They could project their Spiritual Souls far from their bodies.
At the sa ti, they also gained the ability to seize another’s body and possess it, especially after forming a Nascent Soul at the Seventh Heavenly Layer, their ability in this regard would further increase.
However, such actions had always been expressly forbidden by the Pure Yang Palace, which was why they were seldom seen.
But this was a matter of self-discipline, not because they were incapable of doing it.
"Gu Han, who was nominally dead, might not actually be dead," Shangguan Qing asked slowly. "Then what about Wang Xuan, who nominally disappeared?"
Previous reports indicated that Wang Xuan had betrayed the Pure Yang Palace, colluding with a Great Demon to breach its defenses.
But after the fall of the Pure Yang Palace, no one had seen Wang Xuan again.
"If he was frad and made a scapegoat, then his current predicant is probably..."
Xiao Chunhui said, "Our n have found Wang Xuan’s destroyed physical body. It’s still uncertain whether his Nascent Soul managed to escape, so further confirmation is needed."
Shangguan Qing, Lu Zhen, and Zhang Ying all fell into contemplation upon hearing this.
The Empress ordered, "Investigate Wang Xuan and Gu Han. Furthermore, regarding the breach of the Pure Yang Palace, thoroughly inspect all related individuals, whether alive or dead. The remaining matters will be discussed after I et Master Huang in Guanzhong."
Xiao Chunhui replied, "Your servant obeys."
After so more discussion, the four officials took their leave.
However, later that day, Xiao Chunhui appeared before the Empress once more.
"Your Majesty, Elder Jingge is currently a guest at Prince Zhao’s Mansion. Beyond their past connections, there might be other hidden reasons," Xiao Chunhui reported.
Elder Jingge was the title of Ye Moquan, the forr clan leader of the Ye Clan from Jinzhou.
After the Battle of Jinzhou, Ye Moquan, seeking to avoid Wei Ancheng and Tang Xiaotang, went to Youzhou and entered Prince Zhao’s Mansion.
To so extent, this publicly acknowledged their relationship.
Regardless of the underlying truth, King Zhang Teng had, on the surface, previously maintained a distance from Prestigious Families like the Jinzhou Ye Clan and the Youzhou Lin Clan.
Now, however, this was tantamount to an open shift in his stance.
To ordinary people, Prince Zhao was still a highly respected and esteed elder prince of the Great Tang.
The Jinzhou Ye Clan and the Youzhou Lin Clan were still renowned Prestigious Families under Great Tang’s rule, pillars of the nation.
But to discerning individuals, the implications were vastly different.
Prince Zhao’s figure began to erge more prominently on the political stage.
Even with the Northwest once again in turmoil, it was debatable whether this was the opportune mont, yet he proceeded with such a decision.
Aside from the necessity of protecting Ye Moquan due to their interdependence (like lips and teeth), the imperial family’s inner circle couldn’t help but speculate that Prince Zhao had other gains from this move.
"Continue to monitor the situation. Handle minor issues yourself, and report significant developnts to Chang’an," the Empress stated.
Xiao Chunhui replied, "Your servant obeys."
The Empress asked, "What is your opinion on this matter concerning the Celestial Master Mansion of Dragon Tiger Mountain?"
Xiao Chunhui replied, "Taoist Xu’s talent, aptitude, and strength are indeed as reputed. Even if she were to stop progressing now, she is, at the very least, the most formidable master the Celestial Master Mansion has seen in a thousand years."
Furthermore, given the talent Xu Yuanzhen has demonstrated, it’s unrealistic to expect her to cease progressing.
"For now, the only one who could potentially be compared to her is Celestial Master Tang, should he also achieve the Great Vehicle Realm in the future."
Xiao Chunhui contemplated for a mont then added, "And then there’s Master Lei Jun. I am also very optimistic about his future. However, he has acted too infrequently. Based on what we’ve seen so far, he doesn’t appear as formidable as Taoist Xu or Celestial Master Tang.
However, in this regard, my view aligns with that of Her Highness the Grand Princess. Compared to the strength of the few Taoists from Dragon Tiger Mountain, it’s the hidden strength of the Celestial Master Mansion that is truly surprising.
Logically, after the previous decisive battle involving Li Wai, everything should have beco clear as day. Yet, it now appears there are still many undisclosed matters."
