Chapter 749: 308. Second Layer of the Eighth Heavenly Layer, Divine Court Intermediate Scene (Three-in-One Chapter)_3

Due to his advanced age, Master Yunhui had in recent years chosen a life of seclusion, rarely involving himself in external affairs.

Yet when it came to the Sea-Calming Divine Needle of Tianlong Temple, he, the Supreme Elder, was the first that came to mind for both insiders and outsiders.

It was only this year, with Faqing’s astonishing emergence, that discussions began anew. But since Faqing did not return to Tianlong Temple, the monastery’s community was left feeling helpless.

"Uncle Master Yunhui is himself free from greed and foolishness, but when it comes to the word ’anger’..." Wang Guiyuan slightly shook his head. "He’s also... hmm, in Third Brother’s words, he cares for the younger disciples, so..."

Chu Kun offered consolation, "After all, Master Yunhui is of advanced age. Nowadays, most affairs within Tianlong Temple are presided over by Abbot Miaoxin. As the Global Spiritual Qi surges, the Buddhist Oath Lineage is sure to continuously bring forth a younger generation of eminent monks. With the guidance of Abbot Miaoxin, Elder Miaokong, and Master Faming, clarity is bound to prevail."

He and Lei Jun shared the same suspicions.

His own Big Brother clearly favored Abbot Miaoxin and Elder Miaokong, among others.

Yet he had not stayed at Tianlong Temple and now had no intention of returning.

Although he carried Avici upon him, the current circumstances were obviously better than before.

If Abbot Miaoxin could secure the return of Monk Faqing to Tianlong Temple and his support, many affairs would proceed much more smoothly.

Although this could also trigger internal strife, it was still preferable to the current situation...

Lei Jun and Chu Kun exchanged a glance, swiftly shifting the topic without delving deeper.

「A while later」

Xu Yuanzhen, their Eldest Sister, finally returned to Dragon Tiger Mountain.

"The Mortal World ruled by the Great Ming Dynasty is quite intriguing," she said.

Yet her expression betrayed some disgust.

Lei Jun asked, "Is it the same as the Heavenly Principle as a whole, with Confucian Rationalism prevailing?"

Xu Yuanzhen replied, "Indeed. Under the influence of the nation’s fate and the transformation of the Void Realm, it’s difficult to find a Portal. Although I’ve made some contact, I have yet to gain entry."

She sat down casually. "But it won’t stop me. Now that I’m back, when I have some free time later, I’ll prepare some things, and then I’ll be able to bore right through on my next visit."

Lei Jun, watching her expression, clearly saw a slight upward curve at the corner of her mouth, showing her excitement.

Not being able to enter the Great Ming Mortal Realm this time seemed to have sparked Xu Yuanzhen’s interest in it even more.

So much so that she wasn’t interested in finding another Void Gateway, but instead planned to open one herself.

However, there were other matters she needed to address first.

"Huang... Xuan... Pu..." Xu Yuanzhen nodded while speaking each word deliberately.

She usually spoke quickly and with precision, like rain hitting a jade plate, rarely as slowly and deliberately as she was doing now.

Nearby, Tang Xiaotang let out a grunt. "It’s a pity that the Celestial Master Robe arrived too late; otherwise, I would’ve definitely had a confrontation with him."

Xu Yuanzhen said, "The Celestial Master Robe is not to be pitied. I am the one worthy of pity."

The sudden intrusion of people from the Solitary Eagle Khanate into the Great Tang Realm caught almost everyone by surprise.

At that time, Xu Yuanzhen had already entered the Heavenly Principle.

If not for the Solitary Eagle Khanate suddenly causing disturbances in the Northwest, and the East Sea Heavenly Principle simultaneously diverting the Tang Imperial Court’s attention, coupled with Xu Yuanzhen’s own absence, the Mortal Tao Country would not have attacked Dragon Tiger Mountain.

At that moment, it was indeed a rare opportunity for them, gone in a flash.

But they unexpectedly suffered a thorough defeat at the foot of Dragon Tiger Mountain.

Yet Huang Xuanpu and Fu Dongsen managed to retreat.

Although Xu Yuanzhen was now interested in the Great Ming Mortal Realm, she planned to hunt down Huang Xuanpu first.

She looked down on the Mortal Tao Country, and matters related to it wouldn’t normally have concerned her this much.

Her dispute with Huang Xuanpu, however, was a purely personal matter.

Although Li Qingfeng was not directly killed by Huang Xuanpu, the most direct cause of his demise was Huang Xuanpu’s surprise attack and ambush.

For Xu Yuanzhen, it was out of the question to show favor or tolerance to other members of the Li Clan for Li Qingfeng’s personal sake.

But with Li Qingfeng himself having passed away, she was determined to give this master of hers an accounting.

"Although it’s not certain yet, recent messages from the Mount Shu Sect suggest that the Taiyi Primordial Tower may have been recovered by Fu Dongsen," Yuan Mobai remarked. "As for Qingxiao Manor, its whereabouts remain unknown."

Xu Yuanzhen said, "Hmm, that’s one clue. What about Pure Yang Palace?"

Yuan Mobai replied, "There’s been trouble, but thankfully not a complete loss."

Tang Xiaotang interjected, "It’s almost the same."

Yuan Mobai sighed upon hearing this.

The current state of Pure Yang Palace was, in some ways, even worse than the Mount Shu Sect’s after its great schism.

Huang Xuanpu’s influence in Pure Yang Palace ran deeper than Fu Dongsen’s did in the Mount Shu Sect.

Besides the previous generation’s Supreme Elder Rong Guangchen, Huang Xuanpu’s contemporary, the former Vermilion Bird Elder Guan Jing, was also a spy planted by him and the Mortal Tao Country within Pure Yang Palace.

With Rong Guangchen, Gu Han, Feng Yi, and others having already broken away, Pure Yang Palace still harbored a faction of believers in the Mortal Tao Country.

After the great battle at Dragon Tiger Mountain, with the front lines in the Northwest facing the Solitary Eagle Khanate, Pure Yang Palace was once again in turmoil.

In the end, the Empress herself, who had been overseeing the situation in Chang’an, personally arrived at Pure Yang Palace, resulting in the deaths of Guan Jing and others.

However, the Empress did not trouble Pure Yang Palace further; instead, she pacified the remaining people.

Lü Jinduan and Wang Xuan, who was recuperating, exchanged silent glances. They had no choice but to gather their spirits and try their best to reorganize the sacred land of the Taoist Dan Ding Sect amidst the turmoil.

Somewhat unexpectedly, Huang Xuanpu’s closed-door disciple, Yue Xiling, was not a member of the Mortal Tao Country.

However, at this time, given Pure Yang Palace’s repeated disturbances, outside observers inevitably viewed Yue Xiling with suspicion and scrutiny.

Yue Xiling remained silent in response but abstained from involving himself in the rebuilding of Pure Yang Palace to avoid suspicion.