Chapter 777: 314. Elder Lei’s Imperial Capital Dragon Tour (10,000-Character Grand Chapter)_2

As a publicly acknowledged successor-in-training for the position of Celestial Master, social interactions and exchanges were an inherent part of his responsibilities.

He was no longer the young, junior disciple he once was.

Comparatively, Lei Jun preferred quiet cultivation. However, having taken on this mantle, he was not timid in such situations and represented the Celestial Master Mansion with poise and grace.

Of course, even if he truly assumed the position of Celestial Master in the future, such a lifestyle would not be his primary focus for long.

This time, because Lei Jun had previously maintained a low profile, his appearance in the limelight was a rare occasion. Others were naturally eager to understand his views and opinions, so Lei Jun had taken the initiative to appear publicly. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

"Elder Lei, since we last parted, twenty-eight winters and summers have inadvertently passed," a refined and composed scholar at the banquet said, lifting his glass in a toast to Lei Jun. "The world has changed, Elder. Your demeanor outshines the past."

Unlike Taoists from the Alchemy Cauldron Sect, who observe alcohol prohibitions, disciples from the Talisman Sect and the External Alchemy School of the Taoist Sect only emphasized not overindulging.

Lei Jun calmly raised his cup in response. "Master Ye, you are too kind."

The scholar opposite him was named Ye Cheng, courtesy name Jifeng, and also known by the title Blue Sea Pavilion Master. He was a leading figure among the younger generation of the Qingzhou Ye Clan, once renowned alongside Ye Feishan of the Jinzhou Ye Clan as one of the ’Two Ye of the East and West’.

By now, he was one of the core high-ranking members of the Qingzhou Ye Clan and could no longer be considered merely a junior disciple.

Lei Jun had met him once, years ago, when accompanying his Eldest Martial Sister, Xu Yuanzhen, across the river.

Compared to that time, Ye Cheng appeared noticeably more mature. He had lost his youthful vigor and had grown a beard.

Considering his age relative to his cultivation level, he was still remarkably young.

The changes in his appearance stemmed more from the transformation of his identity and status.

However, while sitting opposite Lei Jun, his face consistently bore a refined and gentle smile.

When Ye Cheng invited Lei Jun to be his guest, Lei Jun did not decline, remaining as composed as ever.

"Is Xu Xianzi well?" Ye Cheng inquired.

Lei Jun replied, "My Eldest Martial Sister is currently abroad, searching for the whereabouts of Huang Xuanpu, Fu Dongsen, and others."

Ye Cheng stated, "Those who call themselves the Mortal Tao Country are all Demon Path Practitioners, bringing calamity and chaos to the people and disrupting the world. Everyone has the right to eliminate them. I, too, often keep an eye out for any related clues in Qingzhou. Should I discover anything, I will immediately report it to the Imperial Court and your esteemed sect."

Lei Jun responded, "Master Ye, you are very thoughtful. I thank you in advance."

Compared to the Cangzhou Ye Clan and the North and South Lin Clans, there were no overt animosities between Longhu Mountain and the Qingzhou Ye Clan.

Therefore, when Ye Cheng extended the invitation, Lei Jun calmly accepted. On the surface, everything appeared normal, with no sign of anything unusual.

Although he had slain Ye Ming, an important figure of their clan, in the East Sea a few years prior, his methods had been clean, and the Qingzhou Ye Clan remained unaware...

"Were the late Celestial Master Qingfeng and Hong Yu Zhan Lao of your esteemed sect both poisoned by Huang Xuanpu?" Ye Cheng asked.

Lei Jun replied with a solemn expression, "Indeed. Therefore, our sect is determined to eliminate this fiend."

A reminiscent look appeared on Ye Cheng’s face. "In my youth, I too had the privilege of receiving teachings from Celestial Master Qingfeng and traveled through the South with Taoist Zhengxuan. Now that those individuals have passed, only cherished memories remain."

Lei Jun said, "Master Ye, you are considerate."

On the surface, Ye Cheng showed no change, but he was carefully observing Lei Jun in secret. He had indeed met Celestial Master Li Qingfeng and his son Li Zhengxuan before. However, bringing them up now was mainly to gauge Lei Jun’s attitude towards these two individuals. The previous conflict between Li family members and outsiders for leadership had ended with the victory of the non-Li faction. Li Clan members like Li Song and Li Ziyang, whether alive or dead, had all been expelled. However, some Li Clan members had been treated differently. Besides the late Celestial Master Li Qingfeng, Li Hongyu and Li Zhengxuan, though deceased, had not had their names struck from the Celestial Master Mansion’s talisman register. Ye Cheng was currently observing Lei Jun primarily to discern his attitude towards the Li Clan and, by extension, to infer his views on other Noble Clans and Renowned Families. The stances of Xu Yuanzhen and Tang Xiaotang had become quite clear over the years. They held a rather hostile attitude not only towards the former Jiangzhou Lin Clan but also towards other Noble Clans and Renowned Families. Relatively speaking, Yuan Mobai and his disciple, Lei Jun, were more moderate. Apart from their confrontations with the Jiangzhou Lin Clan, they seldom clashed with experts from other noble clans. Of course, that didn’t mean they were friendly toward them either. During the Li-outsider conflict, Yuan Mobai had clearly been one of the mainstays among the Celestial Master Mansion’s successors not bearing the Li surname. Lei Jun, on the other hand, had only participated in the Jiangzhou battle. His subsequent actions were mostly targeted against the Yellow Sky Sect, the Mortal Tao Country, or Heavenly Order Cultivators. Based on current observations from all sides, this Master Lei possessed a rather cool and detached temperament. The few times he had taken action were mostly to uphold Longhu Mountain against invading enemies or to assist his fellow sect members. He himself rarely initiated conflicts. Even his trip to the East Sea was precipitated by his fellow sect member Xu Yuanzhen disappearing from the Heavenly Principle. Although Ye Ming had perished in the East Sea, Ye Yao, who had interacted with Lei Jun at the time, later discussed this Taoist Xuanxiao Zi of the Celestial Master Mansion with Ye Cheng. Based on these observations, if this Elder Lei were to truly succeed Tang Xiaotang in leading the Celestial Master Mansion, then the Celestial Master Mansion’s subsequent aggressiveness and belligerence would likely diminish. From the Longhu Mountain Celestial Master Mansion’s current standpoint, a period of recuperation was naturally beneficial. In the long term, they would grow even stronger. However, a decrease in their aggression would also reduce the threat to Noble Clans and Renowned Families like the Qingzhou Ye Clan, thereby minimizing unexpected factors. What the future held would depend on the further strategizing among the various parties.

Although Ye Cheng was considering many things, his expression remained unchanged as he conversed cheerfully with Lei Jun.

Lei Jun responded calmly. While the banquet’s atmosphere wasn’t overly enthusiastic, it could ultimately be said that both host and guest were satisfied.

Ye Cheng had invited Lei Jun as a guest and had prepared various gifts.

Lei Jun accepted them all.

He, in turn, presented Spirit Talismans and Dan Medicine from the Celestial Master Mansion as reciprocal gifts, ensuring no social debts remained unpaid.