Cultivation: Fortune by Lots

The Celestial Master Mansion on Dragon Tiger Mountain has indeed contributed greatly to the state, but they are constantly expanding.

At such a time, instead, the Tang Imperial Court further pushes them...

"Next, pay closer attention to the Vajra Division." Shangguan Qing said.

Lu Zhen: "Rest assured, the Great General is in Guanzhong, I’ve also arranged for others to head to the Northwest."

Shangguan Qing nodded gently.

After hesitating for a moment, Lu Zhen spoke: "The signs of strong branches and weak stems are gradually appearing, what to do?"

Shangguan Qing was silent upon hearing this.

The Zhang Tang Imperial Clan, along with the martial families like the Shangguan and Lu around the imperial family, form the basic foundation of the Tang Imperial Court.

It is said that the prominent families are the Five Clans and Seven Families.

But among the singular surnames, the Zhang Tang Imperial Clan is currently the first among the Great Tang.

Even in these troubled times, the imperial clan remains the group with the most experts in the Upper Three Heavens.

Even without considering those like Zhang Dongyuan and Zhang Jingzhen, who have received sacred inheritance, solely counting martial experts, the Zhang Tang Imperial Clan still has the absolute highest number of experts in the Eighth Heavenly Layer.

The problem lies in the even higher Ninth Heavenly Layer realm.

The surge in global spiritual qi aids cultivators in their practice, while the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths reveal other realms besides the Great Tang, leading to the emergence of more Ninth Heavenly Layer experts.

Under such circumstances, the central hub of the Tang Imperial Court lacks a Ninth Heavenly Layer giant apart from the Tang Emperor, due to various reasons.

Prince Zhao Zhang Teng barely succeeded in advancing further, achieving the rank of Martial Saint, yet his thoughts are unpredictable.

Perhaps, it is inevitable for those born in the imperial family.

No matter the reasons, the result is that currently, the Tang Imperial Court lacks key figures of sufficient calibre, who can take on heavy responsibilities, without loyalty issues.

The Empress, given her special status, is not suitable for frequent appearances.

"We are untalented, unable to relieve the court of its burdens." Lu Zhen lamented: "The rise of the Celestial Master Mansion and the Vajra Division’s previous endeavors for advancement actually stem from here."

He looked at Shangguan Qing: "Has the Great General considered retreating for quiet cultivation in recent years?"

Shangguan Qing shook his head, candidly saying: "Very difficult in the coming years."

Lu Zhen sighed again.

He himself is in a similar situation to Shangguan Yunbo and even the Shangguan Qing before him.

They have all passed the window period before the age of two hundred and entered a plateau period.

While upward breakthroughs are not impossible, they are not as smooth as for the younger generation.

Especially with the Heavenly Moat Tribulation between great realms, one misstep could lead directly to the end of life and the path.

The silent aspect for Shangguan Qing and Lu Zhen is that over the past few decades, those in the Zhang Tang Imperial Clan and the Shangguan family who were most likely to seize this wave of opportunity brought by the surge of spiritual qi and reach the Ninth Heavenly Layer realm died early in the demon chaos in the Western Regions years ago.

That battle was the most costly to the central hub of the Tang Imperial Court in the past few hundred years.

Apart from Emperor Zhang Qilong’s serious injuries, the old clan chief of the Shangguan family also perished.

Several experts from the Tang Imperial Court met their demise as well.

Among them was a middle generation leader of the Shangguan Clan, even more outstanding than Shangguan Yunbo, who also died in the Western Regions.

If he were still alive, after three, four decades, he could very likely have achieved the Ninth Heavens of Martial Dao realm of a Martial Saint.

Meanwhile, Empress Zhang Wantong amazed the world, with her talent and wisdom, even without the support of the Emperor’s Technique and national fortune, could achieve the Confucian Nine Extremities Heaven Equilibrium Realm, albeit slightly later.

By then, the number of top experts in the royal family would be quite considerable.

With the central hub’s strength, Prince Zhao Zhang Teng would remain the loyal and ancient prince guarding the dynasty’s northern border.

Shangguan Yunbo would not need to travel extensively, suffering repeated injuries, and with focused healing, would possibly be stronger than now.

Yet, fate is unpredictable.

A step away, and several decades could make a world of difference.

Speaking of today’s Tang Imperial Court’s noticeable rising trend in Eighth Heavenly Layer experts, approximately... Xiao Xueting, Chu Yu, Shen Qubing.

None are of royal descent, nor of founding noble descent.

Xiao Xueting and Chu Yu both come from remarkable families, but by any measure, it isn’t the same.

"The former emperor back then... sigh!" Lu Zhen shook his head lightly.

Recalling now, Emperor Zhang Qilong’s actions back then were flawed by haste, impatience, and insufficient caution.

"Had the former emperor not personally ventured to Longwai, the outcome of the Western Regions war might have been different."

Shangguan Qing was slightly more composed: "But what happened in subsequent decades might also have changed, becoming better or worse, no one can predict."

He sighed: "The False Ming and False Song dynasties in these mortal realms perhaps resulted from the peculiarities of the time and space at the end of Han, caused by different people making different choices."

Lu Zhen took a deep breath: "Indeed, I’ve been dwelling too much on the past."

He looked up at Shangguan Qing: "Facing the present is paramount, the trend of strong branches and weak stems is established, although the current emperor is in his prime, ruling for many years, the foundation of our Great Tang..."

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Qing, though indoors, glanced towards the direction of the Eastern Palace.

...

The Great Tang Crown Prince is currently not in the Eastern Palace.

Such a situation is indeed significant.

However, it also depends on where he has specifically gone.

The Crown Prince of the Great Tang is currently visiting the Celestial Master on Dragon Tiger Mountain.

Back when the Celestial Master inheritance ceremony was held, Crown Prince Zhang Hui was unable to leave the capital to observe at Dragon Tiger Mountain due to various reasons, and always regretted it.

Now that the Celestial Master is in the Imperial Capital Luoyang, he naturally goes to visit.

This time, Lei Jun isn’t staying at White Cloud Temple, but alongside Zhang Taigang, Abbot Miaoxin, and other sect leaders, they are lodging in court-arranged accommodations.

At this moment, from the residence where Lei Jun is staying, the sound of a zither is wafting out, its lingering tones enchanting.