Chapter 375: Chapter 375

The message sent by Shen Guangjie traveled northward—

All the way to Luoyang, the Imperial Capital.

There, one division of the Tang Dynasty’s Divine Strategy Army was stationed.

The commander of that division was a man surnamed Shangguan, given name Shangguan Xiu.

Ever since Shangguan Peng’s untimely death in the Southern Wasteland thirty years ago, Shangguan Xiu had become the new leading figure of the Shangguan family, nurtured with full force.

After years of arduous cultivation, Shangguan Xiu did not disappoint. In recent years, he surpassed the late Shangguan Peng, reaching the Eighth Heaven Realm of martial arts, and became a heavyweight among the imperial clan and nobility.

Inside the military tent, Shangguan Xiu quietly read through the message from Shen Guangjie.

After reading, his expression remained unchanged. He destroyed the message and instructed his personal guard to pay a visit to Shangguan Zhengqing, a fellow clansman.

Later that day, after Crown Prince Zhang Hui, acting as regent by imperial decree, returned to the Eastern Palace from the Hall of State Affairs, Shangguan Zhengqing went to meet him.

At that moment, Fang Yu, son of the Sixth Elder of the Fang Clan from Jingxiang, Fang Du, spoke softly:

“The Tang State Preceptor is already in the Land of the Sea, and Tianshi Lei still chose to venture in. Isn’t that a bit… rash?”

As a newly appointed Eastern Palace official, he was relaying the opinions of the Fang Clan, led by Clan Leader Fang Jingsheng.

Chu Fu of the Suzhou Chu Clan added, “My grandfather sent word—conditions in the Land of the Sea are extremely complex and ill-suited for intrusion. Any preparatory measures should be made on the Southern Wasteland side.”

Ye Song of Qingzhou looked at Crown Prince Zhang Hui and asked, “Your Highness, your thoughts are...?”

But Zhang Hui changed the subject: “What’s the latest in the Northern Frontier?”

Shangguan Zhengqing replied, “The Black Mountain Lord has temporarily withdrawn. The remaining demon tribes are not a major threat. With Prince Zhao overseeing the region, there shouldn’t be any major problems... However, the Black Mountain Lord’s rampage across the northern forests has caused heavy losses, and the barbarian tribes brought in are becoming restless.”

Chu Fu, Ye Song, and Fang Yu all remained composed.

These foreign tribes, previously affiliated with the Lone Eagle Khanate, had been assigned to help manage northern forests and pastures and to tame the exotic beasts there.

Things had been relatively stable for a time, but after the recent demon uprisings—even though the major demons had retreated—conflicts between Tang Dynasty citizens and the newly allied tribes had been escalating, leading to growing unrest.

Unfortunately, the one best suited to handle such unrest, Shen Qubing, was currently deep within the Land of the Sea.

“Relay the relevant intelligence to Prince Zhao,” Zhang Hui instructed. “With Uncle Zhao holding the line in the north, there’s no need to worry.”

Shangguan Zhengqing and the others all smiled. “We shall obey, Your Highness.”

A little later, Chu Fu mentioned, “Your Highness, there were some reports on the White Lotus Sect monks—they seemed to be stirring unrest, but the situation suddenly quieted.”

Zhang Hui murmured in thought, “Sounds a bit like the Huai Mountain Incident?”

Ye Song added, “Cangzhou likely has more details on that front.”

Zhang Hui nodded, “If you have the chance, ask around.”

Ye Song replied, “Yes, Your Highness.”

Zhang Hui said, “Let’s focus on the matters at hand first.”

Everyone agreed, each returning to their respective duties.

Zhang Hui took Ye Song, Chu Fu, and Fang Yu—representing Qingzhou, Suzhou, and Jingxiang respectively—into the inner hall to personally forge ritual artifacts.

Shangguan Zhengqing remained outside, joining the rest of the Eastern Palace’s officials in managing external affairs.

The newcomer appeared to be a middle-aged man—handsome features, though his skin was dark and his appearance somewhat unkempt. His eyes, however, were exceptionally bright.

It was none other than Sun Li, an elder of the Southern Wasteland Witch Sect’s Cursing Lineage, from their holy land Reincarnation Abyss—someone Lei Jun hadn’t seen in a long time.

“You’re too kind, Senior. You were an old friend of my master,” Lei Jun said.

Sun Li smiled. “Tianshi, no need to be so polite. I’m the one intruding this time.”

“My master already sent me a message with a general overview,” Lei Jun replied. “But as for the details, do you already have a plan in mind?”

Sun Li nodded. “The disturbance in the Vast Ocean is due to a combination of both our Witch Sect’s ritual formations and the Tang side’s countermeasures.

The resulting balance of opposing forces has created an unusual convergence of spiritual energy and desolation—a rare atmospheric phenomenon in the Vast Ocean.

Once I noticed this, I immediately contacted Mobai, thickening my skin to ask the Tianshi for help.”

As he spoke, Sun Li took out a piece of wood that glimmered faintly.