"That battle essentially forced the Jinzhou Ye Clan to play all their hidden cards.
Moreover, the Jinzhou Ye Clan lost.
While not a complete wipeout, their losses were devastating.
Simultaneously, so of the Celestial Master Mansion’s own hidden cards were also brought to light."
However, Xiao Chunhui was also puzzled. If the Celestial Master Mansion, or even the entire Taoist Sect, was secretly brewing so grand conspiracy, then for it to surface during the battles in Jiangzhou and Jinzhou seed like a deliberate, yet inexplicable, exposure. The outco ultimately benefited not only the Celestial Master Mansion itself but, even more so, the Tang Imperial Court. Is it a case of showing ten on the surface, then suddenly revealing twelve or thirteen to gain further trust from outsiders, while in reality possessing twenty, thirty, or even more?
Xiao Chunhui couldn’t find an explanation for the ti being. The only course of action, as the Empress had advised, was to refrain from rash judgnts and continue observing.
The Empress asked, "Did anyone from the Celestial Master Mansion detect the Comprehensive Tribulation Ye Moquan set up in Duanlong Gorge?"
Xiao Chunhui replied, "At the ti, no one appeared to intervene. Afterward, the Ye Clan mbers dismantled the Comprehensive Tribulation and retreated. Therefore, it’s impossible to confirm whether the Celestial Master Mansion, or those associated with them, detected the Comprehensive Tribulation in Duanlong Gorge. However... I am inclined to believe they were aware of it.
It’s just that Ye Moquan’s tribulation utilized the Spiritual Energy of the Mountain and River Ley Lines and was purely aid at the Tang Imperial Court, not affecting the Celestial Master Mansion’s interests.
The Tang Imperial Court also took no further action.
The victor at the Jinzhou Ye Clan’s ancestral land had already been decided, rendering the Comprehensive Tribulation an irrelevant, discarded gambit.
Thus, the Tang Court also remained inactive."
Hidden assets planted within the Prestigious Families must be ticulously protected, their identities kept secret, striving to ensure they remain concealed to be effective in the future.
Xiao Chunhui said, "Elder Jingge has passed on the position of clan leader. According to current reports, he requires a long period of convalescence. It’s still unclear whether his injuries are truly severe or if he has other plans."
The Empress wasn’t concerned about this. She said, "We’ll find out once we can contact Xu Yuanzhen later and ask her."
Xiao Chunhui continued, "Your Majesty, I have another matter to report. Regarding the Nanzong Lin Clan, just yesterday, Lin Yuwei and Lin Jinsong gathered so of the clan’s most capable individuals and set out to sea."
The Empress asked, "To do what?"
Xiao Chunhui replied, "It seems to be related to the Nine Streams Hermit, but the specific details are unclear. I have already instructed my people to investigate further."
The Empress nodded.
After this exchange, once Xiao Chunhui had completed his report, the Empress suddenly asked, "How is ng Shaojie doing?"
Xiao Chunhui replied, "He still hasn’t achieved his breakthrough. His mind is sowhat unsettled, but this is quite normal under the current circumstances. He remains diligent in his cultivation and can maintain self-control."
He smiled. "Your Majesty, I believe his ’tempering’ has been sufficient for quite so ti."
The Empress said, "It is the Confucian Sect’s way of cultivation: accumulate deeply to unleash powerfully. With his talent, he has ample ti, but the ’tempering’ is still insufficient."
Her Majesty wishes to cultivate him, yet hopes he won’t be loyal to anyone, not even to herself or the Zhang Tang Royal Family... Xiao Chunhui sighed inwardly. This ’tempering’ is truly difficult to grasp.
Proximity breeds affection; distance can foster resentnt. However, as Her Majesty said, ng Shaojie is still young. Besides having ample ti for his cultivation, as he ages and gains experience, his state of mind will grow increasingly stable, perhaps even weathered, making him less susceptible to external influences. One can only hope that the crops sown in one’s own field do not end up benefiting others.
Lei Jun certainly would not choose to go to Changjie Island in the East Sea.
Such dangerous places were, of course, for whoever was willing to venture there.
Therefore, after concluding his business at the Moon-gathering Blessed Land, Lei Jun sent a sound transmission to Luo Haoran to inform him of his departure, then left the Kuanglu Mountains, heading west.
He arrived within the territory of Yuanzhou.
And then he began looking for Qingi Creek.
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