Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 101: Isn't this fortune too good?

Lei Jun had mentally prepared himself for what Yuan Mobai had described.

Generally speaking, access to the Upper Qing Thunder Altar Grotto-Heaven was highly restricted, with only a select few permitted entry.

The Tianshi and the Presiding Elders had the highest level of authority and could enter freely, but only for themselves.

Sixth Heaven elders were allowed to enter the Upper Qing Thunder Altar Grotto-Heaven once per year.

Tianshi Mansion’s direct disciples could also enter once a year.

For any other Daoists below the Sixth Heaven, entry required accumulating sufficient merit.

Additionally, after each successful Talisman Conferral, newly conferred disciples were granted one immediate opportunity to enter the grotto-heaven. After that, further entry depended on their accumulated merits.

For anyone besides the Tianshi and the Presiding Elders, the time spent inside the grotto-heaven was strictly limited. These rules were rigorously enforced. Even during the Li Family's most flamboyant periods, no exceptions were made.

… Except for Tang Xiaotang.

Her exceptional talent and her unconventional apprenticeship situation made her a rare exception. Despite never officially undergoing Initiation or Talisman Conferral, she received special training based on her cultivation level.

In recent years, Tang Xiaotang had ascended to the Upper Heavens. Her privileges for entering the Upper Qing Thunder Altar Grotto-Heaven were now the same as those of the Presiding Elders.

This year, Lei Jun and the other newly conferred disciples would get one chance to enter the Upper Qing Thunder Altar Grotto-Heaven. Future entries would depend on merit.

“I'm ready to depart at any time,” Lei Jun said to Yuan Mobai.

Yuan Mobai nodded, smiling. “Before you go, claim your Sixth Grade Daoist rank.”

He added, “Staying low-profile is fine, but once you enter the Upper Qing Thunder Altar Grotto-Heaven, it’ll be hard to hide.”

Receiving his Sixth Grade Daoist rank meant officially revealing that Lei Jun had reached the Fourth Heaven Primal Talisman Realm.

Having progressed from Qi Refining to Foundation Establishment, then to the Altar Realm, and now the Primal Talisman Realm in less than six years, Lei Jun's rapid advancement was striking.

However, Lei Jun remained calm. He didn’t seek attention, but since his entry into the grotto-heaven would inevitably be public, there was no need to hide it. He wouldn't delay this opportunity.

Moreover, with Yuan Mobai presiding over the Ten Thousand Methods Sect Altar and Lei Jun being one of his two disciples—and the only standout candidate at the Talisman Conferral Ceremony—it would have been forced to stay too low-profile.

Lei Jun left Yuan Mobai’s residence to register his new Daoist rank, causing a stir. The news spread quickly throughout the mansion.

The last person to cause such a commotion was Tang Xiaotang.

While Lei Jun's achievements weren't as groundbreaking, they still provided the mansion with a hot topic. Even the Sixth Academy's young apprentices felt pride, much to the envy of other academies.

Besides receiving his Sixth Grade rank, Lei Jun paid little attention to the buzz. He was more eager for his trip to the Upper Qing Thunder Altar Grotto-Heaven.

On the designated day, Lei Jun and the other newly conferred disciples gathered at the summit of Mount Longhu's main peak. Alongside the mansion’s direct disciples, some disciples from external branches had come to attend the conferral ceremony and now awaited this rare chance to enter the grotto-heaven.

Elder Shangguan Ning was in charge of opening the Upper Qing Thunder Altar Grotto-Heaven today.

His gaze swept across the group, resting on Lei Jun and a woman.

“Jingzhen, you’ll lead the group this time,” Shangguan Ning instructed.

The woman was Zhang Jingzhen, the third disciple of the previous Tianshi Li Qingfeng.

She had already received her Talisman Conferral but coincidentally needed to enter the grotto-heaven this time as well.

Though they were cousins, they addressed each other as “Martial Uncle” and “Martial Niece” out of respect for tradition.

“Understood, Martial Uncle,” Zhang Jingzhen replied respectfully.

Turning to Lei Jun, Shangguan Ning said, “Lei, you’re a Middle Heaven cultivator now. Assist Jingzhen in leading the group.”