At first glance, it appeared very small. But once freed from Sun Li’s suppression spell, it suddenly expanded into a three-zhang-long giant log.

In the dim surroundings, the log gave off a gentle radiance, as if sunlight itself had been trapped inside.

Lei Jun’s gaze flickered with recognition. “That looks like the legendary Sunward Sacredwood?”

Sun Li nodded. “That’s right. I came across it by chance. Though rare and precious, I don’t urgently need it myself.

Until this disturbance in the Vast Ocean, that is. After running some projections, I was delighted to realize that—under these current atmospheric conditions—using a specific ritual might allow me to refine this Sunward Sacredwood into another kind of spiritual item.

With that item, I’d have a much greater chance of breaking through to the Ninth Heaven—Divine Descent Realm.”

Among the various cultivation paths of this world, the names of the Ninth Heaven Realm differed by lineage, but the realm itself was universal.

In the Talismanic, Alchemy, and Artifact Refining branches of Daoism, it was called Great Ascension.

In Buddhism’s four paths—Precepts, Martial Zen, Mudra, and Vows—it was known as Dharma Body.

In Confucianism, the realm was known as Pacifying the World, and for Martial Cultivators, it was called Martial Sage.

For the five Witch Sect lineages, it was collectively referred to as the Divine Descent Realm.

Lei Jun had rarely dealt with Sun Li face-to-face, but even so, he could tell the man had grown far stronger than in the past.

Sun Li was older than Yuan Mobai, but Lei Jun had no idea of his actual age. Judging from his vital energy, though, he was still brimming with life.

Despite his weathered appearance, Lei Jun figured that had more to do with Sun Li not caring about his looks.

“Senior, you may begin whenever you're ready. I’ll assist however I can,” Lei Jun said.

“Much appreciated, Tianshi.”

Sun Li drove the entire piece of Sunward Sacredwood into the ground.

Then he walked the four directions, placing various Witch Sect ritual tools, each with a distinct and unusual appearance.

Once these artifacts hit the ground, they sank into the dark earth as if absorbed by water.

The radiance of the Sunward Sacredwood faded as well, like a sunset buried underground.

Sun Li sat cross-legged above the buried sacredwood, eyes closed, centering his focus.

Lei Jun watched with keen interest—Sun Li didn’t mind the observation.

Soon, however, both of them stirred at the same moment, sensing a powerful presence approaching.

Since Lei Jun was currently playing the role of someone still recovering from injuries, he pretended not to notice.

Though Yuan Mobai and Sun Li were old friends, Yuan wouldn’t casually reveal Lei Jun’s condition to him.

So Sun Li assumed Lei Jun wasn’t in top form and immediately stood, eyes fixed in the distance.

A silhouette gradually emerged from the shadows.

“That’s Li Bin, Chieftain of the Great Li Clan,” Sun Li whispered to Lei Jun, identifying the figure outright.

The reason for his alertness was simple.

The man approaching was also a Cursing Lineage Grand Shaman, and one who had already reached the Ninth Heaven Divine Descent Realm.

Like Li Jin, Chieftain of the Lu Li Clan, Li Bin was a new powerhouse who had risen in the Vast Ocean in recent years.

Lei Jun had spoken with Tian Cheng about Li Bin before.

The Eighth Heaven Grand Shaman who’d previously ambushed Lei Jun and was slain for trying to sabotage the ritual had belonged to the Great Li Clan.

It was during that conversation that Lei Jun learned he shared a distant tie to this Li sub-branch.

The previous Chieftain of the Great Li Clan had died mysteriously a century ago, supposedly during a battle with a powerful outsider in the Vast Ocean.

That fight left him mortally wounded, and he died not long after.

Just like the Lu Li Clan, the Great Li Clan had fallen into decline—until Li Bin rose anew, achieving Divine Descent.

As for the mysterious expert who killed the previous chieftain—none of the Great Li Clan ever figured out who it was.

From wounds on the body, it appeared to be someone who used a sword. But whether that person was a Martial Cultivator, a Daoist Swordsmith, or a Confucian Swordsman, no one knew.

But when Lei Jun heard it, something about the timing made him think of one name: Chen Donglou…

Still, since the old chieftain had already died, any karmic ties seemed severed—Chen Donglou had settled the matter himself.

So Lei Jun didn’t dwell on it.

Now, seeing Li Bin for the first time, Lei Jun remained calm.

But it was clear that the man had come to sabotage the ritual.

Sun Li sighed softly.

Around him, curse energy began to spread.

From underground, four black pillars—neither wood nor metal—rose into view.

These were the Four Extremities Pillars, one in each direction, linking Heaven and Earth to call upon ghosts, deities, and the natural world.

It was the most prominent sign of a Cursing Lineage cultivator reaching Eighth Heaven Perfection—a stage known as Extremity Communion.

This realm granted connection to the heavens above and the netherworld below.

Usually, Cursing Lineage shamans avoided summoning these pillars unless necessary, because while they strengthened spells, they also exposed vulnerabilities.

