Chapter 726: 302. Celestial Patrolling Magical Treasure, Great Celestial Mirror (Combined Chapter 5)

People were coming and going, the scene constantly changing. Individuals might die or fall from grace, but the system as a whole remained unshakable. Because the fate of the land was tied to each person, even Confucian Cultivators outside the realm of Neo-Confucianism and heirs of other Taoist Heritages could not escape the influence of this vast system, so long as they adhered to the Heavenly Principle and fortune.

Though Nie Fang had fled from the Heavenly Principle to the Great Tang Realm, shaking off the system’s hold would still require considerable effort and time. The Principle Constants were set. It wasn’t just about not defying those above one’s station; there were other aspects, all encompassed within.

Perhaps only during times of great chaos, when heroes vied for control and the land underwent change, could this all be shattered, Lei Jun mused. But their momentum has already built up. Even if the times changed and the dynasties switched, the system would likely regroup and reemerge under a new dynasty. To completely smash it would require an even greater force, one that could turn the world upside down. Yet, whether it is truly impossible for the system to rise from its ashes remains an unknown.

Lei Jun acknowledged that such a Taoist Heritage did have its uniqueness. But I’m starting to feel a bit overwhelmed, even though I don’t live in that kind of world, he thought.

His gaze shifted from the middle-aged scholar to Nie Fang. He didn’t immediately intervene, for he saw that the young man, who had studied Taoist Laws within the Heavenly Principle, also possessed a unique quality.

BANG!

Sure enough, amid a roar, a large figure suddenly burst from the ground, lunging towards the middle-aged scholar.

The middle-aged scholar was caught off guard. Unable to dodge in time, he could only use his ink and brush for Gezhi, transforming them into a grid-like barrier resembling threshold railings to block the large figure. Their collision sent the middle-aged scholar flying backward, while the large figure staggered on the spot. On closer inspection, the middle-aged scholar saw that the large figure, though humanoid, was entirely green with a mottled surface. It was a bronze figure nearly three meters tall. Glimmers of a Spirit Talisman could be faintly seen on it, indicating it was under the control of Nie Fang, who was positioned behind it.

"You... this heterodox path you’ve studied, is it Engineer Art?!" the middle-aged scholar exclaimed, first in surprise, then in fury. "Do you think this will allow you to defy your master?"

His ink surged, transforming into a storm of blades that filled the sky as he slashed at Nie Fang.

Nie Fang snorted coldly but said nothing. The bronze automaton, failing to heavily damage the middle-aged scholar with its first strike, immediately retreated under Nie Fang’s control, shielding him from the numerous ink blades.

Nie Fang’s understanding of the Principle Constants within the Heavenly Principle was far more profound than most. Ever since he began his studies, he had constantly contemplated how to break free from this cage. He had no access to advanced orthodox teachings of any Taoist Heritage; even if he had, the Neo-Confucian Principle Constants and the land’s fortune would suppress him. The only slightly better option was to invest his methods in external objects rather than his own flesh and blood.

By divine grace, he had stumbled upon fragmented inheritances of the Engineer Art. In terms of its characteristics, it was precisely the Taoist Heritage he most desired. So, despite potential flaws in the fragmented teachings, Nie Fang had decisively pursued it. Now, the time had come for it to prove its worth.

The bronze automaton, though under Nie Fang’s control, clearly suffered less suppression from the Neo-Confucian Principle Constants than Nie Fang himself. Unfortunately, he lacked sufficient materials to construct more powerful automatons; thus, it was currently not strong enough to defeat the middle-aged scholar.

Nie Fang made a split-second decision. He had the bronze automaton carry him on its back, break through the ink barriers, leap off the desolate island, and plunge into the sea to escape. Although fleeing into the Great Tang Realm might bring many unknown dangers and difficulties, it’s still worth the risk, he believed. After I get through today, I can slowly figure out how to rid myself of the suppression from the teacher-student Principle Constants. The greater challenge lies in the father-son Principle Constants, that inherent connection through blood. But at least now, there’s hope.

The middle-aged scholar’s face turned ashen with rage as he hastily pursued them. Unexpectedly, the bronze figure carried Nie Fang deep into the ocean, making immediate tracking difficult. He had to reluctantly turn back, already worrying about how he would explain this to the master of Nie Manor upon returning to the Heavenly Principle.

"No need for explanations," Lei Jun said with a wave of his hand, and just like that, the middle-aged scholar vanished, his worries along with him. Lei Jun then turned his head towards the direction Nie Fang had disappeared, an interested expression on his face.

Engineer Master.

