The two Yuhang School transmission disciples hurriedly saluted Lei Jun together and reported their names,

"Yuhang School disciple Chen Xi, greets Master Lei."

"Yuhang School disciple Lu Boyuan, greets Master Lei."

The remaining three Tao Boys, two of them still looked quite bewildered.

They hadn't figured out who Master Lei was yet.

One of them, who was more well-informed and had heard of Lei Jun's recent reputation, spoke up cleverly, "He Bin, the one who seeks the Tao, greets Master Lei!"

"No need for formalities," Lei Jun smiled and nodded.

Although he hadn't interacted with the Yuhang School before, everyone still belonged to the Taoist Talisman Sect, all deriving from the Dragon Tiger Mountain lineage.

Lei Jun looked at the Yuhang School disciple who first recognized him, Chen Xi, and asked, "I remember the Yuhang School is some distance from here, how did you end up over here?"

Chen Xi replied respectfully, "Master, allow me to explain, our sect leader and several of our sect Elders brought us out together to broaden our horizons.

Earlier, everyone was sent off to travel separately, so several of us teamed up and planned to meet up later at the appointed place with our sect leader and other fellow disciples.

While roaming around Youpeng Mountain earlier, we suddenly discovered this valley, which was unusually warm even before spring started, so we came together to take a look.

We just didn't expect this would be your residence, Master, and we've disturbed your Serene Insight. We are frightened and beg your forgiveness."

Lei Jun said, "This is but a natural place in the wild mountains. How could it be considered my residence? Anyone has the right to come, there is no such thing as disturbing me."

Chen Xi and Lu Boyuan breathed a sigh of relief.

*It seemed that this Master Lei was relatively approachable.*

Then their thoughts began to race.

*Although Lei Jun was the true heir of the Main Mansion while they were from the branch line Yuhang School, if they could establish even a slight connection, it would surely benefit them immensely in the future.*

*Whether Lei Jun casually pointed out a few things regarding Taoist Laws, or praised them on the spot, either would be a tremendous gain for the two.*

So, the two Yuhang School transmission disciples both started displaying the same dedication and enthusiasm they showed in serving their own teachers, and began hovering around Lei Jun.

As for the fact that Lei Jun's real age was actually younger than their own, the two simply ignored it.

*By comparison, they were more concerned about mastering the degree of their actions. If they were too enthusiastic, they might make Master Lei unhappy instead.*

Lei Jun wasn't particularly keen on others bustling around him, but he didn't interrupt Chen Xi and Lu Boyuan's enthusiasm either.

On the other side, He Bin and the other two small Tao Boys looked a bit envious.

Since Chen Xi and Lu Boyuan, as transmission Taoists, had lowered themselves to do work usually assigned to Tao Boys, the three genuine Tao Boys didn't feel it was appropriate to compete with them.

*Unless they could be sure that Lei Jun would pick them out at a glance and take them directly back to the Celestial Master Mansion at Dragon Tiger Mountain, He Bin and the others would still need to continue training in the Yuhang School.*

He Bin's eyes darted constantly; following along behind Chen Xi and Lu Boyuan to help out, he watched and waited for an opportunity, hoping to get noticed by Lei Jun as well.

Lei Jun took it all in without missing anything.

*Whether it was Chen Xi, Lu Boyuan, or He Bin and his crew, Lei Jun neither encouraged nor rejected them.*

After a night's rest, early the next morning, Chen Xi, Lu Boyuan, and the others came to pay respects and bid farewell to Lei Jun.

"If fate brings us together again, we shall meet," Lei Jun said with a slight smile.

He looked at the people from the Yuhang School, paused thoughtfully, then asked, "So you all are about to go rejoin your fellow disciples?"

Chen Xi and Lu Boyuan replied, "There is still some time before the appointed date. We are planning to continue exploring Youpeng Mountain for a bit and then go to the meeting place."

Lei Jun said, "The earth vein Spiritual Qi in this area has been unstable lately, with frequent anomalies, so all of you should be extra cautious.

Youpeng Mountain is generally safe, but stay away from the main peak, just in case there are natural disasters or dangerous situations."

The Yuhang School group looked at each other, then promptly agreed, "Thank you for your guidance, Master Lei! We will be extra careful!"

Lei Jun nodded, closed his eyes again, and resumed meditating in silence.

Chen Xi, Lu Boyuan, and the others quickly withdrew and left the valley.

The morning sun rose, climbing higher into the sky.

Noon was drawing near.

