Cultivation: Fortune by Lots

Although the new Celestial Master is usually composed, with a demeanor like a calm lake, compared to the emotionally expressive former Celestial Master, Master Tang, one can largely infer Celestial Master Lei’s perspective on this National Master position.

If he were also interested, Master Tang might not be in such a good mood now.

The way Tang Xiaotang is now, it’s clear that Xu Yuanzhen and Lei Jun won’t compete with her unless Lei Jun is deceiving her.

But over the years, not only Lü Jinduan, but most people outside have also noticed that the most outstanding of the younger generation at the Celestial Master Mansion, Xu, Tang, and Lei—the three prodigies—are not antagonistic rivals. Instead, they have a great personal friendship, which largely rules out the possibility of Lei Jun deliberately hiding his true intentions to set up Tang Xiaotang.

...It is for this reason that their existence places a particularly heavy pressure on the outside world.

However, this no longer includes the Pure Yang Palace.

Lü Jinduan, Elder Lü, is currently very calm.

If the Pure Yang Palace were still in its prime 40 to 50 years ago, its successors might still harbor some competitive thoughts.

But nowadays, in the last one or two generations, they are only focused on quietly restoring their primordial qi.

Externally, it’s about supporting and cooperating with the Celestial Master Mansion.

After the disaster of the Mortal Tao Country, the Taoist Sect was severely damaged.

The overall recovery of the Taoist Sect’s primordial qi is more beneficial to the Pure Yang Palace’s recovery as well.

Therefore, when representing the Pure Yang Palace on this visit to the Imperial Capital Luoyang to meet the Emperor, Lü Jinduan’s attitude is very clear:

The Pure Yang Palace supports the Celestial Master Mansion to achieve enlightenment and further become the Great Tang State-protecting Mage, assisting the imperial court in managing the Buddhist and Taoist sect affairs, leading others in the field.

After Lü Jinduan came out of the palace, the next one to enter was the current head of the Mount Shu Sect, Zhang Taigang.

In recent years, he has been reclusive, constantly refining magical treasures at the Summit.

But upon receiving the imperial decree, Zhang Taigang paused his work to go to the Imperial Capital Luoyang to meet the Emperor.

After Zhang Taigang concluded his audience with the Emperor, he immediately proceeded to Lü Jinduan’s residence.

"Sect Master Zhang," Lü Jinduan greeted him with a bow.

Zhang Taigang returned the gesture quite solemnly and once again thanked the Pure Yang Palace for previously assisting the Mount Shu Sect alongside the Celestial Master Mansion in refining a Pure Yang magical treasure.

Lü Jinduan hastily expressed humility, invited Zhang Taigang to sit, and as they talked about the meeting with the Emperor, both were rather calm.

Zhang Taigang candidly said, "In my humble opinion, the current Celestial Master is the most suitable candidate."

Like the Pure Yang Palace, the Mount Shu Sect too has received the talisman decree from the Celestial Master Mansion, honoring Longhu Mountain as the foremost of the Great Tang Dao Sects in the present world.

After facing severe internal turmoil, the Mount Shu Sect currently can only focus on peaceful recovery and rest.

Lü Jinduan said, "Celestial Master Lei, having just taken over the gateway of Longhu Mountain, is calm in temperament and competent in handling matters. I believe that most of his energy will still be focused over there at the Celestial Master Mansion.

As the State-protecting Mage of the Great Tang, a significant portion of his time would be spent accompanying and advising at the imperial court in the capital, and another part traveling to various Buddhist and Taoist sects across the kingdom.

In terms of time, Celestial Master Lei might not have the leisure, perhaps Master Tang would be more suitable."

Zhang Taigang slightly nodded.

Tang Xiaotang and Lei Jun came together to the Imperial Capital Luoyang, it seems not just for a casual visit.

And with Lü Jinduan accompanying them to the capital, there must have already been some exchanges or insights shared along the way.

"As for Master Tang’s cultivation strength, nothing more needs to be said," remarked Zhang Taigang.

Lü Jinduan felt a bit sentimental: "Indeed, fate is truly inscrutable, and in the blink of an eye, several decades have passed."

Zhang Taigang knew the other was lamenting the peerless genius Tang Xiaotang, who possessed the Pure Yang Immortal Physique and Serene Comprehension, originally meant for the Pure Yang Palace on Zhongnan Mountain, but who ended up in the Celestial Master Mansion on Longhu Mountain.

To this day, Lü Jinduan still finds it to be a regret.

However, recalling the problems caused earlier by Huang Xuanpu and Rong Guangchen, Lü Jinduan became somewhat dazed, finding his emotions truly mixed for a moment.

He snapped back to reality, noticing Zhang Taigang quietly sitting beside him, and could only laugh at himself mockingly: "This old Taoist was so abrupt, Sect Master Zhang, please forgive me."

Zhang Taigang shook his head: "No need to say that, Elder Lü, you’re being too modest."

To an extent, he could understand Lü Jinduan.

Missing out on such a talented figure would be regretted by any sect.

If someone like Xu Yuanzhen, Lei Jun, or Tang Xiaotang hadn’t joined the Sacred Land of the Taoist Talisman Sect on Longhu Mountain but instead joined the Sacred Land of the Taoist Dan Ding Sect at Zhongnan Mountain’s Pure Yang Palace or the Sacred Land of the Taoist Refinement Sect at the Mount Shu Sect, they would certainly have excelled as well.

In that case, perhaps it would have been the Pure Yang Palace flourishing, or the Mount Shu Sect prospering.

The current fate of the Pure Yang Palace and Mount Shu Sect might be entirely different.

This was Zhang Taigang’s consideration as the head of the Mount Shu Sect.

Of course, if Lei Jun or Tang Xiaotang had joined, the position of head of the Mount Shu Sect probably wouldn’t have fallen to him, Zhang Taigang.

But Zhang Taigang didn’t mind that too much.

He cared more about the possibility that in such a case, the current situation of the Mount Shu Sect might be different.

As for the position of National Master, it was always something that would follow naturally, like water flowing down the stream, once conditions were right.

In fact, the court had already shown inclination in those early days when it bestowed titles upon the four great Masters of Longhu Mountain.

"Your sect’s fellow Taoist Chen Donglou beheaded Wang Dongchu and Fu Dongsen of the Mortal Tao Country, and thwarted the first counter-offensive of the Shushan Heretical Cultivators from Huangquan Li Shushan against the mortal world. With his cultivation and achievements, he might also have the chance to be officially conferred the title of Real Man by the court," Lü Jinduan mused.

Zhang Taigang nodded.

Regrettably, missed opportunities are just that—missed opportunities.

Both Taoist Holy Lands have their own challenges and stories.

In recent years, the task of revitalizing the Grand Tao Sect depends entirely on the Celestial Master Mansion.

Speaking of the Celestial Master Mansion...

Lü Jinduan glanced back towards the direction of the Imperial Palace: "Has His Majesty not summoned Celestial Master Lei and Master Tang firsthand?"

Zhang Taigang nodded: "After I came out, it was Abbot Ningru from the Xuantian Temple who followed."

Lü Jinduan pondered: "It seems that the Celestial Master Mansion might be placed at the end... I wonder what the situation with the Xumi Vajra Division is?"