This is indeed an unforeseen surprise, Lei Jun thought. In the history of the Great Tang Realm, similar Taoist Heritages briefly appeared but were long lost. I’ve only seen a few records of them in ancient texts. The inheritance known as the Mohist Family was one. One of its branches was the art of mechanisms, also called the Mechanism Tao. At that time, the Mohist Family was famed for three lineages: the Assassin Tao, the only trace of Mohist Heritage still visible today, which has had a profound impact on the Martial Tao practice of later generations—the Great Tang Martial Tao is now deeply connected to it; the Non-Aggression Tao, rumored to emphasize both spiritual and physical cultivation equally, but it has completely disappeared—according to records, its methods in a Duel of Magic were similar to the practices of the Buddhist Precept Adhering Lineage; and then there is the Mechanism Tao, but it too has been long lost in the Great Tang Realm.

Unexpectedly, it now seems that in the Great Ming Mortal Realm of the Great Ming Dynasty, while some Taoist Heritages have vanished, new ones have emerged. Nie Fang’s bronze automaton is still relatively crude; I saw its workings at a glance. This should be a hybrid lineage born from the amalgamation of the Mohist Family and the Taoist Sect. On the Taoist Sect side, it incorporates inheritances from both the External Alchemy and Refinement Sect, and the Talisman Sect. Compared to the Taoist Sect’s Talisman Sect and Refinement Sect, it seems crude, but it already possesses a complete Taoist Heritage and foundation. It’s just that Nie Fang’s knowledge is incomplete.

He likely wasn’t formally apprenticed and didn’t receive the Transcension Ritual. Instead, by some fortuitous coincidence and a bit of luck, he obtained incomplete Taoist Laws. To develop such a degree of sophistication and accumulate some resources under these circumstances, his talent in this field must be very high. In the Great Ming Mortal Realm, where the Taoist Talisman Sect had already vanished, the emergence of such a lineage is indeed an anomaly. And for it to then encounter Nie Fang—whose inherent talent and life circumstances made him so suited for, and eager to learn, these Taoist Laws—it was undoubtedly a perfect match.

Lei Jun watched the direction in which Nie Fang had disappeared, a faint smile playing on his lips.

In my cultivation, what I enjoy most are the various Taoist Heritages and Divine Skills. Since you’ve also come to Great Tang, we’ll meet again if destiny wills it.

Lei Jun withdrew his gaze and turned his attention back to the direction of the Void Gateway. The battle was fierce, but the battle line was stretching. The Great Tang Cultivators were retreating, while the Heavenly Order Cultivators seemed to be vigorously pursuing them.

Lei Jun watched quietly for a while, making a rough estimate in his mind. Then, he calmly left the area and found another place to stop.

Lei Jun beckoned to the sky. The Great Celestial Sky Jade, previously merged with the High Heaven Jade Token, descended from the heavens.

While Warming and Nurturing the Precious Jade to dissipate its surface heat, Lei Jun took the item and entered the True One Altar Cave Heaven. He then proceeded to the first level of the True One Altar, using the Nine Abyss True Fire there to begin a new cycle of refinement. Besides the Great Celestial Sky Jade, he also had his own Mysterious Void Mirror and the newly acquired Solar Divine Radiance.

Beneath the azure flames, as Lei Jun continuously refined them, one Talisman after another was infused into the Great Celestial Sky Jade and the Mysterious Void Mirror. Then, he merged the two treasures. The Mysterious Void Mirror gradually transformed into a spectral image and actively integrated itself into the Great Celestial Sky Jade. As the Great Celestial Sky Jade was further polished, it became flatter, eventually taking on the appearance of a jade mirror.

Next, Lei Jun added the Solar Divine Radiance. These seemingly incorporeal yet needle-sharp, piercing rays of light were sealed by Lei Jun, one by one, into the jade mirror. After the Solar Divine Radiance merged with it, the mirror’s surface began to emit a golden light so dazzling it resembled the sun.

With a mere thought from Lei Jun, the light from the jade mirror immediately receded. The mirror itself gradually became transparent. In the center of the mirror, the Heaven-piercing Earth-penetrating Taliscript appeared, identical to the one deep within Lei Jun’s pupils. The two resonated, brightening and dimming in perfect synchrony.

It can be called the Great Celestial Mirror, Lei Jun thought, nodding with a smile.

In my vision, this still isn’t its ultimate form. However, considering my current Cultivation Strength and understanding of Taoist Laws, it has preliminarily reached its target. After all the polishing, the refinement of this treasure can finally pause; it’s ready to serve its anticipated purpose.

Lei Jun calmed his heart and continued Warming and Nurturing the Great Celestial Mirror with his own Mana. Then, he exited the True One Altar Cave Heaven. With a wave of his hand, the seemingly transparent Treasure Mirror ascended into the clouds, disappearing from sight as it hung suspended high above.

This Treasure Mirror was not fixed in one spot, nor did it completely follow Lei Jun’s movements. It cruised above the sky, circulating the light of the sun, moon, and stars from the cosmic Void, moving with its own enchanting rhythm and principles as it journeyed beyond the heavens. Yet, it simultaneously maintained a connection and resonance with Lei Jun himself.