Cultivation: Fortune by Lots

Upon hearing Lei Jun's words, YueYao spoke, "Can you tell us which Spirit Pill this alchemical recipe is for?"

Lei Jun, "Purifying Pill."

YueYao, "It's a pity that it's an incomplete recipe. Speaking of which, I remember Mu Yao also has a fragment of a pill recipe?"

Mu Yao, "That's correct. I have the Taoist Sect's Heavenly Primordial Qingjing Pill."

Lei Jun was interested in this recipe, but not in urgent need of it, so he deliberately feigned indifference. "I'm not very interested in incomplete recipes. There's no need to trade fragments for fragments."

YueYao, "Yours is also a fragment and equally difficult to appraise, so I won't participate."

Riyao and Mu Yao both remained silent, seeming to lack interest as well.

Lei Jun was not discouraged, calmly listening as YueYao continued, "I would like to inquire if anyone has any information on Great Demons. I mean, large-scale movements of the Demon Race, not just individual mischief."

Although Riyao still shimmered with light, it seemed only concerned with news of Wei Ancheng, the Sect Leader of the Blood River Sect. Without any response, it showed little interest in other matters, as if always silently conserving energy.

Lei Jun also remained silent for the moment, his mind swiftly flashing through numerous thoughts as he speculated about YueYao's purpose in her concern over the Great Demons' movements.

"I have some unconfirmed information, but I'm not sure if it would meet your requirements," Mu Yao then spoke up.

YueYao, "What do you want in exchange?"

Mu Yao, "We can talk about it privately later."

It turned out that Mu Yao wanted to have private chats with more than just YueYao.

「Later on」

After it seemed everyone had finished speaking and dispersed, Lei Jun received a message from Mu Yao.

The subject concerned the Purifying Pill fragment he possessed.

Though it was a private conversation, such a direct expression of interest led Lei Jun to make many speculations.

It was hard to say whether the other party was a member of the Buddhist Sect or intended to mislead him through deception. For the moment, Lei Jun was more inclined to believe the former. This was because the significance of the Purifying Pill recipe wasn't limited to the pill itself; it might also be connected to that broken candlestick Magic Artifact.

However, Lei Jun maintained his composure, conversing with the other party calmly.

Mu Yao, "What would you like in exchange?"

Lei Jun, "I want to inquire about some matters."

Mu Yao, "Please proceed."

Lei Jun, "Let me make it clear beforehand: although the recipe is incomplete, I assure you of its authenticity. Thus, its significance is no less than that of ordinary intelligence. This isn't an item-for-item exchange, so I require at least two pieces of information in return."

After what seemed like a moment's consideration, Mu Yao spoke again, his tone revealing neither joy nor sorrow, "What kind of information does Your Excellency want?"

Lei Jun, "I would like information on the White Lotus Sect, the Yellow Sky Sect, and the Great Void Temple—at least on two of these."

The three names he mentioned were all notorious in the Cultivation world.

To be precise, they could be called the dens of the three biggest rebels.

The White Lotus Sect needs no further mention.

The Yellow Sky Sect has also been consistently denounced as a Heretical Path by the Tang Imperial Dynasty and is subject to their ongoing warrants.

The Great Void Temple is no exception.

To some extent, it is considered a heretical branch of the Buddhist Sect, just like the White Lotus Sect, and it is a mortal enemy of the Buddhist Sect's Four Sacred Grounds.

Even its relationship with the White Lotus Sect is not harmonious. Conflicts and opposition frequently occur between them.

Although both advocate for the destruction of the old world, there remain significant differences internally.

One worships the Maitreya Future Buddha while the other venerates the Great Extinction Tathagata.

Their very concepts of destroying the old world are vastly different as well.

The White Lotus Sect preaches that the current world will enter extinction, followed by the birth of a future world where all beings can achieve ultimate bliss.

The Great Void Temple, however, believes in constant destruction and renewal: the old makes way for the new, the new becomes old, and then must be destroyed again. It is an endless cycle. Only incessant destruction is eternal.

In their external demeanor and actions, Disciples of the Great Void Temple are even more radical and ferocious than those of the White Lotus Sect.

Rumors say their cultivation methods involve Demon Qi and Evil Miasma. They practice the Dharma of destruction. While their combative prowess is impressive, their style is much more ruthless, diverging greatly from most Buddhist traditions and truly embodying the image of Buddhist heretics.

About two hundred years ago, the Great Void Temple once rose in rebellion across the Great Tang Dynasty, creating a massive uproar, but was eventually suppressed.

The Great Void Temple's heritage suffered heavy losses and casualties. The few remaining survivors, to escape capture and execution, sought refuge overseas.

Nowadays, within the mainland territory of Central Earth Great Tang, Disciples of the Great Void Temple have not been seen for many years.

However, Tang Xiaotang had mentioned it in passing earlier, after returning from her travels in the distant waters of the East Sea, during a casual conversation with Lei Jun.

She had ventured to sea in search of the Celestial Master's Sword and encountered Disciples of the Great Void Temple, though she did not have much interaction with them.

Now, as Lei Jun talked with Mu Yao, he mentioned the Great Void Temple primarily to group the three major rebel strongholds together.

His real focus was initially on the Yellow Sky Sect.

Mu Yao elaborated patiently, "I have two pieces of unverified news for Your Excellency's consideration, though I am not sure if they are sufficient to exchange for your pill recipe. These two pieces of information pertain to the Yellow Sky Sect and the Great Void Temple.

"First, regarding the Yellow Sky Sect. I've heard rumors that its Sect Leader, Taoist Taiping, has been in seclusion nursing his injuries since being wounded by Xu Yuanzhen and Li Hongyu in the battle at Dragon Tiger Mountain six years ago. He has rarely appeared since then. The current affairs of the Yellow Sky Sect are being temporarily managed by the Elders.

"However," Mu Yao paused briefly before continuing, "according to other rumors, a serious internal conflict seems to have arisen within the Yellow Sky Sect, dividing it into two factions with frequent infighting. I am not privy to the specific details of this, though."

As Lei Jun listened, for a moment he wanted to facepalm and sigh in frustration.

Is there really no limit to internal divisions? Just like my own Longhu Mountain Celestial Master's Mansion... even the offshoot Yellow Sky Sect is the same?