Cultivation: Fortune by Lots

Although Lei Jun highly esteemed his Senior Martial Sister's strength, he still felt somewhat anxious when she undertook this errand in his stead. He worried that something unexpected might happen, leading Xu Yuanzhen to encounter danger on his behalf, even though Xu Yuanzhen herself was quite interested in the trip.

Fortunately, it was now proven that his Senior Martial Sister's strength remained as solid as ever, and she had returned safely.

"'Here's the item.'" She showed no joy on her face as she carelessly retrieved an item from her Miniature Bag and tossed it in front of Lei Jun and Yuan Mobai.

The object, the size of a baby's fist, was spherical but multifaceted. It was crystalline and translucent, flashing with a dazzling golden light, resembling a miniature sun. Pure and scorching Yang Qi emanated from it, instantly filling the entire room.

Upon seeing it, both Lei Jun and Yuan Mobai marveled. "The quality is excellent! And to think there's such a large Radiant Sun Crystal—it's truly rare. We've never seen anything like it before."

To be certain, Yuan Mobai carefully inspected the treasure again, confirming that Riyao had left no traces behind.

"'When I arrived at the location, only the item was there; no one was present,' Xu Yuanzhen stated. 'I tried waiting, but still to no avail.'"

Lei Jun then asked, "'Conversely, Senior Martial Sister, were you spotted?'"

Xu Yuanzhen replied, "'Of course, they couldn't find me either.'"

The agreed-upon meeting place was an archipelago, where both sides were to place their treasures on different islands.

Ultimately, it appeared both parties had acted honorably, arriving as promised and indeed leaving the treasures.

However, there was no shortage of scheming and intrigue beneath the surface.

The final outcome, however, was hard to deem either satisfying or dissatisfying.

Everyone got what they wanted.

No one was exposed, but neither side managed to discern the other's true capabilities.

"'The very fact that you couldn't see through them, Senior Martial Sister, already indicates a few things,' Lei Jun remarked."

Given Xu Yuanzhen's Cultivation Strength, very few individuals were capable of contending with her. Across the known world, almost all such people were renowned figures.

Riyao's Cultivation Strength must be quite high indeed.

If I had gone myself instead of Senior Martial Sister... regardless of whether Riyao harbored intentions to double-cross and seize the goods, they certainly possessed the capability to do so.

It was indeed wise of me to get her help this time, Lei Jun thought.

"'Send a message to Martial Niece Xiaotang,' Yuan Mobai said. 'Although she might not receive it immediately, I hope she returns to the sect soon.'"

If what Tang Xiaotang had said was true, and she really had found a clue related to the Celestial Master's Sword, then she might be quite busy at the moment. She might even have to compare her luck and skills with Li Zhengxuan.

"'I'm somewhat interested in this Riyao,' Xu Yuanzhen said, waving her hand. 'If you trade with this person again, let me know. If I can make it, I will.'"

Lei Jun replied, "'Understood.'"

Xu Yuanzhen thought for a moment, then shook her head. "'There's no immediate rush, though. I have some matters to attend to right now and might not be free later.'"

She looked at Lei Jun. "'So, you first try to get some information from them. I have two pieces of intelligence for you: one you can use yourself, and for the other, help me trade it for some news I want.'"

Lei Jun asked, intrigued, "'Oh?'"

Xu Yuanzhen continued, "'First, members of the White Lotus Sect have been very active in the Jingxiang region recently. The new Future Maitreya has already entered the mortal world to gain experience.'"

"'Second, in the Daolang Mountain area, downstream of the Songjiang River in the Northern Border, a Pure Soul Treasure is about to mature, likely within one or two years.'"

Lei Jun noted this down, a sense of awe washing over him.

This Senior Martial Sister of his... to put it nicely, she's a world traveler, leaving her mark everywhere. To put it less kindly, she's practically a vagrant, always on the move... But her travels were certainly not in vain. She constantly stumbled upon opportunities, her hands always full, and she possessed so many treasures that she could afford to casually discard one after acquiring another. Moreover, Xu Yuanzhen was always exceptionally well-informed, receiving news far more readily than others.

The whereabouts of the Spiritual Soul Treasure aside for the moment, the news about the White Lotus Sect's Future Maitreya entering the world, though vague, was of considerable significance.

The White Lotus Sect believed in the descent of Maitreya, the end of the old world, and the birth of a new world. The Future Maitreya Buddha would replace the current ruling Buddha. The new world would replace the old one. This cycle would continue; in the future's future, a new Maitreya Buddha would again replace the old Maitreya Buddha. The world would always be a new world, always filled with hope.

Thus, within the White Lotus Sect, the Sect Master is referred to as the Present Maitreya or the Worldly Maitreya. The designated successor is known as the Future Maitreya. This individual could essentially be considered the Holy Child of the White Lotus Sect, or the Sect Master-in-waiting. With this person now active in the world, it seemed the White Lotus Sect was indeed preparing for a major undertaking.

"'What information do you want in return, Senior Martial Sister?' Lei Jun inquired."

Xu Yuanzhen replied, "'I want to know what that old fox from the Jinzhou Ye Clan is currently up to.'"

Lei Jun and Yuan Mobai nodded slightly, sharing the same unspoken question.

Just as Chu Kun had mentioned, the old patriarch of the Jinzhou Ye Clan didn't seem like the type to die for the Tang Imperial Court. The fact that he hadn't schemed against Emperor Zhang Qilong from behind the scenes was already quite magnanimous of him.

The official story was that the old patriarch of the Jinzhou Ye Clan had led the clan's experts to aid the Western Regions and had returned seriously injured. Lei Jun and the others were skeptical of this. But skepticism was one thing; they lacked not only solid proof but even any corroborating evidence.

Xu Yuanzhen's tone clearly indicated she didn't believe for a second that he was still recovering from serious injuries. She was more concerned with what he was currently engaged in.

Lei Jun committed her words to memory. Xu Yuanzhen then waved her hand and departed once more.

Yuan Mobai nodded at Lei Jun and also stood up to leave. He needed to reactivate the Altar of Wanfa Sect. Xu Yuanzhen would then use it to continue the systematic search that had been interrupted, striving to grasp another effective clue for locating the Celestial Master's Sword.

Although Lei Jun had received this intelligence from Xu Yuanzhen, he wasn't in any hurry to initiate contact with Riyao.