and Jiangzhou?"

Riyao said indifferently, "I know some details about that."

Earth Guardian replied, "If possible, please enlighten me."

He paused slightly before continuing, "I don’t have information about the Clan Chief of the Jingxiang Fang Clan. If it’s acceptable, may I try to exchange other information or items for it?"

Riyao stated, "I’m not in need of anything else."

Earth Guardian said, "It was presumptuous of me. My apologies for the disturbance."

Riyao then asked, "Your inquiry about this matter is related to the meaning of the characters you presented last time, correct?"

Earth Guardian’s spirits lifted. "Precisely."

Lei Jun listened quietly from the side, recalling a previous gathering where Earth Guardian had presented some characters with peculiar and unfamiliar meanings. Those characters themselves weren’t obscure; everyone recognized them. However, the meaning they conveyed was different from any of the Confucian classics currently transmitted within the Great Tang Dynasty, and nothing similar had appeared throughout history. Now, as I recall, the literary meaning emanating from the Confucian relics in the Foreign Lands—relics destroyed by a fierce Martial Tao True Meaning—bore a striking resemblance to the meaning of Earth Guardian’s characters. Although there were still some differences, they were far more similar to each other than to the current literary traditions of the Great Tang Dynasty. The two might indeed share some connection. I’m also curious, but I won’t speak up for now.

Riyao then said indifferently, "We can talk privately later."

Earth Guardian replied, "Thank you in advance."

Mercury Water Luminary, who had missed a previous gathering, then spoke up, "I also have some information I’d like to exchange. It’s relatively unrefined, but my main intention is for us to share what we each have and consolidate our knowledge."

YueYao asked, "Regarding what, may I ask?"