Cultivation: Fortune by Lots-Chapter 343 - 204. Understanding ascends to a higher level, the level of serene insight!
"General Shen, I have long admired you."
Lei Jun greeted the other with a traditional Taoist Sect bow, his expression calm and collected.
Shen Qubing returned the greeting with a fist and palm salute, then spoke urgently, "Elder Lei, have you come here to break the seal of the Jiuli realm?"
Lei Jun replied, "This humble Taoist is here in search of my master. Having heard that my master was in this vicinity, I specifically came to look for him."
Shen Qubing asked, "Is your sect’s Elder Yuan also here?"
Lei Jun nodded, then stepped onto the smooth, mirror-like surface of the lake. After carefully examining it, he had a rough idea of the situation.
The portal to the mysterious realm of Nine Mountains Lake contained profound, even ancient, witchcraft secrets, touching upon many aspects. Consequently, even cultivators from the Southern Witch Sect were unlikely to decipher it due to their scattered inheritance.
Both Lei Jun and Shen Qubing possessed extremely strong personal abilities and were rarely matched by other cultivators at the Sixth Heavenly Realm. However, even their combined efforts were insufficient to forcibly break through the lake’s surface.
To forcibly open it from the outside, a substantial amount of Witch Suppressing Stone or Counterflow Essence was necessary.
However, another approach—going with the flow—might be feasible.
Lei Jun placed a palm on the surface of Nine Mountains Lake, feeling a coolness at the point of contact.
As his thoughts shifted, a black shadow emerged from his palm. This was not the darkness related to the Celestial Book, but the wondrous artistic conception of power that had intertwined with the Celestial Master Seal, causing it to fall dormant.
When he reawakened the Celestial Master Seal, Lei Jun had siphoned off a part of this power for future contemplation and research, which now proved useful.
The shadow expanded, slowly transforming into a large, ancient character. It was enigmatic and unfathomable, conveying a primeval and vast aura. It did not emanate evil but rather symbolized an ancient civilization.
Time was limited, and my understanding of the principles involved is at best rudimentary.
Nonetheless, its effect on the surface of Nine Mountains Lake was to cause the hitherto stable, frozen surface to ripple.
Seeing this, Shen Qubing couldn’t help but express his amazement.
However, the knowledge I currently possess isn’t enough to directly open this secret realm’s portal; it merely caused instability at the entrance.
Fortunately, with me creating an opening from the outside, it became easier for those inside who had been wanting to come out to collaborate.
Soon, specks of starlight began to appear beneath the rippling Nine Mountains Lake, as if stars were reflected in the water.
As the starlight rose, it finally broke through the water’s surface. Lake water surged into the sky, reaching halfway to the heavens. Lei Jun and Shen Qubing both stepped aside to avoid it.
Lei Jun looked up. His gaze first fell upon a young Taoist in a purple Taoist robe. Seeing that he was unharmed, just as usual, my anxious heart finally settled.
The young man in the purple robe was as calm as ever, his demeanor gentle. However, his eyes were bright and vigilant; he was clearly on guard, wary of the unfamiliar surroundings after just bursting out of the secret realm.
Upon seeing only his disciple Lei Jun and another young martial artist present, Yuan Mobai’s gaze softened further.
"Xiaosan!" Shen Qubing greeted with a smile.
Coming out with Yuan Mobai were two others: a young woman dressed as a martial artist, similar to Shen Qubing in that she wore no armor, and an old Taoist clad in the coarse linen robes typical of Shu Mountain cultivators.
Lei Jun recognized both individuals. One was Mrs. Xiao of the Xiao Family, a trusted agent of the Empress, also known as Xiao Xueting. The other was Elder He Dongxing from Mount Shu.
Both wielded swords as their weapons.
However, even without drawing them, their styles were already distinctly different.
Xiao Xueting was also on guard. Her sword remained sheathed, held inverted behind her arm. Only her eyes, like Yuan Mobai’s, vigilantly scanned the surroundings.
Elder He Dongxing’s Flying Swords, however, were already whirling in mid-air, transforming into shimmering, endlessly revolving sword lights.
Seeing no other enemies besides Lei Jun and Shen Qubing, the three who had just emerged from the secret realm finally relaxed.
"Master." Lei Jun stepped forward to greet Yuan Mobai and the others. "Elder He. General Xiao." 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢
Yuan Mobai smiled. "Chongyun, you’ve arrived."
Xiao Xueting also smiled. "Master Lei, it’s been a while."
She then turned to Shen Qubing. "Little Shen, are you here alone?"
Shen Qubing nodded. "I parted ways with General Shangguan and the others."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Xueting nodded slightly without further inquiry. She then turned to introduce Shen Qubing to Lei Jun, Yuan Mobai, and He Dongxing. "This is Shen Qubing. He grew up in the imperial army from a young age and has had little contact with the outside world. If he has been rude or offensive in any way, I ask you three Taoist Masters to be forgiving."
The three Taoists all replied, "Not at all, not at all."
Stroking his beard, Elder He Dongxing looked at Lei Jun and Shen Qubing and said with a chuckle, "Truly, an abundance of outstanding talent! The younger generation is indeed formidable!"
Xiao Xueting curiously asked, "How did you manage to trigger the secret realm’s entrance from the outside?"
Shen Qubing shook his head. "I couldn’t do it. It wasn’t my idea."
Lei Jun said without changing his expression, "This humble Taoist was searching around, hoping to reunite with my master. I encountered several suspicious individuals from the Southern Witch Sect and interrogated them upon capture. While obtaining some information, I also acquired some miscellaneous objects of unclear use. Just now, I took a chance, thinking they might share a common origin with this place. It couldn’t have worked out better that it was effective."
He did not mention the recent battle involving Shangguan Peng and Tu Dong.
Although only a few words were exchanged, it’s easy to see that Shen Qubing’s interactions with the Shangguan Descendants weren’t pleasant. Considering their previous attitude towards him, none of this is surprising.
This reunion has its pros and cons. I should probably avoid rushing into further complications for now.
"Xiaosan, what is this place like beneath the lake?" Shen Qubing asked with some curiosity.
Xiao Xueting replied, "The secret realm itself isn’t large. It could be considered deserted by now, without much valuable output. Instead, it’s extremely perilous. Cultivators with cultivation below the Upper Three Heavens would find it very dangerous to enter."