Lei Jun ended his meditation, stood up, squinting as he raised his head to observe the sky and sun, "Is it coming? What will it be?"

......

Far from Youpeng Mountain, in a seemingly unrelated and equally tranquil mountain forest valley,

A Cloud Sea Flying Boat stood parked outside the mountain, shrouded in secret arts to conceal its whereabouts and maintain secrecy.

Inside the valley, there were many people busy at work.

At the center of the valley, an enormous deep pit had been dug, occupying several acres. Seen from above, the sight was stunning.

All around the pit, there stood a neatly arranged ring of massive Inkstones, each more than ten feet square.

Ye Cheng and other members of the Ye Clan stood atop the surrounding peaks, looking down at the deep valley, every face solemn and grave.

"The appointed time is approaching, let us begin," Ye Cheng gave the order.

The rest of the Ye Clan immediately entered the valley behind him.

Soon, the many giant Inkstones around the deep pit began acting like bottomless abysses, releasing a continuous stream of thick ink that all converged into the pit.

The pit was enormous and deep.

But the ink seemed inexhaustible.

As time passed, the pit was visibly being filled up.

It was as if a lake of ink was forming in the center of the valley.

The thick ink kept pouring toward the center, and the lake gradually swelled above the rim of the pit.

Yet it did not overflow.

The ink seemed to be restrained by an invisible force—after it rose above the edge, it hung in midair, frozen in place.

This terrifyingly large mass of ink continually reshaped itself.

At last, it solidified completely, transforming into a solid object.

Looking from a distance, it looked as though an extremely large black game piece had been placed in the center of the valley.

Upon seeing that the black piece had stabilized, Ye Cheng did not relax. On the contrary, his expression grew even more grave and solemn.

He took out a scroll and slowly unrolled it.

Immediately, Literary Splendor Talent condensed into a tangible form, like mist and clouds, surging into the skies and shining in all directions.

The other Ye Clan members gathered behind Ye Cheng.

Ye Cheng let go; the opened scroll hovered in midair, not falling.

Lead by him, all the Ye Clan members bowed nine times toward the scroll in unison.

The next moment, the scroll moved as if blown by the wind and floated ahead, drifting into the valley below.

The scroll landed above the massive game piece nearly a hundred meters in diameter, then turned into a streak of flowing light, flashed briefly, and vanished into the inky black surface of the piece.

Then, the giant black piece trembled as a whole.

The tremor affected only the black piece at first, but then began to influence the neighboring mountains.

Soon after, it was as if a strong shockwave burrowed deep underground, following the earth vein Spiritual Qi to spread outward in all directions.

As the wave spread, it seemed other sources of tremors joined in, combining and stacking up, generating an even more far-reaching impact together.

......

Far away, in Youpeng Mountain, which previously seemed calm, suddenly—the ground trembled and the mountains shook.

Except for the main peak, which remained steady, the surrounding peaks all began to sway.

Broken stones rolled continuously down the mountains.

The five Yuhang School people in the mountains, facing this disaster, covered their heads and ran for their lives.

Fortunately, though the shaking was violent, it didn't last long and soon subsided.

"Master Lei called it exactly," Lu Boyuan said with lingering fear.

The Tao Boy He Bin gazed at the main peak, lost in thought, "The main peak didn't really shake..."

Chen Xi guessed, "Could some Exotic Treasure be emerging to cause such a big commotion?"

He too looked at the main peak, "Is it over there?"

The other three followed his gaze and sure enough, saw what looked like a glow of treasure flickering atop Youpeng Mountain's main peak.

They were all overjoyed.

But Lu Boyuan quickly collected himself, "The mountains really aren't safe. We'd better not join in on the excitement."

He walked a few steps and noticed that Chen Xi hadn't followed, so he turned back to look.

Chen Xi mused, "The earth vein tremors have calmed down. This is a rare chance for Immortal Fate!"

Lu Boyuan said, "But Master Lei warned us that the main peak is dangerous."

There was a gleam in Chen Xi's eyes, "Wealth and glory come with risk. I want to give it a try!"

......

In Qiluo Valley, the tremors were no less severe.

But for Lei Jun, there was no immediate danger. He easily avoided some falling rocks.

What was more dramatic was that, with the earth vein Spiritual Qi twisted, the valley floor cracked open, splitting into a huge chasm within the already sunken valley, forming an even deeper rift.

The rift was so deep and dark it looked like the mouth of a giant beast, ready to devour anyone who came near.

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