Chapter 756: 309. Elder Lei Inspects the World_3

For the time being, he only needed to put away the four treasures of the study—brush, ink, paper, and inkstone—and then continue his own cultivation.

「Another evening approached.」

Lei Jun, having finished handling his duties at the Celestial Master Mansion, was preparing to return to his residence but was asked by his master, Yuan Mobai, to stay a little longer.

"Two things," Yuan Mobai said.

Yuan Mobai’s smile was slightly fainter than usual, replaced by a more serious expression. "First, the Sect Leader has sent a message. She has been traveling far and wide and has yet to encounter Huang Xuanpu and Fu Dongsen. However, by a stroke of luck, she has come across a somewhat unique existence..."

Seeing the expression on Yuan Mobai’s face, Lei Jun knew this matter was of great importance.

As expected, his master continued slowly, "According to the Sect Leader’s speculation, it might be... the Netherworld."

The Netherworld, one of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, is by legend a domain of the Netherworld-type; like Avici, both are locations of deadly silence and great peril.

"Should this disciple take the Celestial Master Robe and go to support my junior sister?" Lei Jun asked.

When the Celestial Master Robe had finally returned to the mountain, it seemed to have some connection to the Netherworld.

The spectral energy flow from that time had been suppressed by Lei Jun’s Talisman Scriptures and was still preserved.

"According to the Sect Leader, the related clues were fleeting, like a startled swan glimpsed only for a moment, and vanished in an instant. She is currently pursuing the lead and doesn’t need assistance for now. If she requires help, she will contact us," Yuan Mobai stated.

Lei Jun nodded slightly. "That is also good."

His junior sister, Tang Xiaotang, was not like his senior sister Xu Yuanzhen, who disliked traveling with others. But Tang Xiaotang was quite competitive; when faced with such situations, she naturally hoped to resolve them personally.

Yuan Mobai said, "The second matter is that the Celestial Master Mansion is preparing to appoint a new Patrolling Wind Elder."

His previously somewhat stern face now softened again, as if thawed by a spring breeze, and he smiled. "Is Chongyun interested in taking up this responsibility? When the Sect Leader sent her message previously, I communicated with her about this, and she is not opposed to it."

The duty of the Patrolling Wind Elder is to represent the Ancestral Court of Dragon Tiger Mountain. They patrol and oversee all branches of the Talisman Sect worldwide, providing supervision and inspection while also offering assistance to these branches. It is a position of considerable authority and responsibility, and it also represents extensive social connections.

Generally speaking, it doesn’t carry special significance. However, for those in the core upper echelons being trained to succeed as Celestial Master, one typically needs to undergo multiple trials before officially taking office, to accumulate experience and knowledge. As the leader of a Sacred Land, in addition to cultivation strength, the ability to lead and guide is also of utmost importance. Bearing this important responsibility and undergoing such training is also a process for the Celestial Master’s successor to cultivate prestige and support.

In particular, the positions of Elder of the Hall of Steward and Patrolling Wind Elder involve many people and complex affairs, but they are the most representative. Lei Jun had already served as the Steward Elder in the Hall of Steward. Now, adding the position of Patrolling Wind Elder to his resume would naturally carry a different significance compared to others assuming the role of patrolling the world. This was especially true given his current status as a High Merit Elder. Generally, a High Merit Elder undertaking the duties of a Patrolling Wind Elder is essentially laying the groundwork and preparing for succession.

"What does Junior Sister say?" Lei Jun asked. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

The smile on Yuan Mobai’s face deepened. "The Sect Leader says it’s up to you, but you will have to serve in this position for a few years first."

In short, she herself admitted that her fervor for the position of Celestial Master had indeed diminished somewhat, though it had not completely faded.

Lei Jun responded with a grin, "Junior Sister can rest assured; I have no intention of usurping the position."

After exchanging a few jests, Yuan Mobai continued, "Senior Sister Shangguan and Martial Nephew Jingzhen have no objections either."

Lei Jun adopted a serious expression. "Disciple is sincerely humbled and daunted by the heavy responsibility entrusted by the Sect. I am willing to try. I only hope not to fail the trust you have placed in me, Master, nor to let down the past generations of patriarchs and all my current peers."

He had never denied being somewhat curious about and aspiring to the position of Celestial Master, but it would be an overstatement to say he was extremely passionate about it. If his junior sister Tang Xiaotang continued to hold the position and a suitable successor emerged in the future, Lei Jun wouldn’t mind. And if the Celestial Master Mansion needed him to take on this burden, Lei Jun would not be coy or shirk his duty.

Back when he was first appointed as an Elder in the Middle Three Heavens realm, he had the opportunity to serve as the Patrolling Wind Elder. However, at that time, the Celestial Master Mansion was at an extreme low point, and the external environment was dangerous.

Now, the Celestial Master Mansion had gradually emerged from that trough, and Lei Jun’s own cultivation had progressed significantly. Patrolling the world again at this time would not be a major issue.

Although both Xu Yuanzhen and Tang Xiaotang were currently away from the mountain, and even Lei Jun was about to depart, it seemed to leave only Yuan Mobai at the Ancestral Courtyard of the Sect. This made the Celestial Master Mansion appear somewhat thinly staffed.

But Lei Jun knew something others didn’t: the Ancestral Courtyard of the Sect wasn’t solely supported by Yuan Mobai. His Eldest Senior Brother, Wang Guiyuan, had been staying on the mountain all this time. Of course, unless it was absolutely necessary, neither Lei Jun nor Yuan Mobai wished for Wang Guiyuan to intervene. Monk Faqing rarely returned to Tianlong Temple, yet he often assisted Dragon Tiger Mountain. If news of this spread, it would inevitably lead to speculation, something Wang Guiyuan definitely did not want. Moreover, if the situation truly became dire, with Wang Guiyuan burdened by Avici, the outcome would be unpredictable—it could even be a double-edged sword. This was an outcome Yuan Mobai and Wang Guiyuan had always strived to prevent.

Fortunately, although Xu Yuanzhen had left the mountain, her whereabouts were elusive and hidden. This was unlike Tang Xiaotang’s high-profile manner. Furthermore, it wasn’t as clear-cut as Xu Yuanzhen’s own past, definitive involvement with the Heavenly Principle. Without confirmation of her exact whereabouts, even Huang Xuanpu would not easily come to Dragon Tiger Mountain again, lest he be lured into a trap.

Subsequently, the Celestial Master Mansion officially announced the related decisions.

After handing over some of the internal affairs he was responsible for as a High Merit Elder, Lei Jun formally departed from the mountain. This time, Elder Lei’s foremost disciple, Taoist Zhuo, also left the mountain with him, to attend to his master.