Lei Jun, though he did not articulate it, was met with a slight nod from Yuan Mobai. "Mm, yes..."

Wang Guiyuan by his side also understood clearly whom Lei Jun was speaking of: Tang Xiaotang, the celestial pride of the Celestial Master Mansion, already poised to firmly claim the historic title of top Tao Boy.

Born with a Pure Yang Immortal Physique, she had not joined the Pure Yang Palace, instead pursuing her cultivation at the Celestial Master Mansion. Even though she was practicing the Celestial Master Mansion's authentic True Inheritance, walking the path of Yin and Yang Harmony, Tang Xiaotang's case was exceptionally unique. To be precise, she took a path of her own, cultivating the Celestial Master's Taoist Laws tailored to her innate abilities. Besides her Immortal Root Bone, she also possessed comprehension of the Tranquil Level, providing the foundation for her distinctiveness. The Yang Fire Tiger Dharma, unique to Tang Xiaotang and never before seen in the entire history of the Celestial Master Mansion, stemmed from this. She indeed was that unique one.

However, along with her radiant glory, there were also a few minor problems. For example, when facing the Yin Moon Soul Stone, Tang Xiaotang found herself in the same predicament as the cultivators from the Pure Yang Palace. To call the Yin Moon Soul Stone their nemesis might be overstating it, but it definitely ranked among the least welcomed items for them in this world.

So... was the Yin Moon Soul Stone prepared by this mysterious figure as a contingency against the cultivators of Pure Yang Palace, or was it to restrain Tang Xiaotang in the future? And what was his real identity?

"Master..." Lei Jun looked up at Yuan Mobai.

Yuan Mobai shook his head gently. "As of now, we have no solid evidence at all; everything is mere conjecture. Be careful not to jump to conclusions. Let's not rush and see what unfolds later."

Lei Jun nodded slightly before asking, "Then, why is this person targeting the lineage of Master Song's disciples? Does he have an ulterior motive, or is he just stirring up trouble indiscriminately?"

Yuan Mobai replied, "The likelihood of stirring trouble indiscriminately is greater, and precisely because of that, we should not too readily make conclusions."

Lei Jun and Wang Guiyuan responded in unison.

After Chu Kun said goodbye to the guests and returned to the mountain, he relayed Chu Yu's thoughts to Yuan Mobai. Chu Yu had discussed these matters in front of Chu Kun specifically to convey his messages to the Celestial Master Mansion through him. Timely communication between both parties was the key to preventing unnecessary misunderstanding.

The mysterious person vanished without a trace, leaving no way to continue the investigation. The Celestial Master Mansion had no choice but to let the matter rest for the time being. The death of their disciple was a blow to their reputation. However, considering the enemy possessed the cultivation of the Upper Three Heavens, the mansion prioritized consoling the other disciples while, more importantly, raising their guard. Judging from Chu Yu's battle with the adversary, this newly emerged mysterious figure was likely not the same person who had assassinated the previous Celestial Master Li Qingfeng, leading to his demise.

This was hardly good news. It suggested that Dragon Tiger Mountain might face more enemies. The current state of affairs at the Celestial Master Mansion called for heightened vigilance. The laxity that had come with several years of peace was worth reflecting upon by everyone. As a consequence, an atmosphere of renewed tension began to emerge within the mansion.

Lei Jun, on the contrary, continued living and practicing as usual. For the moment, the only thing that could disrupt his routine was the gluttonous Gungun. The Yin Moon Soul Stone immediately attracted the attention of this hefty creature. Unfortunately, Lei Jun resolutely stopped it. Currently, his cultivation did not urgently require the Yin Moon Soul Stone either, so he decided to store it away for now.

Interestingly enough, shortly after Lei Jun acquired the Yin Moon Soul Stone, Tang Xiaotang returned to the mountain. After a lengthy time away, she finally made her way back to Dragon Tiger Mountain. However, her return was made discreetly.

