Chapter 774: 313. As if the Celestial Master Himself Has Come (Chapter Merged into One)_4

"Penglai?" Lei Jun mused.

Chu Yu explained from the side, "Previously, Her Majesty personally visited Pure Yang Palace for an inspection and found some clues related to Huang Xuanpu, pointing toward the legendary Penglai."

Lei Jun said, "Regarding this matter, I will notify the Sect Leader and Xu as soon as possible."

At that moment, however, he suddenly recalled obtaining an incomplete Talisman Scripture from Nie Fang of the Great Ming Dynasty, whose profound mysteries might just originate from Penglai. There are traces of Penglai in Great Ming. On this side of Great Tang as well, Huang Xuanpu might also be related to Penglai. Combining this with the situations concerning Sumi and Heavenly Principle, Lei Jun couldn’t help but suspect that Penglai might also be connected to multiple mortal realms. Yet, the specifics within each connection differ.

"The Void Gateway connecting Heavenly Principle and our Great Tang Realm has been temporarily sealed, and the Xumi Vajra Sect currently shows no signs of notoriety. Our Sect plans to continue focusing on the remnants of the Mortal Tao Country, aiming to eradicate the evil completely," Lei Jun said.

The Empress had summoned him to the Capital City for an audience, which was surely not just to inform him; otherwise, a messenger could have been sent to Dragon Tiger Mountain. By specifically summoning Lei Jun to the Capital City, he was representing the current stance of Longhu Mountain Celestial Master’s Mansion.

The Empress nodded slightly, "Then, We await the good news from Our ministers."

Lei Jun said, "Your Majesty, please rest assured."

The Empress said, "The Lei Ministerial House, if you have free time, you may wish to stay in the Capital City for a while. Later, some information might be relayed back, at which point The Lei Ministerial House can join in the deliberation."

Lei Jun agreed, concluded his report, and then left the palace.

Not in a hurry to leave the Capital City, he settled down at Lianyun Temple.

Upon arriving at Lianyun Temple, he greeted the Temple Master, the senior monks, and the Supervisor of Fasting.

Zhuo Baojie had already arrived here before him.

However, Xiaoxiong seemed a bit traumatized, "Master, the people in Luoyang City are kind of... kind of..."

Lei Jun remained calm, "Adapt to changes without panic, unaffected by external worries—where have all those years of cultivation gone? Did you eat all your mental cultivation along with the good food on this trip?"

Zhuo Baojie initially gave a wry smile.

Previously, whether in Longhu Mountain Celestial Master’s Mansion, the Summit of Mount Shu Sect, or the Pure Yang Palace of Zhongnan Mountain—no matter their cultivation level—they were all genuine inheritors of the Taoist Holy Land, possessing extensive experience and broad knowledge.

Therefore, it wasn’t a problem for a certain little bear to swagger through the market in his deep-red Taoist Robe.

Even if people were curious, they had already heard that Elder Lei’s disciple was a Mountain Pi. In public, even without considering the respect due to Lei Jun, Zhuo Baojie’s attire as a Talisman-bestowed Taoist of the Talisman Sect was enough for others to address him as a fellow Taoist, or even as Taoist.

But it was different in Imperial Capital Luoyang.

Aside from cultivators, being the foremost bastion town of the era, the city, both inside and out, was full of commoners.

To them, a bear wearing a Taoist Robe at first sight was bound to be a spectacle.

Long accustomed to life in the Imperial Capital, the onlookers were more curious than afraid, and instead called friends and family to come and watch.

Zhuo Baojie had actually maintained a stable mindset.

He had gained intelligence early on and insisted on not taking human form, so naturally, he was mentally prepared for this.

Being watched wasn’t his concern; it was being encircled by people – three layers deep inside and three layers deep outside – that bothered him and hindered his movements.

Fortunately, with his Fourth Layer of Heaven cultivation, Baobao could fly briefly and didn’t have to rely on brute force to break through the crowds.

Zhuo Baojie suddenly remembered something and hurriedly said, "By the way, Master, I heard other cultivators talking about you entering the city. However, when some people mentioned you, Master, their way of addressing you was a bit strange."

Lei Jun asked, "How so?"

Zhuo Baojie thought for a moment, "They called you, ’Like-Celestial Master’? Master, what does ’Like-Celestial Master’ mean?"

"..." Lei Jun was left speechless.

This felt as though someone was making up nicknames for him. It sounded almost like... a concubine.

Lei Jun did know that since he had been sent out on patrol, it was equivalent to publicly announcing his position as the "Crown Prince" of the Celestial Master Mansion, and the outside discussions about him had never ceased.

How to define him was indeed a challenge for the outside world.

In the past, Li Zhengxuan had the title of Yong Celestial Master because he was the sole son of the then-Celestial Master Li Qingfeng.

Before the rise of Tang Xiaotang, Li Qingfeng was also the brightest talent among his peers, second only to Xu Yuanzhen.

Xu Yuanzhen was teasingly called the Second Celestial Master by enthusiasts. This was partly because some wanted to sow discord between the Li family and outsiders within the Celestial Master Mansion at the time. Additionally, Xu Yuanzhen was indeed publicly recognized as the second strongest in Dragon Tiger Mountain, second only to the then Celestial Master Li Qingfeng.

As for today’s Lei Jun, aside from Celestial Master Tang Xiaotang, not to mention his mentor Yuan Mobai, there was still Xu Yuanzhen to consider. Hence, calling him the Second Celestial Master would also be inappropriate.

And the title of Acting Celestial Master was still not fully legitimate.

Consequently, someone came up with the title "Like-Celestial Master," which managed to gain considerable agreement.

But Lei Jun found these three words... rather odd.

Elder Lei settled down with his disciple at Lianyun Temple.

Later that day, another temporary resident returned.

"Lin Shixiong," Lei Jun greeted the newcomer courteously.

The visitor was Lin Shan, the representative of the Celestial Master Mansion at the Capital City Academy and the eldest disciple of Shangguan Ning.

He usually prepared and taught lessons at the Capital City Academy, preaching and interpreting the Tao. However, he did not live there; instead, he returned to Lianyun Temple.

"Lei, long time no see." Lin Shan smiled, but he meticulously performed the full salutation.

"Lin Shixiong, you’ve been well, I presume? Have you just returned from the Capital City Academy?" Lei Jun asked.

Lin Shan said, "Knowing you were coming, I rushed back right after class. However, I have a night class later, so I’ll have to go back for it. My return to the mountain is approaching, so I strive to see things through properly to the end."

He would soon be returning to Dragon Tiger Mountain.