Cultivation: Fortune by Lots

Chapter 1031: Chapter 366: The Rising Tide (Double-Length Chapter)_4

In the recent Western Regions battle to extinguish Buddhism, Lei Jun proved that he could not only rival the Ninth Heavenly Layer cultivators but might even win against them, possibly killing the opponent.

This is a critically important distinction.

For a long time, the key figures of the noble families, even including Prince Zhao Zhang Teng, have tried to avoid gathering together.

Thus, pulling one hair would move the entire body; if someone is constrained, others can adapt.

Adaptation is not about rescue but about acting freely without reservations.

As such, it creates a bond that helps balance the power within the Tang Court, preventing them from easily cutting down those in power.

But the current problem is that even if they divide themselves, Empress Zhang Wantong’s side is quickly gaining enough manpower.

Having manpower doesn’t just mean pairing off for battle.

As the defender, simple containment might suffice, but as the attacker, it won’t work.

In an emergency, Zhang Teng, Ye Moquan, Ye Yan, Chu Xiuyuan, Fang Jingsheng would simply seek to escape.

For a total victory without future troubles, the Tang Court must ensure complete wins on all five battlefields to prevent Ye Moquan and others from escaping.

Thus, weighing the pros and cons, Ye Yan, Ye Moquan, and others might as well surrender from the start.

The reason for not surrendering is because the situation hasn’t reached such an extreme state yet.

But now, if the Celestial Master Mansion fully sides with Empress Zhang Wantong, assessing the numbers, the situation begins to clarify.

Empress Zhang Wantong herself.

Xu Yuanzhen.

Tang Xiaotang.

Then, plus Lei Jun.

This is already a scene that causes Fang Huansheng, Chu Lin, and others to wake up in a cold sweat at midnight.

Lei Jun, at the current Eighth Heavenly Layer realm, has already reached this level. Who among those present doubts he can ascend to the Ninth Heavenly Layer?

The group exchanged glances, silent yet confirming the same message in each other’s eyes.

No one doubts that the current Celestial Master can achieve the Ninth Heavenly Layer of Taoist Mahayana High Immortal.

In fact, everyone believes that day isn’t far off.

Even now, Lei Jun’s displayed strength is such that he could lend the three treasures of the Celestial Master Mansion to others if he wished.

Not temporarily lending them to Xu Yuanzhen and Tang Xiaotang but rather to his master Yuan Moba.

Under these circumstances, mobilizing the full potential of Dragon Tiger Mountain’s Celestial Master Mansion, even if dispersed and fighting separately, they could each hold their ground.

Considering the Empress’s side, wields the Expelling Invaders Halberd, Mountain and River Sword, and Haoran Sword possessed by Shangguan Yunbo, Xiao Xueting, and Xiao Hang, the situation becomes even more frightening.

Empress Zhang Wantong, Xu Yuanzhen, Tang Xiaotang, and Lei Jun, each responsible for one area.

The remaining gather together to besiege a fifth place.

Without considering other external threats, the conditions for the Empress to initiate a Tang civil war are nearing maturity.

If she and Lei Jun are in good condition.

Therefore, Fang Hezhou remarked that she no longer needs to feign injury.

The Empress, uninjured, means the country’s luck is stable, void gateways remain closed, and the likelihood of foreign threats decreases to the lowest.

Only then might her impediments be the injuries to Celestial Master Lei Jun, and Xu Yuanzhen’s presence in East Sea Penglai.

"Celestial Master Mansion’s Master Xu at Penglai is not troubled,"

Chu Lin spoke up: "Compared to all else, whether she heeds the current emperor’s command is perhaps more uncertain."

Princess Chang of Dongping Zhang Qiongrong asked, "Has your elder of Chu State returned from overseas, without going back to Suzhou?"

Chu Lin nodded lightly: "Yes, Your Highness."

The Empress’s side is rapidly approaching enough numbers.

Upon hearing the news, Chu Xiuyuan and Ye Yan immediately made decisions: Chu Xiuyuan feigned illness and retired from office, leaving the waters outside Penglai, not staying in the same place as Ye Yan.

Despite doubts about the Empress’s condition, neither Chu Xiuyuan nor Ye Yan chose to take risks.

In fact, from now on, Chu Xiuyuan’s whereabouts have become a mystery, not even returning to the ancestral land of Suzhou.

But this is not suitable as a norm.

Though Ye Yan, Fang Jingsheng, Ye Moquan do not act similarly, they all began making further preparations.

"Xu Yuanzhen may not heed the current emperor’s call; ever since the old incidents in Youzhou and Jinzhou, she hasn’t caused more trouble for Youzhou’s Lin Clan and Cangzhou’s Ye Clan,"

Qingzhou Ye Clan elder Ye Zhuoyan stated: "However, no one can guarantee the future..."

Chu Lin then spoke: "Dragon Tiger Mountain’s Celestial Master Mansion has the Xu, Tang, Lei trio. Xu is the most unpredictable.

Lei is relatively peaceful; his major actions have only targeted the Mortal Tao Country, Sumi, and the Vajra Division. He is distant and indifferent, uninterested in power, making him possibly the hardest for the current emperor to directly mobilize."

Tang is easily swayed and enjoys the emperor’s favor, making him the most likely to become the emperor’s vanguard. Yet Xu and Lei are deeply connected with him."

The inner hall once again descended into silence.

"If Dragon Tiger Mountain’s Celestial Master Mansion could maintain neutrality, all these matters wouldn’t exist."

Fang Huansheng, who hadn’t spoken all the while, said now: "I hope the same, but perhaps...we shouldn’t place all our hopes here; it’s better to plan for the worst."

Fang Jingsheng, Ye Yan, and others couldn’t gather.

Those presently here could represent Suzhou, Jingxiang, Qingzhou, and some royal family members opposing the current emperor.

"The worst plan might be the best opportunity... perhaps, also the last opportunity." Fang Huansheng sighed heavily.

Waiting a few more years, the Empress’s injuries will heal as well.

Celestial Master Mansion’s Lei Jun will also recover from his injuries.

He may even progress to the Ninth Heavenly Layer Mahayana Realm.

In the noble families, the one with the greatest hope to reach the Ninth Heavenly Layer after Lin Clan’s Clan Chief Lin Huan’s ascent was halted, is Chu Xiuyuan’s third son, Chu Lin’s third brother Chu Zhe.

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