"I once said I'd never return without the Celestial Master's Sword," she stated. The tall lady felt somewhat embarrassed. "It's better if fewer people know about my visit this time."

Lei Jun was curious. "Then, Senior Sister Xiaotang, what brings you back to the mountain so suddenly?"

Given Tang Xiaotang's personality, it certainly couldn't be just homesickness.

Hearing Lei Jun's question, Tang Xiaotang's confidence swiftly returned. As if with a little tail wagging behind her again, she declared, "Of course, it's because I have something very important to do!" Without needing Lei Jun to probe further, she went on, "This time, I've truly found some clues related to the Celestial Master's Sword!"

"Oh?" Lei Jun said.

Tang Xiaotang explained, "So, the reason for my return is to ask for your help, Master, to conduct a ceremony at the Altar of Wanfa Sect. I want to delve further into these clues and finally find the real Celestial Master's Sword!"

"That's terrific," Lei Jun sincerely felt happy for her.

Then, he watched as Tang Xiaotang's interest quickly shifted. The young lady's attention was now fully captured by the giant Gungun. "Huh? This Mountain Pi of yours is huge!"

The massive Gungun, seemingly peacefully reclining on one side, was surreptitiously observing Tang Xiaotang with its round, darting little eyes, assessing whether the tall lady had any food of interest to it. After scanning twice and finding nothing, the colossal Gungun lost interest and turned its hefty head aside, no longer looking at Tang Xiaotang.

However, as it stopped paying attention to Tang Xiaotang, she started paying attention to it. The tall lady stepped forward boldly and without any hesitation, began to knead the enormous Gungun firmly and thoroughly. Despite Gungun's great size and strength, how could it contend with Tang Xiaotang? Struggling in vain, there was no effect whatsoever. In the end, its fate was to be flattened on the ground by Tang Xiaotang, followed by a thorough rubbing. Lying on its back on the ground, with limbs flailing, its big head turned towards Lei Jun, unusually seeking his help for a change.

Lei Jun looked up at the sky. This could be considered a case of the wicked bear having its match...

Fortunately, Tang Xiaotang was always generous in her actions. She was unreserved in roughhousing with the bear and even more liberal when feeding it. Later that day, she plucked a large amount of spirit plants from the Supreme Pure Thunder Mansion Cave Heaven to feed Gungun, letting it eat until its belly was round. But her generosity was so extravagant that even Yuan Mobai couldn't help but dissuade her repeatedly. Otherwise, continuing to feed Gungun in Tang Xiaotang's manner wouldn't be much different from letting it loose directly in the Cave Heaven.

Of course, the main purpose of Tang Xiaotang's return was not to pet the bear. The matter that truly kept her heart lingering was the lost Celestial Master's Sword. After visiting the Altar of Wanfa Sect, she then proceeded to the forbidden area of the Rear Mountain Ancestral Tomb. Although Lei Jun did not know the specific clues she had found, by the looks of it, Tang Xiaotang was very satisfied. She set out from the mountain again, continuing her grand quest to find the Celestial Master's Sword, from which she wouldn't rest until successful.

"Disciple-nephew Tang is setting off again," Elder Ziyang, in his residence, looked out towards the mountain and spoke slowly.

By his side sat a man who appeared to be in his thirties or forties. It was none other than Li Ziyang's eldest son, Li Xuan. However, Li Xuan was not wearing the traditional robe of a Talisman-Instructed Disciple of the Celestial Master Mansion but was dressed in an understated scholar's attire. Outside the mountain, he was more commonly seen in the uniform of a Suppressing Demon Guard. The former Taoist Li Chongxuan was hardly recognizable now.

"This time, she has a considerable chance," Li Xuan asked softly. "As far as I know, she has a solid lead on the Celestial Master's Sword."

Li Ziyang said, "It's still uncertain for now."

Li Xuan nodded silently. Then he asked another question, "Then, about her... How far is she from reaching the Eightfold Heavenly Divine Court?"

