Zhang Yuan's relationship with that dark shadow was akin to an animal that carries seeds, aiding in the spread of plants.

As for what triggered the dark shadow... Lei Jun held his forehead and sighed softly.

It seemed, perhaps, it appeared, it was likely, probably, that it was Elder Lei himself.

Or rather, it was that page of his Celestial Book.

Surely Zhang Yuan hadn't become an old unlucky chap because of him?

My bad, my bad.

Lei Jun shook his head slightly, then bent down again to scan the Earth Valley.

It was hard to predict the flow of the Earth Vein Spiritual Qi, and even harder to discern after the significant changes that had taken place here.

Over the past few years, as Lei Jun's Cultivation had grown, he roughly estimated that the dark shadow was more likely to originate from the southeast.

It really is a vast, sparsely populated place with treacherous mountains and waterways. Lei Jun specifically searched in that direction once more.

After travelling a great distance without finding anything else of value, he finally stopped and headed back to the mountain.

By the time it was just before sunrise, Lei Jun had returned to his own mountain gate.

Officially, it was said that Zhang Yuan's previous fainting was due to a Witchcraft Sect Curse Technique.

However, the storm had now passed, and as no trace of the Middle People from the Samsara Abyss—the Sacred Land of the Witchcraft Curse Lineage—had been found, related discussions gradually faded.

Only Zhang Yuan himself secretly rued his bad luck.

Fortunately, thanks to Elder Lei's concern, who also personally gave him some spirit-soothing Spiritual Medicine, Zhang Yuan felt somewhat comforted.

Lei Jun, like everyone else, no longer paid attention to the matter.

Once he had no other affairs at hand, he began to seriously ponder and research the dark shadow.

The dark shadow clung closely to the Celestial Book, as if they were mutually dependent yet contrasting entities.

Since Page Three of Lei Jun's Celestial Book already expounded on the principles of Yin and Yang changes of the Dual Aspects, now that the dark shadow was opposite to it, upon close contemplation, Lei Jun felt that both were actually of the same origin.

The dark shadow had no evil aura; it seemed more like another explanation and manifestation of the principles of the Celestial Book.

If the Celestial Book elucidated the marvelous intricacies of Creation and transformation, then this dark shadow appeared to illustrate some negative changes and impacts that occurred in the operation of Creation.

This "negative," so to speak, exists objectively relative to the positive. While it might initially appear unbeneficial to all worldly matters, viewed with a calmer perspective, it too is part of the wondrous principles of the Tao of Heaven and Earth.

Lei Jun calmed his mind and spirit, relying on the Celestial Book, and slowly understood and refined this dark shadow.

The dark shadow straddled the line between illusion and reality; previously illusory, but now under Lei Jun's control, it transformed into a tangible entity.

Lei Jun spread open his palm, and a patch of blackness emerged.

The dark shadow separated from the True One Altar Cave Heaven within his Spiritual Soul, yet remained under his command.

Looking at it now, it seems more like a Spiritual Object, Lei Jun raised an eyebrow. Its function... to drive things towards disorder and chaos, unbeneficial to oneself, but conversely, it can be used to obliterate and dissolve others' strength.

Wait a moment...

It seems it's not entirely unbeneficial to me either?

Lei Jun had some inspiration and planned to carefully ponder and research it.

However, there was no rush at the moment.

He would simply take his time amidst his daily routine.

For now, Lei Jun's focus in Cultivation was primarily on advancing his own level of Cultivation and constructing the fifth Tao Palace.

As for the duties within the sect, the new year drew near, and the new Transmission Ritual was about to be convened.

Delayed for a year due to the extensive rebuilding needed after the great war and the New Heavenly Master's succession ceremony, this session of the Transmission Ritual was finally upon them.

Generally speaking, the Transmission Ritual is presided over by a High Merit Elder.

However, the situation was special this year, with a New Heavenly Master having just ascended.

According to tradition, this year's ceremony would be personally presided over by Tang Xiaotang.

As the supervising Elder of the Hall of Steward, Lei Jun had many ceremonial matters to handle and assist with.

By time's measure, it had been five years since the last Lecture Ceremony.

By the fifteenth of January next year, when the six-year term comes to an end, it would be time for another Lecture Ceremony.

This would also be the first Lecture Ceremony since the New Heavenly Master's ascension.

Although the rituals were complex, Celestial Master Tang was still quite fresh and enthusiastic about them.

The only uncertainty was how long her interest would last...

Half a year ago, the New Heavenly Master's ascension ceremony was majestic, with guests gathered from all around to offer congratulations.

After half a year, guests at this Transmission Ritual were of relatively lower status.

Nevertheless, there were still guests of significant stature with Upper Three Heavens Cultivation in attendance.

"Master Lei, I've long admired you."

The visitor, a young man in his twenties or thirties dressed in casual wear, exuded an overwhelming military presence.

Normally, Lei Jun stood quite tall in a crowd, but the young man before him matched his stature.

Compared to Lei Jun, who was as elegant as a jade tree, the other man appeared more robust and vigorous.

Shangguan Peng.

He was a leading figure of the new generation of the Shangguan Clan. Of course, by worldly standards, his actual age was much greater than his appearance suggested. However, relative to his Cultivation and lifespan, he was undeniably a young, prized talent in the Cultivation world. A Martial Tao expert of the Seventh Layer of Heaven Realm, he had joined the Great Tang Divine Strategy Army in his youth and now served as an important general.

The Shangguan Clan had always been closely associated with the Great Tang Imperial Family's Zhang Family, being the foremost military noble family of the Great Tang.

In the previous turmoil in the Western Regions, the Tang Imperial Court's Vitality was Severely Damaged. This was reflected not only in the deaths and injuries of many imperial family experts, including the late Emperor Zhang Qilong, but also in the heavy losses suffered by the Shangguan Clan.

In such circumstances, despite being part of the younger generation, Shangguan Peng had begun assuming significant responsibilities early on, both within the Shangguan Clan and in the Imperial Court.

A year ago, during the suppression of Prince Wu's rebellion, Shangguan Peng had been ordered by the emperor to hasten to the Land of Wu and Yue in the South at the earliest opportunity.

"General, you flatter me too much." Lei Jun greeted him in return, then smiled and directed Shangguan Hong standing beside him, "Zhonghong, my fellow brother, please lead General Shangguan into the mansion to rest first, and remember to notify the fifth uncle."

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