Chapter 273: Chapter 273

Leaving behind a few words, Lei Jun did not immediately retract his sword.

Before him, a Celestial Seed unfurled, stretching out into a stream of purple light.

Aside from this purple light, another object had appeared in Lei Jun’s hand—one of the leaves that Xu Yuanzhen had once cut from the Thousand-Leaf Butterfly King.

Lei Jun raised his hand once more, summoning the Seven-Star Sword to return to his side, merging it with the purple light and the leaf left behind by the Thousand-Leaf Butterfly King.

As their radiance converged and faded, Lei Jun’s original form disappeared.

In his place now stood a middle-aged Daoist in coarse linen robes, with sharp eyes and a bold smile. His expression was carefree yet arrogant, exuding an unmistakable fearlessness with a hint of reckless defiance.

Lei Jun did not leave immediately. Instead, he remained in place for a while, allowing his body to fully integrate with the Celestial Seed’s purple light.

This process granted him a partial recollection of Chen Donglou’s memories, along with an intuitive grasp of his mannerisms and way of dealing with the world.

For a moment, Lei Jun felt as if he had lived another life.

News Spreads from Qianshan

As time passed, the news from Qianshan quickly spread.

Upon hearing that Wang Dongchu had died by Chen Donglou’s sword, the world was shocked.

Previously, Wang Dongchu had impersonated Chen Donglou, wielding the Seven-Star Sword to ambush Chu Yu. When the truth came to light, many speculated that Chen Donglou had already perished.

After all, if he were alive, Wang Dongchu wouldn’t have dared to impersonate him so boldly.

Later, when Wang Dongchu managed to escape from Shangguan Yunbo in the Ancient Wood Mountain’s maze of illusions, even the Tang Imperial Family felt regretful at having lost their chance to capture him.

Who could have expected that the latest report would flip the situation entirely—that Wang Dongchu had instead fallen at Chen Donglou’s hands?

Soon after, rumors surfaced that Chen Donglou himself had appeared in the Bashu region.

As people speculated whether Shushan Sect was in turmoil and if this long-absent elder would return to the sect, another message followed:

Chen Donglou had not returned to Shushan.

After visiting Xiaoding, he had left without looking back, leaving the sect’s members with conflicted emotions.

Given Chen Donglou’s personality, this outcome was not entirely unexpected.

Back then, he had left Shushan in anger. Now, though he was at odds with Fu Dongsen, he had no reason to be any friendlier toward Zhang Dongyuan and the others.

Those remaining in Xiaoding, still loyal to Shushan, were left with mixed emotions.

Before "Chen Donglou" departed, he left behind only a single message:

“If anyone can contact Fu Dongsen, tell him—I want to meet.”

As they watched him disappear into the distance, the gathered Shushan disciples exchanged uncertain glances.

Deep Within the Southern Wastelands

In a desolate, poisonous miasma-shrouded region of the Southern Wastelands, where no living creatures roamed and no rare treasures were found, even witches and great demons seldom set foot.

Within this barren land, nestled beneath thick clouds and mist, stood a silent treasure pagoda.

Though its exterior appeared dim and unremarkable, a profound spiritual essence lay hidden within.

Beneath the pagoda, an underground cave residence extended deep into the earth.

Inside, three figures sat facing each other—two women and one man.

The first woman, with a calm and composed demeanor, was Hong Jie, the former Grand Elder of Shushan—once the highest-ranking elder in the sect.

The second woman, with a sharp and intense gaze, was Wei Qiyue, once one of Shushan Sect’s most powerful female cultivators.

Neither of them was in good condition.

Hong Jie, due to her advanced age, had long avoided battle, knowing that any injury would take her far longer to recover than in her youth. Worse, if she suffered damage to her vital energy, it could accelerate the decline of her cultivation—perhaps even shortening her lifespan.

Even during Shushan’s first great internal war, she had not intervened.

But in the recent war, she had no choice but to act, joining Fu Dongsen and Wei Qiyue on the battlefield.

As for Wei Qiyue, her injuries were far worse.

She had nearly been captured by Chu Yu, Zhang Dongyuan, and the others—only surviving thanks to Fu Dongsen and Hong Jie’s aid.

Even so, the battle had left her grievously wounded.

She had been struck by an arrow from Chu Yu, crushed by Zhang Taigang’s Life-bound Treasure, the Emei Golden Seal, and nearly had her Life-bound Sword shattered by Zhang Dongyuan’s Qingming Sword.

Three severe injuries, one after another—she was lucky to have survived at all.

After retreating into Qingshao Manor, she had shut herself away, focusing entirely on healing.

Even so, her injuries were so severe that for a time, her Immortal Soul had been unable to maintain its original form.

