Chapter 1230 - 408: Above the Ninth Heavenly Layer

Chapter 1230: Chapter 408: Above the Ninth Heavenly Layer

What the new Grand Secretary was left with was a truly messy situation.

......

The battle within Sumi has been decided, and the Five Vajra Sects in other realms suddenly seem less restrained than before.

Though the division leaders are temporarily unseen, supported by the traditions of the Vajra Temples in various realms, the monks of Sumi present a completely different spiritual demeanor.

Legends about the Venerable Shan Zhihui have begun to spread in major Human Realms.

In the world of the Late Han, the global influence that had receded due to the Sumeru Treasure Department’s withdrawal suddenly shifted once again.

Within the ancestral land of the Langya Wang Clan.

Two Wang Clan disciples were browsing the ancient texts.

"It’s here." The Confucian scholar, who appeared middle-aged, spoke at this time.

Wang Jianan, in the guise of a young man, put down his book and moved beside his clan brother, Wang Bujiu.

Wang Bujiu lightly pointed at the pages of an ancient text on the table: "Venerable Shan Zhihui, prior to the great calamity at the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, had already attained the Golden Body of a Buddhist Honored One."

Wang Jianan bowed his head to look at the records: "Even if he has continually been in a state of quasi-existence within Sumi to prolong his life, the years are far too long, wouldn’t his lifespan and realm be..."

Wang Bujiu: "At least, it is currently not appropriate, or he would have already re-emerged, but even so, he is certainly beyond ordinary reach."

Wang Jianan remained silent, with a look of concern on his face.

Wang Bujiu: "What are grandpa and uncle’s thoughts on this?"

Wang Jianan replied: "The elders’ thoughts are always subject to change, nails and teeth rely on each other; next, we need to engage more with the royal family."

Wang Bujiu: "That person in the Eastern Palace?"

Wang Jianan: "Naturally, it is necessary to maintain closer ties with the Crown Prince, as it cannot possibly be the current Emperor."

After a slight pause, he continued: "...Grandfather’s idea is that we also need to make several preparations in case the court directly shifts towards the Sumeru Buddhist Sect."

Wang Bujiu nodded lightly, then asked: "Any news from Uncle?"

Wang Jianan sighed: "Nothing yet."

Wang Bujiu fell silent.

Dongyang Mountain Man Wang Xu, once the sixth son of the Langya Wang Clan, was universally recognized as the most likely individual in the world of the Late Han to ascend to Azure Cloud, apart from the emperors in the palace.

But before the surge of Heavenly and Earthly Spiritual Qi truly arrived in the world of the Late Han, he had already disappeared.

No trace of him, neither in life nor in death.

Now, he remains the last hope for the Langya Wang Clan.

Hoping he is still alive.

Yet, could this distant hope ever be realized?

At the same time, in the ancestral land of another renowned noble family in the Late Han Human Realm, the Xiao Clan of Longwai stood two persons side by side before the all-important ancestral shrine.

A man and a woman, both exhibiting graceful and noble temperament.

The man named Xiao Xuan is the current Clan Chief of the Xiao Clan of Longwai.

The woman named Xiao Jing was the previous clan leader of the Great Unity Xiao Clan.

"These are turbulent times, crucial moments, the most important thing is the continuation of the clan; I’m limited in ability and lack the qualifications to handle such a task."

Xiao Xuan slowly spoke: "The clan chief should be the capable one to guide the clan through such chaotic times."

In the Late Han Human Realm, the families of noble lineage previously had only two Great Scholars stabilizing the world at the Ninth Heavenly Layer.

One in the Qingzhou Ye Clan, and one in the Guanlong Yang Family.

Xiao Xuan was not among them.

Amid the world of the Late Han and with the surge of Heavenly and Earthly Spiritual Qi, he hoped to break through to the Ninth Heavenly Layer, but the timing was uncertain.

The global situation, however, changes in the blink of an eye.

The Great Unity Xiao Clan was nearly annihilated, with only Xiao Jing and a very few others managing to preserve themselves by chance in the Late Han Human Realm.

Compared to the Xiao Clan of Longwai in terms of foundation, they naturally fall short.

But Xiao Xuan willingly offered the position of clan chief to Xiao Jing, who is at the fourth level of the Ninth Heavenly Layer.

Clan succession is complicated, yet Xiao Xuan realized time waits for no one.

"Little sister is always a guest, only due to the current perilous circumstances am I lending a hand to assist my elder brother," Xiao Jing first bowed to Xiao Xuan.

Xiao Xuan returned the courtesy solemnly.

......

In the Human Realm of the Great Tang.

At Dragon Tiger Mountain’s Celestial Master Mansion.

Lei Jun currently stands within the Supreme Pure Thunder Mansion Cave Heaven.

The Heaven-piercing Earth-penetrating Taliscript in his eyes flashes radiantly once again.

His junior brother Chu Kun transmitted the latest information from the Ming Realm.

"Won’t come out from Sumi?" Lei Jun pondered: "There are also reports from the Khanate Mortal Realm, with traces of elite Buddhist figures from the Western Regions moving around, seemingly searching for the whereabouts of Guixu and the Lotus Division’s Chief Zongjia."

The Venerable Shan Zhihui, who is gradually gaining prominence in the Ming, Late Han, and Khanate Mortal Realm, if uninterested in attacking the Ming Realm, is seen as merciful; but the current search for the Lotus Division’s Chief Zongjia is handled by other Sumi monks, which appears to be somewhat unusual.

The existences within Guixu might also be significant.

The Venerable Shan Zhihui fetching someone personally is undoubtedly more reliable than other Sumi monks.

As it stands, it seems more a matter of inability rather than unwillingness.

However...

The current inability does not imply future impossibility.

Just as when Lei Jun and Tang Xiaotang toured Sumi and returned safely, whereas the Ming Dynasty’s dignitaries struck a hard surface during their visit.

The sphere of light within his mind has yet to stir anew...Lei Jun contemplated.

Nonetheless, the necessary preparations must be continued.

Lei Jun remains calm and steady in advancing his plans.

From other realms, the news received indicates that Sumi appears quite peaceful; after disciplining the intruders like Chen Yu and the others, matters settled, causing even the Ming Dynasty to breathe a sigh of relief.

On the Human Realm side of the Great Tang, related information is currently known only to a few.

"Has the current Empress still not crossed that final threshold?" Chu Kun privately spoke with Lei Jun about this matter.

Lei Jun: "It feels contrary to the one in Sumi; in Luoyang, it’s not a matter of inability, but unwillingness, as for the reason, perhaps concerns exist."