Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 100: Someone's dream of the Shangqing Leifu Cave Heaven

“A spiritual item nurtured by the Nine Saints Frost?”

Lei Jun’s eyes lit up upon hearing this. He carefully contemplated and felt that it was indeed as Yuan Mobai said.

He recalled something: “Just like the Unaccomplished Cauldron and Jiji Stone back then, could it be that the spiritual item nurtured by the Nine Saints Frost this time isn’t just any random item?”

Back then, when there was an opportunity to improve his comprehension with the Fire Marrow Yangfish, both Xu Yuanzhen and Yuan Mobai had told him that aside from the Water Marrow Yinfish—which counterbalanced the Fire Marrow Yangfish—at least one more spiritual item capable of harmonizing Yin and Yang was required.

Although such Yin-Yang harmonizing spiritual items were rare and precious, they weren’t limited to just one or two types.

Especially since the Tianshi Mansion of Mount Longhu, as a Daoist Holy Land for the Talismanic Branch, had always emphasized the balance of Yin and Yang, represented by the union of Dragon and Tiger.

In reality, though, there weren’t many Yin-Yang harmonizing spiritual items suitable for Lei Jun.

Ultimately, it was through a fortunate opportunity that he obtained the Unaccomplished Cauldron.

It’s clear that so-called opportunities are unique and can’t be forced. Just like the Tianshi Seal itself cannot enhance a cultivator’s innate talent.

“Hmm, it should be a specific type of spiritual item, nurtured by the Nine Saints Frost, which can then synergize with the True-One Altar of the Tianshi Seal.”

Yuan Mobai nodded: “Moreover, it probably won’t just be these two items; at least one more is needed.”

The Daoist way has always emphasized the harmony of Heaven, Earth, and Man—the Three Talents.

Since Lei Jun has entered the Daoist path, his fate is guided by an invisible force. To undergo a complete transformation, three opportunities must combine.

At the very least, it’s a situation where more is better than less.

“I will keep an eye out for the third opportunity,” Lei Jun said. “If we can confirm the first two, finding the third one should be relatively clearer and simpler?”

Yuan Mobai: “At the very least, the chances will be higher.”

The first one—the Tianshi Seal and the True-One Altar—was already clear. But the second one...

“I don’t mind keeping an eye out for it,” Lei Jun frowned slightly. “But the Nine Saints Frost is limited; there isn’t enough to test one by one.”

Yuan Mobai smiled: “No need to worry, the Tianshi Seal will assist you.”

Lei Jun understood: “That’s even better.”

The master and disciple chatted for a while longer, and Lei Jun took his leave.

Just before leaving, he suddenly asked softly, “Master, when I unintentionally obtained the Unaccomplished Cauldron in the Grand Alchemy Hall, was that Senior Uncle’s handiwork?”

Although a new Tianshi hadn’t been appointed, since the previous Tianshi, Li Qingfeng, had passed away, it was inappropriate to continue addressing him as Tianshi or Sect Leader.

“I believe it was Senior Brother Qingfeng’s doing,” Yuan Mobai nodded slightly.

This wasn’t to say that Li Qingfeng specifically refined an Unaccomplished Cauldron for Lei Jun.

At that time, Li Qingfeng had secretly refined pills for himself. During the process, a mortar absorbed some spiritual essence, transforming into the Unaccomplished Cauldron.

Later, by coincidence, Lei Jun obtained this treasure before it lost its spiritual essence.

But why would the dignified Tianshi Li Qingfeng secretly refine pills back then?

“At first, I thought Senior Uncle deliberately revealed a flaw to mislead his enemies, making himself appear weak to lure external foes,” Lei Jun said. “But based on subsequent events, it seems his condition was genuinely not good. He was taking a risky gamble.”

Yuan Mobai: “Only Senior Brother Qingfeng himself would know the details.”

He stood up and paced slowly within the hall, with Lei Jun following behind:

“Based on what I know, Senior Brother Qingfeng’s condition was indeed poor. The Samsara Curse is one of the most mysterious and top-tier sinister arts of the Southern Wasteland’s Cursing Sect or Gu Sect. Although it carries a primitive savagery, its power is undeniable. Even with Senior Brother Qingfeng’s abilities, he could only suppress it, not remove it.”

Yuan Mobai paused: “Worse still, Senior Brother Qingfeng wasn’t only afflicted by the Samsara Curse. During that battle, he was also hit by the Aging Gu of the Witch Sect.”

Lei Jun pondered: “Our sect’s texts don’t detail the Aging Gu, but some references mention it...”

The Aging Gu and the Samsara Curse are both top-tier secret arts of the Southern Wasteland’s Witch Sect. This venomous art burns a person’s lifespan.

When used on oneself, it temporarily enhances all abilities by burning lifespan, serving as a desperate last resort. When used on an enemy, both the user and the target lose lifespan together.

“Senior Uncle’s lifespan was no longer that of a normal Upper-Heaven cultivator?” Lei Jun looked at Yuan Mobai.

Yuan Mobai nodded.

Lei Jun immediately understood.

