Cultivation: Fortune by Lots

Rumors told that before the Ye Clan split into two branches, they once set foot on Lian Mountain. However, that was a matter from a very distant era. Lian Mountain, too, had long been hidden, severing all connections with the Mortal World. It is said that the division of the Ye Clan into two streams was related to this, but the details are hard to verify from the outside world.

Heavenly Principle, what the hell is that?

Lei Jun almost thought he had misheard. As far as he knew, within the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, three places had significant past disputes with the Confucian Sect: the Great Unity and Guicang in the Nine Heavens, in addition to the aforementioned Lian Mountain in the Ten Lands. Throughout the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, no place was called Heavenly Principle.

Earth Guardian seemed to know what surprised Lei Jun and calmly said, "According to my initial guess, Heavenly Principle is what was once Guicang in the Nine Heavens. People currently thrive and survive there and have changed the name from Guicang to Heavenly Principle. For those there, it gradually became an established custom; everyone speaks of Heavenly Principle instead of Guicang. I must admit, when I first learned of it, I was also surprised."

Lei Jun pondered.

Earth Guardian continued, "The text I asked you all to help evaluate earlier is related to Heavenly Principle."

The handwriting was neat, orderly, and full, imbued with Literary Splendor Talent. However, it was so regimented it appeared rigid, exuding a top-down, layered atmosphere that brooked no opposition or alteration.

Lei Jun said, "I see... The essence of the writing you showed before has similarities with the Wenhua Qi from the void gateways connected to places like Great Black Mountain and Changjie Island, yet there seems to be a slight difference."

In the shattered heavens and earth connected through the void gateway atop Great Black Mountain, Wenhua was trampled upon by the Barbaric Wilderness. And that Wenhua Qi itself bore no small difference compared to the Confucian Sect’s heritage in the present Great Tang. Compared with the textual essence provided by Earth Guardian, it was closer, yet not completely identical. The textual essence Earth Guardian provided—or rather, the Confucian Sect’s heritage over at Heavenly Principle—was even more advanced than the artistic conception of Wenhua being trampled by the Savage Martial Path. More solidified, yet also more rigid.

Earth Guardian affirmed, "Exactly."

He stated plainly, "I do not like such textual meaning, but I believe it is important to investigate this matter thoroughly and understand its principles."

Lei Jun asked, "What about Lian Mountain then?"

Earth Guardian replied, "It flashed by briefly at that moment; the current situation is not very clear to me." After a slight pause, he continued, "The following is just a guess of mine, not necessarily accurate, but I feel that the Wenhua Qi of Lian Mountain seems very faint..."

Lei Jun said, "As you mentioned, both Lian Mountain and... Heavenly Principle, have yet to reconnect with the Mortal World?"

Earth Guardian confirmed, "I have tried to find them afterward, but without further discovery."

Despite this, now that spiritual energy was surging and the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths were gradually returning, anything was possible. Perhaps today, or the next moment. Perhaps it would not come for many years.

While Lei Jun contemplated, he chatted more with Earth Guardian about related matters and then agreed on a place to transfer the Lifeng Rock. For him, a Taoist Talisman Sect cultivator, the primary value of Lifeng Rock lay in Artifact Refining. In the hands of a Confucian Cultivator, this treasure would be even more effective.

After leaving the Celestial Book Universe, Lei Jun went to the Edict Hall specifically to consult the archives. Records of Lian Mountain and the current Heavenly Principle (previously Guicang) in the Taoist Sect’s archives were relatively limited. Lei Jun read through them one by one, searching intently.

Later, he contacted his master, Yuan Mobai, to inquire if there were any new developments from the Western Region Buddhism.

"In the Southern Wilderness, since the people from the Mortal Tao Country disappeared, the people from the Xumi Vajra Sect have also made no other significant moves," Yuan Mobai said. "However, there’s something worth paying attention to in the Western Regions. Recently, someone from Sumi has arrived in the Mortal World. Their cultivation strength remains unclear, but they should not be underestimated."

Lei Jun’s gaze flashed at the news. The Buddhist Handprint Lineage draws power through Sumi, I see!

However, their approach appeared somewhat conservative, making it difficult to estimate their true level. But if one considered the strength of the Western Region Buddhism conservatively, it surpassed prior expectations.

"We must proceed with caution," Yuan Mobai advised.

Lei Jun replied, "Yes, Master."

He shared another plan with Yuan Mobai, who had no objections. So, Lei Jun’s Spiritual Soul immersed itself back into the Celestial Book Universe. This time, he sought a private conversation with Riyao.

Although he had speculations about her identity, Lei Jun maintained an untroubled facade.

"What do you want?" Riyao asked first.

Lei Jun slowly said, "Do you have an Earth Core Flame Heart?"

Riyao answered, "I have one."

Lei Jun replied, "I’ll exchange for that."

He informed Riyao about what Yuan Mobai had told him regarding the Western Region Buddhism—the possibility that other powerful figures might have descended to the Mortal World from Sumi.

Riyao did not respond immediately after hearing this. After a moment, she spoke again, "That Earth Core Flame Heart is yours. Set a time and a place, and I’ll give it to you."

Lei Jun said without betraying any emotion, "Thank you."

Riyao did not play any tricks. Lei Jun successfully obtained the Spiritual Object he desired.

The Earth Core Flame Heart, produced from the molten lava beneath the Nine Earths, is inherently of the yang flame. Yet, due to the principle of opposites, it contains a yin essence within its core. This treasure has a wide range of uses and is desired by many cultivators.

For Lei Jun, its function was similar to the Nebula Star Dust given to him by his junior brother, Chu Kun. The Nebula Star Dust had helped him quickly cultivate the Doumu Star God Dharma in a short amount of time. And the Earth Core Flame Heart would enable him to quickly cultivate the Nine Abyss Flame Ancestral Dharma in a short time.

Of course, not now.

He was on the Seventh Layer of Heaven Realm. In addition to the Doumu Star God Dharma, he had also cultivated both the Ninth Heaven Thunder Ancestor Dharma and the Mysterious Sky Thunder Ancestral Law Portrait. This was already the result of finding loopholes; he could not push for more.