Only now, after extensive recovery, could she barely restore her human appearance—yet even so, her form seemed like a fading shadow, pale and fragile.

And yet, despite her condition, Wei Qiyue forced herself to appear here, rather than continue resting, all because of one urgent piece of news—

Wang Dongchu, another Eighth Heaven cultivator of the Daoist Alchemical Sect, had perished.

“Are you certain it was really Chen Donglou?” Wei Qiyue’s voice was weak but grave.

At the head of the chamber sat a middle-aged Daoist in coarse linen robes, with an imposing presence. His eyes gleamed, revealing a hidden radiance beneath his lids.

This was Fu Dongsen, the current Sect Leader of Shushan.

He sat in deep contemplation, not answering immediately.

Instead, Hong Jie spoke:

“Did any of you find traces of his scattered soul?”

For cultivators of the Upper Three Heavens in the Daoist Alchemical Sect, their bodies had long transcended the mortal form, evolving into a new life state.

Even if they perished, they would leave no corpse.

To some extent, their Life-bound Treasures and Life-bound Artifacts served as their true bodies.

Moreover, their Immortal Souls were exceptionally resilient.

Even if they lost their physical forms, their souls could still persist.

For Eighth Heaven cultivators, who had reached the Immortal Wandering Realm, their souls could freely roam the four seas.

Only if their souls were utterly obliterated could they truly be considered dead—as had happened to Wang Dongchu.

“…We never truly confirmed that Chen Donglou’s soul was scattered.”

Wei Qiyue sighed. “But he’s been missing for over a century. When Wang Dongchu and the others found the Seven-Star Sword, its spirit was silent. The sword’s seals were intact, but its aura was fading—which should indicate it had lost its master rather than being willingly abandoned.”

Hong Jie fell silent, then sighed as well. “In other words… we can’t be sure that Chen Donglou really died.”

She turned to Fu Dongsen, who finally spoke:

“If I want to verify the truth, there’s only one way—I will meet with him in person.”

Both Hong Jie and Wei Qiyue shook their heads.

“If he is still the same Chen Donglou, meeting him is pointless,” Hong Jie said.

“If he is no longer Chen Donglou… then meeting him means walking into a trap.”

The Aftermath of the Shushan Conflict

Wei Qiyue sighed. "Everything happened too suddenly. One misstep led to another, each mistake compounding the last. We've already lost too much—more than we can afford. We must not take further risks. The more we act, the more errors we make. Our only option now is to sacrifice a piece to gain an advantage and wait for the right moment."

At these words, the three Eighth Heaven Realm Daoist Elders exchanged glances, all seeing the same helplessness in each other’s eyes.

Previously, whether it was Shushan, Pure Yang Palace, or Huangtian Dao, they had all been progressing steadily.

While quietly strengthening themselves, they also subtly tested the waters, recruited like-minded individuals, and weeded out potential dissenters.

For Pure Yang Palace, both of its major calamities had primarily eliminated those who opposed the restoration of the Heavenly Court and the establishment of the Mortal Dao Nation.

The previous Shushan civil war had served a similar function.

On the surface, it had been a struggle between reformists and traditionalists.

But in reality, it had also been a purge of potential threats.

The most obvious threat, of course, was someone like Zhang Dongyuan.

However, because of Zhang Dongyuan’s special background, they had chosen not to act against him immediately, avoiding alerting the Tang Imperial Court prematurely. Instead, they had planned to deal with him gradually over time.

Even the Talismanic Daoist Branch, which had struggled the most, had managed to infiltrate Huangtian Dao.

But ironically, it was Huangtian Dao that became the problem.

Afterward, everything spiraled out of control.

Just up to this point, they had already lost three Eighth Heaven Realm cultivators—Feng Yi, Zhou Peng, and Wang Dongchu.

And all of this had happened before they had even officially made their move.

Fu Dongsen’s voice was steady. "The Western Region’s Buddhist sects are not benevolent, nor are the noble families—they are merely lying low for now. We must be more patient."

Both Hong Jie and Wei Qiyue sighed.

Fu Dongsen stood up. "Shishu and Wei Shishu, focus on your recovery. I will relocate Qingxiao Hall once more."

Lei Jun’s Departure from Shushan

After leaving the message as Chen Donglou, Lei Jun quietly left Shushan.

By using Chen Donglou’s lingering immortal soul radiance, the Seven Star Sword, and a leaf from the Thousand-Leaf Butterfly King, he was able to pass under the scrutiny of even those like Zhang Dongyuan and Xu Duan, who had known Chen Donglou personally.

But staying in Shushan too long would only increase the risk of being exposed.

