Such spiritual objects were indeed perfectly suited to carry the Confucian principles and artistic conception embodied by the set of the Jade Sea Vermilion Brush, Confucian Ink, Vast Integrity Paper, and Moonlight Inkstone. When these elements achieved a harmonious unity and were thoroughly integrated, they could undoubtedly exert an even greater effect.

The only slight, lingering concern might be the entanglement involving the Divine Strategy Army, Prince Zhao’s Mansion, and the White Lotus Sect. However, Lei Jun was not deeply involved, and there might be a way to resolve this in the future...

Hm?

Lei Jun was discussing the selection of materials for alchemy with Yu Cheng when he felt a slight stir in his heart. He appeared to be looking down at the medicinal list Yu Cheng was writing, but deep within his pupils, his Heaven-piercing Earth-penetrating Taliscript was quietly operating. Despite the great distance, scenes from White Horse Mountain outside Luoyang City were still conveyed to Lei Jun through the Heaven’s Sight Earth’s Hearing Talisman.

It was hard to say whether this was expected or unforeseen. The so-called heretics whose tracks were exposed near White Horse Mountain, leading to their discovery and siege by the Fa Conference members, were indeed White Lotus Sect disciples.

After the ensuing chaos, that White Lotus Sect disciple, whether by forcing his way through or moving stealthily, seemed on the verge of breaking out of the encirclement.

He felt quite frustrated. He had already finished his task in the city; whether it would succeed or not was entirely up to Buddha’s blessing. He only wanted to escape as quickly as possible, but after a series of twists and turns, he still exposed his tracks on White Horse Mountain, drawing the siege upon himself. Fortunately, it seemed he would successfully escape this time...

BANG!

Just as this thought crossed the White Lotus Sect disciple’s mind, darkness suddenly fell before his eyes. Blood seemed to flow down from the top of his head, and then intense pain spread from the back of his skull. Unfortunately, the monk’s consciousness was already beginning to scatter. He wanted to dodge and turn to see who had ambushed him. But before the monk could act, he was hit a second time with another BANG! No matter how unwilling the monk was, he now pitched forward, collapsing to the ground.

Then, a figure appeared behind him: stocky and not tall, clad in a deep red Taoist robe... a bear with black and white fur. It was Zhuo Baojie.

Under the cover of the Taiqing Eight Scenic Treasures Raincoat, he had silently approached the monk from behind, completely unnoticed. Thus, Zhuo Baojie lifted his fuzzy little paw. At such close range, the result of two consecutive bear paw slaps to a bald head was self-evident.

Lei Jun couldn’t bear to watch, momentarily averting his gaze through the Heaven-piercing Earth-penetrating Taliscript.

Disciple, how are you becoming more and more devious?

After knocking down the White Lotus Sect disciple, Zhuo Baojie had intended to signal the others from the Fa Conference. However, a White Lotus Sect monk of higher cultivation suddenly appeared in the White Horse Mountain area, seemingly to reinforce his fellow disciple. Zhuo Baojie immediately donned the Taiqing Eight Scenic Treasures Raincoat again, shook the Breathing Soil Banner, and vanished from the spot.

Being so close to Luoyang, the newcomer dared not linger. Discovering his fellow sect member was already dead, the White Lotus Sect elder, though frustrated, had no choice but to retreat quickly.

Zhuo Baojie, as if nothing had happened, then regrouped with Lin Shan and the others.

Officers of the Divine Strategy Army arrived at White Horse Mountain outside the city. Due to the White Lotus Sect’s involvement, Lin Shan and Zhuo Baojie cooperated with the authorities and remained for some time, only returning to Lianyun Temple the next day.

Lei Jun had bid farewell to Yu Cheng the previous day and returned to Lianyun Temple with the Senluo Jade. Since his disciple and fellow sect members were not detained, Master Lei naturally did not need to go to the government office to ask for their release.

"This trip was truly somewhat unexpected," Lin Shan said, shaking his head repeatedly. After hearing about what had happened near Hui Tian Hall in the city the previous day, he couldn’t help but speculate, "Between Prince Zhao’s Mansion and the White Lotus Sect, I wonder if there’s a real connection, or if they were framed?"

The actual appearance of White Lotus Sect disciples added many variables to the situation.

"We will observe the changes quietly," Lei Jun stated.

Lin Shan nodded in agreement, and Zhuo Baojie obediently bobbed his head.

Later, if the authorities required further cooperation, Lin Shan handled it.

Zhuo Baojie then mentioned that on his way back from outside the city, he had heard even more people discussing his master. Previously, many had only heard of Lei Jun’s name and lacked a tangible sense of his presence. Now, however, Taoist Xuanxiao Zi of Dragon Tiger Mountain was shaking Luoyang, both inside and out.

While the details of the battle between Dong An and Jiang Yuan were little known to outsiders, countless people had personally witnessed the scene of a purple and a black Thunder Dragon appearing together, instantly suppressing two great Martial Tao masters. This was not an intentional display of his own strength, but more to avert disaster for his friends and the surrounding common folk. Although Lei Jun’s action this time was but a brief, stunning appearance, it made his image in the hearts of the people more three-dimensional and detailed.

In the minds of many, he gradually took on a tangible image:

Young, yet highly skilled.

Powerful, yet serene and detached.

Aloof, yet possessing a compassionate heart.

If before it was as if the Celestial Master himself had descended,

Then after today, it was gradually turning into:

As the Celestial Master himself had descended.

Lei Jun himself was calm about this and didn’t elaborate on matters concerning himself. He turned to his chief disciple and asked, "What did you gain from this trip?"

Zhuo Baojie replied, "I listened to many seniors expounding on the scriptures and teachings at the Fa Conference, gaining many insights through analogy. Besides that..."

He took out a small porcelain vial and handed it to Lei Jun. "I obtained this from that White Lotus Sect monk."

Lei Jun opened the porcelain vial, glanced inside, and nodded slightly. "White Lotus Frost Dew."

Seeing Zhuo Baojie, though his face was serious, his eyes were darting around, staring intently at the mouth of the vial, Lei Jun couldn’t help but smile.

"I will keep this for now. If you drank it, at best it would satisfy a craving; it’s not very useful for you. However, I did bring some things back from Hui Tian Hall this trip. You’re in for a treat."

The little bear’s eyes instantly lit up, but his face remained perfectly serious. "Everything is as Master arranges."

Lei Jun chuckled and handed him a Miniature Bag. Zhuo Baojie immediately beamed with joy, happily clutching the Miniature Bag as he left.