His father Li Ziyang looked out the window for a long while before finally speaking again. "Perhaps not very far. In recent years, she has been single-mindedly dedicated to the search for the Celestial Master's Sword, which may have even slowed her pace somewhat."

Li Xuan asked softly, "What about... our second aunt?"

Li Ziyang replied, "Your second aunt is currently devoting all her energy to arduous cultivation. I do not know how close she is to reaching the Eighth Heavenly Layer, nor whether she can surpass Disciple-nephew Tang."

Li Xuan let out a long breath and fell silent once more.

Li Ziyang then turned to ask, "How is the matter of Nephew Zhenchang coming along?"

Li Xuan answered, "Although there's still no concrete evidence, it is very likely the work of Chen Yi... This young man's progress is astonishingly fast, and his actual combat spellcasting is vicious. It is not impossible that Zhenchang, who failed to cultivate the Original Talisman and was at the same Altar Stage, was killed by Chen Yi's hand. As for the second case, it might not be related to him. Although Chief Qin of the Suppressing Demon Guards thinks highly of him, he wouldn't go so far as to kill for him. The mysterious person at Slanting Star Peak, their identity is still enigmatic so far, but..." His voice softened further, tinged with worry. "I believe this mysterious person's plot is not solely aimed at the lineage of my third grand-uncle and Elder Liang; their target might be even greater."

Li Ziyang nodded slightly. "You've had a tough time running back and forth lately. There's no need to continue doing so; prioritize yourself from now on."

Li Xuan nodded. "Yes, Father, I understand."

Although he suspected Chen Yi had killed Li Zhenchang, and while Li Xuan usually looked for opportunities to counter Chen Yi, Li Xuan himself was, in fact, unexpectedly calm towards Chen Yi. At least, his attitude was not like that of a direct successor of the Celestial Master Mansion viewing a disciple who had betrayed the sect. Nor was it like someone seeking revenge for his kinsman Li Zhenchang. The few actions taken against Chen Yi seemed more like a cover-up. Even if it came to dealing with Chen Yi, the true reason was more because of Chen Yi's unequivocal hostility towards the entire Li Clan, rather than Chen Yi's hostility towards the Celestial Master Mansion.

In Li Xuan's innermost thoughts, his identity had transformed from the moment he joined the Dark Court of the Suppressing Demon Guards. He was no longer a true disciple of the Celestial Master Mansion, nor even a member of the Li Clan. Instead, he now considered issues as one from the Li family branch of Li Ziyang, Li Xuan, and Li Fenghe...

"Zhengxuan is about to leave the mountain," Li Ziyang said finally.

Li Xuan took a deep breath. "Has Senior Brother also gained some certainty now?"

Li Ziyang replied, "After all, he once wielded the Celestial Master's Sword. Having prepared in the Rear Mountain Ancestral Tomb for these past few years, his chances shouldn't be any less than those of Disciple-nephew Tang, who has been traveling outside all this time."

Li Xuan let out the deep breath he had taken. "If the Celestial Master's Sword is really found, then it seems a decisive moment is approaching for our sect!"

Li Ziyang gazed out the window, lost in thought. "And the Celestial Master Seal..."

On this day, Li Zhengxuan, the son of the former Celestial Master, having reflected in seclusion within the forbidden grounds of the Rear Mountain Ancestral Tomb for many years, finally left the mountain. He paid homage to the ancestral masters, determined to redeem his past transgressions by leaving the mountain to search for the Celestial Master's Sword, and vowed to personally return the lost treasure to the Celestial Master Mansion.

The already tense atmosphere on Dragon Tiger Mountain grew heavier, hinting at an impending storm and causing much private speculation among the people.

Lei Jun, unaffected by the external world, continued his own cultivation. After some time of preparation, he informed his master Yuan Mobai that he was about to begin his own ritual, officially preparing to advance to the Fifth Layer Heaven Tao Palace Realm.

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