Besides, Lei Jun didn’t have the time for that.

Leaving Bashu, he secretly returned to Mount Longhu.

The Heavenly Palace Tablet Returns to Mount Longhu

Zhang Jingzhen had returned earlier.

As Lei Jun and he had previously predicted, the Tang Imperial Court did not keep the tablet.

Instead, after researching it, they had returned it to Zhang Jingzhen, entrusting Mount Longhu with further study.

The agreement was that the tablet would remain at Mount Longhu, but any findings had to be reported to the Tang Imperial Court.

Lei Jun didn’t immediately retrieve the half-tablet he had obtained from Chen Yi.

Instead, he notified his Eldest Senior Sister, Xu Yuanzhen, asking her to return to the mountain.

Originally, Xu Yuanzhen had planned to travel to Bashu after returning from the Eastern Sea.

However, upon hearing that both halves of the Heavenly Palace Tablet were now complete, she changed course and returned to the ancestral grounds of Mount Longhu.

Since Tang Xiaotang was still in seclusion, Xu Yuanzhen took charge of the Ten Thousand Methods Altar.

Under her guidance, the two halves of the tablet merged.

Instantly, countless Daoist principles and talismanic patterns intertwined, forming a pillar of light that pierced the heavens.

Xu Yuanzhen stood within the altar, her hands behind her back, gazing upward as her body began to rise into the sky.

As the person with the highest comprehension present, Lei Jun was also affected, his body lifted by the celestial force.

A Glimpse of the Heavens

As they ascended into the sky, the two of them looked into the distance.

This time, Lei Jun’s perception became clearer.

Before him stretched a vast, endless galaxy.

Unlike the illusory universe of the Heavenly Book, this was real.

A true river of stars.

The legendary Heavenly Palace was nowhere to be seen.

"It did exist once," Xu Yuanzhen said calmly. "But now, it is gone."

Lei Jun narrowed his eyes. "If it once existed, that alone is enough to drive people to obsession."

Xu Yuanzhen glanced around. "This place, however, might grant either you or Xiaotang a rare opportunity. Who it favors depends on luck."

Lei Jun’s expression flickered. "An advancement from Clear Tranquility to Natural Insight?"

He could feel himself resonating with the Dao, his very existence aligning with the vast cosmos.

Yet, it was still incomplete.

Like an illusory reflection, not yet real.

It was a chance, but nothing more.

Although he had encountered such moments before, Lei Jun still felt thrilled at the prospect.

"Yes," Xu Yuanzhen nodded. "Such postnatal opportunities are exceedingly rare."

She descended from the air. "Between you, Xiaotang, or someone else, whoever succeeds will depend on fate."

At the very least, one needed the foundation of Clear Tranquility Insight.

Zhang Jingzhen, while talented, lacked the necessary foundation for now.

If she could improve her comprehension, she might stand a chance, but as of now, her odds were slim.

Xu Yuanzhen didn’t mention that Lei Jun had acquired the other half of the tablet, but she also didn’t hide the potential of this Heavenly Palace Tablet opportunity from Zhang Jingzhen.

After emerging from the Ten Thousand Methods Altar, she explained that if both halves of the tablet were combined, it could elevate one's comprehension—but the requirements were extremely high.

After the incident at Nanzhao Stone Forest, Zhang Jingzhen’s demeanor had become calmer and more composed.

Hearing this, her expression remained unshaken, and she simply nodded. "This matter concerns the Mortal Dao Nation. It is too significant. I believe the tablet should remain within the sect. I will not claim it for myself."

Xu Yuanzhen casually waved a hand. "As you wish."

Yuan Mobai added, "Although you obtained it from Upper Qing Thunder Altar, it was still your personal opportunity. If you choose to leave it in the sect’s hands, that is fine. The sect will compensate you accordingly, ensuring your contributions are recognized. Furthermore, you may use it for cultivation whenever you are at the mansion."

Zhang Jingzhen bowed. "Thank you, Elder Yuan."

She hesitated, then continued, "That traitor Chen Yi—aside from possessing half of the Heavenly Palace Tablet, he also holds something else unusual."

After much deliberation, she chose to reveal what she knew.

"…A special golden hall?" Xu Yuanzhen’s eyes gleamed with interest. "Now that’s interesting. Make this public. Let’s see how many ponds we can ripple with one stone."

Zhang Jingzhen let out a rare chuckle—one that bore a striking resemblance to Xu Yuanzhen’s own smirk.

"Indeed… let’s see how many waves it stirs."

The Storm Gathers Again

As Zhang Jingzhen's revelation spread, the consequences were immediate.

