Separated in two locations, Lei Jun and Zhang Jingzhen still both had their attention drawn in the direction of Biyou Immortal Mountain.
That place seemed highly unusual.
Zhang Jingzhen glanced over, and quickly understood what was happening.
She did not seem at all surprised, and calmly made her way toward Biyou Immortal Mountain.
Elsewhere, in the distance, Lei Jun was not particularly surprised either.
In the end, someone ignored Zhang Jingzhen’s warning and approached Biyou Immortal Mountain.
As the saying went, the more forbidden it was, the more tempting it became.
Similar incidents, both great and small, had happened countless times throughout history.
*They would surely continue in the future as well.*
Lei Jun kept his expression neutral, and headed in the direction of Biyou Immortal Mountain.
Arriving at the foot of the immortal mountain, he indeed saw a middle-aged Taoist struck by purple lightning.
Fortunately, Zhang Jingzhen had arrived just in time to help him fend off the purple lightning.
But the Divine Thunder was formidable, and even with Zhang Jingzhen’s Sixth Heavenly Layer cultivation, defending against it remained perilous.
Luckily, the two of them were only near the outer edge of the immortal mountain, so Zhang Jingzhen hurriedly dragged the middle-aged Taoist away, retreating together.
Lei Jun moved up to assist, and the three of them withdrew farther away as one.
Once outside a certain range, the Divine Thunder really ceased striking so densely.
Yet above in the purple heavens, thunder light continued to flicker and pulse, as if still itching to strike.
Affected by the changes in Biyou Immortal Mountain, the Spiritual Energy throughout Supreme Pure Thunder Mansion Cave Heaven seemed to surge and ripple, refusing to settle for a long while.
The other talisman-instructed disciples who had entered Cave Heavens hurried over upon hearing the news, and upon seeing the scene, were shocked—each heart chilled with awe.
"Don’t linger here, return to the Immortal Bamboo Forest," Zhang Jingzhen said,
Lei Jun nodded, and brought the injured man back with him.
After reaching the Immortal Bamboo Forest, he aided in treating the injured, while Zhang Jingzhen meditated, practicing breathing skills to restore her Primordial Qi.
After quite some time, Zhang Jingzhen opened her eyes, checked on the injured man, and gave Lei Jun a slight nod, "Lei, you handled this both quickly and thoroughly."
Lei Jun said, "Wang once advised me."
Zhang Jingzhen smiled, "That’s certainly a fine skill."
She looked once more at the wounded Taoist, speaking gently rather than sternly, "Do you have any other discomfort?"
The man showed a guilty expression, "I only regret losing my senses for a moment, and not listening to your warning, Zhang, bringing calamity upon myself."
Zhang Jingzhen smiled, "Rest well, you’ll be fine—as long as you’re safe, that’s what matters."
Lei Jun watched quietly from the side, *feeling fortunate.*
*According to the description of a moderately unlucky lot, with his current cultivation strength and body-protecting magical artifact, even getting close to Biyou Immortal Mountain was dangerous, not to mention anyone else.*
*Reality proved that Zhang Jingzhen, at the Sixth Heavenly Realm, found it extremely taxing to pull someone out.*
*And that was only when they had just approached the mountain’s edge.*
*Going deeper? One could only imagine.*
Zhang Jingzhen turned to the others, "Is everyone else alright?"
Everyone present shook their heads, "We’re fine."
Though the words were spoken, many still felt lingering fear.
Only one had secretly risked breaking the rules, but quite a few felt tempted, itching in their hearts.
*Trying to seize a rare chance or wagering for luck and blessing—whatever the reason.*
There were plenty who yearned for Biyou Immortal Mountain.
But the majority managed to suppress the urge with reason, unlike that unlucky fool who actually acted.
"We’re still missing a few,"
Lei Jun looked about, scanning the crowd, "It’s unlikely they’re at Biyou Immortal Mountain; they must be scattered elsewhere in Cave Heavens."
Once breathing skills were completed and the aura restored to calm, Zhang Jingzhen stood up, "To be safe, Lei, let’s split up and survey the area one more time, to make sure no one else is in trouble."
Lei Jun said, "You’re right, Zhang."
After instructing the other talisman-instructed disciples to remain in the Immortal Bamboo Forest for recovery and to take care of the injured man, Lei Jun and Zhang Jingzhen separated to once again patrol the outskirts of Cave Heavens.
Lei Jun checked his timing, then strolled off toward Nanhua Cliff.
On the way, he happened to meet a fellow disciple and told them to gather at the Immortal Bamboo Forest; then Lei Jun continued on his way, showing no emotion.
Arriving at the base of Nanhua Cliff, Lei Jun inspected it top and bottom.
No one else was present.
Looking out from above, the area remained open and empty—no one in sight.
Lei Jun silently calculated the time.
*In terms of the outside world, daybreak was approaching.*
......
Passing the Xianming Spring pool, Zhang Jingzhen took a detour.
She circled around, checking left and right, and after seeing no one else, prepared to leave.
Daybreak arrived.
At that very moment, Zhang Jingzhen suddenly heard the Dao melody at Xianming Spring drop and then vanish entirely.
Startled, she turned to look, and saw that the spring water in the pool, in the blink of an eye, drained away at shocking speed.
The water level fell, exposing the bottom almost instantly.
Zhang Jingzhen was astonished, and did not approach right away; instead, she watched with caution.
She noticed that, once the spring pool dried up, the exposed spring-eye revealed an object faintly gleaming with light.
Seeing it clearly, Zhang Jingzhen grew even more curious.
The thing was one she knew all too well.
The lot table used by Taoist Sect when reporting to Heaven.
But this lot table was incomplete; part appeared to be missing.
Zhang Jingzhen examined it closely.
Only when she saw that the spring water was gushing forth again, about to cover the flickering fragment of the table, did she finally make up her mind and cast a spell to retrieve it.
......
Outside Dragon Tiger Mountain, at a place thousands of miles away,
embraced by the dim morning light, a young man with a gentle face but sharp eyes suddenly froze, as if struck by lightning.
It was Chen Yi, who had abandoned his sect some time ago.
At that moment, his body was rigid, golden light swirling between his eyes.
Deep within his soul there seemed to be a golden hall.
The hall was empty, but it also housed a fragment of the lot table, now blinking of its own accord.
For a good while, Chen Yi came back to himself, the glow in his eyes fading.
He spun around abruptly, gazing toward Dragon Tiger Mountain.
*Even though he could not see anything, Chen Yi’s expression was a mass of tangled emotions.*
*Inside Supreme Pure Thunder Mansion Cave Heaven, what he had wanted was taken by someone else.*
*Who was it?!*
......
At that same dawn, within Supreme Pure Thunder Mansion Cave Heaven, atop the sheer wall of Nanhua Cliff,
Lei Jun rose through the clouds, his form ascending to the ancient tree that jutted halfway out into midair.
He carefully scrutinized the ancient tree.
He saw that the old tree had sprouted new flowers.
On the tree’s already aged branches, a pure white, rare immortal blossom suddenly and without warning bloomed; its petals unfurled and quivered gently in the air.