Especially when a lower-tier shaman faced someone higher-tiered.

For Sun Li, the most dangerous enemies were those in the same lineage—like the Divine Descent Grand Shaman Li Bin.

That’s because curse dispelling could remove the opponent’s curses.

And the stronger the shaman, the easier it was to dispel the lower-tier ones—but not vice versa.

Lei Jun had heard tales of this before.

Even the current Holy Master of the Reincarnation Abyss, Feng Gui, reportedly avoided Li Bin.

He could handle other Divine Descent powerhouses just fine, but Li Bin was another story entirely.

Li Bin made his move instantly.

Despite rumors that Lei Jun was unwell, Li Bin didn’t underestimate him. Facing both him and Sun Li, he immediately unleashed a Nether Sea Descent.

It was a curse developed in the Vast Ocean—unknown to Tang cultivators.

From afar, Lei Jun saw a phantom sea, cold and dead, surging outward in all directions, engulfing everything.

The invisible sea chilled to the bone, devouring souls and awareness alike—unstoppable and devastating.

Sun Li responded with what seemed like the dumbest strategy—curse dispelling.

But his dispel concealed a surprise.

He had hidden a second piece of Sunward Sacredwood.

Its warm radiance clashed against the Nether Sea’s icy tide, and with only Eighth Heaven cultivation, Sun Li held off Li Bin.

At the same time, he launched a second, subtler curse.

A faint gray shadow passed silently through the Nether Sea and approached Li Bin.

Shockingly, Li Bin didn’t attempt to dispel it—he simply dodged.

A wise decision. That shadow was dangerously precise.

The well-built, tattooed chieftain of the Great Li Clan shot Sun Li a deep look, then retreated into the shadows without another word.

“Reincarnation Curse…” Lei Jun murmured.

The same curse that had tormented the late Tianshi Li Qingfeng for years.

One of the Witch Sect’s most terrifying techniques.

It looked harmless, but once attached to someone, it was said to entangle their soul across lifetimes.

Even after Reincarnation Abyss and Tianshi Mansion had reconciled, Feng Gui had tried to help Li Qingfeng—but even he couldn’t fully remove it.

Some Daoist sects had rebirth techniques, but even those couldn’t sever the curse.

The spell had been lost to time—even among the Nine Li, no one had mastered it.

Even Li Bin, who’d risen to lead a Nine Li sub-branch, hadn’t.

And yet today, that little gray shadow had pierced the Nether Sea effortlessly.

After driving Li Bin off, Sun Li exhaled deeply, fatigue showing on his face.

“Thank you, Senior,” Lei Jun said.

Sun Li smiled. “It was a crude display.”

Even so, just this one technique made it clear—even without reaching the Ninth Heaven, Sun Li had surpassed Feng Gui.

He was now the number-one Cursing Lineage expert in the Tang realm.

But there was one small question…

How had Sun Li learned the Reincarnation Curse?

Lei Jun’s thoughts jumped to one possibility—

The item that Water Luminary of the Heavenly Book Universe had traded from him using Sky-Net Mist Veil.

Did Sun Li get it through a third party?

Lei Jun recalled: there had been an information trade in the Heavenly Book Universe. Shortly after, Yuan Mobai received a similar message.

Looking back, it probably came from the same source.

He’d previously suspected people like Li Tianqing or Xing Feng.

But apparently, Empress Zhang Wantong hadn’t just handed out pages to the young…

Sun Li’s Heavenly Book page might still have come from someone else.

Lei Jun had no plans to dig deeper.

Instead, he asked, “Senior, do you have any more of that Sunward Sacredwood?”

Earlier, he’d noticed Sun Li had only held back the Nether Sea Descent thanks to the sacredwood’s mystical properties.

“I do,” Sun Li said, “but not much.”

“I’d like to borrow one.”

“No need to be so formal. If I’d known you needed it, I would’ve offered it sooner.”

The Sunward Sacredwood, said to be formed from a divine tree’s sun-facing branch, hadn’t appeared in the Tang realm for years.

Who knew where Sun Li had gotten it?

Lei Jun accepted the piece, studying it intently. “Thanks, on behalf of my junior brother.”

He buried it underground too, then added his own Heaven-Earth Backflow.

Before long, the black earth beneath his feet trembled.

A beam of light shot up like a rising sun, trailing starlight—the omen of Heaven-Star Rising from Earth!

Lei Jun, gifted with insight and intuition, had realized this region’s environment, combined with his Backflow, made the phenomenon possible—but one thing had been missing.

When he saw Sun Li bring out the sacredwood, he knew it was the final piece.

Only when he confirmed Sun Li had more did he dare to ask.

Now with the Sunward Sacredwood buried, Backflow flowing, and the Vast Ocean converging—

Heaven-Star Rising from Earth.

Lei Jun soared into the air on his Yang Lightning Dragon, catching the rising starlight midair.

Then he sealed it using the Taiji Diagram.

Within the diagram, brilliant light flowed, never ceasing.