The Mortal Dao Nation, which had just decided to lay low and recover, suddenly realized they had lost something invaluable.

Previously, they had believed that Chen Yi only carried half of the Heavenly Palace Tablet.

Now, they learned he held an even greater secret.

The Tang Imperial Court, naturally, did not overlook this information.

Whether it was to capture Chen Yi himself or use him as bait to ensnare the Mortal Dao Nation’s remnants, this was the perfect opportunity.

Even the Confucian aristocratic families and the Western Region’s Buddhist sects began to pay attention.

Although the information had yet to be fully verified, it was enough to draw the interest of all major factions.

Even if they didn’t immediately mobilize their full forces, they would at least keep a close eye on the situation.

If there was anyone less than thrilled about this development, it was undoubtedly Chen Yi himself.

The former disciple of Tianshi Mansion, now famous across the land, had suddenly become the target of countless eyes.

But this newfound notoriety was far from pleasant—he was now a hunted man.

The fallout of the Shushan conflict was not the end of the chaos.

Instead, it was merely the beginning of another upheaval.

Yet, at this moment, none of it directly concerned Lei Jun.

For now, he remained within the ancestral grounds of Mount Longhu, focusing on his cultivation.

Without any direct leads on Fu Dongsen, Gu Han, or other key members of the Mortal Dao Nation, Lei Jun wasn’t particularly concerned.

The Tang Imperial Court had already taken over the hunt—he was content to let them deal with it for now.

As for the opportunity to enhance comprehension through the combined Heavenly Palace Tablet, it remained just that—an opportunity.

Whether he or Tang Xiaotang would seize it first, Lei Jun wasn’t overly attached to the outcome.

It would happen as fate willed it.

However, there was another matter that held his interest.

The Dark Side of the Heavenly Book

Within the Heavenly Book’s dark universe, two figures stood out.

Each had embarked on their own path.

For Meng Shaojie, the road had been quiet and steady.

Ever since he had shifted his focus to historical studies, he hadn’t experienced any sudden breakthroughs.

There was no meteoric rise.

No dramatic transformation.

Just continuous, patient learning.

By all appearances, he was still as ordinary as ever.

But Lei Jun could see that Meng Shaojie was accumulating something beneath the surface.

A quiet momentum, slowly building up.

Like a reservoir filling with water, waiting for the right moment to overflow.

Kang Ming’s journey was far more perilous.

Kang Ming had recently come face-to-face with a high-ranking member of the Mortal Dao Nation.

Not Gu Han, the Eighth Heaven Realm elder, but still an Upper Three Heaven cultivator.

It was someone Lei Jun had encountered before—

Guo Ling, a figure from the Huangtian Dao sect in Western Sichuan’s Snow Mountains.

By leveraging the Nascent Soul fragments and lingering aura of Wenzhao Qian, Kang Ming had successfully impersonated Wenzhao and passed Guo Ling’s test.

This deception allowed him to infiltrate deeper into the Mortal Dao Nation.

However, this success came at a cost.

For now, Kang Ming had to maintain the facade of being Wenzhao’s reincarnation.

This meant that even if he obtained new insights or breakthroughs in cultivation, he could not openly display them.

His current disguise limited him to the Sixth Heaven Realm—he could go no further without exposing himself.

But Kang Ming had expected this restriction.

Now that he had secured his first layer of trust, he was ready for his next step.

Kang Ming was fully aware of the risks.

He understood exactly what kind of enemy he was up against.

And he refused to give up hope.

Instead of rushing forward recklessly, he focused on small, steady steps—gathering knowledge, collecting resources, and preparing for the right opportunity.

The Mortal Dao Nation might be powerful, but they were not without opposition.

Lei Jun’s response to all of this?

He had no objections to Kang Ming's methods.

By actively infiltrating and collecting intelligence on ancient Talismanic Daoist artifacts, Kang Ming was providing Lei Jun with valuable information.

And Lei Jun, in turn, rewarded Kang Ming generously, ensuring he had the resources to continue growing stronger.

A Thunderous Awakening

Time continued to flow.

The days passed swiftly.

And as the weeks turned to months, Lei Jun’s cultivation deepened further.

One day, in the stillness of his meditation chamber, Lei Jun sat cross-legged, immersed in profound contemplation.

Above his head, a single talisman hovered—

A glowing purple talisman, crackling with interwoven lightning.

It radiated a majestic power, as though alive.

Then, at the peak of noon—

A dragon’s roar echoed through the chamber.

Purple lightning erupted, not fading, but growing denser and stronger.

The currents merged, twisting together like coiling serpents.

A massive Purple Thunder Dragon emerged, its head rising from within the talisman, its eyes gleaming with terrifying brilliance.