“Yes, Martial Uncle,” Lei Jun replied.

Among the new disciples, Lei Jun was the only one at the Fourth Heaven Primal Talisman Realm. The others were all in the Third Heaven Altar Realm, most with three-tiered altars.

After instructing Zhang Jingzhen and Lei Jun, Shangguan Ning waved his hand. Symbols of blue flame swirled in the air like a burning cloud.

A massive tiger-shaped apparition of the Nine Abyss Flame Ancestor emerged, roaring towards the sky.

The thunderclouds above parted silently, unleashing streaks of lightning that covered the summit.

Lei Jun and the others, having been briefed on the process, first paid their respects to the heavens and then to Shangguan Ning before stepping into the lightning.

Lei Jun glanced around.

Above the other disciples' heads floated the glowing shadows of their altars, indicating their Third Heaven cultivation. Most had three-tiered altars.

This was the first Talisman Conferral Ceremony in over a decade, so their cultivation levels were strong.

Above Lei Jun’s head, however, floated a massive, door-sized Spirit Talisman, making him stand out like a crane among chickens.

His presence couldn’t be hidden upon entering the Upper Qing Thunder Altar Grotto-Heaven.

Fortunately, Zhang Jingzhen’s presence helped balance the attention. Above her head floated a Dao Seal, signifying her Sixth Heaven Dao Seal Realm in the Talismanic Branch.

Once everyone was ready, Shangguan Ning waved his hand again, and the thunderclouds retracted, sealing the passage.

A flash of light blinded Lei Jun momentarily. When his vision cleared, he stood in a new world of azure and purple hues.

The ground appeared to be solidified cloud, shimmering with a soft blue glow. Above, the sky was a bright purple, with occasional flashes of lightning.

In the distance, misty mountains and waterfalls stretched as far as the eye could see. The tallest peaks shimmered with a faint radiance beneath the purple sky.

Lei Jun took a deep breath. The dense spiritual energy surpassed even that of the Tianshi Mansion.

Simply being here was nourishing.

“We have limited time,” Zhang Jingzhen smiled. “Make the most of this blessed land.”

Her expression turned serious as she pointed to the tallest peaks. “Though the Upper Qing Thunder Altar Grotto-Heaven is mostly safe, avoid Biyou Immortal Mountain—Divine Thunder often strikes there.”

She glanced at everyone, and Lei Jun nodded calmly. “Understood, Senior Sister.”

The others followed suit.

Her smile returned as she introduced the landmarks: “That’s Cloudfall Peak, that’s Hidden Dragon Valley, that’s Immortal Song Spring, and over there is the Immortal Bamboo Grove…”

“Except for Biyou Immortal Mountain, you’re free to explore the rest. Whether you encounter Opportunities depends on your luck. For quiet cultivation, the Immortal Bamboo Grove is ideal.”

The disciples pondered their choices.

Suddenly, a glowing sphere appeared in Lei Jun’s mind, displaying four fortunes:

1. Upper-Moderate Omen: Visit Immortal Song Spring at sunrise for a Third-Grade Opportunity—but beware of hidden dangers.
2. Upper-Moderate Omen: Climb Nanhua Cliff at sunrise for a Fourth-Grade Opportunity—risk-free.
3. Moderate Omen: Stay in the Immortal Bamboo Grove for spiritual nourishment—no gains, no risks.
4. Lower-Moderate Omen: Approach Biyou Immortal Mountain for denser energy—but it’s dangerous.

The fortunes were promising, but two Upper-Moderate Omens clashed in timing.

Given his cultivation, Lei Jun could dash between locations if sunrise timing wasn’t strict, but previous fortunes suggested otherwise.

He leaned towards the safer Nanhua Cliff, but curiosity about the Third-Grade Opportunity nagged at him.

“Are you going to the Immortal Bamboo Grove, Lei?” Zhang Jingzhen asked.

“I haven’t decided.”

She smiled. “Since only you and I are Middle-Heaven cultivators, let’s split up and watch over the others.”

“Understood, Senior Sister. I’ll join you.”