Under normal circumstances, with Li Qingfeng’s cultivation, he could suppress the Samsara Curse without severe consequences.

But because the Aging Gu had reduced his lifespan, Li Qingfeng aged prematurely, causing his strength to decline.

Once he weakened beyond a certain point, he could no longer suppress the Samsara Curse.

“This matter was highly secretive. I only found out just before and after Senior Brother Qingfeng’s last battle,” Yuan Mobai sighed.

No wonder the former Tianshi took such a risky gamble... Lei Jun thought.

Yuan Mobai continued: “The Witch Sect of the Southern Wasteland is bloodthirsty and internally divided, frequently changing alliances with the outside world.

The Samsara Abyss, the holy land of the Cursing Sect, bore a grudge against our sect for years. However, most of those enemies perished, and the current master of the Samsara Abyss, to consolidate power, turned to us...”

Lei Jun smiled. In an environment where allegiances shifted like the wind, this wasn’t surprising.

“In that battle, our sect captured some sacred items of the Southern Wasteland’s Witch Sect. The master of the Samsara Abyss sought one of these items and, in exchange, helped Senior Brother Qingfeng remove the Samsara Curse and even developed a way to transfer it.”

Yuan Mobai explained: “The leader of the Lin Clan in Jiangzhou, Lin Qun, didn’t know this and suffered a huge loss.

Even though the Samsara Curse was lifted, some residual effects remained, and the lifespan burned by the Aging Gu couldn’t be restored. This made Senior Brother Qingfeng’s subsequent decisions more aggressive.”

Lei Jun’s assessment was:

The former Tianshi didn’t trust his successors’ wisdom.

He wanted to solve everything during his tenure.

Whether this mindset was good or bad depended on perspective.

But there was no doubt that the Tianshi Li Qingfeng’s mutual destruction with Lin Qun profoundly impacted the world, with the aftershocks still lingering.

After chatting with his master Yuan Mobai, Lei Jun returned to his residence.

The past was past, serving only as a lesson for the present.

For Lei Jun, there were still many things he didn’t need to worry about.

He focused on his cultivation.

While he was interested in finding a suitable spiritual item nurtured by the Nine Saints Frost, he let fate take its course, not forcing it.

Sharpening the axe doesn’t delay chopping firewood. Achieving the Sacred Physique would certainly speed up his cultivation, but Lei Jun wasn’t ready to spend excessive time searching for it.

He focused on consolidating his foundation.

Advancing from the Third Heaven to the Fourth Heaven brought significant changes. Lei Jun needed time to adapt fully, ensuring he mastered every aspect of his abilities.

He started with physical training.

In general, the transition from the Altar Stage to the Primal Talisman Stage mainly enhanced his soul and spirit, with less change to his physical body.

Still, Lei Jun’s punches and kicks were now immensely powerful.

The Black Bear King’s Gallbladder had further demonstrated its potential.

If he could reach the Fifth Heaven Dao Palace Stage, his physical strength would surge dramatically again.

After several rounds of practice, Lei Jun paused and calmly regulated his breath.

He raised his hand, and a nine-foot-tall, four-foot-wide Primal Talisman manifested above his head, radiating spiritual light.

This time, he effortlessly produced a basic Spirit Talisman—of superior grade—with just a wave of his hand, without needing an altar, brush, or ink.

“To create the highest-grade basic talisman, I still need a Talisman Brush and Talisman Ink,” Lei Jun noted.

Earlier, during the Talisman Conferral Ceremony, Yuan Mobai had taught him the third volume of the True Canon of the Dao of Righteousness and the Talismanic Scriptures for advanced talismans.

Creating advanced talismans still required proper rituals, but Lei Jun wasn’t in a hurry.

He retrieved two items: the Breath-Taking Flag and the Upper Qing Golden Bamboo.

Now, as a Middle-Heaven cultivator, Lei Jun could unlock more of their potential.

The Breath-Taking Flag, once only for defense, now had stronger protection and some offensive capabilities.

The Upper Qing Golden Bamboo extended its length with a thought, emitting dazzling golden light.

...Though it did look a bit strange.

“Well, a little refinement won’t hurt. I’m a dignified and righteous man...” Lei Jun nodded.

Another item, the Dragon Horse Scale, seemed less useful now.

“I’ll keep it for later,” he decided.

He experimented by combining the Dragon Horse Scale with the Golden-threaded Robe from Fang Yue, enhancing its defense.

Though his crafting was clumsy, Lei Jun enjoyed it.

New experiences like these fueled his passion for cultivation.

However, a few days later, he received a notice to pause his research.

“Chongyun, prepare yourself.”

Master Yuan Mobai said: “The Upper Qing Thunder Altar Grotto-Heaven is about to open. You and the other talismanic disciples will enter for training.”

The Upper Qing Thunder Altar Grotto-Heaven was the most important secret realm of Mount Longhu, suspended above the main peak and shrouded in thunderclouds like a celestial paradise.

Not just disciples of the Tianshi Mansion, but countless cultivators across the world yearned for it.